(Parents Magazine, July 2005, page 144)Chemicals in everyday Products could make your kids sick. But there are ways to stay safe. By Rebecca Kahlenberg
A few years ago, Brenda Jones hired a lawn-care company to get rid of the weeds and bugs that had taken over the yard of her home in Bradenton, Florida. But shortly after the lawn was sprayed, everyone ion her family started feeling sick. Brenda got a burning sensation in her throat and began coughing. Her children, Jeffrey and Kara, who were 7 and 3, complained of headaches and nausea. Her husband, Wayne, thought he had the flu. Even the family dog, Amore, was vomiting and sneezing.
Several days later, their family doctor concluded that their symptoms had been caused by the pesticides the lawn company had used. "We were shocked," says Brenda, who has vowed never to use lawn chemicals again. "We thought we were protecting our kids from harmful insects, not doing something that could hurt them."
Fortunately, the Joneses’ experience is not very common. Most people do not have such severe reactions to the weed killers widely used on suburban lawns. But their story underscores an issue of growing concern to environmental-health experts: the fact that many common chemicals found in and around the average American home can be harmful to humans—especially to babies and young children.
Experts do know that babies and young children are much more vulnerable than adults to the effects of many toxins. Why? Children weigh less, so any harmful substances that they eat, breathe, or absorb through their skin have a bigger impact on their developing body. What’s more, "children live and play down on the floor, where toxic vapor and dust accumulate, and they’re constantly putting their fingers in their mouth," says pediatrician Philip Landrigan, M.D., director of the Center for Children’s Health and the Environment, based at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. He worries that exposure to toxins may be responsible, at least in part, for the increasing rates of asthma, developmental disorders and cancer in kids.
That’s why it’s important for parents to be aware of the potential dangers of household toxins and to seek out safer alternatives whenever possible.
Friday, July 20, 2007
No Gloves Required
Read the application instructions on the typical cleaner, and chances are one of the first steps will be "wear gloves when handling." Why?
Strong, alkaline formulas are pretty effective at removing dirt and stains. But, they're also pretty good at burning skin or causing red, itchy splotches. And the effects can be even worse on children's sensitive skin. That's why we've formulated M products to be non-alkaline. Most are pH neutral, meaning they have a pH nearly identical to skin. And that can offer real peace of mind.
Strong, alkaline formulas are pretty effective at removing dirt and stains. But, they're also pretty good at burning skin or causing red, itchy splotches. And the effects can be even worse on children's sensitive skin. That's why we've formulated M products to be non-alkaline. Most are pH neutral, meaning they have a pH nearly identical to skin. And that can offer real peace of mind.
Safer for Your Home
You're probably already aware of how M cleaners keep your home looking and feeling cleaner, but do you also know how they help keep your home safer? According to Poison Control Centers, there are over 2 million cases of exposure to household chemicals reported every year. Over 200,000 of them are for children, and nearly half of the affected children are under age six.2,3
Most of these exposures occur by one of three methods: inhalation, swallowing, and skin contact. We are mindful of the potential health risks to you and your family by these three routes of exposure, so we have developed EcoSense products to reduce these risks, allowing you and your family to breather easier.
Most of these exposures occur by one of three methods: inhalation, swallowing, and skin contact. We are mindful of the potential health risks to you and your family by these three routes of exposure, so we have developed EcoSense products to reduce these risks, allowing you and your family to breather easier.
All Sprayers are Not Created Equal
Take a look at any EcoSense spray bottle. What makes it different? Besides the fact that it's reusable and refillable, you'll also notice all EcoSense bottles are non-aerosol. Why? Beyond the risks associated with pressurized cans and propellants, the aerosol particles in many household cleaners can be nearly twenty times smaller than the particles created by EcoSense trigger sprayers. And, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the smaller a particle, the more easily it is inhaled.4
In addition, the smaller the particle, the longer it will linger in the air. In fact, particles from aerosol sprayers can linger in the air hundreds of times longer than particles from EcoSense trigger sprayers. In testing at an independent laboratory, EcoSense products (Tub & Tile and Tough & Tender) had approximately seven times lower levels of EPA emissions than did their competitive products (Lime-A-way® and Formula 409®, respectively). That helps keep EcoSense products out of the air and out of your body—two places no cleaner belongs.
4 Paul Baron, "Generation and Behavior of Airborne Particles (Aerosols)" Division of Applied Technology, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Available online at: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ aerosols/pdfs/Aerosol_101.pdf
In addition, the smaller the particle, the longer it will linger in the air. In fact, particles from aerosol sprayers can linger in the air hundreds of times longer than particles from EcoSense trigger sprayers. In testing at an independent laboratory, EcoSense products (Tub & Tile and Tough & Tender) had approximately seven times lower levels of EPA emissions than did their competitive products (Lime-A-way® and Formula 409®, respectively). That helps keep EcoSense products out of the air and out of your body—two places no cleaner belongs.
4 Paul Baron, "Generation and Behavior of Airborne Particles (Aerosols)" Division of Applied Technology, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Available online at: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ aerosols/pdfs/Aerosol_101.pdf
Partial List of Suggested Uses
1. Remove finger nail polish from counter tops and tables.
2. Remove grease spots from clothes (leave in for over an hour before washing.)
3. Remove permanent marker.
4. Diluted it can take the place of Fabreeze.
5. Remove ink spots from carpet.
6. Remove gum stuck in hair (let it soak).
7. Remove the goo left after removing a band-aid.
8. Remove silly putty stuck on sleeping bags.
2. Remove grease spots from clothes (leave in for over an hour before washing.)
3. Remove permanent marker.
4. Diluted it can take the place of Fabreeze.
5. Remove ink spots from carpet.
6. Remove gum stuck in hair (let it soak).
7. Remove the goo left after removing a band-aid.
8. Remove silly putty stuck on sleeping bags.
Affected by Toxins?
Fortunately, we are seldom exposed to sufficiently large doses of chemicals to suffer acute toxic effects. In most circumstances, a person is regularly exposed to a substance at levels significantly below the acutely toxic level. This is called chronic exposure.
Many people who are exposed to the variety of chemicals in our environment do not reach acute toxic exposure which leads to cancer or death. However, they may experience an array of subtle symptoms, including headaches, rashes, or breathing difficulties, which, while less dramatic, can be extremely debilitating. Compounding this problem is the difficulty of isolating which chemical present in your home, office or even car is causing the problem. Multiple chemical sensitivity is poorly understood and, therefore, hard to cure. Measuring the risks associated with chronic exposure to chemicals is no less difficult. The best data comes from occupational exposure to chemicals that result in unique malignancies.
For example, chimney sweeps in 19th century England developed cancer of the scrotum much more frequently than the general population. We now know this was due to exposure to polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons in the soot with which they had daily contact. Similarly, lung cancers in shipyard workers implicated asbestos as a carcinogen, as did liver cancers in workers manufacturing polyvinyl chloride (PVC), as well as a rare cancer that causes tumors to grow inside the liver's blood. Incidence among vinyl chloride workers of this form of cancer is 3,000 times higher than among the general population.There are strong links between increased cancer rates and life in the industrialized world, where we are exposed to high levels of suspected cancer-causing chemicals. A 15 year study in Oregon, comparing women who didn't work outside the home with women who did, found a 54% higher death rate from cancer in the women who stayed home. The study suggested that chronic exposure to cleaning products played a role.
In Sandra Steingraber's outstanding book Living Downstream, she documents some powerful information:
Breast cancer rates are 30 times higher in the United States than in parts of Africa.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer has concluded that 80% of all cancer is attributable to environmental influences (these include lifestyle influences such as smoking, as well as exposure to carcinogenic chemicals).
One-half of the world's cancers occur among people in industrialized countries, even though these people are only one-fifth of the world's population.
Amazingly, only a dozen or so chemicals have been directly implicated in human cancers. Most of the other "suspected" carcinogens have been identified by feeding large doses of these chemicals to specially bred mice and rats. If a chemical produces tumors in one or more feeding studies, it is only considered a suspected carcinogen.The problem of extrapolating results of animal studies (high levels of exposure for short periods of time) to human exposure (low levels of exposure for long periods of time) has not yet been satisfactorily resolved for two reasons. First, because research methods don't accurately mirror the way ordinary people use a chemical in the "real world," it is difficult to assess potential problems that may exist with many of the chemicals we use every day.
If, for example, you ingest a pound of chemical X in a single sitting, one can safely assume that you will sicken and die. But what happens when you're exposed to just a few thousandths of a gram of chemical X every day for many, many years? Regulators who evaluate cancer risk assume the risk of cancer from exposure to a chemical decreases as one is exposed to less of the chemical, but that the risk is never zero. They set standards for exposure that attempt to assure that no more than one person in a million is likely to die of cancer when exposed to these chemicals.The second reason our research is unsatisfying is that whenever the test results come close to suggesting a certain chemical is dangerous enough to be removed from the market, the chemical's manufacturer is likely to spend millions, if not hundreds of millions of dollars challenging the government's research. Claiming, in the case of dioxin for example, that even though hundreds of tests and studies indicate that dioxin does cause cancer, no actual tests were done on humans (and, of course, never will be), so we’ll never know for sure!
The above article was copied from www.seventhgeneration.com
Many people who are exposed to the variety of chemicals in our environment do not reach acute toxic exposure which leads to cancer or death. However, they may experience an array of subtle symptoms, including headaches, rashes, or breathing difficulties, which, while less dramatic, can be extremely debilitating. Compounding this problem is the difficulty of isolating which chemical present in your home, office or even car is causing the problem. Multiple chemical sensitivity is poorly understood and, therefore, hard to cure. Measuring the risks associated with chronic exposure to chemicals is no less difficult. The best data comes from occupational exposure to chemicals that result in unique malignancies.
For example, chimney sweeps in 19th century England developed cancer of the scrotum much more frequently than the general population. We now know this was due to exposure to polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons in the soot with which they had daily contact. Similarly, lung cancers in shipyard workers implicated asbestos as a carcinogen, as did liver cancers in workers manufacturing polyvinyl chloride (PVC), as well as a rare cancer that causes tumors to grow inside the liver's blood. Incidence among vinyl chloride workers of this form of cancer is 3,000 times higher than among the general population.There are strong links between increased cancer rates and life in the industrialized world, where we are exposed to high levels of suspected cancer-causing chemicals. A 15 year study in Oregon, comparing women who didn't work outside the home with women who did, found a 54% higher death rate from cancer in the women who stayed home. The study suggested that chronic exposure to cleaning products played a role.
In Sandra Steingraber's outstanding book Living Downstream, she documents some powerful information:
Breast cancer rates are 30 times higher in the United States than in parts of Africa.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer has concluded that 80% of all cancer is attributable to environmental influences (these include lifestyle influences such as smoking, as well as exposure to carcinogenic chemicals).
One-half of the world's cancers occur among people in industrialized countries, even though these people are only one-fifth of the world's population.
Amazingly, only a dozen or so chemicals have been directly implicated in human cancers. Most of the other "suspected" carcinogens have been identified by feeding large doses of these chemicals to specially bred mice and rats. If a chemical produces tumors in one or more feeding studies, it is only considered a suspected carcinogen.The problem of extrapolating results of animal studies (high levels of exposure for short periods of time) to human exposure (low levels of exposure for long periods of time) has not yet been satisfactorily resolved for two reasons. First, because research methods don't accurately mirror the way ordinary people use a chemical in the "real world," it is difficult to assess potential problems that may exist with many of the chemicals we use every day.
If, for example, you ingest a pound of chemical X in a single sitting, one can safely assume that you will sicken and die. But what happens when you're exposed to just a few thousandths of a gram of chemical X every day for many, many years? Regulators who evaluate cancer risk assume the risk of cancer from exposure to a chemical decreases as one is exposed to less of the chemical, but that the risk is never zero. They set standards for exposure that attempt to assure that no more than one person in a million is likely to die of cancer when exposed to these chemicals.The second reason our research is unsatisfying is that whenever the test results come close to suggesting a certain chemical is dangerous enough to be removed from the market, the chemical's manufacturer is likely to spend millions, if not hundreds of millions of dollars challenging the government's research. Claiming, in the case of dioxin for example, that even though hundreds of tests and studies indicate that dioxin does cause cancer, no actual tests were done on humans (and, of course, never will be), so we’ll never know for sure!
The above article was copied from www.seventhgeneration.com
The Kitchen and the Multinational Corporation
Article
Journal of Business Ethics
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
ISSN: 0167-4544 (Paper) 1573-0697 (Online)
DOI: 10.1007/BF00382862
Issue: Volume 6, Number 3
Pages: 179 - 194
The Kitchen and the Multinational Corporation: An Analysis of the Links Between the Household and Global Corporations.
Harriet Rosenberg, Social Science Division, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Downsview, Ontario, Canada
Abstract: The paper examines relationships between multinational corporations and the unwaged work women do in their homes. It is argued that far from being a sanctuary, the home has become a dumpsite for unnecessary and unsafe products. Women in North America and the Third World are now dealing with health and safety issues in their neighborhoods and households. Consciousness of these dangers has resulted in mobilization and the formation of alliances aimed at confronting multinationals and securing more government regulation. The experience of one group of women in a small Ontario community is described.
Harriet Rosenberg is Assistant Professor in the Social Science Division at York University. She is the Principal Investigator of a SSHRC Grant for her Aging and Caregiving in an African Population . She is the co-author of Through the Kitchen Window: The Politics of Home and Family, with M. Luxton, Network Basic Series, Garamond Press, Toronto; and co-author with M. FitzGerald of Surviving in the City: Urbanization in the Third World, Oxfam, Toronto.
Journal of Business Ethics
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
ISSN: 0167-4544 (Paper) 1573-0697 (Online)
DOI: 10.1007/BF00382862
Issue: Volume 6, Number 3
Pages: 179 - 194
The Kitchen and the Multinational Corporation: An Analysis of the Links Between the Household and Global Corporations.
Harriet Rosenberg, Social Science Division, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Downsview, Ontario, Canada
Abstract: The paper examines relationships between multinational corporations and the unwaged work women do in their homes. It is argued that far from being a sanctuary, the home has become a dumpsite for unnecessary and unsafe products. Women in North America and the Third World are now dealing with health and safety issues in their neighborhoods and households. Consciousness of these dangers has resulted in mobilization and the formation of alliances aimed at confronting multinationals and securing more government regulation. The experience of one group of women in a small Ontario community is described.
Harriet Rosenberg is Assistant Professor in the Social Science Division at York University. She is the Principal Investigator of a SSHRC Grant for her Aging and Caregiving in an African Population . She is the co-author of Through the Kitchen Window: The Politics of Home and Family, with M. Luxton, Network Basic Series, Garamond Press, Toronto; and co-author with M. FitzGerald of Surviving in the City: Urbanization in the Third World, Oxfam, Toronto.
The Many Uses
When we were first introduced to the M range of products, we thought the one sounded like it could be a useful addition to our kit, as commercial window cleaners. We ordered a small bottle- ‘‘just in case…’’ and now we find it is indispensable!
Ian decided to try it out on the windows of one of the major stores that we clean. The panes of glass are 10 feet tall by 5 feet wide and had been replaced 3 months earlier. The glazing engineers had used a yellow waxy marker to note the installation position of the glass. Plate glass of this kind is cleaned using an extending pole. Ian poured the one onto a clean applicator on top of the pole and rubbed it lightly over the markings. Immediately it disappeared! Despite being cleaned weekly, the usual detergent had not been able to remove the marks, nor had using a ‘‘porcupine’’ – which is a fluffy applicator that incorporates nylon bristles. A scraper was no use as the marks were too high up to apply a good pressure to the top of the pole. The store staff, who were watching the process, were amazed and also noticed the clean, fresh smell!!
We have gone on to test it out on anything we can find and it has not failed yet: marker pen graffiti on windows, gloss paint on shop signs, metallic paint on windows, diesel exhaust stains on a white trailer and (my favourite) rust stains on vinyl flooring, from storing old paint tins.
Ian and Isobel Urch
Ian decided to try it out on the windows of one of the major stores that we clean. The panes of glass are 10 feet tall by 5 feet wide and had been replaced 3 months earlier. The glazing engineers had used a yellow waxy marker to note the installation position of the glass. Plate glass of this kind is cleaned using an extending pole. Ian poured the one onto a clean applicator on top of the pole and rubbed it lightly over the markings. Immediately it disappeared! Despite being cleaned weekly, the usual detergent had not been able to remove the marks, nor had using a ‘‘porcupine’’ – which is a fluffy applicator that incorporates nylon bristles. A scraper was no use as the marks were too high up to apply a good pressure to the top of the pole. The store staff, who were watching the process, were amazed and also noticed the clean, fresh smell!!
We have gone on to test it out on anything we can find and it has not failed yet: marker pen graffiti on windows, gloss paint on shop signs, metallic paint on windows, diesel exhaust stains on a white trailer and (my favourite) rust stains on vinyl flooring, from storing old paint tins.
Ian and Isobel Urch
Cleans Brass Plate
I used T&T on a Moroccan brass plate which hasn't been cleaned for at least 7
years, as it took so long, and was so messy. I eventually took it off the wall as I couldn't
be bothered to spend hours cleaning it. I have cleaned a segment of the plate which
shows clearly on the photo. This took less than 5 minutes, with light rubbing only. I am
very impressed. It would be even better with a bit more elbow grease and a second
application.
Fiona Gustafson, Harpenden, UK
years, as it took so long, and was so messy. I eventually took it off the wall as I couldn't
be bothered to spend hours cleaning it. I have cleaned a segment of the plate which
shows clearly on the photo. This took less than 5 minutes, with light rubbing only. I am
very impressed. It would be even better with a bit more elbow grease and a second
application.
Fiona Gustafson, Harpenden, UK
Put to the Test
I recently decided to put it to the test. I used it on a black blob about the size of
an old sixpenny piece - either tar or chewing gum, or something of that ilk. It was on the
spare room carpet when we moved in - NEARLY EIGHT YEARS AGO - and I've never
even tried to get it off, it looked so ingrained and permanent. I decided to attack it with
half a cap of it, left it for about 15 seconds, and it simply wiped off, with a
little rub! I seriously couldn't believe my eyes. Speechless - and I have two witnesses. I
wish I'd had my camcorder rolling! I think I could get quite enthusiastic about this
product - maybe even start recommending it to my friends.....!!!!
Fiona Gustafson, Harpenden, UK
an old sixpenny piece - either tar or chewing gum, or something of that ilk. It was on the
spare room carpet when we moved in - NEARLY EIGHT YEARS AGO - and I've never
even tried to get it off, it looked so ingrained and permanent. I decided to attack it with
half a cap of it, left it for about 15 seconds, and it simply wiped off, with a
little rub! I seriously couldn't believe my eyes. Speechless - and I have two witnesses. I
wish I'd had my camcorder rolling! I think I could get quite enthusiastic about this
product - maybe even start recommending it to my friends.....!!!!
Fiona Gustafson, Harpenden, UK
Cleans Oven and Does Not Hurt Boy
My wife regularly uses SUM to clean our oven and it works better than anything we
have tried before. The point of the story is this though. She did it late at night and left a
three quarter full spray bottle on the work surface next to the cooker. Our three year old
twins got up early the next morning and decided to use it as a ray-gun as they played
together. When we came down the living room and kitchen smelled strongly of SUM.
We found the spray bottle almost empty and one boy soaked in SUM. It was a
bit expensive maybe but absolutely no harm done. What if that had been our normal oven
cleaner? Thank you M!
Rob Channings, Manchester, UK
have tried before. The point of the story is this though. She did it late at night and left a
three quarter full spray bottle on the work surface next to the cooker. Our three year old
twins got up early the next morning and decided to use it as a ray-gun as they played
together. When we came down the living room and kitchen smelled strongly of SUM.
We found the spray bottle almost empty and one boy soaked in SUM. It was a
bit expensive maybe but absolutely no harm done. What if that had been our normal oven
cleaner? Thank you M!
Rob Channings, Manchester, UK
Ring Around the Tub
When we moved into our home 10 years ago, the bathtub in our second bathroom had a
terrible ring around the tub that I could not get rid of, no matter what I tried. At one point
I even tried a strong mixture of bleach and detergent, but after scrubbing for close to 45
minutes and choking horribly on the fumes, I’d only managed to clean a few inches.
After that, I gave up. The day my first M order arrived, I combined full-strength
Tub & Tile with Sol-U-Mel and, with a plastic scrubber, I got to work. After half an hour,
my entire tub was perfectly clean and looked brand new! I couldn’t believe my eyes! No
harsh detergents and fumes! No choking for breath! Thank you so much!
Rachel Weiss, Lakewood, New Jersey
terrible ring around the tub that I could not get rid of, no matter what I tried. At one point
I even tried a strong mixture of bleach and detergent, but after scrubbing for close to 45
minutes and choking horribly on the fumes, I’d only managed to clean a few inches.
After that, I gave up. The day my first M order arrived, I combined full-strength
Tub & Tile with Sol-U-Mel and, with a plastic scrubber, I got to work. After half an hour,
my entire tub was perfectly clean and looked brand new! I couldn’t believe my eyes! No
harsh detergents and fumes! No choking for breath! Thank you so much!
Rachel Weiss, Lakewood, New Jersey
CREATE A SAFER AND HEALTHY HOME by Dr. Joyce M. Woods
Know Your ABC’S: Indoor Pollution By Dr. Joyce M. Woods
Dr. Joyce Woods worked as a medical/surgical nurse, public health nurse, nurse educator, nursing school administrator, occupational health consultant. She holds Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Arts (Specialist), Master of Education degrees, and has completed her doctoral degree in the area of “Indoor Air Pollution, and ...it's effect on your health"
Dr. Joyce Woods worked as a medical/surgical nurse, public health nurse, nurse educator, nursing school administrator, occupational health consultant. She holds Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Arts (Specialist), Master of Education degrees, and has completed her doctoral degree in the area of “Indoor Air Pollution, and ...it's effect on your health"
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, carcinogenic, or birth defects.
The majority of chemicals have never been tested for long-term effects.
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 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.
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.
Chemicals get into our body through inhalation, ingestion and absorption.
We breathe 10 to 20 thousand liters of air per day.
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 Asthma Society of Canada identify common household cleaners and cosmetics as triggers.
ADD/ADHD are epidemic in schools today. Behavioral problems have long been linked to exposure to toxic chemicals and molds. Use of Ritalin has skyrocketed since 1990.
Chemical and environmental sensitivities are known to cause all types of headaches.
Labeling laws do not protect the consumer - they protect big business.
The New York Poison Control Center reports that 85% of product warning labels were either inadequate or incorrect for identifying a poison, and for first aid instructions.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Pesticides only have to include active ingredients on the labels, even though the inert (inactive) ingredients may account for 99%, many of which are toxic and poisons.
More facts from Indoor Air Pollution Seminar held on October 23rd, 1999.
Our homes should have a complete change of air 3 or 4 time a day. New homes are built so air tight that it is impossible to get a complete change of air. We should leave our windows open on each side of our house for better cross ventilation.
Top three culprits in accidental poisoning - Household cleaners, bleach and medications.
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 and it is also the #1 seller. Deep Woods Off has an ingredient called DEET. DEET causes seizures in children and adults.
Inert (or inactive) ingredients in products are protected by trade secrets and very dangerous.
In the work place Material Safety Data Sheets must accompany any product used. The work place and the outdoors are considered legal environments while the air in homes is not.
The ideal rate of humidity is between 35% and 45%. Anything higher causes mold.
When we use humidifiers or dehumidifiers with standing water we are encouraging mold growth with the standing water.
The ideal temperature in the home is between 68 degrees and 72 degrees, anything higher makes chemicals more active.
Using aerosols causes dizziness.
Steam from our dryer vents is extremely toxic, because of the chemicals from dryer sheets and residue from laundry soap and bleach.
Chemicals used to dry clean clothing are very dangerous and can cause cancer. When you bring dry cleaning home, you should hang it outside for at least 3 days.
Dry-cleaning chemicals are the same cancer causing chemicals that are found in mothballs.
There are 4700 chemicals in tobacco smoke.
Chemicals from carpets and plastic have been found to cause kidney and liver damage.
More products that contain Formaldehyde: Antiperspirants, Toothpaste, Baggies, Floor waxes, Wax Paper, Shampoo, Mouthwash, Tupperware, Permanent Press clothing, Furniture polishes, Money
Some symptoms caused by formaldehyde are: Allergies, cancer, immune system failings and asthma
Products that contain Phenols: Mouthwash, Baking Powder, ComputersTV Sets, Acne medications, Wallpaper, Sugar Substitutes, Lysol.
Some symptoms caused by phenols, which are absorbed by lungs, and skin are: (besides being possibly fatal) Caustic burns, kidney and liver damage and hyperactivity "Lysol" is even more dangerous than we thought.
Lysol contains phenols and dioxin (Agent Orange).
Fungicides used on fruit trees in the Okanagan, BC and in south-western Ontario have been found to cause babies in both areas being born with no eyes or very tiny eyes.
When using Chlorine, antiseptics or bleach in industrial areas you are required to wear impervious protective clothing, hard hats, boots, gloves, apron or coveralls, chemical goggles or fullface shield and use in well ventilated areas.
When using Easy Off make sure all your skin is covered, wear protective clothing, do not breath in and don't get on your enamel, (if this product will hurt the enamel on your stove, can you imagine what it will do to us.)
Air fresheners desensitize the nerves in your nose so you cannot smell.
1970 - NTA's were banned
1980 - Lobbying by Proctor & Gamble brought back the use of NTA's in our products. NTA's mean more suds - more suds mean less clean - more toxic danger!
Studies on the suds in toothpaste found the suds to be laundry soap.
Our immune system is very powerful, like a janitorial system Giving our bodies good nutrition means our body can repair itself and be able to handle what we face in the world.
Household chemicals cause all kinds of symptoms - from cardiovascular problems, panic attacks, anxiety attacks to bedwetting.
Eliminating the cause of the environmental illness is more effective and much less expensive than treating the symptom.
Prevention - 80% - 90% effective
Treatments - 50% - 60% effective
What seems to make the most sense?
I had no idea that I was making him worse.
When I found M my son was 13 years old and had fought asthma since he was an infant. I had a sister die of asthma and in my opinion, I was slowly watching him die too. At 13, he was 5'10" tall and weighed 330 pounds. He could do nothing without choking to the point of throwing up, even though he was on inhalers, nasal sprays, nebulizer and prednisone, way to often to speakof. He could not walk from one end of our house to the other without needing his inhaler and having to rest. Some of you may speculate and say the weight would do that to him, but he wasn't always big and was not a big eater, he was just that sick that he couldn't get any exercise at all, so the weight just kept increasing.
My son slept on three and four pillows for many years because he could not breathe laying down, he had to be propped up at all times. He had flunked school the previous year due to missing so much school being ill. I would send him and they would send him back home. We had no carpets, all hard wood floors, and had gone to many other extremes to try to make life bearable for him. Yet, he still kept getting worse. Every time my son would get sick, I would thoroughly clean everything to make sure I got the germs out, on top of the regular cleaning I did. Of course, I had no idea that I was making him worse.
When we tried M, I was determined to give it the benefit of the doubt and completely change my house over. I bought the Value Pack and got everything else boxed up and put in the basement (Yes, I was the skeptic. How could I believe something like this would work when for 13 years I had done everything possible to help my son, to no avail). Within a few weeks, I noticed my son was moving around more and wasn't choking near as often, but refused to get my hopes up.
A couple weeks later, I went in to wake him for school and when I opened his bedroom door I saw my son laying flat on his bed. All I could do was scream and I jumped in the bed and grabbed him. You see, I thought my worst nightmare had come true and he was gone. To my surprise and amazement, he turned to me and said, "Mom, it's okay, I can breathe!" All I could do was sit there and hold on to him for dear life. We truly cried together. Within a few months, my son was off of all of his inhalers, nebulizer, nasal sprays and has not been to the hospital since. He has had a few small bouts with the asthma, but only uses the albuterol emergency inhaler very rarely. Now it seems to only affect him during severe allergy attacks, which are rare. He is now 15 and a very active teen, and yes, he is dropping the weight now that he can exercise.
M gave my son his life back. I will always be a M customer and will always let people know what a blessing it has been for my family. Marilyn
My son slept on three and four pillows for many years because he could not breathe laying down, he had to be propped up at all times. He had flunked school the previous year due to missing so much school being ill. I would send him and they would send him back home. We had no carpets, all hard wood floors, and had gone to many other extremes to try to make life bearable for him. Yet, he still kept getting worse. Every time my son would get sick, I would thoroughly clean everything to make sure I got the germs out, on top of the regular cleaning I did. Of course, I had no idea that I was making him worse.
When we tried M, I was determined to give it the benefit of the doubt and completely change my house over. I bought the Value Pack and got everything else boxed up and put in the basement (Yes, I was the skeptic. How could I believe something like this would work when for 13 years I had done everything possible to help my son, to no avail). Within a few weeks, I noticed my son was moving around more and wasn't choking near as often, but refused to get my hopes up.
A couple weeks later, I went in to wake him for school and when I opened his bedroom door I saw my son laying flat on his bed. All I could do was scream and I jumped in the bed and grabbed him. You see, I thought my worst nightmare had come true and he was gone. To my surprise and amazement, he turned to me and said, "Mom, it's okay, I can breathe!" All I could do was sit there and hold on to him for dear life. We truly cried together. Within a few months, my son was off of all of his inhalers, nebulizer, nasal sprays and has not been to the hospital since. He has had a few small bouts with the asthma, but only uses the albuterol emergency inhaler very rarely. Now it seems to only affect him during severe allergy attacks, which are rare. He is now 15 and a very active teen, and yes, he is dropping the weight now that he can exercise.
M gave my son his life back. I will always be a M customer and will always let people know what a blessing it has been for my family. Marilyn
Dizziness and Equilibrium Problems Disappear
Hi, this is Frances Convery. I am a 42 year old, relatively healthy women. In the Spring of 2003 I began to experience dizziness and equilibrium problems. It became so bad that I felt as though I was floating in the air and I was unable to drive safely, judge parking the car, and do simple things such as stand for a short period of time. I consulted my medical doctor. His diagnosis was an inner ear infection which could last months and could not be treated with antibiotics. I went through about 4 weeks of the same sypmtoms. It was at that time, that I found out about M and it's wonderful products.
Prior to becoming sick I had been spring cleaning my house with everday items - lysol, fantastik, bleach, tub n'tile, etc. Once I attended a presentation from M and learned about the dangerous toxic ingredients in the items that I had used, I immediately switched stores and purchased all my cleaning and laundry needs from M. I also began to take their vitamins. Within a few days, all of my equilibrium problems had disappeared. WHAT A RELIEF!! Too bad the doctor had not been able to tell me about the dangers that I had in my home in the form of cleaning products. I have not been sick since! My son, who has allergies, has also responded very favorably to the products I now use. He does not have as many sinus problems anymore.
Frances Convery
Prior to becoming sick I had been spring cleaning my house with everday items - lysol, fantastik, bleach, tub n'tile, etc. Once I attended a presentation from M and learned about the dangerous toxic ingredients in the items that I had used, I immediately switched stores and purchased all my cleaning and laundry needs from M. I also began to take their vitamins. Within a few days, all of my equilibrium problems had disappeared. WHAT A RELIEF!! Too bad the doctor had not been able to tell me about the dangers that I had in my home in the form of cleaning products. I have not been sick since! My son, who has allergies, has also responded very favorably to the products I now use. He does not have as many sinus problems anymore.
Frances Convery
Cleans Red Lipstick from Carpet and Keeps Sensitive Owner Healthy
For approximately 25 years I have been a certified restoration specialist in fire and water damage and I own a mobile carpet cleaning plant. Since starting in the cleaning industry I have used just about every toxic chemical made in order to remove spots from carpet and furniture as well as for deodorization. I have not only developed chemical sensitivities but have learned that some of my customers have become ill after I have cleaned for them because of the lasting residues of the toxic cleaning solutions used.
I started searching for non-toxic cleaning solutions about 2 years ago and could not find anything that I could conscientiously recommend to my customers. I went on the internet to find a home business and natural cleaning solutions. I jumped at the chance to try the product.
My first experience in the field with the SUM was with red lipstick. A 2 year old had somehow walked a tube of red lipstick through 4 rooms of brand new carpet and I received a frantic call 2 days before Christmas. I drove the 25 miles to the customer's home with my arsenal of harsh chemicals as well as my M products and information. I took one look at the carpet and figured that with all of the solvent needed to remove the lipstick, I would be sick for a week. I tried one spot with the solvent and it would not budge. I then took out the SUM and removed the lipstick with very little rubbing. The SUM has a strong tea tree oil smell and the house smelled very strong by the time I was done. I did not become ill and it was a pleasure to know that I had not introduced solvent into my bloodstream and my lungs. Of course, the customer was impressed and became a customer immediately.
I have been able to remove spots with SUM, that had previously not responded to harsh chemicals. Needless to say whenever I clean carpets for one of my customer I make a big production about my all non-toxic cleaning products.
I feel that the M products have literally saved my life.
Thank you so much, Margaret Lipscomb
I started searching for non-toxic cleaning solutions about 2 years ago and could not find anything that I could conscientiously recommend to my customers. I went on the internet to find a home business and natural cleaning solutions. I jumped at the chance to try the product.
My first experience in the field with the SUM was with red lipstick. A 2 year old had somehow walked a tube of red lipstick through 4 rooms of brand new carpet and I received a frantic call 2 days before Christmas. I drove the 25 miles to the customer's home with my arsenal of harsh chemicals as well as my M products and information. I took one look at the carpet and figured that with all of the solvent needed to remove the lipstick, I would be sick for a week. I tried one spot with the solvent and it would not budge. I then took out the SUM and removed the lipstick with very little rubbing. The SUM has a strong tea tree oil smell and the house smelled very strong by the time I was done. I did not become ill and it was a pleasure to know that I had not introduced solvent into my bloodstream and my lungs. Of course, the customer was impressed and became a customer immediately.
I have been able to remove spots with SUM, that had previously not responded to harsh chemicals. Needless to say whenever I clean carpets for one of my customer I make a big production about my all non-toxic cleaning products.
I feel that the M products have literally saved my life.
Thank you so much, Margaret Lipscomb
BIG TROUBLE WITH A LITTLE PHOSPHATE
Too Much Phosphorus Negatively Impacts Natural Waters
- The overgrowth of algae sets off a chain reaction in a waterway’s ecosystem.
- Algae grow on or near the surface of the water and reduce the penetration of light into the water, which diminishes the function of plants in deeper waters.
- Dying algae settle to the bottom, and their decomposition consumes large amounts of oxygen in the water.
- Lower oxygen levels result in the death of desirable fish ecosystem. All of these consequences negatively impact the recreational and functional use of the water.
There have been numerous problems all over the world resulting from human-caused eutrophication. Many coastal areas around the world experience "dead zones" each year as rivers overloaded with phosphorus and nitrogen empty into the ocean. Despite the size and range of the problems stemming from human-caused eutrophication, some places are having great success reversing the problems with reductions in phosphate use. Voluntary and mandatory restrictions on phosphate-containing detergents helps reduce the amount of phosphorus concentrations in our waterways.
The Problem with Dishwasher Detergents
Diswasher detergents seem to be the exception to regulations that reduce phospates in detergents. A lack of safe and cost-effective alternative solutions for dishwasher detergents resulted in regulation loopholes allowing dishwasher detergent manufacturers to continue to include large amounts of phosphates. According to one study, dishwasher detergents contributed from 15% - 20% of the phosphorus entering a wastewater treatment plant, and eventually the environment.
What Can You Do? You can help reduce the problem of human-caused eutrophication by using detergents that are made without phosphates. When you compare phosphate-free Diamond Brite with grocery store brand dishwashing detergents - which often contain nearly 9% phosphates - it's easy to see how you can make a difference. And besides, Diamond Brite is concentrated to use 1/4 as much as other detergents, saving you lots of money and sparing landfills from unnecessary waste. Learn more about our complete line of phosphate-free cleaners and detergents from EcoSense.
Formaldehyde
WARNING: Baby care products may contain an ingredient called Quaternium-15. Do you know what that is? It is a formaldehyde releaser.
A Natural Alternative Found
Nov 22 2005, 04:12 PM
State or Country: MN
Hello everyone! I am glad to be back--my computer has been giving me major difficulties! Anyway, I have an asthma story too. Almost three years ago, my then 5-yr old, was diagnosed with exercise-induced asthma. He was put on a daily Flovent inhaler with an Albuterol rescue inhaler. Once I knew the problem I started him on the plain Provex. He needs to take about 5/day but we never did refill his daily inhaler and he uses the rescue one very sporadically. I too, have to refill the prescription to have them on hand before they expire--not because he needs them. I am so thankful to be able to give him a natural alternative and not a medication! My oldest son also has asthma tendencies. As long as he takes the provex faithfully he can play his trumpet without difficulty! Hang in there. Have a blessed Thanksgiving everyone!
Nov 11 2005, 09:09 AM
State or Country: Canada
The person who enrolled me in M has a young step son who had severe asthma, as well as ADD and eczema. They switched their home to M products of 2.5 years ago and at that time this boy was missing over 130 days of school each year because of his "illnesses". Since switching their home over he has missed a grand total of 1.5 days of school in the last 2 years and the eczema is gone. He is also off ritalin (sp?) and shows no signs of ADD.
The above commentaries were taken from the iglide forum
State or Country: MN
Hello everyone! I am glad to be back--my computer has been giving me major difficulties! Anyway, I have an asthma story too. Almost three years ago, my then 5-yr old, was diagnosed with exercise-induced asthma. He was put on a daily Flovent inhaler with an Albuterol rescue inhaler. Once I knew the problem I started him on the plain Provex. He needs to take about 5/day but we never did refill his daily inhaler and he uses the rescue one very sporadically. I too, have to refill the prescription to have them on hand before they expire--not because he needs them. I am so thankful to be able to give him a natural alternative and not a medication! My oldest son also has asthma tendencies. As long as he takes the provex faithfully he can play his trumpet without difficulty! Hang in there. Have a blessed Thanksgiving everyone!
Nov 11 2005, 09:09 AM
State or Country: Canada
The person who enrolled me in M has a young step son who had severe asthma, as well as ADD and eczema. They switched their home to M products of 2.5 years ago and at that time this boy was missing over 130 days of school each year because of his "illnesses". Since switching their home over he has missed a grand total of 1.5 days of school in the last 2 years and the eczema is gone. He is also off ritalin (sp?) and shows no signs of ADD.
The above commentaries were taken from the iglide forum
A Personal Experience with Asthma
Nov 12 2005, 10:08 PM
State or Country: Michigan
I can tell you only of our experience. My Son was 4 months before turning 2 years old when he had his first Asthma Attack. It was so severe the Doctor had to give him two treatments before letting us leave his office. He went through no pattern of attacks, it happened in all seasons and weather. He consistently had his meds changed and nothing helped maintain the way he should be breathing. When he was about 8 they finally sent us to a specialist. They poked his little back 99 times to tell us he was allergic to NOTHING!
I found M when he was 10. We joined with a Value Pack and changed our whole house over. About 3 months later I noticed he wasn't wheezing as much. I took him off of one of his sprays and he had no problems. Within 5 months, we weened him off of 5 medications and two months later went back for a check up with the specialist. I told him he was off of all his sprays and he was SHOCKED! He told me if he wasn't needing it to not give it to him and to just keep an eye on him. Well he will be 13 in Feb. He takes one pill everyday and has not had ANY sprays at all in over two years! He has an emergency spray that we get refilled because they expire before he uses them, but we keep them on hand just in case. He even played Soccer last Spring for the first time in his life!He still has issues around Cigarette Smoke and Perfumes Things I can't control others from doing in public. We will not say that M can cure Asthma however he already tells me when he gets older, he will be a M Customer. He feels the difference and we hear the difference. Hope this helps you and others about Asthma.
State or Country: Michigan
I can tell you only of our experience. My Son was 4 months before turning 2 years old when he had his first Asthma Attack. It was so severe the Doctor had to give him two treatments before letting us leave his office. He went through no pattern of attacks, it happened in all seasons and weather. He consistently had his meds changed and nothing helped maintain the way he should be breathing. When he was about 8 they finally sent us to a specialist. They poked his little back 99 times to tell us he was allergic to NOTHING!
I found M when he was 10. We joined with a Value Pack and changed our whole house over. About 3 months later I noticed he wasn't wheezing as much. I took him off of one of his sprays and he had no problems. Within 5 months, we weened him off of 5 medications and two months later went back for a check up with the specialist. I told him he was off of all his sprays and he was SHOCKED! He told me if he wasn't needing it to not give it to him and to just keep an eye on him. Well he will be 13 in Feb. He takes one pill everyday and has not had ANY sprays at all in over two years! He has an emergency spray that we get refilled because they expire before he uses them, but we keep them on hand just in case. He even played Soccer last Spring for the first time in his life!He still has issues around Cigarette Smoke and Perfumes Things I can't control others from doing in public. We will not say that M can cure Asthma however he already tells me when he gets older, he will be a M Customer. He feels the difference and we hear the difference. Hope this helps you and others about Asthma.
Information from "The Safe Shopper's Bible" by Dr. Samuel Epstein
ARE TOXIC HOUSEHOLD CHEMICALS POISONING YOUR FAMILY?
The Environmental Protection Agency defines chemical hazards as "acute" or"chronic:" Acute hazard, includes highly toxic, or corrosive chemicals which cause anadverse effect to an organ after short-term exposure. Chronic hazard includes carcinogens and other hazardous chemicals whichcause an adverse effect over a long-term exposure The Federal Code of Regulations defines "Hazardous Chemicals" in Section 1910.1200c Title 29. However, the term "Hazardous" does NOT include hazardous ingredients used in products designed for personal, family, or household use.The Federal Code of Regulations section 1500.82, EXEMPTS manufacturers from full labeling, allowing them to exclude "Hazardous" chemicals from their labels.The EPA reports toxic chemicals in our home cleaning and personal care products are 3 times more likely to cause cancer than outside pollutants.The President's Toxic Substances Strategy Committee warns 90% of all cancers are triggered by toxic chemicals in our home environment.The Consumer Product Safety Commission connects 150 toxic chemicals in our homes to allergies, birth defects, cancer, and psychological abnormalities. The EPA warns toxic chemicals in household cleaners cause women working at home to have a 55% HIGHER cancer risk than women working outside the home. The EPA warns the nation's worst pollution is inside our homes. A number of homes tested have toxic chemical levels 70 times higher inside the home than outside.The Mayo clinic warns Formaldehyde in our household and personal care products can irritate the respiratory system, cause skin reactions, and trigger heart palpitations.The Harvard School of Public Health warns Formaldehyde can cause headaches, depression, joint pain, chronic fatigue, chest pains, ear infections, dizzines s, and loss of sleep. (Regular shampoos often contain formaldehyde as a preservative.)
The California Public Research Group warns Phenol, which is used in most household disinfectants, can cause cancer, deactivate the sensory nerve endings, damage the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system.
HERE IS A LIST OF KNOWN TOXINS IN SOME OF OUR EVERYDAY PRODUCTS
Dove Beauty Bar: Quaternium 15: Formaldehyde-Carcinogen. Causes cancer, dermatitis, neurotoxic, sensitizer-poisonous, irritant to the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes.Butylated Hydroxytoluene, (BHT) Carcinogen Johnson's Baby Shampoo: Quaternium 15: FD&C RED 40: Carcinogen, and causes dermatitis. Crest Tarter Control Toothpaste: Saccharin: Carcinogen, contains Phenol Fluoride: Carcinogen If you accidentally swallow more than a pea-sized amount of this, you must contact the Poison Center immediately. This warning does not appear on the tube Tide & Cheer Detergent: Detergent: Can cause temporary respiratory tract irritation. Symptoms include stinging, swelling, or redness. Sodium Silicate: Can be corrosive. Can cause burns to the eyes and tissue damage to the skin, as well as cause burns to the mouth, throat, and stomach if swallowed.Sodium Sulfate: Corrosive, Severe eye, skin, and respiratory irritant. Can cause asthma attacks. Trisodium Nitrilotriacetate: Carcinogen Clorox: Sodium Hypochlorite: Corrosive. Sensitizer: Can be fatal if swallowed. Eye, skin, and respiratory irritant. Especially hazardous to people with heart conditions or asthma. Cascade: Sodium Hypochlorite Sodium Silicate: Can be corrosive. Can cause burns to the eyes and tissue damage to the skin, as well as cause burns to the mouth, throat, and stomach if swallowed Fantastic, Formula 409:Butyl Cellosolve: Neurotoxic. Eye and skin irritant. Damages central nervous system, kidney, and liver. Readily absorbed through the skin. Damages blood and body's ability to make blood. Windex Aerosol Glass Cleaner: Butyl Cellosolve (see above) Isobutene: Neurotoxin Lysol Disinfectant: Dioxin; Carcinogen. 500,000 times more deadly than DDT Ethyl Alcohol: Eye, skin, respiratory tract irritant. Details on the above data are available in "The Safe Shopper's Bible" by Dr. Samuel Epstein, MD. & David Steinman. Macmillian, 1995. Lysol data from "The Environmental Health Newsletter.
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Below 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,
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 Alum.& Copper Clnr, KR2 Spot Lifter, Behold Furniture Wax, Depend-o Blue Toilet Cleaner, Endust3M Aerosol Spot Remover, Formby's Lemon & Almond Spray, Most Home & Garden Pesticides, Old English Furniture Spray, Dove Soap Bars,
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.
This material was taken from: The Safe Shopper’s Bible: A Consumer’s Guide to Nontoxic Household Products, Cosmetics and Food by David Steinman and Samuel S. Epstein M.D, 1995
Allergy Sufferer Helped by Changing Cleaners and Laundry Products
I just have to tell you of how I came to know M. I lost my dad last year. He became sick 2 years prior to that and was diagnosed with emphysema, chronic heart failure and other problems as well. During those 2 years I took care of him, cleaning his home and doing grocery shopping among other things. I was sick every 6-8 weeks and in and out of doctors myself. I was on antibiotics all the time with about 3-4 weeks in between each dosage. I ended up visiting an allergist and my son was developing symptoms as well, so I brought him in also. We were getting shots, allergy medicine, nose sprays and I was still getting upper respiratory infections every 2 months. After my dad died I decided we'd better do something, so I did some research online and found Momsforlife who introduced me to M. We switched all our cleaners and laundry products immediately. In about 2 months we had all the products throughout our home and were already seeing signs of improvement.
Since late November of 2001 my son and I have been off all allergy meds including our shots. He takes some allergy pills in the summer time for 2 months because of the pollen in the air. I have only been sick once with bronchitis and was on antibiotics during that time period. Thank God for M. Who knows what our lives would be like now. My son has adhd and we are trying to manage that, but our overall health is fantastic! I don't know what we would do without this terrific company. What an awesome way to live life....Healthy!!! Thanks for letting me tell my story! ReJena Kilmurray
Since late November of 2001 my son and I have been off all allergy meds including our shots. He takes some allergy pills in the summer time for 2 months because of the pollen in the air. I have only been sick once with bronchitis and was on antibiotics during that time period. Thank God for M. Who knows what our lives would be like now. My son has adhd and we are trying to manage that, but our overall health is fantastic! I don't know what we would do without this terrific company. What an awesome way to live life....Healthy!!! Thanks for letting me tell my story! ReJena Kilmurray
Air Fresheners (or "Air Poisoners"?)
All of the advertisements strive to make us feel that we do not have a really nice home unless "air fresheners" are supplied in all bathrooms, kitchens, and around the house generally to assure that we and our visitors are persuaded that ours is not just a clean home, but one with requisite elegant touches. There are two kinds - the spray type, with their non-recyclable aerosol cans or plastic packages, adding to unnecessary solid waste, and the wick type, that send out their fumes continuously.
These products do not, in fact, do anything to improve the quality of the air. Instead, they add a number of pollutants, some designed to deaden your sense of smell, others serving as propellants, and others adding various kinds of toxic perfume to drown out whatever smells may offend. Many of these ingredients cause irritation of the nose and lungs, leading to serious problems for many people. Many times, pesticides are even included - for what purpose?! Spray this around and solve all your odor problems?! A prominent constituent of many of these products is formaldehyde. That can destroy your sense of smell alright, and is one of the worst offenders for respiratory irritation. It has also been admitted by the EPA to be a cause
cancer. Anyone with asthma, lung infections, or like ailments can be severely affected by formaldehyde.
Chemicals in addition to oxygen that we breathe into our lungs, go straight from our lungs into our blood stream. If you would not eat it, then you do not want to breathe it. When you eat something, it takes longer to get into your circulatory system than if you breathe it into your body.
The list of ingredients that may be found in these deodorants is given as follows taken from "Clinical Toxicology of Commercial Products", by Gosselin, Smith and Hodge, 1984. (Not all of these ingredients are bad.)
These products do not, in fact, do anything to improve the quality of the air. Instead, they add a number of pollutants, some designed to deaden your sense of smell, others serving as propellants, and others adding various kinds of toxic perfume to drown out whatever smells may offend. Many of these ingredients cause irritation of the nose and lungs, leading to serious problems for many people. Many times, pesticides are even included - for what purpose?! Spray this around and solve all your odor problems?! A prominent constituent of many of these products is formaldehyde. That can destroy your sense of smell alright, and is one of the worst offenders for respiratory irritation. It has also been admitted by the EPA to be a cause
cancer. Anyone with asthma, lung infections, or like ailments can be severely affected by formaldehyde.
Chemicals in addition to oxygen that we breathe into our lungs, go straight from our lungs into our blood stream. If you would not eat it, then you do not want to breathe it. When you eat something, it takes longer to get into your circulatory system than if you breathe it into your body.
The list of ingredients that may be found in these deodorants is given as follows taken from "Clinical Toxicology of Commercial Products", by Gosselin, Smith and Hodge, 1984. (Not all of these ingredients are bad.)
Spray Type Deodorizers:
ethyl or isopropyl alcohol
glycol ethers
surfactant (quaternary ammonium salts)
perfume
water
propellants
metazene (4.0%)
petroleum distillates (6.0%)
aluminum chlorhydrol
bromsalicylanilide 2,3,4,5-BIS(2-butylene) tetrahydrofural
cellosolve acetate
dichlorodifluoromethanol
ethanol
fatty esters
lauryl methacrylate
methoxychlor
methylene chloride
o-phenylphenol
p-dichlorobenzene
pine oil (toxicity like turpentine)
piperonyl butoxide
pyrethrin
synthetic surfactants
trichloromonofluoromethane
wax
zinc phenolsulfonate
Wick Type Deodorizers:
formaldehyde (37%)
water-soluble perfume
coloring
water
emulsifiers
essential oils
aromatic chemicals (xylene)
chlorophyll
What's the alternative? Simply keeping the house or office clean and well-ventilated and using an exhaust fan, if needed, solves most problems. Remove the cause of the offending smell, whether by drying and cleaning off mold, removing rotting food or other material, and emptying the trash regularly. Baking soda absorbs odors in the refrigerator and elsewhere. Growing plants can help or simmering spices briefly. Also, you can simmer 4 lemons (cut in fourths) on the stove for about 45 minutes to an hour to obtain a wonderful lemon fragrance that is non-toxic. In a recent sad case a firm hired to vacuum the heating ducts in a house finished off with a heavy spray of "freshener" into the air ducts. The family became very ill and have had to move to another home.
In summary, I believe we need to realize that "clean" does not have a "scent"!! We have all been brainwashed to believe that "clean" means some kind of toxic fragrance - whether it be our air, clothes, or body. But "clean" really has a very "neutral" smell: non-offensive and non-toxic! If you really want to freshen the air - OPEN SOME WINDOWS!! That's where you'll find truly fresh air.
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