|
|
co-brand message here
|
 Return to Help Index
| Chemical Breakdowns |
 |
| Why should I care about Chemicals? |
| |
Children are highly vulnerable to chemical toxicants. They drink more water, eat more food, and breathe more air, pound for pound, than adults. That’s why it’s important that we know what’s in the food we feed our children, and the products we put on, in and around them. We hope that this list will help you begin to understand ingredients and chemicals worth avoiding. This is an ever-evolving list that is constantly being revised and tested. We err on the side of caution when it comes to kids, so there may be some names here that you’ve never seen or heard of. |
| Alkylphenols |
| |
Alkylphenols are the breakdown products of alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs) and are still used in at least one surface cleaner, some paints, hand cleaners, shaving foams, shampoos, plastics, adhesives and spermicides. Although APEs themselves can be toxic, their breakdown products are generally around ten times more toxic than the original compounds. Alternatives include, plant-based and natural soaps, shampoos and cleaners; shaving soap or oil; natural paints. Source
|
| Bisphenol A (BPA) |
| |
The scientific evidence that supports a conclusion of some concern for exposures in fetuses, infants, and children comes from a number of laboratory animal studies reporting that “low” level exposure to bisphenol A during development can cause changes in behavior and the brain, prostate gland, mammary gland, and the age at which females attain puberty. Source
BPA, a synthetic sex hormone that mimics estrogen, is used to make hard polycarbonate plastic. Ninety-five percent of all baby bottles on the market are made with bisphenol A. The results of the U.S. study show that, when new bottles are heated, those manufactured by Avent, Evenflo, Dr. Brown’s and Disney/First Years leached between 4.7 – 8.3 parts per billion of bisphenol A. Recent research on animals shows that bisphenol A can be harmful by disrupting development at doses below these levels. Source
|
| Brominated solvents |
| |
Brominated solvents are used as additives in leaded gasoline, soil sterilants, for manufacturing pesticides and fumigants. The health effects are that they affect the liver and kidneys, cause dermatitis and irritation of the skin, eyes, upper respiratory tract and mucous membranes. Inhaling brominated solvents may cause dizziness, weakness, depression, headache and sleepiness. Source |
| Chlorinated Solvents |
| |
Chlorinated solvents are used in dry cleaning, metal cleaning, degreasing, automotive aerosols, printing, paper and textile industries, paint removal, and Thermoplastics production.
Exposure may affect the central nervous system, kidneys and liver, cause dermatitis and irritation of skin, eyes, upper respiratory tract and mucous membranes. Over exposure may lead to depression, headache, sleepiness, unconsciousness and even death. Source |
| Chlorine |
| |
Chlorine is found in many common household cleaners. These cleaners give off fumes that have been linked to increasing the risk of children developing asthma, the most common serious chronic childhood disease. Asthma rates in children under the age of five have increased more than 160%. An average of one out of every 13 school-aged children has asthma. Source |
| Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) |
| |
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a general purpose plasticiser which is used mainly for making PVC soft and pliable. Source |
| 2,4, Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4, D) |
| |
2,4-D is a Chlorophenoxy compound. Symptoms of Poisoning with Chlorophenoxy Compounds are irritation of skin, eyes and respiratory tract. Inhalation may cause burning sensation in nose and chest, coughing and/or dizziness; headache, vomiting, diarrhea; confusion, bizarre or aggressive behavior; kidney failure, and increased heart rate. Source
|
| Dioxins |
| |
Dioxins are not intentionally manufactured. They are unintentionally formed as byproducts of chemical processes involving chlorine, such as the manufacture of pesticides and the bleaching of paper. The manufacture and incineration of plastics such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC, commonly used in consumer product packaging and medical devices) is another major source of dioxin. Two of the most serious health effects of dioxin exposure are cancer and endocrine disruption. Source
Dioxins have been characterized by the EPA as likely to be human carcinogens and are anticipated to increase the risk of cancer at background levels of exposure. Most of us receive almost all of our dioxin exposure from the food we eat: specifically from the animal fats associated with eating beef, pork, poultry, fish, milk, dairy products. Most of us get these foods through the commercial food supply. Since most of the meats and dairy products we consume are not produced locally but have been transported hundreds or thousands of miles, the majority of our dioxin exposure does not come from dioxin sources within our own community. Source |
| Flurocarbon solvents |
| |
Flurocarbon solvents are widely used as refrigerants. The potential health effects are that they may cause heart damage, dizziness, headache, or nausea. Some of fluorocarbon solvents (freon 11,freon 21) are forbidden in most countries because of their high ozone depletion potential. Source |
| Formaldehyde |
| |
Formaldehyde is an important chemical used widely by industry to manufacture building materials and numerous household products. Sources of formaldehyde in the home include building materials, smoking, household products, and the use of un-vented, fuel-burning appliances, like gas stoves or kerosene space heaters. Formaldehyde, by itself or in combination with other chemicals, serves a number of purposes in manufactured products. For example, it is used to add permanent-press qualities to clothing and draperies, as a component of glues and adhesives, and as a preservative in some paints and coating products. The health effects are watery eyes, burning sensations in the eyes and throat, nausea, and difficulty in breathing. Source |
| Hexavalent chromium |
| |
All forms of hexavalent chromium are regarded as carcinogenic. The risk of developing lung cancer increases with the amount of hexavalent chromium inhaled and the length of time one is exposed.
Hexavalent chromium can irritate the nose, throat, and lungs. Repeated or prolonged exposure can damage the mucous membranes of the nasal passages and result in ulcers. Prolonged skin contact can result in dermatitis and skin ulcers. Source |
| Mineral Oil |
| |
Mineral Oil is the main ingredient in many baby care items. It’s inexpensive and it doesn’t spoil. It acts as a thin layer on the skin. It is difficult to absorb and clogs the pores, which slows the skin’s ability to eliminate toxins. Once the oil is absorbed, it’s broken down by the liver and passes through the intestinal tract and will absorb all the fat-soluble vitamins found there. Eventually this can lead to nutritional deficiencies. Source |
| Organohalides |
| |
Organohalides are a class of organic compounds that include a halogen, a group of elements comprised of bromine, fluorine, iodine and chlorine. The compounds are very difficult to break down chemically. Some instances of organohalides in the environment today, for example, can be traced back to the dry cleaning industry of the 1920s and 1930s. Source |
| Organophosphate pesticides |
| |
Organophosphate pesticides account for about half of the insecticides used in the United States. Approximately 60 million pounds of organophosphate pesticides are applied to about 60 million acres of U.S. agricultural crops annually; nonagricultural uses account for about 17 million pounds per year. Organophosphate pesticides are active against a broad spectrum of insects and are used on food crops as well as in residential and commercial buildings and on ornamental plants and lawns. Exposure of the general population to these pesticides occurs primarily from ingestion of food products or from residential use. Source |
| Parabens |
| |
Parabens can be found in shampoos, commercial moisturizers, shaving gels, cleansing gels, personal lubricants, topical pharmaceuticals and toothpaste. They are also used as food additives in some products. Parabens can mimic the hormone estrogen, and can cause problems with reproduction and fertility and can cause birth or developmental effects. Source |
| Perchloroethylene (PERC) |
| |
Perchloroethylene (PERC) is a synthetic chemical. It is a colorless, nonflammable and stable liquid at room temperature. Although it is liquid at room temperature, it tends to evaporate into the air producing an ether-like odor that may be detected at low concentrations. PERC is widely used in dry cleaning fabrics and for metal-degreasing operations. It is also used as a starting material for making other chemicals and some consumer products such as auto brake cleaners, suede protectors, water repellants, silicone and belt lubricants. Specialized aerosol cleaners, ignition wire driers, fabric finishers, spot removers, adhesives and wood cleaners also use PERC as an ingredient.
Humans can be exposed to PERC from environmental and occupational sources and from consumer products. PERC can enter the human body through inhalation, ingestion and skin contact. The health effects of PERC depend on the level and duration of exposure. By far the most significant exposure to PERC occurs in industrial environments. Liver and central nervous system effects have been observed in workers in industries using PERC. Source |
| Petrochemicals |
| |
Petrochemicals and their byproducts are known to cause an array of serious health problems, including cancers and endocrine disruption. Source |
| Petroleum distillates |
| |
Petroleum distillates, which are also called hydrocarbons or petrochemicals, are extracted by distillation during the refining of crude oil, and they’re used as heating agents, propellants (gasoline) and solvents. A study in the American Journal of Epidemiology found that being exposed to petroleum distillates increases the risk of developing undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD), a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease that involves a disorder of the body’s connective tissues. UCTD could include symptoms from, or evolve into any combination of, connective tissue diseases like lupus, scleroderma, polymyositis, vasculitis, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren’s syndrome or fibromyalgia, yet has not met the official diagnostic criteria to be diagnosed as such.
Petroleum Distillates are found in hair conditioner, sunblock, nail polish, deodorant, mineral oil, lip gloss, lipstick, gasoline, fertilizer, furniture polish, pesticides, plastics, paint thinners, solvents, motor oil, fuels (propane, butane, diesel), petroleum jelly, art supplies (oil paint), kerosene, paraffin wax, tar, and adhesives.
Further, petroleum distillates pose the greatest risk when they’re breathed in. According to the EPA, even small amounts can cause harm. That’s why ensuring that the air you breathe in your home is clean and free from toxins has become as important and necessary as locking your doors at night. Source |
| Phosphates |
| |
Phosphates, toxic substances used in a great number of household products, are causing untold environmental damage. Phosphates enter waterways from human and animal waste, phosphorus rich bedrock, laundry, cleaning, industrial effluents, and fertilizer run-off and become detrimental when they over-fertilize aquatic plants and cause stepped up eutrophication. Eutrophication is the natural aging process of a body of water and results from the increase of nutrients within the water which, in turn, creates plant growth. Plants die more quickly than they can decompose and dead plant matter builds up and together with sediment entering the water, fills in the bed, making it shallower. Source |
| Polybrominated diphenyl ethers |
| |
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers or PBDEs, are a group of chemicals that are used as flame retardants in a variety of polymer resins and plastics. They are found in many products in most homes and businesses, including furniture, TVs, stereos, computers, carpets, and curtains. PBDEs are also used, to a lesser degree, in some textiles, adhesives, sealants and coatings. They are harmful to the environment, build up in living organisms, and last a long time in the environment. Source |
| Polyurethane |
| |
Polyurethane itself substitutes for natural rubber. Today, it comes in many basic forms including elastomers, coatings, flexible foams and rigid foams. Coatings appear on dance-floors and bowling alleys and polyurethane paint is found on cars and planes. The flexible foams, making up the largest polyurethane market, appear in mattress padding, foam cushions, automobile dashboard liners, packaging, and carpet backing. Polyurethane is actually another name for the family of chemicals known as the urethane polymers, which are composed of two principal raw materials, isocyanates and polyols, brought together with catalysts and a large variety of additives. Isocyanates are highly reactive; the two most commonly used in polyurethane production are toluene diisocyanate, (TDI) made from chlorine, toluene, phosgene, sulfuric acid, and nitric acid, all hazardous volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), made from formaldehyde, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, phosegene, and benzene. And, when inhaled, the TDI “can cause airways sensitivity, and reexposure to TDI can cause chemically induced asthma.” Source |
| Pthalates |
| |
Pthalates are a particular group of petrochemicals that are known to have endocrine disrupting properties. Pthalates are used to make rigid plastics soft and pliable and are also commonly added to cosmetics. Pthalates are linked to elevated rates of endocrine disruption and are possibly carcinogenic. A Centers for Disease Control report found alarming rates of pthalates in urine and blood samples. Some common pthalates and the items in which they are used include:
- Di-ethyl phthalate (DEP): Toothbrushes, auto parts, tools, toys, food packaging, insecticides, mosquito repellents, aspirin, and volatile components of cosmetics – perfumes, nail polishes, and hair sprays.
- Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP): Cellulose plastics, solvents for dyes, solvents for cosmetics (i.e., nail polish), food wrap, perfumes, skin emollients, hair spray, insect repellents.
- Benzyl butyl phthalate: Plasticizers in adhesives, PVC flooring, wood finishes, tampon packaging. Source
|
| PVC (polyvinyl chloride) plastic |
| |
PVC (polyvinyl chloride) plastic, commonly referred to as vinyl, is one of the most hazardous consumer products. PVC is dangerous to human health and the environment throughout its entire life cycle, at the factory, in our homes, and in the trash.
PVC is useless without the addition of a plethora of toxic additives, which can make the PVC product itself harmful to consumers. These chemicals can evaporate or leach out of PVC, posing risks to children and consumers. New car smell? New shower curtain smell? That’s the smell of poisonous chemicals off-gassing from the PVC. One of the most common toxic additives is DEHP, a phthalate that is a suspected carcinogen and reproductive toxicant readily found in numerous PVC products. Children can be exposed to phthalates by chewing on vinyl toys.
PVC cannot be effectively recycled due to the many different toxic additives used to soften or stabilize PVC, which can contaminate the recycling batch. Most consumers do not know that a 3 in the recycle symbol indicates that the plastic is made of PVC, and therefore recycle those products, inadvertently rendering thousands of potentially recycled containers useless. In fact just one PVC bottle can contaminate a recycling load of 100,000 PET bottles. Source |
| Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate |
| |
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate, inexpensive detergents commonly used in cosmetic cleansers, hair shampoos, bath and shower gels, bubble baths, etc. Sodium lauryl sulfate is used throughout the world for clinical testing as a primary skin irritant. Laboratories use it to irritate skin on test animals and humans so that they may then test healing agents to see how effective they are on the irritated skin. A variation of SLS is SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE (Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate- SLES). It exhibits many of the same characteristics and is a higher-foaming variation of SLS. Source |
| Sulfur dioxide |
| |
Sulfur dioxide, or SO2, belongs to the family of sulfur oxide gases (SOx). These gases dissolve easily in water. Sulfur is prevalent in all raw materials, including crude oil, coal, and ore that contains common metals like aluminum, copper, zinc, lead, and iron. SOx gases are formed when fuel containing sulfur, such as coal and oil, is burned, and when gasoline is extracted from oil, or metals are extracted from ore. SO2 dissolves in water vapor to form acid, and interacts with other gases and particles in the air to form sulfates and other products that can be harmful to people and their environment. SO2 causes a wide variety of health and environmental impacts because of the way it reacts with other substances in the air. Particularly sensitive groups include people with asthma who are active outdoors and children, the elderly, and people with heart or lung disease. Source |
| Sulfur oxides |
| |
Sulfur oxides (SOx) is the general term used to describe the oxides of sulfur – pungent, colorless gases formed primarily by the combustion of fossil fuels. Sulfur oxides, which are considered major air pollutants, may damage the respiratory tract as well as vegetation. Source |
| Trichloroethylene (TCE) |
| |
Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a man-made chemical that does not occur naturally in the environment. It’s a pale blue nonflammable liquid with a sweet smell that evaporates easily. The chemical is used as a metal degreaser. In homes, TCE may be found in typewriter correction fluid, paint, spot removers, carpet-cleaning fluids, metal cleaners, and varnishes.
The following health effects may occur immediately or shortly after inhaling air that contains more than 50 ppm TCE: Heart problems including cardiac arrhythmias, nausea and vomiting, serious liver injury, dizziness, headache, neurological problems, and eye, nose and throat irritation. Source |
| Triclosan |
| |
Triclosan is primarily a skin irritant found in many cosmetics. Currently, there are only restrictions in Canada and Japan using Triclosan in cosmetics, but the research has yielded results that are sure to lead to the restriction of its usage in the United States too. Exposure is likely to irritate eyes, skin and lungs.It’s linked to toxicity in one or more biological systems in the body (cardiovascular, stomach and digestive, respiratory) through laboratory studies or studies of people. It’s also dangerous for the environment and is considered very toxic to aquatic organisms. As in most scientific testing, these chemicals are tested on animals to gain more complete understanding of their potential harm, and in the case of Triclosan, it has been found that the chemical affects thyroid hormone-associated gene expression and disrupts postembryonic development. Findings on the control of amphibian metamorphosis enhance our understanding of the regulation of postembryonic development by thyroid hormone in mammals. Triclosan is also considered to be an endocrine disruptor (the body’s natural hormones, ability to repair tissue and reproduction are all affected). Source
|
|
|
