11Feb 2021 by Angela Cummings

Resources + Studies

Reference Document (study or article)
Below are some of the studies, third-party white papers, and other helpful documents about the health effects of chemicals in our everyday products: Quotes from Studies “… lotions, paints and other products contribute about as much to air pollution as the transportation sector does, said lead author Brian McDonald, a CIRES scientist working in NOAA’s Chemical Sciences Division.” “…health improvements are associated with pollution decreases, even below the international standard.” – American Thoracic Society, Health Benefits of Air Pollution Reduction “Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is proven to have significant impacts on people’s comfort, health, and performance.” – Indoor Air-Quality Data-Monitoring System: Long-Term Monitoring Benefits “Poor indoor air quality can cause or contribute to the development of infections, lung cancer and chronic lung diseases such as asthma.” – American Lung Association “Increased ventilation will not…
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30Jul 2020 by Angela Cummings

What Organs May Be Affected by Chemicals in our Homes?

Reference Document (study or article)
Are you wondering what organs can be affected by chemicals in our homes? And how the organs can be affected? Our bodies are made up of 100 trillion cells. Paaah! That’s a lot. Individual cells are organized into tissues; different kinds of tissues form an organ. Each organ is a member of an organ system.[1] Our bodies have 10 major organ systems, many of which can be affected by chemicals in our everyday products in ways that you may not think of. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) mentions a few of the possible effects in their publication, Health Effects of Chemical Exposure. Here’s a quick synopsis of the possible effects from harmful chemicals found in everyday products and an overview of the…
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29Jul 2020 by Angela Cummings

Products That Can Off-Gas VOCs (& harm health)

Reference Document (study or article)
Want to get rid of products that off-gas VOCs? The first step is knowing what they are (or have a Healthy Home Assessment done). The two tables below are partial lists of products where chemicals have been found. These lists were compiled from data resources referenced in this book. It’s not even a complete list; that could be an entire book in and of itself.  The intention of this partial list is to give you an understanding of the widespread use of chemicals in our everyday products.  Table 1: List of Various Products that can Give off VOCs (chemicals harmful to peoples’ health)  adhesive (glue) removersdisinfecting productsadhesivesdoor and window framesaerosol or liquid insect pest productsdownspoutsaerosol penetrating oilsdry cleaned clothesaerosol spray products for some paintsdrywallair freshenerselectrical insulationantimicrobialselectrical wiringartificial flowerselectronicsautomotive parts, tops…
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23Jul 2020 by Angela Cummings

Illnesses that may be Caused by Chemicals in Everyday Products

Reference Document (study or article)
Do you have chronic illness or a growing list of medical conditions? Are any of them listed below? If so, you may want to create an organic, chemical-free (healthy) home environment - one with good indoor air quality. In this article, we'll give you an excerpt from: "Organic Lifestyle Made Easy: How to Create a Chemical-Free Household One Step At A Time," showing where these chemicals are very often found. Table 3: Illnesses that may be Caused by Chemicals in Everyday Products alcoholismedema and fluid retention syndromesallergic skin reactionendocrine diseasesalopecia areata endometriosis in adult womenAlzheimer's diseaseenuresisanginaeosinophilic gastroenteritisangioedemaeye irritationanxietyfatigueaphthous stomatitisfibrocystic breast diseasearrhythmiasfibromyalgiaarthralgiafrequent coldsasthmagastric and duodenal ulcersattention deficit disordergastrointestinal diseasesattention deficit hyperactivity disorderglomerulonephritisautismgranulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener’s)autoimmune hemolytic anemia graves’ disease autoimmune hepatitis Guillain-Barré syndrome behavioral problems in childrengut flora dysbiosisbloody noseheadachescancer (several types)hearing losscardiovascular diseaseshypertensioncentral nervous system…
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14Feb 2019 by Angela Cummings

Reference: PFAS and phthalate chemical exposures early in life may hamper kids’ lungs

Reference Document (study or article)
Source name: Environmental Health News Reference type: Article Date of study or article: February 6, 2019 Summary: Studies show that children exposed to parabens, phthalates and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) while in the womb and as newborns had reduced lung function when tested at 6 and 12 years of age. Notable quotes: “Children exposed to three different chemical classes — parabens, phthalates and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—before birth and shortly after had reduced lung function at 6 and 12 years old, according to a study released today.” …." we could "help to prevent lung function impairment, which in turn should prevent the development of chronic respiratory disease in adulthood."  Link to reference material: https://www.ehn.org/pfas-and-phthalate-chemical-exposure-early-in-life-may-hamper-kids-lungs-2628082014.html
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14Feb 2019 by Angela Cummings

Reference: More bad phthalate news: Early life exposure linked to decreased motor skills

Reference Document (study or article)
Source name: Environmental Health News Reference type: Article Date of study or article: February 11, 2019 Summary: When exposed to phthalates during prenatal years and 3-years old, children can have decreased motor skills. These decreased motor skills are seen when tested at 11 years old –in boys and girls. This is only one of several long-lasting impacts of phthalates on children. Notable quotes: "As lower scores on measures of motor development have been associated with more problems in cognitive, socioemotional functioning and behavior, the findings of this study have implications related to overall child development," the researchers wrote in the study published online in Environmental Research. "This is a crucial public health challenge given the globally ubiquitous nature of phthalates," they added. The chemicals have been linked to multiple health problems, including…
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07Feb 2019 by Angela Cummings

Organic Lifestyle Made Easy: How to Create a Chemical-free Household One Step At A Time

Reference Document (study or article)
RESOURCE LIST Books Borges, Marco. The 22-Day Revolution. New York: Celebra, a division of Penguin Group, 2015. Carr, Kris. Crazy Sexy Diet. Connecticut: Globe Pequot Press, 2011. Gushee, Sophia Ruan. A to Z of D-Toxing: The Ultimate Guide to Reducing Our Toxic Exposures. New York: The S File Publishing, LLC, 2015. Reports & Studies Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry (ATSDR), Division of Health Assessment and Consultation. “Health Effects of Chemical Exposure.”Accessed February 7, 2017. doi: CS214865-D https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/emes/public/docs/Health%20Effects%20of%20Chemical%20Exposure%20FS.pdf Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry (ATSDR), Division of Health Assessment and Consultation. “Chemicals, Cancer, and You.” Accessed December 12, 2015. doi:CS218078A https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/emes/public/docs/Chemicals,%20Cancer,%20and%20You%20FS.pdf Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry (ATSDR). “Module Two, Routes of Exposure.” Training Manual. Accessed January 19, 2018. https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/training/toxmanual/pdf/module-2.pdf Breast Cancer Fund. “Disrupted Development: The Dangers…
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31Jan 2019 by Angela Cummings

Reference: Benzene (chemical)

Reference Document (study or article)
Source name: Agency for Toxic Substance & Disease Registry Reference type: Toxic Substance Portal Date of study or article: Accessed January 28, 2019. Last updated March 3, 2011. Summary: Benzene affects the immune and nervous systems (two of our organ systems), plus affects the Hematological system (responsible for blood cells, bone marrow, spleen, lymph nodes). It is known to be cancer causing in humans – a statement that the National Toxicology Program (NTP), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) agree on. Benzene is classified as a volatile organic compound (VOC). It’s a colorless chemical with a sweet odor that is highly flammable. It’s formed from natural processes and human activities. Plus, it’s a natural part of crude oil, gasoline and cigarette smoke. “It ranks…
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30Jan 2019 by Angela Cummings

Reference: The Synthetic Dye Collection

Reference Document (study or article)
Source name: Florida State University Reference type: Website page Date of study or article: Accessed January 22, 2019. Last modification: Monday, March 01, 2004. Summary: The synthetic dye industry didn’t develop until the mid-nineteenth century. Prior to that, natural dyes, primarily from plant sources, were mostly used. Today, more than 7,000 different substances are used to give color to products produced commercially. Many of these substances are “….synthesized from aromatic hydrocarbons, such as toluene, benzene, and naphthalene.  Hydrocarbons are derived, typically, from coal tar.” Although synthetic dyes were originally developed for the clothing industry, they are now commonly used in paint, printing ink, plastics, rubber and cosmetics. This website mentions a few dying techniques. Notable quotes: “Unlike pigments, dyes are absorbed to a certain extent by the material to which…
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30Jan 2019 by Angela Cummings

Reference: What is the Hematological System & What Chemicals Affect It?

Reference Document (study or article)
Source name: Agency for Toxic Substance & Disease Registry Reference type:  Toxic Substance Portal Date of study or article: Accessed January 28, 2019. Last updated March 3, 2011. Summary: The hematological system is also known as the blood forming system. It involves blood cells and tissues that form them (bone marrow, spleen and lymph nodes). The system is responsible for carrying oxygen, nutrients, and hormones to the over 100 trillion cells in our bodies. It also removes waste and carbon dioxide from our cells and body. This page includes a list of chemical substances that affects the hematological system. Notable quotes: “The blood cells (erythrocytes, granulocytes, and platelets) and the tissues that form them ((bone marrow, spleen, and lymph nodes) make up the hematological system.” Link to reference material: ATSDR…
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