Household Cleaners. Interesting articles I have read

DISINFECTANTS and ANTIBACTERIALS:

Disinfectants are EPA-regulated pesticides that kill bacteria. Although they temporarily kill germs on surfaces, they cannot kill germs in the air, and they do not provide long-lasting disinfection. Some disinfectant cleaners were found to contain alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs) in tests conducted in 1997 by the Washington Toxics Coalition. APEs are suspected hormone disruptors that don't readily biodegrade, threatening fish and wildlife when they go down your drain. And triclosan, the active ingredient in most antibacterial soaps, was detected in 57.6% of stream water samples from across the U.S., according to a May 2002 study by the U.S. Geological Survey.

It's sensible to try to eradicate some food-poisoning bacteria, such as Salmonella and E.coli, but society's sometimes excessive fear of germs is leading to serious global consequences. Coupled with overuse and misuse of antibiotics in medicine and in livestock, rampant use of antibacterial soaps and other germ-killing products is contributing to a rise in antibiotic-resistant bacteria, according to a 2000 World Health Organization report. As a result, physicians are losing one of their most important tools in fighting infectious diseases, as bacteria that cause illnesses such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, ear infections, meningitis, and Staph infections grow increasingly resistant to antibiotic treatment. (See "Who's to Blame When Antibiotics Don't Work?" from The Green Guide #71)

Unless you have a compromised immune system or illness that may make you especially vulnerable to infection from microbes and bacteria, you probably don't need a disinfectant for most household needs. Household surfaces can be adequately cleaned using hot, soapy water and a little elbow grease. To avoid food-borne illness: Wash all foods thoroughly before preparation, and be sure to soak leafy greens, rinsing at least three times. Cook meat and eggs thoroughly (no rare beef or over-easy scrambles). Eat only fresh fish, and thaw frozen meats in the refrigerator. Wash all cutting boards, dishes, knives and other surfaces that touch raw meat or eggs in hot, soapy water before using on other foods that will not be cooked. Refrigerate foods within two hours of cooking.

For the next few weeks I will post small snippets that I have found on the web.

Cleaning Chemicals in Breast Milk

WOW,  have you seen this article ..... dumbfounds me

"Studies show human breast milk is contaminated with more than 
100 industrial chemicals. These chemicals come from household 
products like flame-retardant upholstery, dry cleaned clothing, and 
even common cleaning agents."

I don't believe it!  Well, actually I do believe it.  WHAT are we doing??
More importantly, what are we going to do about it? 

"Chlorine, ammonia, and 
petroleum based cleaning 
products leave fumes and 
residues in the home that 
are absorbed by our bodies. 
These chemicals leave residues
 and fumes that penetrate our
 skin, are inhaled indoors and 
out, or are ingested.
 Our bodies act as reservoirs for these 
substances because of the way some 
chemicals attach themselves to fatty tissues.
This can lead to the build up of dangerous concentrations 
which eventually work their way into mother's milk when the
body calls on fat supplies during lactation."  

Commit to doing something about the build up of chemicals
 in your home.  Simplify your cleaning system, rid your home
 and family of harmful products.

For the complete article visit the Healthy Home website. 

EASY FIX.....phone me now to 
arrange a home visit to see 
how easy Fibre Technology can
clean your home or ask me 
how you can receive a 
10% discount on all your 
products

Anti-Bacterial Cloths are they good for you

An extract from better health:  read more http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcpdf.nsf/ByPDF/Antibacterial_cleaning_products/$File/Antibacterial_cleaning_products.pdf
Antibacterial cleaning products
The overuse of antibacterial cleaning products in the home may be producing strains of multiantibiotic-
resistant bacteria. Bacteria that are resistant to many antibiotics are known as multiresistant
organisms (MROs).
Media advertisements press the point that bacteria in the home are harmful and must be
eliminated by using any number of the antibacterial or antimicrobial products available.
These cleaning products are no more effective at preventing infection in the home than good
personal and household hygiene using ordinary soap, warm water and plain detergent. Consumers
should avoid using these products unless they have a specific medical reason to do so.
Numerous household products contain antibacterial agents
Antibacterial and antimicrobial products are everywhere. They include:
• Soaps and detergents
• Hand lotions
• Disinfectants
• Window cleaners
• Cleaning cloths
• Surface sprays
• Mouthwashes
• Toothpastes
• Garbage bags and plastic wrap
• Textiles, carpet underlay and swimming pool liners.
Many of these products contain antibacterial agents such as triclosan. These ingredients are
valuable in hospitals and other healthcare settings but their effectiveness could be compromised by
unnecessary domestic use. Their widespread use in the home could make some bacteria resistant
to these antibacterial substances.
Environmental risks
Antibacterials such as triclosan can enter the environment and may accumulate in the food chain
over time. Because of this, the national regulatory authority has decided to reassess their potential
to constitute an environmental hazard. This review is currently still pending.
Cleaning products may contribute to antibiotic resistance
There is some evidence that the use of antibacterial and antimicrobial cleaning products –
combined with the overprescription of antibiotics – may produce strains of bacteria that are
resistant to disinfectants and antibiotics. There are several issues involved:
• There may not be enough of the antibacterial or antimicrobial agent in these cleaning
products to destroy bacteria completely.
• When exposed to antibacterial or antimicrobial cleaning products, most bacteria will die but
some may survive and multiply. These strains can become resistant to antibiotics and
disinfectants.
• Resistant strains of bacteria can lead to increased infection risk in the community, and in
hospitals and other healthcare settings.
• Disinfectants are often not used correctly: for example, they are not mixed according to
the manufacturer’s instructions (more is not better).

Are Air Fresheners Harmful in Pregnancy

Following on from last weeks article on Womens increased risk of cancer from chemical overuse...... an article on the effect of Air Fresheners on  Pregnant Women, Foetus, and Infants following birth:

Air fresheners and aerosols can make babies and their mothers ill


19. October 2004 07:46

Air fresheners and aerosols can make babies and their mothers ill, research from the University of Bristol’s Children of the 90s study has revealed.

A number of previous studies have shown that air fresheners and aerosols are responsible for high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the home.

Children of the 90s (ALSPAC), which has followed the health and development of 14,000 children since before birth, is the first study to investigate the effects of VOCs on infants.

The researchers found that frequent use of air fresheners and aerosols during pregnancy and early childhood was associated with higher levels of diarrhoea, earache and other symptoms in infants, as well as headaches and depression in mothers.

32 per cent more babies suffered diarrhoea in homes where air fresheners (including sticks, sprays and aerosols) were used every day, compared with homes where they were used once a week or less.

They also suffered more from earache. Daily use of aerosols such as polish, deodorant and hairspray was associated with a 30 per cent increase in cases of diarrhoea and, to a lesser extent, an increase in vomiting

Air fresheners and aerosols also affected mothers, with those who used them daily suffering nearly 10 per cent more headaches.

The most surprising result is the link between maternal depression and air fresheners. 16 per cent of mothers who used fresheners reported depression, compared with 12.7 per cent of those who seldom used them. This represents an increased risk of over 26 per cent.

The ALSPAC study monitored levels of VOCs in 170 randomly selected homes for a year to establish the household products most likely to raise levels of VOCs. In addition, over 10,000 mothers completed questionnaires about their use of these products. They also reported at various points during pregnancy and childhood on symptoms suffered by themselves and their children.

The paper’s lead author, Dr Alexanda Farrow of the School of Health Sciences and Social Care.at Brunel University, says: “Over 40 per cent of families in the ALSPAC study reported using air fresheners regularly. People may think that using these products makes their homes cleaner and healthier, but being cleaner may not necessarily mean being healthier.

“Air fresheners combined with other aerosol and household products contribute to a complex mixture of chemicals and a build-up of VOCs in the home environment. Pregnant women and babies up to six months may be particularly susceptible to the effects of this, because they spend around 80 per cent of their time at home. There may also be implications for other groups who are at home a good deal, such as old people.

“More research is needed, but in the meantime, it might be safer to limit use of air fresheners and aerosols in the home. Squeezing a lemon is just as effective at freshening the air.”

Study taken from:
http://www.bris.ac.uk

House Proud Women Cancer Risk

An Excerpt from a recent study published on Bigpond News .... a good reason to change to fibre based cleaning

Home » Health

House-proud women cancer risk

Tuesday, July 20, 2010 » 10:15am

House-proud women who like to keep their homes clean and fragrant may be at greater risk of breast cancer, research suggests.

Scientists found significant links between the disease and women's use of cleaning products, air fresheners and mould removers.

General use of cleaners doubled the risk of breast cancer in women who used them the most, experts found.

Among the different kinds of products, air fresheners and mould and mildew removers had the strongest association.

In contrast, mothballs, pesticides and insect repellents had little impact on breast cancer risk.

US researchers conducted telephone interviews with 787 women aged 60 to 80 years old in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, with breast cancer and 721 healthy women also in that age range.

The women were asked about their use of cleaning products and pesticides, and split into four groups ranging between high and low users. Cancer rates for the different groups were then compared.

Study leader Dr Julia Brody, from the Silent Spring Institute in Newton, Massachusetts, said: 'Women who reported the highest combined cleaning product use had a doubled risk of breast cancer compared to those with the lowest reported use.

'Use of air fresheners and products for mould and mildew control were associated with increased risk. To our knowledge, this is the first published report on cleaning product use and risk of breast cancer.'

Air fresheners were found to double breast cancer risk among women in the highest-use group, as did weekly use of mould and mildew-removing agents.

Many pesticides, household cleaners and air fresheners contain ingredients known to trigger breast cancer in animals, said the researchers.

Some were also made with endocrine (hormone) disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that could theoretically affect the growth of oestrogen-sensitive breast cancer cells.

Hormone-disruptors such as synthetic musks and phthalates were commonly used in air fresheners, said the scientists. Air fresheners may also contain chemicals called terpenes which can react with ozone in the air to form cancer triggers such as formaldehyde, benzene and styrene, they added.

'Although exposure levels may be low and EDCs are typically less potent than endogenous hormones, limited knowledge of product formulations, exposure levels and the biological activity and toxicity of chemical constituents alone and in combination make it difficult to assess risks associated with product use,' the researchers wrote.

Lismore 4wd, Caravan and Camping Show

FIRSTLY .... CONGRATULATIONS to the winner of our Survey Competition  R Clift

WOW...what a great three days.  The weather was kinder to us than expected and the crowds came.
It was great to meet so many people keen to change their cleaning habits to the best alternative....Fibre Based Cleaning with Ha-Ra.
Thanks to all the other exhibitors who sent those interested our way.

There were a couple of things I purchased myself (why exhibitors shouldn't take their wallets to any shows)

As Ian is a Coeliac we bought a set of Earth Friend cooking liners - these toaster bags and liners are cotton based and contain no teflon.  They are going to make cooking when we are away easier as we can be sure there is no cross contamination from cooking surfaces 

And my hubbie and I have pictures on the wall of our dream camper for when we retire.

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Daisy Hill Playschool
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