fabric softeners / dryer sheets = toxic

[Guest guest]

Eco-friendly fabric softeners and dryer sheets cause allergic reactions and

pose serious health hazards

Tuesday, May 01, 2012 by: JB Bardot

http://www.naturalnews.com/035732_fabric_softeners_allergies_fragrance.html#ixzz\

1tcUGXYAW

(NaturalNews) Fabric softeners are meant to soften synthetic fabrics and

reduce static cling. Most standard fabric softeners and dryer sheets contain

noxious scents and chemicals such as quarternary ammonium compounds, which

release toxic chemicals like formaldehyde into the environment. Formaldehyde

causes a variety of serious allergic reactions including rashes, respiratory

conditions and neurological disorders. Even eco-friendly fabric softeners

are loaded with chemicals and fragrances that may cause a unacceptable

reactions and may have a negative impact on your health.

Formaldehyde-free doesn't mean safe

Although newer, " green " , products no longer include formaldehyde-containing

chemicals, they are infused with other dangerous ingredients such as

alpha-terpineol, camphor, benzyl acetatelimonene, ethyl acetate, pentane,

benzyl alcohol, and chloroform. These products may help reduce static cling

in your clothes, but at what cost? They also contribute to a long list of

potential serious health problems ranging from nausea, vomiting, asthma,

allergic skin reactions, liver and kidney disease, cancer and central

nervous disorders, notes the Guide to Less Toxic Products, the website of

the Environmental Health Association of Nova Scotia. Long-term use of fabric

softeners and dryer sheets may contribute to chronic chemical over-exposure,

building up slowly in the system, according to the US National Institute of

Occupational Safety and Health.

Allergic reactions

Use of laundry softeners may produce a variety of skin problems and the user

may not recognize that they are related to exposure to dryer sheets.

Itching, yeast infections, hives, rashes, cracking and dryness are all

possible side effects from exposure to the topical effects of fabric

softeners. In May 2000, Laboratories released a study in the

" Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, " reporting that five common

products used in dryer sheets emit the the chemicals styrene, phenol,

toluene, thymol, xylene and trimethylbenzene. The study was performed on

mice, and indicated that their entire upper respiratory systems were

compromised, limiting airflow and normal respiration.

Fragrance fog

Many fragrances used in dryer sheets are considered toxic to humans, reports

The Guide to Less Toxic Products; and may contribute to developing cancer,

asthma, kidney, and brain damage. Other symptoms resulting from the

fragrances used in all fabric sheets including eco-friendly brands, include

headaches, coughing, dizziness, vomiting, and a range of upper respiratory

difficulties. Artificial fragrances have a potent effect on the nervous

system potentially causing depression, hyperactivity and other behavioral

problems. Chemical additives including fragrances can be especially harmful

to children and unborn fetuses.

Alternatives

Options besides commercial dryer sheets are available for reducing static

cling in fabric and offer a safer way to do the laundry. Dry natural fabrics

separately from synthetics. Natural fibers don't develop static. Don't allow

clothes to dry completely in the dryer. Remove them while they are still

slightly damp and hang them on the line to finish drying. The longer they

remain in the dryer, the more static is developed. Line drying helps to

prevent this from occurring. Green America suggests pre-soaking clothes in

1/2 cup of baking soda for 10 minutes if you have hard water. Baking soda

acts as a natural fabric softener. Use natural laundry soaps with soy-based

fabric softeners. Chose products that are scent free and have no dyes to

limit any influence these chemicals may have. Make your own dryer sheets by

soaking a small cloth in 1 tsp. of hair conditioner and allow it to dry.

Toss in the dryer with clothing to remove static. Add 1/2 cup white vinegar

to the rinse cycle before the wash is completed to soften clothes. Use

chemical-free dryer balls to fluff fibers and remove static cling.

Sources for this article include:

Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health: Respiratory Toxicity of

Fabric Softener Emissions

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10872633

Grinning Planet: Ahh, The Air is Filled with the Smells of the Season...and

Dryer Sheets

http://www.grinningplanet.com

DermNet NZ: Fabric Mix Allergy

http://dermnetnz.org/dermatitis/fragrance-allergy.html

Green America : Going Green with Your Laundry

http://www.greenamerica.org

GaiamLife: 6 Alternatives to Dryer Sheets + 2 Reasons You Should Care

http://blog.gaiam.com/blog/6-alternatives-to-dryer-sheets/

Guide to Less Toxic Products -- Environmental Health Association of Nova

Scotia: Household Cleaners

http://lesstoxicguide.ca/index.asp?fetch=household

US National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health: Occupational

Dermatitis

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/skin/occderm-slides/ocderm27.html

About the author:

JB Bardot is trained in herbal medicine and homeopathy, and has a post

graduate degree in holistic nutrition. Bardot cares for both people and

animals, using alternative approaches to health care and lifestyle. You can

find her on Facebook at

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001364941208 & ref=tn_tnmn or on

Twitter at jbbardot23