Avoiding the dangers of synthetic scents is crucial. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) reports that, while many popular perfumes, colognes and body sprays contain trace amounts of natural essences, they also typically contain a dozen or more potentially hazardous synthetic chemicals, some of which are derived from petroleum. And when you use a product containing “fragrance” or “parfum,” all of those mysterious ingredients are absorbed right into your bloodstream.
The dangers of synthetic scents aren’t always evident, but there is science to prove it is a serious health threat. Everyone, regardless of age or health, needs to make avoiding fake fragrances a major priority. The EWG reminds us: “But that rose-like fragrance in your perfume may be something else entirely, concocted from any number of the fragrance industry’s 3,100 stock chemical ingredients, the blend of which is almost always kept hidden from the consumer.”
Air Fresheners
One of the earliest types of air fresheners were aerosol sprays which contained synthetic scents. They came under fire during the 1980s for their deleterious effect on the ozone layer. Next up were the plug-in air fresheners made of a heat activated scent gel. The wide spread use of phthalates in both scented gels and more modern spray air fresheners is a real health concern. Phthalates are on the State of California’s list of toxic substances “known to cause birth defects or reproductive harm”. And they are well known to interfere with production of the male hormone testosterone. Other chemicals, in addition to phthalates, have been found to be present in sprays which were claimed to be “All-Natural” and “unscented”. 1,4-Dichlorobenzene is a chemical that is found in the blood of 96% of Americans. This chemical was introduced into the American market with the Febreze product from Proctor & Gamble.
The bottom line is stay away from the typical grocery store brand commercial air fresheners. There are some truly natural ingredient based air fresheners available for purchase. You could also try completely non-toxic palm or soy wax candles. Or botanical based incense. Finally, you could consider using pure essential oils in a diffuser.
Personal Care Products
Most shampoos, lotions, and deodorants contain synthetic scents as well as other harmful chemicals. Ninety-five percent of synthetic fragrances are derived from petroleum. They include benzene and aldehydes; which are known to cause cancers, reproductive effects, and problems with the central nervous system. These effects on the nervous system result in increased cases of Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and more. Even the products in the health food store are not safe unless you carefully read the labels and do your homework. One manufacturing trick is to add a few drops of a real essential oil to a vat of water and then use that water as the first ingredient, allowing it to be labeled as something healthier than it is. Potassium Sorbate is commonly used as a preservative. But it is suspected to cause toxicity.
Household Cleaning Products
In addition to synthetic scents, another common toxic ingredient is the surfactant sodium lauryl sulfate/sodium Laureth Sulfate that is commonly found in cleaning products. The sodium and ammonium laureate sulfates are known cancer-causing ingredients. They also cause liver damage, skin rashes, depression, diarrhea and eye damage. Another ingredient commonly found in window, kitchen, and multi-purpose cleaners is 2-butoxyethanol. It is the key ingredient in many window cleaners and gives them their characteristic sweet smell. It belongs in the category of “glycol ethers,” a set of powerful solvents that don’t mess around. Law does not require 2-butoxyethanol to be listed on a product’s label. According to the EPA’s Web site, in addition to causing sore throats when inhaled, at high levels glycol ethers can also contribute to narcosis, pulmonary edema, and severe liver and kidney damage. For some great alternatives to commercial products, see my blog post about how to have a clean non-toxic home. http://sharonledwards.com/clean-non-toxic-home/
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