Common Ingredients - Common Problems - Sodium Lauryl Sulphate

Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS): is one of the most commonly used foaming agents found in cosmetics. It is also used in car washes, garage floor cleaners and engine degreasers. It is a man made Non-Organic product.

Sodium Lauryl Sulphate is a major health concern because it is so common. It is found in over 90% of all foam producing products. There is a lot of debate as to how toxic it actually is, but there are literally hundreds of scientific studies explaining its toxicity.

Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS):

• Can easily penetrate the skin
• Is used in clinical studies as a skin irritant
• Can damage the immune system causing separation of skin layers and severe irritation of the skin. When used on the scalp (shampoos etc), long term exposure to SLS can cause hair loss due to corrosion of hair follicles.
• Associated with the development of cataracts even with indirect contact.

Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLES) 
Sodium Lauryl "ether" Sulfate, a close relative of SLS is an ether chain added to SLS. Called a "premium" agent in cleaners and shampoo's. The reality is, it is a very inexpensive product but thickens when salt is added in the formula and produces high levels of foam to give the concentrated illusion it is thick, rich and expensive. It is used as a wetting agent in the textile industry. Irritating to scalp and may cause hair loss.

Sodium Lauryl Sulphate & Sodium Laureth Sulphate is a common ingredient and is available in Baby shampoos. While many studies have been done on the effects of SLS & SLES, it remains the most common foaming agent available in Personal care products today.

Eric J. Smith is a passionate Environmentalist. He is dedicated to promoting the need for an Organic, Natural World. Find out more on products he recommends by visiting www.milifestyle.net 

The Chemical Connection to Childhood Cancer and Disease

Cancer is a serious disease, especially in children. Disease related statistics place childhood cancer as the leading cause of death in children from Birth to 15 years old.

Accidents do cause more deaths than cancer, but cancer is the most common childhood disease resulting in death.

It is estimated Childhood cancer is the cause of around 10% of Deaths in children under the age of 15.

Survival rates for Childhood cancer have increased to greater than 75% over the last 25 years.

Research from the National cancer institute reported a link between household chemicals and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). It was found that children were more likely to develop ALL if homes were subject to the use of glues or solvents. The same research showed Mothers, while pregnant who were subject to paint sufficient to paint 4 rooms of a house were more likely to have a child who acquired ALL.

It has been estimated that less than 10% of childhood cancers are linked to genetics or family history, the remaining having strong links to environmental factors being the largest cause of Childhood cancers.

Some studies have shown that nearly 1 in 500 children will contract cancer before their teen years.

Chemical pollutants can cross the umbilical cord from the mother to the baby. A newborn baby is therefore likely to be contaminated with toxic pollutants, even before they have taken their first breath. Chemicals can also travel from mothers breast milk to the baby.

An example of this would be Foetal alcohol syndrome. I was reading recently that Foetal alcohol exposure is the leading known cause of mental retardation. Foetal Alcohol Syndrome can cause growth abnormalities, mental and behavioural problems. Exposure to alcohol prenatally can have teratogenic effects on the unborn baby.

Any amount of alcohol consumed during pregnancy can cause foetal alcohol syndrome.

It has long been thought that the placenta was a protective barrier between mother and baby. The truth is chemicals can accumulate in the placenta and cross the placental barrier from mother to baby.

As an adult, exposure to problem chemicals may cause premature cancer or disease. That is a problem based on choice at an adult level.

Children born to parents who have knowingly been exposed to chemicals with the assumption they do not cause problems can result in, often severe, birth defects, mental retardation, premature birth problems. Miscarriage is also common. Chemical exposure to dads prior to conception can also potentially cause problems to the pre-conceived child as chemicals can damage sperm development.

Education is extremely important to highlight the effects chemicals can have on the body and how our lifestyle choices can cause permanent damage to unborn children.

There has been a huge increase in conditions such as Autism and other related disabilities. Much research has been done and the connection between exposure to known teratogenic chemicals and disabilities such as this is known.

© Eric J. Smith

Eric describes himself as being "Passionate about Organics". Eric and his wife Narelle represent Miessence Certified Organic Skin Care, Cosmetics, Home & Nutritional Products.