thirteen most common chemicals found in fragrance cleaning ... · “unscented”because we know...

ThirteenMost Common

Chemicals Foundin Fragrance

Products(Based on a 1991 EPA Study)

Research by

Gloria Gilbère, CDP, DA Hom, ND

PhD, DSC, EcoErgonomist™, Wholistic Rejuvenist™, HTMA Practitioner, Health Detective, Syndicated Talk-show Host©2016, Gloria E. Gilbère, LLCA Private Healthcare Membership Association

Institute for Wholistic Rejuvenationwww.gloriagilbere.com

888-352-8175

You do not have to be wear-ing perfume or cologne to benegatively affected by it.

Inhalation of syntheticfragrances can cause allergicreactions such as nausea,headaches, blurred vision,

forgetfulness, loss of coordi-nation, seizures, dizziness,rashes and skin welting, brain-fog, sudden mood changes,muscle cramps or spinal sub-luxations, and life-threateningreactions such as anaphylaxisor loss of consciousness.

Remember!

DRYER SHEETSTry dryer balls or safe,reusable cloths made byStatic Eliminator. You can usean aluminum foil ball in thedryer, ½ to 1 cup whitedistilled vinegar in the rinsecycle, or separate yoursynthetics and cottons whendrying to avoid static cling.

LAUNDRYDETERGENTSUse fragrance-free detergentsand softeners from responsi-ble companies like SeventhGeneration, Ecos, andMountain Green. A safe andeconomical option is to use3 reusable T-wave™ washerdiscs that will last up to 700washer-loads…no detergentrequired!

AIR FRESHENERSInstead of masking odors,identify and remove thesource or properly vent. Takeshoes off at the door. Emptytrash often. Open window oruse fan in bathrooms.

Natural air fresheners include:ï Natural mineral zeolite,

place some in a small dishand leave exposed awayfrom pets and children

ï Baking soda or Borax™exposed to the area

ï Cedar blocks (lightly sandthem each month for maxi-mum natural fragrance)

ï Use spices like cinnamon

sticks, cloves or allspiceand place in either cheese-cloth or open weave fabricin small pouches

ï Make your own organicessential oil freshener bycombining a few dropsof oil to your liking intodistilled water and placein a spray bottle

FILTRATIONAir cleaners and purifiers areimportant to improve indoorair quality, especially for thoseindividuals that are highly re-active or have compromisedimmune systems. Not all fil-ters are the same. Avoid filterswith plastic parts or materialsthat off-gas. A reputable com-pany that makes HEPA filtra-tion systems combined withother filtration materials, andcustomized for your specificneeds, is available onlythrough your environmentalhealth care professional byAirPura.

CLEANINGPRODUCTSThe most inexpensive, safecleansers are baking soda andwater (for deodorizing) whitedistilled vinegar and water (forcleaning when mixed with wa-ter and a few drops of chemi-cal-free dish-washing soap),Bon Ami (for scrubbing), andhydrogen peroxide (for disin-fecting). A microfiber cloth canreplace any cleaning product

with just water for any area thatdoes not require sanitizing.

ESSENTIALOILS, INCENSE& CANDLESA good alternative to syntheticscents is essential oils. Theycan be placed around thehouse (onto a gauze, cottonball, or diffuser), worn as per-fume, or used as a room andcar deodorizer. Use a verysmall amount because thosethat are highly responsive maystill react to essential oils be-cause of a compromised im-mune system. When someoneyou know suffers from multipleallergic response syndrome(MARS™) do not wear any fra-grance because the cellularmemory recalls that fra-grances are dangerous anddoes not differentiate betweensynthetic or natural oils andmay still cause a serious aller-gic response.

For candles, try soy or naturalbeeswax. Don’t trust“unscented” because weknow they can use otherchemicals to mask otherchemicals. A good alternativeis battery-operated candles.

Don’t assume all incenseis safe; it has combustiblematerials, may include con-taminants, and may containartificial fragrances and othertoxic chemicals.

Safe Alternatives to Chemical Fragrances

De-scents-itizeYour Home/O�ce

1ACETONEFOUND IN…cologne, dishwashing liquidand detergent, nail enamel and remover.

FACTS…On the lists of the EPA, RCRA, andCERCLA as Hazardous Waste—“Inhalation cancause dryness of the mouth and throat;dizziness, nausea, loss of coordination, slurredspeech, drowsiness, and, in severe exposures,coma—acts primarily as a central nervoussystem (CNS) depressant.

2BENZALDEHYDEFOUND IN…perfume, cologne,hairspray, laundry bleach, deodorants,

detergent, Vaseline™ lotion, shaving cream,shampoo, bar soap, and dishwasher detergent.FACTS…Narcotic. Sensitizer. Local aesthetic,CNS depressant. Irritant to the mouth, throat,eyes, skin, lungs, and GI tract—causing nauseaand abdominal pain. May cause kidneydamage. Do NOT use with contact lenses.

3BENZYL ACETATEFOUND IN…perfume, cologne, shampoo,fabric softener, stickup air fresheners,

dishwashing liquid and detergent, soap,hairspray, bleach, after shave and deodorants.

FACTS…Carcinogenic (linked to pancreaticcancer). Dangers from vapors: irritant to eyesand respiratory passages, produces cough. Inmice: hype-anemia of the lungs. Is absorbedthrough the skin causing systemic effects.Do not flush into the sewer or septic tank.

4BENZYL ALCOHOLFOUND IN…perfume, cologne, soap,shampoo, nail enamel and remover, air

fresheners, laundry bleach and detergents,Vaseline™ lotion, deodorants, and fabricsofteners.

FACTS…Irritant to upper respiratorytract. Other symptoms include: headaches,nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drop in bloodpressure, central nervous system (CNS)depression, and death, in severe cases, dueto respiratory failure.

5CAMPHORFOUND IN…perfume, shaving cream,nail enamel, fabric softener, dish-

washer detergent, nail color, and stickup airfresheners.

FACTS…Local irritant and CNSstimulant readily absorbed through body

tissues, irritant to eyes, nose and throat,causes dizziness, confusion, nausea,twitching muscles and convulsions. Avoidinhalation of vapors.

6ETHANOLFOUND IN…perfume, hairspray,shampoo, fabric softener, dishwashing

liquid and detergents, laundry detergents,shaving cream, soap, Vaseline™ lotion, airfresheners, nail color and remover, paint andvarnish removers.

FACTS…showing symptoms that include:fatigue, irritant to eyes and upper respiratorytract even in low concentrations. Inhalation ofethanol vapors can have similar to thosecharacteristic of ingestion. These include aninitial stimulatory effect followed bydrowsiness, impaired vision, ataxia, andstupor. Known to cause CNS disorders.

7ETHYL ACETATEFOUND IN…after shave, cologne,perfume, shampoo, nail color, nail

enamel remover, fabric softener, anddishwashing liquid.

FACTS…Narcotic. On the EPAHazardous Waste List warning of thefollowing health effects: irritant to the eyesand respiratory tract, headache and narcosis(stupor), defatting effect on the skin and maycause drying and cracking, may causeanemia with leukocytosis and damage to liverand kidneys. Wash thoroughly after handling.

8LIMONENEFOUND IN…disinfectant sprays, barsoap, shaving cream, deodorants, nail

color and removers, fabric softeners,dishwashing liquid, air fresheners, aftershave, bleach, paint and varnish removers.

FACTS…Carcinogenic. Warningsinclude: prevent contact with skin or eyesbecause it is an irritant and sensitizer, washthoroughly after using this material andbefore eating, drinking, or applyingcosmetics, do not inhale limonene vapor.

9LINALOOLFOUND IN…perfume, cologne, barsoap, shampoo, hand lotion, nail

enamel remover, bleach powder, fabricsofteners, shaving cream, after shave andsolid deordorant.

FACTS…Narcotic. Causes respiratorydisturbances, attracts bees, depressed heartactivity and causes CNS disorders. In animaltests: ataxic gait, reduced spontaneousmotor activity, depression, development ofrespiratory disturbances leading to death.

10METHYLENECHLORIDEFOUND IN…shampoo, cologne,

paint and varnish removers.FACTS…It was banned by the FDA in

1988, yet no enforcement is possible due totrade secret laws protecting the chemicalfragrance industry. It’s on the HazardousWaste lists on the EPA, RCRA, and theCERCLA. When absorbed, it is stored in bodyfat, metabolizes to carbon monoxide, reducesoxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, causesheadaches, giddiness, stupor, irritability,fatigue, tingling in the limbs, and CNSdisorders.

11A-PINENEFOUND IN…bar and liquid soap,cologne, perfume, shaving cream,

deodorants, dishwashing liquids, and airfresheners.

FACTS…Sensitizer (damaging to theimmune system).

12G-TERPINENEFOUND IN…cologne, perfume,soap, shaving creams, deodorants,

and air fresheners.FACTS…Causes asthma and CNS

disorders.

13A-TERPINEOLFOUND IN…perfume, cologne,laundry detergents, bleach

powders, laundry bleaches, fabric softeners,stickup air fresheners, Vaseline™ lotion,cologne, soap, hairspray, after shave, androll-on deodorants.

FACTS…Highly irritating to mucousmembranes, aspiration into the lungs canproduce pneumonitis or even fatal edema,causes excitement, ataxia (loss of muscularcoordination, hypothermia, CNS andrespiratory depression, headaches, andrepeated or prolonged skin contact cancause serious skin disorders.

� Current researchshows 3 in 5 people aresensitive to syntheticfragrances. Your perfume(or fragranced product)may be another’s poison.

What’s ina Label?

Since companies canget away with incompletelabeling, follow theseguidelines to ensurehealthy choices.

� Choose products that list allingredients, not generalized ones.

� Examine the list of ingredients tocheck that the word fragrancedoes NOT appear. Essential oilsshould be listed separately.

� Be prudent because even if thelabel advertises “unscented,”most manufacturers usemasking agents that block ourability to perceive odors; sonot only is the fragrance still inthe product, but even morechemicals are present to maskother chemicals.

� Avoid phthalates and parabens(often listed as methylparabens),they disrupt reproductive andthyroid function.

� Always inspect labels becauseformulas change.

� Since no legal definitionsexist for natural, nontoxic, andhypoallergenic, those wordsdon’t signify a healthier productunless every ingredient isidentified.

Remember!