What's in your "Pit Stick"?

 

     A few months ago I was preparing for my pilgrimage to San Diego for the Nerd Mecca, Comic Con.  Unfortunately, I have a tendency to do the opposite of packing light and knowing this I set out to find "travel size" personal care products.  When a Canadian thinks about California, they usually think, "hot"; so, naturally I needed to find a travel size deodorant for my trip.  I have been using natural deodorant ever since I started to sweat and my go-to product has always been Tom's of Maine.  My Mom introduced me to Tom's of Maine deodorant when I was very young, and it was explained to me that the reason why she used it was because other brands contained too many chemicals.  I remember quite clearly that the first Tom's of Maine deodorant was a roll-on product with alcohol in it.  Well, I can only assume it was alcohol because it stung when I would apply it after shaving my underarms - Ouch!.  Now that I am older and branching out to discover new products, this has prompted me to looking at the labels with a discriminating eye.  Deciding to leave my Tom's of Maine at home, the question I asked myself when seeking out that travel size pit-stick was, "What are those chemicals my Mom was mentioning and are they really in ALL non-natural pit sticks?".

First up,

Triclosan

     Triclosan is a common ingredient in many deodorants/antiperspirants for both men and women.  It can also be found in hand sanitizers, laundry detergents, facial tissues, antiseptics for wounds, and cleansers as a anti-fungal/antibacterial preservative.  Triclosan can also be found in many items which can be advertized as "anti-bacterial", these may include garbage bags, toys, linens, mattresses, toilet fixtures, clothing, furniture fabric, and paints.

   "On March 30th, 2012,  The Honourable Peter Kent, Minister of Environment, and the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, today announced that the Government of Canada completed its preliminary assessment of triclosan under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA), 1999 and the Pest Controls Products Act.   It has been proven to provide health benefits in some products, such as its use in toothpaste to protect against gingivitis.  The preliminary assessment shows that current levels of triclosan in products such as toothpaste, shampoo and soap do not pose a risk to human health and Canadians can continue to safely use these products.  However as toothpastes, soaps and other items are rinsed off and washed down the drain, the amount of triclosan that is released into the environment can affect plants and animals in lakes, streams and rivers.
     'This preliminary assessment confirms that Canadians can continue to safely use products such as toothpaste, shampoo and soap containing triclosan,' said Minister Aglukkaq. 'The assessment re-affirms that the guidance we have in place on maximum levels of triclosan in a variety of products help protect human health.'
    
     The health assessment took into account a review of biomonitoring data for Canadians, as well as data from the United States. Human biomonitoring provides an estimate of people's exposure to chemicals. 
     The Government also took into consideration concerns that triclosan is linked to antibacterial resistance.  Based on available information, there is no clear link between use of products containing triclosan and antibacterial resistance 1".

   While the Government assessment comity did not find any risk to human health with respect to shampoos and soaps which can be washed down the drain, no research was done on the affects of triclosan on broken skin, for example: On the underarms after shaving.  Further testing needs to be done.

     In spite of the lack of evidence that triclosan does not appear to contribute to the ever increasing problem with anti-biotic resistant bacteria, it does; however appear to definitely affect the chain of microbial aquatic bacterias. Stuart Levy in the August 6, 1998 issue of Nature, stated that, "degradation of an ecosystem may rearrange the competitive hierarchy" 2.  In a 2010 article by Ricart M, Guasch H, Alberch M, et al., entitled "Triclosan persistence through wastewater treatment plants and its potential toxic effects on river biofilms"; it was documented that: "Triclosan inhibits photosynthesis in diatom algae which are responsible for a large part of the photosynthesis on Earth".  Triclosan may also be an endochrine disruptor in amphibians.  A 2006 study concluded that low doses of triclosan act as an endochrine disruptor in the North American Bullfrog.  The hypothesis proposed is that triclosan blocks the metabolism of thyroid hormone because it chemically mimics thyroid hormone and binds to the hormone receptor sites, blocking them, so that normal hormones cannot be used. A human study between 2003 and 2006 concluded that triclosan (as an endocrine disruptor) affects the immune system and showed a positive association with allergy or hay fever diagnosis 2.

Aluminum

     In my efforts to find a deodorant for my trip, I set off trying my best to find a "non-natural" deodorant which does not contain aluminum - and I couldn't find one.  I had heard that aluminum present in deodorants could lead to the eventual development of breast cancer and that it was also found in a higher concentration in the brain's of Alzheimer's patients.  True or False?.

     Aluminum-based compounds (aluminum chlorohydrate) are used as the active ingredient in antiperspirants. These compounds form a temporary plug within the sweat duct that stops the flow of sweat to the skin's surface.  In fact, Aluminium zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly, a common  antiperspirant ingredient, is a cause of "armpit stains" on clothing, reacting with sweat to create yellow stains.  In a recent study published in the Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry found an increase of levels of aluminum in non-invasively collected nipple aspirate fluids from 19 breast cancer patients.  The article states:

     "In addition to emerging evidence, our results support the possible involvement of aluminum ions in oxidative and inflammatory status perturbations of breast cancer microenvironemnt, suggesting aluminum accumulation in breast microenvironment as a possible risk factor for oxidative/inflammatory phenotype breast cells", it goes on, "In 12 invasive cancer nipple aspirate fluid samples we found a significant positive linear correlation among aluminum carbonyls and pro-inflammatory monocyte chemoattractant cytokine".
     In spite of the medical research being done on the correlation between breast cancer an aluminum found in breast cancer patients.  According to the National Cancer Institute, "In 2006, researchers examined antiperspirant use and other factors among 54 women with breast cancer and 50 women without breast cancer. The study found no association between antiperspirant use and the risk of breast cancer; however, family history and the use of oral contraceptives were associated with an increased risk of breast cancer".  The webpage also ends with this statement, "Because studies of antiperspirants and deodorants and breast cancer have provided conflicting results, additional research is needed to investigate this relationship and other factors that may be involved".

     The jury is still out on testing this metal....HA!.  Keep reading....

Stereth-100 (and up)

     Stereth-100 (or any Stereth with a number attached to the other side of it) is a synthetic polymer composed of PEG (polyethylene glycol) and stearyl alcohol.    The Steareths are prepared by reacting ethylene oxide with stearyl alcohol. The numerical value in the name corresponds to the average number of units of ethylene oxide. For example, Steareth-2 is prepared using an average of 2 units of ethylene oxide reacted with stearyl alcohol 1.  Sereths can be found in a variety of personal care products including deodorants, cleaners, lotions and even food like salad dressings.  Primarily used for their emulsifying properties, meaning, they are placed in products to keep the ingredients from separating. 

     The danger of this product is from the ethylene oxide in the manufacturing of this compound.  Unless otherwise specified, our good friend 1, 4 Dioxane will be accompanying it as a bi-product of the manufacture. Stereth-100 is another ethoxylate like our other friend Sodium Laureth Sulphate.

     This item can also be found in many "natural" deodorants as well.

Propylene Glycol

     Propylene Glycol is an organic compound, a double alcohol, and can also go by the designation:  1, 2-propanediol or propane 1, 2-diol.  It is a viscous, colourless, oudorless liquid with a faint sweet taste.  It's commonly used as a preservative in food or tobacco products, one of the major ingredients in electronic cigarettes as an "e-liquid", and is used in personal care products.  It has a wide variety of applications spanning from industrial food to pharmaceutical production and clinical use.  Like PEG compounds, propylene glycol functions as a penetration enhancer and can allow harmful ingredients to be absorbed more readily through the skin. 

     Prolonged contact with propylene glycol is non-irritating to the skin.  Exposure to mists may cause eye and upper respiratory tract irritation. Inhalation of the propylene glycol vapors appears to present no significant hazard in ordinary applications; however, limited human experience indicates that inhalation of propylene glycol mists could be irritating to some individuals.  Propylene glycol does not cause sensitization and it shows no evidence of being a carcinogen.  However, according to a 2010 study by Karlstad University, the concentrations of PGEs (counted as the sum of propylene glycol and glycol ethers) in indoor air, particularly bedroom air, has been linked to increased risk of developing numerous respiratory and immune disorders in children, including asthma, hay fever, eczema, and allergies, with increased risk ranging from 50% to 180%. This concentration has been linked to use of water-based paints and water-based system cleansers3.

Polyethylene Glycol (PEG)

     Polyethylene Glycols or PEGs are petroleum-based compounds used in cosmetics as thickeners, solvents, softeners, and moisture-carriers. PEGs are commonly used as cosmetic cream bases. They are also used in pharmaceuticals as laxatives.  A carcinogen called, ethylene oxide is used to manufacture polyethylene glycol and of course, it's bi-product, 1,4 dioxane, a suspected carcinogen, usually contaminates the substance.  PEGs function as "penetration enhancers," increasing the permeability of the skin to allow greater absorption of the product.  According to an article published in the International Journal of Toxicology This characteristic makes them very dangerous to use, especially on broken skin, as they can cause irritation and system toxicity.  Ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane are prohibited on Health Canada's Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist. However, when these chemicals are present in a product as a contaminant (i.e., an unintentional ingredient), the Hotlist restrictions do not apply.  1,4-dioxane does not easily degrade and can remain in the environment long after it is rinsed down the shower drain. 1,4-dioxane can be removed from cosmetics during the manufacturing process by vacuum stripping, but there is no easy way for consumers to know whether products containing PEGs have undergone this process.  The OCA (Organic Consumer Association) posted a "Consumer Alert" regarding 1,4 dioxane contamination in products labeled "natural" and "organic" (the organics had not been certified by the USDA).  According to the findings, 1,4-dioxane was a contaminant in 46 of 100 products analyzed.  For more on that research click here.

Parabens

     According to the National Cancer Institute, aluminum is not the ingredient you should be most concerned about in your deodorant.  Parabens are a potent endochrine disruptor and are a widely used preservative in cosmetics.  They are very easily identifiable as: methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, isobutylparaben, ethylparaben, or benzylparaben.   The European Commission on Endocrine Disruption has listed parabens as "Category 1" priority substances, based on evidence that they interfere with hormone function.  The belief that parabens build up in breast tissue was supported by a 2004 study in the Journal of Applied Toxicology, which found parabens in 18 of 20 samples of tissue from human breast tumors.  Another more recent study, July 2008, provides evidence that Parabens also contribute to male reproductive function, for that article click here.  Furthermore, there have been studies in the Toxicology Journal and the New Scientist which state that methylparaben applied on the skin reacts with UVB leading to increased skin aging and DNA damage.  Parabens occur naturally at low levels in certain foods such as barley, strawberries, currents, vanilla, carrots, and onions, although a synthetic preparation derived from petrochemicals is used in cosmetics. Parabens in foods are metabolized when eaten, which reduces the potency of the estrogen.  In contrast, when applied to the skin and absorbed into the body, parabens in cosmetics bypass the metabolic process and enter the blood stream and body organs intact.

    Currently, there are not restrictions on the usage of parabens in Canada; however, international regulations are strict as the European Union restricts the concentration of parabens in cosmetics.

      In the end, I did not find any travel size "non-natural" deodorant which did not contain any of the above ingredients.  The product I took with me to California was a travel size of "Secret" antiperspirant which turned the white cloths at the hotel yellow, after I washed my underarms.  In spite of my failure, I hope that I have provided you, my readers, with some more good information which will help you to make better educated choices when choosing your personal care products.  It's best to keep in mind, even though all of these soaps, shampoos, and body care products contain small amounts of these chemicals, over time they will compound themselves in your body and in our environment.  No, I do not believe you can avoid all of them; but, you can at least reduce the amount you take in yourself by limiting your exposure.  For more information about the scents that you come into contact with when using deodorants, please click here.

     My trek continues as I seek out new products and their information - To go boldly where most consumers have not gone before.  

Nature Clean: Made by really nice Canadians

  
    
     In 2008 I decided to make the move and replace Dawn, Ivory, and Sunlight for my liquid dish soap.  At that time, I was still living in apartments and did not have a dishwasher, well, I was the dishwasher.  After I changed brands to Nature Clean, I noticed that my hands were less dry after I would do the dishes.  Slowly, I started to replace Comet, as my toilet bowl and bathroom cleaner, Pine Sol for my floor cleaner, and Windex for my window cleaner.  When I changed bathroom soaps, I noticed that there was no longer any need for harsh abrasive cleaners in my bathtub. The bathroom soap scum was caused by the animal bi-products and chemicals in my shampoo, conditioner, and body wash.  For years I had been using brands of shampoo like Head & Shoulders and Herbal Essences.  As soon as I switched and my hair started to adjust to the new shampoo, I found the benefits far outweighed the slight increase in cost of my shampoos.

     Frank T. Ross & Sons, the parent company who owns and manufactures Nature Clean products, was founded in Vancouver, 1928, to make products for the railroad industry1.  In the 1950s the company moved to Ontario, where they began manufacturing of their most popular product, "Weldbond Glue", which is exported to the U.S., U.K., New Zealand, and Australia.  In the early 1960s Frank T. Ross began to develop more natural soaps, free of dyes and fragrances because his wife suffered from allergic reactions to the harsh household cleaning products.  In spite of the many years Nature Clean has been available on the market, their products have only caught international attention in the past few years.  Since the release of Al Gore's film "An Inconvenient Truth", informing people of the ingredients which go into their day-to-day products, Nature Clean product sales have, thankfully, risen. 

     The success of the company continued when Frank T. Ross teamed up with Corus Entertainment's Manager of Corus Kids and President of Nelvana, Doug Murphy, who realized that there was a lack of natural personal care products for children.  Together, they formed Nature Clean's brand "Treehouse", it's namesake is taken from Corus' popular children's television network.  From their partnership they produced "The Backyardigans" line of shampoos, bubble bath, and hand soap marketed to children 1.  With the help of the Treehouse brand, Nature Clean broadened it's demographic thus taking huge steps in increasing awareness about the dangers of toxic chemicals.  This attention has been worked hard for and is well deserved. 

     My personal experience with communicating to this company has been extremely positive.  Whenever I have written to the folks at Nature Clean, I have always received a response within 24 hours and it has always been detailed, friendly, and informative.  Their website is one of the easiest to navigate that I have visited and all the information you need is right there.  From their commitment to 100% disclosure about ingredients, to their detailed explanations about their labeling, Nature Clean is a company truly doing it's best to stand behind their product and making sure the customer is both well informed and happy.

    
     One of the great many benefits to their products is that they are dye free.  Something that you might not think about when examining your household cleaning products.  Food, drink, and soap - There are so many products which contain dyes to the point where people have formed allergies or intolerance's to either specific colours of dye, or even all artificial dyes.  Nature Clean also makes a very large selection of soaps, both for personal and household use, which are fragrance free.  When I say, "Fragrance Free", I mean that they really are free of any scent what-so-ever.  Well, they smell like, soap if you can imagine soap without fragrance.  One of the best selling points about their soaps is that they are biodegradable, safe for rivers and streams, and septic tanks.  The fact that Nature Clean is better for the Environment as well as my own skin makes me feel really good when I purchase their products.

     After visiting Terra 20's website this past week, I noticed that the preservatives they posted about, both Methylisothiazoline/Methylchloroisothiazolinone (which I spoke about in detail in my blog post, "Product Review:  Ecos Magnolia and Lily Laundry Detergent Costco"), are found in Nature Clean's Liquid Laundry Detergent, Fabric Softener, and Dish Washing Liquid.  Concerned about the use of these preservatives, I contacted Nature Clean to ask them what percentage they used in their products and why they chose these over others.  This was their response to my inquiry, received the same day:

  
     " Good day and thanks for using our Nature Clean products. Really do appreciate your feedback. It is important to us. Since we have changed the preservatives there has been a number of questions/concern, to better understand all the pros and cons, reason it changed etc is fully explained below and see the attached that we have posted on our website.

We believe in complete disclosure and transparency and as such won’t hide any info nor ingredients – we do indicate all on our packaging even though it is not required by law to do so for household cleaners and it gives our competitors an unfair advantage since they know exactly what we do use – and they can make an educated assumption of the %, where as they hide theirs’ under generic names like –anionic surfactant (can be any of a 100), plant derived surfactant etc, generic term “preservative” –there are 1000’s.

  

Concerning the preservative. Preservatives are designed specifically for one reason – to “kill” and prevent the growth/germination of moulds, fungus, bacteria in the rich environment of a liquid that contains water. Water is the prerequisite of life (as we know it) and as such any product that contain water  - is an ideal source or soup for these growth, especially laundry liquids and dish liquids since they are used frequently and although sterile can become contaminated by some other impurities on opening- from cap due to storage, transportation, hands, packaging, refilling, returning unused portion back to the bottle etc- too many variables, once it is manufactured it is then exposed to unsterile environment.

In Canada and the US, for household cleaners – the preservatives legally has to be chosen from an approved list – which is very short and they all have their own negative connotation. Since we have established what they are designed for. It is the responsibility of the company and also the ethical sound thing for a company to make sure the product is adequately preserved before releasing it on the market – microbial growth can cause undue harm – for eg if a product is contaminated (it cannot be seen with the naked eye), and you then use it to clean your dish- rather than actually cleaning it – you will unintentionally be doing more harm – resulting in food poisoning etc. Be very careful of unpreserved “claims” or unlisted preservatives.

Having said that, we have been using Sodium Hydroxymethyl Gycinate (SHG-from glycine), our Research & Development lab is constantly reevaluating all our ingredients and newer ingredients on the market for health issues or any concern – should any arise – we promptly replace. New datas have indicated some negative implication/association with SHG and as such we do believe we need to replace it and after evaluating all the available “legal” preservatives we have found that MIT/MCI is the most effective and the health benefits provided will far outweigh the negatives. Health Canada actually allowed it in personal care products :  

• Methylisothiazolinone (2682-20-4)/ Methylchloroisothiazolinone (26172-55-4), in combination   Permitted at concentrations equal to or less than 0.015% in rinse-off products and 0.0075%  in leave-on products

That is an excerpt from Health Canada. We have indeed evaluated all the pros and cons of using this preservative, one of the good about it – it is only required at a very miniscule fraction – way less than the previous and way less than the “allowable” % in leave in Cosmetic Products that are intended for the hair, body.

Some of the smaller companies do claim to use “potassium sorbate”, etc in these products but chemically they can only be effective at low pH of products like fruit juices, cosmetics etc, which begs the question are these products (dish liquid and laundry detergents from such companies) really preserved? Safe? Highly unlikely.

 We do appreciate your feedback and like you Melina, we too at Nature Clean will like to produce products that are free of preservatives but unfortunately at the moment this is not possible for dish liquids and laundry liquids. We do have many products that are free of preservatives.
 
We are diligently looking for alternatives as new  the natural ingredients continue to evolve.
 
Regards."

  
     What an answer!.  There are two other preservatives that Nature Clean uses besides Methylisothiazoline/Methylchloroisothiazolinone, and they are Phenoxyethanol, which can be found in their shampoos, and Linear Alcohol Ethoxylate, which can be found in their Automated Dishwasher Pacs.

     Phenoxyethanol and linear alcohol ethoxylate are both manufactured by a similar process - using Ethylene Oxide.  The danger of using this carcinogen to manufacture these two compounds is the bi-product of the manufacturing process - 1, 4 Dioxane.  This compound is not biodegradable, is a suspected carcinogen, and is so abundantly used, it has very easily leeched into our ground water supplies.  Even though Nature Clean uses less preservatives than most other companies, if you're trying to avoid all preservatives, then you might want to consider an alternative to the products which may contain Phenoxyethanol.

     Ethoxylates are a major class of ionic surfactants which are widely used in laundry detergents, some household and industrial cleaners, agriculture, paper, oil, cosmetics, textile and other processing industries. The good news is that alcohols containing ethylene oxides of C
6–C
18 length are considered to be rapidly biodegradable.  According to a PDF from the Human and Environmental Risk Assessment on ingredients in European Cleaning Products: Alcohol Ethoxylates, page 144, it states that, "Many high quality studies investigating the acute toxicity of Alcohol Ethoxylates have shown that in terms of oral and dermal toxicity the use of these compounds are of low concern.  From a structural activity point of view, the length of the alkyl chain did not exert any meaningful influence on acute toxicity".  For more on that click here.  The only concern is the potential contamination of 1, 4 Dioxane while using the ethylene oxide to create the ethoxylate.

    Overall, Nature Clean is an excellent company and their products are a low toxicity for your children and pets.  Nature Clean also works with Cottage and Lake Associations in order to help ensure that their products keep our waterways free of harmful chemicals and are constantly working to find new solutions to their preservatives.  Although they do contain preservatives, I can hardly blame them, they need to produce a large amount of product to turn a profit in order to keep the research going; however, if you are concerned with the use of any preservatives, Nature Clean still has a wide variety of products in their lineup which you can view here.  Reasonably priced and widely distributed, Nature Clean products can be found at most major grocery stores, the list of which can be seen here.  I strongly believe in supporting my Canadian companies, especially companies who put in the extra effort to make a positive impact on our environment and our daily lives.  Nature Clean is such a company and they are well deserving of my hard earned dollar as I help support their continuous development and improvement.

Dr. Bronner's and Mountain Sky Castile Soap

     For this blog post, I have decided to promote two soap products from two different countries:  Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps, from the United States and Mountain Sky, direct to you from the Canadian Rockies (Rocky Mountains for those of you not down with the vernacular).  Both of these companies manufacture castile soaps which are not tested on animals, nor do they contain any animal fats.

What is castile soap?

     The origins of castile soap can be traced back to the Eastern Mediterranean - Lavant, specifically, which translates as, "The Mediterranean lands East of Italy".  Crusaders are rumored to be the ones who first imported this soap in the 11th Century.  Historically, castile soap imported from the Mediterranean and was made from olive oil, animal fat, and an alkali; however, because of difficult nature of transporting goods cross country, the first documented makings of castile soap in England was not until 16161.  As recoded, the first British made castile soap was created by adding brine to the boiled liquor, the soap was made to float to the surface. The soap-boiler could then skim it off, leaving the excess lye and impurities to settle out. While the soap from the Mediterranean tended to be green, the British process produced what was the first white hard soap in England.  This soap hardened further as it aged, without losing its whiteness, forming what was referred to as jabón de Castilla1.

     Modern day, most castile soap is vegetable based.  Common oils used are coconut, palm, jojoba, hemp, and olive.  Oils are then mixed with an alkali, sodium hydroxide - for example, to produce a solid soap; or, potassium hydroxide for a liquid soap. The result, castile soap is gentle on your skin and the environment because it's free of artificial foaming agents, harsh cleansers, deconstructed fatty acids from vegetable oils or fats (oleochemicals), petrochemicals and/or chemical anti-bacterial agents (triclosan). It's also biodegradable2.               

   Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps

     Based in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, Dr. Bronner's is the #1 selling natural soap in North America and Japan.  Born 1908, in Germany, to a Jewish family who had been making soap since 1858, Emanuel Bronner was the third generation certified as a master soapmaker under the guild system of the time. In 1929, he brought his formulas for high-quality liquid and bar soaps to America, starting Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps, and the company was officially founded in 1948.  In the 1960's, Castile soaps exploded in popularity and word of mouth made Dr. Bronner's the soap of a generation, their popularity spanning all of North America.  Today, Dr. Bronner’s, still family owned, continues its mission to building and promoting positive social change. From pioneering USDA certified organic personal care products, to creating Fair Trade projects across the world that ensure fair and just treatment of farmers and workers, to creating a socially responsible workplace in the United States.  Dr. Bronner's continues to lead the market and set a standard for ethical business practices and products.

    Dr. Bronner's "All One" philosophy spills over into a literal meaning in it's products.  All of the soaps created, both liquid and bar, can be used for everything.  From household chores like cleaning floors, dishes (not the dishwasher), toilets, railings, wood, bathtubs, and garbage pails, to your hair and body, even your pets! - No conditioner needed, Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap does it all.  As a company, they too offer 100% disclosure of their ingredients on their products.  If you are uncertain as to the nature of an ingredient, they have a complete list of the essential oils used in their "Natural Fragrances", as well as a full list of soap ingredients, and they also offer an unscented baby soft line of liquid and bar soap.

    Personally, I have been using Dr. Bronner's as a hand soap and floor cleaner for years.  It does really nicely on vinyl flooring and tile; however, I find that it will not give you that "shine" you are used to on your hardwood.  As you can purchase very large bottles of Dr. Bronner's, the bottle will last you the full year, depending on what you use it for and how often.  Typically, I will re-use a hand soap dispenser and cut 35% Dr. Bronner's with 65% water, and it makes a very good bathroom hand soap.  The only drawback is that it tends to collect around the opening of the spout - so expect using some of that to help wash your hands every once in a while.  Use the liquid soap regularly, because Dr. Bronner's does not use any preservatives it will eventually, "go bad".  I have had bottles last more than a year; however, after that time has expired the ingredients will start to separate.  As for how the soap feels, it is more moisturizing than others because of the amount of hemp oil they use in their product.  So, do not expect to have super dry skin after using some Dr. Bronner's line of soaps (The Lavender and Tea Tree might dry skin out a little more than the others - Because of the Tea Tree oil, of course). 

     Offering a wide range of essential oil infused soaps, Dr. Bronner's will be an easy transition for those of you who "shop by smell".  Versatile, dye free and eco-friendly, these soaps are well worth the investment.  If by chance you want to buy a larger jug, there is a 1 Gallon (3.785L if you speak Canadian) option available on the website.  You and your friends can save a little money by going all in on this "All One" cleaner.  Overall, an excellent product and worth the investment and it is available at many Canadian retailers, Lablaw's, Whole Foods, Natural Food Pantry and Terra 20 all carry the Bronner's line.  Also, check with your local Natural Health Food retailer and for more information, please check out Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps website.

    
Mountain Sky

     Located in Crescent Valley, British Colombia, Canadian owned Mountain Sky soaps began in a family basement.  With a desire to stay at home with their two girls, in 1993, Raynald Losier and Nina George began creating soaps so they could take their children out of daycare.  The name of their company comes from the pairing of their girls' middle names, Malaya Mountain and Rahel Sky.  Living on their family farm where they would grow, and consume most of their own farmed produce.  The families passion for living off the land and as naturally as possible spilled over into their soap making passion.

     Their business grew beyond their 400 sq. ft. basement and expanded into a 7 000 sq. ft. factory.  In spite of expanding their business, their pursuit of quality has not dwindled in order to cut costs and increase profit margins.  Mountain Sky's soap making process does not include boiling the oils and separating the glycerin.  Like Dr. Bronner's, they too use a cold press method of soap making where they keep the glycerin and the fats to make their soaps less drying and retain a silky feel.

     As a company, Mountain Sky puts the workers and their families first.  Recognizing the importance of families and values of all, "stripes, spots, and colours".  The company ensures all of it's workers are paid a fair, living wage for the level of work that they do, provides benefits, and profit sharing.  They do extensive work in their community, as the factory is based in a rural area.  They frequently participate in community fundraising and provide soaps to add to baskets which are then donated to Canadian Food for Children's global hampers. 

    Mountain Sky's environmental and sustainability practices are excellent.  The company purchases unrefined shea butter for their vegetable soaps from an African Women's Collective.  All of the boxes which Mountain Sky uses to ship it's products, are boxes that other companies would send for recycling.  If you order from their website, it is likely you will get a box from another local health food store; and, inside those shipping boxes are plastic bags and shredded paper taken from local businesses.  All of Mountain Sky's Coconut Oil buckets are either donated to the rural community or used to ship their soaps to the Canadian Food for Children organization.  The Canadian Food for Children representatives have informed Mountain Sky that the buckets are then donated to the communities that they are helping. The buckets have been used for rain barrels, to store food, and keeping clothes dry when used to aid relief in disaster stricken countries.  All of Mountain Sky's "reject soap" is donated, so not one scrap is wasted, all food waste from their kitchen is composted, and all recyclables are turned over to the local recycling program.  For more information on the bear which rummaged through their dumpster, please click here.

     All of their soaps are biodegradable and safe for septic tanks.  Although, if you have hard water on your septic system, this soap might not be the best for you as it could cause buildup.  Unlike other petroleum based soaps, none of their soaps contain phosphates which contributes to algae production in rivers, lakes, and streams.  As for people who have problems with dyes and fragrances, this might not be the soap for you as many of their bars contain dyes and essential oils.  It is suggested on their FAQ's page that you test a small portion on your body first.  All of their soaps are tested on people, not animals, and contain no animal bi-products.  Mountain Sky produces a very wide range of soaps including, shampoo bars, liquid castile soaps, lip balms, massage bars, and body butters. 

     Personally, I have no experience with this company; however, after reading about them I think I am more than willing to give them a try.  They have a dry feet moisturizing bar (looks like a deodorant stick),  which has very similar ingredients to that of Coastal Creations Foot Nurisher; but it's 1/3 of the price.  For more information and a complete review of everything mentioned in my blog, and more, please see the Mountain Sky website.           
     

Carina Organics

     

     It's about time I posted something positive rather than expressing the concerns of those of us who prefer to sport tinfoil hats.

    Lately I have been growing tired of my usual shampoos and personal care products.  As I have been sharing, the hunt for new products has been an education.  Learning as I go, I have been doing my best to find products and support companies with who's values, practices, and merchandise best align themselves with my own values and environmental conscience.  The theory I have not yet expressed is that of why I feel it is so important to change the products you use outside of the obvious, "Those chemicals are not good for you".  In an extremely complicated world where I feel so small and helpless to make big changes in big business, exact change in areas which are indeed contributing to the destruction of habitat, extinction of species, general poisoning of the Earth, and ultimately shortening the human race's remarkable existence; there is one ecosystem in which I can most definitely impact, and that is my own.  No one is forcing me, in this grand world of consumer choice, to purchase any one brand of product.  You literally have complete freedom of choice to spend how you will.  The consumer dictates the market, the market does not dictate to the consumer.  An excellent example of this is a documentary mini-series called, "The Century of the Self", which focuses on our societies shift from a "needs" based community to a "wants" based community.  As a consumer, you have 100% control over how you spend your money and this is how I take control in my own life in efforts to produce a positive impact on others.  Naturally, one hopes that if they make such a change it will aid their own longevity; however, I have no preconceptions.  The facts clearly point that the chemicals which I am so diligently trying to avoid, and then some, surround us and trace amounts will always exist in our systems.  The more important issue is removing myself from further contributing to the damage which has already been done.

   I digress.  After having diligently supported companies like Green Beaver and Hugo Naturals (now Hugo & Debrah Naturals), I have grown tired of what I feel are overwhelming scents in these products.  Yes, these products are better than your average shampoo; but, I feel that it's time for me to work the artificial scents out of my daily life completely and even if they are Phthalate-Free.  If there is any scent other than soap which can be distinguished in a product, I want the origin to be from the essential oil which has been wrung from the plant itself.  I have a feeling that this too will be another undertaking; however, there are some products out there now which reflect this desire.  One of them is Vancouver, British Colombia's own, Carina Organics.

  When I was paroozing the Skin Deep website database for a new shampoo, Carina Organics was one of those companies who's products popped up with a EWG rating of "0".  After typing in their name into Google, I found with much surprise that Carina Organics is a Canadian company!.  Since I had never seen their products in any store, I was completely unaware of their existence.  After locating their website, I promptly started familiarizing myself with the company by visiting their "Philosophy" tab.  Their philosophy reads as follows:

     "Our goal is to provide the cleanest possible products for your body. This means natural products, full of medicinal organics and completely free of cortisone, steroids, DEA (diethanolamine), sulfates, salt (sodium chloride), propylene glycol, aluminum, synthetic fragrances, and dyes. With a constantly increasing awareness of the potentially harmful chemical and synthetic ingredients used in health and beauty products, it is becoming more apparent that safer, more natural and organic alternatives should be made available.
     
     Potentially harmful ingredients such as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Ammonium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamide DEA (Diethanolamine), Propylene Glycol and Sodium Chloride (Salt) are chemicals that are used in most of the beauty related products available on the common market.They are inexpensive to use and make the products appear richer in quality by providing either foam enhancing, thickening or moisture retaining properties to the product.These ingredients have undergone extensive testing and many are now recognized as potentially harmful or cancer causing. They can be absorbed through the skin and into the blood stream and can eventually accumulate  in various organs of the body. The body has a difficult time detoxifying these chemicals and the results can be serious if organs are overcome with toxins.

     At  Carina, we have chosen a healthier alternative. Since Carina's inception in 1972, replacing chemical and synthetic ingredients with natural and organic extracts, essences and oils has always been central to our focus and philosophy. This simple formula has helped Carina and its products become recognized and preferred globally".

     Like Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap, Carina Organics also uses the "All One" concept for it's shampoos and body wash.   Carina Organics has six different shampoo/body wash dual use products, one of which is for baby.  Unlike some of the other companies I am familiar with, Carina Organics also makes a variety of hair styling products like hair gel and hair spray which are free of PEG compounds.  This is extremely rare as I have encountered few companies who do not utilize the use of PEG's in their hair gel.  They have a completely unscented product line as well, with many of their shampoos and styling products available with both essential oils for extra scent or the unscented option.  They do not use any chemical preservatives in any of their products, they are 100% plant based and biodegradable, not tested on animals, soy and gluten free.  Last, but not least, the largest selling point to me about this company is that they offer larger sized of their complete line of products.  The smallest size of their shampoo, for example, costs $9.99 for 360ml bottle; the next size up, 1L costs $19.99 - That's more than twice the amount for $10 more, not a bad deal.  It will also save on plastic if you opt for the larger container.  The only drawback is the shipping.  For a small order of four bottles of their smallest size products, a little more than a pop can in size and weight, the package cost $10 to ship; however, shipping is fast, and you will receive your package within the week at your local post office - No UPS.


     Thus far, I have only been able to use the hair gel.  This gel is unlike your usual styling glue as it is very light, but you do need a little more of it; however, your hair will not feel like you have product in it.  As for hold, I can only speak from the experience of a woman who has shoulder length and very straight, fine and plentiful hair.  I would say to expect a little less hold from this product, but I feel that is a fair price to pay for not having harmful PEG, preservative and fragrance chemicals on and in your person.  The bottle is small, only 250ml; however, you are still using so little of it that I can see this bottle lasting me some months with daily use.

    In my opinion, if you are a consumer interested in living toxin free and interested in supporting the Canadian economy, this is the product for you.  If you are not so concerned with the extra fossil fuels which will be consumed in this products delivery, Green Beaver and Nature Clean are closer to Ontario (if that's where you hail from); but, neither of those companies offer some of the products available through Carina Organics.  Personally, I feel the extra exhaust is well worth it and much appreciated.  If that is where your concern is, buy bulk and visit:  http://carinaorganics.com/

20/20: Terra 20 Impressions and Stereth-20 Review

   
                                                       Picture from Ottawa Magazine

     This weekend was very busy for me; however, all week I had heard of a new "Eco Friendly" store in Ottawa called Terra 20 and I couldn't wait to see it for myself.  My greatest hope, that they carried the products from "Carina Organics" which I have become so fond of.

     First impressions, the store at Pinecrest is MASSIVE.  You walk in and immediately notice how much it looks like an Apple Store - Bright, clean, very nicely organized and fancy designer looking shelves.  That's all well and good; but, what about the products?.  They carry many of the brands I'm used to seeing in other stores like Lablaw's, Whole Foods, and Natural Food Pantry.  Their brands seem to be organized more or less by price point.  In the very front you have the "Live Clean" products, followed by "Nature Clean", and "Hugo" Shampoos.  As you make your way around the shelving units, I encountered other brands I'm not familiar with.  One glaring difference that I noticed in Terra 20 was the price point of their products as it is much higher than Lablaw's and Natural Food Pantry.  I would say that the prices rival those of Whole Foods, where you not only pay for having all of your good things in one place, you pay for the name as well.  A very good example of this was their "Nature Clean" products:  Regularly the shampoos are sold at Lablaw's for $8.99; however, at Terra 20 they are being sold for $14.00.  I suppose they need to make a profit too.

     I was also very excited to see what they had in terms of their refill bar at the back of the store.   They carry a brand of product I have never seen before which contains ingredients I have not yet encountered.  Unfortunately, this "Eco" brand also contains dyes - there are many brightly coloured products which come in pinks, blues, and greens.  Since I have personally decided to do my best to avoid purchasing products which have dyes in them, I did not investigate any further.  Accompanying the brightly coloured laundry and house cleaning products at the back of the store, were all of the "Nature Clean" dish washing and Laundry detergents.  I was very happy to see that Terra 20 did carry "Nature Clean's" Eco-Refills for their Unscented Dish Liquid Soap and "Unscented" Liquid Hand Soap.  Unfortunately, as I mentioned before, the price point was about $3-$4 higher than at your local grocery store.

      Terra 20 also carried many toys, towels, makeup and bed linens which I didn't take a look at as I was chiefly interested in their soaps, shampoos and deodorant.  Overall, my experience at Terra 20 was kind of "Meh".  When I was looking at the backs for some deodorants and shampoos I was upset to find that they had covered them over with their bar code tags.  If you're like me and always on the look out for a different product to try, you will want to read what's on the back.  Although, I was impressed with the very wide selection of products they carried.  One thing I was particularly surprised to see is that "Dr. Bronner's" makes travel sized versions of their liquid soap.  That was pretty fantastic to discover, however I'm sure that I could have found that out visiting their website.  It's also ironic that this "Eco Friendly" store picks on Methylisothiazolinone (MI) on it's website (I spoke about this compound in my previous blog entry), when they stock products like "Live Clean", which have Phenoxyethanol as a preservative which is equally, if not more dangerous because it is created from Benzene and Ethylene Oxide - Both documented carcinogens. 

Methylisothiazolinone (MI)

 
      In my opinion, Terra 20 should be used for "Eco-Refill" purposes more than anything.  I endorse that specifically because I have not seen many Lablaws stock such a wide variety in the refills.  I would like to say that I am happy to see a store like this, and would like to see more of it's ilk in the future.  At the end of the day, if Terra 20 were to only stock items which posed the least amount of threat to people and the environment their store would be 1/4 of the size that it is and it would only carry 10 brands.  I do wish they did stock more Canadian products like "Carina Organics" and "Rocky Mountain Soap Factory" because they are both excellent brands which have, so far as I have researched, no chemicals in them.  Not to mention, they are Canadian, and supporting our own economy is key.  Maybe I should make a suggestion?.



     Stereth-20: is a synthetic polymer composed of PEG (polyethylene glycol) and stearyl alcohol.    The Steareths are prepared by reacting ethylene oxide with stearyl alcohol. The numerical value in the name corresponds to the average number of units of ethylene oxide. For example, Steareth-2 is prepared using an average of 2 units of ethylene oxide reacted with stearyl alcohol 1.  Sereths can be found in a variety of personal care products including deodorants, cleaners, lotions and even food like salad dressings.  Primarily used for their emulsifying properties, meaning, they are placed in products to keep the ingredients from separating. 

     The danger of this product is from the ethylene oxide in the manufacturing of this compound.  Unless otherwise specified, our good friend 1, 4 Dioxane will be accompanying it as a bi-product of the manufacture. Stereth-20 is another ethoxylate like our other friend Sodium Laureth Sulphate. 
   
     The reason why I bring up Stereth-20 in this post is because I saw it as an ingredient in one of the natural deodorants I have used.   It appears as though I need to find another to replace it.  The more I learn, the more tricky this mission to keep the crap out of my personal care products seems to become. 

  Stay green friends, and read the labels carefully.  Just because a store claiming to be "Eco-Friendly" opens up, doesn't mean everything inside is good for you. 

  Until next time.... 

   

Product Review: Ecos Magnolia and Lily Liquid Laundry Detergent Costco

     Ecos Magnolia and Lily Laundry Detergent

     This week a friend of mine asked me to look into Ecos Laundry Detergent and whether or not they were as they advertised.  Ecos is sold in a very large and reasonably priced container at Costco Wholesale.  Admitting that I knew nothing about the company or the detergent my friend kindly sent me a photo of the back of the container so I could look into the matter further.  Surprisingly, the information on the label provides little about what ingredients make up the detergent.  They are listed as follows:

   "Ingredients:  100% anionic coconut kernel oil-based sulfactant, horsetail plant, coconut oil-based fabric softener, essential oils of magnolia and lily, purified water.  (This product is free from 1, 4 Dioxane)".

     GREAT, right?.  NO!.  No, that is NOT great.  The label of a company who claims to be environmentally conscious will not print what makes up their "coconut kernel oil-based surfactant" and "coconut oil-based fabric softener".  How do you, the consumer, know what you're getting by those broad generalizations?.  I would also like to know what printing, "This product is free from 1, 4 Dioxane" is supposed to accomplish?.  By reading the ingredients list, I see no ingredient which may produce that chemical bi-product.  

     I then went to http://www.ecos.com/ in search of the real ingredients list.  As you explore their website you will find all of the awards and recognition that they have recieved for their "Green Works".  Proudly they announce the following:

    "

• FIRST To eliminate 1,4 Dioxane, a carcinogen, from all products.
• FIRST To stop use of salts in all cleaners, an action necessary to protect water supplies.
• FIRST To eliminate Formaldehyde, a pernicious toxin.
• FIRST / ONLY To introduce a patented neutral pH automatic dishwashing product, WAVE® Gel.
• TOP SELLING Green Laundry product worldwide, ECOS® laundry detergent.
• ONLY Green manufacturer with plants strategically located in 5 regions.
• FIRST To generate more than 50% of our plant electrical needs by using solar panels.
• FIRST In sustainability.
• ONLY Green primary manufacturing company. We're a one-link supply chain. We don't contract our manufacturing to others. We control the entire process. We respond to new research and customer preferences immediately".

     Great again, right?.  It would be if it weren't so difficult to find their "Ingredients List" on-line.  At the bottom left of the page beside the "Products" Tab, there is another Tab listed "Ingredients List".  It reads as follows:

      "Ecos Magnolia and Lily Liquid Laundry Detergent

          Water
          Cocamidopropyl Betaine (coconut based surfactant)
          Sodium Coco Sulphate (coconut based surfactant)
          Cocamidopropylamine Oxide (coconut based surfactant)
          Phenoxyethanol (Preservative)
          Natural Fragrance Mixture
          Methylisothiazolinone (Preservative)
          Equisetum Hiemale (Horsetail Plant)"                                    

       I am familiar with the Coconut based surfactants that they use.  Amongst the new wave of toxin free personal body care and household cleaning products, they are what makes them much more environmentally friendly.  There were only two ingredients which raised my eyebrows,  "Methylisothiazolinone", "Phenoxyethanol", and the generic, "Natural Fragrance Mixture".

     Phenoxyethanol is an organic chemical compound, a glycol ether often used in dermatological products such as skin creams and sunscreen.  This ingredient starts out as phenol, a toxic white crystalline powder that’s created from benzene (a known carcinogen) and then is treated with our good friend, ethylene oxide (which as we know from how SELS is created, the bi-product of Dioxane is a result) and an alkalai 2. It is a colorless oily liquid. It is a bactricide and is used in many applications such as cosmetics, vaccines and pharmaceuticals as a preservative.  It is also used as a fixative for perfumes, insect repellents, a topical antiseptic, a solvent for cellulose acetate, some dyes, inks; and, a resin in preservatives, pharmaceuticals, and in organic synthesis. It is moderately soluble in water. It is used as an anesthetic in the aquaculture of some fish 1. 

     The Food and Drug Administration has warned that the chemical is toxic to infants via ingestion, and "can depress the central nervous system and may cause vomiting and diarrhea." Combined with Chlorphenesin, these two chemicals can cause respiratory depression in infants.  Since these chemicals are often present in cosmetics and lotions applied to the hands and are easily ingested, caution should be exercised 1.

     The European Union's Classification and Labeling Commission has identified this substance as a skin, eye, and lung irritant and is particularly toxic if swallowed or used on the lips.  It is not listed on Environment Canada's ingredient "Hot List" as it is not suspected to be bio-accumulative or persistent3.

     Methylisothiazolinone or MIT or MI, sometimes erroneously called methylisothiazoline, is a powerful biocide and preservative in personal care products.  While this ingredient has been proven to, in doses higher than 1.9%, proven to be a skin irritant and to trigger allergies.  However, "A report released by the European Scientific Committee on Cosmetic Products and Non-Food Products Intended for Consumers (SCCNFP) in 2003 concluded that insufficient information was available to allow for an adequate risk assessment analysis of MIT. In 2004, after receiving additional studies, committee said "The SCCNFP is of the opinion that the proposed use of Methylisothiazolinone as a preservative at a maximum concentration of 0.01% (100 ppm) in the finished cosmetic product does not pose a risk to the health of the consumer 4."

      It is a substitute for Phenoxyethanol and preservatives which are Formaldehyde releasing.   According to Health Canada's Cosmetic Ingredient "Hot List" Methylisothiazolinone is, "Permitted at concentrations equal to or less than 0.0015% (15 μg/mL or 15 ppm) in rinse-off products and 0.00075% (7.5 μg/mL or 7.5 ppm) in leave-on products". 

       Last, but not least, the only ingredient left to rule out is the "Natural Fragrance".  As per my previous post warning about the effects of Phthalates and the harm of artificial fragrances, fragrance enhancers, and supressors; I did contact Ecos as to whether or not their product's "Natural Fragrances" are synthetic, or truly from essential oils and organic in nature and origin.

      I contacted them 48 hours ago, and I am still awaiting a response.  I suspect I will hear nothing from them, as has been the way with Coastal Classic Creations and Onesta (more on them in another post).  It seems as though this company does not stand behind it's product enough to answer a very simple question:  What are the origins of your fragrance?.

     Due to the fact that Ecos does not provide full disclosure of it's ingredients on the back of the package and that they did not respond to my e-mail regarding my inquiry into their fragrance; I would do my best to avoid this company and this product.  I believe in FULL disclosure of the ingredients by every manufacturer of personal care and house hold cleaning products.  The only way for us to change this in our consumer culture is to stop purchasing from companies like this one and find others who better reflect our standards.
       






 

  

Phthalates and Fragrance: Endocrine Disruptors and Links to Breast Cancer

                     

                               "If in doubt, Mariadoc, always follow your nose" ~ Gandalf. 

     Alright old man, you and the Toucan can step aside for a minute and allow me an attempt to undo many years of neurotoxic brainwashing. 

     We all poop, and it usually doesn't smell that great.  As a result, an entire industry has been developed to cover up our "people smells".  From scented candles, parfum plug-ins, fragrant oil sticks, body sprays, Fabreeze, to all of the scents in lipsticks, foundation, soaps, shampoos, detergents, and deodorants; scents are something we cannot seem to avoid.  Women have remarked to me many times about how important it is to them that a definitive selling point is how a product "smells".  I too am guilty of "following my nose", and though I am not allergic to any fragrance, as the years have gone on I have drifted further and further away from allow fragrance to determine the way I drive my dime.

    The term "fragrance" or "parfum" on a cosmetic ingredients list can represent a complex mixture of dozens of chemicals. Some 3,000 chemicals are used as fragrances and are the ingredients in perfumes, colognes and are used in nearly every type of personal care product. Even products marketed as "fragrance-free" or "unscented" may in fact contain fragrance along with a masking agent that prevents the brain from perceiving odour 1.  Next time you are at your local Lablaws, pick up a small container of "Tide Free", then take it to the "Organics" section and unscrew the cap on a bottle of "Nature Clean Unscented Laundry Liquid".  You will be shocked at what you smell, the difference is truly overwhelming.

    Of the thousands of chemicals used in fragrances, most have not been tested for toxicity, alone or in combination. Many of these unlisted ingredients are irritants and can trigger allergies, migraines, and asthma 1.  The reason why none of these chemical fragrances have been tested is because scents are patented.  These fragrances sell products - it's all about "brand recognition".  Chemists are paid top dollar to come up with these fragrant chemical concoctions and they are closely guarded trade secrets.  Therefore, the companies are not required provide the chemical makeup of any of their fragrances to the public.  It sounds like a conspiracy only a granola muncher could come up with. Unfortunately, it's true.

   People with multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS) or environmentally linked illnesses are particularly vulnerable to aromatic chemicals, with fragrances implicated both in development of the condition and triggering symptoms.  U.K. researchers have reported that "perfume" is the second most common cause of allergy in patients at dermatology clinics 1.     

    Synthetic musks used in fragrances are of particular concern from an ecological perspective. Several musk compounds are persistent in the environment and bioaccumulate in the fatty tissue of aquatic organisms.  What builds up in fatty tissue of one can build up in another. Measureable levels of synthetic musks are found in fish in the Great Lakes and the levels in sediment are increasing.   Environment Canada has categorized several synthetic musks as persistent, bioaccumulative, and/or toxic, and others as human health priorities 1.

    The buck doesn't stop with synthetic fragrance, there are also "fragrance enhancers" which are used to enhance the performance of the parfuming agents.  For example:

     Diethyl phthalate (pronounced tha-late) (DEP) is a clear substance, liquid at room temperature, and is only a slightly more dense than liquid water. It has a faint, disagreeable odor and can be transferred from the plastics that contain it 2.  Phthalate substances are added to plastics to increase their flexibility, transparency, durability, and longevity 3.  They are widely used in cosmetics to make the scent linger.  Phthalates are choice ingredients in cosmetics because they are cheap and versatile. However, the European Commission on Endocrine Disruption has listed DEP as a Category 1 priority substance, based on evidence that it interferes with hormone function 1. 

  Phthalates as Endocrine Disruptors: 

     Endocrine disruption refers to a compound which interferes with hormones in the human body.

    "In a study published in 2005, lead investigator Dr. Shanna Swan reported in the "Swan Study" that human phthalate exposure during pregnancy results in decreased anogenital distance among baby boys. In this study, phthalate metabolites were measured in urine samples collected from the pregnant women having given birth to the infants. After birth, the genital features and anogenital distance of these women's babies were measured and correlated with the residue levels in the mother's urine. Boys born to mothers with the highest levels of phthalates were 7 times more likely to have a shortened anogenital distance 3".

  Phthalates and Breast Cancer:

    "Phthalate parent compounds and/or their metabolites have recently been implicated as a cause of breast cancer.  Women may be at higher risk for potential adverse health effects of phthalates due to increased cosmetic use. Diethyl phthalate and dibutyl phthalate are especially ubiquitous in cosmetics and personal care products.  According to in vivo and observational studies by Davis et al. (1994) and Lopez-Carillo et al. (2010), there is an association between phthalate exposure and endocrine disruption leading to development of breast cancer. Furthermore, it has been well-documented that endocrine disruptors such as phthalates can be additive, so even very small amounts can interact with other chemicals to have cumulative and adverse "cocktail effects". 

     A 2010 study published in Environmental Health Perspectives for the first time implicated that the exposure to diethyl phthalates (DEP), a parent compound of the monoethyl phthalate (MEP) metabolite, may be associated with increased risk of breast cancer.  The case-control study was age matched to 233 BC cases residing in northern Mexico. The phthalate level was determined in urine samples collected pretreatment from the cases. This is only a preliminary finding therefore additional research is required. It is interesting to note that exposure to the parent phthalate, butylbenzyl phthalate (BBzP) of the monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP) metabolite showed a negative association with breast cancer (Odds ratio=0.46, p value for trend, p<.008). This finding may be associated with the demethylation of the estrogen receptor complex in breast cancer cells of this particular phthalate resulting in a negative effect 3 ". 

 Phthalates, Diabetes, and Neurological Disorders:

     "A 2012 study found that people with elevated phthalate levels had roughly twice the risk of developing diabetes compared with those with lower levels. They also found that phthalates were associated with disrupted insulin production 3 ".

     "In 2009, South Korean scientists reported findings of a statistically significant correlation between urine phthalate concentrations in children and symptoms of ADHD. Although more research is needed in order to conclusively determine the relationship between phthalate and ADHD, the article suggests that consumers should be aware of its potential effects on behavior and neurological disorder.  The findings were replicated in The Mount Sinai Children's Environmental Health Study, which enrolled a multiethnic prenatal population in New York City between 1998 and 2002 (n= 404), published in Jan 2010. There was an association of prenatal phthalate exposure with offspring behavior and executive functioning at ages 4 to 9 years. A study published in 2011 followed the children of 319 women who gave birth between 1999 and 2006 to evaluate possible associations between prenatal exposures to phthalates and possible adverse effects in development at age 3 years. The results suggested that prenatal exposure to phthalates had affected the children's mental, motor and behavioral development during the preschool years. The senior epidemiologist on the study stated, "The results are concerning since increasing exposures from the lowest 25% to the highest 25% among the women in our study was associated with a doubling or tripling in the odds of motor and/or behavioral problems in the children 3 ."

     In addition, Health Canada notes evidence suggesting that exposure to phthalates may cause liver and kidney failure in young children when products containing phthalates are sucked or chewed for extended periods. DEP is listed as a Priority and Toxic Pollutant under the U.S. Clean Water Act, based on evidence that it can be toxic to wildlife and the environment 1. 

     Laboratory analysis of top-selling colognes and perfumes identified an average of 14 chemicals per product not listed on the label, including multiple chemicals that can trigger allergic reactions or interfere with hormone function. To learn more, read a recent report by Environmental Defence. 1

     Environment Canada is currently assessing one synthetic musk (moskene) under the government's Chemicals Management Plan and has flagged several others for future assessment. Health Canada recently announced regulations banning six phthalates in children's toys, including DEP; but, the use of DEP in cosmetics remains unrestricted. International regulations are stronger when it comes to the regulation of Phthalates The European Union restricts the use of many fragrance ingredients, including two common musks (nitromusks) and requires warning labels on products if they contain any of 26 allergens commonly used as cosmetic fragrances.

  It also bears noting that Phthalates are also commonly used in sex toys 3.  Sex toys with a "jelly rubber" contain Phthalates, unless the company exclusively says that they do not use the compounds.

  Not all "fragrances" are bad, or unnatural; however, it is usually best to avoid what you are uncertain of.  If you are like me, and want to know more about what is in a product, please contact the company directly and ask.  Out of the four companies I have contacted regarding the use of fragrances and chemicals in their products, only ONE replied to me; which is unfortunate (more posts to come about those correspondences).  Do not be fooled by the "green" packaging or the use of statements like, "Natural Fragrance" or "Essential Oils".  Just because the label reads "essential oils" remember that oil can be manufactured and it does not necessarily mean that they are purely organic in origin.