Depression is the most common psychological disorder in the US.

Those who suffer from depression usually have physical and psychological symptoms, like insomnia and fatigue. Scientists agree that depression is linked to heredity, illness, certain medications, and pregnancy.

Most patients experience at least some success with anti-depressant medication. However, more and more health professionals are acknowledging environmental and chemical triggers for depressive illness.

In 1992, the EPA conducted a study in which the urine of 7,000 Americans was tested for toxic chemicals. Chemicals like pentachlorophenol, a wood preservative, were found in 71 percent of individuals tested. According to the EPA, exposure to toluene, the most common indoor chemical, may occur simply from breathing indoor air. Toluene toxicity in both humans and animals has been widely observed, and symptoms include chronic fatigue, sleepiness, headaches, and nausea.


Environmental and household chemicals have been linked to numerous illnesses, including; chronic fatigue, skin reactions, depression, low moods, allergic reactions, chronic infection, sinusitis, headaches, and sleeplessness. Strong chemicals are released from new homes, household paint, household cleaners, mold, new carpeting, termites, perfumes, and a slew of other common household items.


If the underlying cause of the depression is chemical exposure (or allergy-related), prescription medication will only offer temporary relief. The ideal would be to eliminate all environmental and health-related depression triggers, and see if depressive symptoms improve or disappear completely.

Check the following environmental triggers and see if you can eliminate them from your life! Note: if you are currently taking medication for depression, NEVER discontinue medication without consulting your doctor. Quitting medication “cold turkey” is extremely dangerous and should not be attempted unless under direct advice of a physician.

MCS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivities) is a controversial diagnosis, and an active debate exists about its classification as an illness.

MCS is described as an adverse reaction to low levels of common chemicals. MCS can also be caused by a major toxic event, such as a chemical spill. Some doctors refuse to accept MCS as a viable diagnosis for various reasons.

However, chemical sensitivities do exist, and many individuals experience serious reactions from using common household cleaners, such as; bleach, ammonia, detergent, and fabric softeners.

According to the Ohio State University Extension, sensitive individuals should try to limit their chemical exposure as much as possible.

If you have recently:

• Moved to a new home
• Discovered mold in your home
• Started a new job (especially one with chemical exposure, such as a factory worker or painter)
• Installed new carpeting
• Sprayed for termites
• Sprayed your lawn for bugs or weeds

You may have reactions to these chemicals. If your symptoms are sudden, or the onset of fatigue, depression, headaches, etc, coincides with one of the events above, you may want to consider a possible chemical sensitivity.

Some common chemicals present in household items are:

• Formaldehyde (carpet, particle board, insulation, adhesives)
• Pesticides (bug sprays, lawn chemicals, and many household cleaners)
• Solvents (household cleansers, paint, acetone)
• Latex (paints, gloves, caulking) Aerosols and chemical scents (air fresheners, perfumes, fabric softeners, detergents)

Reactions to these chemicals may be mild or severe. Usually, sufferers will complain of respiratory problems (allergies or trouble breathing), fatigue, depression, low energy, headaches, and joint pain.

A combination of these symptoms is common. If you feel that you might have depressive symptoms related to low-grade chemical exposure, there are many easy steps you can take which may help alleviate your symptoms.

Here are 10 easy steps to help reduce chemicals in your home.

1. Stop using all air fresheners, perfumes, and scented detergents and fabric softeners
2. Switch to natural unscented soaps, unscented detergent and unscented (or “allergy”) fabric softeners
3. Purchase a good room air filter, and filter-free vacuum
4. Open all windows daily, and let air circulate inside your home—and try to go outside and enjoy some fresh air!
5. If you have central heating/air, use the best filters you can afford—many of the better filters trap mold and dust mites, a leading cause of allergies
6. Use all-natural cleaners, cosmetics, and creams
7. Switch to natural fabrics, (cotton, wool, linen, silk, ramie and hemp) and discontinue all dry cleaning
8. Always wash new clothing before wearing, especially dyed clothing. In the case of blue dyes, wash twice (blue dyes are more toxic for some individuals)
9. If possible, remove carpeting and replace with wood or laminate flooring. If you need to paint, wear a mask, and open all windows. After painting, try to leave the house for at least a day
10. Discontinue use of all petroleum based products, especially in cosmetics, creams, or other topical treatments

Once again, avoid use of: air fresheners, alcohol, chemical cleaners/detergents, cosmetics, nail varnish, paint, newspapers/printed material, perfumes, petroleum products, solvents, and tobacco smoke. There are freely-available natural alternatives to chemical products.

Try eliminating as many of these chemicals as you can, and see if you feel a reduction of symptoms. If you would like to help detoxify your body, you can try; mild exercise (walking outside), mild steam room and sauna use, an allergy diet (simple all-natural foods, check with your doctor). You may feel better within just a few weeks.

Sources: National Institutes of Health, US Department of Labor, Ohio State University Extension, Chemical Hazards Handbook, Environmental Protection

Christine P Silva, BA, CRTP, lives in California with her husband, two children, and three spoiled cats. She earned her undergraduate degree from San Jose State University, and her advanced accounting certificate and California tax registration from Cosumnes River College. She is the founder of the Sacramento Volunteer Tax Preparation Clinic, a free service offering tax assistance to low income and Spanish-speaking taxpayers.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christine_Silva
Christine Silva

Modern Green Clean - Your source for Norwex online! http://www.ModernGreenClean.com

AIR FRESHENERS:

Most air fresheners interfere with your ability to smell by coating your nasal passages with an oil film, or by releasing a nerve deadening agent. Known toxic chemicals found in an air freshener: Formaldehyde: Highly toxic, known carcinogen. Phenol: When phenol touches your skin it can cause it to swell, burn, peel, and break out in hives. Can cause cold sweats,convulsions, circulatory collapse, coma and even death.

AMMONIA:

It is a very volatile chemical, it is very damaging to your eyes, respiratory tract and skin.

BLEACH:

It is a strong corrosive. It will irritate or burn the skin, eyes and respiratory tract. It may cause pulmonary edema or vomiting and coma if ingested.  

WARNING: never mix bleach with ammonia it may cause fumes which can be DEADLY.

CARPET AND UPHOLSTERY SHAMPOO:

Most formulas are designed to over power the stain itself, they accomplish the task but not without using highly toxic substances. Some include: Perchlorethylene: Known carcinogen damages liver, kidney and nervous system damage. Ammonium Hydroxide: Corrosive, extremely irritable to eyes, skin and respiratory passages.

DISHWASHER DETERGENTS:

Most products contain chlorine in a dry form that is highly concentrated.# 1 cause of child poisonings, according to poison control centers.

DRAIN CLEANER:

Most drain cleaners contain lye, hydrochloric acid or trichloroethane. Lye: Caustic, burns skin and eyes, if ingested will damage esophagus and stomach. Hydrochloric acid: Corrosive, eye and skin irritant, damages kidneys, liver and digestive tract. Trichloroethane: Eye and skin irritant, nervous system depressant; damages liver and kidneys.

FURNITURE POLISH:  

Petroleum Distillates: Highly flammable, can cause skin and lung cancer. Phenol: (see Air fresheners, Phenol.) Nitrobenzene: Easily absorbed through the skin, extremely toxic.

MOLD AND MILDEW CLEANERS:

Chemicals contained are: Sodium hypochlorite: Corrosive, irritates or burns skin and eyes, causes fluid in the lungs which can lead to coma or death. Formaldehyde: Highly toxic, known carcinogen. Irritant to eyes, nose, throat, and skin. May cause nausea, headaches, nosebleeds, dizziness, memory loss and shortness of breath.

OVEN CLEANER:  

Sodium Hydroxide (Lye): Caustic, strong irritant, burns to both skin and eyes. Inhibits reflexes, will cause severe tissue damage if swallowed.

ANTIBACTERIAL CLEANERS:

may contain: Triclosan: Absorption through the skin can be tied to liver damage.

LAUNDRY ROOM PRODUCTS:  

Sodium or calcium hypocrite: Highly corrosive, irritates or burns skin, eyes or respiratory tract. Linear alkylate sulfonate: Absorbed through the skin. Known liver damaging agent. Sodium Tripolyphosphate: Irritates skin and mucous membranes, causes vomiting. Easily absorbed through the skin from clothes.

TOILET BOWL CLEANERS:  

Hydrochloric acid: Highly corrosive, irritant to both skin and eyes. Damages kidneys and liver. Hypochlorite Bleach: Corrosive, irritates or burns eyes, skin and respiratory tract. May cause pulmonary edema, vomiting or coma if ingested. Contact with other chemicals may cause chlorine fumes which may be fatal.

Warning terms used are significant:

DANGER - Harmful or fatal if swallowed A taste to a teaspoonful taken by mouth could kill an average sized adult.

WARNING - Harmful if swallowed A teaspoonful to an ounce taken by mouth could kill an average sized adult.

CAUTION - Harmful if swallowed An ounce to over a pint taken by mouth could kill an average sized adult.


http://consumerlawpage.com/article/household-chemicals.shtml
Richard Alexander

Modern Green Clean - Your source for Norwex online! http://www.ModernGreenClean.com

"Dear Lucie,

I would like to share this information with you. It's pretty scary when you think of all those people who use toxic chemicals to clean their home and don't know the dangers. I used to be one of those people who had no clue that the chemicals I was using were so harmful.

More children under four die of accidental poisonings at home than are accidentally killed with guns at home. The average home today contains more chemicals than were found in a typical chemistry lab.

Go into your kitchen and your bathroom and look under your sinks where you keep your cleaning and personal care supplies. What have you found? Window cleaner? Bleach? Dishwashing detergent? Shampoo? Toothpaste? If you read the label on toothpaste, it says not to swallow the paste!

These products can be violent lethal poisons with the potential to kill or seriously injure your child. Most dishwashing detergents include naphta, which is a central nervous system depressant, diethanolamine, a possible liver poison, and chlorophenylphenol, a metabolic stimulant that is considered a toxic substance.

Of all chemicals commonly found in homes, 150 have been linked to allergies, birth defects, cancer and psychological abnormalities. We have a higher rate of kids with cancer and learning disabilities than ever. If that doesn't say we're doing something wrong in our environment, I'd hate to see what it takes!

According to the American Cancer Society, there has been a 26 percent increase in cancer over the last 2 decades!

You should also be concerned about the air that you and your children breathe. Cleaning products and some personal care products release toxic vapors into the air when they are used and even when they are stored.

Children may be particularly vulnerable to chemical fumes. They inhale more air per pound of body weight than adults, and because pollutants are generally heavier than air and collect closer to the floor, small children breath greater concentrations than do grown ups.

Most of us are concerned about the environment, but isn't the environment within our own homes the most important? If the home care and personal care products we are using are toxic and harmful, we are hurting ourselves, our families and the environment.

Indoor air pollution is a suspected culprit in sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). In 1983, our research team at the University of Saskatchewan, Canada, pioneered early research on SIDS & Endorphins. SIDS is higher in the winter because of decreased ventilation!

Points to consider:

• The average home today contains 62 toxic chemicals - more than a chemistry lab at the turn of the century.
• More than 72,000 synthetic chemicals have been produced since WW II.
• Less than 2% of synthetic chemicals have been tested for toxicity, mutagenic, carcinogenic, or birth defects.
• An EPA survey concluded that indoor air was 3 to 70 times more polluted than outdoor air.
• Another EPA study stated that the toxic chemicals in household cleaners are 3 times more likely to cause cancer than outdoor air.
• CMHC reports that houses today are so energy efficient that "outgassing" of chemicals has no where to go, so it builds up inside the home. ~ We spend 90% of our time indoor, and 65% of our time at home. Moms, infants and the elderly spend 90% of their time in the home.
• National Cancer Association released results of a 15 year study concluding that women who work in the home are at a 54% higher risk of developing cancer than women who work outside the home.
• Cancer is the Number ONE cause of death for children.
• Cancer is the Number ONE killer of women between the ages of 35 and 54.
• There has been a call from the U.S./Canadian Commission to ban bleach in North America. Bleach is being linked to the rising rates of breast cancer in women, reproductive problems in men and learning and behavioral problems in children.
• There are more than 3 million poisonings every year. Household cleaners are the Number ONE cause of poisoning of children.
• Since 1980, asthma has increased by 600%. The Canadian Lung Association and the Asthma Society of Canada identify common household cleaners and cosmetics as triggers.
• Formaldehyde, phenol, benzene, toluene, xylene are found in common household cleaners, cosmetics, beverages, fabrics and cigarette smoke. These chemicals are cancer causing and toxic to the immune system.
• There are 4700 chemicals in tobacco smoke.

 It's important to say that household cleaning and personal care products aren't the only source of chemicals in your home, but they are the easiest ones to replace! What can we do? The answer is to start in small ways at home!"


Dr. George Grant
Toxicologist/Analytical Chemist/Microbiologist
Founder of the International Academy of Wellness
www.academyofwellness.com

Modern Green Clean - Your source for Norwex online! http://www.ModernGreenClean.com

Bleach has been used around the house as a cleaning agent for years now. People have been putting it in their laundry, using it to disinfect, and cleaning all sorts of surfaces with it. 


In more recent times the use of bleach has become even easier with chlorine (bleach) being used as part of toilet, tub, shower, all purpose, bathroom, and kitchen cleaners. But in reality it is a dangerous product that shouldn't be used. 

Problems with Using Bleach:

1: Health issues. There are a number of different health issues that can be associated with bleach or household cleaners that contain bleach. These include respiratory problems, burned skin, and damage to the nervous system. In many cases, the use of bleach and cleaners with chlorine irritate problems that people have including allergies and asthma. These are caused as a direct result of the product itself and can be potentially serious.

2: Potential chemical reactions. Often times the direct physical health issues aren't caused from the product itself, but rather the results of chemical reactions. With bleach there are lots of different reactions that can cause a lot of dangerous situations. Chlorine easily mixes with ammonia and urine which contains ammonia. This can happen when mixing cleaners (on purpose or accident) and even while cleaning the toilet. The results is a toxic gas which can and sometimes does cause the lungs to stop functioning. Usually the fumes are noticeable, but sometimes people don't even notice that they are breathing in a potentially life threatening gas. Mixing chlorine with dish soap produces mustard gas, the same gas used to kill many people during World War I. Many people mix chlorine with dish soap while cleaning the kitchen (both on purpose and on accident). Chlorine also mixes with organic matter creating chloroform. This is a toxin and a known carcinogen. This happens in the house while cleaning the kitchen, the toilet, washing the laundry, and cleaning up food, blood, or other organic messes. This is dangerous to the inhabitants of the house. However, chlorine also mixes with organics in the environment building these toxins up all over the planet. 

3: Toxins. 

While chlorine isn't toxic to the body, the chemical reactions that often happen with chlorine produce a number of very toxic elements. Most of these are known as carcinogens, build up in the body as it is exposed to them, and get into the food chain through the water. Doing your share may not seem like it will help, but every little bit can help make it safer for your family, starting at home.

4: Accidents. 

There are a large number of accidents that happen with household cleaners. In 1997 there were 217,989 calls to poison control for household cleaner accidents. Of those, 54,453 were directly related to bleach and 7,570 were from household cleaners that contain bleach. That means that 28% of household accidents involving cleaners were from bleach alone. Going green can help prevent accidents from household cleaner and bleach from happening in your home. 

5: Pets. 

Animals are particularly affected by the fumes of bleach and chlorine based cleaners. They take in less air and can die from a lung-full of chemical filled air. Birds in particular are susceptible to the dangers of bleach.


6: The environment. 

If personal dangers, dangers to your family, and pets are not enough then there are the environmental dangers to consider as well. Toxins produced as a result of bleach use build up in the environment, cause dangers to the water supply, kill fish, harm animals, and get back to people through the food chain. Bleach is dangerous. It is as simple as that. Using household cleaners without it sometimes means using a little more "elbow grease" but in the long run it is worth it. There are also safe options that will kill germs, mold, mildew, and help fight stains (hydrogen peroxide is one of them). If that doesn't convince you, then maybe this will: stay-at-home wives have a 54% higher chance of getting cancer than women who work outside the home. It is believed that this is because they are exposed more to chemicals released by household cleaners, including dangerous items such as bleach. Now is the time to go green for safety, health, and a better future.

Modern Green Clean - Your source for Norwex online! http://www.ModernGreenClean.com

by: Glenn Beach
 
The American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) has recorded many exposures to household cleaning substances that were serious enough to require treatment in a health care facility. 

Incredibly, according to the AAPCC the largest number of occurrences of poisoning in 1993 were due to cleaning products - drain cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners, bleach, soaps and detergents. 

One million poisonings in Canada each year are due to household cleaner ingestion. Some are fatal. Thousands of children and adults are permanently disfigured or injured through contact with chemicals in the home each year. 

Our pets are also at risk. 

Animals that don't have access to clean, fresh water are more likely to drink out of puddles, gutters, toilet bowls, or any old container left sitting around with a liquid in it. 

Even though my cats always have access to clean water in a bowl, they seem to prefer the toilet, the sink, the bathtub, or even a basin with cleaning solution in it.


Here is an alphabetical list of some of the most hazardous cleansers found around the house:


AIR FRESHENERS: interfere with your ability to smell by releasing nerve-deadening agents or coating nasal passages with an oil film, usually methoxychlor, a pesticide that accumulates in fat cells. Known toxic chemicals found in an air freshener are formaldehyde, a highly toxic, known carcinogen, and phenol. When phenol touches your skin it can cause it to swell, burn, peel, and break out in hives. 

AMMONIA: is a very volatile chemical and is very damaging to your eyes, respiratory tract and skin. 

ANTIBACTERIAL CLEANERS: may contain triclosan, which is absorbed through the skin and can be tied to liver damage. 

BLEACH: is a strong corrosive. It will irritate or burn the skin, eyes and respiratory tract. It may cause pulmonary edema or vomiting and coma if ingested. Never mix bleach with acid toilet bowl cleaners or ammonia. These mixtures may produce fumes which can be DEADLY. 

CARPET AND UPHOLSTERY SHAMPOO: Most formulas are designed to over power the stain itself; they accomplish the task but not without using highly toxic substances. Some include perchlorethylene, a known carcinogen that damages liver, kidney and nervous system damage; and ammonium hydroxide, a corrosive, extremely irritable to eyes, skin and respiratory passages. 

CHLORINE: The first agent of chemical warfare was chlorine. WWII ended with an abundance of this cheap chemical. In the name of huge profits, it was added to our water supply and many other products. Chlorine is the number one cause of breast cancer and can be lethal. Scientists won't handle chlorine without protective gloves, facemasks, and ventilation, yet it is in most store-brand cleaners, including dishwasher detergents. The harmful effects are intensified when the fumes are heated, as in the shower. It is in our drinking water, swimming pools, Jacuzzis, and more. 

DISHWASHER DETERGENTS: Most products contain chlorine in a dry form that is highly concentrated. The #1 cause of household poisoning is dish detergent. Dishwashing liquids are labeled"harmful if swallowed." Each time you wash your dishes, some residue is left on them, which accumulates with each washing. Your food picks up part of the residue -- especially if your meal is hot when you eat it. 

FURNITURE POLISH: contain petroleum distillates, which are highly flammable and can cause skin and lung cancer. They contain nitrobenzene, which is easily absorbed through the skin and extremely toxic. 

LAUNDRY ROOM PRODUCTS: Laundry detergents contain phosphorus, enzymes, ammonia, naphthalene, phenol, sodium nitilotriacetate and countless other chemicals. These substances can cause rashes, itches, allergies, sinus problems and more. The residue left on your clothes, bed sheets, etc. is absorbed through your skin, as is everything else you touch. 

OVEN CLEANER: one of the most toxic products people use. They contain lye and ammonia, which eat the skin, and the fumes linger and affect the respiratory system. Then there is the residue that is intensified the next time you turn your oven on. Use sea salt and baking soda instead. 

TOILET BOWL CLEANERS: usually contain hydrochloric acid, a highly corrosive irritant to both skin and eyes that damages kidneys and liver; and hypochlorite bleach, a corrosive irritant that can burn eyes, skin and respiratory tract. Toilet bowl cleaners also may cause pulmonary edema, vomiting or coma if ingested. Contact with other chemicals may cause chlorine fumes which may be fatal. 

Are you one of the millions of consumers who tend to think anything sold must be safe? Think again. 

Since WWII more than 80,000 synthetic chemicals have been invented. Most have been created from petroleum and coal tar for the purposes of chemical warfare. 

The sad thing is that hardly any of these substances have been tested for safety, but have been added to our food, water and cleaning products without our consent and most often without informing us of any dangers. There is a lot of intentional suppression in this industry that adds approximately 1000 new chemicals each year. 

According to the National Research Council, "no toxic information is available for more than 80% of the chemicals in everyday-use products. Less than 20% have been tested for acute effects and less than 10% have been tested for chronic, reproductive or mutagenic effects." 

Most have not been tested for combined or accumulated effects, nor for their effects on unborn children. 

What can you do to protect your loved ones from chemical injury and poisoning? 

First of all, educate yourself, and find safer alternatives as much as possible. 

Secondly, minimize use of harsh chemicals. Clean spills and stains immediately, remove food waste promptly, keep home moisture/humidity down to 30-50%, and use entry way mats at all entrances. 

Third, store all cleaning agents in their original containers out of the reach of children. Follow the directions on the label and use only the amount of product recommended. Read labels, follow safety precautions and contact the manufacturer if you have questions. 

By definition, we clean our homes to reduce damage or harm to human and pet health, and to protect our valued possessions. Let's not make the solution worse than the problem! 
 
Reprinted from ArticleCity.com

Modern Green Clean - Your source for Norwex online! http://www.ModernGreenClean.com

We are bombarded with ads for an ever-increasing assortment of harsh cleaning products that promise to melt dirt away without scrubbing and wipe out every possible evil bacteria lurking in our kitchens. 

But while our houses may shine brighter than ever before, they may also be a haven for harmful chemicals with the potential to endanger our health and the environment.
 
Many cleaning products contain corrosive ingredients, petroleum-based chemicals and suspected carcinogens that can build up in our bodies, pollute the air and contaminate waterways.

Consequently, there has been a strong push among environmentalists and health advocates to switch to greener cleaning products that are biodegradable and do not contain synthetic chemicals.

“We are creating a toxic soup in our homes,” says Kristle Calisto-Tavares, who runs Winnipeg-based Inspired Practice, a company that helps organizations become more socially, ecologically and economically sustainable.

“People have become so afraid of germs that they feel they have to use these toxic cleaners. Unfortunately they don’t realize the potential damage they are doing to their health, in terms of their exposure to chemicals, the effect on indoor air quality, and the impact on the environment when all these cleaners are poured down drains.”

Studies have shown that indoor air can be anywhere from two to 11 times more polluted than outdoor air due to toxic compounds.

For example, many bathroom cleaners and automatic dishwasher detergents contain chlorine bleach, a hazardous air pollutant in its own right, that can react with chemicals in the environment to form dioxin, a hormone disrupter than can build up in our tissues and infect the air.

Ammonia, a common ingredient in household cleaners, is a suspected carcinogen, that stays in the air for up to four hours after being sprayed in the house and can corrode lungs.

Many household cleaners also contain sodium lauryl sulphate, a harsh foaming agent and suspected cancer-causing agent, which was originally used as a garage floor cleaner and is very harsh on the skin.

Jay Boschman, who has spent the last 36 years working as a Manitoba pharmacist, says we should be switching to environmentally friendly cleaning products for the health of our families and for the sake of our lakes and rivers.

“The No. 1 toxic product in the home and a potential cancer-causing agent is automatic dishwasher detergent,” says Boschman, who is a preferred customer with EcoSense, a line of green cleaning products that is sold online.

“It vents into the air and if you can smell it, you are inhaling it and those chemicals are stored in your body. I am trying to get people to realize that there are non-toxic, phosphate-free products on the market that we can use to improve our health and flush less phosphates and toxic chemicals down our drains.”

Phosphates — which are found in automatic dishwasher detergent — have become a cause for concern because of its impact on waterways, such as Lake Winnipeg. While phosphates are a nutrient essential to human, animal and plant life, when too much phosphorus and nitrogen load up in waterways it creates algae blooms which deplete oxygen from the water, killing live organisms.

William Barlow, chair of the Lake Winnipeg Stewardship Board says that there are many ways phosphorus enters our waterways (lawn fertilizers, inadequate sewer systems, manure from agricultural land, to name a few), but if Manitobans stopped using automatic dishwasher detergent containing phosphates it would be a big step in the right direction.

“If you think of how many dishwashers there are in Winnipeg alone, it adds up,” he explains.

“As individuals we have to take some of the blame and do our part.”

Winnipeg Free Press
Sun Aug 19 2007
Cheryl Binning

Modern Green Clean - Your source for Norwex online! http://www.ModernGreenClean.com

HOUSEHOLD CLEANING PRODUCTS ARE DOING MORE HARM THAN GOOD!

I also encourage you to visit the Household Products Database to find out what's in your favorite chemical cleaner.

You can look up the toxicity of any ingredient by going to TOXNET

In this age of super-consumption, marketers have trained us to seek out the brands that that deliver superlative benefits over the competitors…”the tightest ship in the shipping industry”, “the ultimate driving machine”, “the greatest show on earth”, “the best a man can get”.  

We purchase these items thinking we are getting the most for our money, which will better our lives in some way. Sometimes more is not more. Consider household cleaning products.

“Industrial strength” is one marketing-infused brand attribute that suggests cleaning products will make our homes cleaner and that the job will be done faster, or cheaper, or all of the above. “Industrial strength” tells us the cleaning product is so strong that it really doesn’t belong in our homes. As consumers we are driven to want such products simply because we’re technically not supposed to have them! At least according to the marketers.

The truth is many ingredients in the common household cleaning products we’ve grown to trust are harmful to our health. As consumers why would we want such products around us, our families or our pets? The problem is, most consumers aren’t aware of the hidden dangers these popular cleaning products present to our health. Nor are they aware how pervasive these health threats are.

WHO IS AT RISK?
Most products bear the warning “Keep Out of Reach of Children” in bold type on the label. As consumers, we believe that if our children don’t ingest these products they will not be harmed by them.

Consider though that the most common methods of exposure are through the skin and respiratory tract. Children are frequently in contact with the chemical residues housecleaning products leave behind, by crawling, lying and sitting on the freshly cleaned floor.

Children, especially infants and toddlers, frequently put their fingers in their mouths and noses, increasing risks for exposure. When infants eat solid food, how common is it that the food is placed directly on a high chair tray that has just been wiped down with a household cleaner or dish detergent?

Another factor is that, pound for pound, childrens’ exposure levels are higher than adults’ because, although the amount of chemicals in an exposure remains equal, children’s bodies are smaller so the concentration is stronger, essentially. 

Also, their immune systems are still developing.  Thus, children are probably the highest risk population for chemical exposures through cleaning products. For many of these same reasons, pets may also be at risk. Other populations with a pronounced risk are breast cancer victims, the elderly, asthma and allergy sufferers and those with compromised immune systems.

REPEATED EXPOSURE
You may be thinking that the diluted aspect of off-the-shelf cleaning products reduces or altogether eliminates the threat of getting sick from your floor polish, window cleaner or air freshener. However many of the toxins found in these products (and so many other cleaning products) are bioaccumulative, meaning the chemicals do not purge easily from the body and over time even mild exposures can add up to toxic levels.

In fact, a medical study recently conducted in Iowa suggests a correlation between certain occupations and bladder cancer. One of those occupations was cleaning services. These products are used repeatedly and routinely in the home to maintain cleanliness, increasing the chances for bioaccumulation of chemicals in the body.

WHAT MAY BE LURKING UNDER THE KITCHEN SINK?

Research points to the toxic effects of not only active but also inactive ingredients – hazards that can affect the central nervous system, reproductive systems and other vital bodily systems. Consumers often don’t have the time or know where to go to find important information about the products they use.

To make matters worse, the information is often presented in highly scientific language that may be difficult to interpret. But there are a growing number of consumer-friendly resources that can help us sort through all of this information and understand what we need to know to make the best possible choices for our families with regard to household cleaners, disinfectants and polishes.

For starters, the three essential categories into which most of the hazardous ingredients in household cleaning products fall are:

1. Carcinogens – Carcinogens cause cancer and/or promote cancer’s growth.
   
2. Endocrine disruptors – Endocrine disruptors mimic human hormones, confusing the body with false signals.  Exposure to endocrine disruptors can lead to numerous health concerns including reproductive, developmental, growth and behavior problems. Endocrine disruptors have been linked to reduced fertility, premature puberty, miscarriage, menstrual problems, challenged immune systems, abnormal prostate size, ADHD, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and certain cancers.
   
3. Neurotoxins – Neurotoxins alter neurons, affecting brain activity, causing a range of problems from headaches to loss of intellect

TAKING CUES FROM PRODUCT LABELS
Consumers may find it cumbersome or time-consuming to research all of the ingredients in the cleaning products under the kitchen sink. Those that wish to will find useful links in the sidebar to this article. In general however, product warning labels can be a useful first line of defense.

Cleaning products are required by law to include label warnings if harmful ingredients are included. From safest to most dangerous, the warning signals are:

Signal Word -----Toxicity if swallowed, inhaled or absorbed through the skin*
Caution ------One ounce to a pint may be harmful or fatal
Warning -----One teaspoon to one ounce may be harmful or fatal
Danger -------One taste to one teaspoon is fatal
*for a 180-pound male
Even products with a cautionary label, it should be pointed out, may present health risks if used improperly or with repeated exposures over time. Good ventilation and skin barriers are very important when using any over-the-counter cleaning product.

WHICH CHEMICAL GROUPS CAUSE CONCERN IN THE HEALTH COMMUNITY?

We are exposed to countless chemical ingredients in daily life that may be harmful to our health – too numerous to outline here and beyond the scope of this article. Consumers should know of some general categories of chemicals that should be avoided, however.

The following list is not all-inclusive.

Pesticides. One of the most counter-intuitive health threats is that of products that disinfect. Common sense tells us that killing household germs protects our health. However disinfectants are pesticides, and the ingredients in pesticides often include carcinogens and endocrine disruptors. Pesticides are fat-soluble, making them difficult to eliminate from the body once ingested. Pesticides, including disinfectants, may also include alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs).

APEs. APEs act as surfactants, meaning they lower the surface tension of liquids and help cleaning solutions spread more easily over the surface to be cleaned and penetrate solids.  APEs are found in detergents, disinfectants, all-purpose cleaners and laundry cleansers.  They are also found in many self-care items including spermicides, sanitary towels and disposable diapers.  APEs are endocrine disruptors.

Formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is commonly known as a preservative. Many people do not know that it is also a germicide, bactericide and fungicide, among other functions. Formaldehyde is found in household cleaners and disinfectants. It is also present in nail polish and other personal care products. Formaldehyde is a carcinogen.

Organochlorines. Organochlorines result from the combination of hydrogen and carbon. Some types are highly deadly, such as DDT. OCs are bioaccumulative and also highly persistent in the environment. OCs are present in pesticides, detergents, de-greasers and bleaches. OCs are also present in drycleaning fluids. OCs are carcinogens and endocrine disruptors.

Styrene. Styrene is a naturally occurring substance derived from the styrax tree. Styrene is most commonly used in the manufacture of numerous plastics including plastic food wrap, insulated cups, carpet backing and PVC piping. Styrene is also found in floor waxes and polishes and metal cleaners. Styrene is a known carcinogen as well as an endocrine disruptor. Exposure may affect the central nervous system, liver and reproductive system.

Phthalates. Phthalates are most commonly used in the manufacture of plastics. Phthalates are also used as carriers for perfumes and air fresheners and as skin penetration enhancers for products such as moisturizers. These chemicals are classified as inert and as such no product-labeling requirements exist for phthalates. They are endocrine disruptors and suspected carcinogens. Phthalates are known to cause hormonal abnormalities, thyroid disorders, birth defects and reproductive problems.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). VOCs are emitted as gases suspending themselves in the air. VOCs include an array of chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects, and are present in perfumes, air fresheners, disinfectants and deodorizers. VOCs commonly include propane, butane, ethanol, phthalates and/or formaldehyde. These compounds pose a variety of human health hazards and collectively are thought to be reproductive toxins, neurotoxins, liver toxins and carcinogens.

SYMPTOMS OF EXPOSURE
Symptoms of exposure to these types of substances include headache, backache, stiff joints, nausea, diarrhea, asthma or allergy attacks, dizziness, memory loss, stuttering, premature puberty, low sperm count, reduced motor skills, sudden mood swings, dyslexia, ADHD, anti-social behavior/autism and birth defects, among others.

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CHEMICALS OF INTEREST
To demonstrate an idea of how pervasive these substances can be under your kitchen sink, 2-butoxyethanol is a good example. Although the signal word for this chemical is “Danger!”, it is found in no less than 108 household cleaning products as well as countless auto, hobby/craft and exterior home maintenance products, according to Household Products Database from the National Library of Medicine (see inset for web address). Synonyms for this chemical include butoxyethanol; butyl cellosolve; ethanol, 2-butoxy-; ethylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether (EGBE); ethylene glycol monobutyl ether; monobutyl ethylene glycol ether; n-Butoxyethanol. This chemical is an organic solvent, and a raw material used in the production of phthalates.

According to the Material Safety Data Sheet from one leading trigger spray cleaner degreaser, exposure to this chemical is reportedly associated with chronic blood and bone marrow damage. It affects the central nervous system, blood and blood-forming organs, kidneys, liver and lymphoid system. It is an eye and skin irritant. Exposure is generally through the lungs, skin, and mouth with 75% of total exposure attributable to the skin. Even vapors from this chemical can be absorbed by the skin. Under existing EPA guidelines, this chemical is considered a neurotoxin and a possible human carcinogen and has been found to cause cancer in animal testing. Symptoms of exposure to 2-butoxyethanol include central nervous depression, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and prominent headache.

To avoid unnecessary exposure to this chemical, use rubber gloves when cleaning with products containing 2-butoxyethanol, ventilate the work area well and/or mask the mouth and nose appropriately. More favorably, avoid products containing this ingredient. It is important to stress that even products that may be perceived as healthy because their names include the words “green”, “citrus”, “lemon” or “orange” may contain this ingredient. The best advice is to read the ingredient label rather than trust the product name or marketing language.

Another harmful ingredient to watch out for is monoethanolamine, also known as MEA. Other synonyms for this chemical are Ethanolamine; Ethanol, 2-amino-; 2-Aminoethanol; 2-Hydroxyethanamine.

This chemical is a surfactant and an emulsifier and can be found in nearly 50 household cleaning products including floor cleaners, tile and grout cleaners, degreasers, stainless steel cleaners and laundry detergents. Additionally, this APE is found in 100 personal care products listed in the Household Products Database, especially consumer hair coloring products. MEA is also an antihistamine found in several popular over the counter drugs, the sedating powers of which are stronger than many barbiturates. As a cleansing ingredient, MEA is highly corrosive to the skin, potentially even causing bleeding to the exposed area. Inhalation may cause asthma attacks or damage the respiratory tract or lungs. MEA is potentially a neurotoxin. Repeated exposure to MEA can damage the liver and kidneys and has proven toxic in animal lab tests. One leading global chemical company admits the body of available research is insufficient to fully determine the health risks for humans.

HOW CAN CONSUMERS MAKE HEALTHIER CHOICES FOR THEIR HOMES AND FAMILIES?
It is truly amazing that all these harmful ingredients are present in products that are supposed to improve our quality of life. Under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, household cleaners are the only household products for which manufacturers are NOT required to list all ingredients. Certain ingredients (such as fragrances) are considered trade secrets and government regulations are designed to protect proprietary information. Without full disclosure, consumers can unknowingly submit themselves and their families to unhealthy exposures to these chemicals.

The safest course of action a consumer can take is to inform him or herself. Here are some suggestions:

• Read product labels. Don’t use products with a signal word stronger than “Caution”. 
• Research the chemicals listed on product labels through the Household Products Database, the Cosmetics Database, Toxnet and Scorecard (see inset for web addresses). 
• Avoid products with fragrances. A clean home should smell like nothing at all. 
• Use homemade cleaning solutions made from good, old-fashioned common ingredients such as vinegar, baking soda, washing soda, lemon juice and borax.
• Interview cleaning services and hire one that is Green Clean Certified.

Use Norwex Enviro Products for cleaning the home and personal care to eliminate chemmical use in the home.

Taking a greener approach to cleaning can help you feel better physically. But you’ll probably also feel better mentally, knowing you are creating a safer environment for yourself, your family and your pets.
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In the United States alone, someone is poisoned every few seconds.

40% of these cases involve children under the age of 3. 50% of these cases involve children under the age of 6. For this reason, it is important to lock up household chemicals in a high cabinet that is out of the reach of children.

In 75% of these cases, the poison was a common household product (ie prescription drugs, non-prescription pain killers, vitamins, cosmetics, personal care and cleaning products, house plants, tobacco products and alcohol).

Here is a simple check list to use within your home.

Bathroom: medicines, toilet cleaners, antibacterial
cleaners, air fresheners, drain cleaners, mold and mildew remover, and some cosmetics.

Kitchen: glass cleaner, antibacterial cleaner, dishwashing
detergent, all-purpose cleaner, insect sprays, oven cleaner, and ant or roach baits.

Living Room: flea collars, rug or carpet cleaners, furniture polish, cigarette or cigar butts in ash trays, and alcoholic beverages.

Bedroom: total release insect foggers, air fresheners, and moth balls.

Laundry Room: all-purpose cleaner, insect sprays, chlorine bleach, woodstains and finishes, and laundry detergents.

Garage: motor oil, windshield washer fluid, oil-based and latex paints, auto batteries, antifreeze, spot-on pesticides to control fleas and ticks on pets.

Back Yard: weed killers, pool chemicals including
algicides and chlorine, baits for rodent control, insect repellents, and some new bug zappers.

Now that you've taken not of what these products are, it's time to do something about them. Here is what you can do:

First of all, it is very important that you keep all household chemical products and medicines out of the reach and out of the sight of children.

These things really should be locked up whenever they're not in use. Remember that medicines and household chemicals on kitchen counters or bathroom surfaces are very accessible to young hands.

It is also your responsibility to make sure that any medicines that visitors may bring into your home are also kept safely away from children.

Whenever you use toxic products, you should never let them out of your sight, even if you must take them along with you whenever you're answering the telephone or the doorbell. Studies show that most poisonings actually occur whenever the product is being used.

You need to store all medicines away from household products, and all household chemical products away from food.

Keep products in their original containers with the original label intact. Make sure that you read the label before you use them.

Avoid taking medication in front of children, since
young children tend to immitate adults. You should also make sure that you NEVER call medicine "candy."

The poison control number (1-800-222-1222) should be posted on or near every home telephone.

You need to know the names of the plants in your house and yard. If and when you fnd a poisonous plant, it should either be placed out of the reach of children or, better yet, removed.

Check your home for lead-based paints. You can receive detailed information about this by contacting the National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD

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Reverend Brenda Hoffman, is ordained by the Unitarian Life Church, and has been delivering holistic health and wellness advice for over 7 years since receiving a BA in psychology. As a home-based professional and mother of 1, she operates a holistic wellness network. She invites you over to www.yourhealthyfamilyhome.com to learn how to improve you and your family's health.
By Brenda Hoffman

Modern Green Clean - Your source for Norwex online! http://www.ModernGreenClean.com

Many people will remember a famous TV ad where a woman races to her washing machine, fabric softener in hand, only to arrive just as the wash ends. This woman who "forgot to ad the fabric softener" was actually doing herself and her family a favor.

Although they may make your clothes feel soft and smell fresh, fabric softener and dryer sheets are some of the most toxic products around.

And chances are that the staggering 99.8 percent of Americans who use common commercial detergents, fabric softeners, bleaches, and stain removers would think twice if they knew they contained chemicals that could cause cancer and brain damage.

Laundry

Here is a list of just some of the chemicals found in fabric softeners and dryer sheets:

• Benzyl acetate: Linked to pancreatic cancer
• Benzyl Alcohol: Upper respiratory tract irritant
• Ethanol: On the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Hazardous Waste list and can cause central nervous system disorders
• Limonene: Known carcinogen
• A-Terpineol: Can cause respiratory problems, including fatal edema, and central nervous system damage
• Ethyl Acetate: A narcotic on the EPA's Hazardous Waste list
• Camphor: Causes central nervous system disorders
• Chloroform: Neurotoxic, anesthetic and carcinogenic
• Linalool: A narcotic that causes central nervous system disorders
• Pentane: A chemical known to be harmful if inhaled

So how could products with pretty names like Soft Ocean Mist, Summer Orchard and April Fresh be so dangerous?

The chemicals in fabric softeners are pungent and strong smelling -- so strong that they require the use of these heavy fragrances (think 50 times as much fragrance) just to cover up the smells.

Furthermore, synthetic fabrics, which are the reason fabric softeners were created in the first place, do not smell good either when heated in a dryer or heated by our bodies ... hence the need for even more hefty fragrances.

In other words, remove all the added fragrance that endears people to fabric softeners and -- like the cliché wolf in sheep's clothing -- the real smells of the chemical-laced fabric softener and the synthetic fabrics they were designed around may prompt people to shoot their laundry machines and be done with it.

Are "Soft" Clothes Worth It?

Fabric softeners are made to stay in your clothing for long periods of time.

As such, chemicals are slowly released either into the air for you to inhale or onto your skin for you to absorb.

Dryer sheets are particularly noxious because they are heated in the dryer and the chemicals are released through dryer vents and out into the environment.

Health effects from being exposed to the chemicals in fabric softeners include:

• Central nervous system disorders
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Dizziness
• Blood pressure reduction
• Irritation to skin, mucus membranes and respiratory tract
• Pancreatic cancer

Soften Your Clothes Safely With These Tips

Even if you don't feel the effects of these chemicals today, they can affect you gradually over time, and children, whose systems are still developing, are particularly at risk.

There's really no reason to expose yourself to these risky chemicals when natural alternatives exist. Not only are they safer for you, your family and the environment, but they're much more economical too:

• Add a quarter cup of baking soda to wash cycle to soften fabric
• Add a quarter cup of white vinegar to rinse to soften fabric and eliminate cling
• Check out your local health food store for a natural fabric softener that uses a natural base like soy instead of chemicals

Try Norwex Dryer Balls in your dryer to replace fabric softener.

It's likely that fabric softeners and dryer sheets aren't the only toxic products in your home.

Many household products that consumers regard as safe are also full of toxic chemicals. Our past articles on PEG Compounds in Cosmetics and Phenols in Common Household Cleansers are two of the all-time most popular articles on SixWise.com and will make you more aware of the pervasiveness of harmful chemicals that can be eliminated from your home.

From the FREE SixWise.com e-newsletter, the Web's #1 most read newsletter with original articles in all 6 areas of life leading to complete wellness.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=B._Williams

Modern Green Clean - Your source for Norwex online! http://www.ModernGreenClean.com

According to the book, The Safe Shoppers Bible, here is a list of common household products that contain known carcinogens and/or neurotoxins. 

Carcinogens are chemicals that cause cancer. 

Neurotoxins are chemicals that adversely affect the nervous system reducing emotional well being, mental alertness, coordination and other functions associated with intelligence.


Lysol disinfectant (all scents)
Renuzit Air Deodorizer
Bon Ami Foam Cleaner
Citri-Solv
Fantastik All-Purpose Cleaner
Formula 409
Pine-Sol Multi-Action Spray
Pledge Household Cleaner
Simple Green
Spic & Span Cleaner
Scotts Liquid Gold
Lemon Pledge
Tilex Soap Scum Remover
Glass Plus
Ajax Cleaner
Gillette Foamy Skin Conditioning
Speed Stick Deodorant
Soft Soap
Secret Deodorant
Johnson's Baby Shampoo


S.O.S. Ammonia Glass Cleaner
Dawn Sureshot
S.O.S. Vinegar Cleaner
Joy Dishwashing Liquid
Windex Glass Cleaner
Palmolive Dishwashing Liquid
Shout Aerosol & Stick
Sunlight Dishwashing Liquid
Spray & Wash Stain Remover
Kleen King Aluminum & Copper Cleaner
KR2 Spot Lifter
Behold Furniture Wax
Depend-o Blue Toilet Cleaner
Endust
3M Aerosol Spot Remover
Formby's Lemon & Almond Spray
Most Home & Garden Pesticides


Right Guard Deodorant
Ponds Dry Skin Bar
Palmolive Skin Bar
Lady Speed Stick
Lever 2000
Irish Spring Deodorant
Lifebouy Soap
Jergens Liquid Soap
English Leather
Deodorant
Ban Roll-on
Caress Body Bar
Camay
Ultra Brite Toothpaste
Cepacol Mouthwash
Crest Tartar Control
Listerine Original & Cool Mint
Arm & Hammer Toothpaste
Colgate toothpaste
Scope Mouthwash
Old English Furniture Spray
Dove Soap Bars

Begin by thinking of your home as a toxic waste dump. The average home today contains 62 toxic chemicals more than a chemistry lab at the turn of the century. More than 72,000 synthetic chemicals have been produced since WW II. Less than 2% of synthetic chemicals have been tested for toxicity, mutagenic and carcinogenic effects, or birth defects. The majority of chemicals have never been tested for long-term effects.

In the work place, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) must accompany any product used. The work place and the outdoors are considered "legal environments" while the air in homes is not. So regulations for outdoor air pollution and toxins in the workplace are much more strict than in the home.

Health Effects of Chemical Exposure Chemical exposure presents a real danger to you and your family's health and well-being.
Cancer rates have almost doubled since 1960.

Cancer is the Number ONE cause of death for children.

There has been a 26% increase in breast cancer since 1982. Breast cancer is the Number ONE killer of women between the ages of 35 and 54. Primary suspects are laundry detergents, household cleaners and pesticides.

Since 1980, asthma has increased by 600%. The Canadian Lung Association and the Asthma Society of Canada identify common household cleaners and cosmetics as triggers.

ADD/ADHD is epidemic in schools today. Behavioral problems have long been linked to exposure to toxic chemicals and molds.

Chemicals are attracted to, and stored in fatty tissue. The brain is a prime target for these destructive organics because of its high fat content and very rich blood supply.

Chemical and environmental sensitivities are known to cause all types of headaches.

Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, circulatory disorders, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease, irritable bowel syndrome, depression, and hormonal problems are diseases commonly related to chemical exposure.

The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health has found more than 2500 chemicals in cosmetics that are toxic, cause tumors, reproductive complications, biological mutations and skin and eye irritations.

Chemicals in Household Products There are more than 3 million poisonings every year. Household cleaners are the Number ONE cause of poisoning of children. The top three culprits according to Poison Control: Household cleaners, bleach and medications.

Formaldehyde is one of the largest indoor pollutants in our homes. Symptoms caused by formaldehyde are allergies, cancer, immune system failings, and asthma. Products containing Formaldehyde include: antiperspirants , mouthwash, toothpaste, Tupperware, permanent press clothing, floor waxes, furniture polishes, baggies, coffee, wax paper, and paper money.

Phenols are a major indoor pollutant. Phenols are absorbed by lungs, and skin.
Symptoms include caustic burns, kidney and liver damage and hyperactivity. Products containing Phenols include: acne medications, baking powder, computers, TV sets, mouthwash, sugar substitutes, and wallpaper.

Trusted Brands
Do you think the major products are safe? WRONG! Lysol© is even more dangerous than we thought. It contains phenols and dioxin (Agent Orange).

Bleach must be safe because people have been using it for years, right? WRONG! When using bleach, antiseptics or chlorine in industrial areas, OSHA requires you to wear impervious protective clothing, hard hats, boots, gloves, apron or coveralls, chemical goggles or full face shield and use only in well ventilated areas. There has been a call from the U.S. / Canadian Commission to ban bleach in North America . Bleach is being linked to the rising rates of breast cancer in women, reproductive problems in men and learning and behavioral problems in children.

NTAs were banned in 1970. Lobbying by Proctor & Gamble in 1980 put them back into home products although they are extremely cancer causing. What are they for? ONLY to make more suds in detergents to make you think your clothes are getting cleaner.

In the USA the #1 cause of accidental poisoning is Dawn Dishwashing Detergent©. WHY? Because it is the #1 seller. Tide contains Lye and is the #1 polluter. It is also the #1 seller.
Deep Woods and Off have an ingredient called DEET. DEET causes seizures in children and adults.  

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Study by Environmental Group Shows Toxic Chemicals End Up in Blood Samples

May 1, 2009 -- Up to 48 toxic chemicals commonly used in everyday consumer products have shown up in blood and urine samples of five prominent women environmental activists, according to a study by the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit organization devoted to protecting human health and the environment.

"Testing was primarily targeted toward products used in everyday consumer products that have escaped regulation under the Toxic Substances Control Act," Anila Jacob, MD, MPH, a senior scientist with the organization, said at a news briefing.

The findings, according to Jacob and others from Environmental Working Group, offer more proof that the Toxic Substances Control Act is antiquated and needs a major overhaul to protect Americans from the adverse effects of chemicals found in everyday products.

Companies should be required to prove their products are safe before they go on the market, Environmental Working Group scientists say.

While some officials from the chemical industry support modernization of the Toxic Substances Control Act, they contend that the sampling system used in the report provides only a snapshot in time, without enough details on exposure to prove an adverse effect on health.

The Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976 gives the Environmental Protection Agency authority to oversee chemical substances and mixtures, but generally excludes food, drugs, cosmetics, and pesticides.

In February, Congress held the first of what is expected to be several hearings on the law's reform.

Toxic Chemicals Study

The Environmental Working Group study, funded by Rachel's Network, an organization of women environmentalists, took two years to complete. Researchers sampled the activists' blood and urine and analyzed them for toxic chemicals, using four independent laboratories.

"In each of these women we found at least one controversial chemical," says Sonya Lunder, MPH, a senior analyst with the Environmental Working Group and a co-author of the report. To be termed controversial, she says, a chemical must be one whose safety is being debated.

"In everyone we found fire retardants, Teflon chemicals, fragrances, bisphenol A or BPA, and perchlorate," she tells WebMD.

Flame retardants are found in foam furniture, televisions, and computers. Teflon is used in nonstick coatings and grease-resistant food packaging. BPA is a plastics chemical; perchlorate, a rocket fuel ingredient, can contaminate tap water and food. Fragrances have been associated with hormone disruption in animal studies.
Every woman tested positive for up to 60% of the 75 chemicals evaluated, the report found.

The women live far apart: in Green Bay, Wis.; New Orleans; Corpus Christi, Texas; and Oakland, Calif. But their toxic chemical load is similar, according to the Environmental Working Group scientists.

Each woman had at least one chemical at a high percentile --such as the 81st percentile for bisphenol A, meaning her level of chemicals was higher than all but 19% of Americans who have been tested.

Industry Response

Tiffany Harrington, a spokeswoman for the American Chemistry Council, would not comment on the study itself but did issue a statement that reads in part: "The American Chemistry Council supports science-based biomonitoring programs and the responsible and appropriate communication and use of biomonitoring information in assessing the potential risk posed by exposure to chemicals. However, biomonitoring provides only a snapshot of substances present in the body at a single point in time."

Biomonitoring is defined by the CDC as the direct measurement of exposure to a toxic substance by examining the substances themselves or their metabolites in human blood or urine samples.

The statement from American Chemistry Council continued: "It does not tell us where a substance came from, when the exposure to the substance occurred, or the duration and frequency of exposure. The presence of a substance detected by biomonitoring is not, on its own, an indicator if there will be any health effects."

The group does support modernization of the Toxic Substances Control Act, she says.

Jacob notes that health trends in the U.S. suggest that the chemical load plays a role, citing growing rates of autism spectrum disorder, diabetes, and certain cancers.

"These chemicals are showing up in people. They can be potent at very low levels of exposure; we know that from animal studies."

While the rising number of chronic diseases has many roots, she says, the increased exposure to chemicals is one factor.

Article Source: www.webmd.com
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Microfiber cleaning cloths are an invention which make less toxic cleaning infinitely easier. 

Microfiber cloths clean, dust and polish without using use of any cleaning chemicals. The cloths are made of tiny wedge shaped fibers, up to 100 times finer than a human hair. The tiny fibers grab and hold dirt. They are long lasting and re-usable.

• In the kitchen, use microfiber for cleaning counters and stovetops. The tiny fibers pick up more dirt and food residue than most cloths.

• In the bathroom, microfiber can clean tub, sink and shower stall surfaces.

• Chrome faucets, taps, and showerheads can all be polished with microfiber alone. Dirt disappears, and voila, shiny surfaces with little effort.

• Windows can be cleaned with just microfiber cloths and water. Use one cloth to wash, and another to dry. No dirt, no streaks.

• Dusting is easy with microfiber. The little fibers trap dust so that it stays in one place instead of flying around. When the job is finished, shake the cloth outside, or rinse in lukewarm water and hang to dry.

• Floors can be washed with microfiber mops. The most common have flat-surfaced, easy to remove microfiber heads. Instead of rinsing a bulky mop head in a bucket, the microfiber head can be removed from the mop handle, rinsed it in a small amount of warm water, and replaced on the handle to continue the job. Because it’s so easy, mop heads can be rinsed more frequently using very little water. This type of mop head get is easier to rinse clean cleaner than other types of mops. A microfiber mop head can be wrung out well, so that mopping is done with a damp mop, not a soaking wet one dripping water all over the floor. Floors dry faster because there is less water left on them. The same mop can be used to dust floors. Microfiber makes for a revolution in mop technology.

• Microfiber is superb for cleaning eyeglasses or other lenses.

• A microfiber cloth in the car is perfect for cleaning the windshield. It will remove condensation, kids’ hand prints, dog nose prints, ice cream smears and other dirt. Make sure it’s dry before storing in the glove compartment to avoid mould.

Microfiber cloths should be damp for cleaning, dry for dusting. They work best for cleaning if soaked for a few minutes in warm water, but they work even if that step is omitted.

Microfiber clothes should be cleaned after use by washing in warm water with a little dish detergent. They can be washed in the washing machine but MUST BE KEPT AWAY FROM FABRIC SOFTERNER. Fabric softener clogs the fibers and will ruin the cloth.

For tough cleaning jobs where a little extra oomph is needed, use microfiber cloths with a small amount of less toxic cleaner.

Microfiber cloths are tolerated well by people with chemical sensitivity. They may need to be aired out or rinsed with a mild detergent before use to remove store smells.

Microfiber cloths save money by reducing the need for chemical cleaners. They reduce exposure to chemicals in the home and reduce pollution from cleaning chemicals. These durable, reusable cloths are made from synthetic fibers, usually polyester and nylon, and are not treated with chemicals.

Available in grocery stores, health food stores, hardware stores, dollar shops and from a number of home sales companies, prices range from cheap ($1.00) to mid-range ($3.00- $5.00) to pricey ($20.00). There are differences in quality and durability. Higher priced cloths usually have smaller fibers and pick up more dirt and dust, but even the cheap ones get good results.

Microfiber cloths are a super t less-toxic choice for multiple cleaning uses.

An industrial cleaning contractor reports that she uses only microfiber cloths for office windows. When a client resisted changing from “W”, his favourite commercial spray window cleaner, she convinced him to let her do a comparison test. The result - he agreed to switch to microfiber.
Source
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