The Dangers of Household Chemicals
My all time favorite Febreze Air Effects scent is Cranberries & Frost... sounds refreshing right? Now, forget the name, and let me just list out 80+ chemicals found in Febreze that are linked to cancer, and other serious health problems... does it still sound refreshing?
Did you know some air fresheners use chemicals that reduce your ability to smell by coating the membranes of your nasal passages?
Household care products such as air fresheners, soap, shampoo, and cleaning products, and even what these products are packaged in, are loaded with potentially dangerous chemicals. In other words, in the comfort of our homes, we are surrounded by hundreds of chemicals that could easily cause great harm to our health.
Let's take a look at two common chemicals found in household care products;
According to the United States Department of Labor website, absorption of phenol through the skin of a human can lead to impairment of the central nervous system, as well as liver and kidney damage.
A small amount of exposure can cause shock, convulsions, sever burns, muscle twitching, chemical burns, blindness, and can even lead to coma or death. The website also claims that a man, while working, spilled a strong solution of phenol all over his head, face, neck, and back and died just 10 minutes later.
Now, constant exposure to phenol has been known to cause vomiting, difficulty swallowing, constant headaches, sudden fainting, diarrhea, vertigo, darkening of the pigmentation of the skin, and more (osha.gov).
With 50% of all reported cases involving phenol resulting in death, why would we EVER want this chemical anywhere near our homes, even in small doses!
Here are some common household products that contain phenol:
Lysol
Pine-sol
Mouthwash
Some Acne Medications
There is evidence that nitrobenzene also affects the male reproductive system. This was shown in tests done with rats where their testis significantly decreased in size, however, since this only occurred when the highest doses were given to the rats, and no human evidence was found, it was not included in the list of risks given to the public. Methemogobinemia resulted at the lowest of doses which is why it is listed in the risks of the chemical.
Here are some common household products that contain nitrobenzene:
Pesticides
PaintFloor and furniture polish
.............................................
In my bathroom, under the sink you can find a bottle of Listerine Mouthwash, which does in fact contain PHENOL.
Now, I very rarely use this mouthwash if ever, but my boyfriend uses it daily...
Think about it, mouthwash goes in your mouth where your skin is absorbing the chemicals, and then of course there's the few times you accidentally swallow a little bit. Think back to the effects of just a small amount of exposure to phenol and it's scary enough for me to never allow Listerine mouthwash in my house again!
...........................................
Well, there are a ton of homemade mouthwash recipes out there on the internet that will not contain the harmful chemicals store bought mouthwash contains. You just have to try them out and find the ones you like! Yes, it might take you a little longer to do your morning or nightly routine, but you're health makes it more than worth your time...
Here are the ones I plan to try out!
BAKING SODA Mouthwash
2 ounces of distilled water
1/4 tsp baking soda or sea salt
1 drop of pure peppermint oil
1 drop of tea tree oil
http://bathnbody.craftgossip.com/diy-chemical-free-mouthwash-recipes/2011/06/17/
MINT AND HONEY Mouthwash
1 cup of distilled water
1 tsp raw honey
1 tsp fresh lemon juice
2 drops peppermint essential oil
2 drops spearmint essential oil
1 drop anise seed oil
http://www.breathmd.com/homemade-mouthwash.php
Sources:
http://www.sustainablebabysteps.com/febreze.html
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/healthguidelines/phenol/recognition.html
http://www.epa.gov/ttnatw01/hlthef/nitroben.html
http://www.epa.gov/iris/subst/0079.htm
