Showing posts with label Chemicals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chemicals. Show all posts

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Organic Food - List of Foods with Pesticide Residue Levels

Most often, some people choose organic foods because they want to lower their exposure to pesticides. For these people, it makes sense to know which conventionally grown foods are good enough because they are low in pesticide residue.

Not all fruits and vegetables grown with conventional farming methods contain high level of pesticides, some simply don't absorb pesticides. The Environment Working Group (EWG), a non-profit organization in Washington, has conducted tests on foods to determine which fruits and vegetables contain the highest pesticide residue. The list is given below.

As you can see the Peaches and Apples have the highest level of pesticide residue, while Onion and Avocado absorb the least amount of pesticide. So if you are on a budget, you can focus on organic foods that absorbs in a lot of pesticides when grown using conventional farming methods.

According to the EWG, the toxic effect of pesticides are still largely unknown, and therefore, consumers are advised to minimise exposure to them.

Although rinsing fresh fruits and vegetables will likely to reduce levels of some pesticides, it does not eliminate them totally. While peeling also reduces exposures, substantial amount valuable nutrients may be lost, for example apples. Nevertheless, the best approach is to wash all fruits and vegetables, and choose organic where possible to reduce exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.

RANK -- FRUIT OR VEGGIE -- SCORE

1 (worst) -- Peaches -- 100 (highest pesticide load)
2 -- Apples -- 96
3 -- Sweet Bell Peppers -- 86
4 -- Celery -- 85
5 -- Nectarines -- 84
6 -- Strawberries -- 83
7 -- Cherries -- 75
8 -- Lettuce -- 69
9 -- Grapes (Imported) -- 68
10 -- Pears -- 65
11 -- Spinach -- 60
12 -- Potatoes -- 58
13 -- Carrots -- 57
14 -- Green Beans -- 55
15 -- Hot Peppers -- 53
16 -- Cucumbers -- 52
17 -- Raspberries -- 47
18 -- Plums -- 46
19 -- Oranges -- 46
20 -- Grapes (Domestic) -- 46
21 -- Cauliflower -- 39
22 -- Tangerine -- 38
23 -- Mushrooms -- 37
24 -- Cantaloupe -- 34
25 -- Lemon -- 31
26 -- Honeydew Melon -- 31
27 -- Grapefruit -- 31
28 -- Winter Squash -- 31
29 -- Tomatoes -- 30
30 -- Sweet Potatoes -- 30
31 -- Watermelon -- 25
32 -- Blueberries -- 24
33 -- Papaya -- 21
34 -- Eggplant -- 19
35 -- Broccoli -- 18
36 -- Cabbage -- 17
37 -- Bananas -- 16
38 -- Kiwi -- 14
39 -- Asparagus -- 11
40 -- Sweet Peas-Frozen -- 11
41 -- Mango -- 9
42 -- Pineapples -- 7
43 -- Sweet Corn (Frozen) -- 2
44 -- Avocado -- 1
45 (best) -- Onions -- 1 (lowest pesticide load)


Let's Learn & Experience Organics for Better Personal Health & Our Planet Wellness

Thursday, May 1, 2008

Organic Personal Care - Chemicals to Avoid

Every year, close to a hundred thousand tons of chemicals are used to make personal care products. Over 99% of oils used in cosmetic are extracted from petrochemicals. In addition, additives and preservatives are also added in cosmetics. Some of these "ingredients" may be absorbed directly in the bloodstream through our skin, and accumulate in the body tissue. There is increasingly convincing evidence that using such products in long term can constitute a potentially serious health risk.

What are the Chemicals Found in Personal Care Products?


Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA) and beta-hydroxy acids (BHA)
These are used as moisturizers in skin creams, dandruff shampoos, and foundations with sunscreens. They are suspected to cause increasing cell turnover and decreasing the thickness of the outer skin, and therefore, making it more sensitive to the sun's rays.


Dibutylphthalate (DBP) and iethylphthalate (DEP)
These are likely used in skin creams to enhance absorption and softening or soothing effect to the skin. They are also used to create a flexible film in nail polish and mascara. However, they are toxic and highly allergenic chemicals. Studies have shown that they can cause birth defects in rats.

Diethanolamine (DEA), monoethanolamine (MEA), and triethanolamine (TEA)
These are ammonia derivatives found in foams, shower gels, body lotions, moisturizers, and facial cleaners. Their chemical function is to bind oil and water together and act as detergents. They are known allergens.


Formaldehyde
This chemical toxin is found in cosmetic preservatives. As a cosmetic ingredient, it is not easy to recognize, since it is associated with the additive 2-bromo-2-nitropropane, 3-diol Diazolidinyl urea, DMDM hydantoin, or Quaternum-15. It is also widely used in shampoos and handwashes, and some nail hardeners. In Sweden and Japan, its use in cosmetics has been banned.

Lanolin
Although this natural emollient for softening and moisturizing the skin derives from sheep's wool, it can be contaminated by pesticides such as DDT, lindane, and dieldrin. Creams and lipsticks with lanolin can cause acne.

Kathon GC

This preservative is another common ingredients used in shampoos and hair conditioners.It is thought to damage cell growth in ways that may lead to cancer.


Petrochemical-based
Products based on petrochemicals are widely used in cosmetics, such as mineral oils, petrolatum, paraffin, and any ingredient that has the prefix ethe-, methyl- or propyl- are used in products to hydrate the skin. However, because they cannot be absorbed through the skin but sit on the surface. This results in blocking the skin's natural function of respiration, inhibiting its ability to function of respiration, inhibiting its ability to eliminate toxins. Petrolatum may cause drying and premature aging of skin and strip the skin of its lubricating oils. Propylene glycol is used to improve foundations and moisturizers. It is known to cause cancer in rats. Benzyl alcohol used in perfume is an irritant to skin and mucous membranes.

Paraphenylenediamine (PPD)
It is used to produce the black color in hair dyes. It can cause allergic reactions.

Persulphate Salts
These act as boosting agents in hair bleaches and have been linked to occupational asthma among hairdressers. They may also be present in over-the-counter bleaching products.

Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS)
This detergent and foaming agent is found in engine degreasers and harsh cleansing solutions. It is used in bat and shower gels and shampoos, cleansers, and most toothpastes. It can cause skin rashes, hair loss, and eye damage.


Try to avoid using beauty products that contain the above chemicals or ingredients. Check the label carefully before buying or using.



Let's Learn & Experience Organics for Better Personal Health & Our Planet Wellness

Monday, March 31, 2008

Organic Food - Foods Vulnerable to Residues

There are certain fruits and vegetables that still retain residues from harmful artificial fertilizers or pesticides even though they have already been banned for a long time. This is because the residues can remain in the soils for decades, and the roots of the plant take up these residues.

According to the findings of the USDA’s Pesticide Data Program (PDP), covering testing done in 2004, over three-quarters of the conventional produce contained residues (78%), while 16% of the organic samples contained residues.

For example, conventional apples were found to contain, on average, 3.6 residues, while the one positive organic sample had a very minute level of the post-harvest fungicide thiabendazole. The level of residue found in the one positive organic apple sample was 0.0002 parts per million, while the mean thiabendazole residue found in 641 positive conventional samples was 0.43 ppm, over 2100 times higher than the level found in the organic sample.

Why Residues Found in Organic Food
Pesticides are ubiquitous and mobile across agricultural landscapes. Many positive organic samples in the PDP tests contain low levels of pesticides used on nearby conventional crops that have moved across field boundaries by drift or through use of contaminated irrigation water. Soil-bound residues of persistent pesticides used years ago, before the farmer switched to organic methods, account for a large portion of the residues found in vegetables and root crops, especially squashes.


Cross-contamination is the main cause of low-level fungicide residues. The movement of a post-harvest fungicide applied to conventional apples reached organic apples. This could have occurred in a cold storage facility, or it might have happened during trucking or even in a store if a box of treated conventional apples were placed too close to a box of organic apples.

Therefore, it is very important that special measures must be in placed to separate the handling of conventional and organic produce in order to prevent this sort of inadvertent cross-contamination.

Removing Residues
When eating non-organic or conventional fruits and vegetables, it is advised that you wash them thoroughly to remove as much residues as possible, and that peel fruits and root of vegetables.

  • Experts recommends peelings the skin of fruits. But note that two-third of the fibre and most of antioxidants are usually found in the peel of apples, for example.
  • At a minimum rinse all fresh produce under tap water for at least thirty seconds. The mechanical action of rubbing the produce under tap water is likely responsible for removing pesticide residues.
  • However, a study had shown that mild detergents or fruit and vegetable washes do not enhance the removal of pesticide residues from produce above that of rinsing with tap water alone.

Let's Learn & Experience Organics for Better Personal Health & Our Planet Wellness

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Organic Food - Harmful Chemicals in Foods

Food grown with the aid of artificial fertilizers and pesticides contains toxic chemicals that can cause serious harm to our health and environmental problems.

Fertilizers are supposed to help in producing healthy crops, but research has shown that artificial fertilizers reduce the nutritional value of fruit and vegetables, and lower human reproductive function.

Pesticides include insecticides, molluscides (to kill slugs and snails) and nematicides (to kill worms).

Residues from these fertilizers or pesticides can remain in the soil for decades and are likely taken up by the root of corps.

Here are some harmful fertilizers or pesticides:

Organophosphates
This type of insecticide interferes with an insect's nervous system and is the most widely used group of pesticides. They are acutely toxic, affecting the nervous system and disrupting hormone function. High levels of methyl parathion and azinphos methyl have been found on a wide range of fruit and vegetables. The US has now eliminated the use of methyl parathion on certain corps and reduced allowable residues for azinphos methyl.

Methomyl
An insecticide that is found in many fruits and vegetables. Its use is restricted because of its high toxicity to humans. It is a suspected endocrine disruptor and a potential groundwater contaminant.

Lindane
This insecticide is an endocine disrupter and has been linked to breast cancer and anemia. It is applied in spray form to treat a number of food corps, and is also used to control ticks on livestock. It is presently banned in more than 50 countries, and is under consideration for inclusion in the Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants, which would ban its production and use worldwide.

Maleic Hydrazide
This is sometimes sprayed onto onions and potatoes to stop them from sprouting (but it may cause the sprouting to occur inside the vegetable, which is probably worse). It is toxic to humans. Animal studies have shown damage to the liver and central nervous system. There are concerns about its safety because it contains minute quantities of a known toxin, hydrazine, which may leach into water supplies.

Food Waxes
Fruits and vegetables may be coated with one of a number of waxes to maintain freshness and improve their appearance. Paraffin wax, a petrochemical derivative, may interfere with digestion and the absorption of vitamins. Other coatings include carnauba wax, the same wax that is used on cars and floors and shellac.

Effects of Banned Chemicals
Although there are increasing number of chemicals been banned but their residues can remain in the soil for decades and are taken up by the roots of some plants.

For example,
Dieldrin - this insecticide accumulates in human body fat and has been linked to reproductive disorders and cancer. Besides fruits and vegetables, it may also be found in fish, dairy products, and animal meats.

So as the old saying, we are what we eat. If we enjoy uncontaminated and fresh food, this is going to reflect in our health, vitality and energy. And eating organic food is the best for our health and well-being.

Let's Learn & Experience Organics for Better Personal Health & Our Planet Wellness

Friday, February 1, 2008

Organic Soaps - Ecosoapia Organic Soap

While I was searching for organic soaps available in the existing market, I discovered that there were over 5000 searches on "Ecosoapia Organic Soap" on the internet.

So I decided to take a look on the Ecosoapia website, and the followings are what I have found.

Ecosoapia
21st Century Health have launched Ecosoapia in October 2006, an organic ethical hand and body wash. Its aim is to introduce to consumers with an organic liquid soap that is free from all nasty chemicals that can be found in so many soap in the market today.

Product - Organic Liquid Soap
Ecosoapia introduces a luxurious organic liquid soap that is available in 7 different fragrances:


  • Almond
  • Eucalyptus
  • Peppermint
  • Lavender
  • Rose
  • Tea Tree
  • Unscented
The liquid soap is available in 295ml/9.98 floz bottles with pump dispensers.

This Ecosoapia organic soap is free from Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), artificial colour, fragrances, synthetic preservatives or parabens. It is suitable for vegetarians and vegans. Furthermore, it is kind to your skin as it is kind to the environment.

Besides SLS (which can be found in my previous post - Potential Harmful Chemicals in Commercial Soaps), parabens is another most common chemicals that are found in conventional cleansers. Parabens (methylparaben, propylparaben, ethylparaben or others) are chemical preservatives that allows products to have longer shelf-life. However, some studies or reports have claimed that parabens stimulate breast cancer.

Certified
Besides being approved by the Soil Association (the largest British organic body that approves over 70% of organic British produce), Ecosoapia has been awarded both the Chemical Consumer Award and Consumer Award from Allergy UK, which is important for allergy sufferers.

Contribution Back to Our Planet
The company also gives 10 percent of its profits to Irasambi, a Brazilian group working to preserve the rainforest. Not only is the product itself good for you and the environment, buying it is good for the environment as well.

Using them also makes you feel as though you are helping the environment as money from profits goes straight to helping conserve the rainforests.

Think of Buying?
It is likely that Ecosoapia products generally are not available at your local natural foods store because it is still a relatively new company.

You can order them online and of course, you will like to get better price at Ecohip, a division of 21st Century Health.

Before giving this product a try, there are points to note
- The price are usually quoted in British pound.
- Check the shipping charges and other terms and conditions.

If you have tried this product, you are welcome to post a comment here to share your experience of this product.

Let's Learn & Experience Organic for Better Personal Health & Our Planet Wellness

Friday, January 25, 2008

Organic Soaps #1 - Potential Harmful Chemicals in Commercial Soaps

When I decided to embark into the journey of Learning & Experiencing Organic, I had been wondering which area I should begin with. Almost everything can be "organic", we have organic food, organic body or personal care products, organic clothing, etc, ....

Then two days ago, I was still pondering about this organic topic while I was washing my hands. Then, suddenly "click", I could begin with soap.

So here we are, 1st Organic subject - Organic Soaps.

And I will begin with harmful chemicals found in commercial soaps.

When we buy soaps for washing hands or bathing, we tend to choose soaps that produce lot of foam because most of us have this impression that thicker lather means better or deeper cleaning. Agree?

Foam Chemicals
In the commercial soaps, the chemical ingredients that cause soaps to foam are known as surfactants. The most widely used are Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) because they are one of the most effective foaming agents.

If you don't believe, just check your toothpaste, facial washer, hand soap and see for yourself.

What are the side effects?

According to some study reports, SLS and SLES are found to have potential effects that can be detrimental to health. Some severe ones include

Skin irritation or corrosion - SLS is also known to be effective in dissolving oils or grease. So it removes oil from your skin causing a drying effect which in turn causing irritation. Besides drying effect, studies had found that SLS denatures skin protein allowing the lower layers of the skin exposing to external contaminants.

Eye irritation or deformities in children - Tests had shown that SLS could cause eye damage in young animals when it was absorbed through the skin. So be more vigilant when you are getting products for your children.

Protein Denaturing - SLS disrupts the process of replacing old cells with healthy new ones, which may cause skin layers separating and inflaming, In some cases, it can lead to early stage of skin cancer.


Fragrance Chemicals
Besides foam, another major component in the commercial soaps that uses chemicals is Fragrance, and most of the fragrance are synthetic chemicals scents. Some of the common chemicals found in the synthetic fragrance include:
  • Benzaldehyde
  • Benzyl Alcohol
  • Limonene (used for its lemon-like flavor and odor)
  • a-Terpineol (lilac odor)
  • Toluene (methyl benzene)

Point to note - a fragrance having a botanical sounding name does not necessary mean that it comes from a natural source. Fruit fragrance such as watermelon, peach, apple, strawberry and many others are all synthetic chemical scents.

The possible side effects claimed:

  • causing eye, throat, lung and skin irritation
  • causing dizziness, headache, nausea
  • damaging organs such as lungs, liver, kidney, heart, centre nervous system

Other harmful synthetic additives in the soap are FD&C colors, dyes, antibacterial triclosan & triclocarban, EDTA, TEA, DEA ... the list is long, so I will not go through them in detailed over here. I guess you have got the point, these chemicals used for the fragrance are found to be not kind to your health or the environment.

So why are harmful chemicals used in commercial soap?

I guess you also know the answer - they are cheap to produce and can be produced in large quantity easily.

The bottom line is that try to avoid soap or other body care products when you don't recognize or can't even pronounce ingredients with chemical sounding names in the label.

For the sake of our personal health, if there are natural or organic alternatives that are free from chemicals and easily available, then why not giving them a try.

Yes, organic products are known to be more expensive, but again, they are well worth it in terms of your health and the health of our planet. Think about it.

That's all for now.

Let's Learn & Experience Organic for Better Personal Health and Our Planet Wellness.