Have you Read the Warning Labels on your Personal Care
Products?
Would you wash your children's hair and brush their teeth with brake fluid, engine degreaser or
anti-freeze? You probably are and don't know it!
Check for these potentially harmful ingredients - this is a very
short list (tip of the iceberg) but ingredients that are commonly
used in many personal care products.
Alcohol: May increase the risk of developing oral and throat cancer.
Aluminum: Related to nerve damage and brain disorders, such as
Alzheimer's.
Butane: Aerosol propellant. Is flammable and in high doses may
be narcotic or cause asphyxiation.
Diethanolamine (DEA): Foam-boosting surfactant. A potential
carcinogen that may form carcinogenic nitrosamines when
combines with nitrites.
Flavoring: Some can be potentially carcinogenic.
Fluoride: A potential carcinogen
Propane: Aerosol propellant. Is flammable and in high doses may
be narcotic.
Propylene Glycol: Has been shown to cause dermatitis, kidney and
liver abnormalities. Inhibits skin cell growth. Very irritating to the
skin. May damage cell membranes causing rashes, dry skin and
surface damage to skin/
Salt: Very drying, irritating, and corrosive.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES): Same effects as SLS,. only much
harsher. Contains ether.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS): SLS is a harsh industrial cleaning
chemical. Builds up in the heart, liver, lungs, and brain. Could
retard healing, cause cataracts, roughen skin, and lead to improper
eye development in children under 6 years. Can cause roughness
and flaking of the skin. Is a caustic cleanser that could corrode the
hair follicle and may impair its ability to grown hair. Is routinely
used in clinical studies to deliberately irritate the skin so the effects
of other substances can be tested.
Sodium Fluoride: Has been shown to be a potential carcinogen.
Talc: Skin irritant. A known carcinogen and cause of ovarian
cancer
Tallow (Animal Fat): Weighs down the hair and attracts dirt.
Check the labels of your current products for the following
potentially harmful ingredients. Note the warnings and cautionary
statements printed on many of these products.
MOUTHWASHES
Alcohol
Flavoring
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
TOOTHPASTES
Fluoride
Sodium Fluoride
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
SHAMPOOS
Diethanolamine (DEA)
Propylene Glycol
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
CONDITIONERS
Diethanolamine (DEA)
Propylene Glycol
Tallow (Animal Fat)
SHAVING GELS/CREAMS
Diethanolamine (DEA)
Propylene Glycol
Salt
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
DEODORANTS
Aluminum
Butane
Propane
Propylene Glycol
Talc
SHOWER BARS/GELS
Diethanolamine (DEA)
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
Tallow (Animal Fat)
A September 6, 1997 article in The Boston Globe cited Senator
Edward M. Kennedy's statement that the General Account Office
has identified more than 125 cosmetic ingredients suspected of
causing cancer-along with others that may cause birth defects.
The information is provided to encourage you to READ the
labels on your personal care products and to make educated
choices for you and your family.