Photo credit: erix

Newsweek Magazine recently published an article on how to avoid household toxins.  Nena Baker, author of  The Body Toxic: How the Hazardous Chemistry of Everyday Things Threatens Our Health and Well-being
the EPA and the  Environmental Working Group, has listed nine ways you can avoid household toxins:

1. Filter your water.  In addition to what the article suggests, staying away from plastic bottled water is beneficial to the Earth and body.

2.  Know whats in your grooming products. The Cosmetics Database website is highly recommended when researching common ingredients in personal care products.

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Source: ABC News

So much for my previous post: LA Times: California launches broad effort to control hazardous chemicals

Meanwhile…
“On the same day Governor Schwarzenegger touted himself as the leader of a comprehensive chemical reform program, he vetoed a bill that would have made California the first state to ban toxic chemicals known as PFCs – a family of compounds including Teflon – from food packaging.” California Progress Report

Teflon is commonly used on cookware as a non-stick coating.  Its been known for over twenty years that Teflon cookware used in the home is highly fatal to birds to the point that its been listed as the leading cause of death for pet birds. Death to the birds can happen under very normal domestic cooking conditions, even when the cooking is done in another part of the home. 

I remember about fifteen years ago, me and my mother went shopping for a bird and the Avian Veterinarian adamantly told us not to use any Teflon coated products in the house if we decided to purchase one of the birds.  After that, my mother got rid of everything Teflon in the house stating that “if it can kill birds, what is it doing to us?”

In terms of what its doing to us, Teflon, which is a known carcinogen, has been found in the blood of many Americans.  Teflon is not only used in pots and pans, but also popcorn bags and other convenience, microwaveable food containers. 

“PFOA seems to be in the blood of most Americans, as found in studies that examined blood from American blood banks, and is likely to be in the blood of most of the rest of us as well. PFOA enters into our bodies very easily through the cooked food when the non-stick pan is either scratched, or when it is heated, (which is what we do with pans and  popcorn bags) Popcorn bags seem to cause higher exposures to PFOA compared to non-stick cookware, as a chemical in the packaging migrates into the oil which coats the popcorn which we then eat, and the chemical then degrades into PFOA in our bodies. Heated Teflon also releases toxic fumes which we inhale.”  Teflon is hazardous to our health – Trusted MD

Currently, the research isnt very clear as to what it does to the human body, but the fact that its a carcinogen and fatal to birds is reason enough to avoid it in our homes. 

 Canaries in the Kitchen: Teflon Toxicosis: Teflon kills birds

Between being bombarded by news of the economy and the election coverage, you may or may not have heard the latest news reports about the health risks of plastics and the rebuttal by the FDA claiming that they are indeed safe:

Study: Plastic Bottles Present Health Risks
http://www.channel3000.com/health/17500416/detail.html
“MADISON, Wis. — The Food and Drug Administration is looking closely at a chemical commonly used in plastic products.

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Petroleum, also known as “petroleum jelly”, which is the only ingredient in the popular brand Vaseline, and mineral oil also commonly known as “baby oil”, are common ingredients in lotions, skin creams, cosmetics and hair care products.  Its used in skin care products because its a inexpensive oil that lubricates the skin; supposedly to moisturize, soften and protect the skin from the elements.  In hair care products, the oil is used as a moisturizer and barrier that repels water and humidity to prevent frizz and dryness. Its also used with pressing combs, flat and curling irons to protect from heat damage caused by these tools.   Its inexpensive with an unlimited shelf life so its appealing for cosmetic, hair and skin care manufacturers.  Even some high-end lines use petroleum and/or mineral oil in their products. In a few luxury department stores I have shopped at,  I’ve found that a lot of the lines they carry use petroleum in their products – despite the tipple digit prices for a lot of their items.

Mineral oil is liquid petroleum which is a by-product in the distillation of petroleum to produce gasoline. Propylene glycol is often a derivative of petroleum (though it can come from a vegetable source as well).

The problem with petroleum products, instead of moisturizing, it coats the skin and clog the pores not letting in actual moisture and toxins out through the skin. The skin may feel smooth to the touch, but its actually coated with the oil.  As a result, it can cause acne, dryness, dandruff and other skin irritations.

Petroleum and Cancer

Petroleum has been noted as a possible cancer risk:

“Petrolatum – Impurities in Petroleum Jelly or commonly known as Vaseline, under suspicion as a carcinogen in Breast Cancer – Petrolatum Banned in products in the EU – Long term damage to health becoming evident – side effects from impurities in the manufacturing process implicated in causing cancer”

Remember, the skin absorbs 60% of all chemicals we use on our skin and hair.”  – Health Report UK

Other names for mineral oil and petroleum:

• Baby Oil
• Vaseline (brand name)
• Liquid paraffin
• Mineral Seal Oil

What should you use?

Always read labels when you’re shopping for bath, body, baby and hair products. Look for products that contains natural vegetable, plant, seed and nut oils such as shea butter, olive oil, jojoba oil, and coconut oil.

Any questions or comments? I’d love to hear from you!

The title says it all.

“A new study finds that young children have high levels of chemical fire retardants in their blood.”

Read about it in USA Today and watch video from NBC Today Show

What do you think?  Do you think that fire retardant chemicals really pose a risk in humans, particularly children? What can we do as individuals to reduce exposure and health issues from theses chemicals?

Think antibacterial soap is good for you? 

A recent article in commondreams.org lists recent studies about the toxicity of the active ingredient, Triclosan which is used in antibacterial soaps.  

“Antibacterial Agent no Better Than Soap & Water and its Toxic” 

“Triclosan is an antibacterial agent used in many everyday products including liquid hand soap, dishwashing detergent, mattresses, shower curtains, bathtubs, and cutting boards.  Federal agencies continue to allow its use despite the fact it may be toxic to the developing fetus and child, and pollutes mothers breast milk.”

“Triclosan has been linked to cancer in lab animals, has been targeted for removal from some stores in Europe for its health and environmental risks and the American Medical Association recommends against its use in the home…”

 Read more about it here:

So what should you use when you wash your hands?  Plain soap and water is best. 

Pesticides Found in Soap, Toothpaste and Toys

Another chemical in personal care products (and food!) to avoid are artificial colors. Artificial colors such as D&C Red 33, Blue 1, Green 3, FD&C Yellow 5, and FD&C yellow 6 are carcinogenic even when applied to skin. Many contain coal tar that has heavy metals such as arsenic and lead. Others are derived from petroleum, Copper Sulphate, Chromium Iodide, Mercury Sulphate and possibly more.

As always, read labels!

In a previous post on parabens, I gave an overview of exactly what is a this chemical in What is a Paraben and Why is it Used?

Why should we avoid them?

Parabens can mimic the hormone estrogen which  can lead to or contribute to (if not cause) health problem such as estrogen dominance, various endocrine disorders like hypothyroid and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), infertility, obesity and the development of breast cancer.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products in the Environment: Agents of Subtle Change? points out that in several tests, chemicals in the paraben family displayed estrogenic activity. Since most products from shampoos to toothpaste are used on a daily basis, the level and amount of exposure can add up.  Exposure to chemicals through the skin can be especially powerful since they do not have to go through the digestive track.  Theses chemicals can remain in the tissue, especially breast tissue particularly from the use of anti-perspirants.

Chemical’s that are or mimic hormones are also bad for the environment. The EPA’s study on personal care products also states that many of chemicals used in our personal care product and pharmaceuticals are eventually leaked into sewage treatment systems and have a negative effective on marine animals.

There are a number of alternatives that are currently available at my web store at Green and Chic and other retailers.

References:

http://www.epa.gov/

http://www.epa.gov/ppcp/

http://www.terressentials.com/truthaboutparabens.html

http://www.organicconsumers.org/bodycare/ppcps.cfm

http://www.naturalnews.com/022113.html