European health authorities are joining their U.S. counterparts to warn about the dangerous chemical cocktail in spray tanning products which could make conception more difficult and may even lead to birth defects.

The chemical dihydroxyacetone (DHA) in particular, which is the active ingredient in these products, has now come under much scrutiny as investigations suggest that the main ingredient in spray-on tans are causing genetic alterations and DNA damage that can greatly affect users of the product. Medical experts ranging from dermatology doctors to pulmonary medicine have indicated “concerns” about the impact of the tanning compounds if they were to find its way into the bloodstream or inhaled, which is likely since the products are generally sprayed all over the body.

According to London’s Daily Mail, “The products often also contain carcinogens, including formaldehyde and nitrosamines, as well as skin irritants and chemicals linked to allergies, diabetes, obesity and fertility problems.”

Jacqueline McGlade, executive director of the European Environment Agency, told the Daily Mail that the chemicals in spray tans “may be a contributing factor behind the significant increases in cancers, diabetes, obesity and falling fertility.” Elizabeth Salter-Green, of the UK charity the Chem Trust, added that “many of the chemicals in fake tan are toxic to reproduction and can harm a foetus.”

The Daily Mail admits, however, that no tests as yet have been carried out on humans showing that spray-on tanning is harmful or cancerous, although presumably such clinical testing is in the works.

Although this latest warning is bad news for all those women with orange-hued skin on reality TV, among others, all-natural tanning products are apparently coming to market.

Spray Tan Warning: Possible Fertility Issues and Birth Defects is a post from: The Inquisitr

With the exception of coming out of the booth looking orange, spray tanning has been haled as a safer alternative to exposing your body to the UV rays of traditional tanning for a long time. Now ABC news reports that a chemical in the spray know as dihydroxyacetone (DHA), has shown to cause genetic mutations to cells when they are exposed to the chemical in a dish.

There have been no studies in humans and researchers are saying the mutation might not be dangerous or even occur in the human body, but at the same time they are calling for more research into the topic.

Dr. Rey Panettieri, a toxicologist and lung specialist at the University of Pennsylvania, told ABC news,

“These compounds, in some cells, could actually promote the development of cancers or malignancies, and if that’s the case then we need to be wary of them.”

The Food and Drug Administration has approved DHA for use outside the body only. They even caution getting it too close to the eyes areas or on the lips. There is a concern that if the DHA is inhaled it could cause lung cancer.

Evidence is also beginning to mount that a small amount of the spray is being absorbed into the system whereas before they only thought it was interacting with dead skin cells.

ABC investigated and found that most workers at the tanning salons that provide spray tans were totally unaware of the dangers of DHA. In response to the investigation most in the industry say they are going to provide more training to staff and let customers know what the FDA considers risky about it.

Spray Tanning Chemical May Not Be Safe is a post from: The Inquisitr

Christina Aguilera sang (by all accounts beautifully) at Etta James’ funeral on Saturday. Alas, her belting vocals have been somewhat overshadowed by a new viral video showing a strange drippy brown substance running down her leg throughout the performance.

Did Aguilera really have an unfortunate accident at possibly the most inappropriate time ever? Thankfully, no. A spokesperson for the 31-year-old singer has confirmed the real cause of the stray drips as spray tan from a bottle (you’ve got to rub it the right way).

Aside from the poop-like liquid dripping down her leg, Aguilera looked most demure in a black skirt suit, though she clearly knew she had a problem and lost style points when she tried to awkwardly wipe the drips away with her jacket.

At least one person was perturbed by the sight at the funeral. Speaking on Tuesday’s ‘The Talk,’ actor and guest Neil Patrick Harris reflected:

“I was watching backstage, I was hoping it was runs in her stockings. And I was dry-heaving as I was watching. It’s awful. Could it not have been clear? It would have been so much easier to explain.”

Christina Aguilera ‘Drippy Leg’ Mystery Solved, Spray Tan Malfunction Confirmed [Video] is a post from: The Inquisitr