"Never Lose Sight of Your Dreams" TM
The Zemerah Foundation serves 2 purposes:
The Zemerah Foundation
"Never Lose Sight of Your Dreams" TM
The Zemerah Foundation serves 2 purposes:
1) To inspire others to "Never Lose Sight of Your Dreams" TM regardless of what obstacles they may be dealing with in their lives.
We all have obstacles in our daily lives, whether it be a chronic illness, negativity, learning disabilities, or other obstacles. Each one of us has special dreams in our heart that we want to accomplish and live out to the fullest. I believe that the possibility of your dreams coming true can become reality if you Never Lose Sight.
2) To bring awareness and prevention to Environmental Illness/MCS
http://www.ei-resource.org
Environmental Ilness aka Multiple Chemical Sensitivities is the sensitivity to chemicals in our environment.
People that suffer from this illness are sensitive to cigarette smoke, pesticides, fragrances, cleaning agents, mold, air fresheners, deodorizers, new paint, new carpeting, etc. Upon exposure they can have severe respiratory, neurological and other symptoms.
To learn more about MCS check out all the websites on the internet under Multiple Chemical Sensitivities. I will also be posting an article on my foundation page each month to help you prevent your loved ones and yourself from suffering from the harmful chemicals in our environment. Awareness and Prevention can save many people from contracting Multiple Chemical Sensitivities, a hidden illness. We all live in this environment and we all share the same air. Therefore, we, as a community, have to help each other live in peace and comfort, health and tranquility. There is so much in life that we can protect and change for the better, but it takes each and every one of us. We can not be ignorant to the products we use, and to the bad habits we keep. We can not ignore other people's health and life situations because we are all human and we all run the same risks and chances.
My Story
Upon being bedridden for 2 years not knowing what was wrong with me, I had learned through blood tests that I had MCS. I had become sensitive to all the chemicals in the environment. As a result, my reactions to these chemicals caused me severely disabling respiratory symptoms along with other problems. For 5 years, I was unable to leave the safety of my home environment without becoming sick from chemicals. I am still sensitive to this day, but have been blessed through various treatments on becoming more tolerable to the chemicals in our world today, in order to lead a more normal productive life. Singing for the world has always been my goal and my lifelong dream. If I ever lost sight of my dream, I would not be where I am today. Never Lose Sight of Your Dreams! "Hope sees the invisible, feels the intangible, and achieves the impossible." “The purpose of life, is a life with purpose!”
Stay tuned for some Zemerah Helpful Environmental Topics:
1) How to keep your home environmentally safe:
Which products can be making you chemically sensitive and what to use in substitution?
2) Discovering how your symptoms are related to an allergy or sensitivity: Migraines, Skin irritations, Chest Pains, Dizziness
ZEMERAH'S MCS Article of the Month
Did you know that perfume is made of toxic chemicals that can injure your health? Many of the chemicals in perfume are the same chemicals in cigarette smoke, and yet there is no regulation of the fragrance industry. Many people are "bothered" by perfumes - developing headaches, sinus problems, and even asthma from exposures. Many have gotten sick or even disabled from wearing (or being exposed to) fragrances and using other scented products (me included). And fragrances are now used in almost every cleaning, laundry, and personal-care product on the market! These chemicals go directly into the bloodstream when applied to our skin and are also absorbed into the skin from our clothing. We also inhale the chemical fumes, which then go straight to our brains where they can do major harm. Many even have a "narcotic" effect, which is why some people seem "addicted" to their perfumes. Perfume today is not made from flowers but from toxic chemicals. It's about as romantic as hazardous waste. More than 4,000 chemicals are used in fragrances. Of these, 95% are made from petroleum. No agency regulates the fragrance industry, yet perfume chemicals are as damaging to health as tobacco smoke. Some toxic chemicals found in fragrances: Toluene, ethanol, acetone, formaldehyde, limonene, benzene derivatives, methylene chloride, and many others known to cause cancer, birth defects, infertility, nervous system damage, or other injuries. The EPA found chloroform as well in fabric softeners. As Romantic as Hazardous Waste Toluene was found in every fragrance sample collected by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for a 1991 report. "Toluene was most abundant in the auto parts store as well as the fragrance section of the department store." Toluene has been proven to cause cancer and nervous system damage and is designated as hazardous waste. Not Just in a Perfume Bottle There is a dramatic increase in people who are made sick by fragrances because so many products are now scented. Babies and children are even more vulnerable, as are people who are trying to recover from cancer and other illnesses. Chemical fragrances are present in most laundry detergents, fabric softeners, anti-cling products, dish-washing liquids, disinfectants, soaps, shampoos and other hair products, deodorants, cosmetics, suntan/sunscreen lotions, aftershaves, colognes, incense, analgesic creams, and lip balms. Even products marked "unscented" often are falsely labelled and actually contain toxic fragrances. Perfume Pollutes Using environmentally-safe products is as important as recycling. If everyone stopped buying unsafe, chemically-scented products, companies would stop making them, ending a lot of unnecessary pollution. Scents and Illness Exposure to scented products can cause exhaustion, weakness, "hay fever" symptoms, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, headaches, rashes, swollen lymph glands, muscle aches and spasms, heart palpitations, nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting, asthma attacks (inability to breathe), neuromotor dysfunction, seizures, and loss of consciousness. MCS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivities) is caused by overexposure to toxic chemicals. Even if you don't feel the effects yet, your health is still being damaged, and you will develop MCS or other illnesses if you continue to be exposed to toxic chemicals. If you aren't already sick from chemical exposure and you're still using scented products, do you want to gamble on how much longer you have before your body can no longer cope with the toluene and other poisons in them? DON'T LET YOUR INABILITY TO ELIMINATE ALL TOXINS FROM YOUR LIFE STOP YOU FROM DOING WHAT YOU CAN. If you are still healthy, efforts you make now can help you prevent getting chronically ill or getting MCS yourself. And you will save money by not using products that are unnecessary.
Get a Whiff of This… Air Fresheners Make Air Anything But!
If there’s one thing that’s certain in our uncertain world it’s that there’s no shortage of odors in the modern home. From dinner gone wrong to pets gone unwashed, there’s usually something funky fouling up the domestic olfactory landscape and wrinkling our sensitive noses. No wonder air freshener sales in the U.S. rose 7.3% in 2002 to $1.67 billion. These products effortlessly cover up odorous offenses. No fuss. Just fragrance. That and some serious health hazards, as a new study has found when the chemicals in these products react with a common indoor air pollutants. The study was conducted at the EPA’s National Risk Management Research Laboratory and published in the May 15, 2004 edition of Environmental Science and Technology (Volume 38, No. 10, pages 2737–2745). Researchers tested air freshening units that plug into electrical sockets and automatically release aromatic compounds over time to “freshen” room air. These fragrance compounds include substances called pinene and limonene. Scientists found that pinene and limonene easily react with ozone, a common air pollutant, to create formaldehyde and a variety of related chemicals that have been implicated in respiratory conditions. While ozone is a valuable component of the upper atmosphere (where it shields the Earth’s surface from harmful solar radiation); yet at ground level it’s considered a pollutant. Ozone is created when hydrocarbons from automobile exhaust react with sun light. It is also sometimes intentionally added to indoor environments by ozone generators, which release controlled amounts of ozone that oxidize indoor air pollutants. Scientists testing air fresheners in a sealed room-sized test chamber found that the formaldehyde-forming reactions could occur when ozone levels reach that of a room whose windows have been opened on a high-ozone day. Mixing air freshener chemicals and ozone at typical levels resulted in a concentration of particles of formaldehyde-related compounds of approximately 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air. (For comparison, a smoky room will contain 100 micrograms or more of particles per cubic meter.) Scientists believe that every 10 microgram increase in atmospheric levels of particles result in a 1% increase in d
| deaths from respiratory conditions like asthma. The 50 microgram level reported in the study is close to the EPA’s outdoor particle limit and is one that researchers equated to the kind of volatile exposure that might occur after painting a room. However, they noted that painting a room is a one-time event. Plug-in air fresheners, on the other hand, are constantly releasing their deodorizing agents, so toxic exposures that occur when these compounds react with ozone are chronic in nature. Indoor air quality experts recommend against using air fresheners or room deodorizes of any kind. In general, these products use chemicals to cover-up odors, and in some cases even reduce the ability of the nose to smell. Since they do nothing to remove the source of the offensive odors, air fresheners must also be reapplied frequently, which increases exposure risk to the chemicals they contain, many of which either have a dubious safety record or remain untested for human health effects. Toxins found in air fresheners and room deodorizers include napthalene, phenol, cresol, dichlorobenzene, and xylene. These and other air freshener chemicals have been implicated in cancer, neurological damage, reproductive and developmental disorders, and other conditions. The compounds in air fresheners, particularly the synthetic fragrances they contain, can also aggravate asthma and/or trigger attacks. Instead, keep your home’s air smelling fresh by identifying and removing the sources of any bad odors. Use natural minerals like baking soda and borax to control common odor sources like trash cans and to deodorize when you clean. Keep windows open as much as possible to let bad air out and good air in. If odors are still troubling, invest in an air purifier with activated carbon filtration, a strategy that can remove odors. Ozone generators are not recommended. To scent indoor air, place a drop of a natural essential oil, like lavender or mint, on a light bulb, or add a dozen drops to a bowl of water placed on a radiator. You can also boil fragrant dried herbs in a pot of water to release a fresh smell. A natural mineral called zeolite is available in packets that will absorb odors when hung in problem areas like musty basements and closets. You can also make your own sprays from essential oils and other safe, natural ingredients. For recipes and more information, we recommend the book Better Basics for the Home, by Annie Berthold-Bond from Three Rivers Press. Chemical Ingredients List Did you know that the average person exposes themselves to 200 different chemicals every day through health and beauty care products? Although some commercial products contain a combination of natural and synthetic ingredients, the inclusion of the synthetics unfortunately diminishes the effectiveness of the natural components. Read the ingredient listings of some commercial skin or body care products - you will be amazed at the chemical cocktails that many of them contain. Some of these harmful chemicals molecules can even penetrate through the skin into the bloodstream and are stored in the body as toxins. The chemical molecules that are too big to absorb through the pores sit on top of the skin, contributing to clogged pores and un-natural oiliness. Saje's natural remedies, skin care and body care products contain only 100% natural ingredients - no synthetics, chemicals, fragrances, or preservatives. The inclusion of powerful Essential Oils - Nature’s “life force”, in these formulas not only acts as the preserving agent in the products, but also help rejuvenate and support the natural functions of the skin, body, and immune system. Essential Oils are easily absorbed by the skin, and therefore act on a deeper level on the muscle tissue, organs, and hormones. The below list highlights some of the more widely used and common chemical ingredients found in every day personal care products. Remember this is just a partial list of the tens of thousands of synthetic chemicals in common everyday use! Choose products that support your immune system, not deplete it. A simple exercise: Do this simple exercise on a few of the personal care products you and your loved ones use on an everyday basis. It could be your toothpaste, shampoo a moisturizing cream or deodorant. See how many of the toxic ingredients listed in the table below you can find in your cosmetics and personal care products. Here is a typical list on a jar of common hand cream: Water, - Stearic Acid, - Sorbitol, - Glycerin, - C-12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, - Sodium Borate - TEA, - Cetyl Alcohol, - Dimethicone, - Aloe Vera, - Phenoxyethanol, - Propylene Glycol, - Quince Extract, - Tocopheryl Acetate, - Potassium Sorbate, - EDTA, - Allantoin, - Methyl Paraben, - Propyl Paraben, - Butyl Paraben, - Menthol The product is described as containing "natural" herbal extracts. YOU do your own exercise and see how many toxic chemicals you can find in your products that are listed below. Remember this is just a partial list of the tens of thousands of synthetic chemicals in common everyday use! AHA (alpha hydroxy acid): Skin is exfoliated chemically instead of mechanically via abrasion, dries and increases skin aging. Supposed to be anti-wrinkle, found in many skin and hair care products. Used as a solvent originally in cleaning compounds and for tanning leather. A smooth finish is developed by stripping the outer layer of the epidermis, which causes the irritated skin to puff up and thus fill in the lines and wrinkles. The FDA warns that strengths over 3% may thin the skin. Acetamide (MEA): Wetting agent and solvent. Used in lipsticks and cream blusher to retain moisture. Causes adverse reactions, and is toxic in high concentrations, carcinogenic, and mutagenic. Alkyl-phenol-ethoxylades: Has been found to reduce male sperm count, and to mimic estrogen in the body. It is widely used in shampoo, causes adverse reactions and has been shown to be toxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic. Ammonium Laureth Sulphate (ALES), Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS): An ingredient in 90% of commercially available products that foam - soaps, shampoo and conditioner. These closely related compounds are similar to SLS / SLES and are found in car wash soap, engine degreaser, toothpaste, cream, lotion, and garage floor cleaners. Penetrates your eyes, brain, liver and remains there for long-term. Degenerates cell membranes and can change the genetic information (mutagenic) in cells and damage the immune system. May cause blindness and lead to cataracts. Eyes can not heal properly. Retards the eye healing process. Studies also show that these additives react with the ingredients of food supplements or cosmetics, to form carcinogenic nitrates and dioxin. All of this may enter the circulatory system with each shampooing or each oral ingestion. The end result being that these harmful ingredients can be retained in the liver, heart, eyes, kidneys and muscles for several years after being used. It is further reported to cause eye irritations, skin rashes, hair loss, dandruff and allergic reactions. It is known to cause adverse reactions, to be carcinogenic, mutagenic and toxic. It is frequently disguised in semi-natural cosmetics with the explanation "comes from coconut". Aluminum: Used as a colour additive in cosmetics, especially eye shadow. Another form of Aluminum is used in deodorants and anti-persperants. Listed as carcinogenic, toxic and mutagenic. Alcohol: Acts as carrying and antifoaming agent as well as a water and oil solvent. It dries quickly, and if synthetically produced is carcinogenic, mutagenic, toxic, adverse reactions. Bentonite: Used in facial mask, makeup, face powder. Supposed to draw out toxins and claimed to be non-toxic, but rats have died when injected with it. Benzene: It is a known bone-marrow poison, yet is widely used in combined with other chemicals in many personal care products. Causes adverse reactions, is carcinogenic, mutagenic and toxic. Coal Tar: Many kinds of shampoo designed to treat dandruff & flaky scalp contain it. Disguised with names FD, FDC or FD&C colour. Coal tar causes potentially severe allergic reactions, asthma attacks, fatigue, nervousness, headaches, nausea, lack of concentration, and cancer. Cocamide DEA: Nitrosamines can form in all cosmetic ingredients containing amines and amino derivatives with nitrogen compounds. When DEA is applied to skin known carcinogens can form. Cocomide DEA: Mostly found in shampoo. Contains nitrosamines that are known carcinogens causing allergic reactions and contact dermatitis. Synthetic nonionic surfactant. Cocomidopropyl Betaine: Used in shampoo in combination with other surfactants. Synthetic. Causes eyelid dermatitis. Carbomer 934, 940, 941, 960, 961 C: Used as a thickener and stabilizer in creams, toothpaste, eye makeup, bathing products. It is a known allergen that has a high acidic PH in 1% water solution. Synthetic emulsifier that can cause eye irritations and should be avoided. Diazolidinyl Urea: Established as a primary cause of contact dermatitis (American Academy of Dermatology). Contains formaldehyde, a carcinogenic chemical, is toxic by inhalation, a strong irritant, and causes contact dermatitis. DEA (diethanolamine): A synthetic solvent, detergent and humectant widely used in brake fluid, industrial degreasers and antifreeze. Mostly used in liquid soap, shampoo & conditioner to adjust the pH, and used with many fatty acids to convert acid to salt (stearate), which then becomes the base for a cleanser. Can be harmful for the liver, kidneys and pancreas. May cause cancer in various organs. Irritates skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Found also in hair dye, lotions, cream, bubble bath, liquid dishwashing detergent & laundry soap. Health risk especially to infants and young children. Forms nitrosamines known to be carcinogens. Causes allergic reactions and contact dermatitis. Hazardous & toxic. On the show CBS This Morning, Roberta Baskin revealed that a recent government report shows DEA and MEA are readily absorbed in the skin. These chemicals are already restricted in Europe due to known carcinogenic effects. Dr. Samuel Epstein (Professor of Environmental Health at the University of Illinois) says that repeated skin applications . . . of DEA-based detergents resulted in a major increase in the incidence of liver and kidney cancer. John Bailey, who oversees the cosmetic division for the FDA said the new study is especially important since "the risk equation changes significantly for children." Deet: Most commercial insect repellents on the market are effective because they contain DEET, a chemical which can cause skin irritations and rashes. In more severe cases, DEET has been linked to abnormal brain behavior, hypotension, and seizures in children. In the spring of 2002, Health Canada announced plans to ban insect repellants with high concentrations of DEET, due to possible risks with long term repeat exposure to the chemical. Dioform: Many toothpastes and other tooth whiteners contain it. Damages your teeth enamel weakening their protective shell. Dimethylamine: Secondary amines cause allergic dermatitis. Carcinogenc properties. Disodium EDTA: May contain dangerous levels of ethylene oxide and/or dixane, both potent toxins. A manufacturing by-product. Also used as chelating agent. Carcinogenic. Elastin: Supposed to improve the elasticity of the skin when applied externally, however, there is no proof. It is a protein in connective tissue. Ethoxylated surfactants: Widely used in cosmetics as foaming agents, emulsifiers and humectants. As part of the manufacturing process the toxic chemical 1,4-dioxane, a potent carcinogen, is generated. On the label, they are identified by the prefix "PEG", "polyethylene", "polyethylene glycol", "polyoxyethylene", "-eth-", or "-oxynol-". FD & C - Colour Pigments (FD&C): Many color pigments cause skin sensitivity and irritation. Absorption of certain colors can cause depletion of oxygen in the body and even death according to a Consumer's Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients. Debra Lynn Dadd says in Home Safe Home: "Colors that can be used in foods, drugs and cosmetics are made from coal tar. There is a great deal of controversy about their use, because animal studies have shown almost all of them to be carcinogenic." Many scientists feel that adequate safety levels have not been established for each colour category Fluoride: Hazardous chemical. Researchers linked it to cancer years ago. No one is listening. Fluoridated toothpaste is especially dangerous to young children who tend to swallow it after brushing their teeth. The fluoride in half a tube of toothpaste can kill a child (tragically, this has happened). Supposed to stop tooth decay. Scientists are now linking fluoride to dental deformity, arthritis, allergic reactions, can lead to Crohn's disease. A toxic manufacturing by-product….some say more than lead. Formaldehyde: It is a colourless gas with vapours that are extremely irritating to mucous membranes. Used in nail polish and hardeners, soap, cosmetics and hair growing products. Due to it's bad name it is sometimes hidden under the name DMDM hydantoin or MDM hydantion. Its trade-name is Formalin. Released by diazolidinyl urea. Causes dermatitis, and ingestion can cause severe abdominal pain, internal bleeding, vertigo, coma, and a loss of ability to urinate. It is very toxic when inhaled, a severe skin irritant, and a suspected carcinogen that is linked to cancer. Its use in cosmetics is banned in Japan and Sweden. Fragrance: Fragrance on a label can indicate the presence of up to 4000 separate ingredients, many toxic or carcinogenic. Symptoms reported to the USA FDA include headaches, dizziness, allergic rashes, skin discoloration, violent coughing and vomiting, and skin irritation. Clinical observation proves fragrances can affect the central nervous system, causing depression, hyperactivity, and irritability, inability to cope, and other behavioral changes. Glycerin: Promoted as being a beneficial humectant. This is a clear, syrupy liquid made by chemically combining water and fat. The wafer splits the fat into smaller components-glycerol and fatty acids. It improves the spreading qualities of creams and lotions and prevents them from losing water through evaporation. Glycerin, however, has a tendency to draw water out of the skin and so can make dry skin dryer. Glycols: (group) Used as a humectant (emulsifier/moisturizer), that can be from animal or vegetable, natural or synthetic. In most cases it is used as a cheap glycerine substitute. Propylene glycol did cause liver abnormalities and kidney damage in laboratory animals. Diethylene glycol and carbitol are considered toxic. Ethylene glycol is a suspected bladder carcinogen. The FDA cautions manufacturers that glycols may cause adverse reactions in users. They have been shown to be carcinogenic, mutagenic, and toxic. Hydantoin DMDM: Used in the synthesis of lubricants and resins, and is derived from methanol. Causes dermatitis. Acts as a preservative and may release formaldehyde and is a suspected carcinogen. Rats develop cancer when injected with this chemical. Isopropyl Alcohol: This is a solvent and denaturant (poisonous substance that changes another substance's natural qualities). Isopropyl alcohol is found in hair color rinses, body rubs, hand lotions, after shave lotions, fragrances and many other cosmetics. This petroleum derived substance is also used in antifreeze and as a solvent in shellac. According to a Consumer's Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients, inhalation or ingestion of the vapor may cause headaches, flushing, dizziness, mental depression, nausea, vomiting, narcosis and coma. Isopropyl Palmitate: A fatty acid from palm oil combined with synthetic alcohol. Industry tests on rabbits indicate the chemical can cause skin irritation and dermatitis. Also shown to be comedogenic (acne promoting) Imidazolidinyl Urea: After parabens, this is the second most commonly used preservative in cosmetics. It is colourless, tasteless and odourless. Used in powders, baby shampoo, bath oils, colognes, eye shadows, blushes, hair tonics, lotions. Causes dermatitis. If heated to higher temperatures it produces formaldehyde. According to the Mayo Clinic, formaldehyde can irritate the respiratory system, cause skin reactions and trigger heart palpitations. Exposure to formaldehyde may cause joint pain, allergies, depression, headaches, chest pains, ear infections, chronic fatigue, dizziness and loss of sleep. It can also aggravate coughs and colds and trigger asthma. Serious side effects include weakening of the immune system and cancer. Nearly all brands of skin, body and hair care, antiperspirants and nail polish found in stores contain formaldehyde releasing ingredients. Lanolin: A wax produced by oil glands in sheep and separated from wool. Used as a moisturizer. Any chemicals used on sheep will contaminate the lanolin obtained from the wool. The majority of lanolin used in cosmetics is highly contaminated with organo-phosphate pesticides and insecticides. Advertisers have found that the words "contain Lanolin" help to sell a product and have promoted it as being able to "penetrate the skin better than other oils," although there is little scientific proof of this. Lauramide DEA: Lauric Acid derived mostly from coconut oil and laurel oil, and used as a base for soaps, detergents, and laurel alcohol because of their foaming properties. Nitrosamines can form in all cosmetic ingredients containing amines and amino derivatives with nitrogen compounds and nitrosamines are known carcinogens. Monoethanolamine (MEA): MEA and DEA are usually listed on the ingredient label in conjunction with the compound being neutralized. Thus look for names like Cocamide DEA or MEA, Lauramide DEA, etc. These are hormone disrupting chemicals and are known to form cancer causing nitrates and nitrosamines. These are commonly found in most personal care products that foam, including bubble baths, body washes, shampoos, soaps and facial cleansers. On the show CBS This Morning, Roberta Baskin revealed that a recent government report shows DEA and MEA are readily absorbed in the skin. These chemicals are already restricted in Europe due to known carcinogenic effects. Dr. Samuel Epstein (Professor of Environmental Health at the University of Illinois) says that repeated skin applications . . . of DEA-based detergents resulted in a major increase in the incidence of liver and kidney cancer. John Bailey, who oversees the cosmetic division for the FDA said the new study is especially important since "the risk equation changes significantly for children." Methyl Chloroisothiazolinone: Preservative. Reports of contact dermatitis when used in products that stay on the skin. Carcinogenic, mutagenic, toxic and causes adverse reactions. Mineral Oil (Liquidum paraffinum, Paraffin oil, Paraffin wax, Petrolatum): Petroleum by-product that coats the skin like plastic wrap, clogging the pores. Interferes with skin's ability to eliminate toxins, promoting acne and other disorders. Has tendency to dissolve the skin's own natural oil and thereby increase dehydration. Slows down skin function and cell development, resulting in premature aging. Used in many products (baby oil is 100% mineral oil!) Any mineral oil derivative can be contaminated with cancer causing PAH's (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons). Mineral oils have been found to be probably the single greatest cause of breakouts in women who use a new product. Manufacturers use petrolatum because it is unbelievably cheap. Nitrosating Agents: The following chemicals can cause nitrosamine contamination, which have been determined to form cancer in laboratory animals. There are wide and repeated concerns in the USA and Europe about the contamination of cosmetics products with nitrosamines. Paba (p-aminobenzoic acid): It is a water soluble vitamin found in B complex. It is widely used in sunscreen lotions but can cause photo sensitivity and contact dermatitis and allergic eczema. Parabens: Trademark for butyl, ethyl, germa, methyl, propyl paraben. Used as inhibitors of microbial growth and to extend shelf life of products. Causes dermatitis, skin rashes and allergic reactions. It is the most common preservative used in a variety of personal care products especially cream & lotion. Petroleum based and highly toxic. Polyethylene Glycol PEG: Abbreviation also for polyoxethylene, polygocol, polyether glycol. Used in making cleansers to dissolve oil and grease as well as thicken products. Because of their effectiveness, PEG's are often used in caustic spray-on oven cleaners and yet are found in many personal care products. PEG's contribute to stripping the natural Moisture Factor, leaving the immune system vulnerable. They are also potentially carcinogenic. A manufacturing by-product. Dangerous levels of the toxin dioxane have been found in this product. Many allergic reactions, as well as hives and eczema are known to occur from these synthetic plant glycols. Phosphoric acid: As an inorganic phosphate acid it is very disruptive to the skin if used in high concentrations. Phthalates: Toxic gender bending chemical used as a plasticizer in food wraps and many pliable plastics and containers. Also used in hairsprays and some cosmetics including nail varnishes from where it is readily absorbed into the system. All 289 people in a recent test for body load of chemicals tested positive for phthalates. Phthalates are implicated with low sperm counts and also causing sexual abnormalities and deformities. An in depth article on phthalates can be found on the www.health-report.co.uk website http://www.ourstolenfuture.org/NewScience/oncompounds/phthalates/phthalates.htm http://www.wvwd.com/Pages-Content/WaterQuality/MessageInBottle.htm Phenoxyethanol: Causes severe allergic reactions. Trade-names - Arosol, Dowanol EPH, Phenyl Cellosolve, Phenoxethol, Phenoxetol and Phenonip. Polysorbate-n (20-85): Used as an emulsifier in cosmetic creams, lotions, cream deodorants, baby oil, suntan lotions. Causes contact sensitivity and irritation to skin. Polyquaternium: Followed by any number they are carcinogenic, mutagenic, toxic and cause adverse reactions. Induced contact dermatitis, causes fatal drug allergy (anaphylactic shock), may cause increased sensitivity to muscle relaxants. Polyethylene Glycol (PEG): Potentially carcinogenic petroleum ingredient that can alter and reduce the skin's natural moisture factor. This could increase the appearance of aging and leave you more vulnerable to bacteria. Used in cleansers to dissolve oil and grease. It adjusts the melting point and thickens products. Also used in caustic spray-on oven cleaners. Propylene/Butylene Glycol: It is the most common moisture carrying vehicle other than water that is used. It penetrates the skin and can weaken protein and cellular structure. Found in most shampoo and conditioners, even foodstuffs such as cakes & muffins. Derived from petroleum products. Also used in anti-freeze, de-icer, latex, paint, and laundry detergent. It can cause irritation of nasal and respiratory passages and if ingested, can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. PG is strong enough to remove barnacles from boats! The EPA considers PG so toxic that it requires workers to wear protective gloves, clothing and goggles and to dispose of any PG solutions by burying them in the ground. Because PG penetrates the skin so quickly, the EPA warns against skin contact to prevent consequences such as brain, liver, and kidney abnormalities. But there isn't even a warning label on products such as stick deodorants, where the concentration is greater than in most industrial applications. Research also shows it is mutagenic, and a contributor to cardiac arrest. Japanese studies show it damages cell DNA (genetic code). Strongly degreases and dries the skin. PVP/VA Copolymer: A petroleum-derived chemical used in hairsprays, wavesets and other cosmetics. It can be considered toxic, since particles may contribute to foreign bodies in the lungs of sensitive persons. Quaternium-7, 15, 31, 60, etc : Toxic, causes skin rashes and allergic reactions. Formaldehyde releasers. Dr Epstein reports in his book Unreasonable Risk "Substantive evidence of casual relation to leukaemia, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and other cancers" Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS): An ingredient in 90% of commercially available products that foam - soaps, shampoo and conditioner, these closely related compounds are found in car wash soaps, garage floor cleaners, toothpaste, cream, lotion and engine degreasers. Corrodes hair follicle and impedes hair growth. Skin layers may separate and inflame due to its protein denaturing properties. It is possibly the most dangerous of all ingredients in personal care products. Penetrates your eyes, brain, liver and remains there for long-term. Degenerates cell membranes and can change the genetic information (mutagenic) in cells and damage the immune system. According to the American College of Toxicology states both SLS and SLES can cause malformation in children's eyes. May cause blindness and lead to cataracts. Studies also show that these additives react with the ingredients of food supplements or cosmetics, to form carcinogenic nitrates and dioxin. All of this may enter the circulatory system with each shampooing or each oral ingestion. The end result being that these harmful ingredients can be retained in the liver, heart, eyes, kidneys and muscles for several years after being used. It is further reported to cause eye irritations, skin rashes, hair loss, dandruff and allergic reactions. It is frequently disguised in semi-natural cosmetics with the explanation "comes from coconut". Sodium Cyanide: Carcinogenic, mutagenic, toxic and causes adverse reactions. Sodium Oleth Sulfate: May contain dangerous levels of ethylene oxide and/or dioxane, both potent toxins. Sodium PCA (NAPCA): Conditioner for skin and hair, synthetic version can seriously dry the skin can cause allergic reactions. Styrene Monomer: Carcinogenic, mutagenic, toxic and causes adverse reactions. May be irritating to the eyes and mucous membranes. Stearalkonium Chloride: Chemical used in hair conditioners and creams. Causes allergic reactions. Stearalkonium chloride was developed by the fabric industry as a fabric softener, and is a lot cheaper and easier to use in hair conditioning formulas than proteins or herbals, which do help hair health. Toxic. Stearamidopropyl Tetrasodium EDTA: Nitrosamines can form in all cosmetic ingredients containing amines and aminoderivatives with nitrogen compounds. Nitrosamines are known carcinogens. Talc (Magnesium silicate): Talc is derived in powder form from the mineral magnesium silicate. Used mainly in make-up and powders including baby powder. May be carcinogenic, possibly linked to ovarian cancer (not good to use on pads and in underwear as it migrates easily up the reproductive tract). When breathed in, it tends to accumulate in the lungs (not biodegradable) and has an effect similar to that of asbestos inhalation. Used on babies, has caused coughing, vomiting and pneumonia. It can be hazardous to one's health, and is toxic with prolonged inhalation. Toluene: Obtained from petroleum, it is used as a solvent in cosmetics, especially nail polish and dyes. It resembles benzene, and if ingested may caue mild anemia, liver damage, irritate the skin and respiratory tract. Also in pharmaceuticals and gasoline as a blending agent. Triethanolamine (TEA): Can cause severe facial dermatitis, irritation and sensitivity. Used as ph adjuster and used with many fatty acids to convert acid to salt (stearate), which then becomes the base for a cleanser. Reacts with stearic acid to form oil in water emulsions, typically lotions. May contain nitrosamines, known carcinogens. Its main toxic effect in animals is due to its over-alkalinity. It is used as a coating agent for fruits and vegetables. TEA causes allergic reactions including eye problems, dryness of hair and skin, and could be toxic if absorbed into the body over a long period of time. Already restricted in Europe due to known carcinogenic effects. DESCRIPTIVE WORDS Carcinogen (Carcinogenic): Known to be cancer causing. Comedogenic: Acne promoting Humectant: a product which helps the skin retain moisture. The problem with humectants, including propylene glycol and glycerin is that; although they are most effective when you are in areas with high humidity, if you are going to be in an extremely low humidity atmosphere, such as in an airplane or even a dry room, they can actually take moisture from your skin. Here's why: Humectants are on the search for moisture that can be absorbed from the environment. If the environment is so drying that there is no moisture to be had, they till get it from the next best source - your skin. When this happens, the ingredient, which is supposed to help your skin retain moisture, instead does the opposite. (Brumberg) Mutagenic: Changes the genetic code which are the building blocks of cells. Toxic: Poisonous, either short-term or long-term. | ||
http://www.freep.com/news/locway/perfume19e_20050519.htm
New-car smell is going away: It's no good for you
By Hans Greimel, Associated Press
TOKYO — Anyone who's pulled away from the dealer's lot in a shiny, new car knows the seductive scent of fresh plastic, paint and upholstery that evokes a rush of pride and consumer satisfaction.
But that unmistakable new-car smell may soon be heading the way of the rumble seat: Recent research linking it to a toxic cocktail of harmful chemicals is spurring efforts by Japanese automakers to tone down the fumes.
Japanese manufacturers have become the first to set an industrywide goal of reducing cabin concentrations to within government guidelines. The push could spur similar action by U.S. and European rivals, making interior air quality an emerging auto safety issue.
"The industry in Japan as a whole has recognized the need for this and is coordinating efforts," Toyota spokesman Paul Nolasco said. "Cutting down on the things that lead to these smells is only something that can be better for you."
The new-car smell emanates largely from chemicals known as volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, that leach from glues, paints, vinyls and plastics in the passenger compartment. The fumes can trigger headaches, sore throats, nausea and drowsiness. Prolonged exposure to some of the chemicals can lead to cancer, though there's no evidence linking that to concentrations in cars.
Critics liken the problem to so-called sick-building syndrome, which traces some illnesses to similar agents seeping from walls, carpet and fixtures of new buildings.
Just sitting in a new car can subject riders to toxic emissions several times the limits deemed safe for homes or offices by some health authorities, though the problem tends to dissipate after about six months, according to a 2001 study by Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization.
"We find new car interiors have much higher VOC levels than any building we've researched," research leader Steve Brown said. "Ultimately, what we need are cars with interior materials that produce lower emissions."
Japanese automakers are now trying to do just that.
Earlier this year, they agreed to cut cabin levels of 13 of the compounds, including possible cancer-causing agents styrene and formaldehyde, by 2007 to match Japanese Health Ministry guidelines for air quality in homes.
The Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association initiated the drive after tests found some models made by three of the nation's top carmakers failed to meet government recommendations.
The industry group refused to identify which companies or models were evaluated.
Automakers worldwide have been trying to reduce volatile organic compounds for years. But the Japanese effort marks the first time the industry has adopted government guidelines, JAMA's Tatsuya Ota said.
Most of Japan's top five makers — Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Mitsubishi and Mazda — are already rolling out cars in compliance and touting the lower volatile organic compound levels as a key selling point, a move that is likely to catch on globally.
"There is good potential for the Japanese to take the lead in this field," said Koji Endo, an auto analyst with Credit Suisse First Boston in Tokyo. "People are starting to feel that VOCs are an issue, and the new efforts are one advantage that they (Japanese manufacturers) can claim."
Brown says he does not know of any government with volatile organic compound guidelines for car interiors, but says matching building levels is a good start. Japan's recommendations were adopted in 2002 to combat sick-building syndrome.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency sets no guidelines for volatile organic compounds in non-industrial settings, though formaldehyde is regulated as a carcinogen by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
The Washington-based Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, which represents nine carmakers including General Motors, Ford and DaimlerChrysler, says it does not follow the issue of volatile organic compounds. DaimlerChrysler said it has no initiatives on the volatile organic compound-induced new-car fumes.
Toyota, Japan's largest automaker, currently has six models on the road that meet the new standards, while Nissan has four. Honda's new Civic, unveiled this month, is that company's first, while Mitsubishi will begin its lineup with the "i" next year.
All say they are on track to have all new models pass muster beginning in 2007.
While some customers complain about the new-car smell, others cherish it enough to have spawned a cottage industry in aerosol "new-car sprays" to keep their rides smelling fresh from the factory.
"Some people are annoyed by the smell and some people love it," Honda spokesman Takayuki Fuji said. "This is not just for Honda users, but for all users."
January 31, 2006: 8:07 AM EST NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) - A Michigan environmental group is charging that at least part of the so-called "new car smell" is toxic, and that the interior of an automobile has dangerous levels of various chemicals. The report, "Toxic at any speed," comes from The Ecology Center, an Ann Arbor, Mich.-based group. It reports that PBDEs, used as fire retardants, and phthalates, used primarily to soften PVC plastics, are found in dangerous amounts in dust and windshield film samples. An environmental group says Volvo is the auto manufacturer with the lowest level of toxic chemicals in car interiors. RESEARCH A CAR Get invoice and market prices, specs, reviews and photos • Sport • Sedans • SUVs • Luxury Pick Category Minivans Sedans SUVs Coupes/Hatchbacks Sport Convertibles Wagons Crossover Exotic Luxury Pickups Check latest incentives GET A QUOTE Pick MakeAcuraAston MartinAudiBentleyBMWBuickCadillacChevroletChryslerDodge FerrariFord GMCHondaHUMMERHyundaiInfinitiIsuzuJaguarJeepKiaLamborghiniLand RoverLexusLincolnLotusMaseratiMaybach MazdaMercedes-BenzMercuryMINIMitsubishiNissanPanozPontiacPorscheRolls-RoyceSaabSaturnScionSubaru SuzukiToyotaVolkswagenVolvo Pick Model RESEARCH A USED CAR Get used car pricing, reviews, ratings, and more. Pick Year19921993199419951996199719981999200020012002200320042005 Pick Make Research used cars Special Report full coverage New Camry unveiled Rivals challenge Toyota's hybrid push Toyota: Hyundai is a real threat in U.S. Jeep Wrangler gets a make-over GM and Ford's new cross to bear It called for tougher regulations to phase out the use of the chemicals as well as voluntary moves by the auto manufacturers to stop using the products inside of new vehicles. It also suggested that car owners take steps to reduce the release and breakdown of these chemicals by using solar reflectors, ventilating car interiors, and parking outside of sunlight whenever possible. The group says that phthalates are partly responsible for the smell associated with new cars. Drivers and passengers are exposed to these chemicals through inhalation and contact with dust, according to the group's report. "These groups of chemicals have been linked to birth defects, impaired learning, liver toxicity, premature births and early puberty in laboratory animals, among other serious health problems," according to the report. "We can no longer rely just on seatbelts and airbags to keep us safe in cars," said a statement from Jeff Gearhart, the Ecology Center's Clean Car Campaign Director who co-authored the report. "Our research shows that autos are chemical reactors, releasing toxins before we even turn on the ignition. There are safer alternatives to these chemicals, and innovative companies that develop them first will likely be rewarded by consumers." The group found Volvo was found to have the lowest levels of phthalates and the second-lowest levels of PBDEs, which it said made the Ford Motor Co. (Research)-owned unit the industry leader in terms of indoor air quality. Volvo also has the toughest policies for phasing out these chemicals. Other auto manufacturers had more mixed records on the two types of chemicals, according to the group's survey. For example, Korean auto manufacturer Hyundai had the lowest level of PBDEs, but the highest level of phthalates. The group said it was told by Ford officials that the auto manufacturer has eliminated PBDEs from "interior components that customers may come into contact with." Ford had among the lowest level of PBDEs in its vehicles, and General Motors (Research) and BMW vehicles also had lower-than-average levels for all chemicals tested. But Mercedes, Chrysler, Toyota and Subaru had higher-than-average levels of both PBDEs and phthalates. In response to the study, one industry group defended the use of PBDEs as an important contributor to vehicle safety. The Bromine Science and Environmental Forum said in a statement that PBDEs known as Deca-BDE have been extensively studied in the U.S. and Europe -- including a 10-year-long risk assessment -- and found to be safe for continued use. "If automobile manufacturers follow the guidance in the report, it could result in lowering fire safety for the public, as well as promoting the use of unidentified alternative substances about which very little may be known," said the group's statement. It said it is crucial that autos have the best possible flame retardants available in case of accidents. "In 2004 alone, there were approximately 297,000 car fires in the United States, leading to 550 deaths. If effective flame retardants were not used, this number would certainly be higher," the group's statement said. Auto manufacturers have already agreed to phase out two of the three flame-retardant chemicals cited in the report, Eron Shosteck, a spokesman for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, told the Detroit News. The remaining chemical has been studied by the European Union for 10 years and has been proven safe, Shosteck said. The report was released Jan. 11 during the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, but it received little attention outside of Michigan.
CANCER NEWS - FROM
JUST A REMINDER.......
***No plastics in micro.
*** No water bottles in freezer.
*** No plastic wrap in micro.
Johns
This information is being circulated at
Dioxin Carcinogens cause cancer , especially breast cancer . Don't freeze your plastic water bottles with water as this also releases dioxins in the plastic. Dr. Edward Fujimoto from Castle hospital was on a TV program explaining this health hazard. (He is the manager of the Wellness Program at the hospital.) He was talking about dioxins and how bad they are for us. He said that we should not be heating our food in the microwave using plastic containers . This applies to foods that contain fat. He said that the combination of fat, high heat and plastics releases dioxins into the food and ultimately into the cells of the body. Dioxins are carcinogens and highly toxic to the cells of our bodies.
Instead, he recommends using glass,
To add to this, Saran wrap placed over foods as they are nuked , with the high heat, actually drips poisonous toxins into the food; use paper towels.
How a Product Found in Your