Saturday, July 9, 2011

List of nasties at your home

I  borrowed this list from a green-organic-world website and I thought I would share with you since it sums up nicely what we all should be aware of. So put this list on your bathroom mirror or have in the pocket when shopping for cosmetics and cleaning products. If it is too complex for you and you still want to avoid these just ensure you are purchasing certified bio, organic and eco products or make your own simple products using natural ingredients. There is no need to be dependent on dangerous products that are said to clean and/ or make us beautiful. Of course, the list is not exhaustive. If your household cleaning product displays Caution! Warning! or Danger! just do not buy it. Im sure you have plenty of those under your kitchen sink. And if you stop consuming those you can give yourself a huge pat on a shoulder pall! You are saving the environment big time since the production and use of such chemicals account for a large amount of pollution.


Toxic Ingredient List

1. Petroleum based products: Known by names like petrolatum, mineral oil, paraffin, paraffin oil, paraffin wax.
USES:
Used in shampoos, hair relaxers, anti-aging creams, mascaras, perfumes, foundations, lipsticks and lip balms.
HAZARDS:
These chemicals commonly used in cosmetic ingredients are byproducts of and derived from crude oil and may have known or potential carcinogenic (cancer causing) effects. They may also be contaminated with unlisted hazardous impurities such as 1,4 Dioxane and PAHs due to their manufacturing process.
They coat the skin, clog pores, and interfere with the body's natural ability to eliminate toxins.

2. Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS)/ Ammonium Lauryl Sulphate: Often disguised on cosmetic labels, especially those labeled as 'natural', with the description 'comes from coconut'.
USES:
Found in shampoo, bath and shower products, and toothpaste. Used to degrease engines, used in car washes and garage floor cleaners. Used as an emulsifying and foaming agent. 90% of foaming products use this ingredient.
HAZARDS:
--May cause damage to the liver, lungs, and immune system.
--May cause depression of nervous system, diarrhea, and reproductive system disorders.
--Severe skin irritant.
--Damages respiratory tract and eyes.

3. Phthlates: includes Dibutyl phthalate (DBP), di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), butyl benzyl phthalate
USES:
These toxic cosmetic ingredients are found in perfumes, hairsprays, and nail polishes. Phthlates are used as skin moisturizers, and to enhance penetration of skin. They are also used as plasticizers to soften plastic.
HAZARDS:
--Known to have negative effects on the reproductive system and early development.
--Act as hormone disruptors. Associated with premature breast development in girls and problems with reproductive development in male fetuses.

4. Parabens: Derived from petroleum. Also known as alkyl parahydroxy benzoates; and butyl, methyl, ethyl, propyl, or isobutyl paraben.
USES:
Cosmetic ingredients that are found in deodorants, moisturizers, and some food items. They are used as preservatives.
Hazards:
Interfere with estrogen levels.

5. Fragrance: Usually listed as 'fragrance' (in the US), or 'parfum' (EU). Commonly used in cosmetic ingredients and personal care products, fragrance may contain up to 4000 separate ingredients, although typically most products use an average of 50-100 fragrance ingredients. These ingredients have no restrictions and are not required to be listed separately.
USES:
Often used to mask the scent of other ingredients or to make the product smell more appealing. Fragrance is added to most personal care products on the market. 95% of the chemicals used in fragrances are synthetic derivatives of petroleum.
HAZARDS:
--Fragrance may have an effect upon the central nervous system, and interfere with metabolism, hormones, and act as endocrine disruptors.
--These hazardous cosmetic ingredients can cause headaches, dizziness, breathing disorders, allergic rashes and other allergic reactions, skin disorders, coughing, vomiting, depression, hyperactivity, irritability, and chemical sensitivities.

6. Hydroquinone:
USES:
Found in skin lightening products and moisturizers.
HAZARDS:
--A possible carcinogen, neurotoxin (substance which affects the nervous system), and a skin sensitizer.
--Causes ochronosis, a disease of the skin which results in black and blue lesions on the skin and is irreversible.

7. Lead Acetate:
USES:
Found in hair dyes and cleansers.
HAZARDS:
Known to be toxic to the human reproductive system and to impair development.

8. Mercury: Also known as thimerosal.
USES:
Found in eye drops, ointments, and mascara.
HAZARDS:
Has toxic effects on the human reproductive system and human development. May also be a carcinogen.

9. Triclosan: Also known as 5-cholor2 (2,4 dichlorophenoxy)-phenol. May not appear on the labels of cosmetic ingredients due to trademark associations.
USES: 
Found in liquid soaps, deodorants, mouthwashes, toothpastes, vaginal washes, and even clothing. An antibacterial agent that has been found in human breast milk and fish.
HAZARDS:
Forms cancer causing dioxins when manufactured or incinerated.

10. Toluene: Also known as toluol, and methylbenzene
USES:
Found in nailpolish.
HAZARDS:
--Skin irritant
--Irritates the respiratory tract
--Highly poisonous and toxic to the central nervous system, eyes, blood, liver, kidneys, and skin
--May cause liver damage
--May cause women to have spontaneous abortions
--At high concentrations, has a narcotic effect and may cause unconsciousness and death

11. Xylene: Also goes by the names xylol or dimethylbenzene
USES:
Found in nail polish
HAZARDS:
Irritates the skin and respiratory tract. May damage the liver. Has a narcotic effect at high concentrations.

12. BHT: Other names BHT goes by are butylated hydroxytoulene and E 324
USES:
Used in facial creams, lipsticks, sun lotions, and mascara. Used as an antioxidant preservative.
HAZARDS:
May cause behavioral changes and problems with reproductive system. Contains toluene (See number 8 above) Causes allergic dermatitis.

13. Propylene Glycol: Also known as propan-1,2-diol, PG
USES:
Used in shampoo, body lotion, deodorant, sun lotion, makeup and color cosmetics. Used as an humectant, to retain moisture.
HAZARDS:
--Extremely toxic, according to the EPA, which warns against contact with the skin
--Causes skin irritation and contact dermatitis
--Depresses the central nervous system
--May cause respiratory and throat irritation, liver, brain, and kidney disorders, conjunctivitis in the eyes, brain damage, and hypoglycemia
--Derived from petroleum

14. AHAs: Alpha-hydroxy acids or fruit acids, including glycolic, lactic, and citric acid.
USES:
These cosmetic ingredients are used in bath and shower products, anti-aging and face and body products. Used as exfoliants and ph balancers.
HAZARDS:
--Skin irritant
--May cause photosensitivity to sunlight and increase risk to sun related skin disorders and skin cancers

15. PPD: Also known as p-phenylenediamine.
USES:
Used as a dye. Found in dark hair dyes, black henna, and temporary tattoos.
HAZARDS:
--May be carcinogenic
--A suspected mutagen that may cause genetic mutations
--Skin irritant
--May cause allergic reactions


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