They're putting WHAT in my products? A handy list of chemicals to avoid

With the EPA welcoming comments about a potential ban on triclosan, lots of terms have been tossed around lately. Terms, I realize, that not all of you might understand. So I thought I'd give you a quick tip sheet, so you could be better equipped to make decisions on the safety of the products you are using from now on.

• BPA (Bisphenol A) -- a plasticizer linked to birth defects and reproductive problems.
• Carcinogens -- cancer-causing chemicals.
• Developmental/reproductive toxicants -- chemicals that can block the normal development of a fetus, infant or child. Also linked to damage of reproductive tissues.
• Endocrine disrupters -- chemicals that interfere with normal hormone functions, often resulting in premature puberty in girls and in feminization of male fetuses.
• Formaldehyde -- causes cancer. Period.
• Naphthalene -- central nervous system depressant.
• Organochlorine pesticides -- another case of hormone disruptors. These chemicals are most often used as insecticides and have also been labeled as neurotoxins.
• PCBs -- although these were banned three decades ago, these were used in appliances and electrical devices. Strong links to cancer.
• PFOA (non-stick and stain-resistant coating chemicals) -- coatings that can cause birth defects and cancer.
• Perchloroethylene -- causes damage to your liver, kidneys and nervous system.
• Petroleum distillates -- in addition to being extremely flammable, lung tissue and nerve cells are at risk of damage with exposure.
• Phenols -- possible carcinogen.
• Phthalates -- another plasticizer (like BPA) that is most likely a carcinogen.
• Quaternary ammonium salt (Q-15 or quaternium-15) -- a formaldehyde releaser. Watch out for this one! It is hiding in many popular baby products!
• Sodium hydroxide (lye) -- severe damage to eyes, mouth, skin and throat when contact is made. Also can damage the liver and kidneys.
• Sodium hypochlorite (chlorine bleach) -- listen up, folks!! Bleach is responsible for more poisoning exposures than any other household chemical! Whiten your clothes with lemon juice and leave the bleach on the grocery store shelves! Besides, contact can cause severe eye, mouth, skin and throat damage, as well as damage to the liver and kidneys. Scary stuff found in most households!
• Sulfuric acid -- concentrated fumes can cause cancer. Contact can cause burns.
• Teratogens -- chemicals related to birth defects.
• Trichloroethane -- more liver and kidney damage.
• Triclosan -- this antibacterial ingredient has been linked to allergies, skin irritation and potential thyroid problems.

This is just a short list, but it is a start. And I've addressed this issue in past posts, with even more chemicals listed. You need to read the labels of the products in your home and workplace. Your health, and the health of your children, depends on it! There are alternatives and it is time we, as consumers, start putting our money where the big name manufacturers' chemicals are not! Buying eco-friendly and organic products is not just the current fad. And it's not about a bunch of hippies. It's about a bunch of really smart people who are saying enough is enough!

Caring about you and your families,

Hana

Freshen up your home...naturally

We all know aerosol sprays aren't the best for the environment or our health. And plug-in fresheners are not only a waste of electricity, but, according to a firefighter friend of mine, are also the cause of electrical fires that travel behind your walls. Most room fresheners are full of chemicals we could do without.

So I thought it would be nice to pass along some hints for naturally freshening your home.

As I've said before, houseplants are an essential. I recently read that every tree releases enough oxygen into the air for two people. In the same way, there are many plants that can seriously improve your indoor air quality. Formaldehyde is one of the worst household culprits, linked to severe headaches and problems with breathing.

According to NASA, an average home should have 15 houseplants dispersed throughout the rooms to combat the most common indoor culprits: trichloroethylene, formaldehyde and benzene. Plants produce oxygen, add moisture in the air and suck up the harmful chemicals residing in your home.

I've listed the best plants in a previous post, but here's another list for you:

Areca palm
Bamboo palm
Boston fern
Chinese evergreen
Dwarf date palm
English ivy
Florist's mum
Gerbera daisy
Indoor dracaenas
Moth orchid
Snake plant
Spider plants

Okay, you may be thinking, plants serve a purpose, but they don't smell as good as a Glade air freshener.

Fair enough. When you're looking for a quick fix, try soaking some cotton balls in vanilla extract (go with the imitation vanilla for an economical solution), or an essential oil. Arrange the cotton in the bottom of a decorative vase of a pretty bowl.

While this next suggestion does involve the use of electricity or gas, simmering some cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and or other herbs in a pot of water does wonders. Add some essential oils for an extra kick.

You can still use a air freshener spray by making your own green concoction. Try mixing equal parts of lemon juice and water in a spray bottle and spritz it around as needed.

Those who know me, know that I'm a candle fanatic. While that might not be the greenest solution, I love the soft glow of candlelight. Lightly scented ones are my favorite, as stronger scents tend to send me into a good asthma attack.

Nicely scented homes are important to us -- emotionally and physically.

If you have any other suggestions for green alternatives to commercial air fresheners, please post a comment. I look forward to discovering more ways to make my home more inviting to my family and friends.

Keeping it green,

Hana