The Dangers of Using Antibacterial Products

Are you familiar with Triclosan? Triclosan is a pesticide; a potent wide spectrum antibacterial and anti fungal agent. Triclosan is one of the most common active ingredients in all the beloved antibacterial products people love.

As a society we are obsessed with killing germs and keeping our environment disinfected. We're even looking for our cutting boards, bibs, and high chairs to include some type of antibacterial protection and the government is hearing our cries.

According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), as of July 2008 the federal government has approved the pesticide Triclosan for use in 140 different types of consumer products including liquid hand soap, toothpaste, undergarments and children's toys.

Don't get me wrong, I am all for keeping our homes and bodies clean but this need to kill germs is causing much larger problems for us. The following facts will help explain why:

• According to the World Health Organization, disinfectant and antibacterial products are resulting in stronger, more resistant bacteria. Triclosan kills most - but not all - of the bacteria it encounters. The germs that survive emerge stronger and harder to kill in the future. This can make normal household germs more resistant.
  


• The American Medical Association recommends that triclosan not be used in the home as it may encourage bacterial resistance to antibiotics.


• A 2002 Swedish study found high levels of triclosan in 3 out of 5 human breast milk samples.


• A study of over 200 healthy households found that households using antibacterial products did not have any reduced risk for runny noses, coughs, and other symptoms of infectious diseases.


• Researchers have raised concerns about triclosan and its link to dioxins, which are highly carcinogenic chemicals that can cause severe health problems such as: weakening of the immune system, decreased fertility, altered sex hormones, birth defects, and cancer.


• Girl Scouts in St. Paul, Minnesota found that when they tried to use triclosan to kill bacteria they were growing for a science fair project, the bacteria actually started growing.


• Triclosan, when washed down the drain, is making its way into our water system and is highly toxic to a number of different types of algae which are the primary producers in many aquatic ecosystems.


• When triclosan reacts with chlorine found in tap water, chloroform is produced. The Environmental Protection Agency classifies chloroform as a probable human carcinogen.
• Research suggests that normal water treatment procedures could convert triclosan into a toxic dioxin and the conversion can be triggered by strong sunlight.


• Triclosan bio accumulates or becomes concentrated in fatty tissue in humans and animals that are exposed to this chemical.

These facts make it clear, triclosan isn't good for our health or our environment. Unfortunately there are over 973 products listed in the Skin Deep Cosmetic Database containing triclosan. I bet you won't have any trouble finding products you use on this list.

What can you do to make sure that your exposure to this hazardous chemical is limited?

1. Watch for triclosan (and triclocarban, its chemical cousin) in personal care products. Read ingredient labels and use the Cosmetic Data Base to see which of your current personal care products contain triclosan.


2. Switch your personal care products to those that are all natural and free of triclosan and other hazardous chemicals such as Young Living Essential Oils. Young Living offers many personal care products that include Skin Care, Hair care, Bath and Shower Products, Kids products and, Oral Hygiene. Click to see the entire essential oil based product line here. (then click on the Personal Care tab)


3. Switch your antibacterial cleaning supplies for those that are considered natural and non-toxic such as Young Living's Thieves Essential Oil based Household Cleaner

Order Your Triclosan Free Personal Care Products Here.....

4. Make your own antibacterial cleaning products using essential oils. Essential oils are the lifeblood of a plant and the oil serves as its own chemical defense against fungus and infection. When used outside of the plant the essential oil is a powerful antibacterial and in fact, has been used to neutralize germs as far back as 1887. Here is a great article from another Young Living independent distributor on house cleaning with essential oils.


5. Forego antibacterial soap. Use Thieves Foaming Soap instead. Its made with the most potent antibacterial essential oils: clove, lemon, cinnamon bark, eucalyptus and rosemary.


6. Avoid "Antibacterial" Products - these products may be labeled “antibacterial,” or make claims such as “odor-fighting” or “keeps food fresher, longer.” These products may be toys, bedding, bath accessories, and clothing. I think you will be surprised when you view the list of government approved products allowed to contain triclosan here. Shop for natural home items at Gaiam.com and Acacia Catalog.

Would you like to learn more about Triclosan and what the Environmental Working Group is doing to help get this hazardous chemical banned? Click here to learn more and if you like what you see and you support what they're doing why not click on their donate button and give them some support.

If you have any questions regarding this information or would like help getting chemicals out of your life, contact me. I'd be happy to help.

Yours in Scentsible Wellness,
Elizabeth

Related information: Rub A Dub Dub....Is Cancer in Your Tub?

Make your Own Flavored Water with Essential Oils

Have you ever enjoyed flavored water? There are so many commercial brands out there but some, if not most, are flavored with more than you bargained for.

Check the labels on these waters. Some may be sweetened with sugar, or worse aspartame, and some may contain "natural" flavors (which in essence means imitation flavoring), coloring, or preservatives.

Tinted Stainless Steel Water Bottles. Banish disposable bottles and waste Only: $12 each

Some waters even claim to boost energy - careful, these may contain caffeine. How about added vitamins? This can be an issue too if you've already taken your supplements for the day. Plus, the vitamins that are added are more than likely synthetic and not in their natural state.

Water is suppose to be pure and healthy. Adding any of these things to your water definitely isn't pure and healthy.

Further, if you are drinking these flavored waters from plastic bottles then you also have the disadvantage of adding unwanted chemicals to your drinking water like DEHP, styrene, and BPAs. Not a good thing indeed.

So, what's a flavored water drinker suppose to do? Make your own flavored water and use Stainless Steel bottles.

Making flavored water with your Young Living Essential Oils is so easy and so tasty too! Try using Lemon, Peppermint, or Citrus Fresh. All of these oils have a very uplifting effect and you will get some added benefits from using them.

Lemon is very alkalizing (you can read about alkalizing with lemon by clicking here), peppermint is very cooling and helps to clear brain fog, and Citrus Fresh is extremely uplifting.

If its vitamin water you are looking for, flavor your water with a shot of NingXia Red. It is so light and tasty and you are sure to get a good boost of energy from drinking it, not to mention the health benefits that come from these vitamins and minerals.

Order Young Living Essential Oils Here..............

Please be careful not to use your essential oils in a plastic bottle. The essential oils can break down the plastic and the chemicals can infiltrate your water. I suggest using glass or stainless steel water bottles.

The stainless steel bottles shown above are the best priced bottles I've seen in a long time. They are being offered by Gaiam and if you combine this sale with either the free shipping or discounted pricing coupons (scroll down and look on the right of this page) you will end up with great pricing.

Stay cool, stay healthy, and enjoy your essential oils in your water.

Need help ordering? Have any questions regarding Young Living products? Contact me, I'd love to get you started with Young Living or answer any of your questions.

Yours in Scentsible Wellness,

Elizabeth

Please note Essential Oils should not be consumed unless they are pure 100% Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils such as Young Living's Essential Oils - Know your source!!!