That SMELL could kill you!

by Michele Partridge

Smells.
Our olfactory lobes tingle with a myriad of smells every day. From the moment we get up, we smell. We even go out of our way to make sure EVERYTHING in our lives has a smell, including our bodies, our houses, cars and our laundry.

But have you actually thought about what’s in those products that help to add a scent in our lives? It will shock you and probably surprise you to know that what’s in those “scent enhancers” can actually kill you.

We fell for it – 

The marketing departments of laundry products should be rewarded or horribly fined. Depending on your stance on the matter. They’ve successfully made us believe for years, that our laundry should smell like ‘a Summer’s Day’ or ‘Baby Powder’ or ‘Apple Spice’ or something like that. Really? If you stop and think about it, what do they actually put in those products to get that aroma? Certainly not apples and spices. No, instead it’s a concoction of highly toxic chemicals.

But every day people continue to put those chemicals in their washing machines and dryers to have that lovely fragrance in their clothes. But there are side effects to having that fragrance in your clothes. Skin rashes, allergies and illness. You see, our skin is a giant organ, so whatever we put on it, sinks into our skin and goes into our blood stream directly affecting our health and welfare. They left that big piece of info off the labels of those products. 

Now think about room and car deodorizers. How about body products and perfumes? They all have similar toxic ingredients. But we sacrifice our health for the ‘smell.’ 

Still not convinced? 

Here’ a list of the key ingredients and what damage they do to us:

ACETONE (in: cologne, dishwashing liquid and detergent, nail enamel remover) – On EPA, RCRA, CERCLA Hazardous Waste lists. “Inhalation can cause dryness of the mouth and throat; dizziness, nausea, incoordination, slurred speech, drowsiness, and, in severe exposures, coma.” “Acts primarily as a central nervous system (CNS) depressant.”

BENZALDEHYDE (in: perfume, cologne, hairspray, laundry bleach, deodorants, detergent, vaseline lotion, shaving cream, shampoo, bar soap, dishwasher detergent) – Narcotic. Sensitizer. “Local anesthetic, CNS depressant”… “irritation to the mouth, throat, eyes, skin, lungs, and GI tract, causing nausea and abdominal pain.” “May cause kidney damage.” “Do not use with contact lenses.”

BENZYL ACETATE (in: perfume, cologne, shampoo, fabric softener, stickup air freshener, dishwashing liquid and detergent, soap, hairspray, bleach, after shave, deodorants) – Carcinogenic (linked to pancreatic cancer;) “From vapors: irritating to eyes and respiratory passages, exciting cough.” “In mice: hyperanemia of the lungs.” “Can be absorbed through the skin causing systemic effects.” “Do not flush to sewer.”

BENZYL ALCOHOL (in: perfume, cologne, soap, shampoo, nail enamel remover, air freshener, laundry bleach and detergent, vaseline lotion, deodorants, fabric softener) – “irritating to the upper respiratory tract” …”headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drop in blood pressure, CNS depression, and death in severe cases due to respiratory failure.”

CAMPHOR (in: perfume, shaving cream, nail enamel, fabric softener, dishwasher detergent, nail color, stickup air freshener) – “local irritant and CNS stimulant” …”readily absorbed through body tissues” …”irritation of eyes, nose and throat” …”dizziness, confusion, nausea, twitching muscles and convulsions” “Avoid inhalation of vapors.”

ETHANOL (in: perfume, hairspray, shampoo, fabric softener, dishwashing liquid and detergent, laundry detergent, shaving cream, soap, vaseline lotion, air fresheners, nail color and remover, paint and varnish remover) – On EPA Hazardous Waste list; symptoms: “…fatigue; irritating to eyes and upper respiratory tract even in low concentrations…” “Inhalation of ethanol vapors can have effects similar to those characteristic of ingestion. These include an initial stimulatory effect followed by drowsiness, impaired vision, ataxia, stupor…” Causes CNS disorder.

ETHYL ACETATE (in: after shave, cologne, perfume, shampoo, nail color, nail enamel remover, fabric softener, dishwashing liquid) – Narcotic. On EPA Hazardous Waste list; “…irritating to the eyes and respiratory tract” …”may cause headache and narcosis (stupor)” …”defatting effect on skin and may cause drying and cracking” …”may cause anemia with leukocytosis and damage to liver and kidneys.” “Wash thoroughly after handling.”

LIMONENE (in: perfume, cologne, disinfectant spray, bar soap, shaving cream, deodorants, nail color and remover, fabric softener, dishwashing liquid, air fresheners, after shave, bleach, paint and varnish remover) – Carcinogenic. “Prevent its contact with skin or eyes because it is an irritant and sensitizer.” “Always wash thoroughly after using this material and before eating, drinking, … applying cosmetics. Do not inhale limonene vapor.”

LINALOOL (in: perfume, cologne, bar soap, shampoo, hand lotion, nail enamel remover, hairspray, laundry detergent, dishwashing liquid, vaseline lotion, air fresheners, bleach powder, fabric softener, shaving cream, after shave, solid deodorant) – Narcotic. …”respiratory disturbances” … “Attracts bees.” “In animal tests: ataxic gait, reduced spontaneous motor activity and depression … development of respiratory disturbances leading to death.”…”depressed frog-heart activity.” Causes CNS disorder.

METHYLENE CHLORIDE (in: shampoo, cologne, paint and varnish remover) – Banned by the FDA in 1988! No enforcement possible due to trade secret laws protecting chemical fragrance industry. On EPA, RCRA, CERCLA Hazardous Waste lists. “Carcinogenic” … “Absorbed, stored in body fat, it metabolizes to carbon monoxide, reducing oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.” “Headache, giddiness, stupor, irritability, fatigue, tingling in the limbs.” Causes CNS disorder.

a-PINENE (in: bar and liquid soap, cologne, perfume, shaving cream, deodorants, dishwashing liquid, air freshener) – Sensitizer (damaging to the immune system.)

g-TERPINENE (in: cologne, perfume, soap, shaving cream, deodorant, air freshener) – “Causes asthma and CNS disorders.”

a-TERPINEOL (in: perfume, cologne, laundry detergent, bleach powder, laundry bleach, fabric softener, stickup air freshener, vaseline lotion, cologne, soap, hairspray, after shave, roll-on deodorant) – … “highly irritating to mucous membranes”… “Aspiration into the lungs can produce pneumonitis or even fatal edema.” Can also cause “excitement, ataxia (loss of muscular coordination,) hypothermia, CNS and respiratory depression, and headache.” “Prevent repeated or prolonged skin contact.”

Relevant Facts: 

• 95% of chemicals used in fragrances are synthetic compounds derived from petroleum. They include benzene derivatives, aldehydes and many other known toxics and sensitizers – capable of causing cancer, birth defects, central nervous system disorders and allergic reactions.
• Chloroform was found in tests of fabric softeners: EPA’s 1991 study.
• A room containing an air freshener had high levels of p-dichlorobenzene (a carcinogen) and ethanol: EPA’s 1991 study.
• An FDA analysis (1968-1972) of 138 compounds used in cosmetics that most frequently involved adverse reactions, identified five chemicals (alpha-terpineol, benzyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, limonene and linalool) that are among the 20 most commonly used in the 31 fragrance products tested by the EPA in 1991.
• Thirty-three million Americans suffer from sinusitis (inflammation or infection of sinus passages.)
• Twelve million Americans have asthma. Asthma and asthma deaths have increased over 30% in the past 10 years.

Don’t get me wrong, I like nice smells, natural smells. I can’t stand to walk by a house and smell those horrible dryer sheets. They are so toxic and can cause fires in the dryers.  But I’ve found ways to have lovely smells that have way less of a toxic invasion on me and my family.

Laundry Options: Wash – I use environmentally friendly laundry detergent like Norwex’s Ultra Power Plus Laundry Detergent. I have used other enviro brands, but find this one works the best and I only have to use 1/2 teaspoon for a regular load of laundry. The bag lasts over 200 loads for my HE machine.  There is no scent as no smell is a clean smell, so I add a few drops of essential oil (I prefer lavender) to the detergent cup holder in my machine. My laundry comes out truly clean with a hint of lavender. Just a hint. Not an overpowering aura. I also like Soap Nuts, Eco Nuts and the old stand bys of vinegar and baking soda for whites. Bleach will turn your clothes yellow, pollute your clothes, the air you breathe and the environment.

Dryer – I add a few drops of essential oil to my socks before throwing them in the dryer with my wash. To help get rid of static electricity or wrinkles I use Norwex’s Dryer Balls instead of dryer sheets. Again, dryer sheets use CHEMICALS for that scent that goes in your clothes. That smell is then in the air you and your family breathe. Dryer Balls work very well and are not toxic.

Perfume and Body Products – Again, Norwex has a great line of organic personal care products that our family has used for years. But there are lots of great organic products out there. Just make sure you read the labels to make sure they don’t contain the above harmful chemicals. I gave up perfumes years ago and instead now opt for essential oils.

Home or Car Deodorizers – Don’t use them. I don’t like my family to ingest harmful chemicals all for the sake of smells. Instead we boil oranges, cinnamon and lemon in a pot on the stove. You wouldn’t believe how long that lovely smell lasts in the house. There are some other great options like Scentsy wax warmers. Most of their waxes contain scents derived from natural sources. For the car, I always clean with water, a Norwex microfiber cloth and lavender essential oil.

Where Can I find Essential oils?

Natural food stores like Choices, Capers or Whole Foods. Also Price Mart, Pharmasave, Shopper’s Drug Mart. You can also shop online at Voyageur Soap and Candle Company. They also have a store in Langley. Just google essential oils in your area and you’ll find an essential oil store close to you. I find Voyageur’s prices very reasonable and they deliver within days to your door.

Let me leave you with this one last thought about smells….

The next time you’re shopping and going for that laundry detergent that clearly smells up the aisle, stop and ask yourself these questions:

Should I bring this into my home when it smells so strongly outside of it’s packaging?

What kind of chemicals are in here to make it smell that strong?

Better yet, what type of chemicals are being hidden by those smells?

About the author: Michele Partridge is a mom, wife, blogger and drama coach. After working for a green cleaning and organic products company, Michele became a green living expert, helping people live a healthier, more eco-friendly lifestyle. Her advice will save you money, time and your family’s health. Visit Michele at Greenkick.ca.