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Household chemicals cause cancer, wide range of health issues, UN report admits

There's a new landmark study by the World Health Organization saying a host of common, everyday household chemicals pose severe health problems including cancer, asthma, reduced fertility and even birth defects.


In the study, WHO identified a number of "synthetic chemicals" which the UN agency said had "serious implications" for health, even going so far as to suggest that so-called "gender-bending" compounds found in PVC flooring, kids' toys and even credit cards should be banned in order to protect future generations, recent reports detailing the findings said.

The study said more research was likely needed to flesh out the links between endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), which are found in a number of household chemicals, and "specific diseases and disorders."

'Reasonable to suspect' chemical substances are causing harm

WHO researchers said they have discovered links between EDCs and health issues including breast, prostate and thyroid cancers, testicular problems, developmental effects on children's nervous systems, and attention deficit disorder and hyperactivity in kids.

Scientists at the UN agency also said it is "reasonable to suspect" chemical substances called phthalates of disrupting female fertility, and also linked the substances to rising rates of childhood diseases such as leukemia.

Researchers labeled the study the most "comprehensive" report on EDCs so far because it examined and evaluated several chemicals and related evidence rather than just focusing on a single element or compound. The study is titled, "State of the Science of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals."

The findings also raised concerns over bispehnol A, a man-made compound found in many daily items such as tin cans and sunglasses. The substance is believed to interfere with the natural hormones that influence human development and growth.

WHO scientists also said there was "very strong evidence" in animals that the substances can interfere with thyroid hormones; that could lead to brain damage, loss of intelligence, autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Regarding the incidence of prostate cancer, "significant evidence" exists that suggests a link with agricultural pesticides, according to a team of international medical experts which examined the data. The UN agency also said wildlife was at risk.

"The diverse systems affected by endocrine-disrupting chemicals likely include all hormonal systems and range from those controlling development and function of reproductive organs to the tissues and organs regulating metabolism and satiety," the report said. "Effects on these systems can lead to obesity, infertility or reduced fertility, learning and memory difficulties, adult-onset diabetes or cardiovascular disease, as well as a variety of other diseases."

The same report, published 10 years ago, found only "weak evidence" that said chemicals could affect human health.

"The latest science shows that communities across the globe are being exposed to EDCs, and their associated risks," said Dr. Maria Neira, WHO's Director for Public Health and Environment. She said the agency "will work with partners to establish research priorities to investigate links to EDCs and human health impacts in order to mitigate the risks," adding: "We all have a responsibility to protect future generations."

'We urgently need more research'

The study backed similar warnings by the European Environment Agency that were issued last year, warning items like cosmetics and medicines containing EDCs could be harmful to human health.


According to a UN press release, the report "calls for more research to understand fully the associations between endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) - found in many household and industrial products - and specific diseases and disorders."

"We urgently need more research to obtain a fuller picture of the health and environment impacts of endocrine disruptors," Neira said.

Sources:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk

http://www.dailymail.co.uk
http://www.denverpost.com/recommended/ci_22617851http://www.denverpost.com/recommended/ci_22617851

We have a choice what we bring into our homes. Get educated!
Protect your family!



How Air Fresheners Impact the Air in Our Homes

I found this great information.

Surprisingly, despite the economic downturn, the global sales of air fresheners are on the rise. According to the Wall Street Journal, “[c]ertain life events prompt consumers to buy more air fresheners. Getting a pet, moving to a new home, getting married and having children all motivate shoppers to pick up more air-care products…This will continue to be a key growth contributor…”

Perhaps if consumers were more aware of the real impacts these products have on indoor air quality and health, they would think twice. Here’s the unvarnished truth:
Air fresheners almost never “freshen” the air. They just mask odors, either with synthetic fragrance or by interfering with your ability to smell by coating your nasal passages with an oil film or releasing a nerve-deadening agent. In rare cases, they will actually break down the offensive odor.
What’s in them and what’s the risk?

Known toxic chemicals that can be found in air fresheners include camphor, phenol, ethanol, formaldehyde, and artificial fragrances (which contain their own mix of toxic chemicals). These chemicals can cause symptoms like headaches, rashes, dizziness, migraines, asthma attacks, mental confusion, coughing and more. Some of the substances in air fresheners are linked to cancer or hormone disruption.
Mindy Pennybacker reports in “Synthetic Air Fresheners’ Toxic Taint”:

A study published on July 10, 2010 in Environmental Health found that women who used more household cleaning products, including air fresheners and mold removers, had a 2x higher risk of breast cancer. Many aerosol air fresheners contain toxic phthalates, which have been linked to birth defects and reproductive harm. A Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) study found the hormone-disrupting compounds in 12 out of 14 common air fresheners and none of these products listed phthalates on their labels.

Symptoms and sensitivities vary from person to person, but children are particularly susceptible.

There's lots of things you can do.
  1. Look Before You Spray. Read labels. If you see the word “Fragrance,” it’s likely that the manufacturer is taking advantage of an FDA labeling loophole that allows users of synthetic fragrance to avoid mentioning specific ingredients—including phthalates, used in synthetic scents. Look instead for specific essential plant oils, preferably organic.
  2. Do a Sniff Test. Before buying any fragranced product, natural or not, spray some from a tester to see whether it produces sneezes or itchy eyes. Strong fragrances, particularly citrus or pine, can provoke irritation and allergic/asthmatic reactions. And remember, when it comes to any perfume, a little goes a long way, so you needn’t overdo it.



Open the windows, grow plants in your home and find out what your non-toxic options are.
Make it a great day!

Grandpa's Gift

When I was 10 yrs. old my father brought me to his homeland, Poland.

I loved Grandpa (Dziadek) so much.  We were going on a train and Dziadek bought me some candies. They were wrapped in white paper, like a cone and he said these candies are called Krowa or Cow. They tasted wonderful. 

Well while grocery shopping here years later, I found a Polish section of foods down one of the aisles! I saw a box of Polish candies with a Cow (krowa) on the box cover. Well I bought them and sure enough it was that same candy Dziadek had bought me so long ago. I began to CRY!


What a sweet man that he bought me these candies that I loved so much and here so many years later I have found these same candies in my own country.  Thoughts of my beautiful Dziadek came rushing to my mind as the taste of this candy brought me back in time. How gentle a soul he was to me.
 I ran to my children's school at lunchtime to give them each this candy so they could both participate just a little in my experience of love from their great grandfather.
 How I miss him.  
Oh Lord I KNOW that Dziadek is in your loving hands and I thank you for that little gift...the candy that brought him close to me once more.





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