RE fabric softener

[Guest guest]

I noticed the question of gfcf laundry products has come up again, so

I thought reposting this message might be relevant. Thank you to the

original sender.

Chemicals found in fabric softeners by U.S. Environmental Protection

Agency

(EPA)

by Kendall

1995

> Compiled by Kendall*, Co-Chair, Citizens for a Toxic-Free

Marin.

> Phone: . Reference: Lance Wallace, Environmental

Protection

> Agency; Phone Excerpts from " Health Hazard

Information. "

> References: Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS). Provided with

permission by

> Barbara Wilkie

>

Principal chemicals found in Fabric Softeners/Dryer Sheets are:

Symptoms of exposure are taken from industry-generated Material

Safety Data

Sheets (MSDS)

ALPHA-TERPINEOL Causes CNS (central nervous system)

disorders... " highly

irritating to mucous membranes " ... " Aspiration into the lungs can

produce

pneumonitis or even fatal edema. " Can also cause " excitement, ataxia

(loss of

muscular coordination), hypothermia, CNS and respiratory depression,

and

headache. " " Prevent repeated or prolonged skin contact. " BENZYL

ACETATE

Carconigenic (linked to pancreatic cancer). " From vapors: irritating

to eyes

and respiratory passages, exciting cough. " " In mice: hyperanemia of

the

lungs. " " Can be absorbed through the skin causing systemic

effects. " " Do not

flush to sewer. " BENZYL ALCOHOL Causes CNS disorders ... " irritating

to the

upper respiratory tract " ... " headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness,

drop in

blood pressure, CNS depression, and death in severe cases due to

respiratory

failure. " CAMPHOR Causes CNS disorders. On EPA's Hazardous Waste

list.

Symptoms: " local irritant and CNS stimulant " ... " readily absorbed

through

body tissues " ... " irritation of eyes, nose, and

throat " ... " dizziness,

confusion, nausea, twitching muscles and convulsions " . " Avoid

inhalation of

vapors. " CHLOROFORM Neurotoxic. Anesthetic. Carcinogenic. on EPA's

Hazardous

Waste list. " Avoid contact with eyes, skin, clothing. Do not breathe

vapors

....Inhalation of vapors may cause headache, nausea, vomiting,

dizziness,

drowsiness, irritation of respiratory tract and loss of

consciousness. "

" Inhalation can be fatal. " " Chronic effects of overexposure may

include

kidney and/or liver damage. " " Medical conditions generally aggravated

by

exposure: kidney disorders, liver disorders, heart disorders, skin

disorders. " " Conditions to avoid: Heat... " Listed on California's

Proposition

65. ETHYL ACETATE Narcotic. On EPA's Hazardous Waste

list. " ...Irritating to

the eyes and respiratory tract " ... " may cause headache and narcosis

(stupor) "

.... " may cause anemia with leukocytosis and damage to liver and

kidneys " .

" Wash thoroughly after handling. " LIMONENE Carcinogenic. " Prevent its

contact

with skin or eyes because it is an irritant and sensitizer. " " Always

wash

thoroughly after using this material and before eating,

drinking ...applying

cosmetics. Do not inhale limonene vapor. " LINALOOL Narcotic. Causes

CNS

disorders. ... " respiratory disturbances " ... " Attracts bees. " " In

animal

tests: ataxic gait, reduced spontaneous motor activity and depression

....depressed heart activity ...development of respiratory

disturbances

leading to death. " PENTANE " Danger - Harmful if inhaled ...Avoid

breathing

vapor. " " Inhalation of vapors may cause headache, nausea, vomiting,

dizziness, drowsiness, irritation of respiratory tract and loss of

consciousness. Repeated inhalation of vapors may cause CNS

depression.

Contact can cause eye irritation. Prolonged exposure may cause

dermatitis

(skin rash). "

Relevant Facts:

CNS = Central Nervous System, your brain and spine.

CNS disorders include: Alzheimer's Disease, Attention Deficit

Disorder,

Dementia, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, Multiple Sclerosis,

Parkinson's

Disease, Seizures, Strokes, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

CNS exposure symptoms include: aphasia, blurred vision,

disorientation,

dizziness, headaches, hunger, memory loss, numbness in face, pain in

neck and

spine.