Day 19: Greenest
Jonathan
Johns Hopkins University
My Products
One-A-Day Vitamin: Teen Advantage
Ingredients: Calcium Carbonate, Magnesium Oxide, Ascorbic Acid,
Microcrystalline Cellulose, Dicalcium Phosphate, Gelatin, dl-AlphaTocopheryl Acetate, Niacinamide, Ferrous Fumarate, Hydroxypropyl
Methylcellulose, Maltodextrin, Croscarmellose Sodium, Zinc Oxide, Starch,
D-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Manganese Sulfate,
Sucrose, Stearic Acid, Silicon Dioxide, Riboflavin, Thiamine Mononitrate,
Titanium Dioxide (color), FD&C Blue #1 Lake, Polyethylene Glycol,
Artificial Flavor, FD&C Blue #2 Lake, Cupric Oxide, Glucose, Brewer’s
Yeast, Vitamin A Acetate, Chromium Chloride, FD&C Blue #2 Dye, Folic
Acid, Soybean Oil, Biotin, Beta-Carotene, Sodium Selenate, Ascorbyl
Palmitate, Sodium Ascorbate, Phytonadione, Tricalcium Phosphate,
Cyanocobalamin, and Cholecalciferol.
Harmful: This vitamin is probably one of the most dyed thing I have ever
tasted. Additionally, it is confusing to me where the artificial flavors are
added to this vitamin, since it tastes pretty bad. Reviews online showed
people throwing up from taking this vitamin without having eaten before
and I have felt the stomach pain. This is probably due to the blue dyes in
this vitamin. A little research also shows that FD&C Blue #1 Lake was once
banned in many countries and that the harmful effects of titanium dioxide
are not understood.
Softsoap Coconut and Warm Ginger Hand Santizer
Ingredients: Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate,
Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium
Chloride, Fragrance, DMDM Hydantoin, PEG-120
Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Tetrasodium EDTA,
Sodium Sulfate, Citric Acid, Polyquaternium-7,
Poloxamer 124, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate,
Benzophenone-4, Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil, Cocos
Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger)
Root Extract, and Ext. D&C Violet No. 2
Harmful: Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) is an known
skin irritant. Additionally, there is a correlation between
the sodium laureth sulfate and 1,4-dioxane in products,
which is a carcinogen. From my limited organic
chemistry perspective, it is possible for this molecule to
form dioxanes as a byproduct.
Tempur-pedic Pillow
Ingredients:Polyurethane, unknown
Hazards:Polyurethane products often have
emissions of chemicals that are hazardous to
health like methylene choline, which
irritates the nose and throat. Emmissions
from memory foam mattresses may directly
cause more respiratory irritation than other
mattresses.
Clorox Disinfectant Wipes
Ingredients: Alkyl Dimethyl Benzyl Ammonium Chlorides,
Inactive Ingredients
Hazards: Alkyl Dimethyl Benzyle Ammonium Chloides have
been linked to birth defects and fertility problems in caged mice.
Colgate Toothpaste
Ingredients: Calcium Carbonate, Water, Sorbital, Hydrated
Silca, Sodium laureth sulfate, Sodium Monoflurophosphate,
Flavor, Cellulose Gum, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate,
Sodium Carbonate, Sodium Saccharin, Sodium Bicarbonate,
Methylparaben, Propylparaben
Hazards: Just like my hand soap, this toothpaste has sodium
laureth sulfate in it, which is a known skin irritant, but this
time, it is going into my body directly. Clearly a bad idea.
Pintrest Board
http://pinterest.com/jsmeton1/product-alternatives/
How Will Life Be Different
After the last 20 days, these toxic chemicals in my health and wellness product come as no surprise to
me; however, that doesn't modify the severity of finding them. Ultimately, these challenges aren't
suppose to teach us about 5-10 products we use in different aspects of our life and what they may
contain. It is setting up a framework for present and future decisions. The transition from conventional
to conscious, means moving from accepting what we have been comfortable with to questioning the
things we use and do everyday, to ensure our lives are as healthy as possible. This challenge, just like
every other challenge, informs us by widening the gap of things we need to consider each day, by
bringing every small action we make to the forefront of our thoughts.
Resources
http://ijt.sagepub.com/content/2/5/1
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2011:295:FULL:EN:PDF
http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/heldref/access/51554916.html?dids=51554916:51554916:51554916:51554
916&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT:TG:PAGE&date=Jan%2FFeb+2000&author=Rosalind+C+Anderso
n&pub=Archives+of+Environmental+Health&edition=&startpage=38&desc=Respiratory+toxicity+of+
mattress+emissions+in+mice
http://www.nature.com/news/2008/080618/full/453964a.html
Ingredients: Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin D3, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Vitamin B-1, Riboflavin,
Vitamin B-3, Vitamin B-6, Folic Acid, Vitamin B-12, Biotin, Vitamin B-5, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium,
Zinc, Selenium, Copper, Manganese, Chromium, Molybdenum, Choline, Inositol, Organic Spirulina,
Kale, spinach, dandelion greens, beet juice, Citrus Bioflavonoid Complex
Source: http://www.allstarhealth.com/f/rainbow_light-brain__focus_multivitamin.htm