Additional carcinogenic chemicals identified

Formaldehyde, Aristolochic Acids, styrene,Captafol, cobalt tungsten carbide, inhalable gas wool fibers, O-Nitrotoluene, and Riddelliine was added to the National Toxicology Program’s carcinogenic list in 2011. It takes them a while to identify and add items to the list.

Formaldehyde is found in many composite wood products such as desks, bookcases, kitchen cabinets. Be sure to check our article on volatile organic compounds or VOCs.

Some herbal remedies contain Aristolochic Acids, so check your homeopathic medicines.

Some herbal teas contain Riddelliine.

Why are so few chemicals tested For Safety?

A recent article titled: Why Are So Few Chemicals Tested? reminded us about how scary the chemical world is.

Many everyday products contain chemicals that have never been tested for safety. The clothing detergent that you used and the dishwasher soap that you cleaned with probably hasn’t been tested at all.  The Toxic  Substances Control Act (TSCA) passed in 1976. The number of chemicals used in commercial products rose from 60,000 to 80,000 during this period. The EPA has tested only 200 of these chemicals and banned only five.

Under this act, chemicals are given the benefit of doubt. They are presumed safe unless proven unsafe. New laws are being proposed that would allow the EPA to regulate of new and existing chemicals and to take faster action. You sure do express your support for these measures with your local representatives.

A recent CNN program – Toxic America by Dr. Sanjay Gupta reiterates elements of a safe and clean home.

We need to look to Europe for leading edge guidance.  The European Chemicals Agency is considering restrictions or bans on these substances of very high concern. These are chemicals that are carcinogenic mutagenic, toxic for reproduction; persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic; very persistent and very bioaccumulative. Scientific evidence showing probable human health effects from these chemicals should raise our concern level. Industry needs be more proactive in insuring all chemicals have fully tested for safety on humans.

Chemical – And Their Uses

Benzl butyl phthalate (BBzP) -Plasticizer, Vinyl tiles, food conveyor belts, artificial leather, traffic cones, plastic foam

Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEPH) – Plasticizer, Toys, medical devices, furniture, pool liners, lightsticks

Cobalt dichloride – Humidity indicator, Metal-plated objects

Dibutyl phthalate -Food Containers, nail polish

Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP) – Paints, printing inks, adhesives

Hexabromocyclododecane – Flame Retardants

Lead chromate – Paints

Potassium chromate – Leather, textiles, enamels, pigments

EPA Green Chemistry Awards

The EPA gives out Green Chemistry Awards to the design of chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use or generation of hazardous substances. Green chemistry applies across the life cycle, including the design, manufacture, and use of a chemical product.

When you are looking for green products, be sure to check out past Green Chemistry award winners.

A 2003 winner was the Environmentally Friendly Biofungicide Serenade from AgraQuest. It stops fruit and vegetable, rose, vines, and flower diseases. It is Bacillus subtilis strain (QST713) based and compatible with IPM programs.

Be sure to read those ingredient lists and MSDS documents.

We have mentioned choosing special cabinets, cleaners, paints, adhesives, etc to avoid toxic VOCs. (Volatile Organic Compounds) What exactly are VOCs?

What are VOC’s?

The US EPA defines VOCs as “Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. VOCs include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects. Concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher indoors (up to ten times higher) than outdoors.  VOCs are emitted by a wide array of products numbering in the thousands. Examples include: 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.”

As you can see, VOCs are present in many products and are not healty. Health effects according to the EPA include: “Eye, nose, and throat irritation; headaches, loss of coordination, nausea; damage to liver, kidney, and central nervous system. Some organics can cause cancer in animals; some are suspected or known to cause cancer in humans.  Key signs or symptoms associated with exposure to VOCs include conjunctival irritation, nose and throat discomfort, headache, allergic skin reaction, dyspnea, declines in serum cholinesterase levels, nausea, emesis, epistaxis, fatigue, dizziness.”

Did you know that gases can even leak from closed containers? VOCs have high enough vapor pressures under normal conditions to significantly vaporize and enter the atmosphere.

Steps to reduce exposure include:

1) Increasing ventilation when using products containing them

2) Throw away partially used containers that are unneeded

3) Buy only enough to get the job done

4) Try to buy products that do not have VOCs or are low in VOCs.

5) Fix structural problems to avoid the need for pesticides.

6) Buy furniture that is not built with carcinogenic formaldehyde laced MDF or compressed wood. Interlam and Topan make MDF without formaldehyde. Formaldehyde was added to the National Toxicology Program’s carcinogenic list in 2011.

Be sure to read our article: Why are so few chemicals tested?

Spring is rapidly approaching, it is time to clean up your place. EWG Has a nice list of tips to help you clean your house the green more eco-friendly way.

• Check the exterior of your home and repair any cracked or flaking paint
• Check and clean gutters again
• It is time to work on your garden and rejuvenate your lawn
• Check and clean chimney if necessary
• The heater will get a rest, so it’s time to check your air conditioner and its filters
• Check your roof and patch or replace any damaged areas

Some other useful tips include:

Using cleaners that do not have any of these chemicals: 2-butoxyethanol, Alkylphenol ethoxylates, Dye, Ethanolamines, fragrance, pine or citrus oil, Quaternary ammonium compounds.

Learn how to check on the products and ingredients by reading MSDS documents.

Baking soda and water works well as a substitute for acidic toilet-bowl cleaner and oven cleaners.

These tips are also incorporated in their healthy home checklist.

Recycle old unused electronics and computers responsibly and perhaps get some money back.

Donate or give away unneeded items.