Everyday, unbeknownst to most consumers, we are using products that are unsafe, toxic potentially deadly. Even with all of the information that is made available online and in print, many consumers are simply unaware of the dangers that we're exposing our children and families to on a daily basis. Obviously you or someone you know brushes their teeth, washes their hair, cleans their home, applies lotion(s) to their bodies, and even washes their clothes daily but what you might NOT know is that you and they are unknowingly applying and/or using products that have been known to be associated with many childhood and adult-onset illnesses.
Today's consumable products contain harmful toxins and ingredients that have been linked to allergies, birth defects, psychological abnormalities, skin reactions such as eczema, headaches, depression, joint pain, chronic fatigue, chest pains, dizziness, loss of sleep (insomnia), cancer, diabetes, ADHD, Asthma and reproductive illnesses plus many other health-related disorders. Ingredients such as bleach, which is a registered pesticide with the Environmental Protection Agency; ammonia; and formaldehyde (known to most consumers as an embalming fluid and represented under nearly 40 different trade names on the labels of many consumable items) is used as a cheap preservative in numerous household products. We use many products topically or around our homes while some we ingest, virtually inviting these chemicals into our bloodstream.
So, how do you know which products to avoid? As I've said before, knowledge is power. By researching and reading labels on the products that you and your family use, you can eliminate many of the toxic products in your home. Read the newspaper, watch the news (I know it is terribly boring, full of commercials and LOTS of depressing information) - BUT, you need to do what you can in order to know the facts.
Because there are so many toxins in our daily lives, it's hard to know where to start. Today, however, you are in luck. I'm going to provide you with a place to start by sharing a few products that you more than likely are using in your home, around or upon your family.
Top "5" Products that Have Been Linked to Health-Related Disorders & Illnesses:
The first on my list is sure to make you cringe...especially if you're a new mom (or a mom of many years).
1. Johnson & Johnson Baby Shampoo or Wal-Mart's label Equate Tearless Baby Wash. A class action lawsuit which was filed earlier this year, accuses Johnson & Johnson and Wal-Mart Stores of selling shampoo and baby wash that allegedly contains methylene chloride, an ingredient banned by the FDA in cosmetics because it's linked to cancer. The law firm that filed the lawsuit is also investigating Target's Night-time Bath and Body Wash, which is not currently named in the suit. If you or someone that you know is currently using either of these products, read the label and spread the word. You might have to do a little digging as like formaldehyde, harmful toxins are known by multiple names. Do your homework and make certain that you and your loved ones are safe.
2. Conventional Laundry Detergents - Most people are unaware that conventional laundry detergents contain a host of toxic and carcinogenic chemicals that are detrimental to our health and our eco-system. The ingredients contained within can be divided into many categories of ingredients including: surfactants (chemically derived from oil) that reduce surface tension in water enabling the removal of dirt from fabrics. Problem is that typical synthetic surfactants like diethanolamines are slow to biodegrade and become carcinogenic upon entrance into the atmosphere.
Another category of synthetic chemicals is optical brighteners which make clothes appear whiter as they convert UV light wavelengths to visible light. The problem with brighteners like aminotriazine is that it is not biodegradable and according to the Environmental Protection Agency, 2010, cause bacterial mutations in aquatic environments. It's important for consumers to remember, as many don't even think about the fact that the skin is the largest organ in the body and is responsible for both elimination of and absorption. By wearing clothes that have been laundered in toxins that make-up many laundry detergents, the toxic chemicals are exposed and absorbed into the skin through skin cells thereby providing more chemical exposure to the human body resulting in damage to the person wearing the clothes and to the local water sources as well.
3. Toothpastes - Recent studies have shown that there are some dangerous chemicals in toothpastes as well. One such chemical, triclosan, was included in toothpastes as it was believed to help remove tarter and clean teeth better. However, studies have revealed that the chemical has been identified to upset the balance of an individuals endocrine system and can result in the generation of bacteria strong enough to resist antibiotics. This chemical is so prevalent in consumable products that the chemical is being found in urine samples in as many as three quarters of the United States population.
4. Cosmetics and Body Products. Buyer(s) Beware!!! The cosmetic industry is one of the largest and most profitable industries in the nation. In fact, both consumers and health care providers need to be aware that there are literally thousands of toxic synthetic chemicals used in cosmetics and personal care products such as soaps, body washes, and deodorants that do not include a complete disclosure of ingredients on the labels. Both women, men and young girls of means have been exposed to unusually high levels of the toxic chemical lead used in many consumable personal care products. Because cosmetics and personal care products are used more heavily than most consumable items, wouldn't it make sense to avoid using products containing a lethal combination of toxic and carcinogenic ingredients? Cosmetics and many other products including foaming cleansers, body mists & lotions, lipsticks, skin creams, moisturizers, shower gels & body washes, antiperspirant and deodorant, lip glosses and hand lotions contain synthetic chemical preservatives known as parabens. This ingredient is readily absorbed through skin entering the bloodstream. It has been known to exert estrogenic activity on breast cells and has been linked to the development of malignant tumors. Often manufacturers hide this toxic ingredient under "fragrance" which can then be masked by a term that covers over 2,000 different chemicals including carcinogens and other equally harmful toxins.
5. Household Cleaning Agents. Many families use toxic cleaning products in their homes everyday without even realizing the dangers. Many of the cleaning agents that we use actually contain many harmful chemicals. Common household products such as sanitizing sprays and wipes, garden pesticides, paints, batteries, detergents and flea powders are not only hazardous to humans but to the environment as well. The toxic chemicals contained within each product affect our environment by contaminating our groundwater, lakes and oceans. If ingested, absorbed through the skin or inhaled, they can result in illnesses that may not appear until many years later. Many common household cleaning products are actually classified as hazardous waste and should not be disposed of in the trash but instead at a hazardous waste collection center. Besides the pollution to our environment, our health and the safety of our children is at risk. Chemical levels inside the home can be over 70 times higher than levels found outside. Each year, thousands of household poisonings are reported - many fatal. Of those reported, approximately 70% occur in children between the ages of one and five years old and are a result of improper or unsafe storage of dangerous cleaning products and medications. Many adults do not understand the significance of toxic substances brought into the home. For example, dishwashing detergent holds the record for the greatest number of accidental poisonings. Dandruff shampoo, if ingested, results in the degeneration of vital organs; household ammonia when mixed or used in combination with bleach is a DEADLY substance; and bug spray/insecticides can remain active and airborne in a home for up to 30 years. Yikes!!!! The most common and dangerous ingredients in household cleaning products include alkalies which are soluble salts that are effective in removing dirt without a lot of scrubbing and can result in burns and internal injuries or death; acids which are great for removing hard-water deposits, discoloration and rust stains but irritate and can cause injury to skin and eyes. Oxalic acid, most commonly used in toilet bowl cleaners is very poisonous.
There you have it - a list of everyday consumable products that consumers should be wary about purchasing and using around, in and/or upon their homes, pets and loved ones.
Just because the items can be purchased in your local department or retail store does not mean that they've been tried, tested and deemed safe. In fact, this couldn't be farther from the truth.
Although many chemicals found within our homes are used for vanity, health & hygienic reasons and to make our lives easier, we really don't consider the long-lasting and sometimes immediate ramifications and/or consequences of using many of these substances. Be careful - cautious - and consider using alternative non-toxic products that are economically and ecologically more sensible and which will not expose you and your loved ones to toxic chemicals that ultimately may alter their lives in a negative manner.
Go Green!!!
For more information on safe, consumable products and/or to schedule an appointment to view a "FREE" Health & Wellness Webinar, contact Randa Maloy via email: I promise, you'll be glad you did! My name is Randa Williamson Maloy. I was born in Florida and traveled with my family to many exciting locations as a child. I attended Florida State University & The University of Florida graduating with a few degrees in Education, followed by attendance at West Georgia College. I taught elementary school for thirteen years until the birth of my second son when I decided to remain home to enjoy raising my wonderful children, Shelby & Sawyer. I've had many experiences in my life working alongside my father in several family businesses, as well as selling real estate, coaching soccer, running my own business as a Personal Trainer & owning and operating a historic Bed & Breakfast. I remarried in 2000, my husband Rick, and together we've run his architectural sign design company - my contribution(s)being that of office manager and graphic designer. In January 2010 I launched a website, childrentopics.com childrentopics.com to provide information to parents, teachers, caregivers and children on many difficult and challenging childhood issues related to child growth and human development. It was during this venture that I came upon a wonderful opportunity being offered by Work At Home United and joined the team. I'm looking forward to life's newest adventure. Working together to educate Consumers one Household at a Time!
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