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glossary
Harmful Chemicals and Toxins
Here is a breakdown of some of the chemicals and toxins you find in everyday objects, the products they are in, the health risks and some alternative solutions.
Bisphenol A (BPA)
Definition: A synthetic substance widely used to make polycarbonated plastics for the past 50 years to make them durable. Type of plastic: polycarbonate #7.
Products: Found in food and drink containers, the lining of tin cans, toys, baby bottles, dental sealants, flame retardants, and plastic wraps. This chemical easily leaches out into food and water. Polycarbonate plastic, which is clear and nearly shatter-proof, is used to make a variety of common products including baby and water bottles, sports equipment, medical and dental devices, dental fillings and sealants, lenses, CDs and DVDs, and household electronics. Epoxy resins containing bisphenol A are used as coatings on the inside of almost all food and beverage cans. Bisphenol A is also a precursor to the flame retardant, tetrabromobisphenol A, and was formerly used as a fungicide.
Health problems: Endocrine Disruptor. Increase of obesity, diabetes, cancer (breast and prostrate). Reduced fertility.
Alternatives: stainless steel water bottles, glass and stainless food containers, mother’s milk, bpa free compost fillings.
Dioxins
Definition: Dioxin is a general name applied to a group of hundreds of chemicals that are highly persistent in the environment. The most toxic compound is 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, or TCDD. Dioxin is formed as an unintentional by-product of many industrial processes involving chlorine such as waste incineration, chemical and pesticide manufacturing, and pulp and paper bleaching. Small molecules are diffused into the atmosphere, then land on soil, where they are eaten by soil microbes. From there they pass up the food chain into meat, fish, and dairy products and breast milk. We absorb 90% of the dioxin in our bodies through food sources, though you won’t find it listed on any label. Levels have been decreasing since the 1990’s with environmental measures, but it is still probably the most prevalent toxic chemical in our environment.
Health problems: A persistent organic pollutant, known human carcinogen, and endocrine disruptors. Short term exposure leads to skin lesions and liver problems. Long-term exposure effects the immune system, nervous system, endocrine system, and reproductive system.
Products: Anti-bacterial/triclosan products, bleached products like feminine care.
Alternatives: Castille Soap, feminine care products that don’t use bleach
Lead
Description: Lead is a soft, malleable poor metal, also considered to be one of the heavy metals. Lead has a bluish-white color when freshly cut, but tarnishes to a dull grayish color when exposed to air. It has a shiny chrome-silver luster when melted into a liquid.
Products: Lead is used in building construction, lead-acid batteries, bullets and shot, weights, and is part of solder, pewter, fusible alloys and radiation shields. Paint in household prior to 1978, lipstick, children’s toys, pipes, water, ceramic plates with glazes (red/orange), lunch boxes
Health problems: Ingestion of contaminated food and drinking water is the most common source of lead exposure in humans. Use of lead in gasoline, paints and ceramic products, caulking, and pipe solder has been dramatically reduced in recent years because of health concerns. Exposure can also occur via inadvertent ingestion of contaminated soil/dust or lead-based paint. Low levels can cause permanent brain damage and affect the nervous system, kidney and blood cells. High levels can cause coma or death.
Alternatives: Low VOC Paint, healthy non toxic cosmetics, healthytoys.org, test your water and plates for lead.
Mercury
Description: A heavy, silvery d-block metal, mercury is one of six elements that are liquid at or near room temperature and pressure.
Products: Amalgam dental fillings, thermometers, thermostats, Compact Fluorescent Lighting
Health problems : Can transform into methyl mercury, an extremely potent neurotoxin.
Alternatives: Composite Fillings, digital thermometers/thermostats, LED lighting.
Parabens (propoyl, methal, ethal)
Description: Parabens are a group of chemicals widely used as preservatives in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. These compounds, and their salts, are used primarily for their bacteriocidal and fungicidal properties.
Products : Shampoos, commercial moisturizers, shaving gels, personal lubricants, topical/parenteral pharmaceuticals, spray tanning solution and toothpaste. They are also used as food additives.Personal care products like lotions, shampoos, moisturizers, toothpaste, and cosmetics.
Health problems: Endocrine Disruptors, found in breast cancer tumors.
Alternatives: Read labels and purchase products without parabens.
Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) – fire retardants
Description: Categorized as a persistent organic pollutant (POP), this substance is stored in animal fats and thus found in dairy products, meat, fish, and human breast milk, and has been banned in several countries. It has also been detected in house dust.
Health problems: Persistent and bioaccumulative. A neurotoxic chemical.
Products: Found in flame retardants used on furniture, curtains, mattresses, carpets, television and computer castings. pillows, beds, pac and plays, car seats, car interiors, phones, rugs, drapes, children’s sleep ware. Read labels to make sure they don’t meet with the compliance of the fire laws of California.
Alternatives: Check labels for fire laws when purchasing rugs, drapes and clothing. You will need a doctor’s note when you want to buy a bed that you don’t want PBDE’s sprayed on it.
Perfluorinated Chemicals (PFCs, including PFOA and PFOS)
Description: PFOA is also formed as an unintended byproduct in the production of fluorotelomers[42] and is present in finished goods treated with fluorotelomers, including those intended for food contact. Fluorotelomers are applied to food contact papers because they are lipophobic: they prevent oil from soaking into the paper from fatty foods.
Health problems :PFCs will NEVER break down. Linked to many health problems including cancer and liver damage.
Products and test: Wax paper, Teflon, scotch guard, water resistant furniture, stain resistant furniture, popcorn bags, to go container linings, carpets, drapes, shower curtains
Alternatives: Stainless steel lunches, cloth napkins to wrap food, untreated furniture and play equipment, popcorn popped on the stove, your own to go containers that are stainless steel, untreated carpets and drapes, hemp shower curtains.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
Since 1976 PCB’s have been banned in new products, but they are highly stable compounds that degrade very slowly, and these chemicals still persist.
Products: Once used widely as insulation fluid in electrical transformers, lubricating oil in pipelines, and components of plastics and mixed with adhesives, paper, inks, paints and dyes.
Health Problems: Linked to problems with the immune system, reproductive systems, the nervous system, and cancer.
Action: Bioaccumlative/legacy chemical and in the environment.. PUSH to remove in policy.
Phthalates – makes pvc soft plastic – contact, off gassing
Definition: Synthetic substances added to plastics to make them softer, more flexible and resilient. They also extend staying power.
Health Problems: Endocrine disruptor. Problems include feminization of male genitals, reproductive issues.
Products: They are found in IV tubing, vinyl flooring, glues, inks, pesticides, detergents, plastic bags, food packaging, children’s toys, shower curtains, soaps, shampoos, perfumes, hair spray and nail polish.Personal care products, shower curtains, car interior, toys, medical devices, lunch boxes, fragrances and perfumes, candles that are scented.
Alternatives: Buy products with the number of plastic 5, 2 on them. Hemp shower curtains, stainless steel lunch boxes, fragrance-free products, essential oils and candles made from bees wax and soy.
Triclosan – Anti-Bacterial
Description: A persistent, bioaccumulative chemical found in Anti-Bacterial Products.
Health problems: include affects on the immune system, endocrine system, and reproductive system. Known fertility problems.
Products: Anti-bacterial soaps and lotions, shampoos, etc.
Alternatives: Castile Soap and products without anti-bacterial properties like Triclosan.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
Description: Gases with a variety of chemicals that have a persistent odor.
Health Problems: Eye, nose and lung irritation. Damage to the liver, kidneys, and central nervous systems and forms of cancer.
Products: Paint, formaldehyde, air fresheners, plywood, furniture (mdf), particle board, carpets, furniture.
Alternatives: Solid wood furniture, cabinets with water based glues, essential oils, spices, natural fiber carpets, furniture made from natural fibers and stuffing.
(PVC) #3 plastic
Definition: Polyvinyl chloride, (IUPAC Poly(chloroethanediyl)) commonly abbreviated PVC, is the third most widely used thermoplastic polymer after polyethylene and polypropylene. It can be made softer and more flexible by the addition of plasticizers, the most widely-used being phthalates.
Health problems: Because soft PVC toys have been made for babies for years, there are concerns that these additives leach out of soft toys into the mouths of the children chewing on them. Phthalates mimic human hormones and also affect various life forms including fish and invertebrates adversely.Other vinyl products, including car interiors, shower curtains, flooring, initially release chemical gases into the air.
Products: Clothing and upholstery, and to make flexible hoses and tubing, flooring, to roofing membranes, and electrical cable insulation. It is also commonly used in figurines and in inflatable products such as waterbeds, pool toys or jump houses. Toys, pipes, shower curtains, building materials, vinyl flooring
Alternatives: Wooden and cloth toys that are untreated, hemp shower curtains, wood flooring.
Pesticides and Herbicides
In particular, atrazine, simazine, and heptachlor and other organophosphates and organochlorines have been found to be toxic to the nervous system and to show damaging reproductive (e.g., decreasing sperm motility) and developmental effects.
Heavy Metals
Cadmium and arsenic are two heavy metals in widespread use whose endocrine disrupting mechanisms of action have been described. Mercury and lead are also implicated, and more studies are underway on heavy metals.
Chemicals found in Cleaning Products:
Petroleum Distillates (in metal polishes): short-term exposure can cause temporary eye clouding; longer exposure can damage the nervous system, skin, kidneys, and eyes;
Sodium Hypochlorite (in chlorine bleach): if mixed with ammonia, releases toxic chloramine gas. Short-term exposure may cause mild asthmatic symptoms or more serious respiratory problems;
Ammonia (in glass cleaners): eye irritant, can cause headaches and lung irritation;
Phenol and Cresol (in disinfectants): corrosive; can cause diarrhea, fainting, dizziness, and kidney and liver damage;
Nitrobenzene(in furniture and floor polishes): can cause skin discoloration, shallow breathing, vomiting, and death; associated with cancer and birth defects;
Formaldehyde (a preservative in many products): suspected human carcinogen; strong irritant to eyes, throat, skin, and lungs.
Perchloroethylene or 1-1-1 trichloroethane solvents (in spot removers and carpet cleaners): can cause liver and kidney damage if ingested; perchloroethylene is an animal carcinogen and suspected human carcinogen;
Naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene (in mothballs): naphthalene is a suspected human carcinogen that may damage eyes, blood, liver, kidneys, skin, and the central nervous system; paradichlorobenzene can harm the central nervous system, liver, and kidneys;
Hydrochloric Acid or Sodium Acid Sulfate (in toilet bowl cleaner) either can burn the skin or cause vomiting diarrhea and stomach burns if swallowed; also can cause blindness if inadvertently splashed in the eyes;
Residues from fabric softeners, as well as the fragrances commonly used in them, can be irritating to susceptible people; possible ingredients of spray starch (aside from the starch) include formaldehyde, phenol, and pentachlorophenol; in addition, any aerosolized particle, including cornstarch, may irritate the lungs.
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