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Beware of... The above constitutes just one example, of DEA, TEA and MEA combining with nitrites to form NDEA. In truth, we are flooded by a veritable sea of chemicals, each having its own potency and ability to inflict damage on the human system. The best a person can do in such a scenario is to know which chemical causes what and then steer clear, as far as practicable, of such products. Now, let's take a brief look at some more ingredients that penetrate our skin with potentially disastrous consequences:”” Phthalates are just one of the many, many chemicals finding Beware of... their way into personal care products that we innocently use on a The above constitutes just one example, of DEA, TEA and daily basis. The Environmental Working Group, a watchdog MEA combining with nitrites to form NDEA. In truth, we are organisation, estimates that only 11 per cent of the approximately flooded by a veritable sea of chemicals, each having its own 10,500 ingredients documented as common ingredients in otency and ability to inflict damage on the human system. The personal care products have been sufficiently tested for safety.‘ est a person can do in such a scenario is to know which chemical In this scenario, ignorance is not bliss. Quite the contrary: it causes what and then steer clear, as far as practicable, of such can spell doom and have a severe impact on our health and that of roducts. our loved ones. Picture a mother bathing her child in a bubble Now, let's take a brief look at some more ingredients that bath. Children love to splash around amid bubbles in a bathtub, enetrate our skin with potentially disastrous consequences:”” so a bubble bath is an ideal way to encourage a bathing habit. But how many mothers are aware of the fact that a bubble bath Formaldehyde: Imidazolidinyl urea and DMDM hydantoin solution contains DEA, TEA and MEA or, to put it in technical are formaldehyde-forming preservatives used in skin, body and terms, diethanolamine, triethanolamine and monoethanolamine. air products. These are known to cause allergies, asthma, chest These three chemicals when combined with nitrites—a reaction ain, chronic fatigue, depression, dizziness, headaches and joint that can innocuously occur while a product is pain. Formaldehyde, also a preservative and stored for sale on a store rack—produce disinfectant, is used in shampoos, nail polish, nitrosamines such as NDEA_ (N- nail hardeners and hair growth products and is nitrosodiethanolamine), which is highly regarded by the IARC as a carcinogen and by carcinogenic, is especially a threat to the the US EPA as a "probable" carcinogen. Its kidneys and liver and is easily absorbed by the presence is often masked, as it forms part of skin—and more so, possibly, by the tender skin But how many other more voluminous ingredients. You'd of children. need to look out for ingredients like hydantoins They are also known to cause allergic mothers are aware and surfactants such as sodium lauryl sulphate, reactions, irritate the eyes and dry out the hair. of the fact that a which may contain formaldehyde, to know if a Many shampoos, body washes and soaps H product contains the substance or not. It would contain this deadly mix of chemicals. As far bubble bath solution also help to know that the product also goes by back as 1980, the FDA reported that about 42 contains DEA, TEA the names formalin or MDM. per cent of all cosmetics are contaminated with i NDEA, shampoos having the highest and MEA or, to put it in technical terms, concentrations.’ Coal tar, used as a base for hair dyes and in anti-dandruff shampoos, is known However, manufactures insist that DEA . . to cause life-threatening diseases such as and its derivatives are "safe" to use in diethanolamine, cancer as well as an entire range of products meant for brief use or on a "use triethanolamine and common health ailments such as asthma and wash off" basis. A study published in . and headaches. Watch out for FD&C or a monoethanolamine. the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, though, suggests otherwise, indicating that both human and animal studies have shown that NDEA can be quickly absorbed through the skin." Interestingly, in 1978, the IARC D&C numbers on the product label. Some slow-working hair dyes contain lead, a well-known carcinogen and hormone disruptor that is fairly easily absorbed by the skin and which accumulates in the bones. Xavier indicated that "[a]lthough no University of Louisiana has researched epidemiological data were available, N- the subject and found that some brands of nitrosodiethanolamine should be regarded, for practical purposes, hair dyes contain up to 10 times the amount of lead allowed in as if it were carcinogenic to humans".'' This postulate was house paint! Anyone who has used house paint or occupied a reconfirmed nearly 10 years later.” freshly painted room knows what health reactions it can trigger: The FDA expressed its concern about the contamination of headaches, sneezing and nausea, to name a few. Painters, and to a cosmetics with nitrosamines in a notice published in the Federal lesser extent those involved in paint manufacturing, are well Register of April 10, 1979 (44 FR 21365). It stated that cosmetics known to have a higher risk of developing cancer because of their containing nitrosamines may be considered adulterated and exposure to lead. In fact, studies are now linking a higher subject to enforcement action. In surveys of cosmetic products incidence of childhood cancer among children whose parents conducted in 1991-92, nitrosodiethanolamine was found in 65% (father or mother) are exposed to paint.'*'” Of course, it must also of the samples at levels up to 3 ppm." be emphasised that paint contains many other deadly chemicals In 1994, the American National Toxicology Program presented and a painter's exposure is to the entire gamut, not necessarily a similar conclusion in its "Seventh Annual Report on only lead in the form of particles containing lead chromate. Carcinogens": "There is sufficient evidence for the carcinogenicity of N-nitrosodiethanolamine in experimental Petrolatum, a semi-solid hydrocarbon mix that's also known as animals." The report further noted that of more than 44 different mineral oil jelly, petroleum jelly, Vaseline, paraffinum or species in which NDEA compounds have been tested, all have liquidum, has the ability to prevent the body from carrying out its been susceptible.'* '° natural processes of eliminating toxins. It can also cause In its Eleventh Report in 2005, the NTP noted that " N- photosensitivity and can strip the skin of its natural oils, the nitrosodiethanolamine is reasonably anticipated to be a human outcome being chapping and dryness, premature ageing, acne and carcinogen...""° other skin disorders. diethanolamine, triethanolamine and Petrolatum, a semi-solid hydrocarbon mix that's also known as mineral oil jelly, petroleum jelly, Vaseline, paraffinum or liquidum, has the ability to prevent the body from carrying out its natural processes of eliminating toxins. It can also cause photosensitivity and can strip the skin of its natural oils, the outcome being chapping and dryness, premature ageing, acne and other skin disorders. NEXUS +29 But how many mothers are aware of the fact that a bubble bath solution monoethanolamine. DECEMBER 2006 — JANUARY 2007 www.nexusmagazine.com