Kids & Chemicals

In 2005 Belinda and her newborn baby participated in a study which investigated the burden of chemicals on the human body. Throughout Belinda’s pregnancy she was tested for 290 chemicals that she may have ingested, absorbed or inhaled over the course of her lifetime. Her breast milk that she was now passing on to her baby was also tested. When her baby was born, his blood, placenta and umbilical cord were similarly tested.
What the researchers found in Belinda’s body was a chemical cocktail dating back from her time in the womb-from the breast milk she consumed from her mother, chemicals from the photography lab she played in as a child as her father developed his prints, and the now banned
polychlorinated biphenyl from the plasticizers in the paint plant which leaked into the drinking water downstream from where she went to university. The tests also found perflourinated chemical (PFCs), a group of chemicals used as surfactants and stain protectors contained in sticky tape, carpet protectors, non-stick pans, household cleaners, and flame retardants’; Bisphenol A , found in plastic used in water bottles, including baby bottles, Tupperware, and computers; phthalates found in cosmetics, shampoos, personal care products such as soap, creams, lotions, sunscreens and fragrances; lead and dioxins; and chemicals such as mercury which the researchers traced back from the time she was vaccinated as a child. Her blood also contained chemicals now banned or restricted around the world due to their accumulative and harmful effects, including the pesticide DDT.
Her newborn baby already harbored most of the same chemicals that were in Belinda’s body. These included pesticides, including DDT, chemicals from the same personal care products, plastics, and waste chemicals. These chemicals entered her baby in the same way they originally entered Belinda- via the placenta, umbilical cord and breast milk. The key point here is that there is no such thing as a “barrier” that so many people assume exists. As her baby continues to develop he will then continue to ingest, absorb or inhale chemicals via the food and drink he consumes, the personal care, cleaning products or drugs he is exposed to, and the environment where he learns and plays.
The important thing about these findings is that Belinda and her baby lead a life like most of the population. She shops for their food at major
supermarket chains, and buys her cosmetics, personal care products and clothing from department stores. She was vaccinated as a child; takes medications and drugs when her body hurts, but has never had any major illness in her life, and significantly, uses all of these products as directed. So what’s going on? What are these chemicals doing in their body and those of her newborn baby?
In fact, the chemicals in Belinda and her baby’s bodies are not uncommon. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) found an average of 200 industrial chemicals and pollutants in umbilical cord blood from 10 babies born in August and September of 2004 in US hospitals. Test revealed a total of 287 chemicals in the group similar to that of Belinda’s baby- pesticides’, consumer product ingredients, and wastes from burning coal, gasoline, and garbage. Of the 287 chemicals detected in the umbilical cord blood 180 cause cancer in humans or animals, 217 are toxic the brain and nervous system, and 208 cause birth defects or abnormal development in animal tests. The World Wildlife Fund’s(WWF) study found similar contaminants including artificial musks used in cosmetics and cleaning products as well as flame retardants and chemicals used to make
plastics and non stick and waterproof coatings at the most critical time of development-in the womb. Every single sample of mother or baby blood tested positive for an array of chemicals, many of which are suspected of links to health problems ranging from birth defects and genital abnormalities to certain types of cancer. All umbilical cords contained a minimum of five of the 35 chemicals tested for and some contained as many as 14. Two of the mothers tested had 17 of the 35 chemicals in their blood.Babies and children are particularly vulnerable to chemicals due to their increased opportunity for exposure coupled with the biological susceptibility that is an inherent characteristic of early growth and development-lower body weight, lower metabolic rate, fewer detoxifying enzymes, and a blood brain barrier that is not yet fully matured. Children also eat 3-4 times more food in proportion to their body size than adults, thereby ingesting more chemicals per unit of body mass,
drink as much as seven times more water than an average adult, and breathe more than adults per kilo of body weight. Children also have higher skin surface area to body weight ratio than adults, so increased skin absorption of chemicals can occur. The skin of children is also more permeable than adult skin. Studies reveal enhanced absorption of toxins and chemical through the skin of newborns.Whilst our bodies can eliminate some chemicals, most chemicals are stored in our bone, fat, tissues and organs and either stay there for years of life. Some damage a specific organ, while others damage multiple organs as they pass through the body. Many others have an additive, or cumulative effect,
meaning that the toxicity of one chemical adds to the toxicity of another.For newborns to be born with this toxic burden raises serious moral
and ethical issues for our society. In moral terms, how well a society cars for its weak and vulnerable is a measure of how civilized it is; in more pragmatic terms, a society that fails to cherish its children fails. It’s as simple as that.

Source:
http://www.chemicalfreeorganic.com

Green Polka Dot Box

Join the OCA-Endorsed National Buying Club for Organic and Non-GMO Foods: The Green Polka Dot Box

OCA is happy to announce the formation of a new national distribution service for home delivery of organic and non-GMO foods, at 30-50% below the cost of retail, with free shipping on orders of $150 or more. The new national distribution club is called the Green Polka Dot Box (GPDB).

When GPDB opens in late September it will be offering annual “Club” ($50) and “Reward” ($125) memberships. Prior to launch, however, the OCA, OCA Director Ronnie Cummins, and hundreds of allies are purchasing “Founding Trust Memberships” (essentially pre-paying for the first $2000 worth of purchases) to provide initial operating capital before the GPDB formally opens for business.

After several years of asking Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, and other natural food stores to stop selling so-called natural foods tainted with genetically engineered ingredients, or at least to voluntarily label these products, we’re tired of waiting. OCA is joining NaturalNews.com, the Institute for Responsible Technology, and Citizens for Health in calling on our members and subscribers to join the Green Polka Dot Box, where you can buy organic and non-GMO foods without wondering whether or not they are properly labeled.

As we pointed out in our featured essay last week, Whole Paycheck and Organic Food Deserts: The Challenge, it’s time to step up the pace and qualitatively expand the sales of organic foods and products across the U.S. Two major obstacles to buying more organic food for many Americans are cost and accessibility. Many of us need to budget our food dollars more carefully in order to purchase more organic foods. Others of us live in Organic Food Deserts, where the closest co-op or natural food store is a long distance away. The Green Polka Dot Box represents a step forward to solving these problems and expanding the organic market.

For details about the GPDB and Founding Trust Memberships, please go here and watch the 30-minute video.

12 Cancer Causing Chemicals

This is only a partial list of harmful chemicals found in personal care products. These chemicals are linked to cancer.

ONE DOZEN CANCER CAUSING CHEMICALS IN YOUR PERSONAL CARE ITEMS

( Shampoo, conditioner, skin care, cosmetics, deodorant, perfume, cologne, after shave, shaving cream, body lotions, body wash and soap, etc.)

This is only a partial list of harmful chemicals found in personal care products. These chemicals are linked to cancer.

Anionic Surfactants
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS)
Ammonium Laureth Sulfate (ALES)
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Sodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate
Potassium Coco Hydrolysed Collagen
TEA (Triethanolamine) Lauryl Sulfate
TEA (Triethanolamine) Laureth Sulfate
Lauryl or Cocoyl Sarcosine
Disodium Oleamide Sulfosuccinate
Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
Disodium Dioctyl Sulfosuccinate etc

DEA (diethanolamine), MEA (Monoethanolamine), & TEA (triethanolamine)
Ethoxylated surfactants
FD&C Colour Pigments
Formaldehyde
Imidazolidinyl urea
Lanolin
Nitrosating Agents

2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol
Cocoyl Sarcosine
DEA compounds
Imidazolidinyl Urea
Formaldehyde
Hydrolysed Animal Protein
Lauryl Sarcosine
MEA compounds
Quaternium-7, 15, 31, 60, etc
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Ammonium Laureth Sulfate
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
TEA compounds
Paraben preservatives (methyl, propyl, butyl, and ethyl) NOTE; Paraben is found in 98% of cancerous masses
Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) compounds
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) Ammonium Laureth Sulfate (ALES)
Talc
TEA (Triethanolamine) Laureth Sulfate

Do hazardous and harmful cancer causing chemicals lurk in YOUR shampoo, toothpaste, skin care and personal cosmetics? Multiple Chemical Sensitivity is more common than previously thought and can stem from common chemical ingredients found in skin care and hair care products. Lets debunk the myths on the danger or safety of chemical ingredients in your beauty and skin care product. Are YOU Safe? If you care for your loved ones…the answers may shock you! The ONLY SAFE products are the CERTIFIED ORGANIC products produced by responsible manufacturers who give a 100% guarantee their cosmetics and personal care products are free of ALL synthetic chemicals and are made to Certified Organic FOOD GRADE standards. Look at the Toxic Ingredients Directory for a more complete list of hazardous chemicals.

Some More Information on Shampoo

DEA in Shampoo

Take the case of the suspect cancer-causing agent diethanolamine (DEA), which is used as an emulsifier and foaming agent in shampoos. We reported early on that the federal National Toxicology Program (NTP) completed a study in 1998 that found an association between the topical application of diethanolamine and certain DEA-related ingredients and cancer in laboratory animals. For the DEA-related ingredients, the NTP study suggested that the carcinogenic response was linked to possible residual levels of DEA. The NTP study did not establish a link between DEA and the risk of cancer in humans. But when a substance causes cancer in laboratory animals, it is a warning we must take seriously.

In this case, we noted, there is an added concern. The presence of DEA in cosmetics, including shampoos, can also lead to formation of nitrosamines, which are powerful carcinogens. Many nitrosamines have been determined to cause cancer in laboratory animals and have also been linked with human cancer. These have also been shown to penetrate the skin. The FDA expressed its concern about the contamination of cosmetics with nitrosamines in a notice published in the Federal Register of April 10, 1979 (44 FR 21365). It stated that cosmetics containing nitrosamines may be considered adulterated and subject to enforcement action, though the agency has never demonstrated a willingness to take meaningful enforcement action in this regard. Thus, in DEA we have both a suspected carcinogen and a clear-cut carcinogen precursor.

As if this were not enough, shampoo manufacturers are also using many types of other ingredients (known as ethoxylated alcohols) that are frequently contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, and we have reported on these products, too.

Manufacturing Tricks

When news came out about the cancer-causing potential of DEA, many shampoo manufacturers looked at their labels and realized their products contained DEA or cocamide DEA, both chemicals being cited in the NTP study as cancer-causing. So what did they do? And why did they do it? Apparently more for marketing reasons than consumer health, many manufacturers then decided to eliminate cocamide DEA and instead use substitute ingredients like lauramide DEA – but, manufacturers soon learned, this chemical was also found to be cancer-causing by the same federal program. Consumer outcry and pressure led to its removal from some, but not all, shampoo products.

Nevertheless, instead of waking up to the fact that it might be smart to simply keep DEA derivatives out of their products, many shampoo manufacturers went on to a chemical not yet tested by the NTP but that still contains DEA. If you look at many of the shampoo products today, you will see they list cocamide MEA on their labels. Of cocamide MEA, the FDA says it is one “of the most commonly used ingredients that may contain DEA.” So though not tested, it can nevertheless be considered a chemical of concern. In addition, under certain circumstances, it can also cause nitrosamine formation. Alberto VO5 and St. Ives shampoos contain or have contained lauramide DEA. Aussie, Clairol, Dove, Finesse, Herbal Essences, and Neutrogena are examples of shampoos that all list cocamide MEA as an ingredient.

If We Were Winning the War on Cancer

None of this would matter much, if we were winning the war on cancer. But we aren’t. In 1999, it was noted that one in two American men and one in three American women get cancer. In the 1950s, one in four Americans were afflicted with this deadly disease. Despite the expenditure of $25 billion since President Nixon declared the war on cancer in 1971, cancer rates have soared. Dr. Samuel Epstein, professor emeritus of environmental and occupational health at the University of Illinois, points out that from 1950 to 1998, the overall incidence of cancer rose about 60 percent, with much higher increases for specific cancers. For non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and multiple myeloma, the increase has been 200 percent. Breast cancers have increased by 60 percent. Prostate cancer has increased 200 percent. In men aged 28 to 35, there has been a 300 percent increase in testicular cancer since 1950. And don’t let anybody fool you into thinking that the cancer rate increase is because the population is getting older — these rates are age-adjusted. The cancer rates of a group of 50-year old men in 1990, for example, are compared to the cancer rates of a group of men in 1950.

No matter what shampoo manufacturers tell you, part of this rise is caused by our overall bodily burden of cancerous chemicals, which has increased greatly over the years. Placing small amounts of free DEA into shampoos might not seem like a big deal in and of itself. But as consumers and parents, we have to look at this small amount of DEA in the context of all the other cumulative exposures from all other consumer products. Lots of little drops of rain add up to a lot of rain. Lots of little drops of chemical carcinogens add up to a lot of carcinogens. Thus, it makes sense to reduce exposure to cancer-causing chemicals whenever possible.

The point we’re making is that you can have beautiful, healthy hair without chemical toxins. In this way you will also protect your health.

Commonly Used Ingredients That May Contain DEA

With the exception of color additives and a few prohibited ingredients, cosmetics and personal care products are among the least-regulated consumer products today. A cosmetic manufacturer may use almost any raw material as a cosmetic ingredient. The following are some of the most commonly used ingredients that may contain DEA:

Cocamide DEA
Cocamide MEA
Cocamide TEA
DEA-Cetyl Phosphate
DEA Oleth-3 Phosphate
Lauramide DEA
Linoleamide MEA
Myristamide DEA
Oleamide DEA
Stearamide MEA
TEA-Lauryl Sulfate
Triethanolamine

Be informed. Check the labels of the products in your house. Make the change today! 100% Chemical Free personal care products

Skin Care, Hair Care , Body Care/Oral Care, Cosmetics

Mother & Baby, Essential Oils/Fragrance

This article compliments from http://OrganicEmpowerment.com