About Chemicals

The Truth About Chemicals In Our Everyday Lives

Toxic chemicals In our world today, we rely heavily on products off of store shelves to fulfill the needs of our daily lives and to sustain our high standard of living. We buy everything we need. As consumers, we are placing trust in the companies that make these products available, as well as in our government to protect our health and safety before we buy them. The reality of the situation however, is that most of the products we use every day are not assessed for health risks. This may seem impossible- until you understand the bureaucracy of the chemical industry and the inability of our government to efficiently protect its public.

It is the United States’ Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) of 1976 that controls their Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ability to regulate industrial chemicals, including those used in toys and other everyday products. (Pesticides and cosmetics are regulated under separate laws). This act HAS NOT been amended since it’s creation over thirty years ago. The vast majority of TSCA chemicals have undergone little or no testing to determine whether or not they represent a hazard to humans — mainly, because the 1976 law ‘grandfathered’ in the 62,000 chemicals then in commercial use without any additional toxicological testing. 92% of industrial chemicals produced today (at more than a million pounds per year) were grandfathered in by TSCA.

Links

How toys end up toxic

EPA’s chemical risk assessments found lacking

The Most Poorly Tested Chemicals in the World

CTV Special: Toxins in our lives

Toxic Nation

Environmental Working Group

Chemical Industry Archives

Greenpeace

Canada is setting a great example in the role of advancing their knowledge and practices concerning chemicals. The Canadian Environmental Protection Act was amended in 1999 ( to focus on assessment and management of new and existing chemical substances. The Act provides for the assessment and management of chemical substances to prevent, reduce or control environmental and human health impacts of:

• new and existing substances (including products of biotechnology)

• marine pollution

• emissions from vehicles, engines and equipment

• fuels

• hazardous wastes

• environmental emergencies, including accidental spills

Canada is the first government to take a systematic look at existing substances. In addition to the continual assessment of new substances, they have looked at the approximately 23, 000 existing substances in use before the creation of the new substances notification programs which now makes up the DSL or domestic substances list (download pdf document). On December 8, 2006, the Prime Minister, along with the Ministers of the Environment and Health, unveiled Canada’s new Chemicals Management Plan. The plan takes immediate action to regulate chemicals that are harmful to human health or the environment. A key element in the Chemicals Management Plan is termed the Challenge. It is the collection of information on the properties and uses of the approximately 200 chemical substances identified through the categorization process as high priorities for action. This information will be used to make decisions regarding the best approach to protect Canadians and their environment from risks these substances might pose. This plan is definitely a step in the right direction. However, it takes time for new information and science to meet with imposed regulations. The reality of the situation is there are still MANY products on the market that contain ingredients that have not made it to the banned list…That are considered to have a harmful effect on human health.

Most IMPORTANTLY, this act DOES NOT cover many of the substances used on an everyday basis that are considered cosmetic. A cosmetic is defined as a substance or mixture of substances manufactured, sold or represented for use in cleansing, improving or altering your complexion, skin, hair or teeth. This includes beauty preparations (make-up, perfume, skin cream, nail polish) and grooming aids (toothpaste, soap, shampoo, shaving cream, deodorant). Even baby products are grouped under this classification system! The Cosmetic Regulations of the Food and Drugs Act require that cosmetics sold in Canada must be manufactured, prepared, preserved, packed and stored under sanitary conditions. The manufacturer must notify Health Canada that it is selling the product and provide a list of the product’s ingredients which have to comply with a cosmetic ingredient list (download pdf). THEY DO NOT REQUIRE SAFETY ASSESSMENTS!!!! The manufacturer has the responsibility of ensuring that a cosmetic meets the requirements of the Food and Drugs Act (FDA) and its Cosmetic Regulations. Any testing that is done is done by the company itself and therefore cannot provide an unbiased look at the possible health effects of their product. Furthermore, the FDA has been unsuccessful in protecting the public from unsafe products. Agency officials themselves have said they lack enough money and staff to fully inspect all makers of FDA-regulated products more regularly.

This current regulatory system means that companies may continue to use many chemicals that are now KNOWN to cause long term health effects without having to inform the consumer of these risks. It wasn’t until 2006 that cosmetics had to be labeled with their ingredients. Household cleaners STILL do not have regulations that force the companies to list their ingredients because of corporate “trade secrets”. The bottom line is that you can not trust a product to be safe just because it is on a store shelf. It is up to each of us as enlightened consumers to educate ourselves about the reality of chemicals in our everyday lives and the risks they pose to our health. It is not enough to simply choose a product that claims to be “all natural” or “green”. These labels are one of MANY that are not regulated and provide a false sense of security in an ever expanding market of concerned consumers. It is important then for each of us to gain a basic understanding of what is in the products we use on a daily basis and make informed choices on the chemicals we allow into our homes.

As consumers, we have a great opportunity make a difference in the trends of the market. By supporting companies that provide chemical free and natural ingredients in their products, the ones who choose to use unsafe chemicals will have to reduce or remove the use of chemicals in their products to survive. One choice at a time WE CAN CHANGE OUR FUTURE for the BETTER! Every person who chooses to use safer alternatives is making a stand for a better, healthier future for everyone.

Norwex is a Canadian company who is very passionate about improving the quality of life by radically reducing the use of chemicals in cleaning and personal care. Our products are made with the purest natural ingredient compilations available and do not use ANY chemicals that are carcinogens, neurotoxins or endocrine disrupters. Our products are also hypoallergenic and do not contain harmful perfumes or dyes that affect many chemically sensitive people. We carry ECO-certified and Bio Suisse Organic Personal Care Products. Our consultants have information and training on the ingredients in our products and we are very proud to share them with our customers. With the use of our outstanding product line you can remove 90% of the chemicals in your life!!!

Norwex is a company that is truly better for your health,
better for the environment
and better for our future.