In today’s society where you are surrounded by all sorts of air, water and soil based toxins any way to avoid chemical exposure can be essential to your health. Most chemicals are not biodegradable and as a result can easily accumulate in body tissues. Chemicals and toxins are very difficult to eliminate from the body and can slow healing and/or full recovery of a pending health issue.
According to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) Office of Pesticides and Toxic Substances, just twenty-six seconds after topical or inhaled exposure to a variety of common, often household chemicals, residue can be found in every organ in your body.
Learn to avoid chemical exposure by identifying three major culprits and incorporating some natural ways to prevent or rid your body of chemical accumulation.
Daily Exposure to 3 Toxic Chemicals
You are most likely exposed to these three toxic chemicals on a daily basis. Take a look at your products to see if they contain these chemicals and consider replacing them with some recommended (below) or your own choice of all natural products that are just as effective.
DEA (Diethanolamine)
When applied to the skin, DEA resulted in clear evidence of toxic activity.
According to a 2006 report by the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, “diethanolamine, an ingredient found in many shampoos and other personal care products, appears to interfere with normal brain development in baby mice when applied to the skin of pregnant mice”.
This chemical is found in over 600 home and personal care products including many soaps, detergents, and surface cleaners.
Common products that contain DEA include:
- Shampoos
- Conditioners
- Bubble baths
- Lotions
- Cosmetics
- Soaps
- Laundry
- Dishwashing detergents
Propylene Glycol
Propylene Glycol is the main ingredient in the anti-freeze we use in our car radiators to keep the engines running cooler in the summer and from freezing up in the cold winters. Should any pet lick up a spill on the garage floor (it’s sweet tasting to animals) they die a grueling death called ‘Organic Phosphate Poisoning’.
Propylene Glycol is found in:
- Cosmetics
- Toothpaste
- Shampoos
- Deodorants
- Baby shampoos
- Lotions
- Even some foods
- E-cigarettes
Check all your labels. In the skin and hair, propylene glycol works as a humectant, which causes retention of moisture content of skin or cosmetic products by preventing the escape of moisture or water. The Material Safety Data Sheet warns users to avoid skin contact with propylene glycol as this strong skin irritant can cause liver abnormalities and kidney damage.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) or Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is used as a surfactant to break down the exterior tension of water (makes water wetter to help penetrate the surface applied to). It is found in hundreds of personal care products and is a favorite for degreasers and toothpaste manufacturers.
Some of the many health effects of sodium lauryl sulfate include:
- Mutagen — Capable of changing genetic material found in cells
- Hair — Corrodes hair follicles and impairs the ability to grow hair
- Organs — Enters and maintains residue levels in the heart, liver, lungs and brain just from skin contact (shampoos, toothpastes, etc.)
- Vision — Denatures protein and can impair proper structural formation of young eyes
- Immune System — Can damage the immune system
- Skin — Can cause separation of skin layers and inflammation to the skin
Non-Toxic Brand Recommendations
- Toothpaste — Jason Sea Fresh, Waleda
- Shaving Cream — Kiss My Face
- Shampoo — Aubrey, Avalon, Soignee, 100% Pure, Dr. Hauska
- Soap — Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap
- Lip Balm — Eco Lips (organic, non-GMO, also have a bee free vegan option)
- Household — Seventh Generation, Ecover, Aquasana water filter
- Deodorant — Earth Science Liken Natural Deodorant, Zion Health Adama Ancient Clay Deodorant, Desert Essence “Dry By Nature” Deodorant, Via Nature, Kiss my Face
- Skin — Dr. Hauska, Weleda, Avalon, Desert Essence, 100% Pure, Acure (Check your current skin product safety at the Environmental Working Group)
These products can be purchased at most local health food stores. Detoxification is always recommended to rid your body of some of these embedded toxins. Always check the ingredients of the products you purchase to rule out DEA, Propylene Glycol, SLS or any other ingredient you choose not to expose yourself to. Avoid chemical exposure at all costs and, according to mounting studies, your chances of better health could significantly increase.