So Fresh And Clean…and Cancer Causing
Isn’t it lovely to pull warm towels out of the dryer that smell like “Mountain Spring” or an “Orchid Breeze”? But that seemingly innocent little dryer sheet is not just supplying long-lasting scent to your clothes. It’s also giving you a generous dose of carcinogenic (cancer-causing) chemicals, neurotoxins, respiratory irritants, solvents, aldehydes, hundreds of untested and unregulated petro-chemicals, phthalates (which can act as hormone disrupters) and narcotics. Can synthetic fragrances really cause cancer, trigger asthma, and mess with your estrogen/testosterone balance? Unfortunately several studies say yes.
In 1991 a study performed by the EPA found that several of the chemicals used in fragrances (including acetone, benzaldehyde, benzene, ethanol, and methylene chloride) cause, when inhaled, “central nervous system disorders, asthma, dizziness, nausea, uncoordination, slurred speech, drowsiness, irritation to the mouth, throat, eyes, skin, lungs and GI tract, kidney damage headache, respiratory failure, ataxia, and fatigue, among other symptoms and illnesses.”
These petroleum-based chemicals have been shown in the medical literature to cause cancers, autoimmune diseases, asthma, allergies, infertility, miscarriage, and ADD.
Originally, the way we supplied fragrance was by using pure essential oils from the roots, stems, and leaves of plants. However, the introduction of synthetic fragrances (and the other chemicals that help the fragrances cling to fabric, hair, skin, etc.) allowed manufacturers to put scent EVERYWHERE and made sure that it stayed there for a good long time.
So how to avoid exposure of these synthetic fragrances? You may not have that much control over your co-workers and neighbors, but for you and your family here’s how you can start:
Always choose unscented or fragrance-free products. This takes some doing. A lot of places don’t even offer an unscented shampoo or body wash, but your local health food store probably does. Every grocery store carries fragrance-free detergent and fabric softener, so I would switch to those immediately. Then as you run out of things just try to buy the unscented version of your favorite lotion, deodorant, hairspray, face lotion, hand soap, dish soap, cleaning wipes, window cleaner, etc.
Stop wearing perfume. You don’t need it, just bathe regularly.
Stop burning scented candles. I used to love vanilla candles…but it turns out scented candles are the worst! Not only do they contain carcinogenic benzene but many of them also contain lead!
Stop using air freshener. The way most air fresheners work is a toxic mix of chemicals where one provides a fragrance and the other provides a nerve-deadening effect to prevent your olfactory nerves from smelling. Yikes!
This is one of my favorites: STOP CLEANING SO MUCH. Maybe, just maybe, not everything needs to be Clorox-ed, Lysol-ed, Pledge-ed, and disinfected all the time. Try to switch to natural plant-based products or make your own cleaning supplies from vinegar, baking soda, and water.
Avoid Parabens in lotions, deodorants, shampoos and other cosmetics (look for “paraben-free”; watch out for “methylparaben,” “ethylparaben” and “butylparaben on the label).
Switch to Pure Essential Oils. If you need or want to scent something, try using pure essential oils. A few drops of lemon, lavender, or peppermint essential oil on a wet washcloth thrown into the dryer with your laundry will leave a light scent without being overpowering and toxic.
Synthetic fragrances are toxic chemicals. Even if you’re not having an overt reaction, your scents may be affecting the people around you. And in the long run, you’ll be making a much healthier, safer choice to avoid them.
In health,
Dr. G
