Water report (part 2: bottled water)

Because tap water is really unregulated and can literally contain anything in it, many people look into bottled water, only to find after sometime that this industry is as unregulated as in the tap water case, if not more. Make no mistake here; the bottled water industry is a billion dollar business and it is the fastest growing segment of the entire beverage industry (and the most profitable of all). In many cases, bottled water is simply tap water with some extra biocides, bottled and sold to unsuspected citizens. There are no requirements that bottled water should be any better than tap water. FDA has adopted the lowest possible quality standards for bottled water and is protecting the manufacturers by allowing them to hide the results from the minimal tests they are required to comply with (municipal water tests have to be made public). Sadly, bottled water is about 500 times more expensive than municipal water yet when it comes to the consumer’s protection it’s no better at all. The bottomline is that there is absolutely no assurance that bottled water is better than tap water. Certainly the misleading marketing which promotes bottled water as pure, natural and coming from peaceful, untouched by human hands valleys has played an important role in the way people think about and behave towards these products. Needless to say we have all been fooled.

The fact that bottled water is found to contain toxic substances quite often has been brought up by media and independent regulatory institutions in several cases; simply check the articles below.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/09/us/politics/09bottle.html

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Health/story?id=8031551&page=1

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/08/AR2009070803602.html

http://www.ewg.org/BottledWater/newsrelease/FDA-Should-Adopt-EPA-Tap-Water-Health-Goals-for-Bottled-Water

http://www.ewg.org/node/27368

There are 3 major types of bottled water.

1. Natural Mineral Water: This water is of underground origin and can be still or sparkling. There are specific criteria for bottled water to be labeled as natural mineral water. It is characterized by a constant level of minerals and trace elements and no extra substances may be added to it and it must not receive any treatment altering its original composition (with the exception of carbon dioxide). It comes from a specified ground water source and is repeatedly analyzed for over a two year period in order to be qualified as natural mineral water. It is officially recognized and approved by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and the relative quantities of elements and minerals are clearly displayed in the label of the bottle. Examples: Evian and Highland Spring
2. Spring Water: Underground water which does not go under any treatment (except for the addition of carbon dioxide) but it is not required to have a stable mineral composition. It is necessary to come from a single ground water source and to be registered with local authorities. Example: Pow pow
3. Purified Water: Underground or surface water which has undergone some kind of treatment such as addition of chemicals, distillation, reverse osmosis. Whatever the treatment this water receives, it can change its original composition by adding or removing different elements. It can come from various sources, tap water included. Chances are that the weird brand of purified water that is sold the super market is simply tap water which costs 500 times more.  In fact this has been proved quite a few times to be true.

A recent example is in 2004, when the Coca-Cola company launched in UK (January 04) the bottled water Dasani. The marketing campaign promoted this purified water to be “as pure as it gets”.  3 months later a major UK newspaper revealed that the “pure” Dasani water was in fact tap water treated, bottled and sold under the specific brand name. Just 2 weeks later, UK authorities found harmful concentrations of the potential carcinogen bromate in this bottled water. Coca-Cola pulled the brand name Dasani from the UK market and recalled 500,000 bottles of “purified” water.

So basically bottled water is hiding more or less the same dangers as tap water. Since the standards followed in this industry are the lowest possible, you shouldn’t expect any high quality products; only high prices.

There is though another factor which can make bottled water many times more dangerous than tap water: the plastic in the bottle itself. Most plastic bottles are made of PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) although PVC is still used. PET is made from terephthalic acid (TPA) and ethylene glycol (EG) both deriving from crude oil. This is a polymerization reaction and there are catalysts used in order to promote the fast production of PET such as antimony, titanium, germanium and more. Plastic bottles have 2 problems, first: that chemicals from the plastic can pass in the water (or any liquid) they contain and second: plastic can absorb chemicals from the air and subsequently pass them on the water. Substances such as naphthalene (the chemical in mothballs) have been found in unopened Volvic bottles (UK, 2005).

Concerning the chemicals used for the production of PET, I want to focus on 2 really dangerous ones which have been proven to be present in toxic quantities in bottled water. First is antimony which is used as a catalyst for the polymerization reaction. A big research project in Germany by the University of Heidelberg studied different brands of bottled water from Europe and Canada and found that the amount of antimony found in bottled water depends on the time that the water stays in the bottle. Comparing water of the same brand before being bottled and after having been in plastic bottles, the researchers found that from 4 parts in a trillion (at source), the amount of antimony in PET bottles jumped at 360 parts per trillion after only 3 months of storage at room temperature. This is a truly impressive change, showing clearly the dangers of the material used. Another study from Arizona State University examined bottled water from the US and confirmed that antimony is leaching from the PET bottles into the water when stored above 22 C. Instead of antimony, other catalysts can be used like titanium, which is inert and does not contaminate the water. Antimony is a toxic element and potential carcinogen which causes headaches, dizziness and depression in small doses, while in larger quantities it causes acute gastrointestinal disorders and vomiting. Antimony is used as a treatment of leishmaniasis and schistosomiasis with main adverse effects, in about 9% of patients, its cardiotoxicity and induction of pancreas inflammation. Finally antimony has been proven to cause breaks and mutations to DNA, respiratory problems (pneumonioconiosis) and reproductive / fertility disorders. Low dose long term exposure of antimony (the kind of slow poisoning we are subjected to all our lives by drinking water and beverages from plastic bottles) has not been studied and is unknown. Check out the articles below for more information.

Antimony toxicity

Contamination of Canadian and European bottled waters with antimony from PET containers

Antimony leaching from PET plastic used for bottled drinking water

Contamination of bottled water with antimony leaching from PET increases upon storage

Phthalates are the second class of substances which are found in bottled water. They are used in industrial production of both PVC and PET plastics because they make them flexible and soft, a property necessary for water (and beverages) bottles. They are also used in many beauty products, lubricants, pesticides and solvents. Phthalates are not chemically bound to the plastic polymer and it is very easy to leach into the water. This is a whole family of related molecules with many impressive adverse effects.

 

• Phthalates cause developmental and reproductive toxicity
• 10 or more phthalates are well known to induce male fetal endocrine toxicity and postnatal reproductive malformations (e.g. un-descended testes) by disrupting androgen production during the sexual differentiation period of development.
• Induces asthma  and allergies when inhaled with dust particles
• Have been associated with obesity

 

Toxicogenomic analysis (this is when scientists check how one potential toxic substance affects the body) revealed that upon exposure phthalates interact with 249 unique genes and their corresponding proteins. Further analysis showed that all these genes were responsible for different cardiovascular, liver, urologic, endocrine and genital diseases. As with antimony long term low dose exposure to phthalates has not been studied adequately. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in US, under the leadership of Dr Gray has shown that even low dose toxicity of phthalates (previously beyond toxicological concern) during crucial stages of male fetal development (in utero) can produce dramatic changes in male sexual characteristics.

The first study in pregnant women establishing prenatal phthalate exposure and adverse effects on genital development in baby boys

Phthalates: Toxicogenomics and inferred human diseases

Pediatric exposure and potential toxicity of phthalate plasticizers

Toxic effects of easily avoidable phthalates and parabens

Of course, except for the health effects, bottled water has loads of environmental issues linked to it, especially when we are talking about plastic bottles. Given the unprecedented rate that we pollute our planet and the un-natural nature of these products, you can easily realize the amount of un-compostable material we introduce every day to our environment. I believe that this aspect of bottled water is best summarized in the video below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Se12y9hSOM0

 

We all know that the cosmetics we use everyday are not safe. They contain a cocktail of synthetic chemicals and poisons most of which are not even minimally tested for their safety. I have personally written many articles about toxic substances in personal care products (triclosan, toothpastes, fluoride, MIT, BPA) and I will keep on posting info about this topic. For me the most important is to know what to avoid and then be aware of our alternatives and this is exactly what I am trying to do through this blog.

Cosmetics are a special case in my opinion because the big companies capitalize on the artificial stereotypes of beauty and health they have created through brainwashing commercials for decades now. An average person uses about 9-12 products for personal care every single day which in total contain 126 different chemicals and toxins. It is no surprise that so many chemicals are found in breast milk which means that the last generation has been poisoned before birth and from then onwards every single day. Although this is really sad, I truly believe that we can make a different choice and look for products that are safe and keep us healthy. It is not as easy to find those products and this is no accident at all, but there are always options. Besides, internet and online shopping bridges the gap and brings you closer to more and more options. You can always try and make some simple things at home, many people do. For example, toothpaste is so easy to make and a million times cheaper, safer and more efficient for your teeth’s health. But we have all been brainwashed that we need the products that are available in the supermarket, the super cool lotions, hair dyes and day creams available everywhere. We think these products are safe but in fact they are dangerous and toxic because they are not here to serve you but the companies producing them. You and I are just the way to their profits.

I find that there is no better summary of the situation with cosmetics at the moment, than this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfq000AF1i8

As suggested at the end of this video, I encourage you to check out this website where you will find information about the contents of your cosmetics.

Safe Cosmetics

If you know a local business making natural toxic-free cosmetics support them. In my opinion it is really important to strengthen community bonds and encourage the people who are brave enough to give us a different, healthier option against the guidelines of the gigantic, ruthless (and very unhealthy indeed) companies that simply don’t care about you.

For US, safe cosmetic brands are: As I Am Naturals, Cherry Valley Organics, Duchess Marden, Jessa Blades Natural Beauty, Simple Sugars, Third Day Luxury Soaps and The Villa Shoppe.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11158/1151814-314.stm#ixzz1OdEKRQpU

Also, you will find this awesome tool,skindeep, of great help. It is an online database of cosmetics in the market. You can find the ingredients of the products you use at the moment and also search for different ones that are toxic-free. This is a tool designed by the Environmental Working Group in order to fill the gaps left by the unregulated cosmetics industry.

• Artículo en español

 

 

More and more people are concerned about the quality of the water they drink, tap or bottled water. I have researched the subject a lot the last weeks and I am proud to write this article with my findings. It has been a long time that I wanted to investigate the water topic as it is so massively critical for our health and the truth is that there is no substitute; we simply need it.

Tap Water

It is a blessing to have clear, pure water running from your tap but unfortunately this is not the case for most of us. To begin with, the pipes in most cities are way too old and they naturally are full of mineral and impurity deposits. In some cities, e.g. London, UK,  there are water mains dating back to the Victorian era, which is anytime between 1837 to 1901. In Australia, water pipes after only 30 years look like the picture below. Now, you can imagine how the Victorian pipes in London may look like after 110-174 years…

Of course, water authorities know very well this situation and in their effort to prevent mass infections they load the public water with chemicals and antibacterial substances to “sterilize” the situation. So, in your tap water you will find the following:

• Chlorine.  This is the major disinfectant added to our water to kill bacteria and other living organisms. One big problem with this chemical is that it reacts with other organic compounds in the water and forms new lethal substances. Trihalomethanes (THMs) are an example which I will be analyzing shortly. Another problem with chlorine is that it is a poison; taken in daily even is small quantities, it accumulates in the body and can be very harmful. Chlorine is very reactive and it easily combines with harmless or even nutritious substances from the food to form new chemicals which can be harmful. For example, triclosan, often found in toothpastes, combines with chlorine and the chloroform is produced. Chloroform is easily inhaled or absorbed by the skin and can cause from depression and liver disorders to cancer. When you shower with hot water a big part of the chlorine in the water is inhaled which can be even worse than actually drinking it since it goes straight to the lung epithelium and the blood. Research has shown that chlorine causes the arteries to lose their elasticity (hence they cannot respond properly to normal or unhealthy fluctuations of blood pressure) contributing to heart disease. Chlorine destroys vitamin E, an important antioxidant, compromising the function of the heart muscle, the capillaries and blood vessels, leading to high blood pressure.
• Trihalomethanes (THMs).  These chemicals are products of interaction between chlorine and organic compounds that are already in the water. THMs are carcinogens and cause severe oxidative stress to the cells by triggering the production of free radicals. They are associated with rectal, bladder and pancreatic cancer and are suspected to cause damage to the nervous system. 50-60% of women with breast cancer have elevated THMs in their fat tissues, in comparison with women without breast cancer. Research shows that the THMs blood levels are very elevated as a direct result of showering, having a bath or even washing the dishes by hand. Like chlorine, THMs are more dangerous when inhaled than drunk.
• Fluoride. This chemical is added in order to protect the teeth from cavities. For a start the practice of adding something to water which is only meant to be applied locally on the teeth so that all people take it in their body, whether they need it (or want it) or not, is simply insane. On top of that fluoride is a byproduct from the phosphate and aluminum industries which accumulates and causes severe problems to the teeth (dental fluorosis), bones (skeletal fluorosis -they become brittle) and nervous system. A famous Chinese study found a direct link between the concentration of fluoride in the water and the drop of IQ in children. For more info on this subject you can read the relevant articles (here and here).

Except for these beauties found in your tap water, a supreme collection of pesticides, hormones, drugs and industrial pollutants are also included. Let’s see what we have…

• Hormones and pharmaceutical drugs. Caffeine, nicotine, antibiotics, painkillers, valium, chemotherapy drugs and even estrogen from contraceptive pills are found in tap water. Check out this article in Daily Mail.

Also many pharmaceutical and personal health care products escape the septic tanks and make it intact back to the drinking water deposits. Synthetic hormones can deregulate the growth, metabolism, sexual development and function. Increased incidences of testicular cancer or simply infertility could be very well linked to such cocktail of hormones. These synthetic hormones are accumulated in the fat tissues of the body and are released very slowly. A good indicator of these problems is the similar endocrine disruptions found in feminized fish and amphibians.

There is no doubt that the prevalence of antibiotics in water contributes to the development of super resistant strains of bacteria that seem to defy all efforts to battle them. Hospitalized patients today can die from infections of very common but extremely resistant strains of bacteria and this trend has been observed in all the major hospitals in the western world.

• Pesticides. These could be both agricultural and non agricultural types of pesticides. Fumigants, insecticides, rodenticides and fungicides are all free to enter our drinking water as there is not control anyway. Bare in mind that these are highly toxic poisons designed to kill. Many of them accumulate in the body fat deposits; even when they are trapped there they can cause a series of degenerative diseases. But the most dangerous part is when someone loses weight and melts the fat (which is loaded with these chemicals). In this case the pesticides are released in the body and can literally go anywhere causing acute and very severe poisoning. The most dangerous agro-chemicals, called organophosphates, are the most widespread and permanent contaminants in the environment. Lindane, a very popular pesticide in agriculture of this class was voluntarily recalled only in December of 2006 (in California banned in 2002 and in EU in 2001) which resulted in immediate drops of the concentrations of the chemical in waste water and a dramatic reduction in calls to the Poison Control System. Organophosphates have been directly linked to reduced male fertility, chronic fatigue syndrome, fetal abnormalities and Parkinson’s disease. A very worrying fact is the discovery in different places in the world of mutated frogs which are a very serious indication of highly polluted water. Indeed water samples from these areas were proved to contain many times the maximum limits of pesticides. Places where deformed frogs were found are: Minnesota (1993, 1995, 2001), Colorado and California in US,  Peterborough in UK (2007) and Ontario in Canada.

• Nitrate. It is present in all tap and bottled water since it is a substance produced during the natural decay of plant material in soil. Rain carries nitrates into ground water deposits. Nitrogenous fertilizers are also a significant source of nitrate in water. In 1984 the World Health Organization produced evidence that nitrates are associated with Methemoglobinemia (Blue Baby Syndrome), as well as stomach and intestinal cancer.
• Salts of arsenic, mercury, lead, copper and aluminum. Arsenic salts: research indicates that long term exposure to arsenic salts is related to increased risk of skin, lung, bladder and kidney cancer, the skin disease hyperkeratosis, as well as mutations in DNA (hence the cancer of course…). Aluminium salts: there is direct scientific evidence that aluminium is heavily responsible for Alzheimer’s disease and senile dementia since 1989. The amount of aluminium found in the brain cells of Alzheimer patients are 10-30 times higher than the levels found normally in the whole body. Copper salts: they come from corrosion of copper pipes. Large amounts of copper can cause nausea, intestinal disruptions, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps. Chronic exposure has been found in Germany to lead to copper induced liver cirrhosis. Lead salts: lead interferes with the metabolism of vitamin D and calcium and is particularly harmful for the nervous system of fetuses, young children and pregnant women. High levels of lead in the blood are correlated with learning disabilities, behavioral problems and mental retardation. The sources of lead pollution are very many indeed: industrial use in paints, batteries, glass, plastics and ceramics, leaded petrol and even lead water pipes. Mercury salts: industrial mercury pollution is released in the air from power stations, chemical manufacturers and industrial facilities. It precipitates in the sea, rivers or lakes and eventually accumulates in fish and water organisms. Naturally occurring bacteria convert it to methyl mercury which in turn accumulates in our body. It cannot be metabolized or broken down. Mutations in DNA which lead to cancer is the primary harm it causes but it has been linked to birth defects, brain and kidney damage and loss of coordination of limbs upon long term exposure.

 

MIT or Methylisothiazolinone is a common biocide (kills all living organisms) and preservative used in industrial and household products such as shampoos, toothpastes and soaps. Also MIT is used in dehumidifiers so it can be detected in air conditioned indoor air. When it was introduced in the market as an ingredient of cosmetics and personal care products there were not studies testing in any way its safety.

This changed in 2002 when the first study by Dr Shen Du from the University of Pittsburg was published and reported that MIT displays strong neurotoxic and cytotoxic properties in vitro; this means that cells and specifically neurons die, upon exposure to MIT. This specific research was done in cell cultures, not live animals and rather large doses of MIT were used but the results were very impressive (and sad), cells sustained extensive injuries and MIT-induced cell death.

Another study in 2004 from the same research group tried to simulate chronic exposure to MIT, like the one most of us probably have sustained while using toothpastes, hair dyes and shampoos containing small doses of MIT for prolonged period of times. MIT was found to inhibit proper growth and development of neurons. Imagine the potential damage unborn babies are subjected to because the mother shampoos her hair or brushes her teeth with MIT loaded products. In the study, the length of neural axis only managed to reach half of the total length it reached without MIT; this could mean fewer synapses (connections between neural cells) and reduced brain development for the newborn. Bear in mind that all the neural cells we have are created while in our mother’s womb, no new cells are created once we are born. The development of the brain after that stage is basically a matter of creating and establishing new neural networks which is translated as learning new skills and storing memories. I don’t even dare to think of how much brain power the last generation has lost from this chronic and debilitating poisoning it has been subjected to.

Both publications I am talking about were published in peer-reviewed scientific journals and are available to download for free through the following links.

Du et al, 2002

He et al, 2004

Despite the above research that should at least create some doubts about the safety of MIT in air conditioners and cosmetics, it is still considered safe and authorities say there is not enough evidence about it being toxic. This story is very old and we have seen it for many dangerous chemicals in widely used products and I honestly don’t understand how these people who are supposed to be responsible for protecting public health say this kind of BS. Animal studies are acceptable when a new toxic drug is tested and needs approval to go to the next stage of clinical trials; but this is not the case for neurotoxins which poison babies, children and adults all their lives, animal studies are certainly not enough in this case…. Regulatory authorities in the USA, Japan, Europe and more than 25 other countries have all independently concluded the product is safe. CFTA (Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association) responded

“The abstract on Methylisothiazolinone (MI), presented at the Cell Biology 2004 meeting of the American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) lacks a credible scientific basis in suggesting that MI could be a safety issue for consumers using personal care products. In determining the safety of any ingredient, a major factor is exposure. Cosmetic exposure is so much lower than what is presented in this abstract as to make the study meaningless for safety evaluation purposes regarding cosmetic products.”

In my personal and scientific opinion, the experiments in Pittsburg, should be the trigger for more experiments to be designed and funded in order to properly clarify and establish whether MIT is safe or not. This hasn’t happened of course and at the moment there are hundreds of widely used products out there which may be poisoning our brains. Chances are that they do that indeed. You dont have to be a rocket scientist to suspect that something poisoning cells is probably going to be quite harmful for the whole body and it will keep on poisoning the same cells once it is inside the body! Revelation…

A basic list of products containing MIT follows. It is by no means extensive or complete so do your own research. As always,  I have one piece of golden advice: Read the Labels!

A tool which you will find awesomely useful in your quest of natural, toxic-free cosmetics is skindeep,  a massive online database of personal care products with all their ingredients listed. With this tool you can interrogate the products you use already to check if they have any toxic inside and if yes, you can find safer products to use instead.

Soap Bars

Camay soap bar

Dove soap bar with ¼ moisturizing lotion

Oil of Olay bar soap for soft moisturized skin

 

Body Baths

Vaseline Intensive Care foaming crème bath, Botanical Garden

Vaseline Intensive Care Moisturizing Bath and Body oil

Vaseline Intensive Care Moisturizing Bath Beads Enriched with Aloe

Vaseline Intensive Care Moisturizing Bath Beads Peaceful Orchard

Vaseline Intensive Care Moisturizing Bath Beads Petal Soft

Vaseline Intensive Care Moisturizing Bath Beads Vitamin E

Vaseline Intensive Care Soft Petal Foaming Crème Bath

Dove Sensitive Skin Moisturizing Body Wash

Dove Ultra Moisturizing Body Wash

Vaseline Intensive Care Moisturizing Body Wash

Hair Conditioners

Clairol Herbal Essences Conditioner-Fine/Limp Hair

Clairol Intensive Blends Conditioners (4 types)

Pantene Pro V Color Revival Conditioner

Pantene Pro V Constant Care Conditioner

Pantene Pro V Deep Hydrating Treatment

Pantene Pro V Detangle Light Spray Conditioner

Pantene Pro V Essentials Hair Revival Cream

Pantene Pro V Essentials Instant Hair Quencher

Pantene Pro V Hydrating curls conditioner

Pantene Pro V Sheer Volume Conditioner

Pantene Pro V Smooth & Sleek Conditioner

Pantene Pro V: Provitamin Daily Treatment & Conditioner – Fine Hair

Pantene Pro V: Provitamin Daily Treatment Conditioner Dry Hair

Salon Selectives Conditioner Type P Protective

Salon Selectives Conditioner Type M Moisturizing

Vida Sassoon Conditioning Rinse- Stylists Choice

 

Hair Styling Products

Clairol 3 in 1 Mousse Maximum hold

LOreal Pumping Curls for Culry Hair

Pantene Pro V Ready, Set Curl Reviving Treatment

Pantene Pro V: (Alcohol Free) Styling Mousse Extra

Vidal Sassoon Alcohol Free Styling Gel Extra Hold

Vidal Sassoon Alcohol Free Styling Mousse Extra Body

Clairol 3 in 1 Condition Hairspray Extra Hold, unscented, Aerosol

Clairol Final Net all Day Hold Hairspray – Regular

Pantene Pro V Essentials Natural Body Booster Spray

Pantene Pro V Hold & Protect Non Aerosol Hairspray

Pantene Pro V Settique (the whole group of Aerosol and non Aerosol sprays)

Pantene Pro V Settique Hold & Protect with Colorshine

Pantene Pro V Shine on Glossing Spray with Colorshine

Pantene Pro V: Provitamin Wet/Dry Styling Hold Spray

Vidal Sassoon Alcohol Free spray on Gel-Extra hold

Vidal Sassoon Non Aerosol Finishing Hair Spray Ext

 

Shampoos

Clairol herbal Essences Intensive Blends Replenishing Shampoo

Clairol herbal Essences Shampoo- Fine/Limp Hair

Clairol herbal Essences Shampoo- Normal Hair

Clairol Intensive Blends Moisturizing Shampoo for Normal Hair

Clairol Intensive Blends Shampoo Protecting for Colored/Permed Hair

Pantene Pro V Classically Clean Shampoo

Pantene Pro V Essentials, Daily Strengthening Complex-1

Pantene Pro V Essentials, Daily Strengthening Complex-2

Pantene Pro V Hydrating curls shampoo

Pantene Pro V Purity Clarifying Shampoo

Pantene Pro V Sheer Volume Shampoo

Pantene Pro V Smooth and Sleek Shampoo

Salon Selectives Botanical Blends Shampoo: Aloe

Salon Selectives Shampoo Level 1: Frequent Use

Salon Selectives Shampoo Level 4: Extra Moisturizing

Salon Selectives Shampoo Level 5: Regular-Normal

 

Hair Dyes

Clairol Herbal Essences, True Intense Color

Clairol Hydrience Permanent Hair Color

Clairol Revitalique Permanent Hair Color

Garnier Nutrisse Permanent Crème Haircolor

Grecian Formula

LOreal Feria Haircolor

LOreal Open Haircolor

LOreal Preference Haircolor

Revlon High Dimension 10 Minute Permanent Haircolor

 

Mouthwashes

Listerine

Toothpastes

Aquafresh

Colgate (Baking Soda, kids, Tartar control, total)

Crest (Cavity Protection, Extra Whitening, Multi Care, Rejuvenating Effects, Sensitivity Protection, Tartar Control)

Sensodyne (Anticavity, Extra Whitening)

 

Baby Products

Johnsons Baby Bath

Johnsons Baby Bedtime

Johnsons Baby Soothing Vapor Bath

Johnsons Moisturizing Baby Bath

Johnsons Baby soap Bar

Johnsons Baby Shampoo

Johnsons kids Head to Toe

Johnsons Baby Lotion

Johnsons Baby oil

Vaseline Nursery Jelly

Vaseline Petroleum Jelly

 

Teflon is the non-stick layer in frying pans and pots. Discovered in 1938, it is patented and produced by the company Dupont and it has been in the market since the 1960s. From a chemical point of view it is a polymer called PolyTetraFluoroEthylene (PTFE) and it is considered to be one of the most slippery substances known. At the moment, Teflon is used in aerospace, communications, architecture, biotechnology, pharmaceutical industries to name a few.  You will also find in contact lenses, used as a semiconductor, as a carpet and furniture protector (it repels liquids and can be wiped clean without leaving a stain), as a fingernail protector and finally in a line of haircare products (Remington hair straighteners).                                                                              

Teflon is relatively inert so it really doesn’t like interacting with other substances. Concerning cookware, this is perfect. The problems begin in high temperatures. When Teflon breaks apart and emits toxic particles and gases. According to DuPont, their Teflon coatings do not emit hazardous chemicals through normal use since, this will occur only when temperatures exceed 340C/660F, which is way above normal cooking range. A recent set of experiments commissioned by Environmental Working Group (EWG) proved something completely different than DuPond’s claims. These studies found that within 2-5 minutes on a conventional stovetop, Teflon cookware and other non-stick surfaces can easily exceed temperatures at which the coating loses its structural integrity and emits poisonous fumes.

As the research continued: “In new tests conducted by a university food safety professor, a generic non-stick frying pan preheated on a conventional, electric stovetop burner reached 390°C in three minutes and 20 seconds, with temperatures still rising when the tests were terminated. A Teflon pan reached 382°C in just five minutes under the same test conditions, as measured by a commercially available infrared thermometer. DuPont studies show that the Teflon offgases toxic particulates at 230°C. At 360°C Teflon pans release at least six toxic gases, including two carcinogens, two global pollutants, and MFA, a chemical lethal to humans at low doses. At temperatures that DuPont scientists claim are reached on stovetop drip pans (537°C), non-stick coatings break down to a chemical warfare agent known as PFIB, and a chemical analog of the WWII nerve gas phosgene.”

Another issue with teflon is that it contains a potent carcinogen called C8 or PFOA. This fact was originally hidden from EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). C8 is used regularly in molecular biology experiments in order to induce mutations in the DNA; it affects the enzymes that are responsible for DNA replication and protein synthesis rather than DNA itself. It is a proven carcinogen for all cells cultures (human and animal) and laboratory animals used in genetics and biology. Now, here maybe some of you will just say that this is way too exaggerated and since it has not been proven that it causes cancer to humans, what is the problem? Well, DuPond seems to think exactly the same way but as a geneticist, I am asking: if a toxin is causing cancer to your cells, do you really believe that it will not cause any problem to your body as a whole? Another valid question would be this: when it comes to pharmaceutical research, we always base our initial experiments and derived knowledge on laboratory animals. Drugs are literally developed and initially tested in animals but that is ok for pharma research? Lets be honest please… C8 is considered to be carcinogenic by scientists and they prove its carcinogenicity every day by publishing experiments for cancer research; there are hundreds of articles out there… DuPont has faced several lawsuits about this topic. In 2004, residents of Parkersburg in West Virginia, where DuPond makes its non-stick chemical, received $82 million to settle a class action. In 2005, DuPond was sued for $5 billion in a class action amid claims that the company knew that Teflon caused cancer but carried on selling it regardless. Did they know? Of course they did. There are experimental data since the 80s about the carcinogenic action of C8 in rats.  C8 has also contaminated the drinking water supplies of 30,000 people in the Ohio River Valley, according to court records in a class-action lawsuit there. . . The 3M Co., the original manufacturer of C-8, began to phase out the chemical in 2000, citing environmental concerns. The company gave the EPA a series of studies showing that C-8 causes birth defects and cancer in rats. The studies also showed that C8 was detected in the blood of 98 percent of 598 children tested in 23 states and the District of Columbia.

To underscore the growing concern over this product, the EPA instituted a “global stewardship program” to reduce PFOA emissions, totally eliminating it by the year 2015. DuPont has signed up for the new program, admitting that something can be done about teflon-coated cookware.

It is widely known that scratched Teflon cookware, when heated, has the potential to kill birds. Chemicals are released into the air during heating, specifically perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). The respiratory system of birds is very sensitive to gases (the reason why canaries were used in coal mines and in Vietnam War to detect lethal gases). If their lungs are affected, who knows what harm these gases are doing to human lungs? The lungs of exposed birds have been known to bleed and fill up with fluid leading to suffocation, a condition called “Teflon Toxicosis.” Most bird owners are unaware of this hazard. For humans an effect called “polymer fume fever” has been acknowledged. This is said to be a temporary influenza-like syndrome, but it is still unknown what the long term effects of exposure might be. As if this was not bad enough, when the pans with these coatings get scratched during cooking, small amounts of plastic and leached aluminum cling to the food and then are ingested.  If you have scratched Teflon-coated cookware in your possession, throw it away! If you still wish to use your Teflon cookware, it’s important not to use metal utensils. Use wood, rubber, or plastic to avoid scratching the surface.

Alternative cookware

1)      Anodized Aluminum. The electro-chemical anodizing process locks in the cookware’s base metal, aluminum, so that it can’t get into food, and makes for what many cooks consider an ideal non-stick and scratch-resistant cooking surface. Calphalon is a reputed company manufacturing hard anodized aluminum cookware but they recently switched to a new range of Infused Anodized sealed with a polymer coating; the original series of hard anodized cookware in not produced anymore. All-Clad is very reliable and Meyer has a vast experience in crafting hard anodized cookware.

2)      Cast Iron. Excellent heat retention and diffusion, they can retain high temperatures for a long time. Small amounts of iron escape in the food, which is beneficial, unless you have the disease hemochromatosis. Only drawback: they need seasoning in order to be non-stick.

3)      Enameled Cast Iron. Lovely cookware in great colours with all the pros of the plain cast iron pots, plus they are more non-stick and do not require seasoning.  Le Creuset has an extensive and quite pricey range of those but Mario Batali has come up with a new collection of enameled cast iron in almost half the Le Creuset prices.

4)      GreenPans. Patented nanotechnology coating Thermolon. Non-stick, Teflon-free cookware that are safe to cook with.

5)      Moneta – nanotechnology coating CERAMICA®, Certified PTFE-Free and PFOA-Free.

6)      Himalyan salt slab. A new concept and product. Literally a block of crystal salt to cook on, substituting frying pan. Himalayan salt in practically untouched by any pollution or toxic chemicals.

7)      Glass. Glass is the most inert material for cooking. Go for awesome Pyrex baking trays, you can’t go wrong with these.

 

Is this your toothpaste? Hmmm maybe you would like to reconsider. Most commercial products out there have untested chemicals inside and Colgate total is no exception. I use this specific brand not because it is the only one (most toothpastes share the same ingredients with this) that has poisons but simply because it is so popular.

Let’s begin with what is true about it. Yes, it keeps your teeth covered for 12 hours as promised. Colgate total has an ingredient called PVM/MA copolymer which literally sticks the “protective” molecules on your teeth for several hours. So, no matter what you do, whatever Mr Colgate put in your toothpaste to keep you safe from harm will stay there.

On top of that, Colgate total is full of goodnessJ. Check out the list below.

• Methylisothiazolinone or MIT: a potential neurotoxin, untested in humans but found to kill and slow down neural cells development in mice. Used for its antibacterial properties.
• Fluoride: causes dental and skeletal fluorosis, lowers IQ in children. (get full article here)
• Cl 42090: carcinogen which has been banned in Austria, Sweden, Germany, France and Belgium (yet Colgate is sold there as well!)
• Triclosan: under certain circumstances reacts with the chlorine in water and chloroform is produced. Chloroform can be easily absorbed via skin or inhaled and is associated with depression, liver disorders and cancer. Also, disrupts thyroid function. (get full article here)
• Saccharine (as a sweetener): has been repeatedly proved to cause cancer in animals

If you are not happy with this list,  check your alternatives.

1. Use natural, chemical-free toothpastes. I have been using the salt toothpaste from weleda for a few years now and it is by far the best I have tried. I am sure there are a lot more out there, find what is best and easier for you to get.
2. Make your own. This is extremely easy and in fact many people who have suffered serious dental problems switched to homemade toothpaste and saw their teeth healthy again without undergoing any expensive or evasive dental surgeries and treatments.