Toxic Chemicals in the Home - Are They in Yours?

What is the definition of a "toxic chemical"? According to online dictionaries, toxic chemicals are described as: Any chemical that can cause death or permanent harm to humans or animals. This includes all such chemicals, regardless of their origin or of their method of production, and regardless of whether they are produced in facilities, or elsewhere.

The fumes that come from air fresheners, household cleaners, and laundry detergents that make your home and laundry smell so fresh contain dozens of toxic chemicals, and "volatile organic compounds". You can research that term later. They have the ability to harm your health, and your pet's health as well. None of these toxic chemicals will be listed on product labels so don't even bother to look for them. The federal government does not require companies to disclose ingredients that are considered fragrances.

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I'm only talking about household scents here. I can write an article every day for a year and not cover all the toxic chemicals in our environment. Most of us know to stay clear of cleaners that look dangerous and include warnings on the label, like "do not breathe", but we may not think about fragrances as toxic chemicals.

Of course, the health effects of toxic chemicals in the home are "unclear". I don't want to be part of an experiment, do you? It seems the American way is to put the product out there and if a few too many people die or are hospitalized, then maybe they'll consider taking it off the shelf. If product complaints include reports of dizziness, headaches, seizures, and shortness of breath, and asthma attacks, that's enough for me to give it up!

If you don't think I'm being straight with you, do your own research to become informed and to be able to make the right decisions for you. I wanted to share with you an article from National Geographic where an employee willingly allowed himself to be tested for toxic chemicals in his body. It is an eye-opener, even if you think this is a bunch of nonsense put together by women who have nothing better to do than report the sky is falling.

Some of you may already be taking measures to protect your family, and I applaud you. Your awareness may have started with the problem of lead in toys, or maybe you are in Health and Wellness like me, and watch out for these things. I do not think our health is the main concern amongst big businesses today. You will have to take your health into your own hands, even when it comes to laundry products. Seems ridiculous, doesn't it?

So, what exactly is the problem this time? Not much is considered safe these days. The problem of toxic chemicals and volatile organic compounds in scents goes along with the finding of hormone disruptors in plastics, toiletries and other man made products. You can research "hormone disruptors" as well, and learn all you need to know about how these chemicals affect your body, and it's not pretty!

The latest studies by the University of Washington focused on commonly used products: dryer sheets (women love the way they smell), fabric softeners, laundry detergents, and different types of air fresheners. All the products gave off major volatile organic compounds, or VOCs.

Many volatile organic compounds like paint and gasoline are known to be harmful. Of course, the safety of the rest are "unclear". VOCs are compounds that vaporize easily. You may have heard about volatile organic compounds from interior house paint ads, or from your city's water quality report. They are in there!

All of the products that were tested emitted at least one harmful, toxic chemical; classified by the federal government, not by me. There were 3 toxic chemicals emitted that the EPA considers hazards with no safe exposure levels, that have been linked to organ damage. I'm sure the rest is "unclear".

Although certain groups have spoken up to assure you that these toxic chemical fragrances have been tested for safety and be used with confidence, I am "confidently" not using them and haven't been for a long time. Knowledge is power here. I only mean to inform, although I'm sure you pick up on where I stand on the matter.

Children are very sensitive to toxic chemical exposure and their little bodies should be protected. Because of their size the toxic chemicals can affect them even more. Even healthy males, during a recent study, reported the side effects listed above, when they were exposed to volatile organic compounds.

Naturally, the products tested will not be named, because you guessed it: big money is involved. Even though we deserve the right to know what is in the products we use daily, manufacturers are not required to tell us.

So, how do you avoid toxic chemicals and volatile organic compounds in the home? Look for natural, plant-based products with fragrances disclosed on the label. They are out there if you look, and they are not always more expensive. Stop using laundry products with a fragrance; look for unscented. Use a fan in the bathroom! Be an "informed consumer" and remember, "Knowledge is Power" to make a difference in your health, and in those you love.

Toxic Chemicals in the Home - Are They in Yours?

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Home Water Filter Systems Can Add Years To Your Life By Removing Cancer-Causing Chemicals & Toxins

Although choices abound in home water filter systems, there are definite characteristics of the best that every consumer should look for. First of all, the most modern system uses a multi-stage process based on activated carbon filtration.

When activated carbon filters are used in water filter home systems, they filter out the dangerous chemicals that are humanly introduced into the water supply while enhancing the healthful mineral balance of the water.

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The first stage of filtration is mechanical filtration, which removes sediments, tiny microscopic particles which cloud water and lessen its taste, as well as chlorine. Chlorine is by far the most prevalent chemical in our water, and it is the main culprit in water's distastefulness and unhealthiness. Even so, it cannot be avoided entirely, at least not initially, because it is chlorine that removes the disease causing bacteria at the treatment plant. So the use of chlorine for purification is very necessary, but there is no reason for it to remain in the water, and that is where your home water filter systems get to do their part and remove it.

The processes of adsorption and ion exchange continue the cleansing of water by taking away other humanly introduced chemicals such as those that enter the water through agricultural runoff and improperly disposed of household cleansers. Pesticides, fertilizers, and cleansers are tasteless, odorless, but far from harmless, and yet treatment plants are not required to remove them.

That's why the best water filter home systems will not only remove the obvious things like chlorine and sediments but will focus on making our water free from these other insidious chemicals. All of these chemicals, chlorine included, have been shown to be major contributors to the rise in cancer and degenerative nervous disorders over the last hundred years.

So now that you've chosen a multi-stage process, how many different home water filter systems are there to choose from? Quite a few, but the best have certain characteristics that you want to look for. First of all, the best systems are certified to do what they say they do. They are also accompanied by money back guarantees, lifetime warranties, and excellent customer service.

Their water filter home systems are easy to install, easy to maintain, and cost less than ten cents per gallon of water. You can choose a whole house system or you can choose to protect certain taps in your home, like the ones you use the most. If you choose to install filters on certain taps, remember to include shower water filters, because recent data indicates that 60-70 percent of the chlorine and other chemicals that enter our bodies do so through skin absorption through daily showering.

Also, the EPA has studied household air and found that most of it is contaminated with measurable amounts of chloroform, the gaseous form of chlorine. When you think about it, chlorine is just bleach, and it's bad enough to think about drinking bleach, but breathing it is even worse.

Check out what Consumer Reports has to say about home water filter systems, too. They've done their own independent research on which brand is the best, delivering the best product for the best price and services.

Home Water Filter Systems Can Add Years To Your Life By Removing Cancer-Causing Chemicals & Toxins

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Are Scented Products Just Household Toxic Chemicals?

They're supposed to make things smell better... outdoor fresh and clean... yet new research finds that scented products (air fresheners, scented candles, laundry detergents, skincare and hair products) give off all kinds of chemicals with those pleasing smells, including a few that are considered toxic. What's worse, the work finds that these chemicals aren't even listed on the labels.

There's no escaping products with fragrances... they're everywhere. Still little is known about these items... they are complex combinations involving hundreds of ingredients after all, and federal law protects fragrances, manufacturers aren't required to disclose ingredients, leaving the consumer in the dark about exactly what they are breathing in with all that lovely scent.

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The research into just what we're inhaling used some fancy chemical detective work to examine 25 commonly used, best selling products that have scent.

The team placed a sample of each product in a closed glass container at room temperature and then analyzed the surrounding air for any volatile organic compounds. They found chemical concentrations ranging from 100 micrograms per cubic meter to more than 1.6 million micrograms per cubic meter.

Each product tested emitted an average of 17 chemicals. Of the 133 volatile organic compounds detected in the study, almost one quarter are classified as hazardous or toxic under at least one federal law. Yikes.

The most common emissions included limonene, a chemical that has a citrus scent; alpha-pinene and beta-pinene, chemicals that have a pine scent; ethanol; and acetone, the solvent in nail polish remover.

At least a third of the products tested emitted at least one chemical considered a probable carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. All products emitted at least one chemical classified as toxic or hazardous. Eleven products emitted at least one probable carcinogen including acetaldehyde, 1,4-dioxane, formaldehyde and methylene chloride.

But wait... what about the products that claim to be "green" or "natural"?

About half of the products analyzed made some claim to being green, organic or natural, but the "green" products sent out just as many dangerous chemicals as any of the other products.

Only one of the 133 chemicals given off by the products actually appeared on a product label (ethanol), and only two of the chemicals were disclosed elsewhere.

The products included solid air fresheners, freshening sprays and oils, laundry detergent, fabric softeners and dryer sheets, and personal care items like soaps, hand wash, lotions, deodorant and shampoo.

Cleaning products included disinfectants, all purpose sprays and dishwashing liquid.

Most likely the products you use are among those tested as the team chose widely used brands, with more than half the products being the top seller in its category.

The team is not disclosing the brands used in an effort to make a point. Buying Brand B over Brand A isn't going to make a difference. Potentially hazardous chemicals were given off by all the fragranced products tested.

A survey published last year found that almost 20% of the population report adverse health effects from air fresheners, about 10% complained of adverse effects from laundry products. Asthmatics reports of effects are roughly twice as common.

If you're worried about taking in potentially hazardous chemicals from the products you buy, it's a good idea to avoid heavily scented items. Clean with vinegar and baking soda, open windows for fresh air, and opt for products without scents whenever possible.

On the legal front, the Household Product Labeling Act currently under review by the U.S. Senate calls for manufacturers to list ingredients in these scented products, including fragrance mixtures. Contact your senator and make your views known.

Are Scented Products Just Household Toxic Chemicals?

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