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