Dangerous Household Chemicals

The seriousness on dangerous household chemicals has been grossly under reported by today’s news media. Have you ever wondered why we have so many illnesses, even with all the advancements of modern medical technology available? How many times have you heard a doctor comment that although they can tell you what the symptoms are, they cannot tell you what is causing you or a loved one to become ill?

Well, it’s because our modern, industrialized society is full of chemicals that our immune systems simply can’t cope with. Therefore we have become susceptible to many illnesses brought about by our environment and modern living, such as autoimmune disease, cancer, and many others that simply would not flourish today. All of this starts in our homes as we are exposed daily to dangerous household chemicals!
Yes, thanks to modern consumerism, our homes are havens of dangerous household chemicals. In an ideal situation, we would be breathing clean air, drinking fresh chemical free water, eating fresh healthy produce and our skins would not need any form of product to keep them young. But our lives are anything less than ideal!

Although we can do very little about the contaminants outside our home, we can minimize our exposure to dangerous household chemicals within our home. Regarding dangerous household chemicals in cleaning products, there are many alternatives.
Until the second world war, which was in fact the dawn of this chemical age, we used far simpler products to keep our homes clean. People in the early part of the 20th century did not suffer from the same illnesses that we are suffering from now. These illnesses did not exist years ago because people weren’t exposed to the huge numbers of dangerous household chemicals as they are now.
The proliferation of chemicals into the home in the last 50 years is in direct proportion to the increase of birth defects and diseases. We now have so many cleaners to choose from that get rid of so many germs. Many of these cleaners are cheap dollar store and supermarket brands that are chock full of toxins.

What people do not understand, is that by constantly using these cleaning chemicals in our homes, our resistance to colds and viruses will be severely compromised. Most certainly, it’s not in the best interest of our health and the health of our families to allow our homes to be a haven of dangerous household chemicals.

The Dangers in Chemical Based Cosmetics

Many cosmetics contain dangerous chemical ingredients that can cause damage much deeper than just skin level. The cosmetics industry adds synthetic chemicals to anything from shaving cream to body lotion to lipstick. Many of these ingredients are the same ones that can be found in products used to stabilize pesticides and clean industrial equipment. You may think that it would be illegal to include such dangerous ingredients in cosmetics that are sold to the public, but major loopholes in federal laws allows the practice to continue, despite these ingredients being linked to birth defects, infertility, and even cancer.

Many individuals do not thoroughly understand the dangers in chemical based cosmetics, and never give a second thought to what they may be applying to their skin. Remember, the skin is the largest bodily organ. Whatever is applied to it is absorbed directly into the bloodstream. The continuous use of chemical based cosmetics has been linked to numerous adverse health effects, yet most people continue to use them without realizing just how dangerous they really are.

Below, we will discuss a few of the most-used chemicals in cosmetics, and how they affect your health.

Lead

Lead has been found in over 650 various cosmetics, including lipstick, nail polish, bleaching toothpaste, foundation and sunscreen. Lead is a known neurotoxin that has been linked to behavioral problems, speech delays, and learning disabilities in children. It has been shown to delay puberty in girls and reduce the fertility of both men and women.

Ethylene Oxide

Ethylene oxide is a chemical substance that is traditionally used to sterilize surgical instruments. Because it has been shown to buffer the effects of sudsing agents, trace amounts of it can be found in body washes, shampoos and facial cleansers. According to the National Toxicology Program, is it also classified as a carcinogen?

Parabens

Parabens are one of the most commonly found chemicals in chemical-based cosmetics. They are used in deodorants, creams, lotions, and ointments as a type of preservative. They are very easily absorbed by the skin, making them one of the most dangerous chemical ingredients known. In fact, they have even been identified in samples of breast tumors.

Phthalates

Phthalates are chemicals found in synthetic fragrances (such as scented body sprays) and nail polish which have been shown to disrupt the endocrine system. This can cause girls to experience puberty early, which increases their risk of developing breast cancer later in life.

Triclosan

Triclosan is a popular chemical used extensively in toothpastes, deodorants, and liquid antibacterial soaps to prevent the growth of mold. This chemical is technically classified as a pesticide. Studies have shown that using products that contain this chemical can disrupt thyroid function and hinder normal breast development. Many hand sanitizers also contain triclosan, and have been proven to contribute to bacterial resistance.

Although most cosmetics contain some form of chemical, there is something you can do to avoid using them. Make sure the cosmetics you use contain only natural ingredients, preferably harvested from organically grown and GMO-free sources. What you put IN your body is important for optimal health, but what you put ON your body is just as important.

Knowing the Many Dangers of Mixing Chemicals

Chemicals can either be useful or dangerous. This is why safety precautions are employed in all chemical laboratories and these stringent measures are only appropriate to avoid life-threatening mistakes. Generally, substances are harmless under the appropriate conditions. When we speak of appropriate conditions we are considering the proper storage, right temperature and pressure in the storage area, and the handling. While handling and storage of chemicals should be done with care, the observance of precautions when mixing different substances is even more compelling.Watch all the household chemicals, for instance, and you will understand that all these items come in solutions and mixtures of two or more ingredients. Mixtures and solutions are also quite important in many industrial sectors from agricultural chemical processing to chemical reagent preparations. In many processes calling for chemical mixing, mixing chemicals should be done in the most controlled procedures, often requiring sophisticated instruments and safety gears or protective suits.There are many chemicals that are extremely hazardous. Mixing two or more substances can result to one of several types of reactions, all of which have one common feature and this is the production of new substances or new mixtures. Many useful chemicals have been manufactured through mixing of different chemicals. Various effects can happen when mixing substances though. These include precipitation of a new substance, evolution of heat, absorption of heat, and evolution of gas (if one of the products is a gaseous substance).Of course, change in the color of the mixture is an apparent indication of a reaction happening. The matter with combination of two or more substances is that toxic chemicals or gases may be the products of the formerly inert substances. In other cases, some chemicals could react vigorously with the production of enormous heat, which in uncontrolled instances can set nearby objects on fire. One of the most hazardous effects of crude mixing of certain substances is that a rapid evolution of toxic fumes may result. Doing such procedure without proper gears and instruments could expose one to hazardous substance.Companies that do substance mixing or chemical filling should ensure that the stringent procedures are followed to avoid fatal accidents from happening. A single mistake can risk the life of many. The education of workers is imperative. Everyone working in the area should understand the sheer danger of chemicals and the products upon mixing. The following of standard procedure is a basic necessity in any chemical labs. Safety apparatuses should be at hand. Protective suits must be worn if necessary and if chemicals that are to be handled are corrosive and toxic. Ventilation is a basic thing.It is also imperative that industrial workers who are often exposed to certain chemicals know which chemicals to watch out for. Some of them may not exactly understand what the exposure could mean. Furthermore, some do not understand the basics in mixing certain substances safely. Of course, there is no need to remind the chemists and the chemical engineers, but they, too, should realize the repercussions of complacency.As a general rule, anybody should not attempt to mix two or more unknown chemicals. Also avoid mixing household chemicals if you are unsure about the resulting products. There are certain chemicals at home that could generate dangerous gases when combined. For instance, bleach and ammonia may produce toxic chlorine and other irritating fumes that could render you unconscious. Even mixing some compounds with water should be done with precaution. For instance, mixing water and strong acids and alkaline can produce enormous quantities of heat.If you are purchasing chemicals, always ask the dealer about the properties of the substances. Also inquire about the proper handling and storage as well as the possible hazards. This information may not come with the chemical packaging, chemical packing, or chemical specifications.