Local News Reports on Dangerous Household Chemicals

A friend of mine told me yesterday that WXYX, Channel 7 Detroit, was doing a report during the 11 PM news on “Dangerous Household Chemical Mixtures” and I must admit I had pretty low expectations.  I expected it would be something like, “Don’t mix bleach and ammonia together because it can create toxic fumes; Mike, back to you.”  I was pleasantly surprised when Carolyn Clifford, the health reporter shared several good suggestions, many that don’t often come up.

She shared what she considered to be the most dangerous chemicals in our homes and I’ll give you a brief summary here:

• Sodium Hydroxide & Sulfuric Acid:  Found in all types of cleaners and sodium hydroxide is also found in many personal care products, they are damaging to skin through contact and by inhalation.  
• Paint:  She refers to the dangers found in household paint but doesn’t say what to do about it.  There are many kinds of “Low VOC” paints available where they contain fewer of the toxins found in regular paint (you know that taste in the back of your throat after a day of painting?).  They are a bit more expensive, but not much and well worth it for your health. 
• Dry cleaned clothes:  Many people don’t think of their own clothes as putting off chemicals, but they do and some of them are suspected to cause cancer.  When you get your clothes, take them out of the plastic and hang them outside to air out (my suggestion to hang them outside, she just says to hang them up but why would you want to have carcinogens floating around your home?).  Also, see if you can avoid dry cleaning.  I have found with several of my dress pants and blouses that I can clean them just fine in the wash.  Be willing to take the risk that something may not work out though!
• Carpet:  When getting carpeting installed, ask for “formaldehyde-free” adhesives; keep your windows open for a few days to let the house air out and use a fan.  I would encourage you to consider other options than carpeting because it isn’t just the adhesives that are in it plus many people with allergies have issues with the dust that carpet collects.
• Air fresheners:  It is ironic how things that are supposed to make our house smell as good as the outdoors and clean (which should equal healthy) are terrible for us, especially if we have any kind of breathing condition (and even if we don’t).  In this short segment the reporter didn’t even scratch the surface on all the dangerous chemicals (including phthalates and formaldehyde) that are found in artificial fragrances that are not listed as ingredients because they are by-products.   Use baking soda, open windows, or essential oils (the real ones from the health food store not a scented candle that says “essential oils”).
• Pest control:   There are a variety of dangers involving chemicals to control rodents and other pests.  They are not only dangerous to pets but also to us.  Start by making sure your home makes it difficult to let in pests (seal holes and such) and then if you have mice, use traps, not poisons.
• Wood cleaners:  These can cause headaches, nausea, and respiratory problems.  Just because it smells like lemon or orange doesn’t mean there is a drop of citrus oil in there (and if there is, it is likely only a drop designed to mask the chemicals). 

You can watch the informative three-minute segment for yourself at: http://www.wxyz.com/content/news/health/default.aspx  (the post on Monday, November 2 will be on the right upper corner, after that it will be on the running list, in order of most recent appearance)

In the meantime, consider what you are exposing yourself and your family to by the choices you make.  Even if you don’t have any asthma in your family, you can actually be creating lung conditions over time.  Especially with windows being closed now, think before you bring chemicals into your home and use them.

Donna Copeland is an Independent Shaklee Distributor who first fell in love with Shaklee’s cleaning products that are non-toxic AND work really well.  Her Shaklee website (for more information) is: www.DonnaCopeland.MyShaklee.com  If you go to Donna’s website and make a purchase she will receive compensation from Shaklee.