Begin by thinking of your home as a toxic waste dump.

The average home today contains 62 toxic chemicals - more

than a chemistry lab at the turn of the century. More

than 72,000 synthetic chemicals have been produced since

WW II. Less than 2% of synthetic chemicals have been

tested for toxicity, mutagenic and carcinogenic effects,

or birth defects. The majority of modern chemicals have

never been tested for long-term effects.

An EPA survey concluded that indoor air was 2 to 5 times

MORE polluted than outdoor air. The EPA states that common

sources include: household products including: paints, paint

strippers, and other solvents; wood preservatives; aerosol

sprays; cleansers and disinfectants; moth repellents and air

fresheners; stored fuels and automotive products; hobby supplies;

and dry-cleaned clothing. Another EPA study found that toxic

chemicals in household cleaners are 3 times more likely to

cause cancer than outdoor air. Every man, woman and child

breathes in 10 to 20 thousand liters of air per day, 90% of

which is indoor air. "There are many sources of indoor air

pollution in any home. These include combustion sources such

as oil, gas, kerosene, coal, wood, and tobacco products; building

materials and furnishings as diverse as deteriorated, asbestos-

containing insulation, wet or damp carpet, and cabinetry or

furniture made of certain pressed wood products; products for

household cleaning and maintenance, personal care, or hobbies;

central heating and cooling systems and humidfication devices;

and outdoor sources such as radon, pesticides, and outdoor air

pollution.

The relative importance of any single source depends on how

much of a given pollutant it emits and how hazardous those

emissions are. In some cases, factors such as how old the

source is and whether it is properly maintained are significant.

For example, an improperly adjusted gas stove can emit

significantly more carbon monoxide than one that is properly

adjusted. Some sources, such as building materials, furnishings,

and household products like air fresheners, release pollutants

more or less continuously. Other sources, related to activities

carried out in the home, release pollutants intermittently.

These include smoking, the use of unvented or malfunctioning

stoves, furnaces, or space heaters, the use of solvents in

cleaning and hobby activities, the use of paint strippers in

redecorating activities, and the use of cleaning products and

pesticides in housekeeping. High pollutant concentrations can

remain in the air for long periods after some of these activities."

The CMHC (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation) reports

that houses today are so energy efficient that "out-gassing"

of chemicals has no where to go, so it builds up inside the home.

We spend 90% of our time indoors, and 65% of that time at home.

Moms, infants and the elderly spend 90% of their time in the home.

The National Cancer Institute released results of a 15-year

study concluding that women who work in the home are at a 54%

higher risk of developing cancer than women who work outside

the home.

Cancer rates have almost doubled since 1960.

Cancer is the Number ONE cause of death for children.

There has been a 26% increase in breast cancer since 1982. Breast

cancer is the Number ONE killer of women between the ages of 35

and 54. Primary suspects are laundry detergents, household cleaners

and pesticides.

There has been a call from the U.S./ Canadian Commission on

Chemicals to ban bleach in North America. Bleach is being linked

to the rising rates of breast cancer in women, reproductive problems

in men and learning and behavioral problems in children.

Chemicals get into our body through inhalation, ingestion and

absorption. We breathe 10 to 20 thousand liters of air per day.

There are more than 3 million poisonings every year. Household

cleaners are the Number ONE cause of poisoning of children.

Since 1980, asthma has increased by 600%. The Canadian Lung

Association and the Asthma Society of Canada identify common

household cleaners and cosmetics as triggers.

ADD/ADHD are epidemic in schools today. Behavioral problems

have long been linked to exposure to toxic chemicals and molds.

Chemical and environmental sensitivities are known to cause

all types of headaches.

Labeling laws do not protect the consumer - they protect big

business. The New York Poison Control Center reports that 85%

of product warning labels were either inadequate or incorrect

for identifying a poison, and for first aid instructions.

Formaldehyde, phenol, benzene, toluene, xylene are found in

common household cleaners, cosmetics, beverages, fabrics and

cigarette smoke. These chemicals are cancer causing and

toxic to the immune system.

Chemicals are attracted to, and stored in fatty tissue. The

brain is a prime target for these destructive organics because

of its high fat content and very rich blood supply.

The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health has

found more than 2500 chemicals in cosmetics that are toxic,

cause tumors, reproductive complications, biological mutations

and skin and eye irritations.

Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, arthritis, lupus,

multiple sclerosis, circulatory disorders, Alzheimer's,

Parkinson's disease, irritable bowel syndrome, depression,

and hormonal problems are diseases commonly related to

chemical exposure.

Pesticides only have to include active ingredients on the

labels, even though the inert (inactive) ingredients may

account for 99%, many of which are toxic and poisons.

More facts follow from Indoor Air Pollution Seminars. Our

homes should have a complete change of air 3 or 4 times a

day. New homes are built so airtight that it is impossible

to get a complete change of air. We should leave our windows

open on each side of our house for better cross ventilation.

In Alberta Canada last year, accidental poisoning statistics

were as follows:

Between the ages of:

* 0 - 4 years - 11, 515 poisonings

* 5 - 10 years - 1,524

* 11 - 19 years 1,019

* 20 and over 7,799

The top three culprits according to Poison Control: Household

cleaners, bleach and medications.

In the USA the #1 cause of accidental poisoning is Dawn

Dishwashing Detergent (c). WHY? Because it is the #1 seller.

Tide contains Lye and is the #1 polluter. WHY? It is also the #1

seller.

Deep Woods and Off have an ingredient called DEET. DEET causes

seizures in children and adults. Inert (or inactive) ingredients

in products are protected by trade secrets and very dangerous.

In the work place Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) must

accompany any product used. The work place and the outdoors

are considered "legal environments" while the air in homes is

not. So regulations for outdoor air pollution and toxins in

the workplace are much more strict than in the home.

The ideal humidity rate is 35-45%. Higher rates cause mold.

Use of humidifiers and dehumidifiers with standing water

encourages mold growth in the water. The ideal temperature

for homes is 68-72 degrees. Higher temperatures make chemicals

more active. When we shower, the hot water aerates the chlorine

and can cause headaches as can the use of aerosols. Steam from

our dryer vents is extremely toxic from the chemicals in fabric

softener sheets and residues from detergents and bleach.

Chemicals used to dry clean clothing are very dangerous and

can cause cancer. When you bring dry cleaning home you should

hang it outside for at least 3 days. Dry cleaning chemicals

are the same cancer causing chemicals in mothballs.

There are 4700 chemicals in tobacco smoke.

Formaldehyde is one of the largest indoor pollutants in our

homes. Products containing Formaldehyde include:

* Antiperspirants

* Mouthwash

* Toothpaste

* Tupperware

* Permanent Press clothing

* Floor waxes and furniture polishes

* Baggies

* Coffee

* Wax Paper

* Paper Money

Symptoms caused by formaldehyde are:

* Allergies, cancer, immune system failings and asthma

Phenols are a major indoor pollutant. Phenols are absorbed

by lungs, and skin. Symptoms include caustic burns, kidney

and liver damage and hyperactivity. Products containing

Phenols include:

* Acne medications

* Baking Powder

* Computers

* TV sets

* Mouthwash

* Sugar substitutes

* Wallpaper

Do you think the major products are safe? WRONG! Lysol (c)

is even more dangerous than we thought. It contains phenols

and dioxin (Agent Orange). Bleach must be safe because people

have been using it for years, right? WRONG! When using

bleach, antiseptics or chlorine in industrial areas you are

required by OSHA to wear impervious protective clothing, hard

hats, boots, gloves, apron or coveralls, chemical goggles or

full face shield and use only in well ventilated areas.

When using Easy Off (c) make sure all your skin is covered, wear

protective clothing, do not breath in and don't get on your

enamel, (if this product will hurt the enamel on your stove,

can you imagine what it will do to us?).

NTAs were banned in 1970. Lobbying by Proctor & Gamble in

1980 put them back into home products although they are

extremely cancer causing. What are they for? ONLY to make

more suds in detergents to make you think your clothes are

getting cleaner.

Our immune system is very powerful, like a janitorial system.

Giving our bodies good nutrition means our body can repair

itself and be able to handle what we face in the world.

Household chemicals cause all kinds of symptoms - from

cardiovascular problems, panic attacks, and anxiety attacks

to bedwetting.

Eliminating the cause of the environmental illness is more

effective and much less expensive than treating the symptoms.

Prevention - 80% - 90% effective. Treatments - 50% - 60%

effective. What seems to make the most sense? How can you

find help?

Throughout Dr. Woods' entire presentation, she never mentioned

our company's name. At the end, when asked, she pointed at a

display of the products we recommend and said, "I use these

products. I have done a lot of research and have not been

able to find better products anywhere. If I do find better

products, I will use them."

Please feel free to forward this to someone you care about.

We are fortunate with our company. We can introduce loved

ones to this company knowing that it is a shopping system

that everyone can benefit from using. We don't have product

distributors - just a network of satisfied customers with the

ability to turn this healthy lifestyle into a vibrant business

if they chose to do so.

About the Author--

Dr. Joyce Woods worked as a medical/surgical nurse, public

health nurse, nurse educator, nursing school administrator,

occupational health consultant. She holds Bachelors of

Nursing, Bachelors of Arts (Specialist), Masters of Education

degrees, and has completed her doctoral degree in the area of

Indoor Air Pollution, and ...it's effect on your health.