Day in and Day Out, You're Killing Yourself!      by Dr. Samuel S. Epstein The intent of this report is to identify the top harmful agents that you are being exposed to everyday. They are literally robbing quality and years of life from you and it is all being covered up. The fact is, millions of dollars are spent to pay lobbyist to keep it that way and to keep you mis-informed or not informed at all. Another fact is that cancer rates have jumped from a 1 in 80 rate in 1900 to a 1 in 3 rate in 1975 and an estimated 1 in 2 rate by 2000. Read your labels of the products you are using everyday and watch for these top ingredients that have been proven to be detrimental to health: DEA - diethanolamine; cocamide DEA, lauramide DEA This is an ingredient found in soaps, detergents and surfactants. So far it has been found in over 600 home and personal care products such as, shampoos, conditioners, lotions, bubble baths, cosemetics, soaps, laundry and dishwasher detergents. It is the main suspect of over 125 ingredients formulated into home and personal care products that may be linked to carcinogenic activity (causing or contributing to cancer); or having a potential dangerous or hazardous effect on your health. DEA as reported on CBS Morning News Today, the National Toxicology Program (NTP) recently found that repeated skin application to mouse skin of diethanolamine (DEA), or its fatty acid derivative cocamide-DEA, induced liver and kidney cancer. Besides this clear evidence of carcinogenicity, NTP also emphasized that DEA is readily absorbed through the skin and accumulates in organs, such as the brain, where it induces chronic toxic effects. Propylene Glycol -A cosmetic form of mineral oil found in automatic brake and hydraulic fluid, and industrial antifreeze. In skin and hair care products, propylene glycol works as a humectant, which is a substance that retains the moisture content of skin or cosmetic products by preventing the escape of moisture or water. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) warn users to avoid skin contact with propylene glycol as this strong skin irritant can cause liver abnormalities, kidney damage; can inhibit skin cell growth in human tests and can damage cell membranes causing rashes, dry skin, and surface damage. This harmful ingredient is commonly found in cosmetics, shampoos, deodorants, toothpastes, lotions, processed foods and many more personal care items. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) - SLS is used in harsh detergents and wetting agents used in garage floor cleaners, engine degreasers, and auto cleaning products. SLS is well-known in the scientific community as a common skin irritant. It is rapidly absorbed and retained in the eyes, brain, heart, and liver, which may result in harmful long-term effects. SLS could retard healing, cause cataracts in adults, and keep children's eyes from developing properly. This is a very common ingredient in toothpastes and may be linked to one cause of gums receding because of the everyday, prolonged use. Also, commonly found in shampoos and bubble baths, it is absorbed through skin contact and has been shown to be retained for up to 5 days in eye tissue. It is extremely harmful to young children when eyes are developing. Statistics show more and more people having to wear glasses or contacts. Maybe we have a reason why? Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) -SLES is the alcohol form (ethoxylated) of SLS. It is slightly less irritating than SLS, but may cause more drying. Both SLS and SLES may cause potentially carcinogenic formation of nitrates and dioxins to form in shampoos and cleansers by reacting with other product ingredients. Large amounts of nitrates may enter the blood system from just one shampooing. Alcohol -A colorless, volatile, flammable liquid produced by the fermentation of yeast and carbohydrates. Alcohol is used frequently as a solvent and is also found in beverages and medicine. As an ingredient in ingested products, alcohol may cause body tissues to be more vulnerable to carcinogens. Mouthwashes with an alcohol content of 25 percent or more have been implicated in mouth, tongue, throat cancers, and in some young children death from alcohol poisoning. Did you know that mouthwashes in general have a higher alcohol content than beer, wine and many liquors. The National Cancer Institute reported that men had a 60% higher risk and women a 90% higher risk of some form of oral cancer using these mouthwashes compared to those not using the alcohol mouthwashes. Talc -A soft gray-green mineral used in some personal hygiene and cosmetics products. Inhaling talc may be harmful as this substance is recognized as a potential carcinogen. Talc is chemically similar to asbestos, a known cancer causing substance. Talc is found in many body and baby powders, feminine powders and many cosmetics. It is also used as a dry lubricant on condoms and use to be used in surgical gloves. It has now been linked to ovarian cancer, post-operative granulomatous peritonitis, fibrous adhesions and may result in fallopian tube fibrosis with resultant infertility. While more studies link talc to ovarian carcinoma and urinary tract disorders and cancer rates soar -- the FDA is waiting for conclusive evidence. But don't worry about surgeons. They stopped using talc as a glove-donning powder. Hmmm... Aluminum -A metallic element used extensively in the manufacture of aircraft components, prosthetic devices, and as an ingredient in antiperspirants, antacids, cosmetics, paper products, beverage cans, foil, cookware and antiseptics. Aluminum has been linked to Alzheimer's Disease. From the World Health Organization we learn that autopsies have found high concentrations of this metal in the brains of people who had suffered from Alzheimer's disease. Reliable Resource Information - Dr. Samuel S. Epstein is a professor of Occupational and Environmental Medicine at the School of Public Health at the University of Illinois Medical Center and is an internally recognized authority on the toxic and carcinogenic effects of the environment, including ingredients and contaminants in consumer products, foods, cosmetics, and household products, He has authored 280 scientific articles and seven books, including Hazardous Wastes in America, and the prize-winning The Politics of Cancer, and has co-authored The Safe Shopper's Bible and the Breast Cancer Prevention Program. This should open your eyes and your mind. Remember this is only the tip of the iceberg. There are 125 ingredients that are suspect in cosmetics and personal care products and it's not getting any better. Her are some national statistics that we all need to be concerned about ... wake up America!!! Since 1982 there are at least 250,000 new chemical formulations created annually.Approximately 3000 chemicals are added to our foods. 700 have been found in drinking water. 400 have been identified in human tissue. Over 500 can be found under the kitchen sink or in laundry rooms of American homes. Over 800 neurotoxic chemical compounds are used in the cosmetic and perfume industries. Material Safety Data Sheet: SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE   Material Safety Data Sheet on propylene glycol   Non-Toxic and Healthy Alternatives Blog - Tips and news on healthy living and avoiding toxic ingredients that harm our family's health. Enroll in Young Living Today!