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Eliminate
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Without Chemicals The
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Sanira
Toilet Brush System
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Deodorants
Dental
Care and Oral Hygiene
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Poisons
in our home: Why we must go chemical free
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Poisons
in our home - Several reasons to go chemical free?
Studies
have shown that our indoor environments are five times more polluted
than outdoors and three times more likely to cause cancer. Because our
homes depend on recycled air that is not diluted in a large atmosphere
like outside, it is all the more important to keep the inside of your
home clean, without polluting chemicals.
Toxic
chemicals around the home and in the kitchen
All purpose
cleaners, ammonia-based cleaners, bleach, dishwashing detergents, disinfectants,
drain cleaners, floor cleaners, oven cleaners and scouring powders all
contain dangerous chemicals.
Ammonia is an eye irritant and can cause headaches and lung irritation.
Children with asthma are especially sensitve to these fumes. Even at
low levels, ammonia fumes may cause coughing, wheezing, shortness of
breath, laryngitis and watering eyes.
The phenol and cresol in disinfectants and air fresheners are corrosive
and can cause diarrhea, fainting, dizziness and kidney and liver damage.
These chemicals deactivate sensory nerve endings, attack the liver,
spleen, pancreas and central nervous system. It takes more than a year
to eliminate the toxic effects produced by spraying 2 oz. of these products.
The nitrobezene in furniture and floor polishes can cause skin discoloration,
breathing problems, vomiting and is associated with cancer and birth
defects.
Formaldehyde, which is common to many products is a known carcinogen
and is a strong irritant to the lungs, skin, eyes and throat. It may
also cause headaches, nosebleeds, dizziness, memory loss and shortness
of breath.
Toxic chemicals in dishwashing
detergents
Most dishwasher detergents contain chlorine in a highly concentrated
dry form and is the number one cause of child poisonings. Dishwashing
detergents usually contain a central nervous depressant called naphtha
and a possible liver poison call diethanolsamime. Our dishes are the
most frequently cleaned objects in our homes and the residues from toxic
diswashing detergents accumulates on the dishes and is picked up by
our food.
Toxic
chemicals in the laundry room
Laundry detergents
contain many chemicals including ammonia, enzymes,sodium, tripolyphosphate,
naphthalene, phenol and sodium nitilotriacetate. These chemicals are
linked to allergies, sinus problems, rashes and itches. The residue
left on the clothes and linen is absorbed through your skin. The scent
of the laundry detergent, for example, d-limonene, can irritate the
skin and eyes, produce breathing difficulties and bronchial irritation.
The phthalates that are used to make the fragrane last may disrupt hormones
and cause birth defects.
Fabric softeners contain ammonia, petroleum distillates and strong artificial
fragrances. They may also contain chloroform, benzyl acetate and pentane;
chemicals which are known to cause cancer and/or damage the brain, nerves
and lungs. The heating of the dryer makes them even more dangerous.
Toxic
chemicals in the bathroom
Toilet bowl
cleaners contain hydrochloric acid or sodium acid sulfate which can
irritate the skin and eyes and can damage the kidneys and liver. Hypochlorite
bleach is corrosive and it can irritate the skin, eyes and respiratory
tract. Some toilet bowl cleaners and rim blocks may contain naphthalene,
an agent which may damage or destroy red blood cells, causing a condition
called hemolytic anemia. With long term expose, naphthalene may cause
liver and kidney damage, skin allergies, cataracts and damage in the
retina. Inhalation may cause brain cancer in young children.
Regular shampoos and soaps contain harsh chemicals. "No tears"
baby shampoos contain some of the worst chemicals including anesthetizing
agents which mask the burning sensation that would be felt when the
shampoo comes in contact with the eyes. Sodium laurel sulfate and its
forms that are found in shampoos, soaps and toothpastes can lower brain
acuity and are attributed to blindness.
Toxic
chemicals in air fresheners
Air fresheners
are amongst the worst indoor air pollutants. Most air fresheners coat
your nasal passages with an oil film or release a nerve deadening agent
to interfere with your ability to smell. They may contain methoxychlor
which is a pesticide that over-stimulates the central nervous system
and accumulates in fat cells.
Air fresheners available in aerosol form normally contain petrochemical
propellants such as butane, isobutane and propane which at high concentrations,
are neurotoxic. These chemicals are easily inhaled where they may wreak
havoc on children and asthmatics by irritating the airways.
Some air fresheners contain formaldehyde, a known carcinogen and naphthalene,
which we discussed in the toilet bowl cleaners section. Paradichlorobenzene
(PDB) may also be present and is a suspected to cause cancer and damage
to the reproductive system, liver and nerves.
Resources
The
Household Toxic Tour
Chemical
Warfare Agents and Toxic Waste Disguised as Household Cleaning Products
Top
"10" Hazardous Household Chemicals
Fact
Sheet: Safe Substitutes at Home: Non-toxic Household Products
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