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Never underestimate your power to make a difference. Good choices add up, and together, we can create a cleaner, healthier world for all families for generations to come.

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Why NOT to use Dryer Sheets or Fabric Softeners

Although they may make your clothes feel soft and smell fresh, fabric softener and dryer sheets are some of the most toxic products around. There are usually warnings on fabric softener and dryer sheets not to use them on children's sleepwear.

According to this article published on CBS, a small study suggests scented laundry items contain carcinogens that waft through vents, potentially raising cancer risk.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-20097302-10391704.html

PubMed.gov has many peer-reviewed articles based on studies conducted to determine toxicity of fabric softeners, such as this one: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10872633 that found "that some commercial fabric softeners emit mixtures of chemicals that can cause SI (sensory irritation), PI (pulmonary irritation), and reduce midexpiratory airflow velocity in normal mice. The results provide a toxicological basis to explain some of the human complaints of adverse reactions to fabric softener emissions."

Some of the harmful ingredients commonly found in liquid or sheet fabric softeners include:

  • Chloroform: This substance was used as an anesthesia in the 1800s up through the early 1900s when its potential for causing fatal cardiac arrhythmia was discovered. A carcinogenic neurotoxin, it is on the EPA's Hazardous Waste list. Inhaling its vapors may cause loss of consciousness, nausea, headache, vomiting, and/or dizziness, drowsiness. It may aggravate disorders of the heart, kidneys or liver. Its effects worsen when subjected to heat.
  • A-Terpineol: Causes Central Nervous System (CNS) disorders, meaning problems relating to the brain and spine such as Alzheimer's disease, ADD, dementia, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, seizures, strokes, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Early symptoms of CNS problems include aphasia, blurred vision, disorientation, dizziness, headaches, hunger, memory loss, numbness in face, pain in neck and spine. A-Terpineol also irritates the mucous membranes and, if aspirated into the lungs, can cause respiratory depression, pneumonia or fatal edema.
  • Benzyl Alcohol: This upper respiratory tract irritant can cause central nervous system (CNS) disorders, headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness and dramatic drops in blood pressure.
  • Benzyl Acetate: This substances has been linked to pancreatic cancer. Its vapors can be irritating to eyes and respiratory passages and it can also be absorbed through the skin.
  • Ethanol: Another fabric softener ingredient which is on the EPA's Hazardous Waste list and linked to CNS disorders.
  • Pentane: A chemical known to be harmful if inhaled.
  • Ethyl Acetate: This substance, which is on the EPA's Hazardous Waste list, can be irritating to the eyes and respiratory tract. It may also cause severe headaches and loss of consciousness, as well as damage to the liver and kidneys.
  • Camphor: Another substance on the EPA's Hazardous Waste list. It is easily absorbed through body tissue, causing irritation of eyes, nose and throat. Camphor can also cause dizziness, confusion, nausea, twitching muscles and convulsions.
  • Linalool: A narcotic known to cause respiratory problems and CNS disorders. In animal testing, exposure to linalool has resulted in death.
  • Phthalates: Used in scented products to help the scent last longer, phthlates have been linked to breast cancer and reproductive system problems.
  • Limonene: This known carcinogen can cause irritation to eyes and skin.
  • Also, if you follow a vegan lifestyle, you should be aware that many fabric softener sheets are made using tallow, a form of animal fat.

Manufacturers are aware that the products contain toxic chemicals. The packaging on many brands include a warning that the product should not be used on children's sleepwear. Since some of the same brands also have large images of children and toys, however, consumers may miss the small print message.

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/034617_fabric_softeners_toxic_chemicals_laundry.html#ixzz2hLJzql5S


As always, feel free to contact me with questions regarding any Norwex product. You can shop online by clicking Shop Online above, or directly from my website at http://rebeccalange.norwex.biz. If you'd like to receive my newsletter with Norwex specials, please fill out the contact form here http://rebeccalange.norwex.biz/en_US/customer/subscribe-to-consultant-specials. If you would like to schedule a party, discuss career opportunities at Norwex, or have any questions about our products, I invite you to send me a message here http://rebeccalange.norwex.biz/en_US/customer/about-me

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