Home School Health

In writing for Spectrum Home School, I wished to present the possible effects Sodium Lauryl/Laureth and Parabens can have on others' health; however, I realized, though I had read books and articles relating to health, and taken measures to rid my house of personal care products with harmful chemicals, I didn't feel qualified to write a precautionary article on this home school website.

Then, I recalled, during my extensive researching for healthy alternatives to common day household products, which I began during the early part of 2008, I came across a great little company called "Bubble and Bee Organic." And I remembered how much Ms. Greenwood's articles had helped me in the beginning of my better health journey, so I contacted her and asked for permission to share her informative articles.

I would like to thank Ms. Greenwood for her contribution. Here is what Ms. Greenwood has to say about our overall health and specific ingredients in common everyday products we use. After reading this, you might want to toss out that underarm deodorant.

Please do not copy Ms. Greenwood's article without first contacting her via her website Bubble and Bee Organic

Top Ten Reasons to Avoid SLS

Written by Stephanie Greenwood 2007

Here are my top ten reasons you should not use anything containing SLS.

1. It is a known skin irritant. When cosmetic companies need to test the healing properties of a lotion, they need to irritate the skin first. What do they use to do this? SLS, of course. If you have dandruff, dermatitis, canker sores, or other irritated tissues or skin, it could be due to SLS.

2. It pollutes our groundwater. It is toxic to fish and other aquatic animals and has the potential for bioaccumulation (meaning it accumulates in the bodies of the fish.) It also is undetected in many municipal water filters, getting into the tap water that you drink.

3. It is actually a pesticide and herbicide. It is commonly used to kill plants and insects. Makers of SLS recently petitioned to have SLS listed as an approved pesticide for organic farming. The application was denied because of its polluting properties and environmental damage.

4. It emits toxic fumes when heated. Toxic Sodium Oxides and Sulfur Oxides are released when SLS is heated. Makes a hot shower with an SLS shampoo seem not quite as nice...

5. It has corrosive properties. According to the American College of Toxicity, this includes corrosion of the fats and proteins that make up skin and muscle. SLS can be found in garage floor cleaners, engine degreasers, and car wash soaps.

6. Long-term permeation of the body's tissues. A study from the University of Georgia Medicine showed that SLS had the power to permeate the eyes, brain, heart, and liver.

7. It's an eye irritant. It was shown to cause cataracts in adults, and is proven to inhibit the proper formation of eyes in small children.

8. Nitrate and other solvent contamination. Toxic solvents, including carcinogenic nitrates are used in the manufacturing of SLS, traces of which can remain in the product.

9. Manufacturing process is highly polluting, emitting cancer-causing volatile organic compounds, sulfur compounds, and air particulates.

10. It helps other chemicals get into your body. SLS is a penetration enhancer, meaning that its molecules are so small they're able to cross the membranes of your body's cells. Once cells are compromised, they become more vulnerable to other toxic chemicals that may be with the SLS.

Does it cause cancer?SLS is not a recognized carcinogen itself, but there is some truth behind those internet rumors. When SLS is mixed with triethanolamine (or T.E.A) carcinogenic substances called nitrosames can form and be released.

You can find more articles at: Bubble and Bee Organic

Home School Health Continued

The Problem with Parabens

Written by Stephanie Greenwood

Parabens are a group of chemicals used as preservatives in lotions, conditioners, shampoos, deodorants. They are listed on the label as methylparaben, butylparaben, ethylparaben, benzylparaben, isobutylparaben, and propylparaben. They are sold under different cosmetic names, including Germaben II and LiquiPar Oil.

What’s the big deal?

Since 2000, thirteen studies have shown that parabens display estrogenic activity.

Other studies have also shown that parabens have accumulated in breast cancer tissue. Although paraben supporters claim that the body breaks the chemical down quickly, these studies show that complete parabens accumulated in the tumors, not being broken down at all. It has been proven that excess estrogen does lead to reproductive cancers (like breast and uterine cancer), and it has been proven that parabens act like estrogen and accumulate in the body. The dots haven’t been officially connected by the FDA, but the case for parabens looks pretty grim. The European Journal of Cancer Prevention reported that “Frequency and earlier onset of antiperspirant/deodorant usage with underarm shaving were associated with an earlier age of breast cancer diagnosis.” It is possible that the parabens (and other chemicals) in the antiperspirant are to blame for this.

Does everyone agree about this?Of course not. Chemical and cosmetic companies love parabens because they give products long shelf lives and they’re cheap.

Why hasn’t the FDA banned them?Because they claim that the evidence is not conclusive. The FDA doesn't want to step on the cosmetic and pharmaceutical companies toes because of their close ties.

Does Bubble and Bee sell products with parabens?Absolutely not.

Are parabens ever hidden under other names?Some companies may incorrectly list their ingredients, putting the brand name Germaben II instead of listing the actual ingredients.

Sources:

Parabens and Breast Cancer, www.breastcancerfund.org

McGrath KG (2003). An earlier age of breast cancer diagnosis related to more frequent use of antiperspirants/deodorants and underarm shaving. European Journal of Cancer Prevention 12:479-485.

Chemical Data Base

Organic Labeling Lies

Top Five Chemicals to Avoid