Toxic Euphoria!

Okay I think this weeks topic is going to be a lot easier for people to accomplish than the last one. I am really trying to keep up with this whole blogging thing. haha! I would really like to know what you are thinking of my posts. Make sure you comment or ask questions because I do check in. There is going to be a pattern to my posts on eliminating toxins for a while. When you catch on to what it is let me know. I am going to try to make this topic short, even though like the last I could go on and on about the dangers, but I also want to make sure it is getting read.

Do you have chronic headaches, sinus problems, or even asthma? Could it be something you are exposing yourself to that is doing it? Did you know that there is no regulation on the fragrance industry? That means they are using their own discretion when it comes to the ingredients. We all know how well companies who are out for profit regulate themselves and I do not trust putting products like that on my body.

Many chemicals in perfume and cologne are the same as those found in cigarette smoke. I would really love to quote Doris Bapp here, but my book is in storage so my memory will have to do. If you do have the time, her book is called Our Toxic World. The chemicals in perfumes go directly into the bloodstream when applied to our skin and are also absorbed into the skin from our clothing. We also inhale the chemical fumes, which then go straight to our brains where they can do major harm.

Many even have a "narcotic" effect, which is why some people seem "addicted" to their perfumes. Hmm, maybe that was my problem. I had a major perfume addiction. My collection had at least 100 bottles of the most expensive stuff you could find at Macy's. I have slowly given it away, but have held on to a few with sentimental value.

This goes for candles too. I will probably cover candles and other household fragrances in another post, but for now you may want to start noticing how those things make you feel when you use them. I can't go to my mother in laws house because she has it so full of candles burning. I leave with a terrible headache.

So I will now give you some alternatives to wearing toxic chemicals on your skin. You can not wear anything, which is what I do 90% of the time, or there are essential oils which come from plants that actually have positive effects on your mood. Just make sure you buy a quality, pure brand like Aura Cacia. They also make a fruity perfume made of essential oils. Some oils that you may like for balancing are rose or geranium. Peppermint for energizing and smelling it also works wonders for headaches. Sandalwood and myrrh help calm the mind. For attracting the opposite sex try ylang ylang, patchouli, rose or jasmine. For relaxing try lavender, and chamomile. I like the fruity ones like orange, lemon and grapefruit. Smelling grapefruit is an appetite suppressant. Essential oils can be used for so many things and I think they are so much fun. Some oils can be irritating to the skin alone because of their concentrated form so I recommend mixing a small amount with a base oil like olive oil or apricot oil in this case.

This is all about being kind to our liver. If you have been using toxic chemicals you most definitely need to look into cleansing your liver. Your liver is one of your lifelines to good health. If you are also trying to lose weight I suggest treating your liver kindly because you can't lose weight properly without a healthy liver. An unhealthy liver can affect every single organ in your body. Symptoms of an unhealthy liver include allergies, high cholesterol, malnutrition, and in extreme cases hepatitis and gallstones. Liver cleansing can relieve many of these ailments.

The liver is our body’s primary detoxification organ and manufacturing plant. It cleans drugs, alcohol, poisons, bacterial products, various waste products and worn out red blood cells from the body. The liver is also the main factory for amino acids, proteins and fats, and the stores fat and glucose – the energy source for all bodily functions. Enough of that for now, back to perfume.


So if you need more evidence, here is a brain scan before and after exposure to perfume:
http://www.ourlittleplace.com/spect.html

95% of chemicals used in fragrances are synthetic compounds derived from petroleum. They include benzene derivatives, aldehydes and many other known toxics and sensitizers all which are capable of causing cancer, birth defects, central nervous system disorders and allergic reactions.*


Top chemicals used in perfumes/colognes:

1. ACETONE (in: cologne, dishwashing liquid and detergent, nail enamel remover)

On EPA, RCRA, CERCLA Hazardous Waste lists. "Inhalation can cause dryness of the mouth and throat; dizziness, nausea, incoordination, slurred speech, drowsiness, and, in severe exposures, coma." "Acts primarily as a central nervous system (CNS) depressant."


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2. BENZALDEHYDE (in: perfume, cologne, hairspray, laundry bleach, deodorants, detergent, vaseline lotion, shaving cream, shampoo, bar soap, dishwasher detergent)

Narcotic. Sensitizer. "Local anesthetic, CNS depressant"... "irritation to the mouth, throat, eyes, skin, lungs, and GI tract, causing nausea and abdominal pain." "May cause kidney damage." "Do not use with contact lenses."


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3. BENZYL ACETATE (in: perfume, cologne, shampoo, fabric softener, stickup air freshener, dishwashing liquid and detergent, soap, hairspray, bleach, after shave, deodorants)

Carcinogenic (linked to pancreatic cancer); "From vapors: irritating to eyes and respiratory passages, exciting cough." "In mice: hyperanemia of the lungs." "Can be absorbed through the skin causing systemic effects." "Do not flush to sewer."


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4. BENZYL ALCOHOL (in: perfume, cologne, soap, shampoo, nail enamel remover, air freshener, laundry bleach and detergent, vaseline lotion, deodorants, fabric softener)

"irritating to the upper respiratory tract" ..."headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drop in blood pressure, CNS depression, and death in severe cases due to respiratory failure."


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5. CAMPHOR (in: perfume, shaving cream, nail enamel, fabric softener, dishwasher detergent, nail color, stickup air freshener)

"local irritant and CNS stimulant" ..."readily absorbed through body tissues" ..."irritation of eyes, nose and throat" ..."dizziness, confusion, nausea, twitching muscles and convulsions" "Avoid inhalation of vapors."


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6. ETHANOL (in: perfume, hairspray, shampoo, fabric softener, dishwashing liquid and detergent, laundry detergent, shaving cream, soap, vaseline lotion, air fresheners, nail color and remover, paint and varnish remover)

On EPA Hazardous Waste list; symptoms: "...fatigue; irritating to eyes and upper respiratory tract even in low concentrations..." "Inhalation of ethanol vapors can have effects similar to those characteristic of ingestion. These include an initial stimulatory effect followed by drowsiness, impaired vision, ataxia, stupor..." Causes CNS disorder.


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7. ETHYL ACETATE (in: after shave, cologne, perfume, shampoo, nail color, nail enamel remover, fabric softener, dishwashing liquid)

Narcotic. On EPA Hazardous Waste list; "...irritating to the eyes and respiratory tract" ..."may cause headache and narcosis (stupor)" ..."defatting effect on skin and may cause drying and cracking" ..."may cause anemia with leukocytosis and damage to liver and kidneys" "Wash thoroughly after handling."


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8. LIMONENE (in: perfume, cologne, disinfectant spray, bar soap, shaving cream, deodorants, nail color and remover, fabric softener, dishwashing liquid, air fresheners, after shave, bleach, paint and varnish remover)

Carcinogenic. "Prevent its contact with skin or eyes because it is an irritant and sensitizer." "Always wash thoroughly after using this material and before eating, drinking, ...applying cosmetics. Do not inhale limonene vapor."


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9. LINALOOL (in: perfume, cologne, bar soap, shampoo, hand lotion, nail enamel remover, hairspray, laundry detergent, dishwashing liquid, vaseline lotion, air fresheners, bleach powder, fabric softener, shaving cream, after shave, solid deodorant)

Narcotic. ..."respiratory disturbances" ... "Attracts bees." "In animal tests: ataxic gait, reduced spontaneous motor activity and depression ... development of respiratory disturbances leading to death." ..."depressed frog-heart activity." Causes CNS disorder.


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10. METHYLENE CHLORIDE (in: shampoo, cologne, paint and varnish remover)

Banned by the FDA in 1988! No enforcement possible due to trade secret laws protecting chemical fragrance industry. On EPA, RCRA, CERCLA Hazardous Waste lists. "Carcinogenic" ..."Absorbed, stored in body fat, it metabolizes to carbon monoxide, reducing oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood." "Headache, giddiness, stupor, irritability, fatigue, tingling in the limbs." Causes CNS disorder.


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11. a-PINENE (in: bar and liquid soap, cologne, perfume, shaving cream, deodorants, dishwashing liquid, air freshener)

Sensitizer (damaging to the immune system).


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12. g-TERPINENE (in: cologne, perfume, soap, shaving cream, deodorant, air freshener)

"Causes asthma and CNS disorders."


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13. a-TERPINEOL (in: perfume, cologne, laundry detergent, bleach powder, laundry bleach, fabric softener, stickup air freshener, vaseline lotion, cologne, soap, hairspray, after shave, roll-on deodorant)

..."highly irritating to mucous membranes"... "Aspiration into the lungs can produce pneumonitis or even fatal edema." Can also cause "excitement, ataxia (loss of muscular coordination), hypothermia, CNS and respiratory depression, and headache." "Prevent repeated or prolonged skin contact."


Other chemicals to look out for:
COCOAMIDE DEA (diethylalomine) TEA, MEA,-- detergent in most shampoos, moisturizers and more

PROPYLENE GLYCOL - industrial antifreeze- in deodorant, shampoos, shaving gels, moisturizers and more...

SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE-AND FLUORIDE garage floor cleansers, detergents- in shampoos, toothpastes, more...



I carry Food Additives: A Shopper's Guide to What's Safe & What's Not in my purse and it is a great reference tool to use in the store until you get used to what is safe and what's not. For some reason it isn't available on Amazon right now though.




*Neurotoxins: At Home and the Workplace, Report by the Committee on Science & Technology, U.S. House of Representatives, Sept. 16, 1986. (Report 99-827)