Toxic Chemicals
Rub A Dub, Dub
“Chemicals, Chemicals, & Chemicals”
According to EPA Office of Pesticides and Toxic Substances, in just “26″ seconds after any exposure to chemicals through your skin or by breathing in their vapors, chemicals and/or pesticides can be found in every organ in your body. Most chemicals are not biodegradable and as a result can accumulate in body tissues. Chemicals and toxins are very difficult to eliminate from the body and can slow healing and/or full recovery of a health problem.
3 Toxic Chemicals that you may be exposed to on a daily basis:
1. DEA (Diethanolamine)
When applied to the skin, resulted in clear evidence of carcinogenic (causing or contributing to cancer) activity. This chemical is an ingredient formulated into soaps, detergents and surfactants and is found in over 600 home and personal care products. These products include shampoos, conditioners, bubble baths, lotions, cosmetics, soaps, laundry and dishwashing detergents.
2. Propylene Glycol
Propylene Glycol is the main ingredient in anti-freeze we use in our car radiators to keep the engines running cooler in the summer and from freezing up in the cold winters. Should any pet lick up a spill on the garage floor (it’s sweet tasting to animals) the die a grueling death called Organic Phosphate Poisoning. Propylene Glycol is found in cosmetics, toothpaste, shampoos, deodorants, baby shampoos, lotions, and even in some foods. Check all your labels. In the skin and hair, propylene glycol works as a humescent, which causes retention of moisture content of skin or cosmetic products by preventing the escape of moisture or water. The Material Safety Data Sheet warns users to avoid skin contact with propylene glycol as this strong skin irritant can cause liver abnormalities and kidney damage.
3. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) or Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
It is used as a surfactant to break down the surface tension of water (makes water wetter to help penetrate the surface applied to). Found in hundreds of personal care products and is a favorite for degreasers and toothpaste manufacturers.
What can SLS do to your organic tissue? Plenty!
1. SLS can be a mutagen. In sufficient amounts it is capable of changing genetic material found in cells.
2. SLS has been used in studies to induct mutations in bacteria.
3. SLS corrodes hair follicles and impairs the ability to grow hair.
4. SLS enters and maintains residual levels in the heart, liver, lungs and brain just from skin contact (shampoos, toothpaste, etc.)
5. SLS denatures protein and can impair proper structural formation of young eyes.
6. SLS can damage the immune system, cause separation of skin layers, and cause inflammation to the skin.
Product recommendations:
Soap: Waleda, Dr. Bronners, Kiss My Face
Toopaste: Waleda, Kiss my Face
Shampoo: Aubrey, Avalon, Soignee
Skin: Dr. Hauska, Waleda, Avalon
Household: Seventh Generation, Ecover
These products can be purchased at most local health food stores