Demystifying household chemicals: Triclosan

Triclosan is a common ingredient
in liquid soap
Image: FreeDigitalPhotos

"Demystifying household chemicals" is a series that aims to inform people on the types of chemicals found in and around our homes. The series will be featured every Wednesday where a different chemical, and its everyday uses, will be discussed.

Last week, the news was littered with articles about triclosan, a chemical whose side effects have suddenly resurfaced. Though this chemical has been used for 40 years, a new study has found even more disturbing health hazards.

Triclosan is a type of phenol (see article on phenols) and it is used as an antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal agent.  In its natural form, triclosan is a white powder that has a slight aromatic smell.  Because of its antibacterial properties, which are often used in liquid soap, scientists have expressed concern that the overuse of triclosan can result in bacteria strains which are resistant to the chemical.

Though many products contain triclosan and, according to the FDA and the European Union, must list the chemical in the products' ingredients, there are many companies that have their own trademarks.  The following are other names used for the chemical triclosan:

• Microban
• UltraFresh
• Amicor
• BioFresh

Triclosan has been known to cause a number of health issues, including endocrine disruption (which affects your hormones), cancer and birth defects.  The new study indicates the chemical can also affect your muscles. 

After extensive tests, researchers have determined that even short term exposure can reduce muscle contractions, thereby increasing the potential for heart disease and heart failure.

In 1998, the EPA estimated that over one million pounds of triclosan were produced every year in the United States. In light of the number of products now containing the chemical, production has undoubtedly increased. With that increase is the chemical’s reach. Traces of triclosan have been found in breast milk, waterways, dolphins, fish and human blood.

Though the quantity of triclosan used in everyday products is within acceptable levels, the fact that we use so many different products that contain this chemical is cause for concern. Here are a few examples of where triclosan can be found:

• Liquid soap
• Facial cleansers
• Mouthwash
• Toothpastes
• Make-up
• Deodorants
• Shaving creams and gels
• First aid medicines (e.g. sprays)
• Cutting boards
• Socks
• Toys
• Furniture
• Paints

Take a look at this list of brand name products for more information on goods that contain triclosan.

After looking at the link above, how many of these products are in your home right now? What will you do with them? Let us know!

Sources: MedicalXpress,  AmericanNewsReport

Protecting your home and your health

Though products containing triclosan are used in hospitals to combat infections, scientists and doctors alike suggest people discontinue using antibacterial products, such as liquid soap, in the home. There is no absolute value added and regular soap and water can be just as effective.

Think about reducing the number of products within your home that contain triclosan, such as furniture, toys and socks.

 

AllerAir's air purifiers can
help remove harmful chemicals
from your home.

Find alternative products that are better for you and for the environment. There are many organic products, or environmentally-friendly products, that can serve you better by keeping you healthier for longer.

Use air purifiers. The fact that one chemical is found in so many products should be a wake-up call.

We are living in a chemically-laden world. Thousands of chemicals are competing for space inside your home: air fresheners, your stove, cleaning products, personal care products etc...

An air purifier with an activated carbon filter will help remove those chemicals, gases and odors from the air, giving you a better chance at clean, healthy air.

For more information about our air purifiers, contact AllerAir today.

Show your support for a greener and healthier life. Become a member of this blog!

Demystifying household chemicals: Phthalates

Phthalates can be found in shaving cream
Image: FreeDigitalPhotos

"Demystifying household chemicals" is a series that aims to inform people on the types of chemicals found in and around our homes. The series will be featured every Wednesday where a different chemical, and its everyday uses, will be discussed.


It’s not really news that pretty much everything around us contains some kind of harmful chemical. Many chemicals are actually difficult to avoid. Car fumes, smokers on the street and even barbecues all contain harmful chemicals, yet we can rarely control our exposure to them.

What is conscious, however, is the morning or evening ritual of applying toners, creams, lotions, acne medication, shampoos, shaving creams, perfumes…  Many of these products contain phthalates (pronounced tha-layts).

Phthalates are most commonly used in plastics to make them more transparent, durable, flexible and lasting. These chemicals are therefore often referred to as plasticizers.

Providing a list of the multitude of alternate names for phthalates would consist of writing a novel, so instead, find a list on Wikipedia as well as a complementary one on Environmental Working Group.

In 2009, Author Rick Smith published Slow Death by Rubber Duck. In that book, he experimented with skin-care products by applying them regularly and then testing his blood. The number of phthalate byproducts found in his blood spiked after just three days, indicating how present this chemical is in our everyday lives.

What can phthalates do to you?

Phthalates can be blamed for several health issues, including decreased sperm count, male genital birth defects, damage to the DNA, as well as negative impacts on the nervous and immune systems. Recent studies have now revealed that phthalates may very well be linked to the development of diabetes. After following 1000 senior women, researchers noted that the women with diabetes also had higher levels of phthalates in their system.

What other products contain phthalates?

Apart from skin-care products, you can find phthalates in certain children’s toys as well as PVC, though many manufacturers have now stopped using this chemical in kid’s products.

Phthalates can also be found in:

• Waxes
• Paints
• Pharmaceuticals (including diabetes medication!)
• Some food products
• Textiles
• Sex toys (made of ‘jelly rubber’)
• Hair sprays
• Shower curtains
• Cleaning products
• Liquid soap
• Eye shadow
• Insect repellant

It is often difficult to tell what ingredients go into our skin care products because many companies don’t state every ingredient. If they do, chemicals, herbs and fragrances are often hidden in scientific jargon, which can be difficult to decipher. That is why websites, such as SkinDeep and GoodGuide, are useful. They can help you discover what chemicals are found in your current products, as well as choose the best and greenest products on the market.

How many of you actually read the list of ingredients on the back of your skin-care products? Does this information surprise you? Share your comments with us!

Sources: The Age, Environmental Health Perspective

Minimizing phthalate exposure

AllerAir's 5000 DX Vocarb

The first thing you can do to reduce the number of phthalates in your home and your body is to replace your skin-care and household products with safer alternatives. This will help you naturally improve your indoor air quality and minimize air pollution.

Using an air purifier is also a great way to remove odors and chemicals from the air, particularly if you place one in the bathroom where most of these harmful products are used.  

AllerAir’s 5000 DX Vocarb is made for areas that have a heavy concentration of chemicals and odors. The deep-bed activated carbon filter will help remove toxins from the air through adsorption, while the micro HEPA will take particles as small as 0.1 microns out of the air. With this heavy-duty air purifier, you and your family will enjoy a much healthier living environment..

For more information on AllerAir’s air purifiers, speak to one of our IAQ experts at 1-888-852-8247 or contact us through our website.

Follow our blog and show your support for greener and healthier living.

Demystifying household chemicals: Acetic acid

Some bottles of nail polish contain acetic acid
Image: FreeDigitalPhotos

"Demystifying household chemicals" is a series that aims to inform people on the types of chemicals found in and around our homes. The series will be featured every Wednesday where a different chemical, and its everyday uses, will be discussed.

What is the first thing you think about when you hear the words: acetic acid? 

Sounds familiar, right?

Well, acetic acid is found in many different food products and some drinks as well. Small concentrations of this organic compound can be found in wine, cheese and orange juice, but the most common product we think of when we think of acetic acid is vinegar. Many condiments contain a little bit of vinegar, such as prepared mustard, prepared salad dressings and ketchup.

Acetic acid (also called ethanoic acid, ethylic acid, or methane carboxylic acid), is a main component of vinegar. This acid is what makes vinegar smell and taste so distinctive. It is a colorless liquid that is used in many commercial products that, in large quantities, can be dangerous.

Vinegar contains about five percent acetic acid and in that concentration, is considered safe. Once concentrations reach 10 percent, acetic acid becomes an irritant. At 25 percent concentration, it becomes corrosive and at 90 percent concentration, becomes flammable and volatile. 

Close contact to highly concentrated acetic acid can result in blindness and inhalation can cause respiratory problems. If your skin comes into contact with it, burns and blisters can result, though not necessarily right away. Ingestion can cause abdominal pains, the erosion of your teeth enamel, and even kidney failure in extreme cases.

 

Acetic acid is used in many laboratories and industrial industries. Large quantities are used for making:

• Pesticides
• Rubber
• Plastics
• Dyes

 Smaller concentrations can be found in the following household products:

• Nail polish
• Hair spray
• Glass and surface cleaner
• Shaving cream (men’s and women’s)
• Female personal cleansing products
• Moisturizers

For more information on these products and how safe they are, consult the GoodGuide.

Did any of this information surprise you? Share your questions, concerns or stories with us.

Sources: Article Online Directory, Health Protection Agency, Virginia Department of Health

Protecting your home

In order to protect your loved ones from undue exposure to acetic acid, first try to reduce the number of products containing high percentages of the compound. Purchase products that contain 10 percent or less acetic acid. For products containing more than that, make efforts to use them in aerated spaces.

Activated carbon adsorbs gases, chemicals
and odors, thereby improving
your indoor air quality

Using glass cleaners containing acetic acid and water may not be unhealthy, but using an aerosol hair spray in enclosed spaces is potentially toxic because it contains many other harmful chemicals. 

To keep your home as free from detrimental chemicals as possible, invest in an air purifier that will help rid the air of toxic chemicals found in nail polish, pesticides and hair sprays.

AllerAir’s activated carbon filters adsorb gases, odors and chemicals and help improve your indoor air quality.

For more information on our air purifiers, contact AllerAir today.

Show your support for a greener and healthier home by becoming a follower of this blog.

Demystifying household chemicals: Phenol

Some of the biggest brand-name cleaning products
contain phenol (and other harmful chemicals).
Image: FreeDigitalPhotos

"Demystifying household chemicals" is a series that aims to inform people on the types of chemicals found in and around our homes. The series will be featured every Wednesday where a different chemical, and its everyday uses, will be discussed.

Chemicals surround us all the time and there are always warnings that pop up about this chemical causing terrible side effects or that chemical leading to cancer. It can be overwhelming to keep track of which chemicals are ‘safe’ and which are not. 

Phenol, also known as carbolic or phenic acid, can be quite a complex chemical as it is used in many different fields. It is an aromatic compound, as are some other chemicals discussed in previous posts, and though it can occur naturally, it is predominantly chemically produced.

Normally in solid form, it is often liquefied for commercial use and has a sickly sweet smell. Surprisingly, phenol can be both good and bad for you. 

Good phenol

Naturally occurring phenol is actually good for you. It is made up of a mixture of human and animal waste, coal tar, creosote and decomposing organic materials. Humans even produce and excrete small amounts of it. 

Many different types of food contain phenol.  These foods are antioxidants and are also known to have other protective properties. 

Some fruits containing phenol include cherries, apples, plums and grapes. You can also find phenols in vegetables such as red cabbage, yellow onions, potatoes and celery. For more information on which foods are full of good phenol, visit LiveStrong.

 

Bad phenol

Where phenol gets to be a problem is when it is produced chemically. This chemical ranks among the top 50 chemicals produced per year in the United States, at over three billion pounds.

Worldwide, six billion pounds of phenol are produced every year. It is also a component used to produce bisphenol A (BPA),  the chemical that was recently banned in baby bottles by the EPA. 

Toothpaste contains triclosan, a type of phenol.
Image: FreeDigitalPhotos

Phenol can be found in the following products:

• Mouthwash
• Salves
• Throat sprays
• Paint
• Rubber
• Soap
• Toys
• Cigarette smoke
• Wood-burning smoke
• Toothpaste
• Sunscreen
• Lotion
• Cleaning products
• Acne medications
• Sugar substitutes

So what does phenol do to the body?

In large quantities, bad phenol can have devastating effects on both your skin and your internal organs.

Adults working in the manufacturing and petroleum fields may be at risk. Long-term exposure in the workplace can cause heart disease.

Ingesting the chemical in liquid form can cause damage to your stomach and intestines and can even lead to death. Skin contact can cause irritations, blisters and burns.

In lower doses, phenol can cause lethargy and vomiting among kids exposed to disinfectants containing the chemical. 

For more detailed information on phenol, read up on a study done by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

Do you have any questions about phenol? Post your questions or comments here!

What you can do at home

It is certainly a good idea to pick through your household goods and see which products you can do without.

There are cleaning products out there that are safer for you, your family and the environment.  Other products may be a little more difficult to make do without.

This is why it is a good idea to have an air purifier in your home. With an air purifier that contains an activated carbon filter, you can get rid of noxious fumes and chemicals from your household products.

AllerAir has a selection of air purifiers that cater to different needs; whether it’s for chemical and odor control, tobacco smoke or any other concerns you have with your indoor air quality. Contact us for more information.

Show your support for green living by becoming a follower of this blog.
   

Demystifying household chemicals: Toluene

Spray paint contains the
toxic chemical toluene
Image: FreeDigitalPhotos

"Demystifying household chemicals" is a series that aims to inform people on the types of chemicals found in and around our homes. The series will be featured every Wednesday where a different chemical, and its everyday uses, will be discussed.

It may seem daunting to look at the list of ingredients on the back of a label and try to figure out what all those scientific words mean.  But knowing what they are and how they can affect you and your family are very important. 

Toluene is a clear liquid that has a very distinct smell. You know that strong smell you find in paint thinners? That’s toluene. It is a common ingredient found in many of our household products. 

Toluene is also an aromatic hydrocarbon, like Xylene (discussed in a previous entry), and is most commonly used as a solvent. 

This chemical, though not considered carcinogenic, can have very severe consequences. While toluene naturally occurs in liquid form, it can also be found in gas form, such as in aerosols. 

Inhaling this chemical can cause drowsiness, numbness, nausea and headaches. Irritations to the nose, throat and skin may also occur. There have been instances where toluene has been inhaled for recreational purposes, which results in a chemical high resembling drunkenness.

Exposure to this chemical in confined spaces can affect the central nervous system and in extreme cases, cause unconsciousness and even death.  

The most common household products that contain toluene include:

•         Spray paints
•         Primers
•         Multipurpose cleaners (liquid or aerosol)
•         Contact cement
•         Floor polish
•         Paint thinners
•         Bathmats
•         Wood sealers
•         Some coloring pens and markers

Many people store the products above in the basement or garage. If possible, apply these products outdoors to help reduce the chances of the vapors entering the home. If work needs to be done inside the garage, keep the doors open during that time.  

Keeping your indoor air quality safe

AllerAir's numerical series is made
for odor and chemical control

When working inside the home, make sure to keep all windows and doors open to allow for maximum ventilation or use an air purifier. 

AllerAir’s 5000 or 6000 DX Vocarb air purifier was conceived for the purpose of dealing with spaces that have high concentrations of airborne chemicals, odors and volatile organic chemicals. 

After completing the work on your rooms, set the air purifier at the lowest setting throughout the night or until the windows are opened again the next day. 

Keeping it at the lowest setting will allow the chemicals to be adsorbed more quickly by the activated carbon filter within the air purifier.

Do you have any questions about toluene or how our air purifiers can help keep your home safe? Post your questions or comments here and we'll be happy to respond.

Show your support for green living by becoming a follower of this blog.

Contact us at AllerAir for more information on our products.

Demystifying household chemicals: Xylene

Xylene is found in many different types of paint

"Demystifying household chemicals" is a series that aims to inform people on the types of chemicals found in and around our homes. The series will be featured every Wednesday where a different chemical, and its everyday uses, will be discussed.

When we buy cleaning products, or even recreational goods for the home, we rarely know what the ingredients on the labels mean.

Is this ingredient toxic? Is repeated exposure putting me and my family at risk? 

These are questions many of us ask ourselves when deciding what to buy.

Xylene is a common chemical found in many cleaning and recreational products, but few people know what it is.

This chemical, also called dimethylbenzene or xylol is usually found in a clear, liquid form. Designated as an aromatic hydrocarbon, xylene is an organic compound made of hydrogen and carbon that gives off a sweet odor. In the commercial world, it is often combined with other compounds to make everyday items such as polyester or plastic bottles.

Though this may start to sound overly technical, you might be surprised to know how present this chemical is in our daily lives. 

Xylene may be found, in varying concentrations, in the following products:

•     Perfumes 
•      Insect repellents 
•     Dyes  
•      Insecticides 
•      Floor polish 
•      Liquid and aerosol household cleaners 
•      Markers, fine point and broad-tipped 
•      Paint 
•      Pet flea and tick products, including collars 
•      Art materials (i.e. clay, water/tempera colors, finger paint…) 
•      Automobile body polish and cleaners

These everyday materials may not contain large quantities of xylene, but long-term or extensive exposure to it in enclosed spaces can lead to various skin irritations, anemia, depression and even liver problems.

Choosing organic materials when cleaning the house is a far safer option, but if you must use xylene-based products, keep the windows open while engaged in your activities.  Leave them open for another 20 minutes after completing your chores. 

Source: OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)

Ensuring a safe home for you and your family

AllerAir's 5000 D Vocarb

Taking precautions when using some of the products above is highly recommended, but using an air purifier, such as AllerAir’s air purifiers for chemical and odor control, will give you the peace of mind necessary to protect you and your family.

These air purifiers can be purchased as is, or customized for our clients' individual needs. The units not only rid the air of odors, but remove up to 99.97% of airborne particles from your indoor space with the help of our HEPA  filters.

Additionally, our special carbon filters adsorb several household chemicals, thereby providing an environment that is safe for you and your family.

Do you have any questions, comments or concerns about xylene? Let us know by posting a message. We’ll be happy to respond.

Show your support for green living by becoming a follower of this blog.

For more information on AllerAir’s air purifiers, please visit our website.