Six Chemical Classes
Highly Fluorinated -
These chemicals are manmade and put into my consumer products. When they are disposed of, the chemicals can make their way into waterways and then into our food and water. The chemicals are found the in the bodies of 98% of Americans. Health concerns related to products are: Kidney and Testicular Cancer, elevated cholesterol, decreased fertility, thyroid disease, and interference with hormone function. More than 3,000 highly fluorinated chemicals are in use today and they NEVER break down.
Antimicrobials -
These are a class of chemicals that are supposed to kill microorganisms or inhibit their growth. They are often unnecessary and can do more harm than good. Two of the main chemicals of concern are Triclosan and Triclocarban. They are found in liquid soap and bar soap but no evidence supports that they are better than normal soap and water. They can disrupt hormone functioning, have adverse developmental and reproductive effects and cause antibiotic resistance. We should stay away from these products.
Flame Retardants -
These chemicals are supposed to slow or stop fires but often do not work as promised. Often they only delay ignition and cause causes fires to become bigger and even more dangerous because of they often output more smoke and toxic gas. These chemicals have been detected in the bodies of almost all Americans and are continually leaking out of products. Toddlers have 3 - 10 times the amount of flame retardants compared to adults. This can effect their brains and reproductive organs
Bisphenol & Phthalates -
These chemicals make plastics stronger or more flexible. These chemicals can interfere with hormones which make our bodies work properly and can also effect vital systems. A small amount of these chemicals can have a big effect. They can be ingested through food or drink, absorbed through the skin or inhaled. Young children are fetuses are the most vulnerable. These chemicals can be linked to adverse health effects such as heart disease, diabetes, neurodevelopment problems, decreased fertility and obesity.
Some Solvents -
These are a diverse class of chemicals that are used to disperse other substances. Some solvents are necessary but others are very toxic and should be avoided because we can breathe in solvents after they evaporate into the air or they can be absorbed through the skin. Some products that have solvents are paint, paint thinners adhesives, cosmetics and cleaners. Solvents can damage the nervous system and also cause you to be at risk for certain cancers.
Certain Metals -
Some metals of concern are mercury, arsenic, cadmium, and lead. We can be exposed from eating food that is contaminated with these metals, drinking tainted water, breathing cigarette smoke, and ingesting household dust. The greatest health concern form certain metals is prenatal and early life exposure which may harm brain development.
These chemicals are manmade and put into my consumer products. When they are disposed of, the chemicals can make their way into waterways and then into our food and water. The chemicals are found the in the bodies of 98% of Americans. Health concerns related to products are: Kidney and Testicular Cancer, elevated cholesterol, decreased fertility, thyroid disease, and interference with hormone function. More than 3,000 highly fluorinated chemicals are in use today and they NEVER break down.
Antimicrobials -
These are a class of chemicals that are supposed to kill microorganisms or inhibit their growth. They are often unnecessary and can do more harm than good. Two of the main chemicals of concern are Triclosan and Triclocarban. They are found in liquid soap and bar soap but no evidence supports that they are better than normal soap and water. They can disrupt hormone functioning, have adverse developmental and reproductive effects and cause antibiotic resistance. We should stay away from these products.
Flame Retardants -
These chemicals are supposed to slow or stop fires but often do not work as promised. Often they only delay ignition and cause causes fires to become bigger and even more dangerous because of they often output more smoke and toxic gas. These chemicals have been detected in the bodies of almost all Americans and are continually leaking out of products. Toddlers have 3 - 10 times the amount of flame retardants compared to adults. This can effect their brains and reproductive organs
Bisphenol & Phthalates -
These chemicals make plastics stronger or more flexible. These chemicals can interfere with hormones which make our bodies work properly and can also effect vital systems. A small amount of these chemicals can have a big effect. They can be ingested through food or drink, absorbed through the skin or inhaled. Young children are fetuses are the most vulnerable. These chemicals can be linked to adverse health effects such as heart disease, diabetes, neurodevelopment problems, decreased fertility and obesity.
Some Solvents -
These are a diverse class of chemicals that are used to disperse other substances. Some solvents are necessary but others are very toxic and should be avoided because we can breathe in solvents after they evaporate into the air or they can be absorbed through the skin. Some products that have solvents are paint, paint thinners adhesives, cosmetics and cleaners. Solvents can damage the nervous system and also cause you to be at risk for certain cancers.
Certain Metals -
Some metals of concern are mercury, arsenic, cadmium, and lead. We can be exposed from eating food that is contaminated with these metals, drinking tainted water, breathing cigarette smoke, and ingesting household dust. The greatest health concern form certain metals is prenatal and early life exposure which may harm brain development.
Hi Caitlin,
ReplyDeleteLike so many other things, the ones who are most vulnerable to adverse effects from these chemicals are our young ones. You would think that fact would be all we needed to know to get these chemicals out of our markets and regulate heavily, but yet we have not be able to do so. Why do you think that is?
Hi Caitlin,
ReplyDeleteIt was shocking to learn that the highly fluorinated chemicals we produce will always be in the environment. The amount of trash dumped and the output of these chemicals must be impacting our planet in ways we do not know of.
Hi Caitlin,
ReplyDeleteWhat gets to me the most from this list is the 'Flame Retardants' With climate change and high prevalence of fire throughout in California. Flame retardant product poses high risk. Why are we exposing ourselves to this chemical? Are there enough be done to make sure we are limiting usage of these chemicals in our daily use products. I remember reading about flame retardants in our mattress and how it is harmful to you. Sleep is what we all do and need, if we can't even be safe sleeping, what is even safe anymore?