Toxic chemicals

Along with moving towards eating organic foods and staying away from processed foods, I have been doing some research on chemicals in products that we use daily. Once again, I have been shocked with what I have found. You would think that most products you would use such as hand soap, shampoo, toothpaste, sunscreen, etc. are safe enough and although they are full of chemicals that you can’t pronounce, they have been tested and they are safe, right?

Well considering the information that I have found, not only do you have to worry about what you ingest, but you have to worry about what you put on your skin.

Makeup Unmasked: Five Chemicals to Avoid in Cosmetic Products (from the Women's Health Resource)

• Phthatale Family: Also known as di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) and di(2-ehtylexyl) phthatale (DEHP). Use: these chemicals are used to make plastics supple and pliable and are found in nail polish, body lotions, hair-straighteners and sprays. Risks: phthatales are endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) as well as carcinogens which have been linked to a variety of problems such as damage to the reproductive organs, premature breast development, lung, liver and kidney cancer. They have also been linked to lowered sperm counts and testicular injury.
• Lauryl Sulfate: Also known as SLS and Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES). Use:a foaming agent and emulsifier, this chemical is derived from petroleum and is usually deceptively described as being extracted from coconuts. These chemicals are found in shampoo, body and shower gels, bath salts and toothpaste. Risks: lauryl sulfate is believed to be a carcinogen which has been linked to kidney and liver damage. Other health risks associated with this chemical include nervous-system disruption, eczema, dermatitis as well as skin inflammation. It can also cause eye damage, notably cataracts. [NOTE: Check out a couple of your beauty products at home. This chemical is in EVERYTHING.]
• Amine Family: This chemical family includes Diethanolamine (DEA), triethanolamine (TEA) and monoethanolamine (MEA).Use: these ammonia compounds (amines) function as a preservative, emulsifier, pH adjuster and foaming agent added to coconut oils. They are used in face powders, shaving creams, hair-coloring products for both men and women as well as hair sprays. Amines are also used in soaps, sunscreens, foundations, concealers, eyeliners, talcs and face powders. Risks: amines can form cancer-causing nitrosamines when they come upon contact with nitrates and are toxic when absorbed on a long-term basis. These chemicals found in common cosmetics have been linked to kidney and liver cancer. They are also irritants to the hair and skin and damaging to the eyes. They also cause contact dermatitis.
• Formaldehyde: Also known as Diazolidinyl urea, 3-diol Imidazolidinyl urea, DMDM Hydantoin, Quaternium-15, Nitroopropane-1, Formalin, Methanal, Methyl aldehyde, Methylene oxide, Morbicic acid, Oxymethlylene. Use: functions as a preservative, defoamer, germicide, fungicide, disinfectant due to its inexpensive nature and the fact that it mixes easily with water. Chemicals found in this family are used in a variety of makeup products and other personal care products, including shampoos, conditioners, shower gels, nail polish, mascara, mouthwash, makeup remover, bubble bath, hair-care products, anti-perspirants and talcs. Risks: chemicals of the formaldehyde family are carcinogens which can cause depression, headaches, fatigue, dizziness and immune dysfunction. They also cause allergic reactions, contact dermatitis and irritate mucous membranes. Formaldehyde can also lead to joint and chest pain.
• Paraben Preservatives: Also known as alkyl-p-hydroxybenzoates (methyl, propyl, butyl and ethyl. Use: parabens are found in nail creams, foundations, concealers, mascara, facial masks, deodorants, sunscreen, hair-coloring products and conditioners. They function as a germicide and preservative. Risks: parabens can disrupt hormones, namely estrogen, which can lead to cancer. They have also been linked to breast cancer. Parabens also cause skin rashes.

Green living online has a list of companies that don't use these chemicals if you are feeling lazy and don't want to read labels....

In addition, that sunscreen that you think is protecting you from skin cancer? Almost half of the sunscreens on the market contain retinyl palmitate, a form of Vitamin A that may ACCELERATE skin damage and elevate your skin cancer risk. Not to mention that more than half of the 500 sunscreens tested have a chemical called oxybenzone in it- a hormone disruptor that enters the bloodstream. The full report from the Environmental Working Group can be found here.

As someone that will be trying to get pregnant in the near future (once I figure out if I have a JOB), articles like this one from CNN that talks about chemicals found in cord blood scare the heck out of me!

Crunchy Domestic Goddess also did a great post on this….check it out here. More tomorrow…..