Prior to Module #3's lecture, I guess I was not fully aware of the toxic chemicals that I use on a daily basis, because using products, such as body wash, shampoo, and conditioner, have become so routine. After using the Skin Deep database to find information about the toxicity level of my personal care products, these are the results:
I was actually really surprised by the results for this Trader Joe's sunscreen. As an athlete that exercises outdoors, I douse myself with this product while thinking that I am protecting my skin from sun exposure and UV rays.
Dove is a brand that loves to target the female population and empower the female body; therefore, I was very interested to see the rating for the deodorant I have been using for years. Surprisingly, the score is on the lower side.
After my discoveries, I started looking into other personal care products without all the unnecessary chemicals through the MADE SAFE website. Considering that I have sensitive skin, I have always been a bit more careful about my skin care products.
I believe that everyone has the right, as consumers, to know about the risks of the products they purchase. Everyone might not be aware of the risks, because they are not educated about the hazards of the products. They might lack the literacy skills to read the ingredients/chemicals listed or maybe corporations do a great job of selling the product so well that consumers overlook the risks.
I would like to integrate this new knowledge about toxic chemicals in our everyday lives and apply it to my clinical practice by being more aware of the personal care products that my patients use. Perhaps a patient has a respiratory issue and it could be due to the allergens or other ingredients in the products that they use everyday. Furthermore, I would like to educate my patients on the matter to promote safer choices. The elements of a policy that would better protect us from toxic chemical exposures from our everyday products would ultimately be discontinuing production of products with chemicals. That is easier said than done as we are surrounded by toxins everywhere. A more logical approach would be discernible labeling of toxic chemicals on products to bring more awareness to the public. I suspect that corporations have an issue with the latter approach, because this is likely to decrease product sales.
With the potential health effects related with fragrances in our personal care products, I would develop and implement a fragrance-free policy in a hospital or other institutional setting by collaborating with managers, CNOs, clinical nurse leaders/educators to inform staff, patients, and visitors about the health risks. Additionally, it is important to make sure the institution supplies non-fragrant personal care products. Based on my past experiences with patients sensitive to fragrances, I would post a "No Fragrance/Scents" sign outside the patients' rooms. If a colleague of mine have some fragrance to their personal care products, I would communicate the matter with them as it is in my best interest to provide a safe environment for everyone.
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ReplyDeleteHi Candy,
ReplyDeleteI love your approach to integrating information about toxic chemicals into your everyday practice. I think patients are not always aware of the harm certain products can have, especially when those products seem so innocuous, like sunscreen. The primary concern I believe consumers have when it comes to sunscreen is the SPF and possibly secondary is the chemical make-up of the lotion. Packaging of products is also misleading. A product can claim to be natural but if you look at the ingredient list it is anything but natural or perhaps has one or two natural items listed.
When patients present with a respiratory issue I do not believe that an allergen is the first thought that occurs to people. I remember three winters ago I thought I had a cold/cough that would not go away. When I went to the doctor she announced that I had allergies and prescribed Singular. I thought she was crazy but the Singular did the trick. The area we live in, and moved to a little over three years ago, is rural farm land which often causes allergies.
Great Post!
Cinnamon