The following information came from www.earth911.org.
Lead Information
Lead is a highly toxic metal that was used for many years in products found in and around our homes. In addition to its effects on health, particularly children under six years old, lead is an environmental issue because it can contaminate our drinking water.
Since the 1980’s, the EPA has phased out lead in gasoline, reduced lead in drinking water, reduced lead in industrial air pollution, and banned or limited lead used in consumer products, including residential paint. States and municipalities have set up programs to identify and treat lead poisoned children and to rehabilitate deteriorated housing.
Lead is a hazardous product and must be taken into account when recycling household products. Materials containing lead should not be disposed of in a way where the lead can enter the environment, particularly our drinking water.
Where Lead is Likely to be a Hazard
Lead from paint chips, which you can see, and lead dust, which you can’t always see, can be serious hazards.
Peeling, chipping, chalking, or cracking lead-based paint is a hazard and needs immediate attention.
Lead-based paint may also be a hazard when found on surfaces that children can chew or that get a lot of wear-and-tear. These areas include:
Windows and window sills.
Doors and door frames.
Stairs, railings, and banisters.
Porches and fences.
Note: Lead-based paint that is in good condition is usually not a hazard.
Lead dust can form when lead-based paint is dry scraped, dry sanded, or heated. Dust also forms when painted surfaces bump or rub together. Lead chips and dust can get on surfaces and objects that people touch. Settled lead dust can re-enter the air when people vacuum, sweep, or walk through it.
Lead in soil can be a hazard when children play in bare soil or when people bring soil into the house on their shoes. Contact the National Lead Information Center (NLIC) to find out about testing soil for lead.
Facts About Lead
Did you know the following facts about lead?
FACT: Lead exposure can harm young children and babies even before they are born.
FACT: Even children who seem healthy can have high levels of lead in their bodies.
FACT: You can get lead in your body by breathing or swallowing lead dust, or by eating soil or paint chips containing lead.
FACT: You have many options for reducing lead hazards. In most cases, lead-based paint that is in good condition is not a hazard.
FACT: Removing lead-based paint improperly can increase the danger to your family.
Where Lead is Found
In general, the older your home, the more likely it has lead-based paint.
Paint. Many homes built before 1978 have lead-based paint. The federal government banned lead-based paint from housing in 1978. Some states stopped its use even earlier. Lead can be found:
In homes in the city, country, or suburbs.
In apartments, single-family homes, and both private and public housing.
Inside and outside of the house.
In soil around a home. (Soil can pick up lead from exterior paint, or other sources such as past use of leaded gas in cars.)
Household dust. (Dust can pick up lead from deteriorating lead-based paint or from soil tracked into a home.)
Drinking water. Your home might have plumbing with lead or lead solder. Call your local health department or water supplier to find out about testing your water. You cannot see, smell, or taste lead, and boiling your water will not get rid of lead. If you think your plumbing might have lead in it:
Use only cold water for drinking and cooking.
Run water for 15 to 30 seconds before drinking it, especially if you have not used your water for a few hours.
The job. If you work with lead, you could bring it home on your hands or clothes. Shower and change clothes before coming home. Launder your work clothes separately from the rest of your family’s clothes.
Old painted toys and furniture.
Food and liquids stored in lead crystal or lead-glazed pottery or porcelain.
Lead smelters or other industries that release lead into the air.
Hobbies that use lead, such as making pottery or stained glass, or refinishing furniture.
Folk remedies that contain lead, such as “greta” and “azarcon” used to treat an upset stomach.
Showing posts with label Toxins. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Toxins. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Toxic Beauty Care Products
This information came from www.newstarget.com.
Beauty to die for: health hazards of cosmetics and skin care products revealedby Leigh Erin Connealy, M.D. Your medicine cabinet is one of the most dangerous areas of your house, and not for the reasons you may think. Lurking just behind your bathroom mirror, where all of your favorite beauty products are housed, is a virtual toxic nightmare. The growing list of synthetic ingredients manufacturers add to their products is turning the most innocent-looking shampoos and moisturizers into cocktails of toxins that could cause cancer or reproductive damage over years of sustained use. Modern cosmetics contain a host of dangerous ingredients, which would be more at home in a test tube than in our bodies.
Like most people, you probably assume that the ingredients found in beauty products have been thoroughly tested for safety well before they land on your grocery store's shelves. After all, the government has regulations in place for the water we drink, the food we eat and the air we breathe. One would assume that the FDA would also be overseeing the cosmetic industry to ensure the health and safety of consumers. Unfortunately, the FDA has little power when it comes to regulating the ingredients found in your beauty products. In fact, the only people ensuring the safety of personal care products are the very people who govern the industry: The Cosmetic Toiletry and Fragrance Association (CTFA). Scientists paid by the CTFA make up the Cosmetic Ingredient Review panel (CIR) and are charged with regulating the safety of the industry's products.
In 2004, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) released the findings of a study it conducted regarding the safety of beauty care products. Comparing approximately 10,000 ingredients found in 7,500 different products against lists of known and suspected chemical health hazards, the research revealed that the CIR was falling tragically short of ensuring consumer safety.
Of the 7,500 products tested by the EWG, a mere 28 had been evaluated for safety by the CIR. The EWG found that one in every 120 products analyzed contained ingredients certified by the government as known or probable carcinogens and that nearly one-third of the products contained ingredients classified as possible carcinogens. Astoundingly, 54 products even violated recommendations for safe use that the CIR had put in place, yet these products are still available for sale today.
Of the products tested, the worst offenders were those containing the cancer-causing ingredients coal tar, alpha hydroxy acids and beta hydroxy acids, and those containing the hormone-disrupting ingredient, phthalate.
Coal TarSeventy-one hair dye products evaluated were found to contain ingredients derived from coal tar (listed as FD&C or D&C on ingredients labels). Several studies have linked long-time hair dye use to bladder cancer, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and multiple myeloma.
A research study conducted in 2001 by the USC School of Medicine found that women using permanent hair dye at least once a month more than doubled their risk of bladder cancer. The study estimates that "19 percent of bladder cancer in women in Los Angeles, California, may be attributed to permanent hair dye use."
A link between hair dye and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was established in 1992 when a study conducted by the National Cancer Institute found that 20 percent of all cases of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma may be linked to hair dye use.
While the FDA has not stepped in to prevent the use of coal tar in beauty products, it does advise consumers that reducing hair dye use will possibly reduce the risk of cancer.
Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) & Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA)Alpha Hydroxy Acids and Beta Hydroxy Acids are commonly used in products advertised to remove wrinkles, blemishes, blotches and acne scars. With consumer complaints of burning, swelling and pain associated with AHA and BHA flooding into the FDA, the regulatory body began conducting its own research about 15 years ago. The findings linked the use of AHA and BHA with a doubling of UV-induced skin damage and a potential increased risk of skin cancer.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, skin cancer has reached "epidemic proportions," with 1 million new cases occurring each year and one person dying every hour from the disease. The agency estimates that, at the current rate, one in five people will develop skin cancer over their lifetime.
The FDA's study findings were presented to the CIR, but the panel approved the continued use of AHA and BHA "in spite of serious safety questions submitted by a consumer group and a major manufacturer," according to an FDA spokesperson.
Even though one out of every 17 products analyzed by the EWG study contained either AHA or BHA (with nearly 10 percent being moisturizers and 6 percent sunscreens), the most that the FDA could do was suggest that products containing the ingredients carry a warning to use sunscreen and to limit sun exposure while using the product. A puzzling solution, since some of the products containing the dangerous ingredient are designed specifically for use in the sun.
PhthalatesPhthalates are industrial plasticizers widely used in personal care products to moisturize and soften skin, impart flexibility to nail polish after it dries and enhance the fragrances used in most products. Studies indicate that phthalates cause a wide range of birth defects and lifelong reproductive impairments, targeting every organ in the male reproductive system and causing problems ranging from low sperm count to serious genital deformities that can lead to an increased risk of cancer.
While the EWG only found four products with phthalate listed as an ingredient (all nail care products), there is no telling how many products actually contain it. The industry is not required to list fragrance ingredients or "trade secret" ingredients on products, and phthalates often fall into one of those two categories.
In September 2004, the European Union implemented a ban on all beauty products containing phthalates. California Assemblywoman Judy Chu has proposed a similar bill (AB 908) to be voted on later this year that would implement the same ban in the United States. Opponents of the bill, mainly the CTFA, argue that changing labeling processes would present a huge economic burden and could infringe on trade secrets. A similar bill failed just last year.
Four Steps of Action1. Go to http://www.ewg.org/ and check out the health risks of your favorite products. EWG has compiled a guide of 7,500 beauty care products and has ranked them according to their ingredients' potential to cause cancer, trigger allergic reactions, interfere with the endocrine (hormonal) system, impair reproduction or damage a developing fetus.
2. Visit the FDA's website at http://www.fda.gov/ and familiarize yourself with the steps that you can take in order to file complaints or concerns about consumer products.
3. Visit http://www.safecosmetics.org/ to learn more about how you can become involved with bill AB 908 to ban phthalates in beauty products in the United States.
4. Check out my recommendations for all-natural and safe products for both you and your family at http://www.scmedicalcenter.com/. All products mentioned have been used safely and with wonderful results by my patients for years.
Dr. Connealy, M.D., M.P.H., began private practice in 1986. In 1992, she founded South Coast Medical Center for New Medicine where she serves as medical director. Her practice is firmly based in the belief that strictly treating health problems with medications does not find the root cause of the illness. Dr. Connealy writes monthly columns for Coast and OC Health magazines, and is a bi-weekly guest on Frank Jordan's "Healthy" radio show. She routinely lectures and educates the public on health issues.
Beauty to die for: health hazards of cosmetics and skin care products revealedby Leigh Erin Connealy, M.D. Your medicine cabinet is one of the most dangerous areas of your house, and not for the reasons you may think. Lurking just behind your bathroom mirror, where all of your favorite beauty products are housed, is a virtual toxic nightmare. The growing list of synthetic ingredients manufacturers add to their products is turning the most innocent-looking shampoos and moisturizers into cocktails of toxins that could cause cancer or reproductive damage over years of sustained use. Modern cosmetics contain a host of dangerous ingredients, which would be more at home in a test tube than in our bodies.
Like most people, you probably assume that the ingredients found in beauty products have been thoroughly tested for safety well before they land on your grocery store's shelves. After all, the government has regulations in place for the water we drink, the food we eat and the air we breathe. One would assume that the FDA would also be overseeing the cosmetic industry to ensure the health and safety of consumers. Unfortunately, the FDA has little power when it comes to regulating the ingredients found in your beauty products. In fact, the only people ensuring the safety of personal care products are the very people who govern the industry: The Cosmetic Toiletry and Fragrance Association (CTFA). Scientists paid by the CTFA make up the Cosmetic Ingredient Review panel (CIR) and are charged with regulating the safety of the industry's products.
In 2004, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) released the findings of a study it conducted regarding the safety of beauty care products. Comparing approximately 10,000 ingredients found in 7,500 different products against lists of known and suspected chemical health hazards, the research revealed that the CIR was falling tragically short of ensuring consumer safety.
Of the 7,500 products tested by the EWG, a mere 28 had been evaluated for safety by the CIR. The EWG found that one in every 120 products analyzed contained ingredients certified by the government as known or probable carcinogens and that nearly one-third of the products contained ingredients classified as possible carcinogens. Astoundingly, 54 products even violated recommendations for safe use that the CIR had put in place, yet these products are still available for sale today.
Of the products tested, the worst offenders were those containing the cancer-causing ingredients coal tar, alpha hydroxy acids and beta hydroxy acids, and those containing the hormone-disrupting ingredient, phthalate.
Coal TarSeventy-one hair dye products evaluated were found to contain ingredients derived from coal tar (listed as FD&C or D&C on ingredients labels). Several studies have linked long-time hair dye use to bladder cancer, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and multiple myeloma.
A research study conducted in 2001 by the USC School of Medicine found that women using permanent hair dye at least once a month more than doubled their risk of bladder cancer. The study estimates that "19 percent of bladder cancer in women in Los Angeles, California, may be attributed to permanent hair dye use."
A link between hair dye and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was established in 1992 when a study conducted by the National Cancer Institute found that 20 percent of all cases of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma may be linked to hair dye use.
While the FDA has not stepped in to prevent the use of coal tar in beauty products, it does advise consumers that reducing hair dye use will possibly reduce the risk of cancer.
Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) & Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA)Alpha Hydroxy Acids and Beta Hydroxy Acids are commonly used in products advertised to remove wrinkles, blemishes, blotches and acne scars. With consumer complaints of burning, swelling and pain associated with AHA and BHA flooding into the FDA, the regulatory body began conducting its own research about 15 years ago. The findings linked the use of AHA and BHA with a doubling of UV-induced skin damage and a potential increased risk of skin cancer.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, skin cancer has reached "epidemic proportions," with 1 million new cases occurring each year and one person dying every hour from the disease. The agency estimates that, at the current rate, one in five people will develop skin cancer over their lifetime.
The FDA's study findings were presented to the CIR, but the panel approved the continued use of AHA and BHA "in spite of serious safety questions submitted by a consumer group and a major manufacturer," according to an FDA spokesperson.
Even though one out of every 17 products analyzed by the EWG study contained either AHA or BHA (with nearly 10 percent being moisturizers and 6 percent sunscreens), the most that the FDA could do was suggest that products containing the ingredients carry a warning to use sunscreen and to limit sun exposure while using the product. A puzzling solution, since some of the products containing the dangerous ingredient are designed specifically for use in the sun.
PhthalatesPhthalates are industrial plasticizers widely used in personal care products to moisturize and soften skin, impart flexibility to nail polish after it dries and enhance the fragrances used in most products. Studies indicate that phthalates cause a wide range of birth defects and lifelong reproductive impairments, targeting every organ in the male reproductive system and causing problems ranging from low sperm count to serious genital deformities that can lead to an increased risk of cancer.
While the EWG only found four products with phthalate listed as an ingredient (all nail care products), there is no telling how many products actually contain it. The industry is not required to list fragrance ingredients or "trade secret" ingredients on products, and phthalates often fall into one of those two categories.
In September 2004, the European Union implemented a ban on all beauty products containing phthalates. California Assemblywoman Judy Chu has proposed a similar bill (AB 908) to be voted on later this year that would implement the same ban in the United States. Opponents of the bill, mainly the CTFA, argue that changing labeling processes would present a huge economic burden and could infringe on trade secrets. A similar bill failed just last year.
Four Steps of Action1. Go to http://www.ewg.org/ and check out the health risks of your favorite products. EWG has compiled a guide of 7,500 beauty care products and has ranked them according to their ingredients' potential to cause cancer, trigger allergic reactions, interfere with the endocrine (hormonal) system, impair reproduction or damage a developing fetus.
2. Visit the FDA's website at http://www.fda.gov/ and familiarize yourself with the steps that you can take in order to file complaints or concerns about consumer products.
3. Visit http://www.safecosmetics.org/ to learn more about how you can become involved with bill AB 908 to ban phthalates in beauty products in the United States.
4. Check out my recommendations for all-natural and safe products for both you and your family at http://www.scmedicalcenter.com/. All products mentioned have been used safely and with wonderful results by my patients for years.
Dr. Connealy, M.D., M.P.H., began private practice in 1986. In 1992, she founded South Coast Medical Center for New Medicine where she serves as medical director. Her practice is firmly based in the belief that strictly treating health problems with medications does not find the root cause of the illness. Dr. Connealy writes monthly columns for Coast and OC Health magazines, and is a bi-weekly guest on Frank Jordan's "Healthy" radio show. She routinely lectures and educates the public on health issues.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Mold
The following information came from www.cdc.gov.
There is always some mold everywhere - in the air and on many surfaces. Molds have been on the Earth for millions of years. Mold grows where there is moisture.
Mold and Your Health
Exposure to damp and moldy environments may cause a variety of health effects, or none at all. Some people are sensitive to molds. For these people, molds can cause nasal stuffiness, throat irritation, coughing or wheezing, eye irritation, or, in some cases, skin irritation. People with mold allergies may have more severe reactions. Immune-compromised people and people with chronic lung illnesses, such as obstructive lung disease, may get serious infections in their lungs when they are exposed to mold. These people should stay away from areas that are likely to have mold, such as compost piles, cut grass, and wooded areas.
A link between other adverse health effects, such as acute idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage among infants, memory loss, or lethargy, and molds, including the mold Stachybotrys chartarum (Stachybotrys atra), has not been proven. Further studies are needed to find out what causes acute idiopathic hemorrhage and other adverse health effects.
top
Mold and Your Home
Mold is found both indoors and outdoors. Mold can enter your home through open doorways, windows, vents, and heating and air conditioning systems. Mold in the air outside can also attach itself to clothing, shoes, bags, and pets can and be carried indoors.
Mold will grow in places with a lot of moisture, such as around leaks in roofs, windows, or pipes, or where there has been flooding. Mold grows well on paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, and wood products. Mold can also grow in dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation, drywall, carpet, fabric, and upholstery.
top
You Can Control Mold
Inside your home you can control mold growth by:
Keeping humidity levels between 40% and 60%;
Promptly fixing leaky roofs, windows, and pipes;
Thoroughly cleaning and drying after flooding;
Ventilating shower, laundry, and cooking areas.
If mold is growing in your home, you need to clean up the mold and fix the moisture problem. Mold growth can be removed from hard surfaces with commercial products, soap and water, or a bleach solution of no more than 1 cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water.
Mold growth, which often looks like spots, can be many different colors, and can smell musty. If you can see or smell mold, a health risk may be present. You do not need to know the type of mold growing in your home, and CDC does not recommend or perform routine sampling for molds. No matter what type of mold is present, you should remove it. Since the effect of mold on people can vary greatly, either because of the amount or type of mold, you can not rely on sampling and culturing to know your health risk. Also, good sampling for mold can be expensive, and standards for judging what is and what is not an acceptable quantity of mold have not been set. The best practice is to remove the mold and work to prevent future growth.
If you choose to use bleach to clean up mold:
Never mix bleach with ammonia or other household cleaners. Mixing bleach with ammonia or other cleaning products will produce dangerous, toxic fumes.
Open windows and doors to provide fresh air.
Wear non-porous gloves and protective eye wear.
If the area to be cleaned is more than 10 square feet, consult the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guide titled Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings. Although focused on schools and commercial buildings, this document also applies to other building types. You can get it free by calling the EPA Indoor Air Quality Information Clearinghouse at (800) 438-4318, or by going to the EPA web site at http://www.epa.gov/mold/mold_remediation.html. [external link]
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using bleach or any other cleaning product.
top
MOLD PREVENTION TIPS
Keep the humidity level in your home between 40% and 60%. Use an air conditioner or a dehumidifier during humid months and in damp spaces, like basements.
Be sure your home has enough ventilation. Use exhaust fans which vent outside your home in the kitchen and bathroom. Make sure your clothes dryer vents outside your home.
Fix any leaks in your home’s roof, walls, or plumbing so mold does not have moisture to grow.
Clean up and dry out your home thoroughly and quickly (within 24–48 hours) after flooding.
Add mold inhibitors to paints before painting.
Clean bathrooms with mold-killing products.
Remove or replace carpets and upholstery that have been soaked and cannot be dried promptly. Consider not using carpet in rooms or areas like bathrooms or basements that may have a lot of moisture.
To learn more about preventing mold in your home, see the Environmental Protection Agency's publication A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home at http://www.epa.gov/iaq/molds/moldguide.html. [external link]
After natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods, excess moisture and standing water contribute to the growth of mold in homes and other buildings. When returning to a home that has been flooded, be aware that mold may be present and may be a health risk for your family.
People at Greatest Risk from Mold
People with asthma, allergies, or other breathing conditions may be more sensitive to mold. People with immune suppression (such as people with HIV infection, cancer patients taking chemotherapy, and people who have received an organ transplant) are more susceptible to mold infections.
Possible Health Effects of Mold Exposure
People who are sensitive to mold may experience stuffy nose, irritated eyes, wheezing, or skin irritation. People allergic to mold may have difficulty in breathing and shortness of breath. People with weakened immune systems and with chronic lung diseases, such as obstructive lung disease, may develop mold infections in their lungs. If you or your family members have health problems after exposure to mold, contact your doctor or other health care provider.
Recognizing Mold
You may recognize mold by:
· Sight (Are the walls and ceiling discolored, or do they show signs of mold growth or water damage?)
· Smell (Do you smell a bad odor, such as a musty, earthy smell or a foul stench?)
Safely Preventing Mold Growth
Clean up and dry out the building quickly (within 24 to 48 hours). Open doors and windows. Use fans to dry out the building. (See the fact sheet for drying out your house, Reentering Your Flooded Home).
· When in doubt, take it out! Remove all porous items that have been wet for more than 48 hours and that cannot be thoroughly cleaned and dried. These items can remain a source of mold growth and should be removed from the home. Porous, noncleanable items include carpeting and carpet padding, upholstery, wallpaper, drywall, floor and ceiling tiles, insulation material, some clothing, leather, paper, wood, and food. Removal and cleaning are important because even dead mold may cause allergic reactions in some people.
· To prevent mold growth, clean wet items and surfaces with detergent and water.
· Homeowners may want to temporarily store items outside of the home until insurance claims can be filed. See recommendations by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) .
· If you wish to disinfect, refer to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) document, A Brief Guide to Mold and Moisture in Your Home.
If there is mold growth in your home, you should clean up the mold and fix any water problem, such as leaks in roofs, walls, or plumbing. Controlling moisture in your home is the most critical factor for preventing mold growth.
To remove mold growth from hard surfaces use commercial products, soap and water, or a bleach solution of no more than 1 cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water. Use a stiff brush on rough surface materials such as concrete.
If you choose to use bleach to remove mold:
· Never mix bleach with ammonia or other household cleaners. Mixing bleach with ammonia or other cleaning products will produce dangerous, toxic fumes
· Open windows and doors to provide fresh air.
· Wear non-porous gloves and protective eye wear.
· If the area to be cleaned is more than 10 square feet, consult the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guide titled Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings . Although focused on schools and commercial buildings, this document also applies to other building types. You can get it free by calling the EPA Indoor Air Quality Information Clearinghouse at (800) 438-4318, or by going to the EPA web site at http://www.epa.gov/mold/mold_remediation.html.
· Always follow the manufacturer's instructions when using bleach or any other cleaning product.
· More information on personal safety while cleaning up after a natural disaster is available at www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/workers.asp.
If you plan to be inside the building for a while or you plan to clean up mold, you should buy an N95 mask at your local home supply store and wear it while in the building. Make certain that you follow instructions on the package for fitting the mask tightly to your face. If you go back into the building for a short time and are not cleaning up mold, you do not need to wear an N95 mask.
There is always some mold everywhere - in the air and on many surfaces. Molds have been on the Earth for millions of years. Mold grows where there is moisture.
Mold and Your Health
Exposure to damp and moldy environments may cause a variety of health effects, or none at all. Some people are sensitive to molds. For these people, molds can cause nasal stuffiness, throat irritation, coughing or wheezing, eye irritation, or, in some cases, skin irritation. People with mold allergies may have more severe reactions. Immune-compromised people and people with chronic lung illnesses, such as obstructive lung disease, may get serious infections in their lungs when they are exposed to mold. These people should stay away from areas that are likely to have mold, such as compost piles, cut grass, and wooded areas.
A link between other adverse health effects, such as acute idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage among infants, memory loss, or lethargy, and molds, including the mold Stachybotrys chartarum (Stachybotrys atra), has not been proven. Further studies are needed to find out what causes acute idiopathic hemorrhage and other adverse health effects.
top
Mold and Your Home
Mold is found both indoors and outdoors. Mold can enter your home through open doorways, windows, vents, and heating and air conditioning systems. Mold in the air outside can also attach itself to clothing, shoes, bags, and pets can and be carried indoors.
Mold will grow in places with a lot of moisture, such as around leaks in roofs, windows, or pipes, or where there has been flooding. Mold grows well on paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, and wood products. Mold can also grow in dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation, drywall, carpet, fabric, and upholstery.
top
You Can Control Mold
Inside your home you can control mold growth by:
Keeping humidity levels between 40% and 60%;
Promptly fixing leaky roofs, windows, and pipes;
Thoroughly cleaning and drying after flooding;
Ventilating shower, laundry, and cooking areas.
If mold is growing in your home, you need to clean up the mold and fix the moisture problem. Mold growth can be removed from hard surfaces with commercial products, soap and water, or a bleach solution of no more than 1 cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water.
Mold growth, which often looks like spots, can be many different colors, and can smell musty. If you can see or smell mold, a health risk may be present. You do not need to know the type of mold growing in your home, and CDC does not recommend or perform routine sampling for molds. No matter what type of mold is present, you should remove it. Since the effect of mold on people can vary greatly, either because of the amount or type of mold, you can not rely on sampling and culturing to know your health risk. Also, good sampling for mold can be expensive, and standards for judging what is and what is not an acceptable quantity of mold have not been set. The best practice is to remove the mold and work to prevent future growth.
If you choose to use bleach to clean up mold:
Never mix bleach with ammonia or other household cleaners. Mixing bleach with ammonia or other cleaning products will produce dangerous, toxic fumes.
Open windows and doors to provide fresh air.
Wear non-porous gloves and protective eye wear.
If the area to be cleaned is more than 10 square feet, consult the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guide titled Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings. Although focused on schools and commercial buildings, this document also applies to other building types. You can get it free by calling the EPA Indoor Air Quality Information Clearinghouse at (800) 438-4318, or by going to the EPA web site at http://www.epa.gov/mold/mold_remediation.html. [external link]
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using bleach or any other cleaning product.
top
MOLD PREVENTION TIPS
Keep the humidity level in your home between 40% and 60%. Use an air conditioner or a dehumidifier during humid months and in damp spaces, like basements.
Be sure your home has enough ventilation. Use exhaust fans which vent outside your home in the kitchen and bathroom. Make sure your clothes dryer vents outside your home.
Fix any leaks in your home’s roof, walls, or plumbing so mold does not have moisture to grow.
Clean up and dry out your home thoroughly and quickly (within 24–48 hours) after flooding.
Add mold inhibitors to paints before painting.
Clean bathrooms with mold-killing products.
Remove or replace carpets and upholstery that have been soaked and cannot be dried promptly. Consider not using carpet in rooms or areas like bathrooms or basements that may have a lot of moisture.
To learn more about preventing mold in your home, see the Environmental Protection Agency's publication A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home at http://www.epa.gov/iaq/molds/moldguide.html. [external link]
After natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods, excess moisture and standing water contribute to the growth of mold in homes and other buildings. When returning to a home that has been flooded, be aware that mold may be present and may be a health risk for your family.
People at Greatest Risk from Mold
People with asthma, allergies, or other breathing conditions may be more sensitive to mold. People with immune suppression (such as people with HIV infection, cancer patients taking chemotherapy, and people who have received an organ transplant) are more susceptible to mold infections.
Possible Health Effects of Mold Exposure
People who are sensitive to mold may experience stuffy nose, irritated eyes, wheezing, or skin irritation. People allergic to mold may have difficulty in breathing and shortness of breath. People with weakened immune systems and with chronic lung diseases, such as obstructive lung disease, may develop mold infections in their lungs. If you or your family members have health problems after exposure to mold, contact your doctor or other health care provider.
Recognizing Mold
You may recognize mold by:
· Sight (Are the walls and ceiling discolored, or do they show signs of mold growth or water damage?)
· Smell (Do you smell a bad odor, such as a musty, earthy smell or a foul stench?)
Safely Preventing Mold Growth
Clean up and dry out the building quickly (within 24 to 48 hours). Open doors and windows. Use fans to dry out the building. (See the fact sheet for drying out your house, Reentering Your Flooded Home).
· When in doubt, take it out! Remove all porous items that have been wet for more than 48 hours and that cannot be thoroughly cleaned and dried. These items can remain a source of mold growth and should be removed from the home. Porous, noncleanable items include carpeting and carpet padding, upholstery, wallpaper, drywall, floor and ceiling tiles, insulation material, some clothing, leather, paper, wood, and food. Removal and cleaning are important because even dead mold may cause allergic reactions in some people.
· To prevent mold growth, clean wet items and surfaces with detergent and water.
· Homeowners may want to temporarily store items outside of the home until insurance claims can be filed. See recommendations by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) .
· If you wish to disinfect, refer to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) document, A Brief Guide to Mold and Moisture in Your Home.
If there is mold growth in your home, you should clean up the mold and fix any water problem, such as leaks in roofs, walls, or plumbing. Controlling moisture in your home is the most critical factor for preventing mold growth.
To remove mold growth from hard surfaces use commercial products, soap and water, or a bleach solution of no more than 1 cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water. Use a stiff brush on rough surface materials such as concrete.
If you choose to use bleach to remove mold:
· Never mix bleach with ammonia or other household cleaners. Mixing bleach with ammonia or other cleaning products will produce dangerous, toxic fumes
· Open windows and doors to provide fresh air.
· Wear non-porous gloves and protective eye wear.
· If the area to be cleaned is more than 10 square feet, consult the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guide titled Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings . Although focused on schools and commercial buildings, this document also applies to other building types. You can get it free by calling the EPA Indoor Air Quality Information Clearinghouse at (800) 438-4318, or by going to the EPA web site at http://www.epa.gov/mold/mold_remediation.html.
· Always follow the manufacturer's instructions when using bleach or any other cleaning product.
· More information on personal safety while cleaning up after a natural disaster is available at www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/workers.asp.
If you plan to be inside the building for a while or you plan to clean up mold, you should buy an N95 mask at your local home supply store and wear it while in the building. Make certain that you follow instructions on the package for fitting the mask tightly to your face. If you go back into the building for a short time and are not cleaning up mold, you do not need to wear an N95 mask.
Toxins in the Home
The following information came from www.leas.ca/hazards
Hazards of Commercial Household Cleaners
Activist urges caution when using cleansers
by Dan Hilborn - Burnaby NOW reporter
Danger lurks underneath your kitchen sink and in the laundry room, the storage closets and the garage, too.
While most people are aware that toxic chemicals can be found in many household cleaners and laundry soaps, Burnaby resident Mae Burrows wants the public to know that many of these common cleaners can also cause cancer.
But there are alternatives that can keep your house clean and still reduce your risk, says Burrows, executive director of the Labour Environmental Alliance Society and winner of the 2002 Eugene Rogers Award for her work protecting the environment.
"Canada is facing a cancer epidemic," she says. "But just as with tobacco, the best strategy for avoiding these cancers is to simply not allow yourself to be exposed to them. Unfortunately, a lot of people just don't know what to watch out for."
Burrows and Sean Griffin, the research coordinator with LEAS, have spent several years researching exactly which chemicals are used in which cleaners, and they've compiled lists of the most dangerous ones.
And because of the growing cancer rates, Burrows believes the need for this type of information is vital. For instance, one in every 2.4 Canadian men will contract some form of cancer during his lifetime, while one in 2.7 Canadian women will develop cancer.
Even more alarming, says Burrows, is the increase in cancer rates among children, according to recent statistics released by the Canadian Cancer Society.
"Cancer is now the second leading cause of death among children, after accidents," Burrows said. "There has been a 28 per cent increase in the incidence of all childhood cancers since the 1970s.
"While Workers' Compensation Board rules allow employees to refuse to handle toxic chemicals unless they are given the appropriate equipment, people often use the identical chemicals without any protection because they just don't know any better," Burrows said.
A large part of the problem lies in the fact that the manufacturers of cleaning products are not compelled to list the real name of the chemical on their packaging.
Some of the most alarming stories revolve around chemicals known as ethoxylated nonyl phenols, which have recently been declared toxic under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. Also known as endocrine disrupters, these chemicals are called "gender benders" by environmentalists because they are believed to cause reproductive problems for some animals. For instance, a group of Columbia River otters, with large doses of ethoxylated nonylphenols in their bodies, can no longer reproduce because their penises are too small.
More than 56 per cent of all nonylphenols used in Canada are found in cleaning products, notably in toilet cleaners and certain liquid laundry soaps, Burrows says.
Another highly toxic product is 2-butoxyethanol, used in some popular spray cleaners, which has been linked to low sperm counts in men, and learning disorders in children.
Burrows wants the public to know that it is possible to reduce exposure to cancer-causing agents, but it does take some work.
The first step towards a safer cleaning regimen is to read the labels on your cleaning products – even on those old standby products that have been around for generations.
"We encourage people to ask at the store," said Burrows.
Often, manufacturers will publish a toll-free 1-800 phone number on their packages so customers can call to find out exactly what is in their products. Concerned consumers should ask for the product's material safety data sheet, a formal document that spells out all of the known risks for anything sold in Canada.
While those documents are the best source of information on chemical products sold in Canada, they are often difficult to decipher and may contain contradictory statements, Burrows said.
"Often, companies will come up with their own names for a chemical, so then you will also need the formal chemical abstract service number," Burrows says.
Thankfully, there are non-profit groups such as LEAS that do all the hard work for you.
Over the past two years, LEAS has worked with the Burnaby school district to help remove from local schools five different types of cleaners that contain cancer-causing compounds. One of the most significant finds was a carpet cleaning compound that contained a substance previously banned in many U.S. jurisdictions.
With the help of CUPE Local 379, Burnaby school district employees, LEAS and the school board found alternative cleaners that did not contain known carcinogens, and the end result was a net removal of 7,440 litres of the different toxic products.
"Groups like us are actually forcing the manufacturers to use other products," says Burrows. "This is something that is totally do-able, and we're documenting all the products we're eliminating."
products you buy
How do you know what’s in the products you buy?
There are hundreds of products to choose from in buying household cleaning supplies. How do you know what’s in them?
Actually, it’s a lot harder for Canadians than it is for our neighbours to the south. American regulations in most states provide for product labelling that outlines the main ingredients in the product.
It’s better for products used in the Canadian workplace. The federal government’s Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) legislation states that worksites must have a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) on site for every product used.
Some environmentally-friendly products, such as those manufactured by Seventh Generation and Ecogent, do make it a practice to disclose their ingredients, setting a model for what should really be the the standard.
Consumers make a difference
There public really should be entitled to know what toxins they may be exposed to in household products. But until we get there, informed consumers can make a big difference.
The best place to start in learning about what you’re using is product category. There certainly are exceptions but most hand soaps and liquid dish detergents are fairly safe. So are most fabric softeners.
Other products can be quite variable. Laundry soaps can contain the carcinogen trisodium nitrilotriacetate, for example. Some powdered abrasive cleaners can contain silica, another carcinogen.
The products to watch particularly carefully for hazardous ingredients such as carcinogens and reproductive toxins include carpet stain removers, paint strippers, tile cleaners and graffiti removers.
Steps you can take
First, check the product label. Although there’s usually not much ingredient information there, some ingredients such as the carcinogen trichloroethylene and the reproductive toxins xylene and toluene may be listed as hazards. Stay away from those products.
Phone the 1-800 questions and comments number that’s printed on most products sold today. Some companies will supply a material safety data sheet on demand and the more that people phone up and ask for them, the more likely they are to offer them on-line – and possibly even agree to product labelling.
Finally, there are some on-line resources where you can get more information hazardous ingredients. One of the largest lists is provided by Wal-Mart covering the many products it sells. It’s not certain how often the store updates its MSDS list, which is based on U.S. standards, but it does provide a lead on product ingredients. Some other sites are listed below.
A green home is good enough to eat
Rob Grand, owner of Grassroots store on Danforth Ave., says that with just a few natural products everyone can make their own cleaning solutions.
I cleaned my house with salad dressing the other day.
The recipe for all-natural wood cleaner and polish called for nothing but olive oil and vinegar.
It felt bizarre – like wearing dental floss as jewellery. But it worked beautifully. The console in the front hall still gleams like a church pew.
I didn't want to eat it, despite my predilection for salad. If I did, that would be okay.
Which is the whole point of green cleaning.
"There are over one million poisonings a year in North America, and 60 per cent are children under six, most of whom have eaten household cleaners," says Rob Grand, the owner of the green retail store Grassroots.
Getting rid of all the chemical cleaners in my house was my next step in lightening my ecological footprint. True, it's not as big a step as, say, ditching my car. But it's easier. And it makes a difference – not just to my health but to the environment.
Cleaning products and services are the leading source of toxic air pollution in our homes, according to the Consumers Guide to Effective Environmental Choices, published by the U.S.-based non-profit Union of Concerned Scientists.
They're also causing water pollution. Hormone-disrupting chemicals from antibacterial soaps and cleaning agents – among other things – were recently found in San Francisco Bay during a year-long study by the Environmental Working Group, an American non-profit agency.
Rob Grand's recipes
Toilet cleaner: Sprinkle in borax and vinegar, let sit overnight. In the morning, scrub.
Cream cleanser: 1 2/3 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup pure soap, 2 tbsp. vinegar, 1/2 cup water.
Draino: 1/2 cup baking soda,
1/2 cup vinegar, fizz for 5 minutes, then boil kettle and pour down drain.
Oven cleaner: Spray water, sprinkle baking soda, spray water overtop, let it sit overnight. Wipe down in morning. Then clean with pure soap.
Dryer sheets: Before the cycle ends, throw a damp rag into the drum.
Windex: Spray with club soda.
Your cleaning lady refuses to use all-natural products? Hire a green cleaning service instead:
Enviromaid: 416-402-6177, http://www.enviromaid.ca/
Earth Concerns: 416-535-9397, http://www.earthconcerns.com/
Fair Trade Cleaning: 416-537-7979, http://www.fairtradeclean.com/
One of the chemicals, triclosan, has been shown to feminize fish.
My first step was to sit down on the floor beneath my sink, and actually read all the labels on the cleaning products I use regularly: Orange Glo Wood Polish and Conditioner; No Name Toilet Bowl Cleaner; Bissell Carpet Cleaner; Comet. ... What I found were a lot of corroded hand symbols, a few skull and crossbones and many instructions to phone the Poison Control Centre if the product was swallowed.
Then I went to the laundry room: Tide, Javex Bleach, and my beloved Spray N' Wash stain remover.
To my surprise, none had any ingredients listed. That's because Health Canada doesn't require it. It operates under the assumption that chemicals in cleaning products are at such low doses, they aren't harmful, says Mae Burrows, the executive director of the Labour Environmental Alliance Society, a Vancouver group leading the "right-to-know" campaign to reverse that.
They list the known carcinogenic and toxic chemicals in some brand-name products on their website. Tilex Total Bathroom Multipurpose Cleaner, for instance, contains 2-Butoxyethanol – a reproductive toxin the U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry says causes birth defects in animals.
And the toxin is just one of eight chemicals they were looking for. There are thousands. The external relations manager for fabric and home care at Procter & Gamble, which makes Tide and Cheer, told The New York Times there are up to 400 raw ingredients in detergent. Many may be safe. We don't know, because in most cases, long-term studies on the health and environmental impacts of these chemicals have not been done.
"We don't know what's a safe dose of carcinogen. But we do know it's an epidemic. More than one in three Canadians get cancer," says Burrows. "With most products, you can find a cost comparative and equally-effective alternative. So why use it if you're unsure?'
But aren't the chemicals what make them clean well? While I was committed to the cause, I wasn't convinced of the outcome.
To ensure I didn't relapse, I scooped up all 20 bottles and dropped them off at the hazardous waste depot. Then I went to Grassroots, where Grand gave me a quick lesson on green cleaning.
His store is a paragon of environmental virtue. There is LED lighting and no plastic packaging. Cashiers bundle your items in reused plastic bags. And there are shelves of green cleaning products – all with ingredient lists that include things like corn starch and coco-betaine (from coconuts). They all biodegrade in water within 28 days. At trade shows, the inventors of one new brand drink their products, he said.
But, I didn't need any of them, Grand said, pulling out his own cleaning bucket. In it were the few basic cleaning essentials: baking soda, washing soda, vinegar, liquid soap, a whole lemon, a bottle of club soda and borax – a mineral which disinfects, deodorizes and inhibits mould growth. Add a dash of essential lemon or grapefruit oil, and I'd have the makings for everything from bathroom tile spray to toilet bowl cleaner.
I grabbed a copy of Annie Berthold-Bond's Clean and Green: The Complete Guide to Nontoxic and Environmentally Safe Housekeeping. In total, it cost me $60. Then I went home and got cracking.
I was surprised at how easy it really was, once I got over the hurdle of stirring up cleaning products for each specific job like I was preparing courses for a dinner party.
Grand's patented cream cleanser worked really well in my kitchen sink and on the counter. The night after dumping a cup of borax in my toilet, the bowl scrubbed clean easily. And the e-cloths I picked up, which advertised cleaning windows with nothing but water, worked amazingly. I plan on giving them to everyone I know for Christmas.
But there were a few weak spots.
No matter how much I scrubbed with the bath tile spray I'd concocted, the lime scales on my shower doors remained. And the first two natural stain removers I made only managed to turn the brown blobs on my daughter's white dress to a rust-orange. I then applied some premade all-natural stain-remover. The stains are still there.
That could be a problem, as I can't convince my 1-year-old to stop spilling food on her clothes.
But it's one I'll have to live with.
"It's a bit like dandelions on your lawn," said Dr. Kapil Khatter, a family doctor and the pollution policy adviser for Toronto-based Environmental Defence. "If you don't want to use chemical pesticides, you are going to have a few."
"Reproduced with permission - Torstar Syndication Services"[MET Edition]Catherine Porter. Toronto Star. Toronto, Ont.:Aug 11, 2007. p. A19Abstract (Summary)
Toxins in Household Products
Cleaning and home maintenance products are a multi-billion dollar industry in Canada and the huge selection of products available on the retail shelf often makes it difficult for consumers to know what is safe to buy. The good news is that most products contain generally benign ingredients, but there are definitely some to avoid.
Some ingredients may be carcinogens or reproductive toxins. Some may be endocrine-disrupting chemicals that can affect both humans and wildlife. Other ingredients, such as bleach and phosphates, may raise environmental concerns.
In the listings on our Toxins Table, we've identified eight ingredients in household cleaning and home maintenance products that are of particular concern because they are carcinogens, endocrine disrupters or known or suspected reproductive toxins. They are also the most commonly found in household products.
Check the brand listings on the left hand side of the table. If a product contains one of the eight ingredients, it will be marked with a "yes" in one of the table entries opposite the product name. If all the spaces are blank, then it's considered a safer product to use. There are are also alternative products from environmentally-conscious manufacturers that you may want to consider.
Obviously, the products on the table don't contain all products that are available - it's intended as a representative list of categories and a guide to common products that contain the listed toxins.
2-butoxyethanol
Also known as ethylene glycol butyl ether, this is one of many glycol ethers used as a solvent in carpet cleaners and specialty cleaners. It can be inhaled or absorbed through the skin and may cause blood disorders, as well as liver and kidney damage. According to the fact sheet issued by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, it may also cause reproductive damage on long term exposure.
Ethoxylated nonyl phenols (NPEs)
This is a group of endocrine-disrupting chemicals still used in cleaning products, even though Environment Canada has declared them CEPA-toxic under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. Known as "gender-benders," nonyl phenols can induce female characteristics in male fish, for example. The threat posed to the environment by nonyl phenols prompted the European Union to ban them from all cleaning products manufactured or used in the EU.
Methylene chloride
For years, people have been using methylene chloride, or products containing methylene chloride, as a paint stripper. Methylene chloride is listed as a possible human carcinogen (Group 2B) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
In 1987, regulators in the U.S. compelled manufacturers to put warning labels on products containing methylene chloride. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that since that time, there has been a 55 per cent reduction in the number of cancers that would have been caused by these products.
There are no warning label requirements in Canada for methylene chloride, which is sold in hardware and home improvement outlets, both as a pure product and as an ingredient in a wide range of paint strippers and similar products. Avoid using those products and look for alternatives, such as 3M Safest Stripper or Removall 400 Graffiti and Overspray Remover.
Naphthalene
Either naphthalene, or another chemical called paradichlorobenzene, is used in moth balls and moth crystals. Naphthalene is listed by California's Office of Environmental Health Hazards Assessment as a substance "know to the state to cause cancer," while paradichlorobenzene is listed by IARC as a possible human carcinogen. Avoid all moth products that contain either of these two ingredients. A garment bag or a box with a tight fitting lid is more effective against moths than the odours from mothballs.
Silica
Made from finely ground quartz, silica is carcinogenic when it occurs as fine respirable dust. It's found in that form in some abrasive cleansers, which are often used on a regular basis around the home. For virtually all applications, abrasive cleansers can easily be replaced with a cream cleanser such as Ecover or Vim, or a similar product that does not contain silica.
Toluene
Toluene is a potent reproductive toxin, which is used as a solvent in numerous products, including paints. It is also sold as the pure product. Toluene is listed by California's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a reproductive toxin that may cause harm to the developing fetus. Pregnant women should certainly not use products containing toluene.
Trisodium nitrilotriacetate (NTA)
Used as a builder in laundry detergents, NTA is listed as a possible human carcinogen (IARC 2B) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. It also has an adverse environmental impact because it can impede the elimination of metals in wastewater treatment plants. NTA's action can cause metals that have already settled out to be re-mobilized back into the liquid waste stream.
Xylene
Another extremely toxic ingredient that is often found in graffiti and scuff removers, spray paints and some adhesives, is xylene, a suspected reproductive toxin that has shown reproductive harm in laboratory experiments. It is also a neurotoxicant that can cause memory loss on repeated exposure.
Bleach (Sodium hypochlorite)
In June, 2002 a part-time caretaker in a Toronto school was rushed to hospital after complaining to a co-worker that she was unable to breathe. She later died in hospital. Investigators looking into the incident discovered that she had mixed a sanitizing product containing sodium hypochlorite with an acid toilet bowl cleaner. The two ingredients had reacted together to form deadly chlorine gas, which led to her death.
It's an extreme case but it's an example of the health hazards that can be associated with chlorine bleach, or sodium hypochlorite. When bleach is mixed with acids (typically found in toilet bowl cleaners), it reacts with them to form chlorine gas. When it is mixed with ammonia, it can create chloramine gas, another toxic substance.
In the environment, sodium hypochlorite is acutely toxic to fish. The chlorine in bleach can also bind with organic material in the marine environment to form organochlorines, toxic compounds that can persist in the environment. Chlorine use is a particular concern for those who live in areas such as Victoria, where there is not even primary treatment of sewage wastewater before it is discharged into the ocean.
There may be some circumstances where bleach use is necessary for disease control, but there is little need for it on a regular basis. Tests have shown that washing counters and other surfaces with soap and water removes most bacteria and there are a number of oxygen-based alternatives for laundry uses of bleach.
Phosphates
Phosphates were a high-profile public issue three decades ago when streams and lakes were becoming choked with vegetation in a chemical process known as eutrophication. The process was the result of widespread use of phosphates in laundry products which produced nutrients for algae and other aquatic plants as phosphate-rich wastewater entered the environment.
Manufacturers have since reduced or even eliminated phosphates from laundry products, but no action has ever been taken on dishwasher detergents. Most of the products available from major manufacturers contain 30-40 per cent phosphates. Some also contain high levels of chlorine-based sanitizing ingredients. Products from alternative manufacturers such as Ecover, Nature Clean, and Seventh Generation are a much better environmental choice.
Hazards of Commercial Household Cleaners
Activist urges caution when using cleansers
by Dan Hilborn - Burnaby NOW reporter
Danger lurks underneath your kitchen sink and in the laundry room, the storage closets and the garage, too.
While most people are aware that toxic chemicals can be found in many household cleaners and laundry soaps, Burnaby resident Mae Burrows wants the public to know that many of these common cleaners can also cause cancer.
But there are alternatives that can keep your house clean and still reduce your risk, says Burrows, executive director of the Labour Environmental Alliance Society and winner of the 2002 Eugene Rogers Award for her work protecting the environment.
"Canada is facing a cancer epidemic," she says. "But just as with tobacco, the best strategy for avoiding these cancers is to simply not allow yourself to be exposed to them. Unfortunately, a lot of people just don't know what to watch out for."
Burrows and Sean Griffin, the research coordinator with LEAS, have spent several years researching exactly which chemicals are used in which cleaners, and they've compiled lists of the most dangerous ones.
And because of the growing cancer rates, Burrows believes the need for this type of information is vital. For instance, one in every 2.4 Canadian men will contract some form of cancer during his lifetime, while one in 2.7 Canadian women will develop cancer.
Even more alarming, says Burrows, is the increase in cancer rates among children, according to recent statistics released by the Canadian Cancer Society.
"Cancer is now the second leading cause of death among children, after accidents," Burrows said. "There has been a 28 per cent increase in the incidence of all childhood cancers since the 1970s.
"While Workers' Compensation Board rules allow employees to refuse to handle toxic chemicals unless they are given the appropriate equipment, people often use the identical chemicals without any protection because they just don't know any better," Burrows said.
A large part of the problem lies in the fact that the manufacturers of cleaning products are not compelled to list the real name of the chemical on their packaging.
Some of the most alarming stories revolve around chemicals known as ethoxylated nonyl phenols, which have recently been declared toxic under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. Also known as endocrine disrupters, these chemicals are called "gender benders" by environmentalists because they are believed to cause reproductive problems for some animals. For instance, a group of Columbia River otters, with large doses of ethoxylated nonylphenols in their bodies, can no longer reproduce because their penises are too small.
More than 56 per cent of all nonylphenols used in Canada are found in cleaning products, notably in toilet cleaners and certain liquid laundry soaps, Burrows says.
Another highly toxic product is 2-butoxyethanol, used in some popular spray cleaners, which has been linked to low sperm counts in men, and learning disorders in children.
Burrows wants the public to know that it is possible to reduce exposure to cancer-causing agents, but it does take some work.
The first step towards a safer cleaning regimen is to read the labels on your cleaning products – even on those old standby products that have been around for generations.
"We encourage people to ask at the store," said Burrows.
Often, manufacturers will publish a toll-free 1-800 phone number on their packages so customers can call to find out exactly what is in their products. Concerned consumers should ask for the product's material safety data sheet, a formal document that spells out all of the known risks for anything sold in Canada.
While those documents are the best source of information on chemical products sold in Canada, they are often difficult to decipher and may contain contradictory statements, Burrows said.
"Often, companies will come up with their own names for a chemical, so then you will also need the formal chemical abstract service number," Burrows says.
Thankfully, there are non-profit groups such as LEAS that do all the hard work for you.
Over the past two years, LEAS has worked with the Burnaby school district to help remove from local schools five different types of cleaners that contain cancer-causing compounds. One of the most significant finds was a carpet cleaning compound that contained a substance previously banned in many U.S. jurisdictions.
With the help of CUPE Local 379, Burnaby school district employees, LEAS and the school board found alternative cleaners that did not contain known carcinogens, and the end result was a net removal of 7,440 litres of the different toxic products.
"Groups like us are actually forcing the manufacturers to use other products," says Burrows. "This is something that is totally do-able, and we're documenting all the products we're eliminating."
products you buy
How do you know what’s in the products you buy?
There are hundreds of products to choose from in buying household cleaning supplies. How do you know what’s in them?
Actually, it’s a lot harder for Canadians than it is for our neighbours to the south. American regulations in most states provide for product labelling that outlines the main ingredients in the product.
It’s better for products used in the Canadian workplace. The federal government’s Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) legislation states that worksites must have a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) on site for every product used.
Some environmentally-friendly products, such as those manufactured by Seventh Generation and Ecogent, do make it a practice to disclose their ingredients, setting a model for what should really be the the standard.
Consumers make a difference
There public really should be entitled to know what toxins they may be exposed to in household products. But until we get there, informed consumers can make a big difference.
The best place to start in learning about what you’re using is product category. There certainly are exceptions but most hand soaps and liquid dish detergents are fairly safe. So are most fabric softeners.
Other products can be quite variable. Laundry soaps can contain the carcinogen trisodium nitrilotriacetate, for example. Some powdered abrasive cleaners can contain silica, another carcinogen.
The products to watch particularly carefully for hazardous ingredients such as carcinogens and reproductive toxins include carpet stain removers, paint strippers, tile cleaners and graffiti removers.
Steps you can take
First, check the product label. Although there’s usually not much ingredient information there, some ingredients such as the carcinogen trichloroethylene and the reproductive toxins xylene and toluene may be listed as hazards. Stay away from those products.
Phone the 1-800 questions and comments number that’s printed on most products sold today. Some companies will supply a material safety data sheet on demand and the more that people phone up and ask for them, the more likely they are to offer them on-line – and possibly even agree to product labelling.
Finally, there are some on-line resources where you can get more information hazardous ingredients. One of the largest lists is provided by Wal-Mart covering the many products it sells. It’s not certain how often the store updates its MSDS list, which is based on U.S. standards, but it does provide a lead on product ingredients. Some other sites are listed below.
A green home is good enough to eat
Rob Grand, owner of Grassroots store on Danforth Ave., says that with just a few natural products everyone can make their own cleaning solutions.
I cleaned my house with salad dressing the other day.
The recipe for all-natural wood cleaner and polish called for nothing but olive oil and vinegar.
It felt bizarre – like wearing dental floss as jewellery. But it worked beautifully. The console in the front hall still gleams like a church pew.
I didn't want to eat it, despite my predilection for salad. If I did, that would be okay.
Which is the whole point of green cleaning.
"There are over one million poisonings a year in North America, and 60 per cent are children under six, most of whom have eaten household cleaners," says Rob Grand, the owner of the green retail store Grassroots.
Getting rid of all the chemical cleaners in my house was my next step in lightening my ecological footprint. True, it's not as big a step as, say, ditching my car. But it's easier. And it makes a difference – not just to my health but to the environment.
Cleaning products and services are the leading source of toxic air pollution in our homes, according to the Consumers Guide to Effective Environmental Choices, published by the U.S.-based non-profit Union of Concerned Scientists.
They're also causing water pollution. Hormone-disrupting chemicals from antibacterial soaps and cleaning agents – among other things – were recently found in San Francisco Bay during a year-long study by the Environmental Working Group, an American non-profit agency.
Rob Grand's recipes
Toilet cleaner: Sprinkle in borax and vinegar, let sit overnight. In the morning, scrub.
Cream cleanser: 1 2/3 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup pure soap, 2 tbsp. vinegar, 1/2 cup water.
Draino: 1/2 cup baking soda,
1/2 cup vinegar, fizz for 5 minutes, then boil kettle and pour down drain.
Oven cleaner: Spray water, sprinkle baking soda, spray water overtop, let it sit overnight. Wipe down in morning. Then clean with pure soap.
Dryer sheets: Before the cycle ends, throw a damp rag into the drum.
Windex: Spray with club soda.
Your cleaning lady refuses to use all-natural products? Hire a green cleaning service instead:
Enviromaid: 416-402-6177, http://www.enviromaid.ca/
Earth Concerns: 416-535-9397, http://www.earthconcerns.com/
Fair Trade Cleaning: 416-537-7979, http://www.fairtradeclean.com/
One of the chemicals, triclosan, has been shown to feminize fish.
My first step was to sit down on the floor beneath my sink, and actually read all the labels on the cleaning products I use regularly: Orange Glo Wood Polish and Conditioner; No Name Toilet Bowl Cleaner; Bissell Carpet Cleaner; Comet. ... What I found were a lot of corroded hand symbols, a few skull and crossbones and many instructions to phone the Poison Control Centre if the product was swallowed.
Then I went to the laundry room: Tide, Javex Bleach, and my beloved Spray N' Wash stain remover.
To my surprise, none had any ingredients listed. That's because Health Canada doesn't require it. It operates under the assumption that chemicals in cleaning products are at such low doses, they aren't harmful, says Mae Burrows, the executive director of the Labour Environmental Alliance Society, a Vancouver group leading the "right-to-know" campaign to reverse that.
They list the known carcinogenic and toxic chemicals in some brand-name products on their website. Tilex Total Bathroom Multipurpose Cleaner, for instance, contains 2-Butoxyethanol – a reproductive toxin the U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry says causes birth defects in animals.
And the toxin is just one of eight chemicals they were looking for. There are thousands. The external relations manager for fabric and home care at Procter & Gamble, which makes Tide and Cheer, told The New York Times there are up to 400 raw ingredients in detergent. Many may be safe. We don't know, because in most cases, long-term studies on the health and environmental impacts of these chemicals have not been done.
"We don't know what's a safe dose of carcinogen. But we do know it's an epidemic. More than one in three Canadians get cancer," says Burrows. "With most products, you can find a cost comparative and equally-effective alternative. So why use it if you're unsure?'
But aren't the chemicals what make them clean well? While I was committed to the cause, I wasn't convinced of the outcome.
To ensure I didn't relapse, I scooped up all 20 bottles and dropped them off at the hazardous waste depot. Then I went to Grassroots, where Grand gave me a quick lesson on green cleaning.
His store is a paragon of environmental virtue. There is LED lighting and no plastic packaging. Cashiers bundle your items in reused plastic bags. And there are shelves of green cleaning products – all with ingredient lists that include things like corn starch and coco-betaine (from coconuts). They all biodegrade in water within 28 days. At trade shows, the inventors of one new brand drink their products, he said.
But, I didn't need any of them, Grand said, pulling out his own cleaning bucket. In it were the few basic cleaning essentials: baking soda, washing soda, vinegar, liquid soap, a whole lemon, a bottle of club soda and borax – a mineral which disinfects, deodorizes and inhibits mould growth. Add a dash of essential lemon or grapefruit oil, and I'd have the makings for everything from bathroom tile spray to toilet bowl cleaner.
I grabbed a copy of Annie Berthold-Bond's Clean and Green: The Complete Guide to Nontoxic and Environmentally Safe Housekeeping. In total, it cost me $60. Then I went home and got cracking.
I was surprised at how easy it really was, once I got over the hurdle of stirring up cleaning products for each specific job like I was preparing courses for a dinner party.
Grand's patented cream cleanser worked really well in my kitchen sink and on the counter. The night after dumping a cup of borax in my toilet, the bowl scrubbed clean easily. And the e-cloths I picked up, which advertised cleaning windows with nothing but water, worked amazingly. I plan on giving them to everyone I know for Christmas.
But there were a few weak spots.
No matter how much I scrubbed with the bath tile spray I'd concocted, the lime scales on my shower doors remained. And the first two natural stain removers I made only managed to turn the brown blobs on my daughter's white dress to a rust-orange. I then applied some premade all-natural stain-remover. The stains are still there.
That could be a problem, as I can't convince my 1-year-old to stop spilling food on her clothes.
But it's one I'll have to live with.
"It's a bit like dandelions on your lawn," said Dr. Kapil Khatter, a family doctor and the pollution policy adviser for Toronto-based Environmental Defence. "If you don't want to use chemical pesticides, you are going to have a few."
"Reproduced with permission - Torstar Syndication Services"[MET Edition]Catherine Porter. Toronto Star. Toronto, Ont.:Aug 11, 2007. p. A19Abstract (Summary)
Toxins in Household Products
Cleaning and home maintenance products are a multi-billion dollar industry in Canada and the huge selection of products available on the retail shelf often makes it difficult for consumers to know what is safe to buy. The good news is that most products contain generally benign ingredients, but there are definitely some to avoid.
Some ingredients may be carcinogens or reproductive toxins. Some may be endocrine-disrupting chemicals that can affect both humans and wildlife. Other ingredients, such as bleach and phosphates, may raise environmental concerns.
In the listings on our Toxins Table, we've identified eight ingredients in household cleaning and home maintenance products that are of particular concern because they are carcinogens, endocrine disrupters or known or suspected reproductive toxins. They are also the most commonly found in household products.
Check the brand listings on the left hand side of the table. If a product contains one of the eight ingredients, it will be marked with a "yes" in one of the table entries opposite the product name. If all the spaces are blank, then it's considered a safer product to use. There are are also alternative products from environmentally-conscious manufacturers that you may want to consider.
Obviously, the products on the table don't contain all products that are available - it's intended as a representative list of categories and a guide to common products that contain the listed toxins.
2-butoxyethanol
Also known as ethylene glycol butyl ether, this is one of many glycol ethers used as a solvent in carpet cleaners and specialty cleaners. It can be inhaled or absorbed through the skin and may cause blood disorders, as well as liver and kidney damage. According to the fact sheet issued by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, it may also cause reproductive damage on long term exposure.
Ethoxylated nonyl phenols (NPEs)
This is a group of endocrine-disrupting chemicals still used in cleaning products, even though Environment Canada has declared them CEPA-toxic under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. Known as "gender-benders," nonyl phenols can induce female characteristics in male fish, for example. The threat posed to the environment by nonyl phenols prompted the European Union to ban them from all cleaning products manufactured or used in the EU.
Methylene chloride
For years, people have been using methylene chloride, or products containing methylene chloride, as a paint stripper. Methylene chloride is listed as a possible human carcinogen (Group 2B) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
In 1987, regulators in the U.S. compelled manufacturers to put warning labels on products containing methylene chloride. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that since that time, there has been a 55 per cent reduction in the number of cancers that would have been caused by these products.
There are no warning label requirements in Canada for methylene chloride, which is sold in hardware and home improvement outlets, both as a pure product and as an ingredient in a wide range of paint strippers and similar products. Avoid using those products and look for alternatives, such as 3M Safest Stripper or Removall 400 Graffiti and Overspray Remover.
Naphthalene
Either naphthalene, or another chemical called paradichlorobenzene, is used in moth balls and moth crystals. Naphthalene is listed by California's Office of Environmental Health Hazards Assessment as a substance "know to the state to cause cancer," while paradichlorobenzene is listed by IARC as a possible human carcinogen. Avoid all moth products that contain either of these two ingredients. A garment bag or a box with a tight fitting lid is more effective against moths than the odours from mothballs.
Silica
Made from finely ground quartz, silica is carcinogenic when it occurs as fine respirable dust. It's found in that form in some abrasive cleansers, which are often used on a regular basis around the home. For virtually all applications, abrasive cleansers can easily be replaced with a cream cleanser such as Ecover or Vim, or a similar product that does not contain silica.
Toluene
Toluene is a potent reproductive toxin, which is used as a solvent in numerous products, including paints. It is also sold as the pure product. Toluene is listed by California's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a reproductive toxin that may cause harm to the developing fetus. Pregnant women should certainly not use products containing toluene.
Trisodium nitrilotriacetate (NTA)
Used as a builder in laundry detergents, NTA is listed as a possible human carcinogen (IARC 2B) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. It also has an adverse environmental impact because it can impede the elimination of metals in wastewater treatment plants. NTA's action can cause metals that have already settled out to be re-mobilized back into the liquid waste stream.
Xylene
Another extremely toxic ingredient that is often found in graffiti and scuff removers, spray paints and some adhesives, is xylene, a suspected reproductive toxin that has shown reproductive harm in laboratory experiments. It is also a neurotoxicant that can cause memory loss on repeated exposure.
Bleach (Sodium hypochlorite)
In June, 2002 a part-time caretaker in a Toronto school was rushed to hospital after complaining to a co-worker that she was unable to breathe. She later died in hospital. Investigators looking into the incident discovered that she had mixed a sanitizing product containing sodium hypochlorite with an acid toilet bowl cleaner. The two ingredients had reacted together to form deadly chlorine gas, which led to her death.
It's an extreme case but it's an example of the health hazards that can be associated with chlorine bleach, or sodium hypochlorite. When bleach is mixed with acids (typically found in toilet bowl cleaners), it reacts with them to form chlorine gas. When it is mixed with ammonia, it can create chloramine gas, another toxic substance.
In the environment, sodium hypochlorite is acutely toxic to fish. The chlorine in bleach can also bind with organic material in the marine environment to form organochlorines, toxic compounds that can persist in the environment. Chlorine use is a particular concern for those who live in areas such as Victoria, where there is not even primary treatment of sewage wastewater before it is discharged into the ocean.
There may be some circumstances where bleach use is necessary for disease control, but there is little need for it on a regular basis. Tests have shown that washing counters and other surfaces with soap and water removes most bacteria and there are a number of oxygen-based alternatives for laundry uses of bleach.
Phosphates
Phosphates were a high-profile public issue three decades ago when streams and lakes were becoming choked with vegetation in a chemical process known as eutrophication. The process was the result of widespread use of phosphates in laundry products which produced nutrients for algae and other aquatic plants as phosphate-rich wastewater entered the environment.
Manufacturers have since reduced or even eliminated phosphates from laundry products, but no action has ever been taken on dishwasher detergents. Most of the products available from major manufacturers contain 30-40 per cent phosphates. Some also contain high levels of chlorine-based sanitizing ingredients. Products from alternative manufacturers such as Ecover, Nature Clean, and Seventh Generation are a much better environmental choice.
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