Are Antibacterial products harmful?

Are Antibacterial Products Harmful?

Antibacterial products have gained popularity in the past 10 years. With SARS and the Swine Flu, many people want to take every precaution, however is it actually harmful?

From a report on CBS news (full article at http//newyork.cbslocal.com/2010/08/10/seen-at-11-antibacterial-product-fears/)

“There’s several problems with these chemicals Triclosan and Triclocarban,” Natural Resources Defense Council senior scientist Jennifer Sass said.

Sass said several studies show these chemicals can interfere with hormones like estrogen and testosterone.

“If you are a person who has a genetic susceptibility to a hormone-related cancer like a breast cancer or a prostate cancer, then if this raises or lowers certain hormones that might add to your risk,” Sass said.

Sass said the chemicals have also been linked to developmental problems. Now, her organization is suing the Food and Drug Administration for allegedly failing to regulate their use in consumer goods sooner.

“Our particular concern is when young children are exposed and pregnant women might be exposing their unborn child,” Sass said.

In a statement, the FDA responded saying: “We are engaged in an ongoing scientific and regulatory review…” of the products. The agency went on to say… “FDA does not have sufficient safety evidence to recommend changing consumer use of products…at this time.”

What can we do? First we can use antibacterial products that use alcohol instead of Triclosan and Triclocarban. Alcohol evaporates quickly and sanitizes in a pinch. However studies have shown that over use of antibacterial products, including alcohol, can lower ones natural built in-defense. It has been recommended to use sanitizers when warm soap and water are not available. However when at home or at work, warm soap and water is just as effective, if not more, at killing germs. Remember we need to build a defense against germs and to prohibit our body from developing its own natural defense will definitely cause us more harm than good in the long run.

About 8 years ago, we received a hard push from our customers to produce an anti-bacterial hand soap, but we resisted. While we do have a pocket hand sanitizer for when soap and water are not immediately available – like on a subway or bus – we feel a good washing with hand soap and warm water (while singing the ABC song), worked for us as kids and perhaps it is also what is best for our own kids and grandkids.
Ultimately it is a personal choice, however this article proves that perhaps before using any new, trendy product, that is an OTC drug, we should take more time to really look at the ingredients and ask ourselves if we need improvement on our old ways

Do My Beauty Products Contain Phthalates?

At the Good Home Company we do not use phthalates of any kind in our ingredients or fragrances.  But we have checked with all of our suppliers and made it clear that we will not use ANY raw materials or ingredients or perfumes with phthalates and have signed documentation on file from them agreeing to this.  Our Laundry Fragrance, Hand Lotion, Sheet and Clothing Spray – all of our products have been checked and are phthalate-free and will remain so.  However I wanted to write this article to share with you how abundant phthalates are in almost everything we use and how as a consumer you need to demand that your products are phthalate-free. 

DO MY BEAUTY PRODUCTS CONTAIN PHTHALATES? 

Unfortunately the answer is most likely yes, but what does that mean? 

First let’s take a look at what phthalates are.  Phthalates are esters of phthalic acid.  This is a chemical that is added to a truly frighteningly amount of products to increase longevity, transparency and durability. If it is a soft, flexible plastic – chances are it contains phthalates.  In cosmetics, phthalates are used as a diluter – to turn an ounce of perfume into 3 ounces and it is commonly used in skin care products as it leaves behind a soft silky film that makes you feel more “moisturized”. 

About 2 years ago there was a huge push made to ban phthalates and have them removed from all children’s products, such as plastic baby bottles.  Today if you walk into any baby store you will see the labels touting phthalate-free, BPA free and this is what you should buy.  Previously unregulated, phthalates were found in everything from teethers to actual oral medications. 

WHY ARE PHTHALATES HARMFUL? 

Phthalates have been linked to many neurological and metabolic issues.  It has been linked with autism, low birth weight, asthma and endocrine disruption.  For a very comprehensive look at phthalates go to Wikipedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phthalate 

In 2008 George Bush banned the use of phthalates in children’s toys and products.  Per wikopedia:

United States

In August 2008, the United States Congress passed and President George W. Bush signed the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), which became public law 110-314. Section 108 of that law specified that as of 10 February 2009, “it shall be unlawful for any person to manufacture for sale, offer for sale, distribute in commerce, or import into the United States any children’s toy or child care article that contains concentrations of more than 0.1 percent of” DEHP, DBP, or BBP and “it shall be unlawful for any person to manufacture for sale, offer for sale, distribute in commerce, or import into the United States any children’s toy that can be placed in a child’s mouth or child care article that contains concentrations of more than 0.1 percent of” DINP, DIDP, DnOP. Furthermore, the law requires the establishment of a permanent review board to determine the safety of other phthalates. Prior to this legislation, the Consumer Product Safety Commission had determined that voluntary withdrawals of DEHP and DINP from teethers, pacifiers, and rattles had eliminated the risk to children, and advised against enacting a phthalate ban.  Some phthalates were restricted in children’s toys sold in California starting in 2009. 

This is huge step in the right direction, however phthalates are still freely used in many adult products – including expensive facial creams, perfumes and water bottles – items that you put on your skin or ingest.  

WHAT CAN YOU DO? 

On cosmetics, look on the label for phthalate-free.  If it does not say phthalate-free, call up the 800 number and ask.  Phthalates are also called plasticizers and are listed in cosmetics as “dibutyl phthalate” or as “butyl ester”.  When looking at plastic containers – most products with a “3” are made with phthalates as they are PVC – avoid them. 

Do not assume that if it is natural it is phthalate-free.  Many manufacturers do not even know if their perfumes/fragrances contain phthalates.  Phthalates are hidden in many “raw” ingredients – so the brand would have to be diligent and check. 

Stay informed and make the extra effort to call a manufacturer or brand and ask them about their stance on phthalates.  They may not realize how harmful it is – but just like animal testing – policies will change at the demand of a consumer.  You keep brands in business and no matter how large a brand may be, if enough voices are heard, policies can be changed!

Are your cleaning products green?

Often times I am asked are your cleaning products green and the answer of course is yes.  Having founded the Good Home Company over 15 years ago in my kitchen, I work daily with our manufacturer to improve our ingredients to make them greener everyday.

Many products on the marketplace in Whole Foods, Target and your local drug or mart store carry green products, but the question is how green are they.

Current regulations do not require cleaning product manufacturers to list their ingredients.  There is also no regulation on using the words “green” or “natural”.  We have always disclosed our ingredients and always will.  However some ingredients that are considered natural are also cause for concern.  One of them being Sodium Laureth Sulfate or Sodium Lauryl Sulfate.  This ingredient is commonly found in soaps of any kind, from baby bubble bath to laundry detergent.  This ingredient is derived from coconut oil and has been altered many times to create a soap form.  It produces wonderful bubbles, but there has been a concern as to it containing carcinogens. 

A year back we started making efforts to eliminate SLS or any SLS derivatives from all of our products.  This was no small feat, as you do need a powerful soap to wash clothes, dishes, etc.  We have successfully made the transition and will be completely sulfate free as of 2011.  Half of our products already are.

Consumers should know that there are many forms and names of sulfates and for the greenest product, look for labels that say sulfate-free.

The best way to know if your product is green is to be knowledgeable and if you cannot understand the ingredients, call up the company and ask.  Ask if their preservatives are green sealed approved and also ask if they are 100% free of sulfates. 

There is also a reason why some cleaning products are more expensive than others.  Just like food – they use better ingredients!

Christine Dimmick, Founder, The Good Home Company, Inc.

Next week – What are phthalates and why should I make sure my product is phthalate-free.