Chemicals and Health Issues, Related??

Dr. Joyce Woods worked as a medical/surgical nurse, public health nurse, nurse educator, nursing school administrator and a occupational health consultant. She holds Bachelors of Nursing, Bachelors of Arts (Specialist), Masters of Education degrees, and has completed her doctoral degree in the area of Indoor Air Pollution, and ...it's effect on your health. Her research has revealed the following facts.

The average home today contains 62 toxic chemicals - more than a chemistry lab at the turn of the century. More than 72,000 synthetic chemicals have been produced since WW II. Less than 2% of synthetic chemicals have been tested for toxicity, mutagenic and carcinogenic effects, or birth defects. The majority of chemicals have never been tested for long-term effects.

An EPA survey concluded that indoor air was 3 to 70 times more polluted than outdoor air.

Another EPA study stated that the toxic chemicals in household cleaners are 3 times more likely to cause cancer than outdoor air.

CMHC reports that houses today are so energy efficient that "out-gassing" of chemicals has no where to go, so it builds up inside the home.

Chemicals get into our body through inhalation, ingestion and absorption. We breathe 10 to 20 thousand liters of air per day. Our homes should have a complete change of air 3 or 4 times a day. New homes are built so airtight that it is impossible to get a complete change of air. We should leave our windows open on each side of our house for better cross ventilation.

Statistics say we spend 90% of our time indoors, and 65% of that time at home. Moms, infants and the elderly spend 90% of their time in the home.
National Cancer Association released results of a 15-year study concluding that women who work in the home are at a 54% higher risk of developing cancer than women who work outside the home., Are you a stay home mom? Are your children in the home 24/7?

Take a look at the increases in illness over the years.

Cancer rates have almost doubled since 1960.
Cancer is the Number ONE cause of death for children.
Since 1980, asthma has increased by 600%.
ADD/ADHD are epidemic in schools today. Behavioral problems have long been linked to exposure to toxic chemicals and molds.
Chemical and environmental sensitivities are known to cause all types of headaches.
Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, circulatory disorders, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease, irritable bowel syndrome, depression, and hormonal problems are diseases commonly related to chemical exposure. Know anyone with one or more of these conditions???

There has been a 26% increase in breast cancer since 1982. Breast cancer is the Number ONE killer of women between the ages of 35 and 54. Primary suspects are laundry detergents, household cleaners and pesticides.

With statistic like these it is no wonder why we need to eliminate the chemicals from our everyday products. Household and personal care products should be bought with "health" in mind.
Are the products we buy safe with non harmful ingredients?

Labeling laws do not protect the consumer - they protect big business. The New York Poison Control Center reports that 85% of product warning labels were either inadequate or incorrect for identifying a poison, and for first aid instructions.
Pesticides only have to include active ingredients on the labels, even though the inert (inactive) ingredients may account for 99%, many of which are toxic and poisons.
Formaldehyde, phenol, benzene, toluene, xylene are found in common household cleaners, cosmetics, beverages, fabrics and cigarette smoke. These chemicals are cancer causing and toxic to the immune system. Chemicals are attracted to, and stored in fatty tissue. The brain is a prime target for these destructive organics because of its high fat content and very rich blood supply.
If the consumer was made aware of all the ingredients in a products they would then be able to make a more informed decision as to whether they would want to use the product or not. The next thing that needs to be implemented is to have the labels understandable, not all those big scientific terms!