What's Under Your Sink?

WHAT'S UNDER YOUR SINK?

By Dr. Joyce Woods.

Joyce worked as a medical/surgical nurse, public health nurse, nurse educator, nursing school administrator, occupational health consultant. She holds a Bachelors of Nursing, Bachelors of Arts (Specialist), Masters of Education degrees, and has completed her doctoral degree in the area of Indoor Air Pollution, and it's effect on your health.

Begin by thinking of your home as a toxic waste dump. The average home today contains 62 toxic chemicals - more than a chemistry lab at the turn of the century. More than 72,000 synthetic chemicals have been produced since WW II. Less than 2% of synthetic chemicals have been tested for toxicity, mutagenic and carcinogenic effects, or birth defects.

The majority of modern chemicals have never been tested for long-term effects!

An EPA survey concluded that indoor air was 2 to 5 times MORE polluted than outdoor air. The EPA states that common sources include: household products including: paints, paint strippers, and other solvents; wood preservatives; aerosol sprays; cleansers and disinfectants; moth repellents and air fresheners; stored fuels and automotive products; hobby supplies; and dry-cleaned clothing.

Another EPA study found that toxic chemicals in household cleaners are 3 times more likely to cause cancer than outdoor air. Every man, woman and child breathes in 10 to 20 thousand liters of air per day, 90% of which is indoor air.

"There are many sources of indoor air pollution in any home. These include combustion sources such as oil, gas, kerosene, coal, wood, and tobacco products; building materials and furnishings as diverse as deteriorated, asbestos-containing insulation, wet or damp carpet, and cabinetry or furniture made of certain pressed wood products; products for household cleaning and maintenance, personal care, or hobbies; central heating and cooling systems and humidification devices; and outdoor sources such as radon, pesticides, and outdoor air pollution.

The relative importance of any single source depends on how much of a given pollutant it emits and how hazardous those emissions are. In some cases, factors such as how old the source is and whether it is properly maintained are significant.

For example, an improperly adjusted gas stove can emit significantly more carbon monoxide than one that is properly adjusted. Some sources, such as building materials, furnishings, and household products like air fresheners, release pollutants more or less continuously. Other sources, related to activities carried out in the home, release pollutants intermittently. These include smoking, the use of unvented or malfunctioning stoves, furnaces, or space heaters, the use of solvents in cleaning and hobby activities, the use of paint strippers in redecorating activities, and the use of cleaning products and pesticides in housekeeping. High pollutant concentrations can remain in the air for long periods after some of these activities.

"The National Cancer Institute released results of a 15-year study concluding that women who work in the home are at a 54% higher risk of developing cancer than women who work outside the home. Cancer rates have almost doubled since 1960. Cancer is the number ONE cause of death for children.

There has been a 26% increase in breast cancer since 1982. Breast cancer is the Number ONE killer of women between the ages of 35 and 54. Primary suspects are laundry detergents, household cleaners and pesticides.

There has been a call from the U.S./ Canadian Commission on chemicals to ban bleach in North America. Bleach is being linked to the rising rates of breast cancer in women, reproductive problems in men and learning and behavioral problems in children. Chemicals get into our body through inhalation, ingestion and absorption. We breathe 10 to 20 thousand liters of air per day. There are more than 3 million poisonings every year. Household cleaners are the number ONE cause of poisoning of children.

Since 1980, asthma has increased by 600%. The Canadian Lung Association and the Asthma Society of Canada identify common household cleaners and cosmetics as triggers. ADD/ADHD are epidemic in schools today. Behavioral problems have long been linked to exposure to toxic chemicals and molds.

Chemical and environmental sensitivities are known to cause all types of headaches.

Labeling laws do not protect the consumer - they protect big business. The New York Poison Control Center reports that 85% of product warning labels were either inadequate or incorrect for identifying a poison, and for first aid instructions. Formaldehyde, phenol, benzene, toluene, xylene are found in common household cleaners, cosmetics, beverages, fabrics and cigarette smoke. These chemicals are cancer causing and toxic to the immune system.

Chemicals are attracted to, and stored in fatty tissue. The brain is a prime target for these destructive organics because of its high fat content and very rich blood supply.

Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, circulatory disorders, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease, irritable bowel syndrome, depression, and hormonal problems are diseases commonly related to chemical exposure.

The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health has found more than 2500 chemicals in cosmetics that are toxic, cause tumors, reproductive complications, biological mutations and skin and eye irritations.

Pesticides only have to include active ingredients on the labels, even though the inert (inactive) ingredients may account for 99%, many of which are toxic and poisons.

The CMHC (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation) reports that houses today are so energy efficient that "out-gassing" of chemicals has no where to go, so it builds up inside the home. We spend 90% of our time indoors, and 65% of that time at home. Moms, infants and the elderly spend 90% of their time in the home. Our homes should have a complete change of air 3 or 4 times a day. We should leave our windows open on each side of our house for better cross ventilation. New homes are built so airtight that it is impossible to get a complete change of air.

In Alberta last year accidental poisoning statistics were as follows: Between the ages of: * 0 - 4 years - 11, 515 poisonings
* 5 - 10 years - 1,524
* 11 - 19 years 1,019
* 20 and over 7,799

The top three culprits according to Poison Control: household cleaners, bleach, and medications. In the USA the #1 cause of accidental poisoning is Dawn Dishwashing Detergent (c). WHY? Because it is the #1 seller. Tide contains Lye and is the #1 polluter. It is also the #1 seller.

Inert (or inactive) ingredients in products are protected by trade secrets and very dangerous. In the work place Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) must accompany any product used. The work place and the outdoors are considered "legal environments" while the air in homes is not. So regulations for outdoor air pollution and toxins in the workplace are much more strict than in the home.

The ideal humidity rate is 35-45%. Higher rates cause mold. Use of humidifiers and dehumidifiers with standing water encourages mold growth in the water. The ideal temperature for homes is 68-72 degrees. Higher temperatures make chemicals more active. When we shower, the hot water aerates the chlorine and can cause headaches, as can the use of aerosols. Steam from our dryer vents is extremely toxic from the chemicals in fabric softener sheets and residues from detergents and bleach.

Chemicals used to dry clean clothing are very dangerous and can cause cancer. When you bring dry cleaning home you should hang it outside for at least 3 days. The same chemicals are in mothballs.

Deep Woods and Off have an ingredient called DEET. DEET causes seizures in children and adults. There are 4700 chemicals in tobacco smoke.

Formaldehyde is one of the largest indoor pollutants in our homes. Products containing Formaldehyde include: * Antiperspirants * Mouthwash * Toothpaste * Tupperware * Permanent Press clothing * Floor waxes and furniture polishes * Baggies * Coffee * Wax Paper * Paper Money

Symptoms caused by formaldehyde are: * Allergies, cancer, immune system failings, and asthma

Phenols are a major indoor pollutant. Phenols are absorbed by lungs, and skin. Symptoms include caustic burns, kidney and liver damage and hyperactivity. Products containing Phenols include:
* Acne medications * Baking Powder * PC's * TV sets * Mouthwash * Sugar subs * Wallpaper

Do you think the major products are safe? WRONG! Lysol (c) is even more dangerous than we thought. It contains phenols and dioxin (Agent Orange). Bleach must be safe because people have been using it for years, right? WRONG! When using bleach, antiseptics or chlorine in industrial areas you are required by OSHA to wear impervious protective clothing, hard hats, boots, gloves, apron or coveralls, chemical goggles or full face shield and use only in well ventilated areas.

When using Easy Off (c) make sure all your skin is covered, wear protective clothing, do not breath in and don't get on your enamel, (if this product will hurt the enamel on your stove, can you imagine what it will do to us?).

NTAs were banned in 1970. Lobbying by Proctor & Gamble in 1980 put them back into home products although they are extremely cancer causing. What are they for? ONLY to make more suds in detergents to make you think your clothes are getting cleaner.

Our immune system is very powerful, like a janitorial system. Giving our bodies good nutrition means our body can repair itself and be able to handle what we face in the world. Household chemicals cause all kinds of symptoms - from cardiovascular problems, panic attacks, and anxiety attacks to bedwetting.

Eliminating the cause of the environmental illness is more effective and much less expensive than treating the symptoms. Prevention - 80% - 90% effective. Treatments - 50% - 60% effective. What seems to make the most sense? How can you find help?

Forward this to someone you care about.

We are fortunate with Shaklee. We can introduce loved ones to Shaklee knowing that it is a shopping system that everyone can benefit from using. We have a network of satisfied customers with the ability to turn this healthy lifestyle into a vibrant business if they chose to do so.

Shaklee: Non-toxic and highly efficient products that get the job done without poisoning our children and our children's children! The Shaklee difference is science. What a difference!

If you would like more information about safe, non-toxic cleaning products visit:

http://www.SimplyGreenClean.com

Karen Pore