Is Protecting Your Family Killing You?

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America (Free-Press-Release.com) January 28, 2012 -- On a global level we’ve looked at alternatives for renewable energy like wind, solar, and hydro-electric. Most communities are responsible for recycling or programs that allow the community to take part in the effort to reduce the impact on our landfills.

When thinking of ways to protect our families and our children’s future we look globally. My views aren’t as radical as others and I believe in being responsible. We allow the same things in our homes that we don’t want in our landfills. We allow corporations to dictate the ingredients and fillers that come into our homes.

Let’s look at some facts and throw out the myth and speculation. When we go buy a car we put a lot of research into all the details. Does it have good gas mileage, what’s the warranty, how does it handle, how safe is it for my family, and what’s the price.

How much time do we spend paying attention to what we put in our homes. What brand of laundry detergent do you use and why? What do I use to clean my bathroom and what do I freshen it with when necessary? Most of our decisions are based on opinion and outside sources. Researchers and scientists give us varying opinions and we are to accept their findings and decide if we agree or disagree.

Common household air fresheners are labeled with fine print that is often unread. We see mom or dad entering the room and spraying an odor eater into the air while the children sit on the couch and Fido bounces around. Sounds like a good way to get rid of unwanted odors until you look and realize your spraying known toxins into your family room. One common air freshener states to paraphrase “that humans should vacate the room for 24 hours to ensure there is no reaction, 48 hours for pets, and to consult a physician before use.”

Asthma was once a very rare disease. Now the condition is extremely common – the asthma rate has tripled in the last 20 years with nearly 30 million Americans currently afflicted. (Source: Consumer Federation of America, 1997). In one decade, there has been a 42% increase in asthma (29% for men, 82% for women). The higher rate for women is believed to be due to women’s longer exposure to household chemicals. (Source: Center for Disease Control)

A study by researchers at Johns Hopkins University found an association between increasing levels of indoor particulate matter pollution and the severity of asthma symptoms among children. Yet there are billions spent on advertising to make us feel good about the products we bring in our home. Happy families bouncing around with no cares in the world.

I appreciate the hard work that parents put into keeping their homes clean. With dual incomes and family activities we want something that works and gets the job done. We don’t have time to do our laundry and not have it get clean the first time, but what is the value of clean if it means we are putting our families in dangers way.

Phenol is a highly poisonous, extremely caustic chemical that can be easily absorbed in the skin. It is a dangerous neurotoxin and will interfere with nerve function with prolonged exposure and is being linked directly with ADD, ADHD and learning disabilities. Absorption of phenol through the lungs or skin can cause central nervous system damage, pneumonia, respiratory tract infection, heart-rate irregularities, skin irritation, kidney and liver damage, numbness, vomiting and can be fatal.

Phenol can be found in air fresheners, aftershave, bronchial mists, deodorants, feminine powders and sprays, hair spray, decongestants, mouthwash, aspirin, solvents, acne medications, antiseptics, calamine lotions, cleaning products, detergents, furniture polish, cold capsules, all-purpose cleaners, aerosol disinfectants, anti-itching lotions, carmex, cosmetics, disinfectant cleaners, hand lotions, lip balms, sunscreens and lotions.

We have formaldehyde, bleach, and dioxin to name a few other chemicals commonly found in household products. While the manufactures of consumable household products continue to be influenced by the bottom line and profits our households and health are at risk. High demand by retailers to keep prices low and still make products effective has backfired. We aren’t getting higher quality products at a better price but rather lower quality products with fillers that are more toxic and may do the job we are demanding but at a greater risk.

There isn’t a clear solution from the major manufacturers and there is no indication that the intent is to create safer products for the consumer.

Since we still have the ability to choose what’s best for our families, it’s hard to know where the average consumer will put their efforts. Some may see the dangers that lurk under the sink while others will struggle to make the connection between what appears be an attack on corporations. The major manufactures pioneered much of what we’ve learned over the years but society has demanded better, faster, and cheaper over the years and it’s caused them to compromise the best for the most profitable.

There is hope for a brighter future. There are some companies that have made significant strides in safer products for the end consumer. Some have taken on the greener approach and have been able to consider the overall global environmental impact for our waterways and landfills. Keep your eyes on the horizon and look for something better.

We deserve it as consumers and our families deserve the best.

William Zenobia is the Owner of With Purpose, a company dedicated to improving the quality of your life and a proud family man. For further information, please contact William at William@williamzenobia.com

ADHD     asthma     attention deficit disorder     chemicals     Children     families     health     Phenol