What's under your sink?
By raydene
@raydene (9871)
United States
July 22, 2007 2:37pm CST
My upline just sent some useful info so I thought it might be of interest.
My biz is a going green company..
WHAT'S UNDER YOUR SINK?
By Dr. Joyce Woods. Joyce worked as a medical/surgical nurse,
public health nurse, nurse educator, nursing school
administrator, occupational health consultant. She holds a
Bachelors of Nursing, Bachelors of Arts (Specialist), Masters
of Education degrees, and has completed her doctoral degree in
the area of Indoor Air Pollution, and it's effect on your
health.
Begin by thinking of your home as a toxic waste dump. The
average home today contains 62 toxic chemicals - more than a
chemistry lab at the turn of the century. More than 72,000
synthetic chemicals have been produced since WW II. Less than
2% of synthetic chemicals have been tested for toxicity,
mutagenic and carcinogenic effects, or birth defects.
The majority of modern chemicals have never been tested for
long-term effects!
An EPA survey concluded that indoor air was 2 to 5 times MORE
polluted than outdoor air. The EPA states that common sources
include: household products including: paints, paint strippers,
and other solvents; wood preservatives; aerosol sprays;
cleansers and disinfectants; moth repellents and air
fresheners; stored fuels and automotive products; hobby
supplies; and dry-cleaned clothing.
Another EPA study found that toxic chemicals in household
cleaners are 3 times more likely to cause cancer than outdoor
air. Every man, woman and child breathes in 10 to 20 thousand
liters of air per day, 90% of which is indoor air.
"There are many sources of indoor air pollution in any home.
These include combustion sources such as oil, gas, kerosene,
coal, wood, and tobacco products; building materials and
furnishings as diverse as deteriorated, asbestos-containing
insulation, wet or damp carpet, and cabinetry or furniture made
of certain pressed wood products; products for household
cleaning and maintenance, personal care, or hobbies; central
heating and cooling systems and humidification devices; and
outdoor sources such as radon, pesticides, and outdoor air
pollution.
The relative importance of any single source depends on how
much of a given pollutant it emits and how hazardous those
emissions are. In some cases, factors such as how old the
source is and whether it is properly maintained are
significant.
For example, an improperly adjusted gas stove can emit
significantly more carbon monoxide than one that is properly
adjusted. Some sources, such as building materials,
furnishings, and household products like air fresheners,
release pollutants more or less continuously. Other sources,
related to activities carried out in the home, release
pollutants intermittently.
These include smoking, the use of unvented or malfunctioning
stoves, furnaces, or space heaters, the use of solvents in
cleaning and hobby activities, the use of paint strippers in
redecorating activities, and the use of cleaning products and
pesticides in housekeeping. High pollutant concentrations can
remain in the air for long periods after some of these
activities."
The National Cancer Institute released results of a 15-year
study concluding that women who work in the home are at a 54%
higher risk of developing cancer than women who work outside
the home. Cancer rates have almost doubled since 1960. Cancer
is the number ONE cause of death for children.
There has been a 26% increase in breast cancer since 1982.
Breast cancer is the Number ONE killer of women between the
ages of 35 and 54. Primary suspects are laundry detergents,
household cleaners and pesticides.
There has been a call from the U.S./ Canadian Commission on
chemicals to ban bleach in North America. Bleach is being
linked to the rising rates of breast cancer in women,
reproductive problems in men and learning and behavioral
problems in children. Chemicals get into our body through
inhalation, ingestion and absorption. We breathe 10 to 20
thousand liters of air per day. There are more than
3 million poisonings every year. Household cleaners are the
number ONE cause of poisoning of children.
Since 1980, asthma has increased by 600%. The Canadian Lung
Association and the Asthma Society of Canada identify common
household cleaners and cosmetics as triggers. ADD/ADHD are
epidemic in schools today. Behavioral problems have long been
linked to exposure to toxic chemicals and molds.
Chemical and environmental sensitivities are known to cause all
types of headaches.
Labeling laws do not protect the consumer - they protect big
business. The New York Poison Control Center reports that 85%
of product warning labels were either inadequate or incorrect
for identifying a poison, and for first aid instructions.
Formaldehyde, phenol, benzene, toluene, xylene are found in
common household cleaners, cosmetics, beverages, fabrics and
cigarette smoke. These chemicals are cancer causing and toxic
to the immune system.
Chemicals are attracted to, and stored in fatty tissue. The
brain is a prime target for these destructive organics because
of its high fat content and very rich blood supply.
Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, arthritis, lupus,
multiple sclerosis, circulatory disorders, Alzheimer's,
Parkinson's disease, irritable bowel syndrome, depression,
and hormonal problems are diseases commonly related to
chemical exposure.
The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health has
found more than 2500 chemicals in cosmetics that are toxic,
cause tumors, reproductive complications, biological mutations
and skin and eye irritations.
Pesticides only have to include active ingredients on the
labels, even though the inert (inactive) ingredients may
account for 99%, many of which are toxic and poisons.
1 person likes this
5 responses
@margieanneart (26423)
• United States
24 Jul 07
This was a very interesting article you posted. Thanks so much sugar. If we have kids or pets, we will just have to be very sure that they do not get under the sink. Most people have a lot of these things, and we use them. Huggers, M&M
@wolfie34 (26770)
• United Kingdom
24 Jul 07
What's under my sink? Everything but the kitchen sink itself, it seems, whenever I open it, and I hate to do it something falls out! All the household sprays, detergents, sponges, liquids and stuff to wash the car with, as well as wires, old newspapers, and white spirit and paint brushes. Wow what an article my good friend, makes you realize just what you have hidden away!
@weemam (13372)
•
22 Jul 07
there are dish clothes ( clean ones of course lol ) and my vegetables and my washing up liquid , I gave up buying chemicals years ago , I use my steam cleaner to clean through the whole house , I even clean my sueded shoes with it , Every time I fill it up with water , I go mad cleaning the whole house lol xxx
@shelagh77 (3643)
•
23 Jul 07
aaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrgggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhh!
Scary stuff there! I think this just might make me look a little more seriously into making my own cleaning stuff with old fashioned things such as lemon juice, white vinegar etc.
Actually the question would better be "what ISN'T under my sink" as anything non food that doesn't have a home gets stuff in there, so much so that the door recently came off and I got into terrible trouble!
Since I suffer with narcoplexy I think I might look into that research a little more closely, so thank you so much for that.




