TOXIC TERRORS:
30 of the 'Most Wanted' Toxic Ingredients & Pollutants
TOXIN
WHERE USED
Acesulfame K
Food products and
carbonated drinks
WHAT IT DOES
HEALTH HAZARD
Artificial sweetener
Possible carcinogen; disrupts thyroid
function
Sugar substitute
Seizures, headaches and dizziness. Can
activate cancer hormones in humans
Aspartame
(NutraSweet)
Used in soft drinks
Benzaldehyde
Perfume, hairspray,
laundry and
dishwasher products
Fragrance
CNS depressant; causes kidney damage
and irritation to lungs, throat, eyes
Benzyl Acetate
Perfume, fabric
softener, deodorant
Fragrance and food
flavouring; also a
solvent
Irritates respiratory tract. Carcinogenic,
linked to pancreatic cancer
Bisphenol-A (BPA)
In plastic bottles used
by the food and
toiletries industry
Chemical used to
harden plastics;
synthetic oestrogen
Damages DNA and sperm in men;
mimics oestrogen and disrupts
hormones
Bronopol
Facial exfoliants,
moisturisers, make-up
removers, body wash
Anti-bacterial
preservative in
cosmetic and
pharmaceuticals
Releases formaldehyde and
carcinogenic nitrosamines
Butyl benzyl
phthalate
Floor tiles; upholstery
Plasticizer for vinyl and
foam products
CarciButyl benzyl phthalatenogenic
Colours (e.g.
Tartrazine, Sunset
yellow, etc)
Used in cosmetics and
food products (juices,
cereals, coffee)
Add artificial colouring
All coal tar dyes are carcinogenic;
evidence that colours may react with
other chemical ingredients
Di-,Tri-, Mono-
Children's bubble bath,
Foaming agent
Hormone disruptor; can release cancer
ethanolamine
(DEA, TEA and
MEA)
shower gel, shampoo,
facial cleansers
causing nitrosamines; liver and kidney
cancer
Diethylhexyl
phthalate (DEHP)
Fragrance base in
perfumery and
cosmetic products
Used a plasticizer in
PVC and plastic
products
Damages gastro-intestinal and
respiratory tracts; endocrine disruptor;
can cause irregular heart patterns
DMDM Hydantoin
Antiperspirants,
multiple skin and hair
products
Formaldehyde-forming
preservative
Joint pain, depression, headaches,
insomnia, asthma
Fluoride
Toothpaste, water,
food products
Allegedly prevents
cavities and
strengthens teeth
Neuro toxin associated with dementia,
depression and central nervous system
disorders
High Fructose Corn
Syrup
Used in fruit drinks,
desserts and cakes
Food sweetener
Causes obesity, raises cholesterol and
increases risk of diabetes, liver damage
and stroke
Hydrogenated Oil
Margarine, spreads,
crackers and biscuits
Increases the shelf-life
of food products
Linked to heart disease, cell
deterioration and nutritional deficiencies
Hydroquinone
Skin products
Skin lightener and
moisturiser
Has been shown to cause skin cancer in
rats
Imidazolidinyl Urea
Baby bath soap, body
products, nail polish,
antiperspirants
Antimicrobial
preservative
Releases formaldehyde. Asthma,
chronic fatigue, heart palpitations;
carcinogenic
Isopropyl alcohol
Hair colourants, body
and hand lotions,
after-shave
A solvent and
denaturant (toxic
substance that changes
another substance's
natural qualities)
Depression, headaches, dizziness,
nausea, narcosis
Lead and Mercury
Hair dye, amalgam
fillings, infant
Preservative
Neuro toxin, also linked with ADHD
vaccinations
Limonene
Shaving cream, air
freshener, varnish
remover
Fragrance and food
flavouring; insecticide
Respiratory problems. Carcinogenic
Linalool
Hand lotion, shaving
cream, after shave
and perfume
Mainly used as a
fragrance; but also flea
and cockroach
insecticide; mosquito
repellent
Eczema; Central nervous system
disruptor. Narcotic. Attracts bees and
wasps.
Methylene chloride
Aerosol sprays, paint
stripper; tea and
coffee
Solvent used to
decaffeinate coffee and
tea
Carcinogen and CNS disruptor; reduces
the amount of oxygen in the blood
Nano particles
Sunscreens, make-up,
mascara, eyeshadow,
antiperspirant
Micro-fine particle
technology (smaller
than 100 nanometers)
Faster absorption of
chemical ingredient; greater damage to
skin and organs
Petrolatum
(Mineral Oil)
Baby Oil, vaseline
Surfactant and binding
agent
Acne, premature skin ageing. Inhibits
skin's ability to breathe and expel
toxins
Monosodium
glutamate
Used in sausages,
salad dressing, canned
soup and fizzy drinks
Increases the shelf-life
of instant and readymade food
An excito-toxin that suppresses nerve
impulses and causes cell death
Parabens
Multiple toiletries and
cosmetic products
Preservative
Implicated in breast cancer due to
oestrogenic properties
Propylene glycol
(PG), (PEG)
Used in anti-freeze,
brake fluid, shampoo,
shower gel,
moisturizers
Industrial wetting agent
and solvent
Dermatitis, liver and kidney damage
Silica
Face powder,
eyeshadow
Caking agent
Easily inhaled; crystalline silica listed as
carcinogenic
Sodium lauryl
sulphate (SLS)
Engine de-greaser
used in shampoo,
toothpaste, etc
Foaming agent
Forms cancer-causing nitrosamines
when reacting with other chemicals.
Damage to eyes and skin; collects in
heart, lungs, liver and brain
Sodium nitrite
Used in foods like
sausages, bacon and
other processed meat
products
Colour-fixing chemical
used to create red
pigment in meat
Potentially carcinogenic
Triclosan
Soaps, toothpastes
and deodorants
Anti-bacterial
Central nervous system disruption.
Detected in breast milk; interferes with
testosterone