8/8/2019 Don't Get Hung Out to Dry - Chemicals that may be
lurking in your laundry room
1/1
A-TerpineolAn ingredientthat can causecentral nervoussystem
damageand respiratory
problems.
Ethyl AcetateA narcotic also onEPAs HazardousWaste List that
cancause damage toliver and kidneysand can irritate eyesand
respiratory tract.
LimoneneA known carcinogen,and if in contact withyour body or
inhaled,can irritate skin.
Benzyl AlcoholAn aromatic alcohol thatcan be irritating to
theupper respiratory tract.
Benzyl AcetateA carcinogen linkedto pancreatic cancer.
Camphor
An ingredient
thats poisonouswhen ingested andcan cause seizures,confusion,
irritabil-ity and neuromus-cular hyperactivity.
LinaloolA narcotic that canimpair respiratory
function andmotor activity.
tonic|January 2011| 43
smart living
Lisa Borden~ is an eco-advocate whose marketing business,Borden
Communications + Design is a direct refectiono her commitment to
better, more responsible [email protected]
When we wash our clothes, we
assume that our laundry is
resh and ready-to-wear, but
how clean is it? Fabric soeners, dryer
sheets, and even dryer balls made romPVC contain some
not-so-snuggly
ingredients that are doing a lot o harm
to our health and our planet. Although
these products are marketed to make us
believe that they are sae and comorting,
we oen overlook the ne print
telling us that they contain hazardous
chemicals.
Te chemical-laced abric soeners,
dryer sheets and dryer balls can turn
you of o doing laundry. Some o these
chemicals can stay on and in your
clothes and can be absorbed by your
body. We dry ourselves with the towels,
sleep on the pillowcases, and wear the
undergarments we wash and dry and we
need our laundry to be clean.I we unwrap our products and
read the small print, we can try to make
better decisions. Even i you dont eel
the efects o these chemicals today,
constant exposure to them can cause
or contribute to anything rom minor
ailments to major health issues.
Te good news is that there are
healthy options. Obviously, line drying
is ideal or our clothes (doesnt get more
gentle than outdoor air!), our world, and
our bank accounts. However, its just not
always easible especially in oronto,
climate and liestyle considered. I you
want something sae and long lasting,
that will soen your clothes and shorten
your drying time, try wool dryer balls -they make sense and
cents!
By not buying toxic products as a
collective group, companies wont keep
lling our shelves with them its simple
supply and demand. Your vote is in
your wallet use every dollar well, and
always tumble dry saely.
Dont Get HungOut to DryChemicals that May Be Lurkingin Your
Laundry RoomBy Lisa Borden
PentaneA chemicalthats knownto be harmful ifinhaled.
