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Lourdes Salvador's Column...Co-founder of MCS America discusses the latest Multiple Chemical Sensitivity issues. |
Hair Dressers at Risk of Cancer Safer Alternatives
by Lourdes Salvador
Hairdressers have a higher risk of cancer than the general population according to researchers.
Hairdressers are constantly exposed to many chemicals in their work environment. This is believed to lead to the higher cancer rates and overall poorer health of people in this occupation.
Hair sprays, dyes, shampoo, conditioner, gels and other chemicals routinely used by hair dressers often contain known carcinogens. Hair spray, for example, often contains butane, isobutane, propane, and isopropane.
Takkouche and colleagues say, Improvement of the ventilation system in the hairdresser salons and implementation of hygiene measures aimed at mitigating exposure to potential carcinogens at work may reduce the risk.
Other studies have linked depression, asthma, allergies, and various other disorders to exposure to these same chemicals.
Though patrons are exposed to these chemicals for a lesser period of time, many environmental advocates have expressed concerns over the toxicity of these chemicals for day to day use at home. There are many safer alternatives.
Mouth Wash
Peroxide
Rinse mouth as usual. Do not swallow.
Chlorophyll
Chew tablet to freshen breath.
Tooth Paste
Baking Soda
Apply to toothbrush and brush as usual.
Peroxide
Apply to toothbrush and brush as usual.
Toothbrushes may also be left to soak in peroxide to clean them and kill germs.
Baking Soda & Salt
Mix 3 parts baking soda and 1 part salt.
Apply to toothbrush and brush as usual.
Shampoo
Liquid Borax
Add 1/4 cup of borax per pint of water.
Shake well and allow to settle.
Pour the water into a pump bottle leaving the borax powder residue behind.
Wash hair as usual. Will not lather.
Castile Soap or Clearly Natural Glycerin Soap
Use as regular liquid or bar soap.
Baking Soda
Rub in as a paste and rinse.
Note: Does not lather
Conditioner
Citric Acid Powder
Mix ¼ to ½ tsp. per pint of water.
Pour the rinse over your hair
Apple Cider Vinegar or Lemon Juice
Mix ¼ to ½ tsp. per pint of water.
Pour the rinse over your hair
Homemade Conditioner
Mash a ripe banana and avocado.
Strain through cheesecloth.
Apply as usual.
Coconut Oil
Rub into hair and leave overnight.
Wash out in the morning.
Egg Yolk or Mayonnaise
Rub into hair.
Rinse out well.
Olive or Jojoba Oil
Mix a tiny drop in a cup of water.
Rub in and rinse out well.
Astringents, Toner, After Shave
Witch Hazel
Splash on as usual
Hydrogen Peroxide
Splash on as usual may lighten skin.
Shaving Cream
Castile Soap - Unscented
Use as regular liquid soap.
Lather and shave.
Homemade Liquid Castile Soap
Boil 3 cups of water.
Add shavings of one bar of unscented castile soap.
Cool and fill pump bottle.
Lather and Shave
Hair Bleach
Peroxide
Apply peroxide to dry hair.
Let sit 15 minutes and then rinse out.
Deodorant
Baking Soda or Corn Starch
Dust body and/or underarms.
White Clay
Rub in as a paste and rinse.
Deodorant Crystal
Wet and rub under arm.
Water
Wash underarms several times a day with plain water to remove bacteria and control odor.
Soap
Castile Soap - Unscented
Use as regular liquid soap.
Homemade Liquid Castile Soap
Boil 3 cups of water.
Add shavings of one bar of unscented castile soap.
Cool and fill pump bottle.
Liquid Borax
Add ¼ cup of borax per pint of water.
Shake well and allow to settle.
Pour the water into a pump bottle leaving the borax powder residue behind.
Baking Soda
Rub on as a paste and rinse.
Note: Does not lather
Lotion
Olive Oil, Sesame Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, or Grapeseed Oil
Rub a small drop on skin.
Coconut Oil
Rub a small drop on skin.
Hair Gel & Hair Spray
Aloe Vera Gel - Unscented
Rub into hair and style as usual.
Fresh Lemon Juice
Squeeze juice of a lemon into spray bottle.
Apply as usual and keep refrigerated.
For more information on safer alternatives, a free brochure may be downloaded form: http://www.mcs-america.org/personal.pdf
Reference:
Takkouche B, Regueira-Méndez C, Montes-Martínez A. Risk of cancer among hairdressers and related workers: a meta-analysis. Int J Epidemiol. 2009 Dec;38(6):1512-31. Epub 2009 Sep 14.
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For more articles on this topic, see: MCSA News.
Copyrighted 2010 Lourdes Salvador & MCS America
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