Products to Avoid During Pregnanc

ecostore Supports Report - Products to Avoid During Pregnancy

9 October 2013 – A United Kingdom study from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists reports a number of products pregnant women should avoid.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2013/jun/05/advice-pregnant-women-chemicals-confusing

The study has pinpointed obvious substances like pesticides and paint fumes, however it has also recommended staying away from less obvious products such as shower gels and to ‘play it safe’ to avoid household chemicals.

Although unsubstantiated, and despite uncertainty about the chemicals’ affect and surrounding risks for the unborn child, Malcolm Rands, ecostore founder says there is merit in being cautious as the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists is a responsible and professional health organisation.

‘We’re seeing an increase of medical research focusing on pre-birth and early childhood as evidence mounts regarding unsafe chemicals. If there is even the slightest risk that exposure to harmful chemicals during pregnancy is extremely detrimental to the unborn child, we would advise women to assume that a risk is present and to advocate safety first approach.”

There has been some criticism of the report as being unnecessarily alarmist. However, Rands believes the majority of people assume that the chemicals in the form of powders, wipes, lotions or shampoos, have been thoroughly tested, regulated and are safe. However when it comes to household cleaning products even less testing is required.

“The problem is that legislation hasn't been keeping up with chemical development and long after they've been made available for everyday use, links are being made between some of these chemicals and health concerns like hormone disruption, allergies, asthma and even cancer. There are more than 84,000 chemicals in existence for commercial use with 1,000 new chemicals being developed every year, of these only around 280 odd have been thoroughly tested.”

The highly regarded American based Environmental Working Group conducted research recently and detected 287 chemicals in the umbilical cord blood of new born babies. Of those, 180 were known to cause cancer in humans or animals, 217 are toxic to the brain and nervous system and 208 cause birth defects or abnormal development in animal tests.

Rands says in a recently released World Health Organisation report containing collective views of international experts, it highlights people underestimate the effect that chemicals can have on the body.

“While the skin acts as a barrier, it is not a complete barrier with many chemicals penetrating directly into the blood stream through the skin’s surface. Similar to the way treatments such as nicotine and hormone replacement patches are so effective when applied directly onto the skin.”

Rands says chemicals such as triclosan, parabens, cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB) sodium lauryl (SLS) and laureth sulphate (SLES) which are used in many everyday household products are in the spotlight.

“Both SLS and SLES are known skins irritants but people assume that because they are plant based (natural) they are good for you. So while they are fine for the environment, they aren’t great for us as humans as they break down our protective skin barriers and expose us to other chemicals.”

Rands says both SLS and SLES are highly effective as a cleaning agent as well as being cost effective from a manufacturing perspective.

“They are readily used to degrease machinery but also commonly found in in toothpaste, shampoo and face wash cleansers.”

Rands says the last thing he wants to do is confuse or scare people but he is mindful that becoming a parent is a trigger for asking questions about what we are eating and what chemicals are in our home and being used on our bodies.

“As consumers we need to question things and ask manufacturers for information. Ecostore fully discloses all its ingredients and if there is a lack of conclusive scientific proof that a chemical could harm us but there is some doubt about its safety then we use the precautionary principle and find a safer alternative.”

ENDS

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