Hormone Disruptors (xenoestrogens) in Personal Care and Cosmetic Products and What This Means for Your Health.
Do something.
You wouldn't put estrogen cream on your entire body, would you?
Not knowingly, right? Most of us are smart enough to know that the human body regulates hormones pretty effectively. Both men and women have specific levels of both estrogen and testosterone in our bodies. Throughout our lives these levels vary, depending on which stage of life we are in. From childhood to old age, hormones play a vital role in health.
Over the past 8 years my knowledge about hormone disruption has continually increased - and the chemical companies making this garbage are keeping up at an alarming pace. The more I learn, the more they stuff these nasty chemicals into every product on the market. There are over 800,000 toxic chemicals that go into everyday products from toothpaste to Lysol, to Febreeze to hand lotion.
Spend one single day looking at each product you put on your skin, or into the air you breathe - then ask yourself: Are all of these products really necessary? Are you supporting something that you believe in or following societal norms to fit an image expected of you? Are you supporting evil corporations with your purchases? Do these companies care about your health, safety and well being?
Do you ever notice how your pets leave the room when you fill the air with Febreeze or Lysol? This is not coincidence. These disgusting contaminants are harmful to pets, to children, and to you.
TED Talks: Toxic Baby
But, it doesn't say "estrogen" on the label... How can this be?
This information is provided by Wikipedia - and while this particular entry can be bit technical, and overwhelming, its excellent information. Here's a list of common ingredients that your body will uptake via the skin, and recognize as hormones. What this means is that you get the effect of the hormone, and your body may produce less of it's own to compensate.
If you haven't already, please watch the video above, so you can understand how prevalent these chemicals are in the human body. They are found in tumors, and in the cord blood of newborn infants. This isn't junk science - and this issue must be brought to light.
The VERY first ingredient to avoid: Fragrance (aka Parfum). This chemical concoction can contain literally HUNDREDS of synthetic chemicals from the list below. The only thing the FDA requires companies to tell you is that it's "fragrance". A great place to read about "fragrance" is here at the Cosmetics Database. You can also read thousands of studies on PubMed. Don't let the sweet smelling names fool you. There is almost no regulation on what is put into fragrance. That's why self-regulation is important.
On to the list:
- alkylphenols (intermediate chemicals used in the manufacture of other chemicals)
- atrazine (weedkiller)
- 4-Methylbenzylidene camphor (4-MBC) (sunscreen lotions)
- butylated hydroxyanisole, BHA (food preservative)
- bisphenol A (monomer for polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resin; antioxidant in plasticizers) also known as BPA - its also what receipts are printed with.
- dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (one of the breakdown products of DDT)
- dieldrin (banned insecticide)
- DDT (banned insecticide)
- endosulfan (widely banned insecticide)
- erythrosine, FD&C Red No. 3 (E127)
- ethinylestradiol (combined oral contraceptive pill) (released into the environment as a xenoestrogen)[35]
- heptachlor (restricted insecticide)
- lindane, hexachlorocyclohexane (restricted insecticide)
- metalloestrogens (a class of inorganic xenoestrogens)
- methoxychlor (banned insecticide)
- nonylphenol and derivatives (industrial surfactants; emulsifiers for emulsion polymerization; laboratory detergents; pesticides)
- pentachlorophenol (restricted general biocide and wood preservative)
- polychlorinated biphenyls, PCBs (banned; formerly used in electrical oils, lubricants, adhesives, paints)
- parabens (lotions) On the label - words containing: propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl.
- phthalates (plasticizers)
- DEHP (plasticizer for PVC)
- Propyl gallate (used to protect oils and fats in products from oxidation)
Bag It: How plastics get into our bodies, our oceans, our food supply.
Do something about it.
It can become overwhelming to realize that if you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem. Don't give up! Make small changes in your life and in your shopping habits that create an impact.
Buy less plastic. Support companies who support our planet. Put your money where your mind is. We need you, our earth needs you. Every one of us has to step up. Start thinking for yourself, and stop allowing corporate giants make us sick. Pull your dollars from any company who does not fit your belief structure and be part of this important change. Start now. A great place to find clean, safe cosmetics and household cleaners is at Safe Clean Cosmetics.
Please rate and comment. I'd love to hear how you feel about this issue.
