Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Top 4 chemicals to avoid and why:


• Sodium laureth sulphate - banned in Europe and Central America:
  • It’s used because it makes things foam
  • It’s found in toothpaste, shampoo, body and shower gels etc
  • It’s a suspected carcinogen linked to kidney and liver damage, nervous system disruption, eczema and dermatitis

• Parabens (methyl, propyl, butyl & ethyl) – banned in Japan and Sweden and under review in the UK
  • Parabens are used as a preservative or germicide
  • They are found in conditioners, hair gels, nail creams, foundations, mascara, facial masks, skin creams, deodorants, sunscreen and hair colouring
  • They are a hormone disrupter – mimics natural estrogens that lead to cancer; linked to breast cancer, skin rashes

• Formaldehyde family Diazolidinyl urea, 3-diol Imidazolidinyl urea, DMDM Hydantoin, Quaternium-15, Nitorpropane-1, Formalin, Methanal, Methyl aldehyde, Methylene oxide etc. - banned in Europe
  • It’s used because it’s a disinfectant, fungicide, germicide, defoamer and preservative
  • It’s found in shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, liquid hand wash, skin lotions, bubble bath, hair care products, antiperspirants, nail polishes, talcs, mouthwash etc.
  • It can cause allergic reactions, dermatitis, headaches; it irritates mucous membranes, is linked to joint and chest pain, fatigue, dizziness and immune dysfunction


• Phthalates – banned in Europe
  • It’s used because it makes plastic soft
  • It’s found in nail polish, hair-straighteners and sprays, body lotions and deodorants
  • It’s a carcinogen linked to birth defects, lowered sperm counts, damage to reproductive organs, lung, liver and kidney cancer

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