Toxicitionary - A Glossary of Everyday Toxic Chemicals

So what's up with the Toxictionary title? 

 We like to refer to the Toxicitionary as 

- A Glossary of Everyday Toxic Chemicals. 

We've researched all of the chemicals and byproducts that are outlawed in the USA & EU that can be potentially harmful to your health, so that you don't have to!

Luxurious Peace believes in sustainable health and chemically free living. Luckily for you, you'll never catch us slipping, polluting the planet, our bodies or yours with the Toxic Crusaders.  

Unfortunately, Most people in the USA are completely unaware of the chemicals they absorb on a daily basis. 

There are currently over 100 harmful chemicals that are approved in the USA, but banned in the European Union (EU). 

How the heck did that happen? Well the USA is a lot more relaxed on their laws. They favor companies and manufacturers that produce strong chemically induced products by the truck load. This is great for the economy, but in turn jeopardizes our health.  

There are currently over 1300 toxic chemicals that are banned in the EU. Sadly the USA has only outlawed 11 of them. 

Check out our top 10 list of Toxic Crusaders that are banned in the EU and considered safe in the USA. 

Avobenzone are molecules that destroy your cells, causing signs of early aging and can even lead to cancer. 

Unfortunately, avobenzone is very unstable and breaks down easily. It releases free radicals, which are destructive to our bodies. 

It is usually found in most chemical sunscreens.  Studies have shown that avobenzone can turn toxic when exposed to chlorine. 

So as you prepare to take trip outside on a hot sunny day or a dip in the pool, make sure you thoroughly read the ingredients list on your favorite sunscreen before you lather up!  

Azodicarbonamide (ADA) is a chemical additive, which has been used as a bread dough conditioner and a whitening agent. Trace amounts of ADA are deemed safe for use in food by the FDA. Additional foods that contain ADA are cereal, flour and bread.

In 2014, a food blogger behind the website Food Babe started a petition urging Subway to remove the "dangerous plastic chemical" from its bread. 

There are major risks when ADA is used in an industrial setting. World Health Organization (WHO) states that ADA is potentially carcinogenic. If inhaled, ADA can cause serious allergies and respiratory problems. 

ADA can also be found in plastic, yoga mats and shoe rubber. 

Namaste ADA!

Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) also related to Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) is an additive found in foods and cosmetics as antioxidants which prevent products from going rancid. 

Butter, cereal, dehydrated potatoes, mixed nuts, gum, meat and beer are a few of the foods containing these chemicals. There isn't enough scientific evidence to show that BHT is harmful in the small amounts used in packaged food. But studies of larger doses have shown mixed results. 

BHA and BHT are made from petroleum. Yeah petroleum like Vaseline, kerosene, gasoline, and diesel oil. Both BHA and BHT are considered to be human carcinogens. It's also been known to have liver and kidney effects. 

Can you believe BHT has been in your makeup too? Sadly, BHT applied to the skin was associated with toxic effects in lung tissue. 

Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO) is a chemical compound derived from vegetable oil and is used to help citrus flavors stay mixed together. You can find this chemical in sugary sodas with citrus flavors like Mountain Dew. 

Bromine, is a chemical found in BVO and has been known to irritate the skin and mucous membranes in the lining of the nose, mouth, lungs and stomach. 

People with long-term exposure of sugary beverages containing BVO may experience skin and nervous system problems.  BVO can build up in the body and cause toxic effects. BVO can also cause neurological symptoms such as migraine headaches, loss of memory and impaired balance or coordination.

One case reported a man who drank between 2 and 4 liters of soda on a daily basis experienced the above symptoms as well as fatigue, tremors, loss of muscle coordination, and ptosis of the right eye, as well as elevated serum chloride. The man eventually recovered with the help of dialysis. 

Coal tar is a mixture of many chemicals, derived from petroleum. Coal tar is defined as a thick dark liquid which is a by-product of the production of coke and coal gas from coal. 

Coal tar belongs to a class of drugs known as keratoplastics. Keratoplastics aide in the  thickening of keratin layers. Coal tar has been used as an dermatological treatment for psoriasis and eczema. It works by causing the skin to thicken and shed dead cells from its top layer and slow down the growth of skin cells. This effect decreases skin scaling, itchiness and dryness. 

The adverse affects of coal tar is that it can break down Inside the human body into aromatic amines, these are organic compounds that have been considered to be carcinogenic.

Artificial coal tar dyes have been around for decades. These are coloring agents used to make food look more edible and enticing.  Coal tar dyes are also used in over-the-counter and prescription medications, cosmetics, textiles and personal care products like shampoos, hair dyes and deodorants. Examples of artificial coal tar dyes are Yellow #6 and Red #40. 

The EPA and The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) have determined that coal tar is carcinogenic to humans.  
Occupational and animal studies have shown an increased risk of cancer after exposure to this chemical.

Olestra was developed by Proctor & Gamble.  It is a fat based chemical made by chemically combining sugar and vegetable oil. It is said to be a zero calorie, fat free and cholesterol free polymer that tastes just like fat. 

Olestra is deemed to be a non toxic carcinogenic that isn't absorbed nor metabolized by the human body.

The average person eats snacks about five times in a 14 day period. Olestra is also found in diet food and snack products such as frozen yogurt, potato chips: - P&G's Fat-Free Pringles®., Nabisco's Fat-Free Ritz® and Fat-Free Wheat Thins® crackers. 

Olestra has been associated with gastrointestinal tract symptoms such as cramping or loose stools. 

Now this explains why you have constant bloating, constipation and diarrhea after consuming an abundance of snacks. 

It's literally a snack attack!

P-Phenylenediamine, aka PPD, is apart of the aromatic amine chemical crew. 

Originally, it belonged to family of coal tar and were derived from coal. Now, it is derived from petroleum. We already know that both coal tar and petroleum are banned in Europe.  

Use of this chemical is restricted in Canadian cosmetics.

PPD is used in permanent hair dyes called oxidative dyes. PPD responds to hydrogen peroxide by binding the color to the hair permanently. This is often referred to as hair dye poisoning. PPD can cause respiratory distress and renal failure that can ultimately become fatal.

When ingested, PPD is highly toxic. PPD is also known as a skin sensitizer and has been known to cause extremely bad allergic reactions and skin sensitivity. 

Need a touch up? Be sure to read the ingredients on the box before you dye!

Quaternium-15 (Q-15) is a antimicrobial chemical preservative that can be found in various cosmetic products, from nail polish remover to eye-shadow. It's used by manufacturers to preserve self life. 

The preservation process changes the molecules to improve the performance of hair and body care products.  

The chemical released by Q-15 is formaldehyde, which we all know is dangerous. It is a known skin toxicant and allergen. It may be especially dangerous for janitors and hairdressers. It is highly  carcinogenic and linked to various health and  breathing problems. 

Q-15 is found in a whole host of cleansers, hair styling products, shampoos, conditioners, hair creams, lotions, shaving creams, eye drops and household cleaning products. 

Sooo, before you get all cute, think about Q-15!

Bovine Somatotropin (BST), aka bovine growth hormone, is a natural hormone that occurs in the pituitary glands of cows. Recombinant Bovine Somatotropin (rBST), a man-made synthetic hormone was approved by FDA in 1993 to increase the production of cows milk. This hormone is banned in Canada, Japan, Israel and Europe.

These countries ban the synthetic hormone because it is known to cause animal and human health problems. Current studies have shown rBGH contributed to a 25% higher chance of developing udder infections (mastitis), a 40% decrease in fertility and reproductive issues and a 55% increase in animals to become lame.  

Dairy farmers tend to use additional antibiotics to fight infections, the remnants of which also may end up in milk and dairy products for human consumption.

Hey, don't have a cow about it now!

Titanium dioxide is a naturally-occurring mineral found in the crust of the earth. It can be both safe and unsafe, depending on its use. 

Because of its light color and ability to refract light, It contains nano-particles that block UV rays. It's an active chemical effectively used in sunscreens. It is often used to brighten pigments or make them more opaque. 

Titanium dioxide is typically used in loose and pressed powders, especially “mineral makeup powder”. It can also be found in lotions, toothpaste, and soap. 

Titanium dioxide is relatively small size which make it easy to penetrate your skin. If inhaled, these small dangerous particles can potentially have a toxic effect on the human brain and can increase the risk of nerve damage. Titanium dioxide is considered to be possibly carcinogenic to humans. 

Next time, think before you get baked!