If you were told that there were toxic chemicals in you home, what would come to mind?…
cleaning products?
insect sprays?
Most of us are aware of the toxicity of these, but few would suspect the bathroom to contain a whole host of toxic chemicals.
Would you expect your shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, toothpaste and make-up to contain toxic cancer-causing ingredients?
Most people wouldn’t, trusting in the protection of government agencies.
Dr. Samuel Epstein reveals some important information that at present is being hidden from the general public – information that everyone has the right to know.
Who is Samuel Epstein?
- professor of environmental medicine
- author of articles and books on effects of toxic ingredients and contaminants in food and household products
- founder of the U.S. Cancer Prevention Coalition
The following article appeared in the Herald Sun, March 30, 2003
Call for cancer tags on make-up
Mary Papadakis writes…
A leading US cancer expert has called for warning labels on cosmetics containing carcinogenic substances.
US Cancer Prevention Coalition chairman Dr. Samuel Epstein says health warnings similar to those found on cigarette packets should be placed on ‘cancer-causing’ cosmetics and toiletries.
Dr. Epstein claims…There is overwhelming evidence on the presence of a wide range of carcinogens in cosmetics and personal care products.
Australian cosmetics expert and author Kevin Farrow said consumers were under-estimating the impact of small doses of carcinogenic substances found in products such as shampoos and moisturisers. Mr. Farrow, author of “Skin Deep: said “consumers needed to start thinking of their skin as the largest organ which was vital for respiration. We look at the skin as something that comes between us and the world and so we sort of look at it as a piece of clothing that doesn’t belong to us.”
So what’s wrong with our personal care products?
Almost ALL shampoos, bubble bath, shower gels and toothpaste contain a foaming agent called Sodium Lauryl Sulphate.
So what’s wrong with SLS?
Sodium Lauryl Sulphate: “routinely used in clinical studies to irritate skin tissue; corrodes hair follicles and impairs ability to grow hair; carcinogenic Nitrates can form when SLS interacts with other nitrogen bearing ingredients; enters and maintains residual levels in the heart, liver, lungs and brain from skin contact; impairs proper structural formation of young eyes – damage is permanent; can damage the immune system; can cause separation of skin layers and inflammation to the skin.” (Journal of American College of Toxicology; Vol. 2,1983)
“As reported in model studies published in 2000 by the Danish Institute of Public Health, a single 24-hour exposure of SLS to human skin damages skin protein and causes prolonged disruption of ‘the skin barrier integrity of the skin’, to allow the penetration of carcinogens such as nickel and chromate. Thus, skin absorption of carcinogenic ingredients could be greatly increased by SLS type detergents.” (“Unreasonable Risk”, Samuel Epstein, 2002, p. 39)
Almost ALL hair conditioners, skin lotions and make-up contain a sliding agent called Propylene Glycol.
So what’s wrong with propylene glycol?
Propylene Glycol: “implicated in contact dermatitis, kidney damage and liver abnormalities; can inhibit skin cell growth in human tests and can damage cell membranes causing rashes, dry skin and surface damage. May be harmful by inhalation, ingestion or skin absorption. May cause eye irritation. Exposure can cause gastro-intestinal disturbances, nausea, headache and vomiting, central nervous system depression.” (Material Safety Data Sheets)
Summary of toxic chemicals in personal care products:
Shampoo/ conditioner – most contain Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulphate, DEA, TEA, Coal Tar
Hair Sprays & Styling/ nail polish – most contain BHA, DEA, TEA, Methylene Chloride, Toluene, Flurocarbons
Toothpaste – nearly all contain Sodium Lauryl Sulphate, Saccharin, and some contain Fluoride
Mouthwash – most contain alcohol concentration of more than 25% linked to mouth and throat cancer
Dusting Powder – contains talc which acts like asbestos
Bubble bath & body washes – most contain Sodium Lauryl Sulphate, DEA, TEA, MEA, PEG, Quatenium, fragrances
Skin care/ cosmetics/ make-up – most contain Propylene Glycol, Alpha hydroxy-acids, Bentonite, Coal Tar, PEG, Petroleum
Sunscreen – most contain PABA, Benzophehenones, Dibenzoylmethanes which are possibly cancer causing when heated
Bar Soaps – most contain ammonia, formaldehyde and phenol, in addition to having a PH of 9, which removes the protective acid mantle making skin more vulnerable to penetration
Do we really know the cause of cancer? Why are 1 in 3 getting it? How about allergies? chronic fatigue? A.D.D.?
Samuel Epstein is convinced that these problems occur because “Our total environment – air, water, workplace and consumer products are contaminated with industrial carcinogens. We are exposed to these from conception to death”. He believes that the above products present greater risks than smoking.
Samuel Epstein’s site: www.preventcancer.com
For more information on safe products, please email us.