Nelson Daily News (British Columbia), Jan Norn
Published March 27, 2007
Life is like a game of Snakes and Ladders. We can be trotting along happily and climbing to higher levels when we spot an opportunity, but suddenly there is a "snake" waiting to grab us.
So it was that I discovered recently that those comfortable, soft, waterproofed jackets that are so much lighter and easier to wear than the old stiff kinds, can actually be an environmental hazard. A lot of this all-weather clothing is treated with toxic fluorinated chemicals, substances that are especially harmful to hormonal and reproductive systems in all animals, including us. It only takes tiny amounts to harm us, and children are especially vulnerable to the effects.
Environment Canada has banned three types of these fluorinated substances that were used as stain repellants, but there are many others in circulation. Since manufacturers are not obliged to state the components of their water-proofed clothing, we need to ask lots of questions when purchasing these items, especially for our children. So be alert!
Another possible hazard, especially for cosmetic lovers, is something very new called nanotechnology. Nanoparticles are unbelievably tiny, man-made chemicals. They are so incredibly small that tens of thousands of them can fit on the point of a needle. Remember how we were taught that the atom is the smallest component of matter? Well, nanoparticles of various substances are made to be so small that they can be inserted into atoms. Once there, they may undergo a change in the way they normally function, and sometimes their toxicity can be enhanced with a potential for more severe action than normal chemicals.
The Environmental Working Group has collected 5,000 signatures on a petition to be sent to the FDA asking that they test nanomaterials and require that they are labeled when used in personal care products. The consensus is that the technology has many possibilities, but can also be damaging to tissues. With particles that are tiny enough to penetrate atoms the effects could be desirable or they could be deadly.
Many of the major cosmetic companies have jumped onto the nanotech bandwagon, particularly for skin rejuvenating creams. You will find a list of names and brands at
www.nanowerk.com.
Nanotechnology is a major trend in cosmetics at present, and we would not even know about it if it was not for watch-dog groups like the E.W.G. So don't be blind-sided by nanoparticles! Stay alert!
If you have a bottle fed baby in your house, here is one more thing to watch for. The American Dental Association issued an alert last November asking that parents avoid fluoridated water when mixing their baby formula. They warn that, "Infants less than one year old may be getting more than the optimal amount of fluoride if their primary source of nutrition is powdered or liquid infant formula mixed with water containing fluoride".
Fluoride exposure at this age can permanently damage teeth rather than protecting them.
Research is now beginning to link fluoride to weakened bones and reduced thyroid function.
If you purchase water especially for your baby, check the label to make sure it has not been fluorinated. Be very alert! There are more snakes out there waiting to rear their ugly heads, so keep your family safe.
Jan's column is featured on the Community page on Wednesdays. Her book, 'Kitchen Cosmetics,' is available from local stores. Her website is:
www.kitchen-cosmetics.com.
