Housework Makes Women Sick
From Detergents To Cosmetics,
Home Is
Where The Cancer Is
By Veronique Mandal
Health-Science
Reporter
Windsor Star
9-20-3
- Women who work in the home are at a 54-per-cent higher
risk of developing cancer than career women, says Michael Dufresne, a
leading researcher in environmental cancers.
-
- Women and men who want to look good and avoid body
odours are at an added risk, because of the cancer-causing chemicals in
hundreds of personal care products and household cleaners.
-
- From cosmetics and hair products to toothpaste,
shaving cream, furniture polish and dishwashing liquid, the presence of
carcinogens raises major concerns, said Dufresne, an adjunct and
research professor at the University of Windsor, researcher for Cancer
Care Ontario and a member of the Barbara Karmanos Cancer
Institute.
-
- Speaking at a Hospice of Windsor seminar Tuesday, and
quoting from leading studies, Dufresne said his greatest worry is the
lack of information given to the public about products they use every
day.
-
- "People are blindly being led in the use of these
products. They assume they are tested and safe, and they're not," said
Dufresne. "Scientists are discovering that exposure to a variety of
trace chemicals over the span of a lifetime is dangerous."
-
- According to Statistics Canada, 335 women per 100,000
will develop cancer. Forty-six per cent of Canadian women are in the
workforce and the remainder work at home.
-
- The U.S. Public Interest Research Group reports that
there are more than 100,000 synthetic chemicals in use. Residues of more
than 400 toxic chemicals have been identified in human blood and fat
tissue.
-
- The risk for childhood leukemia and brain tumours
increases dramatically in households using home and garden pesticides,
herbicides and insecticides. Bleach is being linked to the rising rates
of breast cancer.
-
- Dufresne said the biggest culprit is the cosmetic
industry, which does not put warnings on labels and does not list
potentially harmful ingredients.
-
- "The industry and the regulators know the cancer risks
associated with cosmetics but there is virtually no consumer knowledge,"
Dufresne said.
-
- "Unlike cigarettes, there are no warning labels on
cosmetics and virtually no FDA regulations policing them."
-
- Cancer-linked chemicals are found in blush, concealer,
facial powder, mascara and eye shadow and lipstick. Toothpaste, nail
polish, bubbles, shaving cream, deodorant, soap, tampons, conditioner,
shampoo and styling products also pose a threat.
-
- "My own study showed that men and women think they're
safer if they pay more, but there is absolutely no relationship between
cost and safety."
-
- The use of talc in the genital region has been linked
to ovarian cancer.
-
- Mouth, tongue and throat cancer has been linked to the
high alcohol content (more than 25 per cent), saccharin, dyes and a
chemical called PS60/80 in various types of mouthwash.
-
- In the home, Lysol, Murphy's Oil Soap, Pledge, Tilex,
Ajax, Palmolive, Joy, Sunlight, Arm & Hammer heavy duty laundry
detergent, shout stick and liquid Spray 'N Wash are a few of the many
products containing dangerous chemicals, said Dufresne.
-
- Chemicals formed in woodsmoke from the fireplace, some
burning candles, carpets and plastics, particularly plastic wrap, can
also cause cancer.
-
- Dufresne said people shouldn't panic, but wants to
ensure they have information to make informed choices.
-
- "You have to balance the risks and benefits, but ask
questions first and demand answers," said Dufresne. "Just remember what
you don't know can hurt you."
-
- - [EMAIL PROTECTED] or 255-5777, Ext. 649
|
The
Mulindwas Communication Group
"With Yoweri Museveni, Uganda is in
anarchy"
Groupe de communication Mulindwas
"avec Yoweri Museveni, l'Ouganda est dans
l'anarchie"
|
