Get your facts first, then you can
distort them as you please.
-Mark Twain
The Truth About Toxins in Our Products
I love being a citizen of the U.S. I love the freedom, creativity and drive found here. Yet, without proper regulation, accountability and moral fortitude, creativity can run seriously amuck. Let's take the creation of chemicals for example. More than 72,000 synthetic chemicals have been produced since WW II. Fantastic imagination went into making all these new chemicals and finding new ways to use, package, and market them. However, what a lot of companies do not want you to know because it would be a massive hassle and would hurt their wallets is as follows...
• Less than 2% of those (72,000) synthetic chemicals have been tested for toxicity, mutagenic, carcinogenic, or birth defects. (Yet they are used in everyday products)
• Government regulations require that only the most EXTREMELY toxic substances must contain a warning label. (It is best to stay far far away from products with warning labels especially if you are pregnant or with a baby)
• Pesticides only have to include active ingredients on the labels, even though the inert (inactive) ingredients may account for 99%, many of which are toxins and poisons. (Most pesticides are seriously toxic. Keep them away from your family, fetus, baby, children. There are safe options listed in the Cleaners section to the right above. )
• A product that kills 50% of lab animals through ingestion or inhalation can still be designated "non-toxic." (Hmmm)
• The United States of America Federal Code of Regulations exempts manufacturers from full labeling of products if used for personal, family or household care. [Source USA FCR: Section 1910 1200C, Title 29, Sectionn1500.82 2Q1A] (What?!)
• The cancer causing and toxic chemicals formaldehyde, phenol, benzene, toluene, xylene can be found in common laundry detergents, household cleaners, cosmetics, beverages, fabrics, pesticides and cigarette smoke. (The whole shopping experience just changed)
• Bleach is being linked to the rising rates of breast cancer in women, reproductive problems in men and learning and behavioral problems in children. (Stay away from traditional Bleach!!! See some good options in the cleaning section above. I love white whites too)
• National Cancer Association 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. (Hmmm, no full labeling for home products, home products found to have serious toxins, 54% increase in cancer for women who work at home)
• 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. [Source: United States House of Representatives Report, 1989]
• 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. National Cancer Association (toxins in cosmetics are linked to breast cancer)
• 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.
Now I'm a full believer in creativity and industry but...
