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 Critical Data
Did you know...
 In
the early 1900’s, 1 person in 50 was likely to contract cancer. Today
that ratio is 1 in 3. Cancer rates have almost doubled since 1960. As
many as 60 cancer-causing pesticides can legally be used in the most commonly
eaten foods. More than 72,000 synthetic chemicals have been produced since
World War II. Today, the average home contains 62 toxic chemicals. An
EPA survey concluded indoor air to be 3 to 70 times more polluted than
outdoor air.
Another EPA study found that toxic chemicals in household cleaners are 3 times
more likely to cause cancer than outdoor air. Formaldehyde, phenol, benzene,
toluene, and xylene (chemicals that are cancer causing and toxic to the immune
system) are found in common household cleaners, cosmetics, beverages and
cigarette smoke. Household cleaners not only pollute our waterways, they are the
number one cause of poisoning of children (3 million a year). A study by the
Yale School of Medicine revealed that workers who are exposed to cleaning
products regularly have a significantly higher risk of brain cancer.
In November, 2000, the Centers for Disease Control found that manufacturers
were  putting
a toxic chemical called dibutyl phthalate or DBP that causes severe birth
defects in animals into shampoos, conditioners, antiperspirants, nail
polish and other cosmetics.
The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health found 2500 chemicals
in cosmetics that are toxic, cause tumors, reproductive complications,
biological mutations and skin and eye irritations.
Shocking? Absolutely. But, given a choice, no one would prefer
being exposed to these dangers. So why do consumers continue to buy these
detrimental products? Two basic reasons:
In the United States, consumer complacency is based on the assumption that
the manufacturers of “store shelf” products would not use unsafe chemicals or
materials. WRONG! Manufacturers use nitrosamines, formaldehyde,
titanium dioxide and other carcinogens in many personal care products such as
toothpaste, makeup, sunscreen, body lotions and shampoos.
Consumers also assume the products are not harmful because they believe that
the Food and Drug Administration regulates them. WRONG! A
cosmetic manufacturer may use any ingredient or raw material and market the
final product without government approval. In fact, The Environmental Working
Group found that two of the largest U.S. cosmetic manufacturers held several
patents on products with DBP and were not required to test or monitor for
adverse effects. Even environmental pollutants that are tightly regulated
elsewhere can be used in personal care products!
(Do you remember, how long the tobacco companies sold cigarettes prior to being
required by the government to include a warning on the package? Many cigarettes
were smoked before that label was required! In other words, what you don’t know
CAN kill you.)
But,
there are alternatives…
Household Products:
| Used For |
Toxic
Ingredient |
Health Effect |
Alternative |
| Spot Remover |
Trichlothylene (TCE) |
Short Term: Headaches, Dizziness
Long Term: Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Birth Defects, Childhood Leukemia |
Mineral Washing Soda or Hydrogen Peroxide |
| |
|
Cosmetics |
Talc |
Short Term: Respiratory Irritation or Possible Fibrosis in Lungs
Long Term: Possible Ovarian Cancer, Lung/Adrenal Gland Tumors in Lab Rats |
Cornstarch |
More alternatives?
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