The Sneaky Toxins in Your Home

There may be some products in your home that have toxic chemicals in them that you are unaware of.  These products will not have warning labels on them, you'll just keep using them and you'll be none the wiser.  One area of concern is with some baby products.  Many baby shampoos, baby washes and baby lotions contain an ingredient called Quaternimum-15.  The other name for Quaternium-15 is FORMALDEHYDE, which is very toxic and also weakens the immune system.

People are now uncovering that fabric softeners are some of the most toxic products made for household use.  They contain chemicals  (like camphor, chloroform, benzyl acetate, limonene and pentane) that are known to cause cancer and/or damage to the lungs, brain and nerves.  These chemicals are even more dangerous when heated in dryers where the fumes are vented outside where people breathe them.  They are made to stay in clothes fibers, slowly releasing over time, continually exposing you and your friends.  Some symptoms caused by fabric softener fumes are:  tiredness that is not cured by resting, difficulty breathing, nervousness for no know reason, difficulty concentrating and remembering, dizziness, headaches, sick stomach, feeling faint, rashes and difficulty controlling body movements.  Most fabric softeners have fragrance added to them, making them even more toxic.  These products are used in a majority of North American homes but you will not find the chemicals listed on the label because they are considered trade secrets.

Almost all detergents contain fragrance, even many that are labeled  "no perfume or uncented"!  Ninety five percent of the chemicals used in fragrances are made from petroleum products that are known to cause cancer, birth defects, and damage to lungs, brain and nerves.  Some chemicals commonly used in fragrances, such as toluene, are listed worldwide are hazardous waste.  There is no law that requires fragrance ingredients to be put on product labels such as para-dichlorobenzene, a cancer causing chemical used in many air fresheners, as well as in some pesticides.  U.S. law requires that it be listed as an active ingredient in pesticides, but it does not have to be listed at all on air freshener labels.

In response, look for shampoos that don't have Quaternimum-15.  You can add 1/4 cup of white vinegar to the last rinse cycle as a fabric softener.  It also brightens colors while reducing mold and fungus.  Instead of dryer sheets, make a solution of 3/4 cup of water and 1/4 cup of baking soda.  Place a clean cloth in the solution, wring it out and put it in the dryer.  And finally, try to use detergents that are truly unscented. 

Source:  Moscow Recycling