Did you know that dryer sheets may be harardous to your health? According to the U.S. Environmental Agency there are chemicals in dryer sheets that are harmful. The chemicals become more toxic as they are heated in the dryer. These chemicals are know to cause many central nervous disorders, damage to the lungs, liver, and kidneys and also can cause cancer. Experts have even suggested that there may be a possible connection between Sudden Infant Death (crib death) and the use of these products if used with baby clothes and crib sheets and blankets. Using scented fabric softeners can also have a harmful affect. 95% of the chemicals used in fragrances are made from petroleum products. Fragrances are not regulated by any government or health agency. For example, paradichlorobenzene is a cancer-causing chemical used in some air fresheners, as well as in pesticides. U.S. law requires that it be listed as an active ingredient in pesticides, but it does not have to be listed at all on the air freshener labels. That is a little scary. We really do not know what might be in the products that we use. It might be nice to have nice smelling clothes or soft clothes free from static cling, but at what expense. Dryer sheets and liquid fabric softener alike include benzyl acetate (linked to pancreatic cancer), benzyl alchohol (an upper respitory tract irritant), ethanol (linked to central nervous disorders), limonene (a known carcinogen) and chloroform (a neurotoxin and carcinogen). There are many more to add to this list. Central Nervous System disorders include: Alzheimers Disease, Attention Deficit Disorder, Dementia, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease, Seizures, Strokes, Sudden Infant Death. Symptons include: blurred vision, disorientation, dizziness, headaches, memory loss, numbness and others too numerous to mention. Symptoms are taken from industry-generated Material Safety Data Sheets. I think it is the consumers responsiblity to complain about this situation. You can boycott buying these products and find natural alternatives and you can file a complaint with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. You can try using an old-fashioned softner that also reduces static cling. Add a cup or more of plain baking soda (do not use bleach with it) to each load of wash. You can buy dryer balls (in most stores like Sears). They last for two years and have no chemicals. You can also check out Seventh Generation’s Natural Lavender softener. Hang clothes outside on a nice day to get a clean, fresh smell. Do some research and see what alternatives you can come up with. Your health and the health of those around you is worth it.
