HEALTHY HOMES

Are you poisoning your children?

I would like to share this information with you. It's pretty scary when you think of all those people who use toxic chemicals to clean their home and don't know the dangers. I used to be one of those people who had no clue that the chemicals I was using were so harmful.

More children under four die of accidental poisonings at home than are accidentally killed with guns at home. The average home today contains more chemicals than were found in a typical chemistry lab. Go into your kitchen and your bathroom and look under your sinks where you keep your cleaning and personal care supplies. What have you found? Window cleaner? Bleach? Dishwashing detergent? Shampoo? Toothpaste? If you read the label on toothpaste, it says not to swallow the paste!

These products can be violent lethal poisons with the potential to kill or seriously injure your child. Most dishwashing detergents include naphta, which is a central nervous system depressant, diethanolamine, a possible liver poison, and chlorophenylphenol, a metabolic stimulant that is considered a toxic substance.

Of all chemicals commonly found in homes, 150 have been linked to allergies, birth defects, cancer and psychological abnormalities. We have a higher rate of kids with cancer and learning disabilities than ever. If that doesn't say we're doing something wrong in our environment, I'd hate to see what it takes! According to the American Cancer Society, there has been a 26 percent increase in cancer over the last 2 decades!

You should also be concerned about the air that you and your children breathe. Cleaning products and some personal care products release toxic vapors into the air when they are used and even when they are stored. Children may be particularly vulnerable to chemical fumes. They inhale more air per pound of body weight than adults, and because pollutants are generally heavier than air and collect closer to the floor, small children breath greater concentrations than do grown ups.

Most of us are concerned about the environment, but isn't the environment within our own homes the most important? If the home care and personal care products we are using are toxic and harmful, we are hurting ourselves, our families and the environment.

Indoor air pollution is a suspected culprit in sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). In 1983, our research team at the University of Saskatchewan, Canada, pioneered early research on SIDS & Endorphins. SIDS is higher in the winter because of decreased ventilation!

Points to consider:

~ The average home today contains 62 toxic chemicals - more than a chemistry lab at the turn of the century.

~ More than 72,000 synthetic chemicals have been produced since WW II.

~ Less than 2% of synthetic chemicals have been tested for toxicity, mutagenic, carcinogenic, or birth defects.

~ An EPA survey concluded that indoor air was 3 to 70 times more polluted than outdoor air.

~ Another EPA study stated that the toxic chemicals in household cleaners are 3 times more likely to cause cancer than outdoor air.

~ CMHC reports that houses today are so energy efficient that "outgassing" of chemicals has no where to go, so it builds up inside the home.

~ We spend 90% of our time indoor, and 65% of our time at home. Moms, infants and the elderly spend 90% of their time in the home.

~ 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.

~ Cancer is the Number ONE cause of death for children.

~ Cancer is the Number ONE killer of women between the ages of 35 and 54.

~ There has been a call from the U.S./Canadian Commission to ban bleach in North America. Bleach is being linked to the rising rates of breast cancer in women, reproductive problems in men and learning and behavioral problems in children.

~ There are more than 3 million poisonings every year. Household cleaners are the Number ONE cause of poisoning of children.

~ Since 1980, asthma has increased by 600%. The Canadian Lung Association and the Asthma Society of Canada identify common household cleaners and cosmetics as triggers.

~ Formaldehyde, phenol, benzene, toluene, xylene are found in common household cleaners, cosmetics, beverages, fabrics and cigarette smoke. These chemicals are cancer causing and toxic to the immune system.

~ There are 4700 chemicals in tobacco smoke.

It's important to say that household cleaning and personal care products aren't the only source of chemicals in your home, but they are the easiest ones to replace! What can we do? The answer is to start in small ways at home!"

More points to consider:

A - Begin by thinking of your home as a toxic waste dump. The average home today contains 62 toxic chemicals - more than a chemistry lab at the turn of the century.

B - More than 72,000 synthetic chemicals have been produced since WW II.

C - Less than 2% of synthetic chemicals have been tested for toxicity, mutagenic, carcinogenic, or birth defects.

D - The majority of chemicals have never been tested for long-term effects.

E - An EPA survey concluded that indoor air was 3 to 70 times more polluted than outdoor air.

F - Another EPA study stated that the toxic chemicals in household cleaners are 3 times more likely to cause cancer than outdoor air.

G - CMHC reports that houses today are so energy efficient that "outgassing" of chemicals has no where to go, so it builds up inside the home.

H - We spend 90% of our time indoor, and 65% of our time at home. Moms, infants and the elderly spend 90% of their time in the home.

I - 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.

J - Cancer rates have almost doubled since 1960.

K - Cancer is the Number ONE cause of death for children.

L - 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. Primary suspects are laundry detergents, household cleaners and pesticides.

M - There has been a call from the U.S./Canadian Commission to ban bleach in North America. Bleach is being linked to the rising rates of breast cancer in women, reproductive problems in men and learning and behavioral problems in children.

N - Chemicals get into our body through inhalation, ingestion and absorption.

O - We breathe 10 to 20 thousand liters of air per day.

P - There are more than 3 million poisonings every year. Household cleaners are the Number ONE cause of poisoning of children.

Q - Since 1980, asthma has increased by 600%. The Canadian Lung Association and the Asthma Society of Canada identify common household cleaners and cosmetics as triggers.

R - ADD/ADHD are epidemic in schools today. Behavioral problems have long been linked to exposure to toxic chemicals and molds. Use of Ritalin has skyrocketed since 1990.

S - Chemical and environmental sensitivities are known to cause all types of headaches.

T - Labeling laws do not protect the consumer - they protect big business.

U - The New York Poison Control Center reports that 85% of product warning labels were either inadequate or incorrect for identifying a poison, and for first aid instructions.

V - Formaldehyde, phenol, benzene, toluene, xylene are found in common household cleaners, cosmetics, beverages, fabrics and cigarette smoke. These chemicals are cancer causing and toxic to the immune system.

W - Chemicals are attracted to, and stored in fatty tissue. The brain is a prime target for these destructive organics because of its high fat content and very rich blood supply.

X - The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health has found Amore than 2500 chemicals in cosmetics that are toxic, cause tumors, reproductive complications, biological mutations and skin and eye irritations.

Y - 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.

Z - Pesticides only have to include active ingredients on the labels, even though the inert (inactive) ingredients may account for 99%, many of which are toxic and poisons.

More facts from Indoor Air Pollution :

Our homes should have a complete change of air 3 or 4 time a day. New homes are built so air tight that it is impossible to get a complete change of air. We should leave our windows open on each side of our house for better cross ventilation.

In Alberta last year accidental poisoning statistics were as follows:
Between the ages of:
0 - 4 years - 11, 515 poisonings
5 - 10 years - 1,524
11 - 19 years - 1,019
20 and over - 7,799

~ Top three culprits - Household cleaners, bleach and medications.

~ In the USA the #1 cause of accidental poisoning is commercial Dishwashing detergent WHY? Because it is the #1 seller - Commercial Laundry detergents contains Lye/Phosphates and is the #1 polluter and it is also the #1 seller.

~ Deep Woods Off has an ingredient called DEET. DEET causes seizures in children and adults.

~ Inert (or inactive) ingredients in products are protected by trade secrets and very dangerous. In the work place Material Safety Data Sheets must accompany any product used. The work place and the outdoors are considered legal environments while the air in homes is not.

~ The ideal rate of humidity is between 35% and 45%. Anything higher causes mold. When we use humidifiers or dehumidifiers with standing water we are encouraging mold growth with the standing water.

~ The ideal temperature in the home is between 68 degrees and 72 degrees F (20-23 C), anything higher makes chemicals more active.

~ When we shower, the hot water combined with the chlorine in the water, can cause major headaches. Trihalomethanes may cause cancer.

~ Using aerosols causes dizziness.

~ Steam from our dryer vents is extremely toxic, because of the chemicals from dryer sheets and residue from laundry soap and bleach.

~ Chemicals used to dry clean clothing are very dangerous and can cause cancer. When you bring dry cleaning home, you should hang it outside for at least 3 days. Dry-cleaning chemicals are the same cancer causing chemicals that are found in moth balls.

~ There are 4700 chemicals in tobacco smoke.

~ Chemicals from carpets and plastic have been found to cause kidney and liver damage.

More products that contain Formaldehyde:
Antiperspirants
Mouthwash
Toothpaste
Tupperware
Baggies
Permanent Press clothing
Floor waxes and furniture polishes
Coffee
Wax Paper
Money

Some symptoms caused by formaldehyde are:
Allergies
cancer
immune system failings
asthma

Products that contain Phenols:
Acne medications
Baking Powder
Computers
TV sets
Mouthwash
Sugar substitutes
Wallpaper

~ Some symptoms caused by phenols, which are absorbed by lungs, and skin are: (besides being possibly fatal) Caustic burns, kidney and liver damage and hyperactivity.

~ "Lysol" is even more dangerous than we thought. Lysol contains phenols and dioxin (Agent Orange).

~ Fungicides used on fruit trees in the Okanagan, BC and in south-western Ontario have been found to cause babies in both areas being born with no eyes or very tiny eyes.

~ When using Chlorine, antiseptics or bleach in industrial areas you are required to wear impervious protective clothing, hard hats, boots, gloves, apron or coveralls, chemical goggles or full face shield and use in well ventilated areas.

~ When using Easy Off make sure all your skin is covered, wear protective clothing, do not breath in and don't get on your enamel, (if this product will hurt the enamel on your stove, can you imagine what it will do to us.)

~ Air fresheners desensitize the nerves in your nose so you cannot smell.

~ 1970 - NTA's were banned

~ 1980 - Lobbying by Proctor & Gamble brought back the use of NTA's in our products. NTA's mean more suds - more suds mean less clean - more toxic danger! Studies on the suds in toothpaste found the suds to be laundry soap.

Our immune system is very powerful, like a janitorial system Giving our bodies good nutrition means our body can repair itself and be able to handle what we face in the world.

Household chemicals cause all kinds of symptoms - from cardiovascular problems, panic attacks, anxiety attacks to bedwetting.

Eliminating the cause of the environmental illness is more effective and much less expensive than treating the symptom.
Prevention - 80% - 90% effective
Treatments - 50%A - 60% effective
We recommend using Better/Safer/Less Expensive Alternative Natural Organic Cleaners.

Yours in Wellness
Dr. George Grant, Toxicologist/Analytical Chemist/Microbiologist


Want to get all natural household products for less? Email me for more information.


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