What is as Dangerous as 20 Cigarettes a Day?

Would you smoke 20 cigarettes a day?

Me neither!  

Do you clean with traditional "grocery store" cleaning products? 

I used to.

Just recently, a European lung study revealed that cleaning with products that contain bleach, ammonia, and quats is as bad for our lungs as smoking up to 20 cigarettes a day. 

20 Cigarettes a day!   ----> Twen-ty-cig-a-rettes-a-day!

Thank goodness for Melaleuca's EcoSense Cleaning line!  I am so grateful for the wonderful improvements in health and safety it provides!

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Okay, okay, this is all great information. And here is the link to learn more about the study.  But maybe you have the same questions I did.

What are quotes   

Quats are chemicals that contain a quaternary ammonium compound (QAC) in their chemical makeup. They're used in a wide variety of products, including hair conditioners, moisturizers, body washes, bubble bath, liquid hand soap, shaving cream, styling gel/cream, styling mousse, makeup, antiperspirant/deodorant, baby wipes, sunscreens, acne treatments, hairspray, laundry softeners and anti-static agents.

Are quats harmful?  The Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics classifies quats as “asthmagens,” which means they can trigger asthma attacks and cause new cases in those who are asthma-free. With more and more kids every day affected by asthma, it makes sense to help reduce exposure to this group of chemicals—especially for children.

Quats can also cause skin irritation, and with extended use in hair care products, may encourage hair to become dry and brittle. Those with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) should make a point of avoiding these ingredients, because of their potential effect on the airways. When using products like bubble bath, the effects can be enhanced, as the warm water increases inhalation of the vapors. 

What are some examples of quotes?     

Quaternium-15 is thought to be the worst quat because it releases formaldehyde, which is a known carcinogen and can also cause allergic reactions.

Another quat called benzalkonium chloride has been found to disrupt natural hormone function, and has been linked with developmental and reproductive toxicity. This quat has also been found to be toxic to aquatic life when washed downstream.

A report by the Scientific Committee on Consumer safety, an organization in the EU, noted that based on skin reactions and toxicity, one particular quat named “behentrimonium chloride” should not exceed 3 percent in a rinse-off product, and should measure no more than 0.5 percent in a leave-on product.

How can I avoid these harmful chemicals?   

The easiest way to avoid harmful chemicals is to simply and completely change stores. If I need it and Melaleuca makes it, then I buy it from Melaleuca. If you do not shop exclusively from Melaleuca, keep exploring the many aisles and products. I know you will find some great items you did not even know Melaleuca had!

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From One Concerned Mom to Another

We wouldn't dream of letting our children breath poisonous fumes intentionally, yet we do this every time we “protect” them by cleaning the house or using personal care products!

Important Things for All Moms to Know

•  Chlorine Bleach can burn, irritate skin, eyes, and the respiratory system. It has been outlawed in much of Europe because it is HIGHLY suspected of also being a carcinogen. If used in a workplace OSHA regulates that it be treated as a "toxic chemical." ."

• Ammonia can be damaging to the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract.

• Air fresheners contain toxins that include Formaldehyde and Phenol.

• Many personal care - bath and body products contain Q-15 (a formaldehyde releasing agent)

• Dish washing detergents contain dry chlorine, which is the #1 cause of poisoning in children according to poison control.

• Furniture polish contains Petroleum Distillates, which can cause skin and lung cancer.

You can do an easy test with your household cleaners. Quite simply -- the stronger the smell, the more toxins that are present.

"Most of the time we have no choice but to breathe polluted air, and eat chemical laden food, and drink water that is less than pure, but we DO have a choice of what we put on our skin and what products we have in our homes. Be sure the products you are using are free of cancer causing and toxic ingredients. "

Links About Toxins in the Home

1. “TRADE SECRETS: A MOYERS REPORT is an investigation of the history of the chemical revolution and the companies that drove it . . . ”
http://www.pbs.org/tradesecrets/program/program.html

2. “The Center for Children’s Health and the Environment (CCHE) is the nation’s first academic research and policy center to examine the links between exposure to toxic pollutants and childhood illness.”   http://www.mountsinai.org/patient-care/service-areas/children/areas-of-care/childrens-environmental-health-center

3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention A-Z Index of Health Topics: This website contains in-depth definitions and resources on risk factors and prevention for a vast array of today's health concerns.  http://www.cdc.gov/az/a.html

4. Children's Health Environmental Coalition: “CHEC's mission is to inform parents . . . . about preventable health & development problems caused by exposures to toxic substances in homes . . . . ”  http://healthychild.org/

5. “Environmental Defense is fighting to protect human health, restore our oceans and ecosystems, and curb global warming."  http://www.edf.org/home.cfm

6. Purdue Glossary of Household Products with Hazards from A to Z
http://www.purdue.edu/dp/envirosoft/housewaste/house/products.htm

7. National Institutes of Health & National Library of Medicine's Household Products Database: “What's under your kitchen sink, in your garage, in your bathroom, and on the shelves in your laundry room? Learn more about what's in these products, about potential health effects, and about safety and handling.”  http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/

8. Natural Resources Defense Council: “Every day we are exposed to thousands of chemicals, including hundreds known to cause serious harm to people and the environment. NRDC educates the public about the health threats posed by toxic chemicals.”   http://www.nrdc.org/health

My home is a cleaner, safer place for my family since I began using products with no harmful chemicals.  I feel good knowing that I am making every effort to make my home a safe haven for my family. I encourage you to consider making a difference in your family's health. Making a simple decision to switch stores has made our home healthier, safer and more frugal.

Toxic Brew

In my opinion this clip is a prerequisite to responsible parenting.

Could your home be healthier?
Learn how to get rid of toxins. . . it is worth it. 


Please note: Canadian laws are reflective of American laws in this area.

CBC Marketplace Report Toxic Brew from Roland Lechasseur on Vimeo.

Children's Unique Vulnerability

Children are not simply "little adults." Four fundamental differences between children and adults contribute to children's heightened susceptibility to environmental toxins.

This is a crucial reason to look at all sensible ways to de-tox their environments.  It is imperative to find solutions and these are just a few reasons why . . . .

    * Children have disproportionately heavy exposures to environmental toxicants due to their greater intake pound-for-pound of food, water, and air, coupled with their unique behaviors - in particular, hand-to-mouth behavior.
    * Children's metabolic pathways, especially in the first months after birth, are immature. In many instances, they are less able than adults to deal with toxic compounds.
    * Children are undergoing rapid growth and development. These developmental processes create windows of great vulnerability in which the course of development can be permanently disrupted by environmental toxins.
    * Because children have more future years of life than adults, they have more time to develop chronic diseases that may be initiated by early exposures.

*National Research Council. Pesticides in the Diets of Infants and Children. Washington, DC: National Academies Press; 2000.

SOURCE: Mount Sinai - Children's Environmental Health Center

85,000 chemicals

There are more than 85,000 chemicals that are currently licensed for use in North America. Less than half have ever been tested for human health risk and even fewer for potential environmental impacts. Remember that babies (born and unborn), children and pregnant moms are at the greatest risk.
Just one more reason to buy from a company with health as its first priority - get out of the habit of trusting products on those store shelves! Need more information on how to make simple changes to take better care of yourself, your family and our environment?

Just ask! Peggy 832 766 2172
OR Visit: How Safe is Your Home?

source: TorontoStar June13th, 2005

SOURCE ARTICLE: What's causing cancer? by Mitchell Anderson

Unborn Babies at Risk Because of Chemicals

Babies in the womb are being exposed to a shocking cocktail of chemicals that can cause cancer in later life and have gender-bending qualities, research has revealed.
Most of the chemicals are found in everyday products such as cleaning fluids and sprays, perfumes and cosmetics. These chemicals are linked to health problems ranging from birth defects and genital abnormalities to cancer.

"Babies feeding through the umbilical cord are exposed to these toxic chemicals.
It is shocking that such chemicals are in the human body at any stage of our life, let alone at the very start, when the child is most vulnerable. Governments need to act and require industries to substitute these contaminating chemicals with safer alternatives."1

Since the government will not be stepping in to protect our unborn, our infants or our families any time soon -- it is up to us to limit the exposure they have to chemicals. "Nine months of a healthy pregnancy is the best gift you can give your baby."2 Creating a healthier home can be easier than most people think.

sources:
1 Helen Perivier, toxics campaigner for Greenpeace International
2 The March of Dimes

As Serious a Threat as Lead

Excerpt from: A Prescription to Better Serve Kids by: Dr. Philip Landrigan

Question: What, in the coming decade, has the potential to be as serious a threat as lead?

Answer: We need to reduce the exposure of people of all ages to pesticides. Pesticides are used in enormous amounts in homes, schools and day care centers and on lawns and gardens. Once released, they are immediately widespread in the environment and create enormous potential for harmful health effects. MANY common household products officially fall under the category of pesticides

If You Have a Toddler, Please Read This

More toddlers under age four are admitted to hospital emergency rooms as a result of household cleaner-related injuries than for any other reason. ALSO, household cleaners and personal care products can exacerbate breathing problems and asthma. Due to out gassing this can happen even when packaging is sealed.

sources:
~~> Cancer Prevention Coalition c/o School of Public Health University of Illinois Medical Center 2121 West Taylor Street, Chicago, IL 60612,Tel: (312) 996-2297, Fax: (312) 996-1374 http://www.healthy-communications.com/factsoncarcinogensathome.html
~~> From the Cancer Prevention Coalition and the "Safe Shoppers Bible" by Dr. Samuel S. Epstein and Dr. David Steinman, 1995