TOXIN

WHERE USED

WHAT IT DOES

HEALTH HAZARD

Acesulfame K

Food products and carbonated drinks

Artificial sweetener

Possible carcinogen; disrupts thyroid function

Aspartame (NutraSweet)

 Used in soft drinks

Sugar substitute

Seizures, headaches and dizziness. Can activate cancer hormones in humans

Benzaldehyde

Perfume, hairspray, laundry and dishwasher products

Fragrance

CNS depressant; causes kidney damage and irritation to lungs, throat, eyes

Benzyl Acetate

Perfume, fabric softener, deodorant

Fragrance and food flavouring; also a solvent

Irritates respiratory tract. Carcinogenic, linked to pancreatic cancer

Bisphenol-A (BPA)

In plastic bottles used by the food and toiletries industry

Chemical used to harden plastics; synthetic oestrogen

Damages DNA and sperm in men; mimics oestrogen and disrupts hormones

Bronopol

Facial exfoliants, moisturisers, make-up removers, body wash

Anti-bacterial preservative in cosmetic and pharmaceuticals

Releases formaldehyde and carcinogenic nitrosamines

Butyl benzyl phthalate

Floor tiles; upholstery

Plasticizer for vinyl and foam products

CarciButyl benzyl phthalatenogenic

Colours (e.g. Tartrazine, Sunset yellow, etc)

Used in cosmetics and food products (juices, cereals, coffee)

Add artificial colouring

All coal tar dyes are carcinogenic; evidence that colours may react with other chemical ingredients

Di-,Tri-, Mono-ethanolamine (DEA, TEA and MEA)

Children's bubble bath, shower gel, shampoo, facial cleansers

Foaming agent

Hormone disruptor; can release cancer causing nitrosamines; liver and kidney cancer

Diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP)

Fragrance base in perfumery and cosmetic products

Used a plasticizer in PVC and plastic products

Damages gastro-intestinal and respiratory tracts; endocrine disruptor; can cause irregular heart patterns

DMDM Hydantoin

Antiperspirants, multiple skin and hair products

Formaldehyde-forming preservative

Joint pain, depression, headaches, insomnia, asthma

Fluoride

Toothpaste, water, food products

Allegedly prevents cavities and strengthens teeth

Neuro toxin associated with dementia, depression and central nervous system disorders

High Fructose Corn Syrup

Used in fruit drinks, desserts and cakes

Food sweetener

Causes obesity, raises cholesterol and increases risk of diabetes, liver damage and stroke

Hydrogenated Oil

Margarine, spreads, crackers and biscuits

Increases the shelf-life of food products

Linked to heart disease, cell deterioration and nutritional deficiencies

Hydroquinone

Skin products

Skin lightener and moisturiser

Has been shown to cause skin cancer in rats

Imidazolidinyl Urea

Baby bath soap, body products, nail polish, antiperspirants

Antimicrobial preservative

Releases formaldehyde. Asthma, chronic fatigue, heart palpitations; carcinogenic

Isopropyl alcohol

Hair colourants, body and hand lotions, after-shave

A solvent and denaturant (toxic substance that changes another substance's natural qualities)

Depression, headaches, dizziness, nausea, narcosis

Lead and Mercury

Hair dye, amalgam fillings, infant vaccinations

Preservative

Neuro toxin, also linked with ADHD

Limonene

Shaving cream, air freshener, varnish remover

Fragrance and food flavouring; insecticide

Respiratory problems. Carcinogenic

Linalool

Hand lotion, shaving cream, after shave and perfume

Mainly used as a  fragrance; but also flea and cockroach insecticide; mosquito repellent

Eczema; Central nervous system disruptor. Narcotic. Attracts bees and wasps.

Methylene chloride

Aerosol sprays, paint stripper; tea and coffee

Solvent used to decaffeinate coffee and tea

Carcinogen and CNS disruptor; reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood

Nano particles

Sunscreens, make-up, mascara, eyeshadow, antiperspirant

Micro-fine particle technology (smaller than 100 nanometers)

Faster absorption of
chemical ingredient; greater damage to skin and organs

Petrolatum (Mineral Oil)

Baby Oil, vaseline

Surfactant and binding agent

Acne, premature skin ageing. Inhibits skin's ability to breathe and expel toxins 

Monosodium glutamate

Used in sausages, salad dressing, canned soup and fizzy drinks

Increases the shelf-life of instant and ready-made food

An excito-toxin that suppresses nerve impulses and causes cell death

Parabens

Multiple toiletries and cosmetic products

Preservative

Implicated in breast cancer due to oestrogenic properties

Propylene glycol (PG), (PEG)

Used in anti-freeze,  brake fluid, shampoo, shower gel, moisturizers

Industrial wetting agent and solvent

Dermatitis, liver and kidney damage

Silica

Face powder, eyeshadow

Caking agent

Easily inhaled; crystalline silica listed as carcinogenic

Sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS)

Engine de-greaser used in shampoo, toothpaste, etc

Foaming agent

Forms cancer-causing nitrosamines  when reacting with other chemicals. Damage to eyes and skin; collects in heart, lungs, liver and brain

Sodium nitrite

Used in foods like sausages, bacon and other processed meat products

Colour-fixing chemical used to create red pigment in meat 

Potentially carcinogenic

Triclosan

Soaps, toothpastes and deodorants

Anti-bacterial

Central nervous system disruption. Detected in breast milk; interferes with testosterone