ingredients of cosmetics are often same as paints and pesticides

A FEW SAFER PRODUCTS

see also photocatalytic spray for odor control

call us for tips on surviving in a toxic world. 1 800 968 9355

for example get all your neighbours to use nontoxic dryers sheets for your sake and theirs

see carbon shawls and scarves to wear when others have perfume on

 Fragrances and chemicals are dangerous to 15% or more of the community who are reactive. People with asthma and migraine, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, depression and even high blood pressure react to perfumes and other fragrant products.  Chemicals do not belong in a nursery or in a classroom. Children are developing add and adhd and other environmentally related disabilities. Composition of fragrances is related to other hazardous waste and pesticides. If you have vulnerable children and infants in your home consider that fragrance free is healthier. Your cologne may be the reason or cause of aggravated health symptoms. Young people now are being assaulted by medications and chemicals that did not exist when you where growing up. Some cities like New Brunswick in Canada have banned fragrances in many public places.  Nova Scotia has banned fragrances in public places and nothing is to stop you organizing this chemical fragrance free in your school or church or town. Fragrance free also means no synthetic petro-chemical odors in cleaning materials used in your school or church or building.

The culprits behind the dangers in most shampoos are surfactants called Sodium Laurel Sulfate (SLS) and related compounds. SLS is possibly the most dangerous ingredient a consumer can find in most shampoos. So potent is SLS, studies have linked it to serious skin and scalp irritation and disease, hair loss and damage and the ability of the chemical to create nitrate compounds which have been linked to cancer and cell damage.

SLS is often disguised by a variety of chemical names such as diethanolime) (DEA, triethanolamine (TEA) and monoethanolamine (MEA). All are common in almost all shampoos. These ingredients, plus other equally dangerous cousins to SLS, such as Sodium Laurel Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Disodium Laureth Sulfosucinate are made by separating Lauric acid from coconut oil and treating with sulfuric acid, or by making lauric acid synthetically, or Lauamide MEA, Cocamide DEA, Cocamide MEA, made from Lauric acid and ammonia. Even hair care products that label themselves as "natural" may contain these potentially fatal ingredients.

Sodium Laurel Sulfate. Three words that every consumer of hair care products should be aware of and know what they mean. Read your shampoo's label and you'll probably find it contains Sodium Laurel Sulfate (SLS), or one of its derivatives, such as Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES). DEA, TEA or MEA. It is a chemically toxic surfactant, which means it is a wetting and foaming agent. The purpose of SLS is to lower the surface tension in the water, allowing the shampoo to spread out more easily and to penetrate when it is applied to the hair. Additionally, since manufacturers believe that consumers equate lots of suds with cleaning strength, SLS gives a high level of foaming power to the product. It is a chemical ingredient very similar to liquid dishwashing soap. In fact, traditionally, it was used in industrial factories as a compound to degrease engines. And consumers should be aware that compounds found in SLS are hazardous. In "Dangerous Beauty" by Mark Fearer, it is revealed that "... in tests, animals that were exposed to SLS experienced eye damage, along with depression, labored breathing, diarrhea, severe skin irritation, corrosion and death."

The American College of Toxicology states that SLS and its cousin Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) can cause malformation in children's eyes. Other research indicates SLS may harm the immune system, especially within the skin. Cosmetic Science reports that the detergent action of SLS may damage the derma's cellular ability to maintain moisture. This is why there are many reports of dryness, roughness and redness and brittle skin by users of shampoos that contain this harmful ingredient. So potent a chemical is SLS, scientists in Japan have used SLS as a laboratory agent to deliberately cause mutations in test tube bacteria, changing the genetic information found in the bacteria's DNA.

Despite the lather, products containing SLS does not mean one is cleaning the hair in a healthy fashion. The cleaning power is overwhelming, stripping the hair. This is why people often use a conditioner after shampooing with SLS, in order to put "manageability" back. And, usually, the conditioner contains more chemicals, creating a viscous cycle guaranteed to result in dry, brittle, lifeless hair and damage to the skin, scalp and hair.

SLS does more than strip the hair of its natural oils. It removes beneficial bacteria that are essential to maintaining a healthy scalp and head of hair. Once the "good" bacteria have been vanquished, harmful germs have an open playing field, resulting in rashes, hair loss and allergic reactions.

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A typical shampoo contains about 50% sodium laurel sulfate, some sodium sterate and about 40% water. In addition to this brew, manufactures may add a baffling array of ingredients that read like a chemistry book. Check the label on many shampoos and any one of the following may be listed: Sodium Laureth Sulfate, MEA, DEA, TEA Laurel Sulfate, Cocomide or coconut oil. All of these compounds are commonly used surfactants related to SLS and have the same potential health dangers.

DEA and MEA are often "neutralized" in the manufacturing process. Consumers can tell if they are being exposed to these harmful compounds when names like Cocamide DEA or MEA or Lauramide DEA are listed on the label. These chemicals are capable of disrupting human hormones and may form cancer-causing nitrates. Dr. Samuel Epstien, Professor of Environmental Health at the University of Illinois has said, "repeated skin applications of DEA based detergents resulted in a major increase in the incidence of two cancers-liver and kidney cancers."

The health evidence against SLS and related compounds grows every day. Reports in the mainstream press and scientific journals increasingly sound alarms about the damages to which these chemicals are linked. A Consumer's Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients by Ruth Winters states that "shampoos are among the most frequently cited complaints to the FDA. Reports include eye irritation, scalp irritation, tangled hair, swelling of hands, face and arms, and split and frizzy hair."

In a November, 1998 report in the Wall Street Journal, a study linked SLS to cataracts and nitrate absorption. During the manufacturing process, SLS comes into contact with other chemical compounds, most notably triethanolamine (TEA) and N-nitrosodiethanolamine (NDELA). This interaction creates nitrate compounds, which can enter the body.

Chemical absorption by the skin is particularly acute with shampoos. Our skin is not a uniform barrier. Hair follicles, sweat and sebaceous glands are minute holes in the derma layer. Investigations by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee found that structural factors of the skin, such as hairiness, influence what chemicals may be absorbed into our bodies. SLS was found to increase the rate of absorption as it reacts with the chemicals, preservatives and dyes found in many hair care products. They are easily absorbed through the scalp and skin and can accumulate over time in tissue and organs, such as the brain, causing chronic toxic effects and can stay in the body for up to seven days.

Unquestionably , SLS is the most damaging ingredient found in most shampoos. It is the standard compound used in scientific testing labs as a skin irritant. Industrially, SLS is used to strip machinery of grease and is the cleaning agent found in car wash detergents. When added to hair care products, SLS and its destructive twin, SLES, have the potential to cause chronic skin irritation and strip the hair of beneficial oils and bacteria. This damage can lead to thinning hair and noticeable hair loss.

Shampoo makers are beholden to SLS because they believe the consumer wants sudsing action and, more importantly, because it is a very cheap ingredient. With almost half of a shampoo's weight comprised of SLS, manufacturers are reaping huge profits at the consumer's expense in the pocketbook as well as risking the long-term health of the user. It behooves anyone purchasing hair care products to be an educated buyer. Always check the label. Read the ingredients. Be aware. Ingredients such as SLS not only can cause damage to hair, but to one's long term health, as well.

We recommend a few soaps that seem to be tolerable to most

For personal use Dr. Bronner’s super mild Castille and unscented baby bar soap; Aveeno fragrance free cleansing bars; Rokeach kosher, Clinique Unscented, Pure Castille, Kirks original coco hard water Castille soap; Caswell Massey Pure Castille; Erlander’s Olive oil soap; Kiss my face Olive soap, Sirenia Coconut soap; Unscented vegetable glycerin; Colonial soap from Trader Joe’s; Oatmeal unscented from health food stores. Vermont unscented, Botanic Gold, SunGold is the best we found as well as dakota free .

COSMETICS
Ida Grae, Dr. Hushkae, Penders, Ahava Dead Sea Health Products, Kibbutz Mitzpe Shalem, Alexander Avery Purely Natural, Arbonne , Aveda  Aveena, Bare Essentials Beauty Control Cosmetics hypoallergenic dermatologist tested Beauty Naturally has alcohol free hair spray. Caswell Massey Co Ltd., Clear Reflections, Nature’s Gate Herbal Cosmetics, Patricia Allison, Dakota Free. Masking fragrance or even natural fragrance herbs and essential oils could be allergenic for the very vulnerable.

PLEASE ASK YOUR DOCTOR TO SHARE INFORMATION ON

how the usual chemicals in your home can effect your health .

1,4-dichlorobenzene and Para-dichlorobenzene 1,4-Dioxane known chemicals that penetrates the skin.  1,4-dioxane PEG, polyethylene, polyethylene glycol, polyoxyethylene, sodium laureth sulfate or oxynol, Polysorbate 60 and polysorbate 80 do not sound like things your baby should sniff while you cuddle him or her?  Look at the ingredients of your moisturizers and other body lotions. 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol or Bronopol used as preservative forms carcinogenic nitrosamines in cosmetics, shampoo, lotions and even baby products . Take care! 2-Butoxy-1-Ethanol or butyl cellosolve are in most aerosol propellants. Alkyl Phenoxy,  Polyethoxy Ethanol or phenol is a natural pesticide and in everything. Read your labels on every bottle or propellant you have in your home. Ammonia or ammonium chloride, ammonium hydroxide, benzalkonium chloride and quaternary ammonium compounds irritate skin, eyes and breathing passages and cause skin cancer. Take a look at your stuff under the sink in the bathroom! Read your labels. Plants, animals and fish don’t like it.  Why should you? The EPA lists ammonia as a toxic chemical so why is it in a wide range of household cleaning products including glass cleaners, all-purpose cleaners, disinfectants and more. Watch out for Ammonium Chloride, Ammonium Hydroxide, Amyl Acetate from banana oil, pear oil that irritate skin and affect the brain cells.  Neurotoxins cause central nervous system and depression. It’s in your furniture polish; nail finishes, nail polish remover and perfume. Benzalkonium Chloride is used as a disinfectant in hand soaps, dishwashing detergent, disinfectants and cleaners. Benzene] kills off your mucus membranes, poisons you if you swallow some and the fumes are toxic. The EPA and OSHA admit it’s a threat to public health but oven cleaners, detergents, furniture polish, spot removers, nail polish remover are full of this.

WHAT IS THE EPA DOING?
Bronopol 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol Butane, butoxyethanol , Butyl cellosolve, 2-butoxy-1-ethanol, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, butoxyethanol, butyl oxitol are all highly toxic synthetic solvents and grease cutters designed for the purpose of eating thru living matter. That means your membranes, your liver, your skin and your brain? They are found in degreasers, window cleaners, and other household cleaning products. Butyl Oxitol, Butylparaben, Carbon Disulfide , Caustic Soda a few more to watch. Chlorine or sodium hypochlorite, hypochlorite, chlorine dioxide, sodium dichloroixocyanurate, hydrogen chloride, hydrochloric acid, Chlorine Dioxide can be fatal upon inhalation. Chlorine and its bye products cause injuries and deaths.  Chlorine gas was very efficient killing millions in concentrations camps and now chlorine gas is everywhere killing germs and who else?  Chlorinated drinking water causes bladder and rectal cancer and Ohio is famous for its high level of bladder cancer.  Is it the chemicals in the water or the chlorine or both?  Chlorine is listed an a hazard yet its in dishwasher detergent, tub and tile cleaners and even put in swimming pools as well as drinking water enforced by the health department.  They obviously have not heard of OZONE and ULTRA VIOLET for disinfection. Cocamide DEA or cocamide diethanolamine form carcinogenic nitrosamines and are in most dishwashing liquids, shampoos, and cosmetics. Cocamide, Diethanolamine is not too friendly either.  Colors and Dyes (FD&C or D&C) are artificial colors made from chemicals and are cancer causing .  Skin absorption as well as allergies are caused by these delightful dyes found in your children’s food, ice creams, sweets and medicines, and are also irritants to the skin and eyes. They are found on labels as FD&C or D&C and followed by a color and a number. Yellow, amber, green or blue products are obviously dyed with synthetic colors as are most all-purpose cleaners. Your medications are full of them so you do not mistake one poison for another. The medications for people suffering from allergies have these dyes in them.  D-limonene is an eye and skin irritant causing neurotoxicity. D limonene is in paints, pet flea-control products, lice treatments and cleaning products. So called safe products made of citrus have this as the main ingredient.  DEA is also known as diethanolamine and monoethanolamine and are specialists in causing skin and eye irritation. They create carcinogenic nitrosamines when they react with other chemicals like nitrates.  Check your household cleaning and personal care products to find them.  Diammonium, EDTA , Diazolidinyl ,Urea , Diethanolamine , Diethylene Dioxide, Diethylene Ether , Diethylene Oxide Diethylene ether, dioxane is listed as a hazardous air pollutant in the 1990 Clean Air Act.  Check your window cleaners.  EDTA known as ethylene-diamine-tetra-acetic and diammonium  EDTA are   irritating mucus membranes and skin leading to allergies, asthma and skin rashes.  They bind with heavy metals trapped in lakes and streams so fish and fowl can get their dose and transfer it to you.   It is in your laundry detergent. Ethoxylated Alcohols Ethylene, Glycol Monobutyl,  Ether Ethylene, diamine-tetra-acetic , Ethylparaben Flame Retardants are all mutagenic and carcinogenic to animals. Absorbed through the skin from clothing and bedding as is formaldehyde which is an irritating, allergy-producing neurotoxin and carcinogen causing insomnia, coughing, headaches, nausea, nose bleeding skin rashes and allows for development of sensitivities to many other chemicals.  2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol, diazolidinyl urea, DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea and quaternium 15. All of these break down into formaldehyde.  Used in deodorizers, nail polish and hardeners. A common air pollutant, it is also used in permanent press sheets, mattresses, foam, plastics and building materials. School kids and seniors living or schooling in the new prefabricated or manufactured buildings are falling like flies from the effects of the formaldehyde poisoning in these buildings.  Fragrances are 95% derived from petrochemicals. Hundreds of chemicals make up the term fragrance. Ethylene chloride formaldehyde, benzene and more. All cause allergies, skin irritation, headaches nausea.

CHEMICAL SENSITIVITIES ARE CAUSED AND AGGRAVATED BY FRAGRANCES- READ YOUR LABELS.
Glycol Ether brings about irritation of the skin, eyes, nose and throat, and create havoc to the reproductive system. Liver and kidney damage can be caused by absorption of these Ethers.  Cleaning products, paints, cosmetics and perfumes use them. These chemicals are also absorbed by skin. Hydrochloric Acid dissolves and destroys tender tissues upon direct contact. Eyes, nose and throat easily irritated by vapors burn and result in permanent damage. Rust removers are known to use this acid. Hydrogen Chloride Hypochlorite Imidazolidinyl, Urea Diazolidinyl Urea are most commonly used cosmetic preservatives after paraben. This is a primary cause of contact dermatitis caused by many cosmetics, baby shampoos, personal care products and fragrances, hair products, ointments and lotions.  Lindane is toxic causing convulsions and seizures yet used in shampoos for head lice. Methanol or methyl alcohol brings on eye and skin irritant to cause blindness. It is toxic yet found in household products such as glass cleaners, some paint removers and strippers, art products. Methyl Alcohol, Methylparaben Methyl n-Butyl Ketone , Monoethanolamine , Morpholine are all extremely toxic and irritating to skin, eyes and mucus membranes, cause liver and kidney damage while reacting with nitrites to form nitrosamines.  These you will discover in most of your cleaners, furniture polishes and car wax. N-Hexane, Naphthas , Napthalene used as moth balls cause irritation to eyes and skin, cataracts, corneal damage and kidney damage. These are carcinogens, extremely toxic to small children and infants and causes blood damage to the fetus. They are in mothballs, air fresheners, deodorizers, carpet cleaners and toilet bowl cleaners. Nonylphenol is an endocrine disruptor and should be avoided. Octyl Dimethyl PABA Organic Solvents carbon disulfide, n-hexane, metyln-butyl ketone, trichloroethylene, perchloroethylene, toluene are all toxic and central nervous system depressants and hazardous to the reproductive systems. Used in cleaners, degreasers, metal polishes, varnish and lacquer removers, dry cleaning, paints and coatings, adhesives.
EPA ? How long will it take them to make changes to industry norms.  One chemical at a time is discussed and phased out every 10 years while another takes its place with a new name.  Some products reappear with a different name or they stop being the active ingredient and become the inactive.  Oxyno, lp-Dichlorobenzene, para-dichlorobenzene, Paqdimate-O cause formation of nitrosamines and are bound to be in your sun screens and cosmetics. Para-dichlorobenzene p-dichlorobenzene, PDCB, 1,4-dichlorobenzene are all toxic, carcinogenic highly volatile chemicals causing liver and kidney damage. Used in moth repellents, toilet deodorizers, room deodorants and insecticides.  Parabens, Methylparaben, Proipylparaben, butylparaben, Ethylparaben) are preservatives causing irritation and allergic as well as chemical reactions.  Used in personal care products, shampoo and cosmetics. PDCB  para-dichlorobenzene, Perchloroethylene are air pollutants and contaminated drinking water contaminated with perc is associated with leukemia and birth defects. Long-term exposure damage the nervous system but they are ingredients in spot removers, degreasers and dry cleaning fluids. Petroleum Distillates, Naphthas, such as toluene, xylene, benzene, Napthalene are all petro chemicals causing eye, skin and respiratory irritants leading to organic brain damage yet used freely in heavy-duty cleaners, laundry stain removers, furniture polish, car waxes, lice shampoo, home and garden pesticides and pet flea-control products. Phenol, Phenoxy, Polyethoxy ethanol, nonyl Phenoxy ethoxyate are toxic carcinogens.  Swelling, pimples and hives are common and a child can collapse if they swallow this product by mistake, cause circulatory collapse, convulsions, cold sweats and coma.  They are in most detergents, disinfectants and furniture polish. One of the leading causes of contact dermatitis is the Propane Propellants butane. The effect of these chemicals on the eye, throat and lungs aggravate asthma and cause breathing difficulties, eye injuries and chemical burns
Propylene Glycol has severe adverse health effects such as contact dermatitis and allergies, kidney and liver damage. Cosmetics, personal care products, baby products use propylene glycol. Pyrethrins are allergens and cause toxic brain damage and are part of head lice treatments, pesticides and pet flea-control products. Sodium Bisulfate in toilet bowel cleaners can damage your eyes, skin and breathing process. Lye causes lung damage, blindness and be fatal if swallowed yet in wide range of household cleaners including oven cleaners, tub and tile cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners and drain openers. Cosmetic talc is carcinogenic and talc is the basis of powder in baby and bath powders, face powders, dry rouge and foot powders. Toluene or xylene is an organic solvent and is a highly toxic petrochemical solvent. Dangerous to eye and skin and reproductive systems and an ingredient in spot removers, car cleaners, paints. Trichloroethane (TCA) a severe eye irritant is absorbed thru skin and is a dangerous air pollutant. Inhalation and ingestion thru cosmetics and as a degreaser can bring about death.  Trichloroethylene is a suspected carcinogen, irritating to eyes and nose and found in spot removers. Should this be in your cosmetics?

SOLVENTS IN TOILETRIES

 Hexachloephene, Acethyl, tetramethyl-tetralin, zinc, pyridenethione, butanoltoluene,  benzal chloride, methylene chloride, and limonene 300 other known tested toxins and thousands of untested toxins are accepted by the EPA and FDA in our toiletries and in food and water. 

While you get sicker, recycled hazardous wastes and pesticides are included in ingredients for shampoos and nail polish, hair spray and fragrances. Chemicals restricted in industry and banned in Europe or even China are sent to USA and approved for your babies. While 30% Americans are known to be suffering from toxicity in the environment you are still breathing, absorbing or eating dangerous chemicals. All fragrances are suspect. Whether you have diagnosed symptoms or not; check ingredients and suspect the word inert.  Aerosols containing ammonia, chlorine and chloride, air fresheners and disinfectants containing pesticides are used liberally without warning. Don’t become a chemical injury or allergy statistic. Cancers, depressions, autoimmune diseases, arthritic type symptoms, fatigues or even high blood pressure, impotence are being aggravated and even caused by ever increasing chemical onslaught.  Watch your chemical load.