Formaldehyde - Is it in Your Baby's Shampoo?

There is a very common chemical (1 among many chemicals) that is routinely used by traditional manufacturers …… especially in their personal care products. It’s called Q –15 (or quaternium 15).

It is a formaldehyde-releasing agent!

Formaldehyde is highly suspected of being a carcinogen and neurotoxin. On the low-end it causes skin irritation, headaches and migraines and on the high end . . . . .  cancer.

Our competitors use it because it is a cheap preservative.

It’s even in many  Johnson and Johnson Baby products including their baby wash. It is in MANY things! These used to be some of my favorite products until I learned this information: Dove soaps
Crest Toothpastes
Colgate Toothpastes
Baby Magic products


There are over 28 other names for this one chemical making it hard to identify on labels.

Some names include: Dowicil 75; Dowicil 100; Dowco 184; Dowicide Q; 1-(3-Chloroallyl)-3,5,7-triaza-1-azoniaadamantane chloride; N-(3-chloroallyl) hexaminium chloride; hexamethylenetetramine chloroallyl chloride; 3,5,7-triaza-1-azoniaadamantane; 1-(3-chloroallyl)-chloride.

Formaldehyde is a toxic substance that can be found in household cleaners and even cosmetics. 

Be advised that formaldehyde fumes can accumulate in poorly ventilated areas and can cause headaches, nausea, watery eyes, sore throats, lung irritation, and serious respiratory damage. Children exposed to the same levels as adults have potentially a greater risk of suffering adverse symptoms.

SOURCES:

1. ^ Cahill J, Nixon R. Allergic contact dermatitis to quaternium 15 in a moisturizing lotion. Australasia J Dermatol. 2005 Nov;46(4):284-5. PMID 16197434
2. ^ New Zealand Dermatological Society. "Quaternium-15 contact allergy". DermNet NZ. http://dermnetnz.org/dermatitis/quaternium-allergy.html. Retrieved 2007-05-31. 
3. ^ E. Warshaw, et al. Contact dermatitis of the hands: Cross-sectional analyses of North American Contact Dermatitis Group Data, 1994-2004. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Volume 57, Issue 2, Pages 301-314
4. RMBarry 
5. Environmental Working Group

Safer Solutions

Many pesticides are volatile. That means that they volatilize – or become gaseous. This allows the pesticides to drift throughout the application area to eliminate pests.

But this also means that they can contaminate all surfaces in a home.

An interesting note: Lysol and MANY other cleaning and disinfecting products contain pesticides. In this post we are concerned with products to kill "pests" not bacteria and viruses. (But! I thought this was an important fact to know)

So, what are some simple remedies to eliminate pests?

• We shop at a store that offers products that are safer for home and family. The pricing is competitive and the service is excellent. Learn more and request more info here.

You can also try some home-made alternatives.
Please note: not all of these are completely safe for children (i.e. Borax, red chili pepper). That is why our family has opted for safer products from a reputable company with proven results and an extremely ethical track record.

• For ants, you can sprinkle red chili powder, paprika or dried peppermint (or its essential oil) where the ants are entering. The company we shop with makes dryer sheets that stop ants, also.
  
• For outdoor pets, place their food bowl within a larger bowl of soapy water.
  
• For fleas, feed your pet brewer’s yeast in powder (mixed in food) or tablet form. The brewers'a yeast can produce some especially noxious smelling gas so be for warned and keep a fan near your dog for the times Fido emits those gasses.
• The company we shop with makes an amazing dog shampoo that uses NO harmful chemicals -- safe around kids (and us and Fido)
  
• For ants, termites, lice, fleas, spiders or roaches, mop or spray floors with Borax. It’s poisonous if ingested, so store and use carefully. OR . . . . . . I hate being redundant but you would be mad at me if I didn't tell you -- The company we shop with makes wonderfully effective, non pesticidal alternatives and preventatives for lice.
  
• For ants and fleas, mix 4 oz of a natural soap in 1 gallon of water and spray as needed. Or sprinkle powdered soap around your home’s foundation.

source: HealthyChild.org