Cancer causing contaminate

WOW! Check this out! Remember we always say that our products are environmentally safe, non caustic and contain no harsh chemical ingredients. It's so important to never make false claims!

http://www.enn.com/top_stories/article/33150

Cancer-Causing Contaminant Soils Cleaning Products
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Ingredient Composition Becomes More Important as Organic Personal Care Product Market Evolves /top_stories/article/33150

Seventh Generation, Method and other leading personal care and cleaning brands may soon face lawsuits if they don't remove the word "organic" from their labeling and marketing by Sept. 1. The ultimatum comes following a recent investigation by the Organic Consumers Assn., which uncovered a potentially carcinogenic contaminant in various products.
The OCA investigated nearly 100 organic cosmetic, personal care and household cleaning formulas, and found that nearly 50% of them contain detectable levels of 1,4-dioxane, which is known to cause cancer in lab animals. None of the manufacturers disclosed this information on their labels, even though many had levels greater than 1,000 times the acceptable level.
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The biggest offenders were the "natural" dish detergents, including Citrus Magic 100% Natural Dish Liquid, Earth Friendly Products Ultra Dishmate, Method Dish Naturally Derived Ultra Concentrate, Planet Ultra Dishwashing Liquid and Seventh Generation Natural Dish Liquid.
Method, San Francisco, refuted the study saying it never made the claim on labels that its products are natural or organic. "We state that our products are naturally-derived," said rep Katie Molinari.
The findings were released by the OCA, which is based in Washington, on Friday in Anaheim, Calif., at the Natural Products Expo West trade show.
David Steinman, a consumer advocate and author who directed the study, called the findings a wake-up call for the natural products industry: "To knowingly and unnecessarily put carcinogens into commerce in these modern times is cynical and barbaric. It betrays the public trust."
The brands will have to remove all "organic" branding and labeling from their packaging by Sept. 1. Manufacturers have until April 20 to agree to the terms, said Adam Eidinger, principal with Mintwood Media, Washington, a consulting firm that works with the OCA.
"If [manufacturers] do not comply, they will face a lawsuit accusing them of false and deceptive advertising and unfair and unlawful business practice under California law," Eidinger said. "No one is regulating natural claims and these carcinogens have cumulative effects on humans and the environment. Something needs to be done to create higher standards for these products."
The lawsuit will be filed on behalf of the national OCA, Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps, Escondido, Calif., and the regional Organic Consumers Assn. chapter in Little Marais, Minn.
While 1,4-dioxane is present in many conventional personal care products such as shampoos and body washes, as well as household cleaning products, the issue at hand has to do with mislabeling products that consumers deem organic and natural, which implies they are free of chemicals and harmful ingredients.
The OCA study also revealed that all products certified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Organic Program were free of 1,4-dioxane. In order to receive the seal, 95% or more of the ingredients have to be organic. Brands found not to contain 1,4-dioxane include Burt's Bees, Clorox Green Works, Avalon Organics and Dr. Bronner's.

Where have I been?

Ok, I know it's been a while since I've been here. I have a really good excuse. My daughter had the baby early and we have been pretty busy with all of that. He is doing so well but things have been so hectic.

In the meantime, I haven't stopped working or thinking about the various issues I want to address here. One issue that I have always been working on is to stop using all that paper! It was something that I did since I was in high school and into college. Boy, if I could re-use a piece of paper! When I was teaching I would save scraps of paper. I would allow my students to dig through whenever they needed a piece of construction paper in a particular color for a project. My daughters always knew that if they needed a piece of paper for something, they knew where the scrap pile was kept. We always used the back of the piles of paper my husband would bring home from work. I would cut them into fourths to use as message paper or take notes on them. Add to that, recycling containers. I could find a use for just about any container (this was long before containers could be recycled). Anything from Pringles cans (they make great pencil holders) to coffee cans to cigar boxes to cardboard. You name, I could find a use for it. We even recycled our junk mail to teach students. Ah, but those days are gone. You see I no longer teach a class of students. I now work from home (my own business). My daughters are grown (and I might add that they do a great job at recycling!)

So, as I continue to recycle, the junk mail became a huge issue. Everyday, 3 or 4 applications for credit cards I don't want and never asked for, would arrive in the 'mail'. Then there are the coupons and catalogs. Well, I am so excited to say that I found a solution. There is a website that will take care of your junk mail for you. This company will contact all the companies and catalogs to take your name off the lists. It takes a lot of doing so now there is someone who will do it for you. There is a small fee involved but to me that was so worth it. Yeah! One more problem solved and I am helping the environment. By putting a stop to all that junk mail, you could save a tree! I'm not kidding!

Go to www.41pounds.org. Read all about the process. You will find a video from WXYZ-TV where the founder of 41 pounds is interviewed to explain the process. Get rid of junkmail and help save the environment. What more could you ask for. If we all spread the word, think of how many trees we'll save! That doesn't even begin to mention the post office workers who won't have to sort through all the junk.

Do your part! It's a small bit that can make a huge difference.