There is an extensive list of toxins used in our food, personal products, everyday items, medicines, and more that are also used in industrial use. Many are preservatives, antibacterial, antifungal, and all are considered Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) at the levels found in these products as regulated by the FDA. Many of these toxins are also regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) which you can find more on their regulations and guidance of toxic substances on their website.
Housekeeping:
Before we get too involved, I want to cover some housekeeping about this page and how I write about these types of topics. Please understand this is a learning curve for many. I have comments turned off on these main pages to keep the information as clear as possible. The information gets technical and there is a lot of it. It is impossible to cover everything, so I will only address the major parts of the topic to help give you a more clear and better understanding of the topic.
Instead of formally citing the information I’ve written about, you will see blue highlighted text within the paragraphs that when clicked, will take you to a credible source to support my argument. Most, if not all, of my sources are directly from U.S. and global government agencies. This topic is not a secret, but it’s not easy to read or sort through. Many other bloggers and websites do their best to explain this information, but my purpose is to use my knowledge and experience I have gained from my professional and academic career to help you understand the importance of this issue in ways that are clear, credible, and educational.
Some of the issues regarding these topics are indeed political. However, it is not my intent to argue who is right and who is wrong. As far as I’m concerned, our government and big business, in general, have some explaining to do which I will address later and open for comment.
Please understand the nature of these topics may be triggering for you. It certainly was for my family and me. I understand the fear, guilt, regret, and outrage you may experience as you learn through this journey with me. Change is uncomfortable and many times, so is the truth. Be patient with yourself, others and me as you process this information. I firmly believe you will have a better understanding to help you make better decisions through this journey. So, stick with me and let’s get started.
What Are Toxins?
According to MedlinePlus.gov, “toxins are substances created by plants and animals that are poisonous (toxic) to humans. Toxins may also include some medicines that are helpful in small doses, but poisonous in large amounts.
Most toxins that cause problems in humans come from germs such as bacteria. For example, the symptoms of cholera are caused by a toxin made by cholera bacteria.
Other toxins that cause problems include metals, such as lead, and certain chemicals in the environment.”
Why It’s Important to Know About Toxins
Toxins can wreck havoc on our health depending on the substance, how the substance is used and how much we are exposed to the toxin. Many toxics can cause harmful bodily reactions like rashes, burns, chest pain, hormone (endocrine) disruptions, inflammatory issues, and even death. Some toxins are considered safe in small quantities, but some are deadly at trace amounts. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the National Institute of Health (NIH) has written and article, Making a Healthier Home: Cast Toxins From Your Living Space, which briefly explains what toxins are, some common substances and how to limit your exposure.
The exposure issue is not necessarily the individual amount that is generally recognized as safe for a specific toxin, but rather the amount of toxins “stacked” within a single product and the amount of exposure we receive daily as a result of the combination of products we use that contain the toxin. Think cumulative with the number of toxins within a single product and accumulative with the number of multiple products used within a day, week, month, year, decade, etc..
Total Toxin Elimination May Not Be Possible
One thing we need to keep in mind is that it is impossible to completely eliminate our exposure to these toxins. Reduction is key and it’s easier to do than you may realize. All it takes is some understanding, guidance and a little research on your part. I’m covering the first two steps for you on this blog. Keep in mind, some of these toxins are naturally occurring, even within ourselves. Naturally occurring toxins through natural processes have a specific reason to exist. The issue is the man-made creation (synthetic), and excessive use at excessive levels that contribute to some of our ailments, diseases and death.
Toxins You Need To Know
There are many toxins we’re about to cover. These are the ones you really need to know because they are commonly found in our consumable products such as shampoos, conditioners, body washes, regular bar “soap,” cosmetics, hair care, skin care, feminine care, deodorants, and processed foods, in addition to the parabens, phthalates, retinyl palmitate, talc (asbestos), and others. There are also some toxins that are used in both food and non-food items which I will denote with an asterisk (*). The following is my compiled list of toxins we are exposed to everyday:
2 main categories of toxins commonly found in our non-food products are Formaldehyde-Releasing and 1,4 Dioxane.
1,4 Dioxane
This toxin is considered a forever chemical that is a byproduct created during the manufacturing process of another chemical which may leave trace amounts within the final product. It’s the result of ethoxylated ingredients (Ethylene Oxide is used to create these ingredients). Once it enters the environment, it doesn’t biodegrade and is hard to remove from the environment. The main environmental concerns are how easily it contaminates water and it is a known “likely” carcinogen. Many states have addressed this issue. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) also has a state compilation and additional information about 1,4 Dioxane, as well as the FDA, EPA, and the CDC.
Here’s how the FDA helps us find some of the 1,4 Dioxane chemicals:
- Ethanolamine Compounds (also MEA, DEA, TEA et. al.)
- Laureth
- Sodium laureth sulfate
- Ammonium laureth sulfate
- Sodium trideceth sulfate
- Ceteareth
- Oleth
- Steareth
- PPG
- PEG (with or without any number)
- Polyethylene glycol
- Polyethylene
- Polyoxyethylene (also releases formaldehyde)
- Polyoxynolethylene
- Polysorbates (with or without any number)
Additional Sources: Made Safe, EWG, Center for Safe Cosmetics, National Cancer Institute, Chemical Safety Facts
Venus Ethoxyethers explains the ethoxylation process.
Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservatives (also, Formaldehyde Donors)
The NIH released a journal publication, Formaldehyde may be found in cosmetic products even when unlabelled, about their study of formaldehyde found in unlabeled products and its relation to contact dermatitis. They admit “formaldehyde has been shown to induce dermatitis from short-term use on normal skin.” The NIH also recognizes in another journal publication, Formaldehyde-releasers in cosmetics in the USA and in Europe, that “frequencies of sensitization to formaldehyde among US patients patch tested for suspected contact dermatitis are higher than in Europe. Cosmetics are an important source of contact with formaldehyde.” Even the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) created an alert about occupational hazards concerning formaldehyde in hair salons. The CDC also published information about formaldehyde.
Berkley Public Health also wrote an article, Study: Exposure to Formaldehyde Associated with Increased Risk of Brain Disease, which “researchers found that higher exposures to formaldehyde increased the risk of developing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis by 78 percent. The risk of brain cancer was increased by 71 percent for those also exposed to high levels.”
Wiley Online Library also posted a review, Contact allergy to and allergic contact dermatitis from formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasers: A clinical review and update, as well as other reviews linked to this one, that states” both consumers and various professionals can get sensitized and become affected by ACD [Allergic contact Dermatitis] from FA [Formaldehyde] and FR [Formaldehyde Releaser].”
The American Cancer Society discusses the cancer risks of formaldehyde, where it’s found and how we are exposed to it, especially through inhalation and skin absorption.
Formaldehyde can be found under many different names like the ones below, but many companies are catching on to our increasing knowledge of this chemical and are opting to use “formaldehyde free” or “no formaldehyde” style labeling on the front of their products. However, formaldehyde can still be found in many of these products and more as a formaldehyde-releasing chemical.
Formaldehyde
- Formaldehyde
- Acetaldehyde
- Urea formaldehyde
- Formaldehyde monohydrate
- Formalin
- Methylene glycol
- Methanal
- Methanediol
Additional Sources: OSHA
Formaldehyde-Releasing Chemicals
Unilever states that formaldehyde donors “deliver a small amount of formaldehyde throughout a product’s shelf-life.” So, these chemicals are designed to release formaldehyde into the product similar to time-release medication capsules. Find more chemicals by clicking OSHA in additional sources below.
- Quaternium (with or without any number, especially 15)
- Azonium-adamantane chlorid
- N-(3-chloroallyl) hexaminium chloride
- Chloroallyl methenamine chloride
- Polyquaternium (with or without any number)
- Hexamethylenetetramine
- Hexamine
- Methenamine
- Polyoxymethylene
- Polyoxyethylene
- Polyoxymethylene urea
- Diazolidinyl urea
- Dimethylol urea
- Dihydroxymethylurea
- Dimethylurea
- Imidazolidinyl urea
- DMDM hydantoin (also dimethyloldimethyl hydantoin)
- DMDMH (acronym for chemical above)
- Dimethyloldimethylhydantoin
- 1,3-dimethylol-5,5-dimethylhydantoin
- Propylene glycol
- Glycol
- Glycolaldehyde
- Ethylene glycol
- Glydant
- Methylchloroisothiazolinone (also MCI)
- Methylisothiazolinone (also MI)
- 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol (also bronopol/bromopol)
- Bromonitropropanediol
- Bronopol
- 5-bromo-5-nitro-1,3-dioxane
- Bromonitrodioxane
- Bronidox
- Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate
- Sodium hydroxyl
- Glyoxal
- Methyl glycinate
- Timonacic acid
- Thiazolidinecarboxylic acid
- 1,3-thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid
- Dimethoxymethane
- Decamethyl-cyclopentasiloxane
- (Phenylmethoxy)methanol
- Benzylhemiformal
- Benzyloxymethanol
- Phenylmethoxymethanol
- Preventol D2
- 7a-ethyldihydro-1H, 3H,5H-oxazolo[3,4-c]oxazole
- Bioban CS-1246
- Ethyldihydrooxazolo[3,4-c]-oxazole
- 5-ethyl-1-aza-3,7-dioxa-bi-cyclo[3.3.0]octane
- Mixture of: 4-(2-nitrobutyl)morpholine and 4,4’-(2-ethyl-2-nitro-1,3-propanediyl)bismorpholine
- Chloroallylhexaminium chloride
- 3-chloroallyl hexaminiumchloride
- Dowicil 75
- Dowicil 200
- Triethylhexahydro s-triazine and
- Trihydroxyethylhexahydro s-triazine
- (Guar) Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
- Urotropine
- N,N’methylenebis(5-methyloxazolidine)
- N-methylolchloracetamide
- N-methylolethanolamine
Additional Sources: NIH, OSHA, Royal Society of Chemistry
U.S. Federal Register Formaldehyde Maximum Limit Exemption in Pesticides
A Quick Note About Benzene
The CDC states, “Benzene works by causing cells not to work correctly. For example, it can cause bone marrow not to produce enough red blood cells, which can lead to anemia. Also, it can damage the immune system by changing blood levels of antibodies and causing the loss of white blood cells. The seriousness of poisoning caused by benzene depends on the amount, route, and length of time of exposure, as well as the age and preexisting medical condition of the exposed person.”
- Styrene (Vinylbenzene – C8H8)*
- Benzoic Acid (Benzenecarboxylic Acid – C6H5COOH)*
- Benzaldehyde (Benzenecarbaldehyde – C6H5CHO)
- Methyl Benzoate (Methyl Benzoate – C8H8O2)
- Sodium Benzoate*
The reason I bring up benzene is because not only is its derivatives common in our non-food products, but some are also commonly found in our food. Aside from not wanting to ingest toxins, some benzene derivatives form back into benzene when they are combined with other ingredients in our products which is concerning, especially for our food products. For example, when Benzoic Acid or Sodium Benzoate combines with Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) it turns back into Benzene. More on this in the “Truth About Food” topic.
Titanium Dioxide*
The NIH publication states, “Until we know more, in our opinion TiO2 NPs should be used with great care, in particular in food and cosmetics. The least that should be done for the consumer is that a declaration of nano-sized TiO2 in these products is obligatory, so that we will have the choice whether to use it or not.”
WebMD – Possible Topical Reactions
Explore more toxins in the Environmental Working Group (EWG), The ‘Toxic Twenty’ Cosmetic Ingredients and Contaminants.
Prohibited and Restricted Ingredients in Cosmetics by the FDA
Follow the Money! “If the price of ethylene escalates more rapidly than the price of methanol, this could become an attractive process to develop for making EG [ethylene glycol].” (publish date note: 11/1984)
What are the next steps?
We’ve just finished the cumulative part, so now that we’re more aware of these chemicals and have a basic understanding of them, we can move on to what I believe is the most difficult part of the process – learning what products contain these toxins and realizing the vastness of our use of these products and exposure to the toxins (the accumulative part).
Living Clean Naturally 