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Do You Know How Many Toxins Are in Your Home, Really?
By Danica Stefanko, 19
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You would be surprised to find out that the vast majority of your household products could be harming you. Even the EPA has stated that "indoor air pollution is one of the most important environmental health problems." It's even scarier when you have children. The national safety council released that "more children under 4 die of accidental poisonings at home than are accidentally killed with guns at home."
Of chemicals commonly found in homes, 150 have been linked to allergies, birth defects, cancer, and psychological abnormalities. Here are just a few of the everyday cleaners we use and the things they can do to us:
- Liquid Bleach: vapors have been shown to interfere with brain function, aggravate heart conditions and asthma.
- Toilet bowl cleaner: same as bleach, also can cause muscle spasms and damage blood tissue
- Oven Cleaner: Contains Lye and Ammonia. Can cause brain and kidney damage.
- Disinfectant Cleaners: Harms include cancer, central nervous system disorder, liver and kidney damage
- Dishwashing liquid: Contains Glycol ethers, formaldehyde and ammonia. Mixing product with bleach can cause toxic fumes. Repeated exposure can cause asthma-like symptoms, and harm the central nervous system.
The list goes on and on. And all of those that I listed except the dishwashing liquid can affect your reproductive system.
You notice the effects of these products when using them, for example, burning nose, and watery eyes when cleaning the bathroom, or having to clear the house every time you use the oven. But no one really thinks about exactly HOW harmful these products are. Even personal care products aren't safe! There are 884 toxic chemicals used in personal care products. When I found out that the products that I was "cleaning" with could possibly cause me permanent damage, I was SCARED. Of course I thought "I feel fine, it won't happen to me." But the majority of these harmful affects don't show until its too late. I didn't want to wait around to see if I was going to get sick. So I switched to all natural nontoxic non-caustic environmentally friendly cleaners. Even my shampoo is all natural. The company has everything from antiperspirants to Vitamins and everything in-between. If you would like to know more about this company and your ready to get the poisons out of your home please email me.
Or you can visit my website for a little more info, and fill out the "official" information request, whatever you feel more comfortable with. This is a great opportunity to make a little money from home (for those 18 or older), or just make your home safer - it's up to you.
--Danica has been a vegetarian since middle school, and she has worked for Defenders of Wildlife. She says that it was the most rewarding and meaningful job she's ever had, working as a "door-to-door-tree-hugger."
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