G8 TOXIC HABITS

 

A Toxic Environment

We are all exposed to toxins. The toxins are in the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, the furniture we use, the walls of our homes and the care products we use on our skin. There is no way that we can escape them as they are in everything we use.

We are all guinea pigs in the largest drug and toxin trial ever because we are all soaking in a toxic cocktail of chemicals.  So far no one has tested the effect of all these toxins.

Every day a whopping 42 billion pounds of chemicals are manufactured or brought into the U.S. That’s enough toxins to fill 623,000 tanker trucks in a line that could straddle the globe three times. And every day more and more of these chemicals slowly seep into our bodies.

The Washington D.C. based Environmental Working Group (EWG; ewg.org), in collaboration with the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, conducted a study to assess the levels of 219 industrial chemicals in nine adult volunteers who had no known previous toxic exposure. A total of 167 chemicals (the average was 91) was found in the blood and urine of the study’s participants, including 76 carcinogens, 94 chemicals known to be toxic to the brain and nervous system, and 79 that can cause birth defects or abnormal fetal development.

In a study of 2,540 individuals who participated in the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, researchers looked specifically for urinary phthalates and their metabolites. Phthalates are commonly used in the manufacture of plastics. More than three out of four participants in this study had detectable levels of at least four phthalate metabolites, suggesting widespread exposure. Other researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently detected Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical widely used in the manufacture of plastic bottles, in 95 percent of 400 U.S. adults.

A Total Exposure Assessment Methodology (TEAM) study by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found the greatest personal exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) occurs not from outside air but from air in the home.

Unfortunately, our body was never designed to deal with so many toxins. The liver and kidneys need to breakdown and eliminate them but these organs are over burdened with the onslaught.

When the elimination is too slow then the toxins are stored in the liver or in fat cells and eventually released to travel in our bloodstream, reaching all organs.

Toxins can build up in joints and tissues, triggering pain and inflammation. In the brain toxins can cause memory loss, migraines, in the heart they cause blood pressure problems, in the endocrine system estrogen dominance, reduced libido and sexual dysfunction. In the pancreas the toxins can cause blood sugar problems and in the stomach they cause indigestion, nausea and vomiting. But that is only a fraction of symptoms toxins can cause. They are also responsible for chronic and systemic inflammation.

 

We are the guinea pigs in this worldwide experiment because when you mix dioxin with PCBs, for example, then the combined toxicity is 800 times more toxic than with either chemical alone according to a study published in Environmental Health Perspective.

WWF’s Helen McDade said: ‘In effect, we are all living in a global chemical experiment of which we don’t know the outcome. Environmental contaminants are suspected to cause cancer, birth defects, immune system defects, reduced IQ, behavioural abnormalities, decreased fertility, altered sex hormone balance, altered metabolism and specific organ dysfunction. Every day children are exposed to chemicals that have not been tested for safety.”

 

Household cleaners

Hardly anyone looks at the amount of toxic substances we use daily in our environment. Women especially deal with them day in and out while cleaning the house, kitchen, toilets and doing the laundry. Most of the household products that are sold in the supermarkets are loaded with chemicals that lead to serious health issues.

Ammonia, 2-butoxyethanol/ ethylene glycol butyl ether, methylene chloride, naphthalene, silica, toluene, trisodium nitrilotriacetate, xylene, bleach, phosphates are substances found in many household products and are known to be endocrine disrupters, carcinogens and reproductive toxins.

These products not only harm our health but are also flushed down the drain or sprayed into the air.

When we want to detox ourselves we have to detox our environment and our home. All toxins add up and in the end it is the sum of toxic products we use that bring our bodily systems out of balance.

It is possible to buy plant-based, non-toxic cleaners or to make non-toxic cleaners yourself.

Use vinegar in place of bleach, baking soda to scrub your tiles and hydrogen peroxide to remove stains.

Never forget, every cell in the body has the ability to turn cancerous, and many do so on a daily basis. It is very important to keep a very good functioning immune system to keep this process in balance.

 

Formaldehyde in furniture, carpets, curtains and clothes

In 2011 the National Toxicology Program, an interagency program of the Department of Health, officially declared formaldehyde as a cancer-causing chemical.

Formaldehyde is a colourless, flammable, strong-smelling chemical that is used in building materials and to manufacture many household products.

Pressed wood-products which may contain formaldehyde include particle board (used in sub-flooring and shelving), hardwood plywood paneling (used in decorative wall covering, cabinets and furniture), and medium density fibreboard (used in drawer fronts, cabinets and furniture tops). Medium density fibreboard is especially problematic because it contains between 2 and 4 times as much urea-formaldehyde as common particle board.

Formaldehyde is also used in permanent press fabrics; paper product coatings; and certain insulation materials, as well as in resins used for office furniture, couches, baby furniture, industrial glues, foam insulation, paints and paint thinners.

Many household cleaners also include formaldehyde; like floor polishes, scouring cleaners, disinfectants, liquid cleansers, laundry aids, air fresheners and carpet cleaners.

Formaldehyde is in other household items; such as wall hangings, carpets or throw rugs, textiles, plastics and upholstery.

During warmer months, problems with formaldehyde can be especially serious as an increase in temperature of 5 to 6 degrees Celsius can double the gas’ concentration.  Further, an increase in relative humidity from 30% to 70% can also cause the gas concentration to nearly double. If both temperature and humidity increase, the concentration of gas can rise up to five times its original amount.

Personal care products such as hair straightening products, hair rinses, and cosmetics such as nail polish and hair gel often contain formaldehyde.

Baby products including shampoos, creams and bubble bath are frequently laced with formaldehyde. It has also been found in baby clothes and bedding.

Toothpaste and body washes are also potential sources of this carcinogenic ingredient.

Clothing that is designated wrinkle free or preshrunk frequently contains formaldehyde.

Formaldehyde is also a key component in the familiar “new car” smell of recently purchased vehicles.

Car exhaust and cigarette smoke also contain formaldehyde. So what can you do to avoid exposure to formaldehyde?

Early symptoms of formaldehyde exposure are:

• Eye, nose and throat irritation
• Coughing and breathing difficulties.

Later on the symptoms are:

• Asthma attacks
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Severe headaches
• Nose bleeds.

Studies have shown that people in high contact with the gas over a long period of time (such as biological scientists or morticians) experience a high risk of acquiring cancer. Those who have worked with or lived around the gas for ten or more years are considered at high risk. There is no known maximum threshold level and no known level below which there is not a threat of cancer.  The risk of getting cancer from formaldehyde depends upon the amount and duration of exposure.

Try to avoid most of the items listed above. Always keep your house well ventilated. Wash your clothing before wearing. Buy only personal care products and baby care items that are formaldehyde free and certified organic. Be especially diligent with nail polishes and hair-straightening products, as both of these items may contain dangerous levels of formaldehyde.

Remember, it is all about the accumulation of toxins.

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/formaldehyde

 

Dry-cleaning

The biggest organ of your body is your skin. Everything that comes in touch with it, is absorbed directly into the blood stream. When you dress with clothes that have been dry-cleaned, you bring highly toxic chemicals directly in contact with your skin.

These toxins are absorbed by your body and accumulate over time in your liver. As the organ most responsible for cleansing the blood of any toxins, a struggling liver is unable to process an excessive amount of dry-cleaning chemicals. Unfortunately, conventional dry cleaners use a toxin which is particularly harmful to the liver.

Dry-cleaners routinely use the toxic solvent PERC, or perchloroethylene, to clean clothing. PERC is the most popular solvent and is estimated to be used in 85% of dry cleaners worldwide. According to the U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, PERC exposure can lead to headaches, nausea, dizziness and memory problems. PERC’s toxic byproducts include:

• Vinyl chloride, a proven carcinogen
• Carbon tetrachloride, a known liver toxin
• Phosgene, a hazardous gas that evaporates and can be lethal in closed spaces
• Trichloroacetic acid (TCA), used as an herbicide in the 1950s and 1960s which is deadly.

Evaporated into the air, PERC can harm the health of anyone handling or wearing dry cleaned items, workers in the dry cleaning industry and people who live near dry cleaners. But especially those who wear these clothes, which have been saturated with these toxins.

Because a small amount of this chemical remains in dry cleaned clothing, it can contaminate consumers’ homes. The International Agency for Research in Cancer, classifies PERC as a ‘probable human carcinogen’” Already known to cause cancer in animals, several studies indicate that PERC exposure in humans increases the risk of esophagus, lung, kidney and liver cancers. Other health effects associated with exposure to PERC are memory impairment, liver and kidney damage, endocrine disruption, menstrual disorders, infertility and miscarriages. Clearly a toxic chemical, PERC can easily make its way into your environment if any of your garments are dry cleaned.

 

BPA and Phthalates

Plastic has been part of our lives for over 100 years and we can’t imagine being without it. In 2002, about 107 billion pounds of plastic were produced in North America alone. Unfortunately, plastics are not safe as most of them contain BPA.

What is BPA?

BPA is a hormone-disrupting synthetic estrogen. BPA mimics estrogen in our body and causes an array of health issues. BPA is used to soften plastic and to line aluminum cans.

BPA doesn’t stay in the plastic container, cans or baby bottles but leaches out into the food that they hold. Especially when heating or filling the containers with hot liquids, the amount of BPA is drastically increased.

The Environmental Working Group tested canned food bought across America and found BPA in more than half of them, at levels they call ‘Two hundred times the government’s traditional safe level of exposure for industrial chemicals’.

We are not only exposed through the liquids we drink out of plastic bottles, food we keep in plastic containers and food we eat out of cans but also by touching items which contain BPA (toys, shopping receipts) as well as through air and dust.

The health issues, which are associated with BPA, are:

• Prostate and breast cancer
• Early onset of puberty
• Obesity
• Hyperactivity
• Lowered sperm count
• Miscarriage
• Diabetes
• Structural damage to the brain
• Altered immune system.

It is probably not possible to completely avoid our exposure to BPA anymore but we definitely can limit our exposure.

Buy your food only in glass bottles. Buy BPA free bottles and fill them up with your filtered water from home. If you have to store food try to use glass containers.

In general, buy fresh produce and cook them at home. This avoids all kinds of containers and cans and is, anyway, the better way to health.

What are phthalates?

Phthalates are compounds used to make plastic materials like PVC soft, more flexible and allow them to be moulded. They are not only found in all plastics, plastic containers, sandwich bags, soda, milk cartons, juice containers, styrofoam cups, toys but also in perfumes, toothbrushes, hair shampoos, hair sprays, paints, printing inks, sporting goods, vinyl flooring, footwear, outdoor clothing, inflatable products . . .

The new car smell is partly the pungent odor of phthalates coming from the plastic dashboard when heated by the sun.

Phthalates are endocrine disruptors and young males are most vulnerable to this chemical. Their young body is still growing and developing and therefore their hormonal and reproductive systems are strongly affected by this toxin. In pregnant women phthalates pass through the placenta to be absorbed by the fetus.

Health effects related to phthalates are:

• Abnormal male sexual development
• Male infertility
• Premature breast development
• Cancer
• Premature birth
• Asthma
• Miscarriage.

A 2000 EWG analysis of CDC data, called Beauty Secrets, found that dibutyl phthalate was present in the bodies of every single person tested for industrial pollutants.

Be aware that phthalates do not have to be listed on ingredient labels. There is no way you can be sure that the product is free of phthalates when buying cosmetics. Phthalates are often used in cosmetics and personal care products to carry fragrances. They can be simply labelled ‘fragrance’ even though they make up 20% or more of the product.

There are too many endocrine disrupters found in our environment. They play havoc with our hormone system, which regulates all our bodily functions. Our body is a very sensitive, balanced system. One parameter out of control and the whole system starts to wobble. We do not know enough about how everything plays together but it is certain that we should try to keep our system in harmony to function properly.

 

Flame Retardants

The U.S. implemented fire safety standards in the 1970s that over time have led to more and more products adopting the use of toxic flame-retardant chemicals (polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDEs) to meet the stringent regulations.

Due to the decades old California Fire Safety Standard TB-117 (TB-117 for short), furniture sold in the state had to be treated with flame retardant chemicals. This standard is also the current standard being used across North America, because it is easier for companies to manufacture products that can be sold in any jurisdiction, so the strictest standard requiring flame retardants, California’s, ruled.

Luckily, on the 22nd of November 2013, California’s Governor, Jerry Brown, announced the state’s new fire safety standard; as a result, furniture will not have to be treated with toxic flame retardants. The new standard, TB117-2013, will allow companies to reduce, and potentially eliminate altogether, the use of flame retardant chemicals in their products.

This is very good news! Unfortunately, it will take a long time until production will change and flame retardants will be eliminate from products in our households.

PBDE are not chemically bound to the plastics, foam, fabrics and other materials to which they’re added, they easily leach out into our homes, and are also contaminating air, soil and waterways during their manufacture, use and degradation in landfills.

PBDE (polybrominated diphenyl ethers) are associated with:

• Brain and reproductive damage
• Decreased sperm quality
• Thyroid problems
• Cancer.

PBDEs, which are similar in chemical structure to the now-banned PCBs, are found in:

• Furniture foam
• Plastics for TV cabinets
• Electronics
• Wire insulation
• Back-coatings for draperies and upholstery.

The best option is to steer clear of polyurethane foam altogether and look for furniture made of wood, cotton, wool, polyester fibrefill and canvas, according to the Center for Environmental Health.

 

Heavy Metals

Heavy metals are metallic elements that are toxic or poisonous in very low concentrations. Examples of heavy metals include lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, chromium and thallium.

Heavy metals naturally occur in the earth’s crust and to some extent enter our body via air, food and drinking water. Unfortunately, with the ever-increasing pollution of our planet, the concentration of these heavy metals in our food chain, air and water are increasing at an alarming rate.

Heavy metals poison us by disrupting our cellular enzymes, which run on nutritional minerals such as magnesium, zinc, and selenium. Toxic metals kick out the nutrients and bind their receptor sites, causing diffuse symptoms by affecting nerves, hormones, digestion, and immune function.

Heavy metals are dangerous because they tend to bio-accumulate. Bioaccumulation means an increase in the concentration of a chemical within a biological organism over a period of time, compared to the chemical’s concentration in the environment.

The USA emits 48 tons of mercury a year into our atmosphere through coal burning power plants. China spews 600 tons of mercury into the air each year, accounting for a great part of the world’s non-natural emissions.

Lead and mercury are very toxic to the brain, nervous system, kidneys, reproductive system and immune system.

A huge amount of marine life is loaded with high concentrations of mercury. The WHO warns pregnant women not to eat fish because of its high toxicity.

According to the observation made by the internationally recognised medical researcher, Dr. Yoshiaki Omura, all cancer cells have mercury in them.

Lead dust is created through industrial waste and can be inhaled. It also gets into the soil and water. China has been found to use lead based paints in the manufacture of toys. Lead soldered joints in plumbing can contaminate drinking water. Therefore, cities with old water mains may be contaminating the drinking water with lead.

Other sources of lead include: vehicle batteries, ceramic, pesticides, cigarettes, art supplies, bullets, fishing sinkers, radiation shields, some ceramic glazes and sewage sludge. Cosmetics may also contain lead. A study published in 2007 found lead in all 33 brands of red lipstick tested, including an all-natural brand. Even dietary supplements have been found to include lead.

Heavy metals, such as mercury, lead, cadmium, copper, and aluminum, have an affinity for tissue that is high in fat. It is the organs like brain, bone marrow, nerves, that bear the greatest burden. So in any condition that involves the brain or mental illness, nerve degeneration, bone marrow disorders and immune overload one should look for heavy metal involvement. Heavy toxicity may also exaggerate existing inflammatory conditions.

Amalgam fillings, which are made of mercury, add tremendously to the overall toxic load. Day by day, mercury is leaking out of these fillings and poisoning the system.

Mercury fillings have been proven as neurotoxic, embryotoxic, mutagenic and immunotoxic. In simple terms, mercury weakens the immune system, has adverse effects on the function of the central and peripheral nervous system, toxic effects on the embryo and increases the frequency of mutation.

There is no healing possible without removing the constant poisoning of the system through mercury fillings.

Arsenic:

Toxic effects: Increased hair loss, skin cancer, headaches, diarrhoea, kidney problems, dark gray skin pigmentation, confusion, conjunctivitis of the eyes, skin folds, nerve damage, vomiting, liver problems, death

Sources: Pesticides, drinking water, previously used in some medications, tobacco smoke, previously used in some paints, laundry detergent, coal combustion, smog, mining and metal manufacturing

Cadmium:

Toxic effects: Anaemia, cancer, cardiovascular disease, fatigue, insomnia, kidney disease, learning difficulties in children, osteoporosis, poor concentration

Sources: Tobacco, burning plastics, coal fired industry, electronic industry, mining, paper mills, superphospate fertilisers, auto exhaust, city living

Mercury:

Toxic effects: Foggy head, leaky gut, intolerances, anxiety, autistic spectrum disorder, endocrine disturbance, fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome, headaches, speech or learning delay

Sources: Fish (tuna, swordfish…), amalgam fillings, vaccines, some insecticides, fluorescent lightbulbs, coal burning industry

Aluminium:

Toxic effects: Chronic pain, digestive issues, anxiety, insomnia, immune suppression, increased susceptibility to infection, memory disturbances, learning disorders, Alzheimer, fibromyalgia

Sources: Vaccines, talcum powder, cat-box litter, cement, asphalt, tobacco ashes, cigarette smoke, sodium aluminium (common food additive)

Nickel:

Toxic effects: Pulmonary fibrosis, reduced sperm count, increased risk of lung cancer, developmental deficits in childhood, high blood pressure, infertility, miscarriage, birth defects

Sources: Magnets, cheap jewellery, stainless steel, electronics, parts of industrial machines, braces sometimes contain nickel

Lead:

Toxic effects: Constipation, abdominal pain, fatigue, delayed development, anaemia, immune suppression, fibromyalgia, poor memory

Sources: Lead in paint, cosmetics, ceramic pottery, vehicle batteries, pesticides, cigarettes, art supplies, bullets, fishing sinkers, radiation shields, sewage sludge.

 

Fragrances 

It smells so fresh!

Fragrances are not harmless natural scents, which smell good, but highly toxic chemicals which are absorbed through our lungs and skin.

Almost everything today is scented, from candles to cleaning products to upholstery to air fresheners to perfumes. All of these can potentially trigger allergic reactions which suppress our immune system. Artificial fragrances are among the top five known allergens. They can cause asthma and trigger asthma attacks.

Besides being uncontrolled, and usually undisclosed, these fragrances contain highly toxic chemicals which in large quantities would be banned as toxic waste.

But one of the absolute worst dangers for our health are probably perfumes, colognes and body fresheners, which are sprayed directly onto the skin, where they are absorbed into the bloodstream.

Have you ever gotten a headache because someone sitting next to you is doused in perfume? Just the smell can cause our body to react with a serious sensitivity. Not to mention if we bring these toxins directly in contact with the largest organ of our body.

Some people are highly sensitive to these toxins and feel dizzy, nauseous, irritable, confused or fatigued due to fragrances, which are sprayed into the air or on bodies and furniture.

All fragrances contain chemicals which have been linked to cancer and all other degenerative diseases. Even though the FDA actually has direct authority to regulate harmful ingredients in cosmetics and personal care products, they don’t.

The fragrance industry is allowed to regulate itself through a trade association known as the International Fragrance Association (IFRA). This association is supposed to be responsible for conducting safety tests to determine that the ingredients used in their industry are safe for use.

As most scents are attached to a product line and protected as a trademark secret, it’s virtually impossible for these organisations to check thousands of fragrances and their accumulative effects on your health.

The most dangerous chemicals used in these fragrances are endocrine-disrupters called phthalates, and synthetic musk.

The effects of endocrine disrupters, particularly during pregnancy, breastfeeding and childhood, are devastating. Animal studies on certain phthalates have shown these chemicals may cause:

• Reproductive and developmental harm
• Organ damage
• Immune suppression
• Endocrine disruption
• Cancer.

Both phthalates and synthetic polycyclic musk fragrances have been found in the breast milk of American mothers, which proves that these toxins are absorbed through the skin and lungs and stored in fatty tissues. This has raised increasing concerns about their safety.

All of these fragrances are not listed on the label of a product due to their minute amounts, but with some common sense we just need to smell and if it smells synthetic then it’s toxic.

The most harmful chemicals detected in samples of breast milk were:

• Xylene
• Ketone
• HHCB
• HHCB-lactone (the oxidation product of HHCB)
• AHTN.

Tonalide is another common synthetic fragrance, which the Environmental Working Group (EWG) lists as a suspected endocrine disruptor. There’s also some emerging evidence that it’s a persistent, bioaccumulative toxins.

 

Paints and varnishes

Have you just painted the walls in your house and are irritated by odours, fumes, vapours and off-gassing?

Are you wondering how long will you be able to smell the paint and what the dangers and health effects are?

Different paint products use different ingredients so it is difficult to comment on the health effects of paint in general. However, health effects associated with the paint will be significantly diminished as the paint dries. The best thing that you can do is to create conditions inside your home, which would encourage a more rapid drying of the paint, and ventilate the house to allow the odors to escape.

The reason you can smell the paint when it is wet but not when it is dry is because of the ingredients that make paint liquid. Depending on the type of paint, these ingredients are usually water, oil or solvent based. The chemical process that occurs during the drying of paint is called evaporation. Evaporation is where the liquid portion of the product changes from a liquid to a gas. These ingredients become dispersed in the air as they evaporate from the painted surface.

Just because it vaporises doesn’t mean it disappears altogether. For example, water liquid and water vapour are both still water, they just have slightly different properties. During the process of evaporation another process occurs called dispersion. The best illustration of dispersion is when taking a bottle of cologne and opening it in one corner of the room. Within a few seconds there is a clear smell of cologne across the room even if the bottle has not been moved. That is because the cologne has changed from a liquid state to gas and dispersed (mixed in) with the rest of the air in the room. As the air flows through the room, it carries the odour of the cologne with it. Once the cap is put back on, the odour dissipates completely within a few moments. That is because it mixes with the air in the room and becomes less concentrated. Therefore, we are breathing in and smelling less of the cologne. This is what happens as paint dries. Eventually all of the liquid in the paint will evaporate and be dispersed and there should be little or no odor remaining.

Additionally, paint factory workers, construction painters and furniture finishers face an increased exposure to paint and solvent related health risks. Paint factory workers are exposed to dangerous chemicals found in the paint itself, construction painters inhale toxic dust and pyrolysis products and furniture furnishers can breathe in significant amounts of formaldehyde. Workers in these high risk industries may also face exposure to titanium dioxide, chromium, iron compounds, and in some cases, asbestos.

Health risks are:

• Lung cancer
• Liver or kidney problems
• Contact dermatitis
• Bronchitis
• Shortness of breath
• Continual chest pain.

 

Synthetics – Bed sheets and clothes

When we snuggle into our bed at night we probably never think that it could cause us more harm than good. Not even health conscious people think of the dangers that are hidden in synthetic sheets and fabrics. But we all should.

Synthetic fabrics are saturated with chemicals and dyes that cannot be washed out, making them lethal weapons.

Toxins in textiles

The textile industry is one of the top polluters worldwide, contributing about 20% of industrial water pollution globally.

Every year, 43 million tons of chemicals are used in textile production, and this doesn’t even account for the pesticides used to grow cotton that’s made into clothes.

Aside from polluting water, air and soil, some of these linger on your clothes when you wear them (this is one reason why it’s so important to wash your new clothes before wearing them)

During production and processing of underwear, towels, dress shirts, bed linens, blouses and bras, these fabrics are treated with chemicals which we do not want to have close to our body. These chemicals are absorbed or inhaled directly.

Teflon in pants and underpants

In 2004, a new clothing additive was recognized as a serious health danger, that the EMF advised parents to discard the clothing of their children and to buy instead natural fibres, if possible.

The danger was coming from perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs), which include the non-stick additive teflon. To prevent the sticking and wrinkling of clothes, these chemicals are increasingly added to clothing because it makes them last longer. Most clothing labelled ‘no-iron’ contain PFCs.

PFCs are cancer-causing, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). And if they declare something outright dangerous it’s probably beyond anything you ever want to touch.

Despite the EPA’s warning, these ‘no-iron’ and ‘wrinkle-free’ synthetics have become a popular part of many school uniforms. I think if parents knew that the school uniform would contribute to their children getting cancer later in life they would search for alternatives.

To create soft and flowing fabrics is not as easy as it seems. No one likes scratchy old pullovers that mum spun from her good old wool. That’s why in the early stages of the production process chemicals are added to smoothen the process and to create a better workflow.

For instance:

• Chemicals are used to make fibres suitable for spinning and weaving
• A formaldehyde product is often applied to prevent shrinkage. This product is applied with heat so it is permanently trapped in the fibre
• Petrochemical dyes, which are very toxic to the environment and the end consumer, are used for colour
• PFC’s are added to make clothing softer, wrinkle-free, fire-retardant, moth-repellant and stain-resistant
• Commonly used chemicals include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and dioxin-producing bleach
• Nylon and polyester are made from petrochemicals, whose production creates nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas that’s 310 times more potent than carbon dioxide
• Rayon is made from wood pulp that has been treated with chemicals, including caustic soda and sulphuric acid
• Dye fixatives used in fabrics often come from heavy metals.
• Acrylic fabrics are polycrylonitriles, which are known to be carcinogenic
• Clothing and fabric that is treated with flame-retardant chemicals, such as children’s pajamas, emit formaldehyde, which is also proven to cause cancer

There is clear evidence that all the above listed chemicals are directly related to our present health concerns like cancer. These chemicals in synthetic clothes and bed sheets have endocrine and hormone disrupting effects


Synthetic fibres to avoid

It’s best to stay away from the following fabrics:

• Acrylic
• Polyester
• Rayon
• Acetate
• Triacetate
• Nylon.

Anything labelled static-resistant, wrinkle-resistant, permanent-press, no-iron, stain-proof or moth-repellant should also be avoided.

 

Skincare products

Our skin absorbs all the toxins and other harmful ingredients used in skincare products. The skin is our largest organ and is able to absorb many substances through its big surface area.

That’s why modern medicine uses nicotine patches, hormone patches for birth control or menopause, and morphine patches for pain control.

This clearly shows that the industry knows that any poison is directly absorbed via the skin and ignoring this fact when using care products that can be very harmful to our health.

List of ingredients that should be avoided when using skin care products:

• Words ending in ‘paraben’ are estrogen mimickers and chemical preservatives found in almost all body care products. They cause allergies in form of rashes and have been detected in human breast tumours.
• DMDM hydantoin (can release formaldehyde)
• Imidazolidinyl urea (can release formaldehyde)
• Methylchloroisothiazolinone
• Methylisothiazolinone
• Triclosan
• Triclocarban
• Triethanolamine (or “TEA”) (causes allergic reactions, skin dryness, eye irritations)
• Ingredients that start with PEG or have an –eth in the middle
• Sodium laureth sulfate
• Polyethylene glycol
• Oleth
• Myreth
• Ceteareth, they contain 1,4-Dioxane which is considered a human carcinogen
• FD&C (colours)
• D&C
• 2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1,3 Diol
• BHA
• Boric acid and sodium borate
• DMDM Hydantoin
• Oxybenzone
• Phthalates, which are always found in perfumes, hair sprays, nail polishes and all synthetically scented products such as shampoos, deodorants, perfumes. Be aware of scented candles!!!!
• Aluminum
• Propylene glycol PG.

The best rule to apply is that if we can’t pronounce the ingredient then we better not buy the product. Body products should be edible to be considered safe to use on our skin.

Unfortunately, there are no government regulations in regard to body care products and cosmetics. Companies can call their product natural or organic and still use petrochemicals as ingredients. There may be no certified organic or natural ingredients whatsoever. To be on the safe side, the product should be organic certified by an official body.

The website from the Environmental Working Group http://www.ewg.org/skindeep is a fantastic site with more than 65,000 products to search for. Searching for specific ingredients is also possible.

 

Cosmetics companies may use any ingredient or raw material, except for colour additives and a few prohibited substances, without government review or approval (FDA 2005, FDA 2000).

More than 500 products sold in the U.S. contain ingredients banned in cosmetics in Japan, Canada or the European Union (EWG 2007b).

Nearly 100 products contain ingredients considered unsafe by the International Fragrance Association (EWG 2007c).

A wide range of nanomaterials whose safety is in question are commonly used in personal care products (EWG 2006).

22% of all personal care products may be contaminated with the cancer-causing impurity 1,4-dioxane, including many children’s products (EWG 2007d, CDC 2009).

60% of sunscreens contain the potential hormone disruptor oxybenzone that readily penetrates the skin and contaminates the bodies of 97% of Americans (EWG 2010, Calafat et al 2008).

61% of tested lipstick brands contain residues of lead (CSC 2007).

Authors: Jason Rano, Legislative Analyst, and Jane Houlihan, Senior Vice President for Research http://www.ewg.org/skindeep

The fully comprehensive list of carcinogens, hormone disruptors, penetration enhancers and common allergens below is from the website of Dr. Samuel S. Epstein http://preventcancer.com/consumers/

Dr. Epstein is also the author of the book ‘Toxic Beauty’, which we highly recommend if you want to know more about our toxic cosmetics and personal care products.

Dr. Epstein warns: ‘We are playing Russian roulette with toxin laden cosmetics and personal care products that we apply to our skin, and to the skin of our infants and children, everyday.’

https://youtu.be/pfq000AF1i8

 

Baby Talcum Powder

Talcum powder is one of the proven carcinogenic ingredients. It is a primary ingredient in baby powders, medicated powders, perfumed powders and designer perfumed body powders. Talc is used in smaller quantities in deodorants, chalk, crayons, textiles, soap, insulating materials, paints, asphalt filler, paper, and in food processing.

Women’s frequent talcum use on their genitals increased their risk of ovarian cancer by threefold as stated in a 1992 publication in Obstetrics & Gynecology.

The capstone of this research case against talcum came in 2003 when the journal ‘Anticancer Research’ published a ‘meta-analysis,’ or large scale review of 16 previously published studies involving 11,933 women; a 33 percent increased risk of ovarian cancer was confirmed.

Nearly 16,000 women in the U.S. die from ovarian cancer each year, which means it is the fourth most common fatal cancer in women. By some estimates, one out of five women regularly applies talcum to her genitals. This usage occurs either through direct application, or as a result of tampons, sanitary pads and diaphragms that have been dusted with talcum.

A healthy alternative to talcum powder is powder made out of cornstarch.

 

Petrochemicals 

There are thousands of petrochemicals in ink, crayons, bubble gum, dishwashing liquids, deodorant, eyeglasses, contact lenses, records, tires, food, toothpaste, ammonia, heart valves, car mats; the list goes on and on.

The manufacture and incineration of plastics such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC, commonly used in consumer product packaging and medical devices) is a major source of dioxin. Dioxins are also formed as byproducts of chemical processes involving chlorine, such as the manufacture of pesticides and the bleaching of paper.

Two of the most serious health effects of dioxin exposure are cancer and endocrine disruption, which leads to cancer. The petrochemicals that are so pervasive in our environment have especially adverse effects on rapidly growing fetuses and infants. Laboratory animals exposed before birth to one form of dioxin, displayed physical deformities, retarded growth and changes in physiology. Adverse effects on learning and behaviour were also evident.

 

Polyvinyl chloride 

Polyvinyl chloride, also known as PVC or vinyl, is arguably one of the most toxic types of plastic in our lives.

One reason why PVC is so toxic is that it is often mixed with softening chemicals called plasticisers, the most well-known variety being phthalates.

Exposure to PVC and the plasticisers that often come with it, have been strongly associated with an increased risk of developing the following conditions:

• Hormonal imbalances
• Reproductive and developmental problems
• Allergies in children
• Brain cancer
• Hardening of connective tissue throughout the body, also called scleroderma
• A malignant tumour arising from tubules that are near the gall bladder and liver, also called a cholangiocarcinoma
• A malignant tumour arising from a blood vessel, also called an angiosarcoma.

Furthermore, the processes of manufacturing PVC and burning waste PVC are known to create dioxins. Even at very low levels of exposure, dioxins have been linked to:

• Endometriosis
• Immune system dysfunction
• Reproductive problems
• Many different types of cancer.

Common products that are usually made with PVC include:

• Personal care products such as soap, shampoo, deodorants, fragrances, hair spray, and nail polish
• Plastic toys
• Vinyl siding on homes and buildings
• Plumbing fixtures
• Flexible hoses and tubing
• Flooring
• Roofing membranes
• Insulation for electrical cable and wires
• Magnetic strip cards
• Materials used to cushion and cover furniture
• Pipelines in the water and sewage industries
• Adhesives
• Detergents
• Lubricating oils
• Solvents
• Automotive plastics
• Plastic clothing
• Plastic swimming pools
• Plastic furniture.

 

Asbestos

We are most likely to be exposed to asbestos by inhaling asbestos particles in the air, but we can also be exposed through skin contact with asbestos or swallowing asbestos fibres.

Professionals who; make products that contain asbestos, demolish buildings containing asbestos, remove asbestos from buildings, work in the construction industry, repair and service automobile brakes, work in shipbuilding and ship repair, or wear asbestos safety clothes are exposed to asbestos.

Exposure to asbestos can also happen when living in a building where asbestos has been incorrectly or poorly removed. Exposure can be higher if materials containing asbestos are disturbed during demolition work, building or home maintenance, repairs and remodeling.

Families of workers exposed to asbestos can also be exposed when contaminated clothing, shoes and equipment are brought home, and when clothing is laundered. We can be exposed to asbestos in drinking water, or if we use products that contain asbestos.

Simultaneous exposure to asbestos and cigarette smoking significantly increases the chances of getting lung cancer.

These diseases do not develop immediately but may appear many years after exposure. The first signs of asbestosis include persistent chest pain, coughing, a crackling sound in breathing, and shortness of breath.

 

Mould

Mould is considered to be an extremely small and dangerous organism that belongs to the fungi family.

Moulds are associated with damp buildings and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) says that over 50% of US buildings are mould infected.

Mould Illness begins insidiously, as it quietly and silently takes away energy, cognition and easy breathing; it leaves behind pain, fatigue and often weight gain.

The symptoms of mould exposure may not seem life-threatening at the onset but over time more serious illnesses may develop.

Symptoms of constant mould exposure:

• Nasal congestion
• Fatigue
• Irritation of the eyes
• Weakness of muscles
• Inflammation of sinuses
• Breathlessness
• Headache
• Runny nose
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Hoarseness
• Muscle cramps
• Abdominal pain
• Stiffness
• Mood swings
• Night sweats
• Vertigo
• Numbness
• Tremors
• Confusion
• Concentration issues
• Red eyes.

Mould illness is not an allergy but an inflammation within the body that severely stresses the immune system. Mould toxins attach themselves to fat cells within the body, causing them to continuously release inflammatory cytokines. This results in chronic inflammation, which has devastating effects on our health, reduced circulation in small blood vessels resulting in reduced oxygen levels in the cells, heart disease, nerve damage, and autoimmune disease are the result of mould exposure.

‘Toxicological evidence obtained in vivo and in vitro supports these findings, showing the occurrence of diverse inflammatory and toxic responses after exposure to microorganisms isolated from damp buildings, including their spores, metabolites and components’— The World Health Organization

 


What to do?

Elimination of the cause! Look for the moisture in your house/apartment. There are many sources of water intrusion commonly seen in construction, both brand new and old. Crawl spaces and basements are the biggest offenders. Look for water coming through concrete walls (block and poured concrete are porous wicks for water). Check for in-ground water pressure against a subterranean wall, especially if the wall is at the bottom of a hill.

A musty smell is the first sign of mould!!

Check bathrooms and behind furniture and sofas positioned close to walls. Clothes, especially leather, in badly ventilated wardrobes are often affected by mould.

Without the elimination of the mould in our environment we are in for a vicious cycle, which will ultimately lead to chronic illness.

https://youtu.be/EKYL2Tx6Hyc