Determination of Toxic Compounds Present in Products used Daily

Dependent upon highly synthetic products has been increasing since last few decades. Industrious lifestyles are leading to more dependence on synthetic products than products with natural origins. Such projects are easily available and usually cheaper than natural products. These chemicals are insidious form of body pollution as they enter the body via multiple routes and may reside in organs for long time hence cause toxicity. These health care, cosmetics, toiletries contain many chemicals which are foreign to the natural metabolism of our bodies. Such items also contain certain chemicals which may have toxic effect on our body. For the sake of this study, I have identified a few daily use items and studied the harmful chemicals present in them. There details and (available) antidotes of some products are given below:

Vaseline Healthy White:

Vaseline Healthy White body lotion is commonly used in Summer for moisturization of the body. Its basic composition includes Isopropyl myristate, niacinamide, stearic acid, glyceryl stearate, mineral oil, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, glycerine, trithanolamine, phenoxyethanol, dimethicone,butyl methoxydibenzoyl-methane, carbimer, petrolatum, cetyl alcohol, methyl paraben, sodium PCA, Glutamic acid, titanium dooxide, aluminium hydroxide, hydrated silica, alginic acid, yougart powder, propyl paraben, disodium EDTA, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, SOYBEAN (GLYCINE SOJA). Sterol, perfume, alpha-isomethyl ionone, benzyl salicylate, butylphenyl methylpropional, citronellol, geraniol, hexl cinnsmal, hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde, hydroxycitronel-lal, limonene and linalool.

Toxic Ingredients:

Artificially produced glycerine can cause allergic reactions, trouble in breathing and dizziness. (Christina, 2014). Dimethicone is used to retain moisture in the skin however it has many harmful effects. It traps everything under it including bacteria and impurities which can lead to blackheads. It can also hinder normal sweating, sloughing of dead skin etc. Prolonged exposure to dimethicone can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions.  Most importantly, this chemical is non-biodegradable hence is bad to environment (Aragon, 2012). Petrolatum may suffocate the skin, cause premature ageing of the skin and sun damage (Schuster, 2011).

Ethyl alcohol is a common ingredient in hand sanitizer. It is linked to cancer, birth defects, developmental/reproductive toxicity, and organ system toxicity. This ingredient has no beneficial properties for skin. Furthermore, it can be a possible sensitizer for the allergic people. Using products with “Alcohol Free” or natural alternates as thickeners is its common remedy (Flick, 2000).

 Di Sodium EDTA is a widely used chelating agents used in cosmetics and skin care products to prevent them from deterioration. Clinical data reveals that it is not well absorbed by the skin but can be harmful if absorbed. It has now been replaced by sodium citrate, sodium gluconate and sodium phytate. The best option is to switch to natural products.

Perfume:

Perfumes are also used regularly. They include alcohol, denat, water, fragrance (Parafum), Aloe Barbadensis, Leaf juice, Propylene Glycol, PEG-40, Hydrogenated Castor oil, Benzophenone-4. May contain RED4 (Cl 14700), YELLOW 5(Cl 19140), BLUE (Cl 42090), RED 33 (Cl 17200).

Toxic Ingredients:

Propylene Glycol It is an anti-freeze agent as is known as carcinogen (FDA). It is found in hand sanitizers, moisturizers, shaving creams, deodorants, and baby products. It weakens skin cells and causes developmental/ reproductive toxicity, allergies, immune-toxicity and organ system toxicity.  Benzophenone These chemicals function as a sunscreen agent, to absorb ultraviolet light. These chemicals are endocrine disruptors and are believed to be easily absorbed into the body. They may also cause cellular damage and cancer in the body. Common names are benzophenone, PABA, avobenzone, homosalate and ethoxycinnmate. They can be found in sunscreen products.

Synthetic dyes also have drastic effects on human body starting from hyperactivity in children to various skin and respiratory diseases.  RED4 (Cl 14700) is carcinogenic in nature and hinders nerve transmission. IT may result in damage to genetic code as well (Joey, 2009). YELLOW 5(Cl 19140) also known as tarazine has been linked to asthma, anxiety, migraines, depression, blurred vision, thyroid cancer and skin diseases (Olson, 2010). BLUE (Cl 42090) can cause irritation to the mucous membranes, eyelids, mouth, nose, genitals and respiratory tract (Cosmetic Specialist, 2014).

Lifebuoy (Shampoo):

Lifebuoy contains Water, sodium laureth sulfate, dimethiconol, tea- dodecyl benzenesulfonate, cocamidopropyl betanine, sodium chloride, perfume, lysine hydrochloride, carbomer, guar hydroxypropyltrimium chloride, sodium hydroxide, cocamide MEA, disodium EDTA, DMDM, hydantoin, mica and titanium dioxide, hydrolysed milk powder, methyl chloro-isthiazolinone, methylisothiazolione, Cl 77266, benzyl benzoate, benzyl salicylate, butylphenyl methylpropional, coumarin, hexyl cinnamal, linalool.

Toxic Ingredients:

 Sodium Laureth Sulfate Sulfates is used in shampoos to break surface tensions and separate molecules. It has been associated with environmental damage and contamination of water. As a side effect on humans, it strips the skin of its natural oils and increase penetration of the skin’s surface. They are also irritants for people with sensitive skin or eczema (SLS: Learn the Facts, 2017).

Titanium Dioxide This ingredient does not appear to have any beneficial properties for your skin. It may cause skin irritation. Perfumes contain 60-70% alcohol which dissolves oils. Due to this it can cause drying of scalp and hair (Cosmetics Specialist, 2014). Cocamide MEA has been declared safe by FDA however, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has list it as carcinogenic if used in huge dose. Small doses can result in allergic reactions (Bath & Body, 2016).  Di Sodium EDTA can be either cytotoxic or genotoxic but not carcinogenic in nature. 

Methyl isothiazolinone/ Methyl chloro- isthiazoline are biocides i.e. it controls/ kills organisms. It can cause nerve damage and damage to skin cells in many ways. It can cause seizures and visual abnormalities. It can cause irritation and dermatitis (Annmarie, 2017). Cl 77266 is carbon black which ahs long history of being used as colorant in cosmetics. It has been linked to cancer and negative effects on organs.  (Carbon Black, 2016).

Benzyl Benzoate is a chemical used as a solvent or fragrance in synthetic products. It can cause skin irritation and can be a scarbicide (Burns, 2010). Benzyl salicylate is used for fragrance in various products. It may cause allergies and skin sensitization (Truth in Aging, 2017). Butylphenyl methylpropional used for fragrance is products may cause allergies and complicate an allergy in to rash form. It can also lead to dermatitis (Andy, 2015). Coumarin may cause itching, numbness, redness and stinging of skin. Linalool if used is beneficial otherwise may cause skin allergies.

Lays:

Ingredients of lays (other than potatoes, vegetable oil and flavour) are lactose powder, garlic powder, sugar, enhancers (E621, E635), skimmed milk powder, yogurt powder, hydrolysed vegetable protein, onion powder, potassium chloride (E508), herbs, flavouring, palm oil, acid regulator (E296, 330), anticaking agent (E551), colour (E150d) and sulphites.

Toxic Ingredients:

Monosodium Glutamate (E621, E635) may lead to hyper activity and asthma. Consumption of Potassium chloride (E508) may lead to belly pain, upset stomach, diarreha, bloody stools, constipation and slow heart beat etc (effects of potassium chloride, 2017). Artificially produced acid regulators (E 296, 330) if produced artificially may still contain traces of sulphur/ diphenyl or biphenyl preservatives, leading to anthemic reactions (Al-Harthy et al., 2016). Anticaking agent (E551) i.e. nano silica may cause dose dependent cytotoxicity in humans (Athinarayanan et al., 2014). E150d may contain carcinogenic chemical called 4 methylimidazole (4-Mel) (Caramel colour, 2014). Sulphites are used in ready to eat food as antioxidants and preservatives. People who are sensitive to it can suffer from difficulty in breathing and other allergic symptoms.

Ketchup:

Tomato ketchup contains tomato pulp, sugar, vinegar, salt, onions, critic acids E330, spices, stabilizer (E466) and preservative (E211).

Toxic Ingredients:

Artificially produced acid regulators (E 296, 330) if produced artificially may still contain traces of sulphur/ diphenyl or biphenyl preservatives, leading to anthemic reactions (Al-Harthy et al., 2016). Stabilizer (E466) may lead is prepared from cellulose and is used as thickening agent. It is very soluble and may be fermented in large intestine (Carboxymethylcellulose, 2017). Preservative (E211) is mixture of sodium benzoate and sodium phenylacetate. This may lead to headache, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, appetite loss and mood changes (Silva et al, 2016).

Mayonnaise:

Water, vegetable oil, (may contain soya bean oil), sugar, eggs, modified food starch (E1442, E1440), salt, food grade acids (Acetic Acids), preservatives (potassium sorbate), flavour enhancer (monosodium glutamate), stabilizer (Xanthan Gum), sequestrant (Calcium disodium EDTA) are the common ingredients in it.  

Toxic Ingredients:

E1442, E1440 are used for better shine and colour in the products. It may slow down degradation of food in intestine (Hydroxypropyl di-starch phosphate, 2017). Potassium sorbate is used to prevent refermentation in food. It may lead to allergic symptoms such as itching of the mouth, throat, eyes, skin, nasal congestion and abdominal pain etc (Nama, 2017). Monosodium Glutamate (E621, E635) may lead to hyper activity and asthma. Xanthan Gum is stabilizer which may lead to flatulence, bloating, nose irritation and lung problems (Kresser, 2013).

Chocolatto Biscuits:

Wheat flour, hydrogenated vegetable oil, sugar, starch, fresh eggs, glucose, syrup, skimmed milk powder, whey powder, cocoa powder, raising agent (sodium bicarbonate, ammonium bicarbonate), salt, soya, lecithin, vanillin, artificial food and colours.

Toxic Ingredients:

Ammonium bicarbonate may cause shortness of breath and itching of nose. It may be substituted by baking soda in baked items (Mcgavin, 2017). Vanillin in excess can trigger migraines and may be fatal to brain cells (Maes, 2017). Artificial food colours can cause hyper activity in children (Bell, 2017).

Capri (Soap):

Sodium tallowate/palmate, palm kernelate/ cocoate, aqua, sodium chloride, perfume, glycerine, sodium laureth sulphate, cocamidopropyl betaine, titanium dioxide, tetrasodium EDTA, critic acid, BHT, rose damascene (rose extract), fragaira ananassa (strawberry extract), sine adipe lac milk (Milk protein), acid red 53.

Toxic ingredients:

Sodium tallowate is the true soap formed by saponification. It can cause sinus problems, intense asthma issues, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, cough, sore throats and migraines etc. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) in soaps can cause membrane alteration, destruct metabolic activities and hair loss (Scents, 2016). Palm Kernelate is used for moisturization of surfactant in soaps. It can strip off the cells and can cause skin irritation (Spa, 2014).

Conclusion:

The analysis of the above-mentioned products shows that synthetic products are more harmful than the benefit associated with them. Therefore, the best solution is to shift to natural products so that the insidious effects of these chemicals can be minimized. 

References:

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