Health Dangers of Indoor Air Pollution

Indoor air pollution can cause a lot of problems, including exacerbating the severity of asthma symptoms among adults and children, increasing the occurrence and severity of headaches and respiratory symptoms, and causing fatigue and dizziness. Studies by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) consistently rank indoor air pollution as among the top five environmental threats to public health. The United Nations Development Program estimated in 1998 that more than two million people die each year due to toxic indoor air.

Opening a window once in awhile, investing in a quality air purifier, dusting and vacuuming often, keeping up with the cleaning, and avoiding pollutants like smoke from candles and cigarettes, can all help improve indoor air quality. When it’s cold outside, however, and difficult to air things out, there are other items that can help reduce the toxins in your household air—houseplants!

The Magic of Houseplants

Researchers from Pennsylvania State University found that common houseplants like the spider plant, snake plant, and golden pothos reduced ozone levels. NASA also conducted a similar study and found that common houseplants can remove several key pollutants associated with indoor air pollution. In fact, NASA was so impressed that they’re going to launch some plants into space as part of the biological life support system aboard  future orbiting space stations.

What Plants Clean Out What Chemicals

According to the NASA study, some of the top plants most effective at cleaning out potentially hazardous chemicals like formaldehyde (found in insulation, particle board, and consumer paper products), benzene (found in inks, oils, paints, plastics, and rubber), and carbon monoxide from the air include the areca palm (also called the butterfly palm), the lady palm, bamboo palm, rubber plant, philodendron, dracaena “Janet Craig,” and the Boston fern.

Alive magazine published a recent article about houseplants and indoor pollution, and the following chart comes from that article, which you may read in depth here. Give it a try—you may find that a few more plants makes your air a lot more pleasant to breathe.

Have you increased the number of houseplants in your home to help clean out the air? Please share your experiences.

Sources:

“It’s Winter: Beware the Indoor Air Pollution,” Public Health News Center, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, January 26, 2005. http://www.jhsph.edu/publichealthnews/articles/2005/buckley_indoor_air.html.

Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health. “Indoor Air Pollution Increases Asthma Symptoms, Study Suggests.” ScienceDaily, 19 Feb. 2009. Web. 11 Jan. 2012.

Illinois Department of Public Health Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality, Environmental Health Fact Sheet, Illinois Department of Public Health. http://www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/factsheets/indoorairqualityguide_fs.htm.

American Society for Horticultural Science. “Houseplants Cut Indoor Ozone.” ScienceDaily, 8 Sep. 2009. Web. 11 Jan. 2012.

“NASA Study House Plants Clean Air,” Zone 10, The Plant & Garden Zone for Homeowners. http://www.zone10.com/nasa-study-house-plants-clean-air.html.

Will Richter, “The Best Holiday Houseplants,” Alive, http://www.alive.com/articles/view/23316/the_best_holiday_houseplants.

Greg Seaman, “The Top 10 Plants for Removing Indoor Toxins,” EarthEasy, May 13, 2009. http://eartheasy.com/blog/2009/05/the-top-10-plants-for-removing-indoor-toxins/.

Photo courtesy Chiot’s Run via Flickr.com.

What Researchers Found

The first is bisphenol A (BPA), that hardening chemical used to make plastics that I’ve talked about in several previous posts. It’s in our water bottles and our canned foods and on shopping receipts and some of our children’s toys and has been linked with certain cancers and developmental problems in children. In the study, the scientists took noncancerous breast cells from high-risk patients, grew them in the lab, then exposed them to BPA. After the exposure, the noncancerous cells started acting like cancer cells. The researchers felt the study provided additional evidence that chemicals that act as estrogen-disruptors (like BPA) may play a role in the development of breast cancer.

Tamoxifen is designed to slow the growth of breast cancer cells and ultimately cause their death, but when it was introduced to the chemical-exposed cells, they were not affected and kept growing.

The same thing happened when the cells were exposed to methylparaben, a type of preservative commonly used in thousands of personal care products. When the non-cancerous cells were exposed to methylparaben, they started acting like cancerous cells, and did not slow down when exposed to Tamoxifen. What was especially disconcerting was that these two hormone-disrupting chemicals were found to be even better at blocking Tamoxifen’s effectiveness than naturally produced estrogen.

Researchers Comment on the Findings

According to Dr. William Goodson, lead author of the study, “Since most breast cancers are driven by the hormone estrogen, the bulk of the drugs used to treat breast cancer are designed to knock down estrogen. BPA and methyparaben not only mimic estrogen’s ability to drive cancer, but appear to be even better than the natural hormone in bypassing the ability of drugs to treat it.”

Dr. Mhel Kavanaugh-Lynch, director of the California Breast Cancer Research Program, added, “We have a lot of information that makes these endocrine disruptors appear to be bad things to be exposed to, but there are very few, if any, studies that show a direct causal link.”

What Women Can Do

The takeaway from this study, as far as I can tell, is to stay away from these two chemicals as much as possible. They’re very widely used, so you may not be able to completely eliminate them from your life, but you can definitely cut down your exposure. Try these tips, and if you’re on Tamoxifen or other treatments for breast cancer, be especially careful!

• Use a stainless steel water bottle and stay away from plastic water bottles.
• Buy frozen, boxed, and glass-stored foods instead of those in cans. Some companies are going “BPA-free,” so check the labels on your favorite canned goods.
• Don’t microwave in plastic containers, especially old ones that have been exposed to high temps several times. Use glass and porcelain containers instead.
• Always wash your hands before eating.
• Take my Ingredients to Avoid list with you when you shop for personal care products, and avoid those that have “paraben” in the ingredient list, whether it’s methylparaben or other types of parabens.

What do you think about this study? Will you be changing your habits?

Sources

William H. Goodson, et al., “Activation of the mTOR Pathway by Low Levels of Xenoestrogens in Breast Epithelial Cells from High-Risk Women,” Carcinogenesis 32(11): 1724-1733 (November 2011). http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3204351/.

Photo courtesy Terra Nova Foundation via Flickr.com.

Though science can’t yet tell us if eating hot dogs increases the risk for cancer, for example, they can tell us that some ingredients in hot dogs may be carcinogenic. Here are my top ten foods to stay away from for that reason alone.

1.  Potato chips and French fries. According to the National Cancer Institute, acrylamide is a chemical used for industrial purposes that is found in many foods, with particularly high levels in some potato chips, French fries, and other foods cooked at high temperatures. (Baking, roasting, and frying can all produce acrylamide.) Based on animal studies, acrylamide is considered a probable human carcinogen. Though the Environmental Protection Agency regulates levels of acrylamide in drinking water, there are currently no guidelines on acrylamide in food itself. Boiled potatoes have been found to be free of acrylamide.

2.  Hot dogs and deli meats. Many of these contain nitrites as preservatives, which during the cooking process, can form carcinogenic N-nitroso compounds. These compounds have been associated with several different cancers. One study published in Cancer Causes & Control, for example, found that children eating more than 12 hot dogs a month had nine times the normal risk of developing childhood leukemia. Any cured meat may contain nitrites, including lunch meats, bacon, ham, and even cured fish. And so far, “organic” and “natural” hot dogs aren’t much better—an article in The New York Times noted they often contain nitrites, too.

3.  Canned foods. Cans used to store foods are often coated in a type of plastic that’s made with bisphenol-A (BPA), a chemical that’s been linked to breast cancer and prostate cancer because of its hormone-altering capabilities. Though not labeled a carcinogen on its own, evidence suggests that it increases cancer susceptibility through changes to DNA. A recent study found that people who ate canned soup for five days straight saw their urinary levels of BPA spike 1,200 percent compared to those who ate fresh soup. Buy foods in boxes, jars, and BPA-free cans.

4.  Chicken and apple juice. Recent studies have found both chicken and apple juice sold in the U.S. can contain small levels of arsenic, which has been linked to skin, lung, and bladder cancer. Some apple juices were found to contain more than the amount deemed safe in drinking water. The good news is that as a result of an FDA study on chicken, the manufacturer of the chicken feed laced with arsenic said it would pull the ingredient off the market. The debate on juice is still ongoing. Carefully research the brands you buy.

5.  Restaurant grilled or pan-fried chicken. A study published in Nutrition and Cancer found that when 100 samples of grilled chicken from seven popular chain restaurants contained PhIP, a known human carcinogen. The restaurants where the samples were obtained included Applebee’s, Burger King, Chick-fil-A, Chili’s, McDonald’s, Outback, and T.G.I. Friday’s—and watch out. Some of the samples tested included the grilled chicken that’s used on salads.

6.  Donuts, rolls, and buns. Most of these are made from white flour, and white flour may contain potassium bromate, a food additive used in the bread-making process that has been found to be carcinogenic in animal studies. The Center for Science in the Public Interest has petitioned the FDA to prohibit the use of potassium bromate, but so far it is not restricted in the U.S. Donuts are also full of sugar and trans fats, so either cut them out completely, or eat sparingly. Look for “potassium bromate” or “bromated flour” on the ingredient label. Brands like Orowheat, Entenmann’s, Pepperidge Farm, and Pillsbury have switched to bromate-free processes. Supermarket chains like Giant, Jewel, Ralph’s, and Von’s also do not use bromate.

Do you have tips for avoiding carcinogens in food? Please share!

Sources

National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet, “Acrylamide in Food and Cancer Risk.” http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/acrylamide-in-food.

Peters J, et al ” Processed meats and risk of childhood leukemia (California, USA)” Cancer Causes & Control 5: 195-202, 1994.

William Neuman, “What’s Inside the Bun?” The New York Times, July 1, 2011. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/02/business/02hotdog.html.

Ruth A. Keri, et al., “An Evaluation of Evidence for the Carcinogenic Activity of Bisphenol A,” Reprod. Toxicol, 2007; 24(2): 240-252. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2442886/.

Jenny L. Carwile, et al. “Canned Soup Consumption and Urinary Bisphenol A: A Randomized Crossover Trial.” The Journal of the American Medical Association, November 23/30, 2011, Vol. 306, No. 20, pp 2187-2283. http://jama.ama-assn.org/content/306/20/2218.2.short.

Kristie M. Sullivan, et al., “Detection of PhIP in Grilled Chicken Entrees at Popular Chain Restaurants Throughout California.” Nutrition and Cancer Volume 60, Issue 5, 2008. http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01635580801956519.

Y Kurokawa, et al., “Toxicity and Carcinogenicity of Potassium Bromate—a New Renal Carcinogen,” Environ Health Perspect. 1990 July; 87: 309-335. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1567851/.

Photo courtesy stu_spivack via Flickr.com.

1. Acrylamides. These are chemical compounds that can damage the nervous system and have shown to be carcinogenic in animal studies. The tricky part is that these chemicals don’t show up on the ingredient list. The Swedish National Food Administration has stated that they can be found in baked and fried starchy foods, like potato chips and cookies. Best bet: keep your intake of these foods to a minimum, and purchase from brands dedicated to using healthy ingredients and cooking processes.

2. Artificially colored foods. I’m talking about things like candy, gelatin, and fruit snacks that are colored with artificial chemicals like blue 1 and 2, red 3 and yellow 6. These have been linked in animal studies to cancer.

3. Aspartame. If you think you’re saving your waist line by drinking diet drinks, beware—many have this artificial sweetener, which has been linked to headaches, dizziness, nausea, depression, fatigue, and sleeping problems. Early science has also raised concern about potential brain problems, like memory loss and seizures, resulting from excess aspartame.

4. Bisphenol-A (BPA). I’ve posted about this one before. Used to make plastics, it can seep into food from both plastic and can containers, and it’s linked with hormone disruption.

5. High fructose corn syrup. The real danger of this ingredient is that it’s in absolutely everything, from cookies and cakes to ketchup, yogurt, and bread. Researchers suggest it could have a lot to do with our nation’s expanding waistlines. In addition, some studies suggest that the body metabolizes it differently than regular sugar, leaving us less satisfied and more likely to eat more. Oh, and did I mention it’s often contaminated with mercury?

6. Partially hydrogenated oils. This is where those dangerous trans fats come from. Oils are modified by chemicals to make them stable at room temperature—and to increase shelf-life—which changes their overall chemical makeup, and makes them more likely to clog arteries and lead to heart problems. You’ll see them listed on the ingredient decks of chips, cookies, pastries, and more.

7. Pesticides. These chemicals are designed to kill bugs, but they can also seriously affect our health. Pesticides have been linked with brain and nervous disorders, and research shows that they can cause brain cancers in children. Buy organic produce when you can—one study found that when kids were switched to organic produce, the pesticide levels in their urine dropped overnight and stayed low.

8. Phosphoric acid. Did your mother ever tell you that soda would rot your teeth? If so, she was right, as it comes with this ingredient, which is literally an acid that dissolves the carbon dioxide in the soda. Did you know that it’s also used to clean the rust off of metals?

9. Sodium nitrite. It’s best to stay away from anything with the word “nitrite.” These are carcinogens you’ll find in some lunch meats and other processed meats like bacon, pepperoni, sausage, and hot dogs. Look for the words “nitrite-free” on your processed meats, or better yet, avoid them completely.

10. Sugar. A little sugar won’t hurt you. The problem is that it’s everywhere in our food supply, not just as sugar, but as corn syrup, corn syrup solids, and more. Refined sugar is stripped of all the good stuff and serves no good purpose in the body, but it does contribute to weight gain and may encourage diabetes and mood disorders. Cut back when you can, and choose stevia and agave as more nutritious sweetening options.

Have you changed your shopping habits to avoid toxins in food? Please share your tips.

Photo courtesy jazzijava via Flickr.com.

What is the thyroid?

The thyroid gland, located in the front part of the neck, produces hormones that are responsible for regulating metabolism, growth and development, and organ function. If it’s overactive, it releases too much hormone, causing the body to use up energy faster than it should, which may result in irritability, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, and muscle weakness (hyperthyroidism). If it’s underactive, it produces too little hormone, and the body uses energy more slowly, which may result in weight gain and depression (hypothyroidism). Thyroid cancer, though highly survivable, often requires surgery.

The Toxic Chemicals Linked to Thyroid Problems

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), thyroid cancer is one of the few types of cancer that’s on the rise, with the number of people diagnosed twice what it was in 1990. Though the organization attributes the increase partly to the use of thyroid ultrasound, which can detect small potential tumors, they admit that doesn’t fully explain the increase.

Science is finding that the hormones in the human body are particularly sensitive to toxic chemicals. Just like BPA (a chemical used in the manufacturing of plastics) can alter hormone function, other chemicals have been found to increase risk of thyroid problems.

Pesticides. The American Journal of Epidemiology published a study in 2010 that showed that women married to men who used pesticides in their daily work were at a much higher risk of developing thyroid disease than women in non-agricultural areas. The nonprofit group Beyond Pesticides warns that about 60 percent of pesticides used today may affect the thyroid gland’s production of hormones.

Perchlorate. According to a study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, babies born with elevated levels of thyroid stimulating hormone—an indicator of thyroid disease—may have been affected by small amounts of perchlorate in the mother’s drinking water. Perchlorate is a chemical used to manufacture rockets, missiles, and fireworks. It may contaminate drinking water, crops irrigated by contaminated water, and milk and milk products from cows that graze on contaminated grasses. In 2004, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) found that levels of perchlorate in milk coming from California cows exceeded safety standards. In 2007, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notified Congress of study results showing widespread human exposure, higher levels in children, and a connection between urine perchlorate levels and thyroid hormone levels.

Food colorings. Red 3 was recognized in 1990 by the FDA as a thyroid carcinogen in animals—it’s banned in cosmetics and externally applied drugs, but it’s still permitted in ingested drugs and foods.

Teflon. The EWG found that perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a chemical used to make Teflon, food wrappers, and other products, may affect thyroid function even at moderate levels of exposure. A recent study published in Environmental Health Perspectives found that higher concentrations of PFOA are associated with current thyroid disease in the U.S. general adult population.

Phthalates, dioxins, and flame retardants: Though studies are still inconclusive on these chemicals, they have all been linked with thyroid disruption, and according to a study published in the European Journal of Endocrinology, “There is growing evidence that environmental chemicals can disrupt endocrine systems….Even small changes in thyroid homeostatis may adversely affect human health, and especially fetal neurological development may be vulnerable.”

Protect Yourself!

How can you protect yourself? Keep making all the changes we talk about on this blog. Buy organic to reduce your exposure to pesticides, cook in pans not coated by Teflon, avoid food colorings (particularly red), filter your drinking water, and take my Ingredients to Avoid list with you shopping for personal care products. With a little extra care, you can help reduce your toxic exposure and increase your odds of staying healthy and happy.

Do you have some tips for keeping the thyroid healthy? Please share.

Sources

Whitney S. Goldner, et al., “Pesticide Use and Thyroid Disease Among Women in the Agricultural Health Study,” Am. J. Epidemiol. (2010) 171 (4): 455-464. http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/content/171/4/455.abstract.

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2000; 42: 777

CDC Congressional Testimony, “Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials, United States House of Representatives, CDC’s Perchlorate Biomonitoring Activities and Study Results,” April 25, 2007. http://www.cdc.gov/washington/testimony/2007/t20070425a.htm.

Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), “Food Dyes: A Rainbow of Risks.” http://www.cspinet.org/new/pdf/food-dyes-rainbow-of-risks.pdf.

Environmental Working Group, “Major Study of Teflon Chemical in People Suggest Harm to Immune System, Liver, Thyroid,” Press Release May 13, 2008. http://www.ewg.org/release/major-study-teflon-chemical-people-suggests-harm-immune-system-liver-thyroid.

Melzer D., et al., “Association Between Serum Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Thyroid Disease in the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey,” Environ Health Perspect. 2010 May; 118(5): 686-92. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20089479.

Malene Boas, et al., “Environmental Chemicals and Thyroid Function,” European Journal of Endocrinology (2006) 154: 599-611. http://www.eje.org/content/154/5/599.full.pdf.

Photo courtesy SabrinaSako via Flickr.com.

You’re in luck! I’ve got some great ideas for you. Check out this list of 10 and see if any of them fit what you’re looking for. Then be sure to write in and tell me about how the gift was received!

1. When Cancer Hits. Okay, it’s the obvious one and you knew I had to mention it, so here it is—my book, When Cancer Hits. Seriously, I’ve gotten some great feedback from readers, and those who got it after their cancer treatments were over say they wished they had it during treatment. It’s safe, it’s inexpensive, and it has lots of great tips inside!

2. Spa treatments. Ask anyone living with cancer—or who has survived cancer, for that matter—what really feels good, and they’re likely to say something like a massage, reflexology, or a relaxing facial. Why not get them a gift certificate to the spa? Just make sure you choose one that has people trained in oncology esthetics. Here’s a great list of licensed oncology estheticians near you.

3. Sable’s food bars. These were developed with feedback from actual cancer patients. You can take them with you, and they come in several great flavors. Easily digestible and full of nutrients, Sable’s bars are something your loved one may be able to eat when not much else sounds appetizing.

4. Guided meditations. I don’t know if your friend has tried meditation, but even if he or she hasn’t, the CDs from Belleruth Naparstek’s “Health Journeys” can be extremely relaxing and stress-relieving. My father used them all the time during his cancer battle and I love the general wellness one.

5. Comfy pajamas, robes, and slippers. If you know someone who’s going through chemotherapy or radiation, they will absolutely love these. Look for PJ’s that have elastic waists, and slippers with rubber soles to help prevent falls. For those suffering night sweats, Dry Babe absorbent PJ’s are really helpful.

6. Soft cotton gloves. Those living with cancer are more at risk from exposure to the sun, to toxic chemicals, and to sharp objects. They are also likely to have dry hands. Cotton gloves can be worn at night to seal in moisturizer, and during the day to protect the hands from injury. Gardening gloves shield against the elements, and household gloves protect against excess water—though be cautious with rubber gloves as they can seal in heat, making hand and foot syndrome worse.

7. Argan oil. Cancer patients and survivors suffer from extremely dry skin. Kahina Giving Beauty 100% Organic Argan Oil is the perfect moisturizer. Free of synthetics, it nurtures and repairs without harsh chemicals, yet it has only one ingredient!

8. Alcohol-free mouthwashes and sulfate-free toothpastes. Alcohol is harsh and irritating, especially to mouths that are plagued with sores. Toothpastes with sodium laureth sulfate are known to increase the risk of mouth ulcers. Look for safer brands like Vitacare.

9. Scent-free products. Synthetic fragrances can contain hundreds of chemicals not listed on the label. Some of these may be harsh or irritating to sensitive skin. Those living with cancer may also find some fragrances nauseating. Look for quality fragrance-free personal care products. A basket full of fragrance-free items makes a great gift! Just make sure you read the labels for other potentially harmful chemicals and stay away from my Ingredients to Avoid.

10. Eyebrow stencils. People living with cancer may lose their hair not only on their heads, but over their eyes as well. If you’ve never drawn on eyebrows before, you may find the task really difficult. Anastasia has the perfect eyebrow kit, and Jane Irdale includes shadows, wax and brushes.

Do you have some great safe gift ideas for the holidays? Let us know!

Photo courtesy Pedal Power CT via Flickr.com.

Why Should We Be Concerned About Chemicals in Hair Dyes?

It comes down to accumulated toxic exposure. As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, hair dyes contain quaternium-15, which can release formaldehyde; phenylenediamine (PPD), which may be carcinogenic; and alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs), potential hormone disruptors. Though studies remain inconclusive overall, many have indicated that some ingredients in hair dyes can cause cancer, particularly for those who are exposed a lot, like hair dressers and stylists.

We also need to be cautious of what we apply to the scalp because it can absorb potentially harmful chemicals and transmit them into the bloodstream. A study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, for example, states, “Several studies suggest that toxic chemicals in hair products may be absorbed through the scalp in sufficient amounts to increase the risks of adverse health affects in women….”

What’s Safe and What’s Not?

If you talk to a hair stylist about the safest method of hair coloring, most likely he or she would tell you to avoid coloring altogether. To change the color of your hair requires a chemical reaction, so it’s difficult to completely avoid any chemical exposure. There are some more natural brands of hair coloring out there, but the actual chemical difference is slight—perhaps one molecule removed from full-blown ammonia, for example. So all in all, there’s just not a 100% safe hair color out there.

The other issue is that many natural hair dyes have not received the best reviews as far as color matching and consistent results. They may have fewer harmful ingredients, but you may not be as happy with the results. This is where you must make a decision—how much risk are you comfortable taking? If you’re healthy with no auto-immune diseases or chemical sensitivities, you may feel okay about using a regular brand once in awhile. If you’re going through cancer, or if you have sensitive skin, allergies, or chemical sensitivities, you may feel differently.

Some brands may have fewer potentially harmful ingredients than others, however, and may help lower your exposure. The FDA does not regulate hair dye ingredients, so watch labels for things like ammonia, peroxide, PPDs, coal tar (though most dyes don’t contain this anymore), toluene and resorcinol. Some natural dyes to try include Aubrey Organics, pure Henna (though realize you can’t change the color on this one if you don’t like it), and NaturaTint.

Finding a Safe Salon

Once you decide how you want to approach your hair care, the next step is to find a stylist who will work with you. Some have absolutely no experience with less toxic dyes, and others are well educated about them. Tell your stylist you’re concerned about chemicals and that you prefer hair dyes that are ammonia-free, herbal-based, low-PPD, lead-free, toluene-free and coal-tar-free. Discuss how you can reduce the number of times you have to get a complete color, such as choosing highlights or lowlights in between appointments, or going with something that’s closer to your natural shade or a lighter shade (as dark hair dyes are the most toxic) and perhaps consider embracing your gray hair.

As for some specific salons that cater to chemical-conscious customers, try Aveda salons (their dyes are more natural but do still contain ammonia). Planet Thrive has some other great less toxic hair salon suggestions for different states around the nation.

Do you have some tips for cutting back on hair chemicals? Please share.

Sources

Cheryl Blackmore-Prince, et al., “Chemical Hair Treatments and Adverse Pregnancy Outcome Among Black Women in Central North Carolina,” American Journal of Epidemiology Vol 149(8): 712-716 (1999). http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/content/149/8/712.full.pdf

Photo courtesy Utopia Salon via Flickr.com.

Their representative wanted my help in spreading the word about “Promise Me,” the pink perfume released earlier this year by Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the nation’s largest breast cancer foundation. The bottle has a pink glow and a pink ribbon, but as I mentioned before, it also has several potentially harmful chemicals, including synthetic fragrance, benzyl salicylate, and oxybenzone.

More Chemicals Than We Thought

What I learned from BCAction is that the perfume apparently contains even more chemicals than I thought—chemicals not listed on the ingredient deck. The organization performed an independent chemical analysis of the perfume, and found a number of chemicals not listed on the packaging. Two of the most serious were:

• Galaxolide (HHCB): a synthetic musk, this ingredient has weak estrogenic activity, meaning that it has the capability of disrupting hormones.¹ In an Environmental Working Group study, researchers found that 7 out of the 10 babies tested had galaxolide or another synthetic musk (tonalide) in their blood.² Studies in the 1990s also indicated that these types of musks may break down the body’s defenses against other toxic exposures.³
• Toluene: a liquid hydrocarbon present in coal tar and petroleum, toluene is used as a solvent in products, as well as an ingredient in degreasers, lacquers, glues, and nail polishes. It’s one of my ingredients to avoid because of its potential harmful health effects. Inhalation can cause hearing and color vision loss, memory loss, light-headedness, nausea, eye and nose irritation, and tiredness. Toluene may also harm an unborn fetus.

Komen’s Reaction

BCAction contacted Komen about theses results, asking them to pull the product from the shelves. They didn’t agree to do that, stating that their research concluded the product did not elevate risk of breast cancer in humans, but they did agree to reformulate to “remove any doubt about the ingredients.” The original perfume has been discontinued, and a new one is due out in early 2012. Bottles of the old one are still available for sale, however.

Whether or not the new perfume will be safer than the old, we don’t know. The problem is that some of these questionable ingredients are still used by companies because they believe that the small amounts present in the formulation present no danger. That may be true, but we’re lacking studies on the cumulative results of daily exposure, and that’s what concerns me. Studies have shown these ingredients can remain in our bodies for unknown periods of time. Why take the risk? Why include these ingredients in a product specifically made for those who’ve been touched by breast cancer and are potentially even more susceptible to harm from toxic exposure?

The Pinkwashing Point

Think Before You Pink also points out that this product is a pink product, meant to pull on our heartstrings along with our pocketbooks so that we’ll buy more to support breast cancer research. That makes it even more disturbing that this product contains potentially harmful ingredients. As such, it’s become a part of “pinkwashing“—the practice of producing products for breast cancer that could potentially be harmful for those with breast cancer.

You can help me do something about it by joining BCAction’s “Raise a Stink!” movement to urge Komen to immediately recall Promise Me, and to pledge to prevent pinkwashing in the future. Go to BCAction’s “Take Action” center and add your letter to those that have already been sent on this issue.

Together, our voices are powerful!

Did you participate in BCAction’s “Take Action” campaign? Please share your thoughts.

Sources

1. Seinen W, Lemmen JG, Pieters RH, Verbruggen EM, Van der Burg B. (1999). AHTN and HHCB show weak estrogenic but no uterotrophic activity. Toxicol. Lett. 111, 161–168.
2. Environmental Working Group (EWG) 2009. Pollution in Minority Newborns. Available: http://www.ewg.org/minoritycordblood.
3. Luckenbach, Till; Epel, David (January 2005). “Nitromusk and Polycyclic Musk Compounds as Long-Term Inhibitors of Cellular Xenobiotic Defense Systems Mediated by Multidrug Transporters.” Environmental Health Perspectives 113 (1): 17–24.

Study Details

Granted, most of us aren’t exposed to the levels of pesticides that these study participants were. Researchers from the University of Sterling in Scotland studied over 1,000 Canadian women, half of whom had already been diagnosed with breast cancer. They found that those women who had the disease were nearly three times as likely to have worked on a farm, especially when they were teenagers.

The authors of the study speculated that toxic pesticides and other farm chemicals could be responsible for initiating changes in women’s breasts that would eventually lead to cancer. Developing breast tissue is particularly vulnerable to toxic exposure.

Cancer Related to Your Career?

Andrew Watterson, one of the study researchers, added that roughly four percent of all cancers are related to a woman’s occupation. He found that the risk of breast cancer was highest in women who worked or lived on farms during adolescence, then went on to work in the auto or health industries. Chemicals from all of these occupations, including radiation, drugs, anesthetic waste gas, pesticides, and solvents, could be linked to cancer.

Other Scientists are Skeptical

Other scientists aren’t so sure about this study. Some say there were too few participants for the results to carry too much weight. Meanwhile there are many other factors that can contribute to cancer risk, including smoking, weight gain, heredity, a sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, and stress.

This isn’t the first study to make this sort of connection, however. Research by R. H. Allen and colleagues discussed breast cancer patterns in Hawaii as they related to toxin exposure, and Teitelbaum and colleagues found that residential pesticides may also increase cancer risk. More studies need to be done, but it seems science is finally paying attention to what we suspected all along—that these chemicals are just not good for us.

Reduce Your Exposure to Pesticides

What can you do to reduce your exposure to pesticides? Try these few tips, and realize that people who are involved in occupations exposing them to chemicals are far more at risk than those who aren’t. Every little bit helps, however, in living your healthiest life possible!

• Buy organic, particularly for foods you don’t peel like apples, celery, strawberries, peaches, pears, greens, and tomatoes. Wash all fruits and vegetables before eating.
• Try to get rid of pests without chemicals. Block openings under doors and around vents, and keep your house clean and free of areas where pests can find food and water.
• Avoid pesticides in your home, and buy non-toxic deterrents instead. If you must use a pesticide, protect yourself with gloves and a mask.
• Take your shoes off before you enter the house. Chemical residues tracked in on the bottom of your shoes can last for years in carpeting.

How do you reduce your exposure to pesticides? Please share your tips.

Sources:

• R. H. Allen, “Breast Cancer And Pesticides in Hawaii: the Need for Further Study,” Environmental Health Perspectives, (1997) April (105, Suppl 3): 679-683.
• Susan L. Teitelbaum, et al., “Reported Residential Pesticide Use and Breast Cancer Risk on Long Island, New York,” Am. J. Epidemiol (2007) 165(6): 643-651.

Photo courtesy CHS Inc via Flickr.com.

Pamper your skin with goodies from your own kitchen. Forget high-cost skin-care products that are full of chemicals anyway. Need extra moisture? Smash up a banana or an avocado, mix it with some yogurt, and wear it as a mask for 10-15 minutes. Find more homemade skin-care wonders.

Make your own non-toxic household cleaners. You’ll be amazed how much money you can save by making your own cleansers, and you’ll save your tender nasal passages and lungs from absorbing all those toxic chemicals typically present in over-the-counter cleansers. All you need is a little baking soda, washing soda, and vinegar. Check out my household cleaning recipes.

Use jars to store food. Get away from dangers BPA plastics and store your food in old spaghetti or salsa glass jars. They work perfectly, save you from having to buy plastic storage containers, and keep your family safe.

Open the windows. Looking to freshen the air? Forget spending money on contaminating air fresheners. Open a window. Even in cooler weather, you can open a window slightly for a few minutes and get the benefit of a fresh breath of air. House plants can also help remove toxins and improve indoor air quality. I’ve got other tips for natural air freshening.

Buy in bulk. Think organic foods are too expensive? Check out your local farmer’s market, or buy in bulk and freeze yourself. Buying organic really can help cut down on your pesticide exposure, and you can find ways to go organic without breaking your budget.

Color your hair less often. Hair dyes, particularly dark ones, can be toxic. Organic options may or may not be safer—the jury is still out—and henna hair coloring, though more natural, is difficult to change if you don’t like the color. (Putting chemical color on top of henna can destroy the hair strand.) Ask your stylist for non-toxic solutions, read my post for more natural options, and cut down on the number of times you color your hair each year. Less exposure means less risk.

Grow your own. There’s nothing more natural than growing your own herbs or vegetables, and it’s the frugal alternative to buying them from the store. Try an herb garden on your windowsill, or a small veggie garden in your back yard.

Do you have other low-cost or no-cost non-toxic living tips? Please share!

Photo courtesy karenwithak via Flickr.com.

I wanted to warn parents, however, about a couple products that may have potentially harmful chemicals. Kids these days are surrounded by more chemicals than we were at that age, so if you can provide safer options, why not?

The good news is that there are safer products out there. In other words, you don’t have to give up the fun—just make smarter choices!

Face Paint: It’s a great alternative for kids, as it doesn’t obscure their vision like a mask does, but did you know that regular face paint can contain dangerous metals that can cause skin sensitivity and even brain damage? The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics tested 10 of them and found that all contained lead, and six had nickel, cobalt, or chromium at levels exceeding industry safety guidelines. Remember that the skin can and does absorb some of the things it comes into contact with, particularly if that product stays on the skin for an extended length of time.

Fortunately, there are better alternatives. You just have to look for them. Luna Organics and Terra Firma Cosmetics sell makeup and face paint that’s made of non-toxic, hypoallergenic materials. You can also make your own with these do-it-yourself face paint recipes provided by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. If your child is prone to allergies, make sure you test any type of paint on a small patch of skin before using it on the face.

Masks and costumes: Masks can be potentially dangerous for many reasons. The most common is that they obscure vision. If your kids are out trick-or-treating, they may not be able to see an oncoming car. Did you know that car-pedestrian collisions are the biggest danger for kids on this holiday? We all worry about poisoned candy, but the real danger is on the street.

Masks and costumes can also be made of potentially toxic materials like plastics (which may contain phthalates), flame-retardant materials, lead, and other toxins. Costume jewelry often contains cadmium and lead. Fortunately, there are options. You can find costumes made with non-toxic materials like organic cotton, wool, silk, or hemp. A couple places to look: Sarah’s Silks, Radical Thread Co., and Magic Cabin. For more ideas, try EcoFabulous’ guide to Halloween costumes, or Martha Stewart’s homemade Halloween costumes.

Treats: Of course, we have to talk about all that sugar! Halloween and candy just seem to go together, but realize that hospitals see more kids for bellyaches on this holiday than any other. If your kids come home with a bucket full of treats, help them to store most of it in a fun container for later so they won’t overindulge. Better yet, feed them a good dinner before they go out so they’re not overly hungry for treats.

What if you want to give out healthier stuff to the kids who come to your door? Try animal cookies, small boxes of raisins, dark chocolate pieces, yogurt-covered pretzels, and chocolate-dipped fruits.

With a few careful choices, you can enjoy a fun and non-toxic Halloween this year!

How do you reduce your toxic exposure on Halloween? Share your tips.

Photo courtesy Onyx_Kytten via Flickr.com.

You may have already started trying to get fragrances out of your life. Maybe you’re looking for products that are labeled as “fragrance-free.” What else can you do to clean up the air your breathe? Here are some tips.

How Do You Know It’s Fragrance-Free?

Finding products without fragrance is sometimes easier said than done. Those that are labeled “fragrance-free” are usually free of artificial and natural scents, including essential oils. Those labeled “unscented,” however, may have other chemicals that mask the scents in the product, so your safest bet is to choose fragrance-free. If you tolerate essential oils okay, then you may be fine with natural products that use essential oils for scent.

Keep Fragrances Away from Your Body

If you want to get rid of the fragrance chemicals in your life, start with your body. Most of our daily products, including shampoo, conditioner, shave gel, aftershave, body wash, face cleanser, toner, moisturizer, hand soap, deodorant, and more all contain fragrances, which means that your body is exposed to countless unknown chemicals on a daily basis. To go fragrance-free, try these tips:

• Avoid using perfumes and colognes and switch to essential oil fragrances when you want something unique on special occasions.
• Choose fragrance-free personal care products whenever possible, especially those products that stay on your body all day long like deodorant and moisturizer. (See my post on where to find safer products.)
• Try to shower before bed so you’re not sleeping in fragrant chemicals.

Keep Fragrances Out of Your Clothes

The next most common place for fragrances, after your personal care products, is your laundry products. Detergents, softeners, dryer sheets, and stain removers are all full of fragrances, each one a different cocktail of chemicals. To go fragrance-free with your clothing, try these tips:

• Wash new clothes before you wear them. New clothes are full of chemicals. Adding baking soda to your wash will help get rid of some of the fragrances.
• Choose fragrance-free laundry, softening, and dryer products.
• Remember that your clothes retain the fragrances you come into contact with. If you pump gas, take a flight on an airplane with fragrances surrounding you, or become exposed to smoke, these scents will remain on your clothes. Wash right away.
• Air out your dry cleaning in the garage before bringing it into the house.

Keep Fragrances Out of Your Home

We don’t often think about it, but our homes can be full of fragrant chemicals wafting about. Here are some tips for clearing up your personal space:

• Avoid air fresheners—they’re full of potentially harmful chemicals that have been linked with hormone disruption.
• Use natural cleaners or homemade cleaners. Regular bathroom and kitchen cleaners are full of dangerous chemicals.
• Consider purchasing an air purifier.
• Check with the manufacturer before buying carpet and furniture, and choose those made with fewer toxic chemicals.
• Dust and vacuum frequently.
• Open a window as often as you can to air out your space.

If you try some of these tips, let me know how they work for you, and if you feel better with fewer fragrances in your life!

Have you taken steps to get rid of fragrances in your life? Please share your ideas.

Photo courtesy Robbie Khan via Flickr.com.

Eczema Cream Increased Skin Dehydration

A study published in the British Journal of Dermatology (2010) showed that aqueous cream BP—one of the most widely prescribed emollients for the treatment of eczema—actually reduces the thickness of healthy skin over a period of four weeks by more than 10 percent, increasing water loss by 20 percent. Professor Richard Guy, one of the study authors, said the cream was likely to aggravate those dry, itchy rashes that people with eczema get.

What did the researchers think caused this problem? They stated the most likely ingredient was sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS).

What is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate?

SLS is a chemical compound used as a foaming agent in personal care products like body washes and shampoos, as well as in detergents and industrial products. In skin care, it’s often used to create a creamy, rich texture. In toothpastes, it has been found to increase the risk of canker sores or mouth ulcers, and is known to irritate skin with prolonged exposure. In fact, SLS is used in lab tests to purposely irritate and damage the skin’s outer layer.

It’s no surprise then that researchers believe the SLS in the aqueous cream is what caused the thinning of the skin. Professor Guy offered this conclusion: “Our study has found that rubbing aqueous cream containing SLS into the skin thins this protective barrier, making the skin more susceptible to irritation by chemicals. So to use this cream on exzemous skin, which is already thin and vulnerable to irritation, is likely to make the condition even worse.”

What to Use Instead?

This study shows how important it is to maintain that protective outer layer in skin. That layer is what keeps skin healthy and moist, and when it’s stripped or damaged, skin becomes dry and cracked. Compromised skin is even more fragile, as some of that outer layer has already been damaged. Therefore it becomes critical to read the ingredient list and make sure you’re using products that won’t contribute to that damage.

Those suffering from eczema may be better off using ointments rather than creams, and choosing products that contain safer ingredients. Check with your dermatologist, read the label, and consider trying Purely Shea 100% Organic Shea Butter, and Earthbound Organic Chickweek and Calendula Cream, or other similar nurturing products.

Have you found a safe product to use on your eczema? Please share!

Source

Tsang M, Guy RH. Effect of Aqueous Cream BP on human stratum corneum in vivo. British Journal of Dermatology 2010; Article first published online: July 22.

Photo courtesy Casa de Damoc via Flickr.com.

In today’s world, it’s tough to avoid processed foods completely, particularly if you don’t have time to cook every night. You can, however, learn to read labels and choose only those foods that avoid the more dangerous additives—like the following six items:

1–Food Dyes. These are the synthetic chemicals that make processed foods look pretty, natural, or simply more appealing. Many have been linked to hyperactivity or other behavioral problems in children, so much so that a panel of experts earlier this year recommended that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conduct more research into the matter. All artificial food dyes contain lots of chemicals, some are made with petroleum, and several have been linked in animal studies to tumors. Typical foods with food additives include Jell-O, Skittles, M&M’s, and Fruit Loops.

2–Phthalates. I’ve mentioned these several times on this blog, but usually in connection with personal care products. Synthetic hormone disruptors used to soften plastics, phthalates also show up in food containers, particularly canned and packaged products. There’s no way to find these on the label, so it’s best just to avoid canned and packaged items as much as possible.

3–BPA. Called bisphenol A, this chemical is also used in the manufacturing of plastics, and shows up most often in the plastic linings of cans and in plastic beverage bottles. Look for brands that are packaging in new BPA-free cans and boxes, and try to avoid plastic bottles entirely.

4–Trans fats. There’s a dangerous loophole in the food industry right now, and that is that foods that aren’t really free of trans fats can still put “trans fat free” on their labels as long as there is less than .5 grams of trans fat per serving. May not seem like much, but if you eat 3-4 servings, that amount could add up. Trans fats contribute to heart disease, so be extra careful with things like baked goods, refrigerated doughs, and snack foods. Choose organic or shop at the Whole Foods store. You’ll have better odds of avoiding even trace amounts of trans fats.

5–MSG. It stands for monosodium glutamate, and is a type of additive found in Chinese food, canned veggies, soups, and processed meats to maximize flavor and improve taste appeal. It’s typically made by bacterial fermentation. Sensitive people can experience migraines, flushing, heart palpitations, and nausea.

6–Lead. Though of course not a regular food additive, lead is showing up in bottled juice, juice boxes, and packaged fruit, according to the Environmental Law Foundation in California. With the assistance of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the organization tested nearly 400 samples of juices and packaged fruit marketed to children, and found that 125 (more than 85 percent) contained enough lead to warrant a warning label under California’s Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986. Particularly concerning is that both regular and organic juices tested positive. The solution? Squeeze your own juice, and limit your child’s consumption of juice to once a day. The rest of the time, water is best for health.

Do you try to avoid food additives? Share your tips with us.

Photo courtesy the captaincinema via Flickr.com.

Here’s the scoop. Earlier this year, the National Toxicology Program (NTP) confirmed the results of a study that showed that retinyl palmitate in sunscreens, when applied to the skin and exposed to the sun, speeds the development of skin tumors.

Let me give you some more details on this study:

• The NTP started their research on this in 2000—they’ve been looking into this for awhile.
• The NTP started studying retinyl palmitate in the first place because the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had concerns about its potential sun-induced cancerous activity. Earlier research had shown that retinyl palmitate and other retinoids form free radicals and mutate DNA when exposed to UV rays.
• The study found that retinyl palmitate enhanced “photocarcinogencity” and the development of skin tumors.

How worried do we need to be about this study? You always have to take scientific results in context. So far this is only one study, and it was performed in animals, so we’re not sure yet if the results transfer to humans. It is concerning, however, especially when a major organization like the NTP supports the findings. Here are a few more details:

• The study was performed for 13 weeks, on 36 male and 36 female mice.
• The mice were exposed to creams with low percentages of retinyl palmitate, similar to those amounts found in currently available sunscreens. They were then exposed to light similar to natural sunlight.
• In both sexes, all mice that were exposed to retinyl palmitate, no matter the dose, experienced faster onset of skin lesions, and increased number of cancerous cells.
• After reviewing the study, the NTP felt that the evidence supports the idea that retinyl palmitate can be carcinogenic when applied to sun-exposed skin.

Here are my thoughts on this. First of all, this isn’t a new thing—the FDA has been concerned about this for awhile. Secondly, yes, it’s an animal study, but the reaction could be similar in humans. Finally, why take the chance? You can choose safe sunscreens without retinyl palmitate. In fact, after this study came out, several sunscreen manufacturers released vitamin A-free formulas. We need to protect the skin, but at the same time, we need to be sure that what we’re putting on the skin isn’t increasing our risk of skin problems or even skin cancer. The Environmental Working Group has put out a list of safe sunscreens, so you can find some good choices there. Go check them out, and take the safe route to skin protection.

Have you changed your sunscreens as a result of this study? Please share your thoughts.

Photo courtesy the aearlsnd via Flickr.com.

What is Arsenic?

A naturally occurring mineral found in soil, rock, and water, arsenic is all around us. It’s used to make metals, glass, electronic components, and wood preservatives. It’s also used in herbicides and pesticides, and according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), it’s been linked to cancer of the bladder, lungs, skin, kidneys, liver, and prostate.

So how did this mineral get into chicken meat?

Chicken Feed Contains Arsenic

A new study conducted by the FDA found that an ingredient in chicken feed called Roxarsone, which contains arsenic, can leave a small amount of toxic arsenic in the body of the chicken, where it stays until we eat it. Now there are several things disturbing about this study result.

Number one, why are chickens being fed feed that’s laced with arsenic? I checked out “Roxarsone,” and surprise, surprise, guess what it is? A growth-promoting ingredient! Can’t we just let feed animals grow naturally? Apparently not. Roxarsone has been approved by the FDA for decades for use in chickens, turkeys and pigs to increase weight gain, decrease the risk of parasites, and improve “pigmentation,” or skin color, so it makes the meat look more red.

Number two, the FDA has always known that Roxarsone contained arsenic. They just didn’t feel it was a safety concern to humans. The American Meat Institute differentiates “organic” arsenic from “inorganic” arsenic, because there’s a chemical difference between the two. Though both are found naturally in the environment, organic arsenic is not considered carcinogenic, while inorganic is more plentiful, more toxic, and can cause cancer. Roxarsone used organic arsenic, which was assumed to be safer, but guess what? When metabolized in the chicken’s bodies, the organic arsenic turned to inorganic arsenic. The FDA’s deputy commissioner himself said the recent study raised “concerns of a very low but completely avoidable exposure to a carcinogen.”

Number three, Roxarsone was approved by the FDA in 1944 for use in animal feed. That means that any of us eating chicken since that date have probably been exposed to the small levels of arsenic that made it into the chicken we ate. Not a comforting thought. Up until now, the FDA maintained that the arsenic was excreted in the chicken’s feces, while several environmental groups, lawmakers, and concerned citizens have tried to force a ban on the product. Only recently did the agency admit, as a result of this study, that some toxic arsenic remains inside the chicken.

The good news? As a result of the FDA study, Roxarsone manufacturer Pfizer Inc. said it would pull the ingredient off the market. Many poultry producers had already stopped using it. But there are other similar products out there. My takeaway? Be careful what you buy! Purchase any of your meat from distributors committed to raising animals without chemicals. Look for certified organic labels, as well as other statements such as “antiobiotic free,” and do some checking on the brand. Every little bit helps reduce your toxic exposure.

What do you think about this FDA announcement? How do you make sure your meats are safe to eat?

Photo courtesy the Sarah B in SD via Flickr.com.

You may have caught some of my previous posts on BPA—bisphenol A, a chemical used to make plastics that’s been linked with breast cancer, prostate cancer, and developmental problems in fetuses and young children. A report issued earlier this year found that levels of BPA in canned foods is as high as those found to cause harm in animal studies. BPA is used to on the inside lining of cans, and though results varied from product to product, even good-for-you foods like canned fruits and vegetables were found to contain levels of BPA over the EPA’s recommended safety limit.

Nothing’s been done here in the U.S. concerning this report, but Sweden is looking seriously into the issue, and may become the first country in the world to phase out the use of BPA in food and beverage can linings. A report by the Swedish Chemical Agency and the National Food Administration recommended that Swedish food packagers and processors figure out how to employ BPA-free alternatives by the end of this year. Those importing foods into the country would also have to outline when such alternatives could be available.

The European Union already banned the use of BPA in baby bottles because of concerns over the chemical causing developmental problems. That ban went into effect on June 1, 2011. The European Consumers’ Organisation, BEUC, also called on the European Commission to take further action and ban BPA completely from consumer products like canned food and beverages, coffee machines, CDs, DVDs, cash receipts, tennis rackets, medical equipment, paints and varnishes, and more.

So far in the U.S., however, the FDA has only acknowledged that it’s taking a closer look into the issue. In fact, some within the agency reportedly wanted to ban it at least from baby bottles, but others were concerned that babies who relied on formula would be left without healthy alternatives. In addition, since BPA is classified as a food additive, it’s not subject to the kind of scrutiny that chemicals are, and without critical data, it’s impossible to regulate it because of the laws we currently have on the books.

The FDA says on its website:

Current food contact uses were approved under food additive regulations issued more than 40 years ago. This regulatory structure limits the oversight and flexibility of FDA.

Administrators within the FDA itself admit that the agency needs to overhaul its regulatory framework. Until then, these dangerous chemicals are going to continue to be underregulated. Meanwhile, states are filling the gap. Minnesota, Connecticut, the City of Chicago, and two counties in New York have banned BPA in baby bottles. Washington recently banned BPA-containing bottles, cups, and other containers for children younger than three years old. A federal ban on BPA in all food items was proposed in Congress, but unfortunately failed to pass the Senate in 2010.

How can you help? Let your voice be heard. Refuse to buy products that contain BPA, and share your opinion whenever you can. We can influence the market—just let manufacturers know what you want!

Have you changed your habits to avoid BPA-lined cans and bottles? Please share your story.

Photo courtesy James Riley Photography via Flickr.com.

When you’re going through cancer treatments, cleaning the house is the last thing you want to do. Not only do you lack the energy, but the fumes from common household cleansers may make you nauseated, say nothing of the potential harm from some of the toxic ingredients. One study showed that women who used typical cleaning products were up to 110 more likely to develop breast cancer than those who rarely used them!

On the other hand, having a clean house while you’re going through treatments is critical. After all, your immune system is down and you’ve probably never been more at risk from germs.

Friends and family may be willing to help, but most likely they’ll want to clean their way, which may mean using products you’re not comfortable with. What’s the solution?

Well, you could ask them to use non-toxic cleansers and they might oblige, but if you live in New Jersey, you may have a better option—an organization called CanswerLink that provides free monthly non-toxic house cleaning to all cancer patients.

Doesn’t matter if you’re a man, woman, or child, or if you are going through chemotherapy, radiation, recovering from surgery, or coming home for hospice due to cancer, CanswerLink will come in and take care of the cleaning. “When a patient is diagnosed with cancer and the priorities shift,” says their website, “housecleaning can often be the last thing on the mind. We believe that a clean home has an emotional affect that lifts the patient’s spirits and renews the patient’s mental health, crucial steps in total mind and body recovery.”

Founded by Vici Prodromitis and Donna Sandvig—both of whom have had people close to them hit by cancer—CanswerLink currently operates in several counties in New Jersey, including Warren, Hunterdon, Somerset, Mercer, Union, Morris, Middlesex, Monmouth, Essex, Sussex, and Bergen. The vision is for the organization to continue to expand until its services are available in every state in the nation, and the invitation is out for other cleaning organizations and even individuals to start CanswerLink chapters in their hometowns.

I was so excited to hear about this organization. It’s such a great idea, and can be of such help to so many individuals and their families. What’s extra fantastic is that they believe in using non-toxic cleaning products, to avoid introducing any additional damaging chemicals into the home environments of people who are especially susceptible to them.

“CanswerLink believes that only non-toxic cleaning products should be used in everyone’s homes,” says their website. “By using only non-toxic products we can help to protect other family members from being exposed to toxins that may contribute to the development of certain cancers.”

If you believe like I do that an organization like this deserves your support, please take a moment right now to make a donation to their cause. If you want to go further and start a chapter in your area, you’ll find instructions at the same link. And if you know someone in the Jersey area that could use their help, don’t hesitate to contact them!

Have you had an experience with CanswerLink? Please share your story.

Photo courtesy CanswerLink.org.

If you’ve ever gotten your hands or fingers in some Clorox chlorine bleach, you know what it feels like: the burning, the lasting dryness, the feeling like your skin is shrinking into your bones to get away, get away! Well unfortunately, for many people living in populated areas, you may be bathing in chlorine every day.

Most sources of city water use chlorine to disinfect the water. Unfortunately, chlorine in your shower can wreak havoc on your skin—and may have other lasting health effects as well. Because you’re bathing in a hot, steamy environment, your pores open up and actually absorb more chemicals from your water than they normally would.

And it’s not just your skin absorbing it—it’s your nose and mouth too. As you inhale, you can take in chlorine and chlorinated by-products called “trihalomethanes (THMs),” which trigger the production of free radicals in your body and have been reported to be carcinogenic in animal studies by the Environmental Protection Agency (and several scientific journals). Worse, once released, these toxins can circulate in your home, particularly if your shower is not well ventilated.

In fact, according to Water Warning, Dr. Lance Wallace of the U.S. EPA has said that showering is suspected to be the primary cause of elevated levels of chloroform in nearly every home because of chlorine in the water.¹ The National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) agrees, reporting that over ten epidemiological studies found that disinfection by-products (DBPs) may be responsible for thousands of cases of rectal and bladder cancers per year, that the levels of THMs increases substantially when water is heated, and—here’s the good news—by removing precursors to DBPs, risk can be reduced.²

I could tell you a lot more on this subject—particularly about some other contaminants regularly found in tap water—but for now let’s say that your eyes are open and you’re ready to do something about it. Here are some tips to help you do just that.

1. Test your tap water. At least once a year, get a water-quality report to find out what’s in your water.
2. Find the right filter. Not all filters are the same—that’s why it helps to know what’s in your water, so you can match it up with the right filter. To get rid of chlorine, look for NSF/ANSI Standard 46, which means the filter has passed a test to remove chlorine. One study suggests 0.2-µm filters are more effective than those with larger pore sizes.
3. Choose safe household cleaners. If you’re piling on Tilex in your shower, expect to inhale toxic fumes! Choose safer shower cleaners without harmful ingredients.
4. Choose safer personal care products. Shampoos and body washes can also contain ingredients that can mix with the chlorine in your water and create toxic by-products. Take my Ingredients to Avoid list with you when you go shopping.
5. Keep your shower area ventilated. Turn on the fan and open a window if it’s warm enough.

Have you tried a shower filter? Let us know what you think!

Sources

1. “Chlorine, Cancer, and Heart Disease.” WaterWarning.com. http://www.waterwarning.com/chlorinefact.php.
2. “Our Children at Risk: The 5 Worst Environmental Threats to Their Health.” Natural Resources Defense Council Report. http://www.nrdc.org/health/kids/ocar/chap7.asp.
3. MacDonald WD, Pelletier CA, Gasper DL. Practical methods for the microbial validation of sterilizing-grade filters used in aseptic processing. J Parenter Sci Technol 1989;43:266-70.

Photo courtesy JaySeven via Flickr.com.

The organization gathered a team of scientists from 14 different countries to analyze prior studies on cell phone safety, and the team believed there was enough evidence there to label cell phones as possibly carcinogenic to humans.

Yet according to ABC News, the incidence and mortality rate of brain cancer has remained virtually flat since 1987, even though there are an estimated 5 billion cell phone users globally.¹ But WHO counters with the fact that environmental factors like non-ionizing radiation (which comes out of a cell phone) takes years to show evidence of increasing health hazards.

The European Environmental Agency agrees with WHO that caution is called for, and has asked for more studies, saying cell phones could be as big a risk to the public as smoking and asbestos.² Some of their concern may stem from the large international study that found using a cell phone for ten years or more doubled the rate of a rare type of brain cancer (glioma). Children may be especially at risk if they start using cell phones early in life, when their skulls and scalps are still developing.

Michael Shermer, publisher of Skeptic magazine and regular columnist in Scientific American, wrote about this issue just last October (2010) saying, “…not only is there no epidemiological evidence of a causal connection [between cell phones and cancer], but physics shows that it is virtually impossible for cell phones to cause cancer.” Why? According to Shermer, cell phones don’t emit enough electromagnetic radiation to break the molecular bonds inside cells like DNA. X-rays, gamma rays, and UV rays all do. In fact, UV rays generate greater than 480 kilojoules per mole (kJ/mole), but cell phones generate less than 0.001 kj/mole—making them much weaker by comparison.

Possibly contradicting this point of view may be a study by the National Institutes of Health in February of this year that found that radiation emitted just 50 minutes from a mobile phone “increased activity” in brain cells. (It said nothing about breaking bonds.) The effects of that, however, are still unknown.³

As with most emerging science, we just really don’t have all the answers yet, so be prepared—this debate is sure to go on and appear in the news again in the future! In the meantime, be on the cautious side and protect yourself with these few tips:

• When you’re using the phone, try to keep it away from your head. Most manufacturers recommend at least an inch between you and the device.
• Use the speaker function, wired earpiece, or Bluetooth device as often as possible to minimize radiation exposure.
• When you have a weak signal, your phone has to work harder to connect—using more power and emitting more radiation. Make calls when you have a good connection, and avoid using your phone in elevators, buildings and rural areas.

What do you think about the cell phone debate? Share your opinion.

Source

1. Michael Murray, “Study Finds Cellphones May Cause Cancer, but Brain Cancers Have Not Spiked,” ABC News, June 1, 2001. http://abcnews.go.com/US/cellphones-cancer-brain-cancers-spiked/story?id=13737320.
2. Danielle Dellorto, “WHO: Cell Phone Use Can Increase Possible Cancer Risk,” CNN, May 31, 2011. http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/05/31/who.cell.phones/index.html.
3. Julie Steenhuysen, “Cell Phone Radiation Alters Brain Activity, Study Shows,” MSNBC February 22, 2011. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41723965/ns/health-health_care/t/cell-phone-radiation-alters-brain-activity-study-shows/.

Photo courtesy mrsellr via dignitana.com.