#3 Toxic Ratings in my home are daunting


  1. Were you surprised to find out the toxicity rating of your personal care product(s)? Yes and No. A few of my old favorite products contain bleach, formaldehyde, perfumes, dyes, etc..I also found that many of my soaps and detergents are in the safe rating. I was shocked to find out my go-to "green" brand at Target, Method is not so green after all. My favorite Clorox Clean Up gets a "D" by Environmental Working Group (EWG) . Pledge lemon furniture spray also ranks "D". These did not surprise me...However, my "green" Method brand products also ranked "D" and even "F"! My Method wood floor cleaner contains the chemical DMDM Hydantoin
    which is really just a solvent that is the sneaky way to put formaldehyde in products without scaring the general public. 


  2. Did you decide to change any of your consumer behaviors based on your findings? YESSS! I will be eliminating the products rated "C" or lower from our home. I also have started looking up the products I use and those I plan to purchase using the EWG guide. 
  3. Should everyone know about these risks and why don’t they?I am have already shared this information and references with my colleagues, peers, family and friends. We need this information to be public.
  4. How might you integrate this new knowledge into your clinical practice? It is important to share this information with our patients who are most at risk- children, women and those with other risks. A harm reduction approach is essential to minimize exposures.
  5. What would be the elements of a policy that would better protect us from toxic chemical exposures from our everyday products?Policy that creates more transparency and public knowledge of chemicals on product labels. I also think retailers should take a more proactive stance in being stewards for the products they sell. 
  6. Given that there are potential health effects associated with the fragrances in our personal care products, how might you develop and implement a fragrance-free policy in a hospital or other institutional setting? The evidence is clear that "fragrance" is often an ingredient that is non-specific. Starting with evidence sharing and highlighting the risks associated with collective exposures, I would begin by meeting with hospital administration. Working with quality and risk nurses would also be an approach to implement healthier practices. Setting a goal to only use EWG verified products could be a responsible way to approach personal care products for patients and providers. 

Comments

  1. Angie RenteriaFebruary 17, 2019 at 9:50 PM

    I have never used very much makeup throughout my life. I do however, like to wear lipstick. It never occurred to me that it might contain chemical that could be harmful to me. How could anyone put a potential poison on a product that would go on my lips. Now, I don't think I will even wear lipstick. Now there is also information of problems with fragrances. I just need to read the label and try to buy organic or green products.

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