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SOME TOXIC INGREDIENTS TO WATCH OUT FOR

Take this list with you to reference while shopping.

*Butyl, Ethyl, Methyl, and Propyl Parabens - Linked to breast cancer.

*Butyl - Developmental/reproductive toxicity, allergies, organ system toxicity, biochemical or cellular level changes.

*Ethyl - Allergies/immunotoxicity, non- reproductive organ system toxicity.

*Methyl - Allergies, organ system toxicity, skin, eye, and lung irritation. Biochemical changes.

*Propyl - Reproductive toxicity and non-reproductive organ system toxicity, endocrine disruption, allergies.

* Parabens banned in EU - Benzyl, Isopropyl, Isobutyl, Pentyl, and Phenyl. Endocrine disrupters. They are linked to breast cancer, skin cancer, and decreased sperm count. Commonly found in foundations, lotions, and other beauty products.

*Diazolindyl Urea - Allergies, contamination concerns. Formaldehyde releasing preservative.

*Dioxins - (used in Agent Orange ) Are a group of highly toxic chemical compounds. They disrupt hormones and can lead to cancer.

*Formaldehyde - Allergies, contact dermatitis, neurological impairments, Nasopharyngeal cancer, Myeloid leukemia, etc. ( Be aware that formaldehyde is hidden in plain site due to the use of many other names.) Banned in EU.

*Glyphosate - Highly carcinogenic in humans.

*Hydroquinone - Found in skin lightener. Linked to cancer. Banned in EU.

*Imidazolindyl Urea - Impurities linked to cancer. Formaldehyde releasing preservative.

*Lead - Used in hair color and lipstick. A known neurotoxin is linked to infertility. Banned in EU.

*Petrolatum - Highly allergic reactions. Contamination concerns.

* Petroleum Distillates - (Can go by the name “paraffin wax”) Commonly used in mascara. Possible carcinogen. Banned in EU.

*Phthalates - Banned in EU. Often hidden in an ingredient list under the catch-all phrase “fragrance”. A large group of chemical compounds used in cosmetics, packaging, plastics (including children’s toys ). Endocrine disruptors. Developmental/reproductive issues. Obesity. Mutagenic, and cancer causing.

*Propylene Glycol - In many cosmetics, antifreeze, hydraulic fluid, and industrial solvent. Skin damage, skin irritation, kidney issues.

*Quaternium 15 - Banned in EU. Formaldehyde releasing preservative. Human carcinogen.

*Selenium Sulfide - Banned in EU. Most commonly used in anti-dandruff shampoos. Toxic and harmful to for humans ad the environment. Human carcinogen.

*Sodium Lauryl Sulfate - Linked to cancer, neurotoxicity, organ toxicity, skin irritation, and endocrine disruption.

*Stearalkonium Chloride - Used in fabric softener, hair and skin care. Neurotoxin. Skin and eye irritant.

*Synthetic Colors - Can be derived from coal tar, petroleum, heavy metal salts including arsenic. Allergens, irritants, carcinogens, cancer causing, and neurotoxins. Some colors are more harmful than others.

*Synthetic Fragrances - Endocrine disruptors, carcinogens, neurotoxins, asthma triggers, allergies, hormone disruptors, cause obesity, birth defects. In the same category as second hand smoke.

*Triethanolamine - Skin and respiratory allergen, toxicant.

*Triclosan - Most commonly used in toothpaste, antibacterial soap, and hand sanitizer. Causes health problems involving our hormones, including obesity and fertility issues. Banned in EU.

Sadly the list goes on and on……… Even if you don’t use commercial brands of shampoo, conditioner, hair styling products, shower gel, soap , face cleanser, moisturizer, toner, make-up, shaving cream, body lotion, hand sanitizer, cleaning products, laundry detergent, fabric softener, synthetic scented candles, drain cleaner, pesticides etc., other people do. You have to realize that everything that goes down the sink drain, shower drain, laundry drain, and toilet, eventually ends up in the waterways, spread on farmland and food, and become airborne (cause damage to skin, sinus and lungs). Even spread on your lawn, pesticides make their way into the waterways and sewer system. I encourage you to read United Sludge Free Alliance website at www.usludgefree.org * for further information.

Organic farms and companies should not have to pay huge certification fees, chemical farms and companies should. Organic products shouldn’t have to be labeled organic, chemical companies should have to label their products “Highly Toxic” and have little skull and cross bone pictures.

Just my opinion.

FORMALDEHYDE

What is formaldehyde? Formaldehyde is a colorless and flammable gas. Formaldehyde has a distinct odor that you can smell at very low concentrations. It is a VOC, ( means that it vaporizes gases at room temperature) that causes cancer and other harmful health effects. Formaldehyde is a naturally occurring chemical as well as a man made chemical. The molecular structure of the natural and the man made formaldehyde, are identical. The human body cannot tell the difference. Simply put, formaldehyde vapors are dangerous. Formaldehyde is a neurotoxin, which can damage, destroy, or impair the functioning of the central and/or peripheral nervous system. If you have an allergic reaction to formaldehyde, PAY ATTENTION !!! Your body can be warning you to stay away so that you don’t get cancer. It could also be warning your friends and family as well.

Formaldehyde is used in the production of many products. It is used to produce wood, paper, plywood, glues & adhesives, permanent press fabrics, waterproofing, paints , coatings, and insulation materials. It sis also found in many consumer products including perfumes (including lotions, body washes, soaps, hair care, etc.) cosmetics, dish & laundry soaps, fabric softeners, medicines, and leather treatments.

Formaldehyde is the simplest, smallest, and most highly reactive among the aldehydes. It is a colorless gas that mixes seamlessly with ethanol and acetone in any proportion. Formaldehyde's aqueous solution, known as formalin, typically has a concentration of around 37% (Reingruber & Pontel, 2018). Acute exposure to formaldehyde can result in irritation and acute poisoning of the skin, eyes, and upper respiratory mucosa. Chronic exposure to this compound may lead to neurotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, genetic toxicity, a carcinogenic effect, and respiratory damage (Reingruber & Pontel, 2018). Formaldehyde is also linked to Fanconi anemia and Ruijs-Aalfs syndrome (Reingruber & Pontel, 2018). It is known to cause nasopharyngeal cancer and is a suspected cause of leukemia in humans; it was classified as a Group I carcinogen for humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in 2004 (EFSA, 2014). Given the rising concern over its harmful effects, numerous countries and organizations have established strict regulations governing formaldehyde.

During my mostly strange journey finding out about allergies, I happened to have a flare up while giving a woman an organic facial. Of course, I use only organic products, so I wasn’t understanding why my face was swelling up and turning bright red.

At the beginning of her facial, I had told the client that the bumps around her chin were hormonal and probably from chemical products she was using. She told me she didn’t use chemical products. Liar liar pants on fire! I could smell the chemicals wafting off of her. People don’t seem to realize how much xenoestrogens (chemical compounds that mimic human estrogen) are in their everyday products. The bumps on her face were a warning from her body “DON’T USE HORRIBLE TOXIC CHEMICALS ON ME OR YOU WILL DEFINATELY WIND UP WITH CANCER!!!”

After the client left, I was joking with the front desk ladies saying the woman was oozing formaldehyde and that’s why, as I breathed it in my face and eye swelled up and turned flaming red. Honestly, I was joking until I realized who she was. She was the wife of the local undertaker, and she put makeup on dead people! Dead people are embalmed with, and full of formaldehyde!!!! Go figure!!!!

I really do need to thank her because she made me realize how sensitive to formaldehyde I really am. Now I understood why I was so allergic to the human sewage (called sludge or bio-solids) spread on farmers’ fields. Not only do most products have formaldehyde in or on them that ends up being washed down the drain, there is also factory by product run off, horrible pesticides, and the large amounts of embalming fluid (formaldehyde ) during the embalming process that also gets washed down the drain, goes to the waste treatment plant to later get spread on the fields. Of course that also means it gets in the waterways and ends up as toxic drinking water.

After that warning, I proceeded to change all of the things that I was using that could possibly have formaldehyde in them. I now use bamboo toilet paper, organic cotton underwear, clothing, sheets, towels, blankets, duvet, pillows, etc. Hopefully, an organic mattress and sofa are next!

I had previously, many years before, changed all of my makeup, skin care, hair care, body care, food, etc. to strictly organic (European organic if I could get it).

Being an avid researcher and experimenter, I am constantly on the lookout and trying new things, for myself as well as my customers.

Formaldehyde (CH₂O) is a colorless, highly toxic, and flammable gas at room temperature. It is used in the production of fertilizer, paper, plywood, and some resins. It is also used as a food preservative and in household products, such as antiseptics, medicines, and cosmetics. Exposure to formaldehyde can irritate the skin, throat, lungs, and eyes. Repeated exposure to formaldehyde can possibly lead to cancer. Workers may be harmed by exposure to formaldehyde. The level of exposure depends upon the dose, duration, and work being done.

Formaldehyde is used in many industries. It’s used in glues and resins, dyes, textiles, disinfectants, building materials, automobile parts, embalming, and laboratories. Some examples of workers at risk of being exposed to formaldehyde include the following:

• Agricultural workers who work in confinement livestock production

• Construction workers who work with resin manufactured products

• Workers who manufacture plastics, resins and foam insulation

• Morticians in the embalming process

• Beauticians who apply dyes and smoothing products

NIOSH recommends that employers use Hierarchy of Controls to prevent injuries.  If you work in an industry that uses formaldehyde, please read chemical labels and the accompanying Safety Data Sheet for hazard information. Visit NIOSH’s page on Managing Chemical Safety in the Workplace to learn more about controlling chemical workplace exposures.

Useful search terms for formaldehyde include “methanal,” “methyl aldehyde,” “methylene oxide.”

Foods Known to Contain Naturally Occurring Formaldehyde

I. Fruits & Vegetables Food type Apple Level (mg/kg) Apricot 6.3 – 22.3 9.5 Banana Beetroot 16.3 35 Bulb vegetables (e.g. onion) Cabbage 11.0 5.3 Carrot Cauliflower 6.7 – 10 26.9 Cucumber Grape 2.3 – 3.7 22.4 Green Onion Kohlrabi 13.3 – 26.3 31 Pear Plum 38.7 – 60 11.2 Potato Spinach 19.5 3.3 – 7.3

THE CHART BELOW IS JUST AN FYI.

Please be aware that you really need to read the labels.

Sometimes, what we think are simple additives and preservatives,

can actually make you sick.

Do some research. Make sure you are getting the best that you can.

There are other companies to choose from.