The typical American home contains 3-10 GALLONS of toxic materials – everything from glass and bathroom cleaners to garden pesticides and fertilizers.
Health effects of ingredients in common household products include:
- Respiratory problems
- Eye irritation
- Cancer
- Disruption of the endocrine system
The (EPA) reports that the air inside the typical home is 2-5 times more polluted than the air immediately outside – and in extreme cases, 100 times more contaminated
Cosmetics – 16,000 Studies Document the Hazards of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
According to the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep: Cosmetic Safety Reviews, research studies on SLS have shown links to: Irritation of the skin and eyes, organ toxicity, developmental / reproductive toxicity ,neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption, ecotoxicology, and cellular changes, possible mutations and cancer.
Getting Down on Dirty Detergents
The average family washes approximately 80 pounds of laundry per week. This means that 17.5 billion cups of laundry detergent are being used every year in the U.S. alone. Not only can you come in contact with caustic chemicals via laundered clothing, but you can breathe them into your lungs once they become airborne when you do your laundry.
Be Concerned About 1,4-Dioxane
Dioxane (also called 1,4-dioxane) is a byproduct of an industrial process used to make cleaning ingredients, and can contaminate your personal care and cleaning products.
Dioxane is a byproduct of ethoxylation, “a cheap shortcut process companies use to provide mildness to harsh cleaning ingredients.” Since it is a byproduct rather than ingredient, it doesn’t have to be listed on product labels. But you really DON’T want to have your skin coming into contact with this agent, byproduct or not. 1,4-dioxane is considered by the State of California to cause cancer. It has been found to be potentially toxic to your brain and central nervous system, kidneys, liver and respiratory system, according to the CDC.