How Are You Affected by Environmental Stress?

20 years ago we, the average consumer, had no clue that our environment could stress our bodies. This stress might seem like no big deal, but it puts small amounts of stress hormones into our blood stream. This accumulates. Then when a big stress in your life occurs, it's just like dominoes – they all go tumbling down!

In one five year study, the EPA reported that our homes had chemical levels that were 70 times higher inside the home than outside. 70,000 new chemicals have been introduced since World War II – and they were developed out of the extensive research in chemical warfare! (Karen Possick Why Are You Poisoning Your Children?)

We are the first generation to grow up with such extremely high levels of chemicals in our homes. And what do we do with them? We see and use them. We disinfect our baby's rooms with them, we clean up with them, we smear them on our skin, we wash our clothes in them and wear them all day and sleep in them all night. We don't question whether they are safe. We trust that if the grocery story sells the product – it is safe.

According to the U.S. National Research Council, no information on toxic effects is available for 79% of the more than 48,500 synthetic chemicals listed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Fewer than one fifth have been tested for acute effects, and fewer than one-tenth for chronic, reproductive or mutagenic effects.

The health in our nation is not looking good. We are seeing allergies, birth defects, ADD, migraines, asthma, Alzheimer’s, cancers of every kind and the list goes on. According to the Toxic Substances Strategy Committee, 80-90% of cancers are triggered by exposure to hazardous substances in the environment. This was reported in 1980. So why are we still using all of these toxic products?

Did you know?
- In 1901, cancer was rare: 1 out of 8,000. Since the Industrial Revolution, the cancer rate today has risen to 1 in 3 and soon, it will be 1 in 2. (Source: The American Cancer Society)

Toxic chemicals found in homes are, on average three times more likely to cause cancer than outdoor airborne pollutants. EPA Study

According to a Consumer Product Safety Commission study, 150 chemicals commonly found in our homes are directly connected to allergies, birth defects, cancer, and psychological disorders.

The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health analyzed 2,983 chemicals used in personal care products and found 884 of them to be toxic. Some even caused mutigenic changes.
50% of all illness is due to poor indoor air quality (State of Massachusetts Study)

The United States of America Federal Code of Regulations exempts manufacturers from full labeling of products if used for personal, family or household care. (Source USA FCR: Section 1910.1200C, Title 29, Section 1500.82 2Q1A)

Women who work in the home have a 54% higher death rate from cancer than women who work outside of the home. (Source: 17- year EPA study)

Cancer is now the #2 killer of children - second only to accidental poisonings. Since 1977 the rate of cancer among American children has been steadily rising at a rate of nearly 1% each year. (Source: National Cancer Institute)

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 times to household chemicals. (Source: Center for Disease Control)

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) in adults and children is also rising - in 1993; 4.5 million children took the drug Ritalin so they could sit still long enough to learn. By 1998, 11.4 million children were being drugged with this powerful Class-2 narcotic. (Source: Your Children and Ritalin, The Detroit News (March 8. 1998) See also http://toxtown.nlm.nih.gov/main.html

Scary statistics, huh? What is even scarier (to me) is the fact that there are simple steps we can take – and most people don't 'want to be bothered'.

There is a simple first step everyone can take. Start using safer cleaners in your home. Get rid of the bleach and cleaners with formaldehyde. Use products that have no dye, phosphates, ammonia, abrasives, aerosol propellants and other harsh ingredients. Buy green.

I market for an environmentally responsible company that manufactures products right here in the U.S. Melaleuca's products are safer for you and your home. They meet all of the above requirements and are more cost effective than name brand products. Contact me for more information or visit my website www.debthinksgreen.com

My company is not the only one – there are lots of better companies out there where you can buy safer products. Watkins, Shaklee – just to name a couple! Do a http://www.google.com/ search and see what is out there. Talk to you friends, see what they are doing. Call me and let's talk. But for God's sake – do something!