Dr. Mercola July 26 2007 65,599 views
Public health advocates, environmentalists and laundry workers have petitioned the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ban “gender-bender” chemical additives found in some household detergents and other cleaning agents.
They‘re also calling for studies on the human risks related to nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs), which are known to be potent endocrine disrupters. These chemicals are already thought to be the cause of male fish transforming into females in waterways around the world.
Some believe these transformed fish may be the proverbial canaries in the coal mine, pointing toward a much larger human problem. About 250,000 fewer boys have been born in the last 30 years in the United States and Japan, and scientists are linking the phenomenon to a body accumulation of these types of gender-bending toxins.
As endocrine disrupters, NPEs affect gene expression by turning on or off certain genes, and interfere with the way your glandular system works. They mimic the female hormone estrogen, which is the reason behind some marine species switching from male to female. Approximately 400 million pounds of NPEs are manufactured in the United States each year.
Organic Consumers Association June 6, 2007
DarkTruth.com
Natural Health—A Much Better Way July 21, 2007
Many of the most common household products contain potentially toxic chemicals. Although most people don’t reflect on this, you can easily absorb most of these chemicals through your skin, and you can also breathe them into your lungs. Over time, these toxins can build up in your system and cause any number of unknown effects.
Aside from detergents and cleaning agents, endocrine-disrupting chemicals can also be found in plastics, pesticides, fertilizers and even soy.
Fortunately, you can take control of your household environment, and simply avoid using toxic chemicals in your home. Instead, please seek out natural laundry detergents and cleaning products. Your local health food store is a good place to start.
But, if you’re thrifty to boot, you can also use items you already have around your house, such as: vinegar, baking soda, salt, and lemon juice, which in most cases get the job done just as well -- sometimes even better.
Baking soda is a real powerhouse when it comes to cleaning. Here are just a few examples of how plain and simple baking soda can replace dangerous commercial cleaning products in your home:
More common sense tips you can use today to reduce your exposure to harmful chemicals include:
Use that olive oil on your face as well (even with oily skin):
www.rebuild-from-depression.com/.../natural_facial_cleanser_olive.html
:)
Amanda
I found it difficult to find PURE Products that do not harm your skin or the environment. I have finally found them and have seen a drastic improvement on my skin. I buy the laundry, dish, hand soap, window cleaner, all purpose cleaner, and bar soaps. All are ALS/SLS free. You can buy them at ultraincomebuilder.com/integrity.uibmc1
Thanks to everyone for their excellent suggestions! I own a cleaning business, and am always striving to use methods which cause no harm to the environment. I've been using steamers, such as the Shark, for some time now, which not only clean, but sanitize beautifully! I have greatly reduced the amount of cleaning products used, and also get terrific results. While the steamer cannot be used for everything, it can be used effectively for a great deal of your household cleaning.
PepperR23, that is GREAT that you've been using these safer ways to clean your home. I love olive oil and beeswax, and here's a tip; be sure to polish all the olive oil residue off or it will, with time, become rancid. I've owned a cleaning business in Atlanta for eighteen years and have always sought ways to clean without using harsh and dangerous chemicals.
Linda Stoner, I have a client who has a hard surface floor steamer that is wonderful. I'd get one but most of the floors I clean are either carpet or hardwood. My carpet steamer is great too. We also love the new microfiber cloths for dusting and wiping. I wish you the very best in your business!
Please email me for the recent Household Hazards report and also alternative safe & effective cleaning and personal use products that are affordable as well as guaranteed! jjreed@kent.edu
Sorry not to post earlier, in the process of moving to start my doctorate in environmental sociology in Orlando, Florida this week! How timely :)
Trader Joes and Whole Foods have a shampoo and conditioner that costs $2.00 each. I prefer the smell of the Trader Joes brand which has Vitamin C in it also. To clean my home I use Dr. Bronner's. I was using an oven cleaner to clean my fireplace glass enclosure but now will try the baking soda/water idea.
Check out the Edgar Cayce products. ... I have had great results with some of them,... such as the "Pine Tar" shampoo, which is an old time shampoo recipe that is without a doubt the best shampoo I have ever used, and I have to wash my hair every morning.
I totally agree that you don't want chemicals or fragrances. I get all of my products FRAGRANCE FREE. Even Laudry detergent and shampoo. I buy the laundry, dish, hand soap, window cleaner, all purpose cleaner, shampoo and bar soaps. All are ALS/SLS free. You can buy them wholesale at ultraincomebuilder.com/integrity.uibmc1
You can get a wonderful coconut oil bar and liquid foam soap from Tropical Traditions.com. I use the bar soap for bathing and to wash my hair. I love it. It is pure coconut oil. It isn't costly, either.
I buy my shampoo, conditioner, and hair products from a lady who only uses natural ingredients -- no petro, no chemicals, etc. She uses essential oils and other healthy ingredients. It works great! My hair has never looked or felt better. You can e-mail her at darylglinn@hotmail.com.
I had no idea what your average household cleaners would do to a person until last year. My younger sister who was only 46 became ill. She was hosptialized with what her doctor thought was pneumonia. She never got well. She had developed pulmonary fibrosis (scarring of the lungs) which came from using every day cleaning chemicals. She did not do professional cleaning. Her only use of chemicals were the one's you buy at the grocery store to do your daily cleaning. Upon being released from the hospital she was never able to breathe on her own without oxygen and was also put on several different medicines. The medications that were used to treat the disease created even more problems. She became diabetic and overweight from steroid therapy and then her hormone medication created a blood clot in her leg. The blood clot moved to her lung causing her death. She only lived fifteen months after finding out she had this disease. The chemicals from the cleaners created the original problem but then the prescription meds actually caused her death. In the beginning God gave us everything we needed to survive on earth. God gave us what foods we needed to eat for our health and natural healing products for if we became sick. It all boils down to how we should follow his plan and stop using all the processed food and medicines. It's very tough in this day and age because in order to save time we grab a processed item versus taking the time to do it the old fashioned way. Until we do, the final result stands to remain. We might gain a little time on a daily basis but we are loosing a tremendous amount of time from our lives and also from the lives of the ones we love! My sister's death has really made a difference in how I look at things now and also on alot of the things I buy.
I know of a supplement that stimulates stem cells to repair such damage. I'm sorry that your sister passed away but next time you have a loved one suffering that needs body repair let me know and I'll give you the website. "wanderseejr@yahoo.com"
I am so sorry for your loss. My heart is going out to you right now.
How sad....I truly ache for you, for a loss is never easy, particularly when it involves seeking refuge from what we know to be an invaluable life line. To have something like this happen has to be deeply painful.
May you experience God'd protective hand as His plan becomes a peaceful revealtion to you.
Blessings
Dr. Trudy
I know I'm replying sometime after this topic was posted, but I wanted to share some information. I'm sorry your sister had to die a senseless death, but I'm glad to know that you are aware of God's food versus Man's food and that you care about what you expose yourself to in the line of cleaning products.
I highly recommend you visit www.shaklee.com and look at their natural line of household cleaners that are in perfect harmony with nature. Yes, they are a multi-level marketing company, but are probably the most down-to-earth company in the world. They have won numerous awards for having the greenest and most eco-friendly production facilities as well as products of the highest standards.