Are you bringing this hidden danger home? (Most do...)

If I mention air pollution, you probably picture smoke-belching chimney stacks or maybe an exhaust pipe - [Click here](1770d7/ct0_0/1/ms?sid=TV2%3AUa92grK0x) to view this message in your browser | [Click here](1770d7/l-002e/zout?sid=TV2%3AUa92grK0x) to stop receiving our messages [] [] Al Sears, MD 11905 Southern Blvd. Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411 [] May 21, 2024 [] Reader, If I mention air pollution, you probably picture smoke-belching chimney stacks or maybe an exhaust pipe spewing toxic fumes along the highway. You probably don’t think about the synthetic fragrances that make your home, laundry, dishes, and floors smell like lavender, lemon, pumpkin spice, and pine. But lurking beneath those fresh smells is a staggering number of serious health risks. The truth is the chemicals used in these synthetic fragrances can turn your home into an environment that is far more toxic than the most congested city. Multiple research studies reveal that many chemicals used to make synthetic fragrances are known hormone disrupters, neurotoxins, and carcinogens. They have also been linked to diabetes, heart disease, stroke, liver, and dementia. Perhaps the biggest outrage is that these dangers are hidden from you…denying you the right to make informed choices. The Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (FPLA), which is intended to make sure consumers are informed about their purchases, is little more than a sham. You see, while the FDA requires companies to list all product ingredients, manufacturers exploit a loophole. Under the FPLA, companies don’t have to disclose “trade secrets,” which means they can legally get away with listing product ingredients as “fragrance” or “flavor.” In other words, manufacturers of synthetic household fragrances are free to sell you dangerous toxins – which they do – and they don’t even have to tell you. It’s not surprising one in three Americans suffers from allergies, asthma, sinusitis, or bronchitis. The World Health Organization calculates that worldwide, 4.3 million people a year die from exposure to household air pollution. Make no mistake about it, synthetic fragrances are poisonous. [broth] To detoxify your home, I recommend NASA-approved plants that reduce toxic chemical levels and provide clean air – even in space stations:* These plants help to remove formaldehyde, benzene, carbon dioxide, trichloroethylene, xylene, ammonia, and toluene. Spider plant Philodendron Dragon tree English ivy Peace lily Golden pothos Areca palm Rubber plant I recommend two plants for every 100 square feet of your home. *NASA Plant Research Offers a Breath of Fresh Air. 2019. www.spinoff.nasa.gov. More than 95% of them are made in a lab using an array of petrochemicals, such as benzene derivatives, aldehydes, and other toxic chemicals. Manufacturers don’t have to tell you that the “lemon-fresh” or pine scent in bleaches, air fresheners, and dishwashing liquids comes from the chemicals limonene and alpha-pinene. These molecules themselves are not known to be harmful. But when they react with air, they produce formaldehyde – a highly toxic chemical that belongs to the family of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) – which can cause eye and throat irritation and wheezing. VOCs have also been linked to nasal and lung cancers, as well as heart disease and diabetes. Studies show that for every two molecules of limonene released indoors, one molecule of formaldehyde is formed. Other petrochemical derivatives are phthalates, which are used to help fragrances linger longer. They’re found in scented candles, air fresheners, and all kinds of cleaning and personal care products. But as a regular reader, you know they’re also dangerous hormone disruptors. And they’re linked to prostate and testicular cancer in men, and breast and gynecologic cancers in women. Avoid these toxic products – including air fresheners, wipes, washing detergents, and scented personal care products – whenever you can. Choose organic, fragrance-free products instead. I also recommend cleaning with baking soda and a damp sponge. For scent, add some lemon juice. For tougher jobs use vinegar and baking soda – both non-toxic. 3 Simple Strategies To Detox Dangerous Toxins - Take an infrared sauna: This type of sauna emits infrared light, which you experience as radiant heat. This energy is absorbed by your skin and penetrates several inches deep into your tissues. In one study, sweat from a traditional sauna was made of up to 97% water. However, the sweat released in an infrared sauna was only 80% to 85% water. The remaining 15% to 20% was heavy metals, sulfuric acid, sodium, ammonia, uric acid, and other fat-soluble toxins. - Supplement with chlorella. This chlorophyll-filled algae detoxifies your body by binding to heavy metals and synthetic toxins and pulling them through your system. Take 1 gram with each meal. You can increase to up to 3 grams three times a day. - Add in some milk thistle. This medicinal plant is one of the best herbs I’ve found for clearing toxins from your blood. Milk thistle has a potent antioxidant called silymarin that helps detoxify the liver and restore healthy liver function. To Your Good Health, Al Sears, MD, CNS --------------------------------------------------------------- References: - Rádis-Baptista G. “Do Synthetic Fragrances in Personal Care and Household Products Impact Indoor Air Quality and Pose Health Risks?” J Xenobiot. 2023 Mar 1;13(1):121-131. - Hipkiss AR. “Depression, diabetes and dementia: formaldehyde may be a common causal agent; could carnosine, a pluripotent peptide, be protective?” Aging Dis. 2017 Apr 1;8(2):128-130. - [Rádis-Baptista](1770d7/ct1_0/1/lu?sid=TV2%3AUa92grK0x) G. “Do synthetic fragrances in personal care and household products impact indoor air quality and pose health risks?” [J Xenobiot.](1770d7/ct2_0/1/lu?sid=TV2%3AUa92grK0x) 2023 Mar; 13(1): 121–131. - Costello E, et al. “[exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and markers of liver injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis](1770d7/ct3_0/1/lu?sid=TV2%3AUa92grK0x).” Environ Health Perspect. 2022 Apr;130(4):46001. - FDA: “Trade Secret” Ingredients. Feb 2022. Available at: www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetics-labeling/trade-secret-ingredients - Zanolli L. “Why smelling good could come with a cost to health.” The Guardian. 23 May 2019. Available at: www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/may/23/fragrance-perfume-personal-cleaning-products-health-issues. - Swenberg JA, et al. “Formaldehyde carcinogenicity research: 30 years and counting for mode of action, epidemiology, and cancer risk assessment.” Toxic Pathology. 2012;41(2). - Ahsan S. “Is there a danger from scented products?” BBC Magazine. 15 Jan 2016. - Barse AV, et al. “Endocrine disruption and metabolic changes following exposure of Cyprinus carpio to diethyl phthalate.” Pestic Biochem Phys. 2007;88(1):36-42. alsearsmd@send.alsearsmd.com [Preferences | Unsubscribe](1770d7/l-002e/zout?sid=TV2%3AUa92grK0x) 11905 Southern Blvd., Royal Palm Beach, Florida 33411, United States