TIP TALKS
The e-Newsletter of the
Toxics Information Project (TIP)
July, 2011
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It is really hot this year – so some suggestions about
cooling off, keeping fresh & refreshed are in order.
Yet, despite the heat, many dedicated gardeners are
working away, coping with weeds and using compost
– and we’re all munching on fruit and veggies. So, safety
TIPs on those might be welcomed. Read on…
TOPICS
**SUMMER TIPS FOR THE HOT – AND THIRSTY:
6 Alternatives to Toxic Deodorants, Thirst Quenchers –
Read On, (Dangers of Diet Coke, Water or Coke – Interesting),
**JULY GARDENING TIPS: Are There Toxins in Your Compost?,
Dealing With Weeds
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SUMMER TIPS FOR THE HOT – AND THIRSTY
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6 ALTERNATIVES TO TOXIC DEODORANTS
www.care2.com/greenliving/6-alternatives-to-toxic-deodorants.html
posted by Mel, selected from Natural Solutions magazine Jun 5, 2011
Why most deodorants stink—and six alternatives that work. Of all our
daily grooming habits, swiping a deodorant stick or squirting
antiperspirant
under our arms may be the one we dare not neglect. Hot yoga classes and
subway etiquette practically demand it. But when it comes to choosing a
BO
buster, we should care just as much about how it affects us as it does
others
—and that means avoiding the harmful ingredients many deodorants
contain.
Why? Unlike soaps or shampoos, “these cosmetics are not rinsed off,”
says Philippa Darbre, breast cancer researcher at the University of
Reading in England. “The entire application is left on the skin each
time,
allowing for the accumulation of chemicals in the underarm and upper
breast area.” The sensitive skin in these areas eventually absorbs this
chemical overload—some of which is toxic—into the underlying tissue,
where it can wreak havoc in the body.
Beware of these primary offenders:
Aluminum compounds: Found only in antiperspirants, aluminum zirconium
and aluminum chlorohydrate work by blocking pores that release sweat.
Aluminum, like other heavy metals, may interfere with the ability of
estrogen
receptors to correctly process the hormone.
Propylene glycol: Because this ingredient functions as a penetration
enhancer, it can be more harmful when paired with other chemical
additives.
The ingredient—even in concentrations as low as 2 percent—provokes skin
irritation in some people, yet manufacturers can create a product with
50 percent propylene glycol content. Believe it or not, you’re likely to
find
this in many “natural” deodorants.
Triclosan: Used as an antibacterial agent and preservative, triclosan
reacts with tap water to create chloroform gas, a potential carcinogen.
Triclosan also exhibits endocrine-disrupting properties in marine
animals
—which should concern everyone because it also has shown up in human
breast milk and blood.
Steareths: Usually listed with a number (like steareth-15), these
additives
come from a cheap process that makes harsh ingredients more mild.
The process (known as ethoxylation) produces carcinogenic
You can say no to toxin-laced deodorants and still stay sweet smelling
by choosing products that rely on more natural (and side effect-free)
ingredients such as these safe alternatives:
Mineral salts: Ammonium or potassium alum, the ingredients in solid
crystal deodorants, work by constricting the protein in sweat so that
malodorous bacteria have less to feed on.
Clay and powders: Clay minerals such as kaolin and bentonite and
natural powders like cornstarch or arrowroot help absorb moisture.
Astringents: Witch hazel, sage, alcohol, and other astringents work
by evaporating the moisture on the skin and constricting the pores.
They are usually used in conjunction with essential oils that have
antibacterial properties.
When you swap any conventional cosmetic for a more natural one,
you need to give your body time to readjust. With deodorants, a few
simple steps can make the transition a little less, um, stinky.
Stephanie
Greenwood of Bubble and Bee Organic shares her tips for making
the switch.
Don’t forget to dry brush: “Conventional antiperspirants work by
blocking and shrinking your pores, so you need to get the glands and
pores functioning again,” says Greenwood. Start by gently dry brushing
your armpits with a dry washcloth or natural skin brush. In the bath or
shower, apply a hot washcloth for a few minutes to help melt away
solidified antiperspirant material. Scrub well with a natural soap, and
repeat again the next day.
Give change a chance: “The first week of your underarm detox may
be aromatic,” she says. “Your underarms are ridding themselves of
dead skin cells, chemical residue, and fluid buildup.”
Try different deodorants: “Everyone’s body chemistry is different—
what works for some won’t work for others,” says Greenwood. “It may
take time to find the right natural deodorant for you, but once you do,
you’ll never look back.”
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LIBERTY G NOTE: At this point the article recommends six
deodorant alternatives. Five of them, though natural, are scented.
TIP warns against these for two reasons:
1. If you are around folks you don’t know, someone may be
sensitive even to essential oils – and 74 per cent of those with
asthma can have an attack triggered by fragrance.
2. Bugs LOVE scents – and will be attracted to you!
The best of the lot: Kiss My Face Liquid Rock Roll-On Deodorant
This liquefied crystal deodorant rolls on easily and neutralizes body
odors without covering them up with other scents.
(www.kissmyfacewebstore.com)
Also, among the comments:
· KAT A. says Aloe vera is all you need! It prevents odor
because it is anti- bacaterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal. It is also
very good for the skin by moisturizing and contains many nutrients.
I spray my whole body with it from scalp to feet after my shower
and it prevents odor for at least 24 hours. A gallon of aloe vera
juice is less than $10 at Walmart, Walgreens etc. and lasts a very
long time. I keep it in the fridge in a spray bottle (also the big
container it comes in.)
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THIRST QUENCHERS? READ ON…
DANGERS OF DIET SODA
www.care2.com/greenliving/dangers-of-diet-soda.html
posted by Megan, selected from Experience Life Apr 8, 2010
**There is absolutely no proof that diet soda helps people lose weight
(To the contrary!).
** Diet sodas are billed as being good for type 2 diabetics, but they
aren’t.
**Diet sodas & their chemically derived artificial sweeteners may act as
neurotoxins. **They tend to drive cravings for more sweet and
hyper-flavored foods
**They contain all kinds of icky chemicals that add to your body’s toxic
burden,
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WATER OR COKE? INTERESTING ...
www.funny2.com/water.htm
WATER
#1. 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated.
(Likely applies to half the world population)
#2. In 37% of Americans, the thirst mechanism is so weak
that it is mistaken for hunger.
#3. Even MILD dehydration will slow down one's metabolism as 3%.
#4. One glass of water will shut down midnight hunger pangs for
almost 100% of the dieters studied in a University of Washington study.
#5. Lack of water, the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue.
#6. Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water a day
could significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers.
#7. A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term
memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on the
computer screen or on a ! printed page.
#8. Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk of colon
cancer by 45%, plus it can slash the risk of breast cancer by 79%.,
and one is 50% less likely to develop bladder cancer. Are you
drinking the amount of water you should drink every day?
COKE
#1. In many states the highway patrol carries two gallons of
Coke in the trunk to remove blood from the highway after
a car accident.
#2. You can put a T-bone steak in a bowl of Coke and it will
be gone in two days.
#3. To clean a toilet: Pour a can of Coca-Cola into the toilet
bowl and let the 'real thing' sit for one hour, then flush clean.
The citric acid in Coke removes stains from vitreous China .
#4. To remove rust spots from chrome car bumpers:
Rub the bumper with a rumpled-up piece of Reynolds
Wrap aluminum foil dipped in Coca-Cola.
#5. To clean corrosion from car battery terminals:
Pour a can of Coca-Cola over the terminals to
bubble away the corrosion.
#6. To loosen a rusted bolt: Apply a cloth soaked in
Coca-Cola to the rusted bolt for several minutes.
(NOT RECOMMENDED…)
#7. To bake a moist ham: Empty a can of Coca-Cola into
the baking pan, wrap the ham in aluminum foil, and bake.
Thirty minutes before ham is finished, remove the foil,
allowing the drippings to mix with the Coke for a
sumptuous brown gravy.
#8. To remove grease from clothes: Empty a can of
Coke into the load of greasy clothes, add detergent,
and run through a regular cycle. The Coca-Cola will
help loosen grease stains. It will also clean road haze
from your windshield.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION:
#1. the active ingredient in Coke is phosphoric acid. It will
dissolve a nail in about four days. Phosphoric acid also
leaches calcium from bones and is a major contributor
to the rising increase of osteoporosis.
#2. To carry Coca-Cola syrup! (the concentrate) the
commercial trucks must use hazardous Material place
cards reserved for highly corrosive materials.
#3. The distributors of Coke have been using it to
clean engines of the trucks for about 20 years!
Now the question is, would you like a glass of water?
or Coke?
Quick! send this helpful info on to your friends -
health conscious or not!!!!
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JULY GARDENING TIPS
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ARE THERE TOXINS IN YOUR COMPOST?
http://motherjones.com/environment/2011/06/are-there-toxins-your-compost
— By Josh Harkinson, Jun. 6, 2011, Mother Jones
Liberty G: We’re all in favor of composting – but there are
concerns that need to be considered & addressed re: compost
in commercial gardening products & produce. People can help by
not using toxic chemicals on lawns, & being savvy about which
compost to use & produce to buy.
EXCERPTS
“As thousands of cities have begun composting yard waste and hundreds
more begin collecting food scraps on a large scale, new questions are
emerging about what kinds of things make their way into compost and
whether any of them pose a threat to humans and the environment.
Federal laws do not require compost to be screened for contaminants,
of which plastic and glass are only the most visible. Random tests of
compost used in organic agriculture have occasionally turned up elevated
l
evels of lead and traces of pesticides. Last month, the US Composting
Council, the industry's trade group, warned its members to watch out for
grass clippings laced with Imprelis, a new weed killer from DuPont that
does not easily break down in compost piles.”
“Though there's no easy way to find out what kind of compost was used
on your fruits and veggies, it might be worth looking at where the
produce
was grown. Large compost producers in California must test for heavy
metals and pathogens every month or so, while composters in Texas and
some other states need not test at all. (There's no publicly available
database
of state-by-state regulations). If you're buying compost for your own
garden,
look for a brand that's certified by the Organic Materials Review
Institute
and the US Composting Council.”
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DEALING WITH WEEDS
From: E-The Environmental Magazine <newsletter1@emagazine.com>
April 8, 2010, Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss |
Liberty G: The age-old enemy – weeds – is addressed with some
weedkiller warnings – and some sensible, simple description of how
to get weeds begone without the toxins.
DEAR EARTHTALK: I pruned back an overgrown bush in my
back yard last fall and now the soil around it is covered in dandelions
and other weeds. Is there any way to get rid of these weeds without
resorting to RoundUp and other chemical herbicides?
—Max S., Seattle, WA
RESPONSE: Weeds are nothing if not opportunistic. While you may
not have bargained for getting one form of eyesore (weeds) by clearing
another (an overgrown bush), dandelions and other fast-growing, quickly
spreading plants know no bounds when some new territory opens up.
They will colonize and spread out given the slightest opening—after
all, that's what defines them as weeds.
Of course, conventional herbicides such as Monsanto's RoundUp
will take down the weeds in a jiffy, but the negative effects on people,
animals and the environment may be both profound and long-lasting.
Independent studies of RoundUp have implicated its primary ingredient,
glyphosphate, as well as some of its "inert" ingredients, in liver
damage,
reproductive disorders and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, as well as in
cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, nerve and respiratory damage.
California's Department of Pesticide Regulation reports that, year
after year, RoundUp is the number one cause of pesticide/herbicide-i
nduced illness and injury around that state. RoundUp is also blamed
for poisoning groundwater across the U.S. and beyond, as well as for
contributing to a 70 percent decrease in amphibian biodiversity and a
90 percent decrease in tadpole numbers in regions where it is used
heavily.
Given that you"ll have to manually remove dead weeds from your yard
after applying RoundUp (or any other "post-emergent" herbicide), why
not just pull them up by hand in the first place? No doubt, the most
eco-friendly way to get rid of weeds is to yank them out without the aid
of poisons. Unfortunately, many weeds have long deep roots which
need to be pulled completely if you don't want them to grow back;
if need be, use a metal weed puller with a hooked end or a mechanical
grabber—available at any local garden supply or hardware store—i
f you don't want to have to pull those very same weeds next year.
Garden expert Dean Novosat of the Garden Doctor website suggests
giving the weed beds a good watering the night before you pull weeds.
" the soil will be softened and will yield the entire weed plant, root
and
all," he says. Another way to kill weeds, he says, is by pouring
boiling
hot water over them.
Of course, once you've killed or pulled up all those weeds—and make
sure you're thorough or else it's waste of time—you"ll want to make
sure new ones don't start showing up in their place. Planting some
regionally appropriate and ideally native plants in place of the removed
weeds would be a good first step—check with a local nursery about
what some good choices might be for your neck of the woods.
Once the area is cleared (and replanted), cover it with three to
six inches of mulch. Mulch forms a barrier between the soil and
the sun, depriving any new germinating weeds of the sunlight they
need to photosynthesize. Mulch is composed of large chunky
material such as wood chips and bark nuggets, and works well
for weed control also because it is low in nutrients and thus won't
fertilize plant starts below.CONTACTS: California Department of
Pesticide Regulation; The Garden Doctor.
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Liberty Goodwin, Director
Toxics Information Project
P.O. Box 40572,
Providence, RI 02940
Tel. 401-351-9193
Website: www.toxicsinfo.org
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