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The top 12 cancer-causing products(called the "Dirty Dozen") in the average home include the following: � Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder w/Talc � Crest Tartar Control Toothpaste � VO5 Hair Conditioner � Clairol Nice-n-Easy Hair Color � AjaxCleanser � Lysol Disinfectant [Source: The National Cancer Prevention Coalition] Liquid dish soap is the leading cause of poisonings in the home for children under the age of six (over 2.1 million accidental poisonings per year). Most brands of liquid dish soap contain formaldehyde and ammonia. Of 2,983 chemicals found in personal care products: � 884 are toxic � 146 cause tumors � 218 cause reproductive complications � 778 cause acute toxicity � 314 cause biological mutations � 376 cause skin and eye irritations [Source: United States House of Representatives Report, 1989] The State of California recently passed legislation requiring a 45% reduction in the amount of toxins found in: � Hairspray aerosols � Furniture polish � Window cleaners � Air fresheners � Shaving cream � Laundry detergents � Nail polish remover � Insect repellent � Hair styling gel and mousse [Source: Healthy Homes in a Toxic World] Out of 2,435 pesticide poisonings in a one-year period, over 40% were due to exposure to disinfectants and similar cleaning products in the home. [Source: State of California Study] Just by reducing (not eliminating) environmental carcinogens alone, we would save at least 50,000 lives taken by cancer annually. [Source: Dr. Lee Davis, former advisor to the Secretary of Health] Most laundry detergent contains a form of NTA. NTA is a substance we may reasonably anticipate to be a carcinogen. [Source: The Merck Index] Household bleaches which claim to disinfect are classified as pesticides under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act. Inadvertently mixing bleach with other cleaners that contain ammonia produces a toxic chloramines gas. These toxic gases can cause coughing, loss of voice, a feeling of burning or suffocation, and even death. [Source: Guide to Hazardous Products Around the Home, Household Hazardous Waste Project, 1989] Women who work in the home have a 54% higher death rate from cancer than women who work outside of the home. [Source: 17- year EPA study] 150 chemicals found in the home have been connected to allergies, birth defects, cancer and psychological disorders. [Source: The Consumer Protection Agency) As more toxic chemicals have been introduced to our everyday environment in greater amounts over the last 20 to 30 years, the level of toxins stored in adipose tissues (fat cells) of our bodies have risen. Bioaccumulation studies have shown that some toxins store in our bodies for life. Greater and greater amounts are being stored at younger ages. One study showed that in the fat of 100% of the people tested was 1,4-Dichlorobenzene, a chemical found in most household deodorizers and room fresheners. Diseases that used to occur later in life are now appearing at younger ages. Diseases that used to be rare are more frequent. For example: There has been a 28% increase in childhood cancer since the addition of pesticides into household products. Cancer is now the #2 killer of children � second only to accidental poisonings. Since 1977 the rate of cancer among American children has been steadily rising at a rate of nearly 1% each year. [Source: National Cancer Institute] There is an increased risk for leukemia in children where parents have used pesticides in the home or garden before the child's birth. [Source: Journal of the National Cancer Institute] Some products release contaminants into the air right away, others do so gradually over a period of time. Some stay in the air up to a year. These contaminants, found in many household and personal care products can cause dizziness, nausea, allergic reactions, eye/skin/respiratory tract irritations and some cause cancer. [American Lung Association] Asthma was once a very rare disease. Now the condition is extremely common � the asthma rate has tripled in the last 20 years with nearly 30 million Americans currently afflicted. [Source: Consumer Federation of America , 1997] In one decade, there has been a 42% increase in asthma (29% for men, 82% for women). The higher rate for women is believed to be due to women's longer exposure times to household chemicals. [Source: Center for Disease Control] Childhood asthma has increased by more than 40% since 1980. [Source: Environmental Health Perspectives, June 1997; 105 (6)] Asthma death in children and young people increased by a dramatic 118% between 1980 and 1993. [Source: Environmental Health Threats to Children, Environmental Protection Agency 175-F-96-001, September 1996] The average child visits the doctor 23 times in the 1st 4 years of life, with the most common complaint being respiratory ailment. [Source: National Center for Health Statistics, 1997] Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) in adults and children is also rising � in 1993, 4.5 million children took the drug Ritalin so they could sit still long enough to learn. By 1998, 11.4 million children were being drugged with this powerful Class-2 narcotic. [Source: Your Children and Ritalin, The Detroit news (March 8. 1998)] Even small doses of neurotoxins, which would be harmless to an adult, can alter a child's nervous system development. [Source: Environmental Health Perspectives 106 Supplement 3:787-794 (June 1998)] Developing cells in children's bodies are more susceptible to damage than adult cells that have completed development, especially for the central nervous system. During the development of a child, from conception through adolescence, there are particular windows of vulnerability to environmental hazards. Most disturbing � until a child is approximately 13 months of age, they are virtually no ability to fight the biological and neurological effects of toxic chemicals. [Source: Herbert L. Needleman, M.D., Philip J. Landrigan, M.D., Raising Children Toxic Free] Today, children have chemical exposures from birth that their parents didn't have until they were adults. Because children are exposed to toxics at an earlier age than adults, they have more time to develop environmentally triggered diseases, with long latency periods, such as cancer. [Source: Environmental Policy and Children's Health, Future of Children, Summer/Fall 1995; 5(2): 34-52] Formaldehyde is a highly toxic substance. It is a highly suspected cancer-causing agent. It damages the neurological connectors in the body. It is an irritant to the eyes, nose, throat and lungs and may cause: � skin reactions � ear infections � headaches � depression � asthma � joint pain � dizziness � mental confusion � nausea � disorientation � phlebitis � fatigue � vomiting � sleep disturbances � laryngitis One in five people are sensitive to formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is commonly found in: � drugs � mouthwash � hairspray � cosmetics � cleaning products � perfumes � waxes � hair setting lotions � shampoo � air fresheners � fungicides � fingernail polish � floor polishes � dry cleaning solvents � toothpaste � laundry spray starch � antiperspirants � � just to name a few DO YOU STILL WANT TO USE PRODUCTS IN YOUR HOME THAT CONTAIN FORMALDEHYDE? Due to the increase in toxic buildup in our bodies, including the toxic buildup of formaldehyde, dead bodies are not decomposing as fast as they used to. Bodies now start to decompose within 7 to 10 days after death. During the Vietnam War, Vietnamese bodies started to decompose within 24 to 48 hours. However, Americans didn't start to decompose for 4 to 5 days. Twice as much formaldehyde was needed to embalm a person 20 years ago compared to today. How many of these names would you have recognized as formaldehyde? Formalin Methanal Methyl Aldehyde Methylene Oxide Oxymethylene Bfv* Fannoform* Formol* Fyde* Karsan* Methaldehyde Formalith* Methylene Glycol Ivalon* Oxomethane Formalin 40 Formalin Formic Aldehyde Hoch Paraform Lysoform* Morbocid Tioxane Polyoxmethylene * denotes trade name The following products are just a few that are so toxic that they should be disposed of in a toxic waste dump: � floor care products � furniture polish � window cleaners � bug spray � nail polish remover [Source: Water Pollution Control Federation] Warning labels on containers refer only to toxic hazards from ingestion; however, only 10% of health problems from chemicals are caused by ingestion. 90% are caused by the inhalation of vapors and absorption of particles. Government regulations require that only the most EXTREMELY toxic substances must contain a warning label. Labels that say the following should be removed from your house immediately: � "Do not induce vomiting" � "Corrosive � rinse from skin immediately" � "Harmful or fatal if swallowed" � "Call physician immediately" � "Warning!" (may mean that as little as 1 teaspoon of product can harm or kill adult) � "Danger!" (means that as little as 5 drops can harm or kill an adult) Phenol is an extremely caustic chemical that burns the skin. Absorption of phenol through the lungs or skin can cause: � central nervous system damage � pneumonia � respiratory tract infection � heart-rate irregularities � skin irritation � kidney and liver damage � numbness � vomiting � and can be fatal Phenolis a very common chemical and is regularly found in the following common products: � air fresheners � aftershave � bronchial mists � chloroseptic throat spray � deodorants � feminine powders & sprays � hair spray � decongestants � mouthwash � aspirin � solvents � acne medications � antiseptics � calamine lotions � cleaning products � detergents � furniture polish � hair setting lotions � lice shampoo � polishes � cold capsules � all-purpose cleaners � aerosol disinfectants � anti-itching lotions � carnex � cosmetics � disinfectant cleaners � hand lotions � lip balms � sunscreen and lotions � insecticides � cough syrups � � just to name a few DO YOU STILL WANT TO USE PRODUCTS IN YOUR HOME THAT CONTAIN PHENOL? Do your cosmetics contain these chemicals? 1,4-dioxane 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol (Bronopol) Alcohol, Isopropyl (SD-40) Ammonium Laureth Sulfate (ALES) Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS) Anionic Surfactants Benzalkonium Chloride Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) Cationic surfactants Cetalkonium chloride Chloromethylisothiazolinone & Isothiazolinone Cocoamidopropyl Betaine Cocoyl Sarcosine Cyclomethicone DEA (diethanolamine) Diazolidinyl urea Dimethicone Disodium Dioctyl Sulfosuccinate DMDM Hydantoin Ethoxylated surfactants FD&C Colour Pigments Formaldehyde Imidazolidinyl Urea Isopropyl Palmitate Lauryl dimonium hydrolysed collagen Lauryl or Cocoyl Sarcosine Lauryl Sarcosine Liquidum Paraffinum MEA compounds Methylisothiazolinone Methylchloroisothiazolinone Mineral Oil Nitrosating Agents Paraben preservatives (methyl, propyl, butyl, and ethyl) Paraffin wax/oil Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) compounds Propylene/Butylene Glycol PVP/VA Copolymer Quaternium-7, 15, 31, 60, Sodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate Silicone derived emollients Sodium Hydroxide Sodium Laureth Sulfate SLES Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate Stearalkonium Chloride Talc TEA (Triethanolamine) Laureth Sulfate Toluene How Much Impact Do Toxic Chemicals Have on Society? Read the Statistics. More than 7 million accidental poisonings occur each year, with more than 75% involving children under age 6! �The Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons According to the U.S. Poison Control Centers, "A child is accidentally poisoned every 30 seconds at home..." The Average American Uses about 25 Gallons of toxic, hazardous chemical products per year in their home... A major portion of these can be found in household cleaning products. �"Prosperity Without Pollution," by Joel S. Hirschorn and Kirsten V. Oldenburg, 1991 Women who work at home have a 54% higher death rate from cancer than those who work away from home. The 15-year study concluded it was as a direct result of the much higher exposure rate to toxic chemicals in common household products! �Toronto Indoor Air Conference 1990 The toxic chemicals in household cleaners are three times more likely to cause cancer than air pollution. � Environmental Protection Agency report in 1985 Cancer rates have increased since 1901 from only 1 in 8,000 Americans, to 1 in 3 today! By the year 2010, this disease will afflict 1 of every 2 individuals! �American Cancer Society Of chemicals commonly found in homes, 150 have been linked to allergies, birth defects, cancer, and psychological abnormalities. �Consumer Product Safety Commission Cancer rates have continued to increase every year since 1970. Brain cancer in children is up 40% in 20 years. Toxic chemicals are largely to blame. �NY Times, September 29, 1997 When combined, chemicals are even more dangerous. Deadly fumes result from mixing ammonia with bleach (both found in many household products) creating lethal �mustard gas�! �U.S. Government, E.P.A. According to the National Research Council, no toxic information is available for more than 80% of the chemicals in everyday-use products. Only 1% of toxins are required to be listed on labels, because companies classify their formulas as "trade secrets." �Lorie Dwornick, researcher, educator and activist, 2002 In the past 50 years more than 75,000 chemicals have been introduced into the environment. Today 300 synthetic chemicals are found in the bodies of humans. Even newborn babies have synthetic chemicals passed on from their mothers. �REACH (Registration, Evaluation, and Authorization of Chemicals, a European Union program) Unregulated air pollution has caused one in six children in the Central Valley of California to suffer from asthma. More than 5000 children in the San Joaquin Valley Air District are hospitalized each year for asthma. The death rate from respiratory diseases in the Imperial Valley -- at times more than double that of the rest of the state. Up to 2.2 million Californians suffer from asthma. �California's State Department of Health Services Nationwide, air pollution causes between 50,000 and 100,000 premature deaths per year � and soot accounts for a majority of these. Soot is the most deadly air pollutant, accounting for more deaths than homicides or automobile accidents. According to the California Air Resources Board, diesel soot accounts for 70 percent of the cancer risk from toxic air pollution statewide. �Earthjustice The Washington (state) Department of Health discovered that one fourth of tested farm workers handling pesticides were overexposed to extremely hazardous chemicals. Carbamates or organophosphates can cause dizziness, breathing problems, muscle twitching, and paralysis. Scientists are discovering a whole universe of health effects associated with the products of our industrial age with profound implications for public health and regulatory policy. The continuous appearance of toxic effects at lower and lower levels of exposure is especially troubling since low-level exposure to some chemicals is practically universal. �The 2050 Project Newsletter, Fall 1994; State of the World 1994, Worldwatch Institute More than 32 million pounds of household cleaning products are poured down the drain each day nationwide. The toxic substances found in many of these are not adequately removed by sewage treatment plants. Guess what happens when these are returned to the rivers from which cities draw their drinking water? �Spring 2002 Edition of CCA Newsletter Partners "Cleaning Without Toxic Chemicals" More than 75,000 chemicals are licensed for commercial use. More than 2,000 new synthetic chemicals are registered every year. The EPA tallied close to 10,000 chemical ingredients in cosmetics, food and consumer products. Very few of these chemicals were in our environment or our bodies just 75 years ago. In 1998, U.S. industries manufactured 6.5 trillion pounds of 9,000 different chemicals. In 2000, major American companies dumped 7.1 billion pounds of 650 different industrial chemicals into our air and water. Except in the case of foods, drugs or pesticides, companies are under no legal or regulatory obligation to concern themselves with how their products might harm human health. �Alexandra Rome, Co-director of the Sustainable Futures Group at Commonweal, a nonprofit health and environmental research institute, until 2000. Within 26 seconds after exposure to chemicals such as cleaning products , traces of these chemicals can be found in every organ in the body. More than 1.4 million Americans exposed to household chemicals were referred to poison control centers in 2001. Of these, 824,000 were children under 6 years. A New York sanitation worker was killed in 1998 when a hazardous liquid in household trash sprayed his face and clothes. At any given time, there is 3.36 million tons of household hazardous waste to contend with in our country. �Chec's HealtheHouse, the resource for Environmental Health Risks Affecting Your Children In 1990, more than 4,000 toddlers under age four were admitted to hospital emergency rooms as a result of household cleaner-related injuries. That same year, three-fourths of the 18,000 pesticide-related hospital emergency room admissions were children. Over 80 percent of adults and 90 percent of children in the United States have residues of one or more harmful pesticides in their bodies. Petrochemical cleaning products in the home are easily absorbed into the skin. Once absorbed, the toxins travel to the blood stream and are deposited in the fatty tissues where they may exist indefinitely. �"In Harm's Way," a study by "The Clean Water Fund" and "Physicians for Social Responsibility" May 11, 2000
