Cosmetics companies are not taking sufficient steps to ensure cosmetic products containing nanoparticles are safe, according to the recent Which? report.
Of 67 firms approached, only eight submitted information on their use of nanotechnology. A common use of nanotechnology is in the addition of titanium dioxide or zinc oxide particles to sun screens. European experts have demanded more safety tests to investigate the effects of these on damaged skin, according to the Guardian.
Safety concerns over nanoparticles in cosmetics have already been raised by the Royal Society earlier. It called for independent safety assessments on all products containing nanoparticles. The society has also urged firms to declare their safety tests.
According to the chief policy advisor at Which?, the cosmetics industry needed to declare about how it was using nanotechnology. The government would have to introduce a compulsory reporting scheme for manufactured nanomaterials, and only those that were independently assessed as safe should be allowed to be used in cosmetics.
http://www.guardian.co.uk
17.11.2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Natural Sanitary Protection
Ladies, is your choice of sanitary protection affecting your health?
Whilst your period is an inevitable part of your life and not something you would choose to have each month, the sanitary protection you use is within your control. The unquestioned choice for the vast majority of women in the UK is to use either tampons or sanitary towels. In fact, we buy more than 3 billion disposable sanitary protection items each year, which are being flushed away adding to marine pollution or dumped in landfill sites. The environmental costs are clearly a concern, but have you considered how safe they are to use?
The main areas of concern are:
Dioxin is a potentially harmful byproduct of the chlorine bleaching process used in the wood pulp industry, which includes the manufacture of sanitary towels and tampons. Evidence is growing that even low levels of dioxin may be linked to breast cancer, cancer, endometriosis and immune system suppression.
Surfactants (additives used in tampons to increase absorbency) and fragrances may pose additional unnecessary health risks in feminine hygiene products.
Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) is a rare bacterial condition with up to 20 confirmed cases in Britain each year. Tampons (particularly high absorbency ones) may facilitate the infection because their use may cause lacerations and ulcerations of the vaginal wall. In fact half of all cases occur in menstruating women who are using high absorbency tampons.
However, there is another more modern form of sanitary protection that thousands of women all over the World are now choosing to use:
Femmecup® menstrual cup is a reusable alternative to tampons. It is a small bell shaped menstrual cup worn internally during your period. It is very soft and made from approved medical grade silicone. Unlike a tampon it collects the flow instead of absorbing it.
Femmecup contains no harmful chemicals, bleaches, fibres or perfumes and does not cause dryness.
One Femmecup lasts for years; produces no waste and saves you lots of money aswell.
Femmecup has never been linked with TSS and is discreet, comfortable and easy to use. It can be worn for up to 12 hours, overnight and whilst swimming and playing sports.
Find out more about the future of feminine hygiene at http://www.femmecup.com/
Whilst your period is an inevitable part of your life and not something you would choose to have each month, the sanitary protection you use is within your control. The unquestioned choice for the vast majority of women in the UK is to use either tampons or sanitary towels. In fact, we buy more than 3 billion disposable sanitary protection items each year, which are being flushed away adding to marine pollution or dumped in landfill sites. The environmental costs are clearly a concern, but have you considered how safe they are to use?
The main areas of concern are:
Dioxin is a potentially harmful byproduct of the chlorine bleaching process used in the wood pulp industry, which includes the manufacture of sanitary towels and tampons. Evidence is growing that even low levels of dioxin may be linked to breast cancer, cancer, endometriosis and immune system suppression.
Surfactants (additives used in tampons to increase absorbency) and fragrances may pose additional unnecessary health risks in feminine hygiene products.
Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) is a rare bacterial condition with up to 20 confirmed cases in Britain each year. Tampons (particularly high absorbency ones) may facilitate the infection because their use may cause lacerations and ulcerations of the vaginal wall. In fact half of all cases occur in menstruating women who are using high absorbency tampons.
However, there is another more modern form of sanitary protection that thousands of women all over the World are now choosing to use:
Femmecup® menstrual cup is a reusable alternative to tampons. It is a small bell shaped menstrual cup worn internally during your period. It is very soft and made from approved medical grade silicone. Unlike a tampon it collects the flow instead of absorbing it.
Femmecup contains no harmful chemicals, bleaches, fibres or perfumes and does not cause dryness.
One Femmecup lasts for years; produces no waste and saves you lots of money aswell.
Femmecup has never been linked with TSS and is discreet, comfortable and easy to use. It can be worn for up to 12 hours, overnight and whilst swimming and playing sports.
Find out more about the future of feminine hygiene at http://www.femmecup.com/
Friday, August 01, 2008
Behind the Label: Lynx Dry Antiperspirant Deodorant
Whether you regularly use a stick, solid or spray anti-perspirant/deodorant, the chances are that it contains a cocktail of chemicals that can lead to mental decline, migraine, and breast cancer.
Through clever marketing Lynx anti-perspirant/deodorant promises much more than dry, sweet smelling pits. On the long-held advertising premise that you can sell anything to a man if you can link it to sex or sport, this product promises amazing success in both areas.
Lynx was first launched as a men’s body spray in 1985 and the range has since expanded to include anti-perspirant/deodorants, shower gels, hair care and skincare. The brand maintains pole position in the marketplace by reinventing itself each year with a new fragrance variant and new advertising celebrating the urban legend known as the ‘Lynx effect’.
The concept of the Lynx effect – underarm dryness and a date on Saturday night – has proved very seductive, especially among younger men. This is all the more amazing considering that underneath it all Lynx is a fairly bog standard anti-perspirant/deodorant. While antiperspirants don’t usually contain the laundry list of ingredients that other toiletries (such as shampoos) do, the few ingredients they do contain are worrying and include neurotoxic solvents, toxic metals and potential carcinogens.
Lynx is produced by Lever Fabergé, the UK arm of consumer goods giant Unilever. In the UK deodorants and body sprays are now worth over £400 million a year in total sales. Lever Fabergé’s share of the deodorants and body sprays market stands at a whopping 54 per cent – over three times greater than its nearest competitor. Sales of Lynx make up the greater proportion of this along with Impulse, Sure and Vaseline Intensive Care.
Today Lynx is the UK’s biggest male toiletries brand, accounting for around 35 per cent of all male toiletries sold in this country. It is used by 60 per cent of all boys aged 16 or under. Indeed, half of all users are under 24 and a further quarter are aged 25 to 44. Lynx, which is known in other countries as AXE, can also claim to be the world’s biggest selling men’s deodorant.
Ingredients:
Butane, Isobutane and Propane: Propellants.
Health effects: Headache; breathing difficulties; mood swings; nausea, vomiting, dizziness; symptoms of drunkenness; high doses can cause convulsions and coma; symptoms of mild frostbite (numbness, prickling and itching under the arm) are also possible. These highly flammable volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) are popular with solvent abusers (note the warning on the can) because they produce a quick ‘high’ – however they can also produce quick death. VOCs also accumulate in human breast milk. While these particular propellants don’t destroy the earth’s ozone shield, they do contribute to the formation of ground level ozone, or smog, which can cause serious breathing problems.
Aluminium zirconium tetrachlorohydrex GLY. Aluminium chlorohydrate: Clogs pores to prevent sweat leaking through.
Health Effects: Skin irritation; mental decline. Aluminium is absorbed through the skin and there is evidence that a lifetime’s use of aluminium-containing deodorants may lead to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Can cause cancer - In women, a combination of underarm shaving and aluminium containing deodorants has been linked to breast cancer. Aluminium salts are also linked to an increase in male breast cancer. This may be because they damage the DNA of breast cells and have a potential hormone disrupting effect. Spray formulations mean you inhale, as well as absorb these compounds. Inhaled aluminium has fairly direct access to the brain via the nasal passages and chronic occupational exposure has been associated with preclinical signs of Alzheimer’s.
14 butyl ether: Preservative, solvent, antibacterial.
Health effects: Skin irritant, neurotoxin. PPG-14 butyl ether is a relative of propylene glycol and potentially toxic to the kidneys and liver. In the US it is a pesticide component used in sprays to protect animals from flies, gnats and mosquitoes. It is poisonous in high concentrations and can enhance the skin penetration of other more toxic chemicals.
Alcohol: Emollient, moisturiser, stabiliser.
Health effects: can cause allergies or contact dermatitis.
BHT – butylated hydroxytoluene: Antioxidant.
Health Effects: Contact allergies/contact dermatitis. Cancer suspect. May cause reproductive defects. Once absorbed, BHT can accelerate the breakdown of vital nutrients such as vitamin D (which maintains immunity and healthy bones and teeth).
Parfum (Synthetic): Body odour mask.
Health effects: Skin irritation, allergic reaction; breathing difficulties (including asthma); headache (including migraine; dizziness, nausea. ‘Parfum’ is a collective name given to hundreds of different chemicals used to produce a fragrance in cosmetics and toiletries. Many of these chemicals are persistent (ie, they don’t break down in the environment and they accumulate in human tissue and breastmilk). Of the top 20 most common perfume ingredients, four – acetone, ethanol, ethyl acetate and methylene chloride – are classified as hazardous waste by the EPA. Other commonly-used chemicals in perfume include propylene glycol (see PPG-14 above); cyclohexanol, a central nervous system depressant; linalool, which can provoke depression, loss of equilibrium and respiratory disturbances; methyl ethyl ketone, toxic to liver and kidneys, irritating to eyes, nose, and throat; and formaldehyde, a known carcinogen. Spray formulations mean you – and those around you – inhale more of these toxic chemicals.
Distearate: Moisturiser, emulsifier, emollient and antioxidant. Adding PEG to a product will prevent moisture loss during storage. The lower the number the more liquid the product is.
Health effects: cancer – Polyethylene glycol (PEG) compounds can be contaminated with various carcinogens, including ethylene oxide, 1,4-dioxane and polycyclic aromatic compounds (including benzene, benz(a)pyrene, DMBA, and 1-nitropyrene) – potential breast cancer triggers. Neurotoxic - PEGs can be contaminated with heavy metals such as lead, iron, cobalt, nickel, cadmium, and arsenic, which are toxic to the central nervous system.
(Source: Ecologist - Pat Thomas)
To find organic and natural deodorant alternatives free from these toxi chemicals click here
Through clever marketing Lynx anti-perspirant/deodorant promises much more than dry, sweet smelling pits. On the long-held advertising premise that you can sell anything to a man if you can link it to sex or sport, this product promises amazing success in both areas.
Lynx was first launched as a men’s body spray in 1985 and the range has since expanded to include anti-perspirant/deodorants, shower gels, hair care and skincare. The brand maintains pole position in the marketplace by reinventing itself each year with a new fragrance variant and new advertising celebrating the urban legend known as the ‘Lynx effect’.
The concept of the Lynx effect – underarm dryness and a date on Saturday night – has proved very seductive, especially among younger men. This is all the more amazing considering that underneath it all Lynx is a fairly bog standard anti-perspirant/deodorant. While antiperspirants don’t usually contain the laundry list of ingredients that other toiletries (such as shampoos) do, the few ingredients they do contain are worrying and include neurotoxic solvents, toxic metals and potential carcinogens.
Lynx is produced by Lever Fabergé, the UK arm of consumer goods giant Unilever. In the UK deodorants and body sprays are now worth over £400 million a year in total sales. Lever Fabergé’s share of the deodorants and body sprays market stands at a whopping 54 per cent – over three times greater than its nearest competitor. Sales of Lynx make up the greater proportion of this along with Impulse, Sure and Vaseline Intensive Care.
Today Lynx is the UK’s biggest male toiletries brand, accounting for around 35 per cent of all male toiletries sold in this country. It is used by 60 per cent of all boys aged 16 or under. Indeed, half of all users are under 24 and a further quarter are aged 25 to 44. Lynx, which is known in other countries as AXE, can also claim to be the world’s biggest selling men’s deodorant.
Ingredients:
Butane, Isobutane and Propane: Propellants.
Health effects: Headache; breathing difficulties; mood swings; nausea, vomiting, dizziness; symptoms of drunkenness; high doses can cause convulsions and coma; symptoms of mild frostbite (numbness, prickling and itching under the arm) are also possible. These highly flammable volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) are popular with solvent abusers (note the warning on the can) because they produce a quick ‘high’ – however they can also produce quick death. VOCs also accumulate in human breast milk. While these particular propellants don’t destroy the earth’s ozone shield, they do contribute to the formation of ground level ozone, or smog, which can cause serious breathing problems.
Aluminium zirconium tetrachlorohydrex GLY. Aluminium chlorohydrate: Clogs pores to prevent sweat leaking through.
Health Effects: Skin irritation; mental decline. Aluminium is absorbed through the skin and there is evidence that a lifetime’s use of aluminium-containing deodorants may lead to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Can cause cancer - In women, a combination of underarm shaving and aluminium containing deodorants has been linked to breast cancer. Aluminium salts are also linked to an increase in male breast cancer. This may be because they damage the DNA of breast cells and have a potential hormone disrupting effect. Spray formulations mean you inhale, as well as absorb these compounds. Inhaled aluminium has fairly direct access to the brain via the nasal passages and chronic occupational exposure has been associated with preclinical signs of Alzheimer’s.
14 butyl ether: Preservative, solvent, antibacterial.
Health effects: Skin irritant, neurotoxin. PPG-14 butyl ether is a relative of propylene glycol and potentially toxic to the kidneys and liver. In the US it is a pesticide component used in sprays to protect animals from flies, gnats and mosquitoes. It is poisonous in high concentrations and can enhance the skin penetration of other more toxic chemicals.
Alcohol: Emollient, moisturiser, stabiliser.
Health effects: can cause allergies or contact dermatitis.
BHT – butylated hydroxytoluene: Antioxidant.
Health Effects: Contact allergies/contact dermatitis. Cancer suspect. May cause reproductive defects. Once absorbed, BHT can accelerate the breakdown of vital nutrients such as vitamin D (which maintains immunity and healthy bones and teeth).
Parfum (Synthetic): Body odour mask.
Health effects: Skin irritation, allergic reaction; breathing difficulties (including asthma); headache (including migraine; dizziness, nausea. ‘Parfum’ is a collective name given to hundreds of different chemicals used to produce a fragrance in cosmetics and toiletries. Many of these chemicals are persistent (ie, they don’t break down in the environment and they accumulate in human tissue and breastmilk). Of the top 20 most common perfume ingredients, four – acetone, ethanol, ethyl acetate and methylene chloride – are classified as hazardous waste by the EPA. Other commonly-used chemicals in perfume include propylene glycol (see PPG-14 above); cyclohexanol, a central nervous system depressant; linalool, which can provoke depression, loss of equilibrium and respiratory disturbances; methyl ethyl ketone, toxic to liver and kidneys, irritating to eyes, nose, and throat; and formaldehyde, a known carcinogen. Spray formulations mean you – and those around you – inhale more of these toxic chemicals.
Distearate: Moisturiser, emulsifier, emollient and antioxidant. Adding PEG to a product will prevent moisture loss during storage. The lower the number the more liquid the product is.
Health effects: cancer – Polyethylene glycol (PEG) compounds can be contaminated with various carcinogens, including ethylene oxide, 1,4-dioxane and polycyclic aromatic compounds (including benzene, benz(a)pyrene, DMBA, and 1-nitropyrene) – potential breast cancer triggers. Neurotoxic - PEGs can be contaminated with heavy metals such as lead, iron, cobalt, nickel, cadmium, and arsenic, which are toxic to the central nervous system.
(Source: Ecologist - Pat Thomas)
To find organic and natural deodorant alternatives free from these toxi chemicals click here
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Summer Sun Protection
Choosing the Right SPF
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. The higher the SPF number, the better protection against the sun's harmful UVB rays.
The SPF number lets you know how much longer you can stay out of the sun without burning. For example, if it takes 15 minutes for a person to burn, an SPF 15 will allow them to stay out in the sun 15 times longer without burning.
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends wearing an SPF of 15 or higher for maximum protection. SPF is available in factors from 2-60. Does highest mean the best protection? Not necessarily. An SPF of 50 only provides 1-2% more protection than an SPF30.
UVA and UVB Protection
The label of the sunscreen will indicate the UVA or UVB protection. UVA rays are responsible for the aging effect of the sun. However, overexposure to UVA rays can cause skin cancer.UVB rays are responsible for sunburns and skin cancer. Choose a product that has states "UVA/UVB" protection or has "broad spectrum" protectant.
Waterproof vs Water Resistant
If you are looking for a sunscreen to use while in the water, choose a sunscreen that is "waterproof" or "water resistant"."Waterproof" sunscreen should provide protection in the water for 80 minutes, while "water resistant" provides only 40 minutes of protection.
Visit http://www.lucyrose.biz/organic--natural-suncare-32-c.asp for a great selection of effective natural sun care.
SourceU. S. Food and Drug Administration. Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition Office of Cosmetics and Colors Fact Sheet June 27, 2000; Sunscreens, Tanning Products, and Sun Safety
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. The higher the SPF number, the better protection against the sun's harmful UVB rays.
The SPF number lets you know how much longer you can stay out of the sun without burning. For example, if it takes 15 minutes for a person to burn, an SPF 15 will allow them to stay out in the sun 15 times longer without burning.
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends wearing an SPF of 15 or higher for maximum protection. SPF is available in factors from 2-60. Does highest mean the best protection? Not necessarily. An SPF of 50 only provides 1-2% more protection than an SPF30.
UVA and UVB Protection
The label of the sunscreen will indicate the UVA or UVB protection. UVA rays are responsible for the aging effect of the sun. However, overexposure to UVA rays can cause skin cancer.UVB rays are responsible for sunburns and skin cancer. Choose a product that has states "UVA/UVB" protection or has "broad spectrum" protectant.
Waterproof vs Water Resistant
If you are looking for a sunscreen to use while in the water, choose a sunscreen that is "waterproof" or "water resistant"."Waterproof" sunscreen should provide protection in the water for 80 minutes, while "water resistant" provides only 40 minutes of protection.
Visit http://www.lucyrose.biz/organic--natural-suncare-32-c.asp for a great selection of effective natural sun care.
SourceU. S. Food and Drug Administration. Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition Office of Cosmetics and Colors Fact Sheet June 27, 2000; Sunscreens, Tanning Products, and Sun Safety
Monday, May 05, 2008
The Story of Stuff
Hi all,
This 20 minute video by Annie Leonard is very interesting and sums up alot of things at the moment.
What is Story of Stuff?
From its extraction through sale, use and disposal, all the stuff in our lives affects communities at home and abroad, yet most of this is hidden from view.
The Story of Stuff is a 20-minute, fast-paced, fact-filled look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns.
The Story of Stuff exposes the connections between a huge number of environmental and social issues, and calls us together to create a more sustainable and just world. It'll teach you something, it'll make you laugh, and it just may change the way you look at all the stuff in your life forever.
Annie Leonard
View Here
This 20 minute video by Annie Leonard is very interesting and sums up alot of things at the moment.
What is Story of Stuff?
From its extraction through sale, use and disposal, all the stuff in our lives affects communities at home and abroad, yet most of this is hidden from view.
The Story of Stuff is a 20-minute, fast-paced, fact-filled look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns.
The Story of Stuff exposes the connections between a huge number of environmental and social issues, and calls us together to create a more sustainable and just world. It'll teach you something, it'll make you laugh, and it just may change the way you look at all the stuff in your life forever.
Annie Leonard
View Here
Friday, April 11, 2008
Many Babies Exposed to Chemicals
Evidence of phthalates found in urine after using shampoo, lotion and powder, study shows
By Serena Gordon, HealthDay Reporter
MONDAY, Feb. 4 (HealthDay News) -- More than 80 percent of infants tested in a new study had been exposed to a potentially harmful group of chemicals known as phthalates.
Exactly what this means in terms of infant health isn't yet clear, however. Some animal studies have found these substances to be harmful to development, and one study on human infants found an association between exposure to a particular phthalate and male reproductive problems.
Because the exact effects on the developing body aren't known, the researchers suggest limiting the use of products that contain these chemicals in infants as much as possible. Baby lotion, baby shampoo and baby powder were all linked to phthalate exposure in the study.
"Right now, we still don't know the true long-term effects," said study author Dr. Sheela Sathyanarayana, an acting assistant professor in the department of pediatrics at the University of Washington , Seattle . But, she added, it's probably a good idea to "decrease the amounts of products used, especially in newborns."
Phthalates are a group of widely used chemicals that make plastic softer and help stabilize fragrance in personal care products. These chemicals are found in children's toys, infant care products, cosmetics, food packaging, vinyl flooring, blood storage containers and more, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Exposure to phthalates occurs when you use a product containing them, from breathing household dust containing phthalates, from medical treatments like dialysis that use products with phthalates, and from living near a manufacturing facility that uses phthalates, according to the CDC.
Phthalates are banned from use in personal care products and in some toys in Europe .
For the current study, the researchers looked for nine different metabolites of phthalates in the urine of 163 infants born between 2000 and 2005. The reason they had to look for evidence of phthalate exposure in the urine is that it's difficult to measure exposure any other way because manufacturers aren't required to disclose all phthalates in their products.
"Right now, manufacturers aren't required to label them, so it's difficult to know if you're using a product with phthalates," explained Sathyanarayana.
Most of the infants studied -- 81 percent -- had detectable levels of phthalate metabolites. Because the researchers also asked the parents about which products had been used on the babies, they were also able to see an association between higher levels of phthalate metabolites and the use of baby shampoo, lotion and powder. Diaper creams and baby wipes didn't appear to increase the concentration of phthalate metabolites in the urine, according to Sathyanarayana.
Findings from the study are published in the February issue of Pediatrics.
"We believe that there is potential value in the study of metabolized phthalates. But we take great exception to any effort to draw unfounded conclusions that suggest human health risks are associated with the mere presence of very low levels of metabolized phthalates in urine," Marian Stanley, manager of the Phthalates Esters Panel of the American Chemistry Council, a plastics industry trade group, said in a statement.
"With phthalates in particular, there's good research in multiple animal studies that these compounds can be harmful. It's interesting that industry is willing to accept animal studies to introduce new medication, but when something is found to be harmful, industry says, 'Well, those studies were just done on rats,' " said Dr. Jonathan Weinkle, a physician at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh and the University of Pittsburgh's Cancer Institute's Center for Environmental Oncology.
"If animals are useful models for things that are helpful, it's because their bodies are similar enough to ours. Animal models should be reliable for good and bad."
Both Weinkle and Sathyanarayana said that dose makes a difference. The greater the exposure, the greater potential for harm, which is why they recommend limiting the use of products containing phthalates if possible. Sathyanarayana said that phthalates are often contained in fragrances, so a product that's fragrance-free may also be phthalate-free, and she said there are products available that are labeled phthalate-free, but they're generally more expensive.
By Serena Gordon, HealthDay Reporter
MONDAY, Feb. 4 (HealthDay News) -- More than 80 percent of infants tested in a new study had been exposed to a potentially harmful group of chemicals known as phthalates.
Exactly what this means in terms of infant health isn't yet clear, however. Some animal studies have found these substances to be harmful to development, and one study on human infants found an association between exposure to a particular phthalate and male reproductive problems.
Because the exact effects on the developing body aren't known, the researchers suggest limiting the use of products that contain these chemicals in infants as much as possible. Baby lotion, baby shampoo and baby powder were all linked to phthalate exposure in the study.
"Right now, we still don't know the true long-term effects," said study author Dr. Sheela Sathyanarayana, an acting assistant professor in the department of pediatrics at the University of Washington , Seattle . But, she added, it's probably a good idea to "decrease the amounts of products used, especially in newborns."
Phthalates are a group of widely used chemicals that make plastic softer and help stabilize fragrance in personal care products. These chemicals are found in children's toys, infant care products, cosmetics, food packaging, vinyl flooring, blood storage containers and more, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Exposure to phthalates occurs when you use a product containing them, from breathing household dust containing phthalates, from medical treatments like dialysis that use products with phthalates, and from living near a manufacturing facility that uses phthalates, according to the CDC.
Phthalates are banned from use in personal care products and in some toys in Europe .
For the current study, the researchers looked for nine different metabolites of phthalates in the urine of 163 infants born between 2000 and 2005. The reason they had to look for evidence of phthalate exposure in the urine is that it's difficult to measure exposure any other way because manufacturers aren't required to disclose all phthalates in their products.
"Right now, manufacturers aren't required to label them, so it's difficult to know if you're using a product with phthalates," explained Sathyanarayana.
Most of the infants studied -- 81 percent -- had detectable levels of phthalate metabolites. Because the researchers also asked the parents about which products had been used on the babies, they were also able to see an association between higher levels of phthalate metabolites and the use of baby shampoo, lotion and powder. Diaper creams and baby wipes didn't appear to increase the concentration of phthalate metabolites in the urine, according to Sathyanarayana.
Findings from the study are published in the February issue of Pediatrics.
"We believe that there is potential value in the study of metabolized phthalates. But we take great exception to any effort to draw unfounded conclusions that suggest human health risks are associated with the mere presence of very low levels of metabolized phthalates in urine," Marian Stanley, manager of the Phthalates Esters Panel of the American Chemistry Council, a plastics industry trade group, said in a statement.
"With phthalates in particular, there's good research in multiple animal studies that these compounds can be harmful. It's interesting that industry is willing to accept animal studies to introduce new medication, but when something is found to be harmful, industry says, 'Well, those studies were just done on rats,' " said Dr. Jonathan Weinkle, a physician at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh and the University of Pittsburgh's Cancer Institute's Center for Environmental Oncology.
"If animals are useful models for things that are helpful, it's because their bodies are similar enough to ours. Animal models should be reliable for good and bad."
Both Weinkle and Sathyanarayana said that dose makes a difference. The greater the exposure, the greater potential for harm, which is why they recommend limiting the use of products containing phthalates if possible. Sathyanarayana said that phthalates are often contained in fragrances, so a product that's fragrance-free may also be phthalate-free, and she said there are products available that are labeled phthalate-free, but they're generally more expensive.
Friday, March 07, 2008
Your Health is Your Wealth
A recent book on a British self made billionaire who said “he would give all his money back for his health and youth” should make us realise that our health is our biggest asset. With things like cancer and many other diseases increasing at alarming rates, ‘just look at skin cancer’ . Why put our life and body at risk by using products which contain chemicals that can cause it.
Consider this, what can we eat and use that doesn’t contain harsh chemicals but contain ingredients that are good for us.
Cancer disease and how products can help! a recent email in the last few days, which is typical of what we get all the time.
I have been attending Christchurch Hospital's Dermatology Resource Unit for a couple of years for treatment of an ulcer on my back, which developed where I had radiotherapy for a melanoma many years ago.
Nothing the hospital did helped in any way, and they said the only answer was a skin graft. However, when they explained that the reason it would not heal was that blood did not circulate because of the radiotherapy, we ourselves used Bioflow boost buttons, which immediately gave an improvement, and the ulcer started to heal.
Recently we have also used the Therapeutics Extra Rich Moisturising Cream, with the result that my back is now just about healed. The hospital were mightily impressed with the healing and the texture of the new skin, and have asked for information about the cream Regards Bob Pugh.
Q10 a book by Dr Knut T. Flytlie. This book and many others like it by leading doctors and Scientists talk about Antioxidants and the benefits of them helping with many illnesses like Cancer, Arthritis, Thrombosis, MS, etc .
Repairing and boosting the body’s own immune system is paramount to recovery and prevention. They say Antioxidants fight the free radicals which destroy the body’s healthy cells and can protect the body against many diseases.
So what are these great antioxidants?
Well mostly anything natural like plants and of course our products are full of all natural plants also we know that 60% of things put on your skin go into the body.
Therefore… It does not need a rocket scientist to work out why our products can’t harm you because there free of the harsh chemicals... but think of all the great naturals that are going into your skin and then your body daily from our products!
What the doctors don’t know.
After spending 2 days talking to doctor’s, surgeons and even dermatologist at the anaesthetic medicine conference all weekend, I came away surprised how much they don’t know about ingredients and skin. Most of them are not sure what an antioxidant was!Or were surprised to here that paraffin was bad for the skin!
Also when looking at their skin, the one's who were in the industry they had the most prematurely aged and damaged skin I have ever seen!
Not only that! the procedures they were there to talk about could all be relieved and prevented by using really natural products. Out of 200 stands there we were the only one with natural products. No wonder the public have problems with there skin with all the petro-chemical products they push on the unknowing public.
If you use a 90% petro-chemical products with say a 5 % natural content then you’re using petro chemicals on your skin, the 5% is all but cancelled out and the 5% will have no chance in making any difference.
With our products which are 99% natural then you have almost the maximum anti-ageing benefit because the more natural the more antioxidants.
So great anti-ageing benefits that’s the fact of our ingredients. That’s why our products work better than any others, combine that with all the vitamins in them and the super plants like seaweed and asparagus plus the vital oils, then no wonder we are the elixir of anti-ageing, not all that cosmetic surgery, botox and hyper chemicals.
If after seeing 2000 people who sell the best in super treatments, I have to say there are all looking really the worse for it, unlike us who have great, super fresh, healthy, youthful skin. Our little stand was a oasis, a beacon shining out in a sea of petro-chemicals and boy did we look good for our age compared to them.
By John Hamilton, Cosmetologist.
http://www.lucyrose.biz/ to find out more about these great products.
Consider this, what can we eat and use that doesn’t contain harsh chemicals but contain ingredients that are good for us.
Cancer disease and how products can help! a recent email in the last few days, which is typical of what we get all the time.
I have been attending Christchurch Hospital's Dermatology Resource Unit for a couple of years for treatment of an ulcer on my back, which developed where I had radiotherapy for a melanoma many years ago.
Nothing the hospital did helped in any way, and they said the only answer was a skin graft. However, when they explained that the reason it would not heal was that blood did not circulate because of the radiotherapy, we ourselves used Bioflow boost buttons, which immediately gave an improvement, and the ulcer started to heal.
Recently we have also used the Therapeutics Extra Rich Moisturising Cream, with the result that my back is now just about healed. The hospital were mightily impressed with the healing and the texture of the new skin, and have asked for information about the cream Regards Bob Pugh.
Q10 a book by Dr Knut T. Flytlie. This book and many others like it by leading doctors and Scientists talk about Antioxidants and the benefits of them helping with many illnesses like Cancer, Arthritis, Thrombosis, MS, etc .
Repairing and boosting the body’s own immune system is paramount to recovery and prevention. They say Antioxidants fight the free radicals which destroy the body’s healthy cells and can protect the body against many diseases.
So what are these great antioxidants?
Well mostly anything natural like plants and of course our products are full of all natural plants also we know that 60% of things put on your skin go into the body.
Therefore… It does not need a rocket scientist to work out why our products can’t harm you because there free of the harsh chemicals... but think of all the great naturals that are going into your skin and then your body daily from our products!
What the doctors don’t know.
After spending 2 days talking to doctor’s, surgeons and even dermatologist at the anaesthetic medicine conference all weekend, I came away surprised how much they don’t know about ingredients and skin. Most of them are not sure what an antioxidant was!Or were surprised to here that paraffin was bad for the skin!
Also when looking at their skin, the one's who were in the industry they had the most prematurely aged and damaged skin I have ever seen!
Not only that! the procedures they were there to talk about could all be relieved and prevented by using really natural products. Out of 200 stands there we were the only one with natural products. No wonder the public have problems with there skin with all the petro-chemical products they push on the unknowing public.
If you use a 90% petro-chemical products with say a 5 % natural content then you’re using petro chemicals on your skin, the 5% is all but cancelled out and the 5% will have no chance in making any difference.
With our products which are 99% natural then you have almost the maximum anti-ageing benefit because the more natural the more antioxidants.
So great anti-ageing benefits that’s the fact of our ingredients. That’s why our products work better than any others, combine that with all the vitamins in them and the super plants like seaweed and asparagus plus the vital oils, then no wonder we are the elixir of anti-ageing, not all that cosmetic surgery, botox and hyper chemicals.
If after seeing 2000 people who sell the best in super treatments, I have to say there are all looking really the worse for it, unlike us who have great, super fresh, healthy, youthful skin. Our little stand was a oasis, a beacon shining out in a sea of petro-chemicals and boy did we look good for our age compared to them.
By John Hamilton, Cosmetologist.
http://www.lucyrose.biz/ to find out more about these great products.
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