If you are interested in using safer products, just ask me and I will be glad to point you in the right direction!
This article is from the National Association of Nutrition Professionals and is written by Tonya Harris who is pursuing her Master’s Degree in Holistic Nutrition at Hawthorn University, and will graduate in early 2013. Her passion for nutrition stems from being a mother of three and a childhood leukemia survivor, both of which inspired her to opening an online retail store that carries only natural and organic products. Tonya enjoys blogging and speaking to parent groups and organizations about nutrition, as well as the undesirable ingredients that are found in our personal care and household products and how to avoid them.
"There are many chemicals that are found in personal care products
that we expose ourselves and our families to everyday. Many of these
chemicals may cause skin irritations, immune suppression, and even
cancer. We are literally bathing in and are exposed to thousands of
chemicals, most of which we know nothing about, and many of which have
never been tested for safety. We also don’t know the synergistic
effects of the combinations of the chemicals in our bodies.The effects of these chemicals can be especially harmful in babies and children; they may be even more exposed to chemicals than we are: they play on the laminate floor, they put their fingers in their mouths, and they chew on toys that contain phthalates and other undesirable chemicals. Their bodies lack detoxification mechanisms and are more susceptible to the damaging effects of certain chemicals. Since children are exposed at a younger age, they also have a longer exposure time, resulting in an increased chance of harmful effects that may occur later in life.
Here are just a few of the ingredients to be on the lookout for in your personal care and cleaning products:
Parabens, such as methylparaben or propylparaben, are suspected of causing changes at the cellular level that make our bodies more susceptible to developing certain kinds of cancer; in fact parabens have been found inside biopsied breast cancer tumors.
Phthalates are softening agents used in plastics and are used in everything from home furnishings (flooring and wallpaper) and children’s items (bottles, squeeze toys, and teethers) to packaging materials (disposable bottles, plastic food wrap). Studies have shown that exposure to phthalates may cause immune suppression, endocrine disruption (an endocrine disruptor is a synthetic chemical that when absorbed into the body either mimics or blocks hormones and disrupts the body’s normal functions), reproductive and developmental harm, and even cancer. Recent studies have recently also linked phthalates to allergies and asthma. Exposure in humans occurs by ingestion and inhalation, as well as by direct skin contact. Phthlates can also be listed on ingredient labels as DBP, DEP, DEHP, DMP, or BZBP.
Sodium laurel sulfate is a foaming agent used in many products, including shampoo, hand soap, and even toothpaste. It is absorbed into the body from skin applications and one of the major effects of Sodium laurel sulfate is the ability to mimic the activity of estrogen, which is linked to PMS and breast cancer, as well as the dropping rates of male fertility. Sodium laurel sulfate, as well as its chemical relative sodium laureth sulfate, are commonly contaminated with dioxane, a known carcinogen. Sodium laurel sulfate is used in over 90% of shampoos, and is linked to hair loss. It has also been known to prevent a baby’s eyes from developing normally.
Methylisothiazolinone (MIT) is an active ingredient in antimicrobial products such as hand soap, dish soap, and many personal care products (including many children’s products!). Known to cause nerve damage, it is also similar in function, purpose, and molecular structure to Agent Orange.
Phenoxyethanol is used as a preservative and an anti-bacterial, and has been found to affect brain and nervous system in animals. It acts as an endocrine disruptor, and according to its safety sheet, it is “toxic to kidneys, nervous system, and liver. Repeated or prolonged exposure can produce target organs damage.” It is found in many personal care and household products, and can be contaminated with 1,4 dioxane.
1,4 Dioxane is listed as a probable human carcinogen, and the California EPA lists it as a suspected kidney toxicant, neurotoxicant, and respiratory toxicant. It is commonly found in products such as shampoo, toothpaste, bubble bath, etc., that create suds. Ingredients that can be contaminated with dioxane include sodium laurel (and laureth) sulfate, PEG (polyethylene glycol), phenoxyethanol, and other ingredients containing the words xynol, cetereth, and oleth. It is also a byproduct of certain manufacturing processes, so it is not required to be listed in a product’s ingredient list.
Bisphenol A, also known as BPA has been a hot topic in the news for awhile now. This substance is what makes polycarbonate plastic clear, and is a hormone-disrupting chemical considered to be potentially harmful to human health. In April 2008 the National Toxicology Program raised concerns that exposure to BPA during pregnancy and childhood could impact the developing breast and prostate, hasten puberty, and affect behavior in children. Exposure is also thought to play a part in neurological problems such as ADD and autism. More recently in the news, a new study has linked BPA to heart disease and diabetes, as well as abnormally high liver enzymes. BPA is commonly found in plastic water and baby bottles, dental sealants, and food and beverage linings.
Triclosan is used as a pesticide, and has also been linked to abnormalities of the endocrine system and thyroid signaling, weakening of the immune system, and birth defects. Triclosan has also been found to react with chlorine in tap water to form chloroform, a probable human carcinogen. In a study done by researchers at Virginia Polytech University, researchers using triclosan-containing products such as soap and dishwashing products found that it produced chloroform levels that met or exceeded the EPA’s allowable amount. This is a problem because we brush our teeth and wash our hands with tap water, and if those products contain triclosan, we are unknowingly inhaling chloroform vapors. Not only is chloroform a probably carcinogen, it is also linked to human bladder cancers and miscarriages. The CDC states on its “Occupational Health Guidelines for Chloroform” that exposure to chloroform vapors can result in kidney and liver damage. Triclosan is found in many items such as soaps, toothpaste, hand sanitizers, socks, deodorant, cutting boards, and other antibacterial products.
Coal Tar Colors (FD&C, D&C) are derived from petroleum waste, research has suggested FD&C Blue No.1 and FD&C Green No. 3 are carcinogenic (cancer-causing), and D&C Red No. 33, FD&C Yellow No. 5, and FD&C Yellow No. 6 can contain impurities that may cause cancer when applied to the skin. They have been banned for use in Canada and the European Union. FD&C Yellow No. 5 is also used in foods and is known as tartrazine, and can worsen asthma and breathing problems.
This is just a small amount of information on why we should buy chemical-free whenever possible. There are things you can do to avoid or reduce exposure to these undesirable chemicals. Be sure to avoid the chemicals listed above as much as possible. Of course, there are many more ingredients to avoid, but these are a good start. The internet is a great resource. You can search information about a suspicious ingredient online, or you can enter a product name into the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetics Database http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ "
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