How safe are your personal care and cleaning products?

Campaign for Safe Cosmetics co-founder, the Environmental Working Group, analyzed cosmetics and personal care product ingredients against definitive government, industry and academic databases of hazardous chemicals and found that more than 1 in 5 personal care products contain chemicals linked to cancer. We make available to our students, clients and staff little blue compact pocket brochures by Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. It lists the common ingredients found in personal care products that are hazardous to your health. Our students use Sacred Earth Botanicals massage products, which do not contain harmful ingredients. Sacred Earth Botanicals focuses on on certified organic ingredients, environmentally friendly packaging, and sustainable business practices. Products are thoughtfully developed with the health of the therapist, client, and the environment in mind.
 
Safecosmetics.org

Jane Iredale, a pioneer in the ecologically sound cosmetics industry, was the first to supply a makeup line that is truly good for the skin and based on minerals. Jane Iredale Cosmetics can be found at the Atlanta School of Massage bookstore.

The chemical triclosan, a common ingredient in antibacterial soaps and disinfectants, was detected in almost 58% of stream water samples from across the U.S., according to a May 2002 study by the U.S. Geological Survey. Studies have increasingly linked triclosan to a range of health and environmental effects, from skin irritation, allergy susceptibility, bacterial and compounded antibiotic resistant, and dioxin contamination to destruction of fragile aquatic ecosystems. PURELL® Green Certified Instant Hand Sanitizer is a healthy alternative.
Beyondpesticides.org/antibacterial/triclosan.htm

Chemicals known as synthetic surfactants are common in conventional laundry detergents. Some of these have been shown to activate estrogen receptors, thus altering the activity of certain genes, and possibly promoting the growth of breast cancer cells. The artificial fragrances added to detergents are petroleum-based and do not biodegrade. Eco-friendly healthy alternatives are available.
Go Green! How Your Practice Can Help (or Harm) the Environment

Environmental costs of bottled water

It takes 17 million barrels of oil per year to make all the plastic water bottles used in the U.S. alone. That’s enough oil to fuel 1.3 million cars for a year. In 2007, Americans consumed over 50 billion single serve bottles of water; between 30 and 40 million single serve bottles go into landfills each year. Filtered tap water is better for people and the environment. We encourage the use of reusable water bottles when possible and discourage bottled water because of its costly environmental impact. Algalita.org

Water Conservation

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that by 2013 at least 36 states will be facing local, regional, or statewide water shortages. Please don’t leave the faucet running while brushing your teeth, or after washing hands or dishes. The habit of turning the faucet off unless you’re actually using it can conserve up to 5 gallons daily.
Epa.gov