Going Green or Going Cancer?
I think it’s pretty much a fact that at this point just about anything could cause cancer. The gum you’re chewing, the cell phone you are using, the cleaning products you use…but who would have thought that all natural and organic soaps would test positive for a cancer-causing chemical? Among these cancer makers are a few well known brands, two of which currently sit on my bathroom sink and which are going to be making a quick exit via the garbage can, or should I say recycling bin? Kiss My Face, Alba, Seventh Generation and Nature’s Gates are all on the cancer-causing list. If you are prepared to orchestrate a mass exodus of all of your soaps, face washes and shampoos, keep in mind a few replacements. Burt’s Bees, Desert Essence and EO did not contain the 1,4 dioxane, which is found to be the nasty cancer-producing chemical.
So just a word of warning from one hypochondriac to many others: next time you are lathering up before bedtime, remember that you could be lathering up with cancer! Do I sound like FOX News yet? I’m trying out the fear mongering. Cheers to Friday and let’s all stay cancer-free!
Hi Alexa,
Seventh Generation is very concerned about ingredient disclosure and transparency, and we applaud the Organic Consumer Association’s (OCA) recent research efforts to educate consumers about the safety of personal care and home cleaning products. It is important for consumers to know that Seventh Generation’s dish liquid, which does contain a minute amount of the ethoxylate 1,4-dioxane, is deemed safe according to the FDA’s and our own strict guidelines.
We are committed to eliminating all harmful chemicals from household cleaning products. Consistent with our core mission, we have worked with surfactant manufacturers for many years to reduce levels of 1,4-dixoane in ethoxylated surfactants and it is our intent to completely eliminate 1,4-dioxane from all of our products.
We share the OCA’s concerns about the misuse of terms such as “organic” and “natural” and the lack of disclosure requirements. We have championed this cause and have led the market for twenty years. We also believe that the decision to stop using conventional synthetic chemical cleaners is one of the most important ones you’ll ever make for the health of your family and the safety of your home. While our products are not perfect today, we will continue to improve them and are confident that they are a much better and safer choice than traditional cleaning products.
For more information about Seventh Generation’s commitment to consumers, please visit our 7th Gen blog!.
Again, thank you for keeping your audience informed.
Chrystie Heimert, Seventh Generation