TOXINS

CANCER

With the growing trend of cancer and heart disease throughout the world, it's hard to believe that there isn't something more than the commonly blamed genetics and cigarettes creating these frightening results. With the vast amounts of chemicals that manufacturers have used in our everyday products between 1930 and today, without knowing the long term effects they may have on us, it only makes sense that illnesses have skyrocketed since then. Granted, many synthetic substances are often blamed for illnesses such as cancer, but may not be scientifically proven to do so, such as the much debated sodium lauryl sulfate. Nonetheless, the cancer rate is increasing:

Number of people with cancer, according to a 2006 American Cancer Society report:

Year

1930

2003

Men

about 60,000

almost 290,000

Women

about 50,000

almost 270,000

Source: U.S. Mortality Public Use Data Tape, 2003, National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2006

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THE TOXINS WE ENCOUNTER

Aside from cancer, the rates of several diseases and illnesses have grown exponentially over the past few decades such as diabetes, asthma, Alzheimer's, depression, and autism. It would take far too many pages to list all of the various toxins and carcinogens that our bodies may be absorbing through lotions, soaps, detergents, shampoos, perfumes, linens, mattresses, and foods, but here are a few to make you wonder.

PLEASE NOTE:
The suspected effects of the substances listed below may not be likely unless one is exposed to the particular substance in high volumes. Also, these substances may only be contained in the products of certain manufacturers, not necessarily all products mentioned. This information is not meant to instill fear so as to drive you, the reader, to buy the products sold by Green Gate Market. It is meant to support Green Gate Market's mission of promoting a lifestyle with minimal synthetics, largely for the sake of the environment, make you aware of possible hidden toxins and let you decide for yourself whether these substances should be avoided or not.

Sodium Lauryl (and Laureth) Sulfate — SLS, SLES

THE CONTROVERSY
These two ingredients have created much controversy. Many people believe they are toxic, which could mean anything from skin irritation to causing cancer. Many others believe they are harmless, have been erroneously hyped up in media, and are only dangerous if ingested in large amounts which is not likely in their most common uses. SLS and SLES are surfactants and are used as foaming agents in shampoo, soap, toothpaste, household cleansers, and many other common products.

One aspect of their controversy is their common label as "natural" ingredients. Although SLS and SLES are derived from coconut, as you will also often see on product labels , they are indeed synthetic substances and should not be marketed as natural. The suspicion of their cancer causing effects may come from a) 1, 4-dioxane, a known carcinogen , which is a potential byproduct of the ethoxylation process of creating SLS, SLES and similar surfactants, and b) nitrosamines, also known carcinogens , which are created when SLES or ALES (ammonium laureth sulfate) are combined with certain other chemicals, such as TEA (triethanolamine) , which are often used in shampoos along with SLES or ALES. This defends the argument that SLS may be safe independently , but may very well be considered toxic when combined with other common chemicals.

If you type "sodium lauryl sulfate" into any search engine, you will find endless articles defending any of the above arguments. With no regulation on these ingredients at this time , it is left up to you, the consumer, to decide how safe they are.

Read more on the deceptive use of the word "natural".

AN EXPERT’S EXPLANATION
In search of the truth about the health effects of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) I contacted Seventh Generation, a well known manufacturer of non-toxic household products which uses small amounts of SLES in its products. Here is the message I sent to them: "I see that you use SLES in some of your products. I have been researching the potentially toxic effects of SLS and SLES and finding very conflicting information. Obviously you do not view them as toxins.... I would greatly appreciate your opinion on the claims that these ingredients are indeed toxic." This is the response I received from a Seventh Generation chemist. Find more information on the Articles of Interest page. Please read this explanation and decide for yourself!

"Thank you for your questions about SLS and SLES. I'll do my best to answer them, and to point you to some additional resources.

The term "lauryl" refers to a chain of twelve carbon atoms. This chain can be found in nature as part of fatty oils and fatty acids in plants and animals. Coconut oil is a good example of a vegetable oil containing the lauryl group.

Soaps have been made from coconut oil for centuries. The chemical name for these soaps is sodium laurate. Soaps don't work well in hard water, so chemists replaced the carbon-based acid in sodium laurate with a sulfur-based acid. The new substance is called sodium lauryl sulfate.

Both sodium laurate and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) are called *ANIONIC SURFACTANTS*. Anionic surfactants are generally irritating.

A milder anionic surfactant can be formed by adding *HYDROPHILLIC* (water loving) groups to the SLS. This is done with a substance called ethylene oxide, which is made by "cracking" petroleum to form ethylene, then adding oxygen. The new surfactant is called sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) or sodium laureth sulfate. SLES is much less irritating than either sodium laurate or SLS.

Neither sodium laurate, SLS, nor SLES is known to cause cancer, nor are they known to be teratogens or reproductive toxins. Neither do sodium laurate, SLS, or SLES cause blindness. They are skin and eye irritants, and the inflammation they may cause almost always clears in a few hours."

"Are SLS and SLES "perfect" chemicals? No. As mentioned SLS is irritating. SLES is irritating, too, but less so. Also, the chemical used to make SLES, ethylene oxide, can form a by-product called 1,4-dioxane. 1,4-Dioxane is a carcinogen, and the European Union regulates its presence in cosmetic products at 20 parts-per-million (ppm). The US government does not regulate 1,4-dioxane in cosmetic products or in household cleaning products. Seventh Generation sets a limit of 5 ppm 1,4-dioxane in its SLES, so there is no more than 2.5 ppm 1,4-dioxane in its products.

By the way, don't confuse 1,4-dioxane with the infamous dioxin formed by chlorine-bleaching of paper. They are very different chemicals!"

Arsenic

Found in:

tap water, mattresses, pesticides and therefore food, pressure treated wood (playgrounds, decks, outdoor furniture), saw dust or smoke from burning of wood treated with arsenic

May cause:

cancer, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, central and peripheral nervous system disorders, irritation of skin and mucous membranes, skin lesions, anemia, hyper pigmentation, kidney and liver damage, and possibly autism

Formaldehyde

Found in:

mattresses, tobacco smoke, cosmetics, toothpaste, soft drinks, shampoo, kitchen cabinets, carpet, paints, foam insulation, pressed woods like particle board, smog, glues and adhesives, permanent press clothing and draperies

May cause:

lung damage, impaired memory & dexterity, immediate and delayed hypersensitivity reactions; asthma, rhinitis; irritation of eyes and respiration cancer, headaches, dizziness, nausea, skin rashes and dermatitis, nosebleeds, and possibly reproductive problems

Phthalates — plasticizers

Found in:

toys such as teething rings and bath toys, shower curtains, cosmetics, nail polish, perfume, mattresses, medical tools such as intravenous tubes, cable and wire coatings, plastic food packaging, vinyl

May cause:

cancer, damage to liver, or kidney, infertility, central nervous system problems such as dizziness, drowsiness, and headaches

FOR A LIST OF COMMERCIAL COSMETICS THAT ARE PHTHALATE-FREE GO TO www.nottoopretty.com.

Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether (PBDE) — used as fire retardants

Found in:

Plastics: Computers, televisions, hair dryers, curling irons, copy machines, fax machines, printers, coffee makers, plastic automotive parts, lighting panels, PVC wire and cables, electrical connectors, fuses, housings, boxes and switches, lamp sockets, waste-water pipes, underground junction boxes, circuit boards, smoke detectors

Textiles: Back coatings and impregnation of home and office furniture, industrial drapes, carpets, automotive seating, aircraft and train seating

Polyurethane Foam: Home and office furniture (couches and chairs, carpet padding, mattresses and mattress pads) automobile, bus, plane and train seating, sound insulation panels, imitation wood, packaging materials, "Memory Foam"

Rubber: Conveyor belts, foamed pipes for insulation, rubber cables

Paints and lacquers: Marine and industry protective lacquers and paints

May cause:

permanent learning and memory impairment, behavioral changes, hearing deficits, delayed puberty onset, decreased sperm count, fetal malformations and, possibly, cancer, hypothyroidism which can cause fatigue, depression, anxiety, unexplained weight gain, hair loss and low libido

Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOC's) — various chemicals and air pollutants

Found in:

paints and lacquers, paint strippers, cleaning supplies, pesticides, building materials and furnishings, office equipment such as copiers and printers, correction fluids and carbonless copy paper, graphics and craft materials including glues and adhesives, permanent markers, and photographic solutions

May cause:

cancer, eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, loss of coordination, nausea, damage to liver, kidney, and central nervous system, allergic skin reactions, dyspnea, declines in serum cholinesterase levels, emesis, epistaxis, fatigue, dizziness.

Sources:
http://www.holistichealthtools.com
http://www.epa.gov
http://www.criblife2000.com/
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts2.html: "ToxFAQ's for Arsenic", September, 2005
http://www.ewg.org/reports/mothersmilk/part1.php: "TOXIC FIRE RETARDANTS FOUND IN U.S. WOMEN'S BREAST MILK", September 23, 2003
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/514242.stm: "Europe to Ban PVC Toys", November 10, 1999
http://www.reason.org/peg2.html: "Plain English Guide No. 2", July, 2000
http://www.rowatworks.com/Science/Tox_Chem_Table.html: "Table of 42 Toxic Chemicals and Their Effects", version 1.0, 1998
http://www.epp-ed.org: "Phthalates Banned in Toys and Childcare Articles," Antonios Trakatellis MEP, May 7, 2005

Is fluoride toxic?
http://www.onegrp.com/ebooks/fluoride.doc

© Organic & Natural Enterprise Group

FOR AN EXTENSIVE TOXIC INGREDIENT DIRECTORY Click Here, click on ONE Group's "Resources" tab , and select "Understanding Ingredients". © Organic & Natural Enterprise Group

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COMPARE SYNTHETIC TO ORGANIC

TAKEN FROM THE ONE GROUP WEBSITE:

A typical off the shelf Moisturizer

This is a hypothetical blend of common ingredients found in many 'natural' cosmetics. These ingredients (found in most cleansers, moisturizers and shampoos) are but a few of many synthetic ingredients that we should avoid.

Not only are they dangerous to our health, but the manufacturing process that creates them is extremely polluting to our environment.

Water

90 - 95%

Dimethicone

Silicone oil derivative. For smooth cream. Causes tumors and mutations in laboratory animals.

Carbomer 941

Synthetic emulsifier, can cause eye irritation. Potential allergen.

PEG-50 Almond Glycerides

Blend of natural plant oils and polyethylene glycols (PEG's). May contain dangerous levels of 1,4-dioxane, a carcinogen.

Sodium Laureth Sulfate

Synthetic emulsifier. Ethoxylated surfactant. May contain dangerous levels of ethylene oxide and dioxane, both potent toxins.

5 - 8%

TEA

Synthetic emulsifier. Over 40% of cosmetics containing Triethanolamine (TEA), have been found to be contaminated with nitrosamines, which are potent carcinogens.

DMDM Hydantoin

Synthetic preservative. Contains formaldehyde, a toxic chemical. Found to cause dermatitis. Toxic.

Imidiazolidinyl Urea

Preservative. Releases formaldehyde into cosmetics at over 10C. Toxic.

BHT

Antioxidant. Butylated Hydroxytoluene, found to be carcinogenic, causes allergic dermatitis.

2 - 3%

Methyl Paraben

Petrochemical preservative. Toxic. Causes allergic reactions and dermatis.

FD&C Yellow No.6

Synthetic fragrance. Found to cause dermatis.

Fragrance

Synthetic color. Suspected carcinogen.

A typical Miessence Moisturizer

This is a 'typical' moisturizer from Miessence. We say typical because we design, formulate and create regimes for the individual. The products you receive depend on the results from your Skin Typing Matrix

Purified Water

Reverse osmosis purified.

90 - 95%

Rosehip Seed oil

Effective in wound healing, scar reduction, aging and sun damage.

Safflower oil

Very high in linoleic acid, a very deep moisturizer.

Jojoba

Very similar in composition to the skins sebum. Imparts superior softness to the skin, deep moisturizer.

Shea Butter

Potent healing properties.

Aloe Vera Extract

Soothing and healing.

Marshmallow Extract

Anti-inflammatory and astringent.

5 - 8%

Witch Hazel Extract

Antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory.

Chamomile Extract

Soothing and astringent.

St Johns Wort Extract

Natural polysaccharide gum, emollient.

Sclerotium Gum

The natural polysaccharide gum

1 - 3%

French Lavender Pure Essential Oil

Soothing, healing and balancing pure essential oils

Geranium Bourbon Pure Essential Oil

Olive Extract

Anti-wrinkle, natural anti-oxidant.

Grapefruit Seed Extract

Anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, natural preservative.