Plenty. I had always wondered what the dryer sheets were made of. Now I don't need to wonder anymore, as someone sent this to me:
WHATS IN STANDARD REGULAR DRYER SHEETS AND FABRIC SOFTENER ?
by US. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)Identification of Polar
Volatile Organic Compounds in Consumer Products and Common
Microenvironments, 1991 reference: Lance Wallace, EPA; Phone
703.648.4287 and Polar Organic Compounds in Fragrances of Consumer
Products Symptoms of exposure are taken from industry-generated
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
Compiled by Julia Kendall who died from chemical poisoning
(1935 - 1997)
Fabric Softners and your health
Alpha-terpineol -- Causes CNS disorders... "highly irritating to
mucus membranesÓ "Aspiration into the lungs can produce pneumonitis
or even fatal edema." Can also cause "excitement, ataxia (loss of
muscular coordination), hypothermia, CNS and respiratory depression,
and headache." "Prevent repeated or prolonged skin contact.
" BENZYL ACETATE -- Carcinogenic (linked to pancreatic
cancer). "From vapors: irritating to eyes and respiratory passages,
exciting cough." "In mice: hyperaemia of the lungs." "Can be
absorbed through the skin causing systemic effects." "Do not flush
to sewer."
" BENZYL ALCOHOL -- Causes CNS disorders. " Irritating to the upper
respiratory tract"... "headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drop
in blood pressure, CNS depression, and death in severe cases due to
respiratory failure.
" CAMPHOR -- Causes CNS disorders. On EPA's Hazardous Waste list.
Symptoms: "local irritant and CNS stimulant"..."readily absorbed
through body tissues"..."irritation of eyes, nose and
throat"..."dizziness, confusion, nausea, twitching muscles and
convulsions." "Avoid inhalation of vapors.
CHLOROFORM -- Neurotoxic. Anesthetic. Carcinogenic. On EPA's
Hazardous Waste list. "Avoid contact with eyes, skin, clothing. Do
not breathe vapors... Inhalation of vapors may cause headache,
nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, irritation of respiratory
tract and loss of consciousness." "Inhalation can be
fatal." "Chronic effects of overexposure may include kidney and/or
liver damage." "Medical conditions generally aggravated by exposure:
kidney disorders, liver disorders, heart disorders, skin
disorders." "Conditions to avoid: HEAT..." Listed on California's
Proposition 65.
ETHYL ACETATE -- Narcotic. On EPA's Hazardous Waste list. "
Irritating to the eyes and respiratory tract"..."may cause headache
and narcosis (stupor)"..."may cause anemia with leukocytosis and
damage to liver and kidneys" "Wash thoroughly after handling.
" LIMONENE -- Carcinogenic. "Prevent its contact with skin or eyes
because it is an irritant and sensitizer." "Always wash thoroughly
after using this material and before eating, drinking, Applying
cosmetics. Do not inhale limonene vapor.
" LINALOOL -- Narcotic. Causes DNS disorders...."respiratory
disturbances"... "Attracts bees." "In animal tests: ataxic gait,
reduced spontaneous motor activity and depression... depressed heart
activity... development of respiratory disturbances leading to death.
" PENTANE -- "Danger -- Harmful if inhaled; extremely flammable.
Keep away from heat - Avoid breathing vapor." "Inhalation of vapors
may cause headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness,
irritation of respiratory tract and loss of consciousness. Repeated
inhalation of vapors may cause central nervous system depression.
Contact can cause eye irritation. Prolonged exposure may cause
dermatitis (skin rash).
" Can Fabric Softeners Make You Sick?
Exposure can result from the outgassing of vented dryers or from
treated fabrics (e.g., clothes, sheets, towels), which are in close
proximity to you or from your own clothing if the softeners are used
in your home. Have you been enjoying a walk in the neighborhood and
found you have suddenly felt agitated or disturbed without realizing
why? Do you get a numb feeling in the side of your face -- and the
doctors can't find the reason? Do you get a sudden onset of
dizziness or a headache? Asthma?Allergies? So who needs ill health?
Fabric softeners, like other fragrant products, contain
petrochemicals, used in untested combination. These chemicals can
adversely affect the central nervous system (CNS) -- your brain and
spine. CNS exposure symptoms include: aphasia, blurred vision, disor-
ientation, dizziness, headaches, hunger, memory loss, numbness in
face, pain in neck and spine. CNS disorders include: Alzheimer's
Disease, Attention Deficit Disorder, Dementia, Multiple Chemical
Sensitivity, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's Disease, Seizures,
Strokes, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), learning and focus
disabilities, agitation and anger. Are fabric softeners (liquid or
sheets) use in your home? Do you want to make a difference? Doctors
can request MSDS of the chemicals in them. If made ill by fabric
softener used provide a description of your symptoms. If you suffer
symptoms from exposures to fabric softeners -- are your heavy headed
lightheaded or fatigued or just angry then do something and do not
accept ill health.
Telephone 1-800-638-2772; press 1; press 999 -- to file an official
complaint with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Should
you want to file a report on a hazardous product emphasize central
nervous system disorder symptoms.
Allergic symptoms are not given priority in Commission
investigations. Please have everyone you know who reacts to fabric
softeners call. The tally will be useful in TO MAKE A CHANGE. Call
the Air Quality Management and the Air Resources agencies in your
area. File a complaint. Request the boards consider the issue of
scented fabric softeners in dryer exhausts as a factor in outdoor
air pollution -- fragrance products are made with petrochemicals
used in untested combinations.
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INFORM PEOPLE ABOUT THE NEGATIVE IMPACT OF PETRO CHEMICAL FRAGRANCES
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