EDTA - the silent killer

Hello,

My name is "Bwings" and I'm an EDTA whore!

Step 1 in my move towards a cleaner, greener lifestyle was research. Step 1 will remain an ongoing activity of course but one does not go blindly into a change of lifestyle.
Step 2 was to make a list of some of the key things we'd want to change and finally Step 3 would be moving towards changing them.

Today I made a list of key chemicals or issues that I felt were concerning. I formulated a table. The columns were a) chemical b) source c) alternative d) problems {I will find a way to upload this later}

EDTA is one of those overused chemicals. It increases mercury in fish and thus in those eating fish. As much as I may be a vegetarian not all my friends are. Alas I have placed this on my "let's see what we can do" list.

Parabens are chemicals that have been linked to breast cancer and it went quite a bit higher on my list.

These two chemicals are often found in your cosmetics and shower supplies so I thought they were a good place to start.

So while taking my shower this morning I began reading the ingredients of all our products. I was fortunate to find no Parabens (these are described as any ingredient ending in "aban". Of course I'd have still looked further but that's the foundation) however I discovered just how right the books were on frequent EDTA use!

In my bathroom alone I found EDTA in 1 of 2 shampoos {herbal essences}. 1 of 2 conditioners {again herbal essences}, 2 of 3 body washes {both Dove but not Nivea} and all my daughters bubble bath selections! I already know it to be in my hand soap and I believe it to be in my laundry detergent. So 3 out of about 15 products were EDTA free....that's all!!!

I am of the lower middle class group so admittedly I will finish off these products before replacing them with an EDTA (if I can find) free product. Of course had my products consisted of Parabans they'd have been gone daddy gone. Call me a hypocrite but as I've said before, I never claimed to be perfect, I'm just moving towards a greener lifestyle for my own health and well-being as well as for my family.

I am now off to clean out my cleaning supplies, PVC ridden toy box and inspect my household for other no-no's, your friendly neighborhood hippie mom.