PBS Presents Bill Moyers Investigative Report on the Chemical Industry

 Toxins in the home: Healthy Choice is a non-profit organization comprised of doctors, nurses, environmental scientists and educators committed to teaching the public about the hazards of chemicals in our homes and how we can avoid or minimize the risk.

50% of all illness is due to poor indoor air quality.  (Source: 1989 State of Massachusetts study)

Three groups of people are primarily affected by indoor chemical concentrations because they spend more time indoors and their immune systems are weaker.

Infants and Toddlers

Elderly

Chronically Ill

(Source: 1988 EPA, 5-year study)

Just reducing and not eliminating environmental carcinogens alone, would save at least 50,000 people annually from cancer.  (Source: Dr. Lee Davis, former advisor to Secretary of Health)

Women who work in the home have a 54% higher death rate from cancer than those who work outside the home. (Source: 17-year EPA study)

Over 150 chemicals found in the average home have been linked to allergies, birth defects, cancer and psychological abnormalities. (Source: Consumer Product Safety Commission)

Some Products release contaminants into the air right away, others do so gradually over a period of time.  Some stay in the air up to a year.  These contaminants found in may household and personal care products can cause dizziness, nausea, allergic reactions, eye/skin/respiratory tract irritations and some cause cancer. (Source: American Lung Association)

Over the last 20-30 years, as more toxic chemicals have been introduced in greater amounts, the level of toxins stored in our bodies has risen.  Bio-accumulation studies have shown that some toxins store in our bodies for life.

Greater and greater amounts are being stored at younger ages.  Diseases that used to occur later in life are now appearing at a younger age.  Disease that used to be rare is more frequent.  For Example:

            There has been a 28% increase in childhood cancer since the addition of

pesticides into household products. (Source: National Cancer Institute)

In one decade, there has been a 42% increase in asthma (20% for men; 82% for

women – the higher rate for women is believed to be due to women’s longer

exposure times to household chemicals) Meaning: We do all the housework! (Source: Center for Disease Control)

Due to the increase of toxic buildup in our bodies, including the toxic buildup of formaldehyde, dead bodies are not decomposing as fast as they used to.  (Source: National Institute of Health)  Bodies now start to decompose within 7 to 10 days after death; During the Vietnam war, bodies started to decompose within 24 – 48 hours; Americans didn’t start to decompose for 4-5 days.  Twice as much formaldehyde was needed to embalm a person 20 years ago as compared to today.

There is an increased risk for Leukemia in children where parents have used pesticides in the home or garden before child’s birth.  (Source: Journal of the National Cancer Institute)

Out of 1,435 pesticide poisonings in a one-year period, over 40% were due to exposure to disinfectants and similar cleaning products in the home.  (Source: State of California Study)

Liquid dish soap is the leading cause of poisonings in the home. (Most brands contain formaldehyde and ammonia)

Warning labels on containers refer ONLY to toxic hazards from ingestion.  Only 10% of health problems are from chemicals ingested.  90% are caused by the inhalation of vapors and absorption or particles.

Government regulations require that only the most extremely toxic substances should be removed from your house immediately:

                                    Do not induce vomiting

                                    Corrosive – Rinse skin immediately

                                    Harmful or fatal if swallowed

                                    Call physician immediately – Get emergency aid

                                    Warning! One teaspoon of product may harm or kill an adult

                                    Danger! 5-Drops can harm or kill an adult

The top 12 cancer causing products in the average home include the following:

·        Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder w/talc

·        Crest Tarter Control Toothpaste

·        V05 Hair Conditioner

·        Clairol Nice N’ Easy Hair Color

·        Ajax Cleanser

·        Lysol Disinfectant

(Source: The National Cancer Prevention Coalition)

Of the chemicals found in personal care products:

·        884 are toxic

·        146 cause tumors

·        218 cause reproductive complications

·        314 cause biological mutations

·        376 cause skin and eye irritations

(Source: U.S. House of Representatives report, 1989)

The State of California recently passed legislation requiring a 45% reduction in the amount of toxins found in:

·        Hairspray Aerosols

·        Furniture Polish

·        Window Cleaners

·        Air Fresheners

·        Laundry Detergents

·        Nail Polish Remover

·        Insect Repellent

·        Hair Styling Gel and Mousse

·        Shaving Cream

(Source: Healthy Homes in a Toxic World)

Phenol is a very common chemical found in household products.  Health effects from Phenol include: Corrosive to any tissue; harmful to the Central Nervous System; Primary route of entry is through the skin.

Phenol is found in the following products:

·        Air Fresheners

·        Carmex

·        Blistex

·        Anti-itching and pain relieving lotions

·        Chloroseptic throat spray

·        Feminine products and sprays

·        Furniture Polish

·        Disinfectant Cleaners

·        All-Purpose Cleaners

The following products are just a few that are so toxic they should be disposed in a toxic waste dump:

·        Floor Care Products

·        Furniture Polish

·        Window Cleaner

·        Bug Spray

·        Nail Polish Remover

(Source: Water Pollution Control Federation)

Give your family a clean bill of health

by switching from your highly toxic products to products that can really make a difference in your current lifestyle.

Ask me how you can get products that are CHEAPER, and HEALTHIER than what you’re using right now.

Wouldn’t you like to save money on safer, healthier products?

Safe for your home