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?

CONSUMER REPORTS WATER SOFTENERS

Radioactive Consumer Products

I am sure that most people are not aware that some of the consumer products that are present around us contain Radioactive Material/s (RAM) (i.e. Uranium).

I am posting this, not to scare the public but to raise their awareness on what common consumer products contain this RAM. Furthermore, this is to inform them that radiation has many uses in our daily lives.

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Take a look at the following images and see if you recognize them are if they are present in your homes.

Check - Up Gum

Check- Up Gum helped fight plaque. As the gum was chewed, tiny granules of zirconium silicate (the third listed ingredient) scraped the teeth clean.

The reason that Check·Up Gum is featured here is that the zirconium silicate contained elevated levels of uranium and thorium (e.g., 100 pCi/g). The amount of zirconium silicate in the gum was such that the uranium concentration is approximately 7 pCi per gram of gum. Since the uranium series is in secular equilibrium, the gum also contains 7 pCi of Ra-226 per gram. As a matter of interest, there have been many situations where this level of radium in soil has required remedial action.

Although Check·Up Gum is no longer produced, zirconium silicate continues to be used in dental pastes and some toothpastes. Nevertheless, consumers can rest assured that the radiation dose is negligible - the radioactive material is bound up in the zirconium silicate and would not be assimilated even if swallowed.

Tape Dispenser

This is a 3M Model C-15 Decor Scotch tape dispenser. It is slightly radioactive due to the thorium-containing monazite sand that was used as ballast. This particular example came from a 55 gallon drum of tape dispensers that the U.S. Army was about to dispose of as radioactive waste.

Jewelries

As a result of an investigation in early 1988 by the Los Angeles County Health Department, various state radiation control programs in the U.S. issued warnings concerning the manufacture and use of jewelry made from old watch parts. These parts often included radioluminescent watch faces and hands. The jewelry, which included, broaches, bracelets, earrings, etc. had become quite popular and because it was easy to produce, the typical manufacturer was a small business operating out of someone's home or apartment. Production is known to have occurred in California, Oregon, Texas and Pennsylvania. The radiation control programs in Tennessee, Texas and possibly some other states invited the public to bring suspect jewelry to their offices to be monitored for radioactivity.

The usual mode of manufacture was to dismantle old watches, clean the parts with some sort of abrasive, polish the pieces, assemble the jewelry, and possibly coat it with an acrylic spray. It seems that there was no awareness on the part of the manufacturers of the potential hazards.

Even though some of the jewelry was worn in direct contact with the skin, and a number of premises were found to be contaminated (e.g., up to 50,000 cpm), there were no reports of injuries to individuals who wore or manufactured the jewelry. Nevertheless, one individual, who had been making such jewelry for six years, was found to have "1/30 of a body burden of radium-226."

Potassium Chloride Water Softener Salt

Hard water contains more minerals, especially calcium and magnesium, that ordinary water. This can lead to the build up of scale in pipes and appliances. A water softener is used to reduce the concentration of these minerals.

In essence, a water softener consists of an ion exchange resin that removes the minerals as the water flows through it. After a while, the resin becomes saturated with these minerals and it no longer functions. At this point, a salt solution is added to the resin. The salt exchanges with the accumulated minerals, and allows them to be washed out of the softener into a drain. This rejuvenates the softener.

A variety of materials can be used as the water softener salt, e.g., sodium chloride (NaCl) or potassium chloride (KCl). In the example shown here, the water softener salt is over 99% potassium chloride.

All potassium contains potassium-40, a naturally occurring beta gamma emitter, and in large enough quantities it is easily detected with a simple survey meter. This bag, for example, could not get through a monitor at a nuclear power plant without setting off an alarm.

Smoke Detectors

The ionization chamber smoke detector was invented in the early 1940s in Switzerland , and introduced into the U.S. in 1951.

The sensitive component of the ICSD is an ionization chamber that is open to the atmosphere (photo below left). A radioactive source inside the chamber emits radiation that ionizes the air in the chamber and makes it conductive.

Ionization chamber smoke detectors almost always use alpha emitters as the source because of the high density of the ionization that they produce.

Most ICSDs sold today use an oxide of americium-241 (Am-241) as the radioactive source. The typical activity for a modern residential ICSD is approximately 1 uCi, while the activity in one used in public and commercial buildings might be as high as 50 uCi. In 1980, the average activity employed in a residential smoke detector was approximately 3 uCi, three time higher than it is today.

Am-241 is an alpha emitter, but it also emits a low energy (59.5 keV) gamma ray. The Am-241 is mixed with gold and incorporated into a composite gold and silver foil sandwich. The source is 3 to 5 mm in diameter, and either crimped or welded into place inside the chamber.

Other nuclides have also been used. NRC records indicate that approximately 124,000 ICSDs were sold between 1971 and 1986 that employed nickel-63 (Ni-63). These units averaged approximately 10 microcuries of Ni-63 each.

Radium-226 (radium sulfate) was the first radioactive source used in smoke detectors. According to NUREG/CP-0001, U.S. producers stopped making Ra-226 containing smoke detectors in 1963 when they switched to Am-241. Nevertheless, according to NCRP 95, it would seem that radium-containing ICSDs continued to be sold in the U.S. at least until 1978. A typical residential smoke detector contained 0.05 uCi of Ra-226, but some contained up to 0.1 uCi. Commercial smoke detectors employed considerably higher activities.

Radioactive Consumer Products

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A Review of Popular Water Softener Products

With so many types and brands of water softeners to choose from, how does a consumer decide what is right for their needs? How does one compare water softeners and find the one that will work the best for them? When it comes to buying water softeners, being an educated consumer is the best policy. Explore different types and manufacturers. Compare prices. Other things to consider are what type of environment the water softener will be set up in, size, installation, construction of the unit, convenience, and water softener rating which indicates the amount of minerals that can be removed before the unit needs to be recharged.

Kinetico water softeners are favored for their convenience; however, they are expensive in terms of the unit's cost as well as the price of upkeep. They recharge based on volume, eliminating the need for a schedule. Kinetico water softeners are also non-electric units.

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Culligan services residential customers, offering purchase and rental options for their water softeners. They also offer a salt delivery service with the purchase of a water softener. Culligan is favored for its durability, but some have trouble with salt refills and strength of some of the components. Culligan is also said to be good at removing iron from the water supply.

Kenmore, in addition to being known for its air filtration and other household appliances, offers a range of water softeners, from the very basic to the heavy-duty models. The Kenmore systems also offer extras like the ability to filter out larger particles and added settings that make the units more efficient. Kenmore contends that the cost of everyday household upkeep can be cut in half with the use of a water softener system.

General Electric, or GE, founded by none other than Thomas Edison, offers a diverse line of products, including water softeners. The business is run on the principles, ""imagine, solve, build, and lead."" GE offers water softeners small enough to accommodate a single-person household all the way up to a unit that will serve a household of four or more people. The GE water softeners include a technology called SmartSoft, which works through a low-capacity transformer to save energy, minimize salt loss, and gauge water softening needs.

There are numerous water softener vendors out there who sell both ionic exchange and magnetic water softening systems. To find the best water softeners is a daunting task, but a good start might be to visit your local hardware store. You can also get information from people around you such as neighbors or coworkers.

A Review of Popular Water Softener Products

CONSUMER REPORTS WATER SOFTENERS

Treating The Water Used In Dairy Products

You have surely had a need to purchase milk and milk related products for yourself or your family. When passing the dairy isle in the grocery store, you have taken a look at the items offered. Milk and milk products are very important for a healthy diet as they contain vitamins and minerals that are essential for good health.

Not only do you as the consumer view dairy products as nutritious and important for healthy lives, the people who are working in the dairy farms do also. Milk needs to be free from contaminants and other bacteria so that it is not easily spoiled. To obtain this high standard for milk, the dairy farm production needs to be sure that the water used is as clean and clear. Not only is the water they use cleaned but, the water that is disposed of needs to be treated so that it is the best it can be to be released into the sewage system of the public.

CONSUMER REPORTS WATER SOFTENERS

Treatment of dairy water is just as important as the milk and milk products that are produced each day. One of the best methods for treating this particular water is by implementing a practice of cleaning the water from any and all bacteria that may be harmful to you and me.

The animals also need clean water to drink. It should be just as safe for the animals as it is for human consumption. If the water carries bacteria, it can cause the animals to become sick and produce a lesser amount of milk that a healthy animal. Treating the dairy water should be and is focused mainly on the water the animals drink and also on the water that is removed as waste.

Each of the dairy farms has come up with their own particular way of treating and cleaning the wastewater. A lagoon on the site of the dairy farm is one of these ways. The water waste that is taken in from the dairy farm is separated from and solid waste products. The solid waste is them recycled and used for mulch or for animal feed. The water is taken to the artificial lagoon for removal. The water begins a natural process of breaking down the microorganisms and starts an anaerobic process because of oxygen removal.

This specific way of water treatment may take several months to be completed and the water fully treated. This also causes a nasty smelling odor and it may become a problem for other people. It can also become a health hazard to those around the lagoon. Treatment of dairy water can and may cause a problem if it seeps into the ground and finds a water source. This will in turn, because contamination to other water sources nearby.

The point of using any type of treatment for dairy water on dairy farms is to bring in a profit without causing the milk and milk product quality to suffer. The animal's health and the health of the farmers and those living in the area is also an important thing to maintain and protect.

Treating The Water Used In Dairy Products

CONSUMER REPORTS WATER SOFTENERS

Consumer Reports Teeth Whitening Review - Read This Review Before You Buy Teeth Whitener Products

Are you still searching online on how to get super white teeth fast? It is the objective of all companies to get their products sold. These firms invest millions of dollars in manufacturing products and services they can sell to consumers in exchange of profits. Because of the big investment entailed in these products, they must be sold by any means. Companies sort to press releases and advertisements to entice their target market to purchase their products, but at times, these do not give the direct facts about the product itself.

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This is especially true with the tooth whitening industry. There are dozens of products that promise to whiten your teeth and give you that dazzle white smile again. You are led to believe that they are effective until it is all too late. This scenario is one of the reasons why consumer reports teeth whitening review and evaluations are made. These are most common in Canada, Australia, UK and the United States of America. Reviews are a way of every consumer to attest and give documentation of his experience with a teeth whitening product.

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Not every product that promises you to whiten teeth fast can give you what you want. It is sometimes unavoidable to be misled by false advertisements and promotions. Reviews on teeth whitening products are a great help to every consumer who lays his hard-earned money on the table just to get desirable tooth bleaching results.

Oftentimes, you will not know if a product is effective or not unless you have tried it yourself. For this reason, to save you from the mishap of spending cash on petty products, it is always best to research for the product you are considering to buy. As mentioned, consumer reports teeth whitening review articles and comments can be a helpful guide in choosing the correct remedy. What do consumers say about your teeth whitening options? Are they satisfied with the results that the product brought them? Did they get really white teeth or were they just strung along? These consumers can help you decide even if you do not know them personally. If you can ask about their whole experience, you may. These people are willing enough to give feedback so they are also ready to answer your queries.

Getting super white teeth is a big deal for you and many others because your smile can make or break your day. Yellow teeth drain your esteem and confidence. To feel better about yourself, you need to have whiter teeth. However, in doing this, you also have to be careful with your actions. Do not give away your money in some product that does not guarantee one-hundred percent results. Invest in a product that promises you to get super whiter teeth without burning your pockets. Consumer reports teeth whitening review articles are going to recommend you a product that is economical and highly-recommended by professionals.

Find a stable product that has a longer shelf-life. The teeth whitening system to choose must also be one that gives instant results in your first application. By this, you can already prove the effectiveness of the product. Always choose the teeth whitening solution that fits your budget but brings you the best dazzle white teeth results.

Consumer Reports Teeth Whitening Review - Read This Review Before You Buy Teeth Whitener Products

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Consumer Reports Best Teeth Whitening Products

Consumer reports best teeth whitening products and most people tend to agree with these reports. Of course these reports are all based on what consumers purchase. Here are some of the best whitening products that you could ever buy. After a couple weeks of using these products you will have the white smile that you want.

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You can read the best teeth whitening reports all over the internet. They are typically included when you are looking through various products and reviews. It is important that you pay very close attention to what they are telling you. Make sure that you teeth whitening product that you are considering is top quality and affordable. This is a very big thing that tends to be included in these consumer reports. The last thing that you want to do to spend your money on a product that does not even work, so pay attention to consumer reports. Right now, consumers love the Crest White Strips. There are plenty of versions of these strips so just take a look around before you buy.

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Right now is the time to take advantage of the market and start buying the best teeth whitening products. These can be found and purchased right from the internet or at your local store. Make sure to take a look at the white strips to see what all of the hype is about! The perfect product for you is out there somewhere, waiting to whiten your teeth and make you look like a star!

Consumer Reports Best Teeth Whitening Products

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