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

As we explore these different toxic ingredients, it’s important to remember that what we put on the skin gets absorbed INTO the skin, thus into the blood stream!  If you don’t believe this, why did they come up with the “patch” to help us get off the cigarettes?  How do you think it gets the nicotine to us?  With most of these ingredients you should at least be wearing latex gloves and have a mask on.  Seems to me it would be easier to find a better solution!

Today we’re going to look at BUTYL CELLOSOLVE

Possible consequences:

• Linked to reproductive harm
• Can cause irritation and tissue damage from inhalation
• Exposure for 15 min. while cleaning shower, could inhale 3x the acute exposure limit
• Exposure thru the skin

This is why with this chemical you should be wearing gloves and a mask! And of course, these are products you wouldn’t normally do that with.  Butyl Cellosolve has been linked to reproductive issues.  How many people 50 years ago had trouble having children?  Only a few, but most of us today knows at least one person who has had trouble getting pregnant.

How many of these products do you have hanging around?

• Windex original
• Spot Shot Carpet Cleaner
• Simple Green cleaner/degreaser
• Fantastik lemon scent cleaner
• 409 wipes
• 409 All purpose cleaner
• Fantastik Oven Cleaner
• Orange Glo Spot Remover
• Pledge Electronics

And once again, these are just some of them.  You should go to the watch dog site at http://www.householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/ingredients.htm to see what other products do, or to check to see if one of yours is on the list.

What is also important to point out here is that just because a product SAYS it’s “green” “organic” or “natural” doesn’t mean it really is.  We need to educate ourselves more than ever today!

Tomorrow we will look at HYDROCHLORIC ACID

To your good health! ~ Anne