The Hazards Of Household Toxins
December 17th, 2008
The long term and fatal health risks of chemical toxins in the home is well documented. The hazards of household toxins can reap misery on a family that fails to take the problem seriously. Although some toxins are just irritating allergens, many of them insidiously create ongoing health issues.
Many well meaning consumers assume that if a product is on the grocery store shelf or in the neighborhood dollar store, then it is bound to be safe. That just isn’t the case. Adding to the problem, government regulations requiring chemical manufacturers to list many of the most harmful ingredients in household products is weak at best.
There has been little effort made on the part of chemical manufacturers to educate consumers on the hazards of household toxins. Without the initiative of private research groups sounding the alarm regarding the short and long term effects of chemical toxins in the home, consumers would still assume their products are safe.
For example, formaldehyde is found as the by-product in many other products like dryer sheets and furniture polish. A common ingredient found in most air fresheners and deodorizers along with formaldehyde is phenol, which is a carcinogen. These chemicals cause: irritation to the eyes, nose, throat and skin; may cause nausea, headaches, nose bleeds, dizziness, memory loss, and shortness of breath. Does this sound like something you want in your kitchen cupboards?
Do you use stain removers often? Stain removers with methylene chloride is a known cancer causing agent that can cause liver, brain, heart, and skin damage. Do you use oven cleaners once in a while? Monoethanolamine, which is found in oven cleaners, depresses the central nervous system , which can cause dizziness or coma.
Some consumers are fooled by Citrus and Orange cleaners, which are marketed with the words “citrus oil” on the label, thinking that it may be a natural product. Well, it’s not! Citrus and Orange cleaners will often contain D-limonene which is a skin and respiratory irritant. D-limonene can cause life threatening respiratory distress, especially in those with asthma or an allergic reaction.
The health hazards of household toxins are never ending. The worst part… nearly every commercial cleaning product that is not formulated as an eco-friendly, holistic alternative has some toxin in it. Many of the products we use for housework, gardening, home improvement, or car maintenance contain hazardous materials that endanger our health as well as pollute the environment.
While we cannot eliminate all contact with toxic materials what we can do is minimize the contact by removing all toxic household products out of our home and away from our families…immediately! Once we remove the toxins, replace them at once with holistic, natural, eco friendly products!
Tags: health, weight, fitness, weight loss, food, nutrition
Tags: chemical detoxification, cleaning products, hazardous chemicals, Health and Fitness, herbs, holistic living, household chemicals, household toxins, natural care products, natural cleaning, natural cleaning products, natural products, natural-health
Posted in Health and Fitness | Comments (0)
No comments yet
