Take Out Containers Are Toxic

And you thought the take-out food was the thing that was going to kill you. Turns out the plastic in the container will leach into your food, mess with your hormones, and possibly give you cancer. See this post from the Educational Cyber Playground (and scroll to their discussion of #6 PS). It was based on this study published in Environmental Health Studies and conducted by people in white coats.

The good news is that the nasty chemicals only leach into your food and drinks if they are heated. So, as long as you get all your food and drink chilled, you won't have a problem.

Toxic junk found in baby shampoos and soaps

All those times our kids screamed bloody murder when we forced them into the bathtub -- now it looks like they were onto something:

According to a new report by scary people in white coats:

More than half the baby shampoo, lotion and other infant care products analyzed by a health advocacy group were found to contain trace amounts of two chemicals that are believed to cause cancer, the organization said yesterday.

Some of the biggest names on the market, including Johnson & Johnson Baby Shampoo and Baby Magic lotion, tested positive for 1,4-dioxane or formaldehyde, or both, the nonprofit Campaign for Safe Cosmetics reported.

The chemicals, which the Environmental Protection Agency has characterized as probable carcinogens, are not intentionally added to the products and are not listed among ingredients on labels. Instead, they appear to be byproducts of the manufacturing process. Formaldehyde is created when other chemicals in the product break down over time, while 1,4-dioxane is formed when foaming agents are combined with ethylene oxide or similar petrochemicals.

The organization tested 48 baby bath products such as bubble bath and shampoo. Of those, 32 contained trace amounts of 1,4-dioxane and 23 contained small amounts of formaldehyde. Seventeen tested positive for both chemicals.

"Our intention is not to alarm parents, but to inform parents that products that claim to be gentle and pure are contaminated with carcinogens, which is completely unnecessary," said Stacy Malkan, a spokeswoman for the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, which is calling for the government to more strictly regulate personal care products such as shampoo, lotion and makeup.

So, no need for alarm. Just know that you are washing cancer into your kid's hair.

Particle Board = Death

We've previously discussed how granite counter tops are radioactive. But as one astute commenter pointed out, you don't want to outfit your fallout shelter in Formica.

The danger isn't in the Formica, but rather what the Formica is covering up: particle board. Turns out, particle board is made with formaldehyde, that fun stuff they use to soak brains and FEMA trailer in. While formaldehyde is good for preserving brains of dead people, it isn't such a good thing to breath in if you plan on staying alive.



According to National Geographic, the stuff can cause nausea, allergic reactions and a burning sensation in the eyes, nose and mouth. The EPA considers it a possible carcinogen. The National Cancer Institute has conducted studies linking exposure to increased risk of leukemia and brain cancer.

Formica, and the laminate stuff over your particle board (or press board) desk, chair, table, etc., acts as a partial barrier between you and the nasty stuff, except for all the exposed parts. Anyway, it's probably lurking behind your house walls.

That pretty much leaves us with solid hardwood from tropical forests and plastics, which were designed by Satan.