Deeper Shade of Green

Environmental health is gaining awareness in light of a recent study conducted by Environmental Defense, demonstrating high levels of toxic chemicals in the blood of 11 Canadians who were tested. We live in a chemical nation; there is no doubt about that. Everything in our household is made from chemicals that are known to cause cancer, respiratory illness, developmental harm in children, hormone and reproductive disorders. From flame retardants in furniture to poly vinyl chlorides in your artificial Christmas tree, chemicals abound in our environment. We breathe them in daily and we absorb them through contact with our skin. Even the laundry detergent you use to wash your clothing permeates the fabric with contaminants that are absorbed through your body moisture when in contact with your skin. Scented dryer sheets that give us that ever-fresh scent that brings feelings of comfort and pleasure are made up of chemical perfumes that leave a residue on your clothing to be both inhaled and absorbed for double your cancer-causing pleasure. Aside from the human toll our habits reek, the chemicals we pour down our drains have a damaging impact on our water sources and wildlife that depend upon those sources for their basic needs.

Chemical cleaners and detergents have been common place in our society and their use is a practice we fail to question. We have become habitual chemical consumers in our quest for a sparkling, sterile home. Gone are the days when the basic staples used for household chores consisted or baking soda, vinegar and lemon. As a result, our blood is teaming with toxins that are killing us slowly.

It is not too late to change our practices. Several companies exist who offer alternatives made from naturally derived sources. Seventh Generation carries a complete line of toxin-free household products from toilet bowel cleaners to kitchen de-greasers to laundry and dishwasher detergents. For those wishing to go the extra mile toward chemical free living they even offer chlorine bleach-free feminine hygiene products.

A widely unknown fact is that most laundry detergents are petroleum based, derived from oil, a limited resource. “If every household in the U.S. replaced just one bottle of 100 oz. ultra petroleum-based liquid laundry detergent with our 100 oz. vegetable based product, we could save 220,000 barrels of oil, enough to heat and cool 13,000 U.S. homes for a year!” (Source: www.seventhgeneration.com). They also contain optical brighteners which are fluorescent chemicals that convert ultra-violet light to blue-white light, allowing whites to look brighter. These chemicals are not biodegradable and, when rinsed down your drain, are toxic to marine life. Phosphates are another constituent of many reputable detergents. Their purpose is to soften hard water. Their other, less desirable action is to cause algae blooms in waterways which, in turn, lead to the suffocation of aquatic plants and animals. Chlorine bleach, available on its own or as a component of detergents, contains chemicals which can accumulate in people and animals leading to a variety of health complications, including cancer.

Seventh Generations vegetable based laundry detergent are non-toxic, biodegradable, contain no chlorine, phosphates, artificial fragrances or dyes. It is available unscented or with a hint of Lavender from essential oils. It is effective in removing dirt from clothing while gentle on your fabrics and our environment. Other products exist on the market, this one happens to be my personal favorite. You can locate a store which carries these products nearest you by visiting their website. Alternatively, check the laundry isle of your local grocer armed with this new information and take to reading the labels to find a detergent that will be safer for use in your home. For the dryer, you can purchase a sachet filled with lavender which helps eliminate static and leaves your clothing smelling fresh and clean, without the chemical residue. These sachets are good for 20-25 loads of laundry and can be refreshed with a few drops of Lavender oil purchased from a local aromatherapy store. You can find these products at most whole food / organic stores. The Capilano Suspension Bridge Gift Shop even carries the dryer sachets!

Not only will these changes leave you looking good and smelling fresh, your conscience will be lighter and you will feel great inside knowing your actions are making a difference for the generations to come.

If you would like more information, or if you would like to take action by taking the Chemical Reduction Pledge, visit www.toxicnation.ca. You can read more about the results of the study Toxic Nation: A Report on Pollution in Canadians at their website.