Let’s talk about this one..
Your home is supposed to be your safe space but when it comes to the products you keep in your home it may not be so safe.
Your cleaning products…
There are many chemicals commonly found in home cleaning products that can be hazardous to human health, including:
1. Ammonia: Found in many glass cleaners, ammonia can cause respiratory irritation, skin irritation, and eye damage.
2. Bleach: Often used as a disinfectant and stain remover, bleach can cause respiratory irritation, skin irritation, and can be poisonous if ingested.
3. Phthalates: Found in many fragranced cleaning products, phthalates are endocrine disruptors that have been linked to developmental and reproductive problems.
4. Formaldehyde: Used as a preservative in some cleaning products, formaldehyde is a known carcinogen and can cause respiratory irritation, skin irritation, and allergic reactions.
5. Sodium hydroxide: Often found in drain cleaners and oven cleaners, sodium hydroxide can cause severe burns if it comes into contact with the skin or eyes.
6. Triclosan: Found in some antibacterial cleaning products, triclosan is an endocrine disruptor that has been linked to antibiotic resistance and environmental damage.
7. Chlorine: Used as a disinfectant in many cleaning products, chlorine can cause respiratory irritation and can be poisonous if ingested.
8. Benzene: Widely used as a starting material for the manufacture of many chemicals, including plastics, synthetic fibers, detergents, pharmaceuticals, and rubber. It is also used as a solvent for many substances, including fats, oils, waxes, resins, and certain dyes. Benzene is also a known carcinogen and can cause serious health problems. Exposure to high levels of benzene can lead to leukemia and other blood disorders, as well as damage to the immune system, respiratory system, and nervous system.
It’s so important to look at the labels of the products you’re using. When they list their ingredients and it’s half the label or you see any of these above, avoid using them in your home.
Remember less is more…
Here are a list of cleaning products containing many of these ingredients:
Here are some alternatives:
Your personal care items
- Antiperspirants
Some antiperspirants contain potentially hazardous chemicals that have been linked to health concerns. One of the main concerns is the presence of aluminum compounds, such as aluminum chloride and aluminum chlorohydrate, which are used to reduce sweating.
Aluminum has been found to accumulate in breast tissue and has been suggested to contribute to the development of breast cancer. However, studies on this topic have been mixed, and more research is needed to fully understand the relationship between aluminum exposure from antiperspirants and breast cancer.
In addition to aluminum, some antiperspirants may also contain other potentially hazardous chemicals, such as parabens and triclosan, which are endocrine disruptors that have been linked to developmental and reproductive problems.
It’s important to note that not all antiperspirants contain these chemicals, and there are many natural and aluminum-free alternatives available. If you have concerns about the potential risks associated with your antiperspirant, you may wish to consider switching to a natural or aluminum-free alternative.
- Parabens
These are used as preservatives in many cosmetics, parabens have been found to mimic estrogen in the body and have been linked to breast cancer and reproductive problems.
- Phthalates
Found in some fragrances, nail polish, and hair sprays, phthalates are endocrine disruptors that have been linked to developmental and reproductive problems.
- Formaldehyde
Used in some hair straightening products and nail polishes, formaldehyde is a known carcinogen and can cause respiratory irritation, skin irritation, and allergic reactions.
- Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES):
Found in some shampoos and body washes, SLS and SLES can cause skin irritation and may be contaminated with a carcinogen called 1,4-dioxane.
- Lead
Found in some lipsticks, lead is a neurotoxin that can cause developmental and behavioral problems, especially in children.
- Triclosan
Found in some antibacterial soaps and toothpastes, triclosan is an endocrine disruptor that has been linked to antibiotic resistance and environmental damage.
Here are some common ingredient names you should avoid if you see them on the label of your product:
- Phenoxyethanol ( endocrine disruptor)
- Anything with Paraben or parfum or paraffin or sulfate in the name
- Petrolatum ( carcinogen)
- Benzyl Salicylate (endocrine disruptor)
- Polyethylene terephthalate
- Synthetic Wax ( carcinogen)
It’s important to note that any products can contain these toxins so always be conscious of:
- Bath & beauty products
- Sunscreens
- House cleaners
- Laundry detergent
- Dishwasher pods
- Hand soaps
- Makeups
Endocrine Disruptors and the Endocrine system
Many of the ingredients in our products on the market are classified as “endocrine disruptors.”
The endocrine system is a complex network of glands, organs, and tissues that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream. Your hormones are your chemical messengers that travel throughout the body, coordinating and regulating many vital functions such as growth and development, metabolism, reproductive processes, and stress response.
The endocrine system is composed of several glands including the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, thyroid gland, parathyroid gland, adrenal gland, pancreas, ovaries, and testes. Each gland produces specific hormones that regulate different aspects of the body’s functions.
The endocrine system works in coordination with the nervous system to maintain homeostasis and respond to changes in the environment. Hormones produced by the endocrine system can affect many different organs and tissues in the body, and imbalances in the system can lead to various diseases and disorders.
What is an Endocrine Disruptor
An endocrine disruptor is a substance, either natural or man-made, that interferes with the normal functioning of the endocrine system by mimicking, blocking, or altering the production, release, transport, metabolism, or elimination of hormones in the body. Endocrine disruptors can have adverse effects on the development, growth, reproduction, and behavior of organisms, including humans, by disrupting the delicate hormonal balance required for proper bodily function.
Endocrine disruptors can be found in a wide range of everyday products such as pesticides, plastics, cosmetics, and food additives. They can enter the body through ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact, and can accumulate in tissues and organs, causing long-term effects.
There is growing concern about endocrine disrupters is the potential health impacts they can cause including developmental disorders, reproductive problems, hormone-related cancers, and metabolic disorders such as obesity and type 2 diabetes.
