Create a Safe and Healthy Home!
Know Your A B C's
By Dr. Joyce M. Woods
Dr. Joyce Woods worked as a medical/surgical
nurse, public health nurse, nursing instructor, nursing
school administrator and occupational health
consultant. She holds Bachelor of
Nursing, Bachelor of Arts
(Specialist), Master of Education degrees,
and has completed her doctoral degree in the area of "Indoor Air
Pollution, and ...it's Effect on Your
Health"
A- Begin by thinking of your home as a toxic waste
dump. The average home today contains 62 toxic
chemicals - more than a chemistry lab at the turn of the century.
B- More than 72,000 synthetic
chemicals have been produced since WW II.
C- Less than 2% of synthetic
chemicals in wide spread use have ever been tested for toxicity, birth defects
or mutagenic or carcinogenic effects.
D- The majority of chemicals have
NEVER been tested for long-term effects.
E- An EPA survey concluded that
indoor air was 3 to 70 times more polluted than outdoor air.
F- Another EPA study stated that the
toxic chemicals in household cleaners are 3 times more likely to cause
cancer than outdoor air.
G- CMHC reports that houses today
are so energy efficient that "out gassing" of chemicals has nowhere
to go, so it builds up inside the home.
H- We spend 90% of our time indoor,
and 65% of our time at home. Moms, infants and the elderly spend 90%
of their time in the home.
I- National Cancer Association
released results of a 15 year study concluding that women who work in the
home are at a 54% higher risk of developing cancer than women who work outside
the home.
J- Cancer rates have almost doubled
since 1960.
K- Cancer is the number one cause of
death for children.
L- There has been a 26% increase in
breast cancer since 1982. Breast cancer is the number one killer of
women between the ages of 35 and 54. Primary suspects are laundry detergents
and bleach, household cleaners
and pesticides.
M- There has been a call from the
being linked to the rising rates of breast cancer
in women, reproductive problems in men and learning and
behavioral problems in children.
N- Chemicals get into our body through
inhalation, ingestion and absorption.
O- We breathe 10 to 20 thousand
liters of air per day.
P- There are more than 3 million
poisonings every year. Household cleaners are the number one cause of
poisoning of children.
Q- Since 1980, asthma has increased
by 600%. The Canadian Lung Association and the Asthma Society of
Canada identify common household cleaners and cosmetics as triggers.
R- ADD/ADHD is an epidemic in
schools today. Behavioral problems have long been linked to exposure
to toxic chemicals and molds.
S- Chemical and environmental
sensitivities are known to cause all types of headaches.
T- Labeling laws do not protect the
consumer - they protect big business.
U- The
incorrect for identifying a poison and for first aid instructions.
V- Formaldehyde, phenol, benzene,
toluene and xylene are all found in common household cleaners, cosmetics,
beverages, fabrics and cigarette smoke. These chemicals are known to be cancer
causing and toxic to the immune
and nervous systems.
W- Chemicals are attracted to, and
stored in fatty tissue. The brain is a prime target for these
destructive organics because of its high fat content and very rich blood
supply.
X- The National Institute of
Occupational Safety and Health has found more than 2500 chemicals in cosmetics
that are toxic, cause tumors, reproductive complications, biological mutations
and skin and eye
irritations.
Y- Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue
syndrome, arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, circulatory disorders,
Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease, irritable bowel syndrome, depression, and
hormonal problems are
diseases commonly related to chemical exposure.
Z- Pesticides only have to include
active ingredients on the labels, even though the inert (inactive)
ingredients may account for 99%, many of which are toxic and poisons.