cleaning products

Formaledehyde in cosmetics

Formaldehyde Poisoning the Cosmetic and Textiles Industry

Many products within the textiles and cosmetic industry may contain a toxic chemical, which in high doses can cause severe health implications and potentially increase your chances of developing cancer. Formaldehyde is a strong smelling flammable chemical that is used in a wide range of products. Formaldehyde can be found in any of the following cosmetic products and can release the toxic vapour when being used or when in contact with a user’s skin:

  • hair products
  • lotions
  • makeup
  • mouth wash
  • nail polish
  • hand cream
  • bath products
  • mascara
  • cuticle softeners
  • nail creams
  • personal deodorants
  • shaving cream

Formaldehyde is used within the textiles industry as a flame-retardant, as well as a chemical to prevent the wrinkling and creasing of clothing (dressing). The higher the levels of chemicals used to prevent creasing and wrinkles the higher the amounts of formaldehyde that can be released when worn by an individual. New clothing, when initially removed from packaging, can often have a strong distinctive smell which is commonly formaldehyde vapours being released.

Some people are more sensitive to the health implications of formaldehyde than others and symptoms depend upon the level of exposure. Common reactions to low exposure levels include eye, nose, throat and skin irritations, as well as increases in asthma and allergies. Higher levels of exposure result in more severe reactions such as sudden weight loss, gastrointestinal ulcers, damage to the liver and kidney and skin disorders such as eczema and dermatitis. Some evidence also suggests that prolonged exposure to formaldehyde can increase an individual’s risk of developing cancer.

For those wishing to minimise the risk of any health implications from exposure to formaldehyde it is recommended that they:

  • avoid products that contain formaldehyde;
  • contact the manufacturer to determine any presence of formaldehyde in the product;
  • wash new clothes before wearing them;
  • if strong smelling odour is present upon opening products, wash and air product immediately in a well ventilated area;
  • if using nail polish that contains formaldehyde use in a well ventilated room or outdoors;
  • remove any products that contain formaldehyde from the family home.

Explore more about the product ranges that have been eco-certified and listed by Ecospecifier, by using the Product Search Engine on Ecospecifier Global: http://www.ecospecifier.com.au

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The In’s and Out’s of Carpet

Nothing compares to the soft, luxurious feeling of carpet under your feet. Carpeting provides a safe, comfortable spot for kids to play and may even reduce the risk of injury during a fall. Sure, carpet requires a bit of extra maintenance compared to vinyl or tile, but there’s simply no substitute in terms of sound absorption, warmth and overall comfort.

If you prefer carpet, low pile is thought by many to be better than high pile as low pile is easier to clean and maintain. Carpets should be vacuumed at least once a week, preferably by someone who is not allergic to the house dust mite because unless you vacuum with HEPA quality filtration equipment onboard, vacuuming can increase the amount of the house dust mite allergen in the air for up to 20 minutes. When considering the cost of carpet, factor into your budget the price of underlay, too. It absorbs sounds and provides insulation. Plus, it can help rectify any unevenness in your floor.

Fortunately, there are more choices than ever when it comes to shopping for an eco-friendly carpet and adhesives. You can find carpets made from all kinds of renewable sources like wool, goat, alpaca, jute, coir and seagrass. Look for ones that have independently certified as healthy by programs such as Global GreenTagCertTM as these will not have been treated with any pesticides, fungicides or stain repellents that can be hazardous to your health.

You also want to make sure that rugs cleaned using water dry in just a few hours to prevent mould from growing in the carpets or underlay. Mould is a common cause of allergies and asthma attacks, and if it gets into your carpet, it’s hard to remove.

Carpet often ends up being a repository for dust mites, which cannot be completely removed by vacuuming and may need supplementary treatment and because we spend a lot of time in our bedrooms, it’s best to keep pets out, even if you let them in the rest of the house. This is especially important if the floor is carpeted, because carpet tends to trap animal hair and allergens. Simple knowledge and regular maintenance can reduce the effects of allergens and prolongs the life of your carpet.

You can find a number of eco-friendly, healthy carpets, carpet cleaners and cleaning products on www.ecospecifier.com.au that will make your carpet selection and cleaning product decisions a lot easier.

Explore more about the product ranges that have been eco-certified and listed by Ecospecifier, by using the Product Search Engine on Ecospecifier Global: http://www.ecospecifier.com.au

Join us in more conversations about green products and sustainability issues on our social media pages:

Follow Ecospecifier on Facebook

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Join our Social Media Honour Roll – support the switch to green products

Like, Comment and Share our blogs and posts on your social media pages … and we will send your name out to more than 15,000 subscribers via our monthly Ecospecifier Global Newsletter.

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The Sick Building Syndrome

Are you breathing toxic air?

A “sick” building is a structure, or room, that has become contaminated with harmful elements or chemicals.

’Sick building syndrome’ (SBS) is a concept that refers to a variety of illnesses that occupants may develop due to exposure to in- building pollution.

Indoor pollution can cause serious health risks although can generally easily be avoided.

A building’s health may be decreased over either a short or prolonged period of time from a variety of causes including:

– External pollution

– Mould and mildew or,

– Product emissions.

Poorly selected finishes in products like fittings and furniture can release gaseous toxins over a period of time, resulting in a prolonged period where a building can be classified as “sick”.

Additionally, certain activities may result in the release of toxins that decrease the health of a building, such as cleaning with products are made with compounds containing volatile toxins.

Health impacts from exposure to a sick building may depend upon a person’s age and health or sensitivity to certain compounds, as well as the level of exposure to a potentially hazardous environment.

The commonly accepted short-term health issues associated to ‘sick building syndrome’ include:

  • Skin, eye and throat irritation
  • Headaches
  • Drowsiness
  • Allergic reactions and asthma

Common long-term health impacts related to the sick building syndrome concept include:

  • Cancer
  • Respiratory disease
  • Heart disease

SICK BUILDING CHECKLIST

A wide variety of factors can reduce the health of a building, below are just a few examples to consider as causes:

  • Biological contaminants such as bacteria, moulds, mildew and house dust mites can cause a range of health effects including hypersensitivity pneumonitis, allergic rhinitis and asthma
  • Stoves, heaters, fireplaces and chimneys can all release carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide, along with a range of other particles, which may impact your health by interfering with the delivery of oxygen throughout the body, irritating the mucous membranes in the eye, nose and throat or cause lung and tissue damage.
  • Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can be released from everyday household products, including carpets and paint, and have the potential to cause a range of health effects including irritation to the eyes, nose and throat, immune deficiency, asthma, headaches, liver and kidney damage and potentially cause cancer
  • Benzene may be present in household products including glues, adhesives, cleaning products and art supplies and may result in a range of health impacts ranging from skin and eye irritation to leukaemia
  • Formaldehyde a toxic chemical present in building materials, clothing and even cosmetics! The health effects of formaldehyde exposure range from nasal and eye irritation to liver and kidney damage
  • Bisphenol A (BPA) is found in plastic products and can act as an endocrine disrupter posing significant health risks especially to the development of young children and babies.

HEALTHY BUILDING ACTION CHECKLIST

Whilst the potential health risks from building products and home fixtures can depend on a wide variety of personal and external factors, there are various steps that can be taken in order to improve the health of a building and reduce any associated health risks:

  • Choose products from a reliable source like the Ecospecifier website (ecospecifier.com.au) which only lists third party certified and verified products that have passed health and eco-toxicity assessments
  • Install weather stripping and caulking to seal the home – this can help to reduce the amount of pollution entering your home and reducing indoor air quality.
  • Prevent and manage issues related to the dampness of a building to avoid the presence of mould in order to decrease the risk of being exposed to hazardous microbes;
  • Eliminate smoking indoors.
  • Ensure adequate indoor ventilation.
  • Avoid products that contain formaldehyde or benzene.
  • Look for Low-VOC paints
  • Buy solid wood, hardboard or exterior grade plywood instead of pressed wood products;
  • Regulate room temperature and humidity to decrease the amount of VOCs emitted;
  • Choose plastic products that are BPA free.
  • Use only third party certified health-safe cleaning products.

Explore more about the product ranges that have been certified and listed by Ecospecifier, by using the Product Search Engine on Ecospecifier Global: http://www.ecospecifier.com.au

Join us in more conversations about green products and sustainability issues on our social media pages:

Follow Ecospecifier on Facebook

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Join our Social Media Honour Roll – support the switch to green products

Like, Comment and Share our blogs and posts on your social media pages … and we will send your name out to more than 15,000 subscribers via our monthly Ecospecifier Global Newsletter.

See which stellar individuals, businesses and networks made the latest Honour Roll on Twitter and Facebook HERE We salute you in helping us educate and help more people #MaketheSwitch to #EcoResponsible products.