Anne

I’m going to digress before I get started on the toxic chemicals in our cosmetics in order to introduce our new Get Clean Water.  This year at our annual convention (this time in Anaheim) Shaklee introduced their newest member to our Get Clean line of environmental household products, the Get Clean Pitcher.

There are several things that makes make this pitcher unique, but the one that stands out the most is that it removes over 50 toxins and chemicals from the water, including LEAD .   (click here) for a comparison chart between Get Clean, Brita and Pur.

The filter is unique also, because now you don’t have to throw away the whole housing, just the inner core filter (less in the landfill).  The filter is made out of a combination coconut and corn, and is environmentally sound.  It filters up to 80 gallons, and there is a neat little meter on top of the pitcher that tells you when to replace!

The other thing Shaklee did was make the whole housing compatible with Brita and Pur, so if you didn’t want to throw away your pitcher, you can still get rid of the lead and toxins!

To see the whole line of Get clean products, click here.  Shaklee has added some different options, like some mini kits to get you started.

In Good Green Health ~ Anne

Ok, Day 5  we focus on SULFAMIC ACID .  There’s that scary (to me) acid word again!  The true winner in this category is Aquamix Sulfamic Acid Crystals.  This is used to clean grout and mortar, and as a haze remover (?) for grout and mortar.  Not sure this is all that common, but word of caution–you need a serious mask and gloves if you’re going to do this cause it’s 99.5%.

All that aside, there are many common household products using this ingredient.  First, here are the possible consequences:

• Toxic to lungs and mucous membranes
• Direct skin contact is corrosive
• Causes skin irritation
• Inhalation causes irritation to GastroItestinal Tract

Now, before you say you don’t worry about cleaning the grout or worry about how your grout or mortar is hazing, let’s look at where else you can find this chemical!

Jet Dry Rinse Agent for the Dishwasher

Cameo Copper Cleaner

Lime-Away Tub and Toilet Cleaner

Scrubbing Bubbles Toilet Tablets-Citrus scent

Dip-It Automatic Coffee Maker Cleaner

There are many more, but these are commonly used.  One point to remember, you may think you’re doing some good with those scrubbing bubbles, which are 30-60% Sulfamic Acid ( not exactly sure why they don’t know exactly!), but even at 30%, you are constantly putting that chemical into the air you breathe every time you go into the bathroom.  The same goes with any spray bottles you use.  You need to make sure you want to be breathing this stuff!

There is so much to be said today about gastrointestinal problems and skin problems, I need to ask you “Could this be one of the sources?”  Would love to know what you think, please leave me a comment, I promise I will  respond.

I can’t close this last session on this series without reminding you that you have a reference source to always be able to see the consequences of using certain products, just put in the name and it will tell you.  The watch dog is http:www.householdproducts.nlm,.nih.gov/ingredients.htm.  Also, if you’re looking for an alternative to these chemicals,  please check out the best I’ve found at Shaklee (over 50 years of keeping us safe!)

Our next series will be focusing on the chemicals particular to our skin care and cosmetic options.  Healthy Child Healthy World said recently that the average female wears 500 chemicals.  That needs to be  examined further.  Watch for that to begin!!

Good Health ~ Anne

Today we’re taking a look at POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE, commonly known as LYE.  You would not believe where you can find this…household products, skin care products, pet products, and even some food sources.  My eyes crossed trying to read all the contraindications of being anywhere near this chemical.

Let me quote from HSDB (Hazardous Substances Data Base):

Human Toxicity Excerpts:
ACUTE POISONING: … INGESTION OF ALKALI IS FOLLOWED BY SEVERE PAIN, VOMITING, DIARRHEA, & COLLAPSE. THE VOMITUS CONTAINS BLOOD AND DESQUAMATED MUCOSAL LINING. IF DEATH DOES NOT OCCUR IN THE FIRST 24 HOURS, THE PATIENT MAY IMPROVE FOR 2-4 DAYS AND THEN HAVE A SUDDEN ONSET OF SEVERE ABDOMINAL PAIN, BOARDLIKE ABDOMINAL RIGIDITY, AND RAPID FALL OF BLOOD PRESSURE INDICATING DELAYED GASTRIC OR ESOPHAGEAL PERFORATION. … ESOPHAGEAL STRICTURE CAN OCCUR WEEKS, MONTHS, OR EVEN YEARS LATER TO MAKE SWALLOWING DIFFICULT. CARCINOMA IS A RISK IN LATER LIFE. /ALKALIES/
[Dreisbach, R.H. Handbook of Poisoning. 12th ed. Norwalk, CT: Appleton and Lange, 1987., p. 211] **PEER REVIEWED**

There are more reviewed studies at that site.  Scary.

So to sum up the possible consequences:

• Harmful if swallowed or inhaled
• Can cause severe eye and skin burns
• Can cause severe respiratory $ digestive burns
• Repeated skin contact may cause dermatitis (Eczema)

Now, do you think if you’re using a hair spray with this chemical in it that it’s possible to get it in your eyes?  If you put it on your dishes, do you think it might be possible to ingest it?  If you spray your fruits and veggies with it, do you think you might possibly ingest it?  Let’s look at where you might commonly find this one!

• Cascade Liquid Dishwasher
• Olay Hydrating Skin Care
• Pantene Hair Spray and Hair Care
• Murphy’s Oil Soap
• Nitrile Latex Free Gloves
• Lysol Spray Cleaner
• Virboc Pet Shampoo
• Fit Fruit & Veggie Rinse

It’s a well-known fact that the dishwasher doesn’t totally remove all the residue from the dishes.  I have a great testimonial from a person who had severe eczema;  the only thing he did different was change his dishwasher powder to a phosphate free powder, eczema disappeared.

Particularly alarming is that products that spray a mist would have this chemical when it would be very easy to get a droplet in your eye.  Equally so to be spraying it on your veggies, putting it on your skin, and having it anywhere near your pets, particularly their water source.

Another alarming source is in duracell batteries (assorted sizes) and especially the little small round ones that could be easily swallowed by a young child.  These are things sometimes we don’t think about!

To learn more about this chemical and to check the products you may be using right now, go to the watch dog site .  Of the four I’ve done so far, I find this one the scariest by far, and the most alarming.  We don’t HAVE to use products that contain Potassium Hydroxide (aka/lye, Potassium hydrate, caustic potash,   Potassium hydroxide (K(OH)).

Good Health! ~ Anne