More on ‘The Green Spa’
Cheryl Swan of Calgary, Alberta writes:
I stopped buying into this cosmetic industry’s claims in 2002 and it changed my life (I have a lot more money left at the end of each month, for one thing). I only wish I could get my friends and co-workers on board with the idea of giving up their expensive cosmetics and other beauty products, but they all think I am just "preaching".
I once read that the cosmetic industry is a $30 billion business in North America, and it was pointed out in the article, that every night the users are washing these products off and sending them down the drain and into the sewer systems. If preservatives (and other toxins) are being added to beauty products to prevent the natural decay of plant and fruit extracts within those products, what exactly happens when these products are put into our sewer system? Have there been any studies done on the effects these products are having on the environment (our river beds, city water supplies, etc.). Do they break down? Do they end up in our tap water and ultimately ingested by us?
Lindsay Coulter responds:
Sounds like you stopped exposing yourself to the chemical soup a while back! I’m sure you’re aware of these facts but perhaps you want to pass them on to your friends:
• The average adult uses nine products/day containing about 126 chemical ingredients; some women use 15!
• About 10,500 chemical ingredients make up our personal care products.
• Only 11 per cent have been tested for safety.
• Tests aren’t done by agencies like Health Canada, but by the companies themselves!
If you want to get away from preaching, suggest friends or family members check their personal care products on the Skin Deep website at www.safecosmetics.org.
In Canada, the industry runs at about $5.3 billion annually, and you’re correct in making the wildlife and aquatic life link. You can learn a lot more about their impact in various websites and books, like Ecoholic. Author Adria Vasil includes many facts about chemicals we use on our bodies and their impacts on the environment. Definitely worth the read is her chapter on pharmaceuticals and things like the results of birth-control-pill-laden pee going into our sewage system.
There have been a lot of studies and I’ll highlight only a few facts below since unfortunately, there are too many to mention:
• Swedish Society for Nature Conservation did a study with dandruff shampoo and fish in a 1,000 L aquarium. The active ingredient of interest was zinc pyrithione and half the fish died within four days. Although the ingredients are said to breakdown in water, 80 days later they could still detect it.
• Triclosan is the chemical you’ll find in antibacterial soaps. It is accumulating in our rivers and sewage sludge where it can turn into carcinogenic dioxins when exposed to sunlight in water. If your county or municipality spreads sludge on food crop fields as fertilizer then, yes, you could say it may end up in the food chain.
To help convince your friends, why not host a fun spa day? I also make up batches of safe cosmetics and cleaning supplies and give them as gifts.
On the upside, some nail salons use polish without toluene and formaldehyde, which is great not just for clients but also because they’re finding estheticians and hair dressers (exposed to hair dye) will high levels of illness.
Here’s a book that may interest you, it’s called ‘Not Just a Pretty Face”: http://www.notjustaprettyface.org/?cat=3
Tags: chemicals, cosmetics, green spa, Lindsay, toxic, toxins
June 19th, 2008 at 9:34 am
A reader sent in this great question:
“Why is propylene glycol listed as dangerous on the page describing ingredients in shampoos,etc? I am very concerned as I have had daily contact with this product.”
Lindsay Coulter replies:
“Propylene Glycol is a multitasking petrochemical wonder!
Purpose: Works to retain moisture to the skin. It’s a wetting agent and solvent.
Found in: lotions, deodorants, shampoo, toner, soap, a key ingredient in embalming fluid and brake fluid. At food grade level it’s used in ice cream.
Linked with: A common cause of allergies and contact dermatitis, and it acts as a defatting agent especially with repeated or prolonged exposure.
Other: Federal Drug Administration recognizes PG as safe but the MSDS sheets instruct users to “avoid contact with the skin”. It’s extremely toxic to aquatic life.”
June 23rd, 2008 at 1:41 pm
A reader asks this very good question:
“I’m anxious to start making my own cleaners but I’m unsure as to the safety of using products like Borax. I know that it is, at least, a naturally-occurring substance and therefore better for the environment then a man-made substance, but is it harmful to our health? I haven’t looked into it too far but I assume that it is at least dangerous to inhale. I assume that in the average household mixing up these ingredients is fine. I have small children in the house and keep chemicals out of reach. I also wonder if laundry detergent containing Borax is ok to use on the baby’s laundry? I am trying to be greener but also safer and smarter. Thanks!”
Here’s Lindsay Coulter’s answer:
“Borax (sodium borate) is heavy-duty, like washing soda and should be used with caution. Both are very alkaline and caustic, which makes them perfect for cutting grease and grime.
As you suggested, Borax is a naturally-occurring mineral but does have its issues. It contains trace levels (30 parts per million) of arsenic…which makes sense, since arsenic is also naturally-occurring. It also explains why Borax does a great job of killing ants! It is toxic if ingested, so should be kept out of the reach of children.
Whether or not you use it is a personal choice. You can opt to make recipes without it, such as glass cleaner with club soda or vinegar and water instead of Borax, OR you can by eco-brands. I find the home-made laundry soap works so well with Borax, I’ve just reduced the amount. Lots of people also report success washing clothes in JUST water. You can also use the recipe without Borax, using only washing soda and soap flakes.”
July 5th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
An interesting tidbit: one soap manufacturer is suing others for deceptive marketing. Read about it here:
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/05/dr-bronners-lawsuit.php