The Toxic Glossary

It is a scary thing when you start to read about toxins, you read names of toxic chemicals left right and center, but never really know exactly what they are or what products they are in. This glossary will empower you with the information you need to know about which toxic chemicals to protect your family from. It is by no means a complete list of every toxin known to man, but it is a list of the 12 toxins which we are most likely to be exposed to on a daily basis, and which we can have the greatest amount of control over in limiting our exposure.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Don't be fooled by the word 'Organic' - Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's) are carbon based chemicals which evaporate easily at room temperature (known as off gassing).
Not all VOC's are considered dangerous, but those that are toxic have been linked to cancer and organ & neurological damage. Common toxic VOC's include formaldehyde, perchloroethylene, toulene and benzene.

Benzene

What is it? Benzene is a natural part of crude oil, it is also known as benzol, and is a clear pungent liquid. Benzene is a major industrial solvent and is used in the production process of plastic, oil, synthetic rubber and many dyes.

Why is it bad for us?Benzene is a very Volitile Orgainic Compound which is classified as a carcinogenic. Long-term exposure to high levels of benzene can decrease red blood cells, leading to anemia, it can also affect the immune system and in extreme cases cause leukemia. Short-term exposure to high levels of benzene by eatting or breathing affects the central nervous system, and can cause dizziness, rapid breathing, tightness of the chest, tremors, rapid heart rate, sleepiness, convulsions, paralysis and coma.

What is it used in?Paints, glue, detergent, furniture wax, synthetic rubber, adhesives and coatings, inks, thiners, laquer, industrial solvents, and is present in vehicle exhaust and cigarette smoke.

Toulene

What is it? Toulene is a solvent used in manufacturing perfumes, detergents, gasoline, other chemicals, and medicines.

Why is it bad for us? Toulene is a very Volitile Organic Compound. Acute exposure can irritate the nose, throat, and eyes, and cause headaches, loss of consciousness, and death. Chronic exposure can cause mutations, damage developing fetuses, and damage the liver, kidneys, brain, and bone marrow.

What is it used in? Paint, paint thinner,some medicines, dyes, detergents, fingernail polish, spot removers, lacquers, adhesives, synthetic rubber, and antifreeze.

Formaldehyde

What is it? Formaldehyde is used as a preservative in household and personal care products and in its state as urea formaldehyde resin it is used as an ingredient in adhesives in processed wood. It is also used as a stain and water repellent in furniture and mattresses.

Why is it bad for us? Formaldehyde is a very Volatile Organic Compound which off gases to produce a very pungent smelling gas, which can cause burning sensations and watering of the eyes, nausea, burning in the throat (lengthy exposure can cause serious respiratory injury), difficulties breathing and can trigger attacks in asthmatics. Formaldehyde has been proven to cause cancers in animals and is a suspected human carcinogenic.

What is it used in? As a preservative formaldehyde can be found in a huge range of house hold products including face and body creams, shampoos, toothpaste, nail polish, paint, vinyl flooring, perfumes and fragrances, air fresheners, cosmetics, cleaning products and art supplies. As a resin in adhesive it can be found in furniture made of pressed wood including hardwood plywood paneling, particle board and medium density fiberboard (MDF). MDF contains the highest levels of Formaldehyde and can off gas for up to a year.
High levels of formaldehyde have been found in adults and babies crib mattress and in upholstered furniture when applied as a stain and water repellent.

Aspartame an ingredient of artificial sweeter, breaks down into formaldehyde in the body during digestion and when ingested has been shown to cause retinal damage, interfere with DNA replication and cause birth defects.

Perchloroethylene

What is it? Perchloroethylene (PERC) is a chlorinated solvent.

Why is it bad for us? PERC is a very Volatile Organic Compound which can cause dizziness, nausea and liver and kidney problems. It is neurotoxic if inhaled in large quantities and a probable carcinogen.

What is it used in? Dry cleaning.

Endocrine Disruptors

An endocrine disruptor is a synthetic chemical, that mimics or blocks hormones when absorbed into the body, and disrupts the body's normal function. These disruptions can halt, stimulate or alter normal hormone activity and levels, or change the way in which hormones travel through the body, which affects the functions the hormones control.

Brominated Flame Retardants

What are they? Brominated Flame Retardants (BFR's) a synthetic chemicals added to products with the intention that in the event of a fire, they will burn more slowly.

Why are they bad for us? BFR's are an endocrine disruptor, other negative effects to health include damage to the nervous system, brain and liver and thyroid imbalances, they can also cause neurotoxic effects at crucial stages of development in neonatal life . The most common and most toxic BFR's are PBDE's (poly-brominated diphenyl ethers)

What are they used in? Lounge suites and soft furnishing, carpets and rugs, TV's, computers, DVD players, mobile phones, MP3 players, laptops, car interiors, some children's clothing (especially pajama's and school uniforms), mattresses (both adults and cot mattresses), babies and children's car seats, curtains bed linen and other textiles.

Bisphenol A

What is it? Bisphenol A (BPA) was first synthesized as a man made hormone, but was adopted by the chemical industry when it was discovered it could be polymerized into polycarbonate - a strong clear plastic.

Why is it bad for us? BPA is a known endocrine disruptor that mimics estrogen, disrupting normal function and has been shown to cause birth defects in laboratory animals. BPA has been linked with breast cancer, male reproductive system defects, miscarriage, immune system defects, polycyctic ovarian syndrome, ADHD, diabetes, early onset puberty in girls and obesity.

What is it used in? BPA is used in Polycarbonate plastic which comes under the plastic category #7, this plastic is used in many brands of baby bottles, mobile pones, dvd's, plastic lunch boxes, electrical appliances, sports bottles, eating utensils, refrigerator shelves and food containers. BPA is also found in the lining of most cans used to tin food, and in paints and adhesives and certain pesticides and flame retardants. BPA is sometimes used as a stabilizer in PVC.

Phthalates

What are they? Phthalates are plasticizes that are used in PVC to make plastic more flexible and give substances a 'smooth' effect.

Why are they bad for us? Not all Phthalates are dangerous, but those which are toxic are endocrine disruptors, the most common and most toxic is DEHP (Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate) which is a possible carcinogenic. Health issues related to toxic phthalates include increased risk of miscarriage, male reproductive development impairment such as undescended testicles, enlarged prostates and reduced sperm count, and early onset puberty in girls. These reproductive abnormalities increase the risk of cancer in later life such as breast and prostate cancer.
Toxic phthalates have also been shown to cause liver and kidney damage.

What are they used in? Children's toys - including bath toys, wipe clean plastic books squeezy toys etc. PVC, wipe clean vinyl bibs, shower curtains, vinyl upholstery, plastic bags, cosmetics, personal care products, pharmaceuticals, paint, printing ink, sealants and adhesives.

Organotins

What are they? Organotins are chemical compounds which are based on tin, they are used as stabilizers in synthetic substances and products.

Why are they bad for us? Organotins are endocrine diruptor's which can damage the human hormonal and reproductive system In the 1960's an organotin known as TBT was used on the hulls of boats to prevent barnicals and limpets attaching them selves - this had a detrimental effect on the marine life, and caused shellfish to change sex.. Orgnaotins have also been shown to compromise the immune system in laboratory animals by destroying the function of immune cells.

What are they used in? PVC, polyester, polyurethane, glues and wood preserves. Orgnaotins can be found in PVC flooring, household paints, plastic toys, blow up toys such as paddling pools and water wings and most alarmingly disposable nappies.

Parabens

What are they? Parabens are used to prevent the growth of bacteria and as a preservative in a wide range of consumer products.

Why are they bad for us? Parabens are endocrine disrupter that mimic estrogen and have been linked to breast cancer and reproductive system defects. The four most common parabens are (Methyl),(Ethyl),(Propyl) and (Butyl) parabens. They can easily be absorbed into the blood stream and are especially dangerous for babies in utero when used by pregnant mothers.

What are they used in? Cosmetics, shampoos, body and face creams, deodorants, condoms, baby lotions and bath products.

Other Nasties That Mess With Our Health

Synthetic Musks

What are they? Synthetically manufactured 'scents'.

Why are they bad for us? Synthetic musks can cause irritation to the throat, nose and eyes, cause allergies, trigger headaches, migraines, and asthma attacks. The biggest issue is that synthetic musks act as toxic enhancers by debilitating the cells natural ability to defend against toxic substances. Synthetic musks are most likely in products that already contain toxic chemicals such as parabens and phthalates and, as enhancers the synthetic musks act in increasing the toxicity of these chemicals.

What are they used in? Perfumes, fabric conditioner, body lotions, air fresheners, body wash, shaving foam, conditioner, shampoo, children's toys, toothpaste, cosmetics, styling treatments, detergent and almost every imaginable consumer product.

Perfluorinates

What are they? Perfluorinates (PFC's) are a group of chemicals used as non-stick, non-stain and water-resistant coatings.

Why are they bad for us?PFC's may cause birth defects, affect the immune system and disrupt thyroid function.

What are they used in? Non-stick cookware, carpets, shoes, furniture, waterproof clothing, crease resistant clothing, leather goods, floor waxes, fast food containers and microwave popcorn packaging.

Triclosan

What is it? Triclosan is a synthetic chemical that is anti-bacterial and anti-microbial.

Why is it bad for us? Triclosan is a close relation of dioxin, which is the most potent synthetic animal carcinogen ever tested, lab studies link triclosan to cancer, developmental defects, and liver and inhalation toxicity, triclosan may also affect the thyroid and other hormone systems. This powerful antibacterial and anti-microbial causes genetic mutations in bacteria and viruses, producing new strains for which the human immune system has no defence. Triclosan is not only dangerous to human health but also to the environment, when flushed into waterways it contaminates streams and is toxic to wildlife.

What is it used in? Handwash, plastic bin liners, toothpaste, cleaning cloths, deodorants, plastic chopping boards, plastic kitchenware.