Multiple Chemical Sensitivities

One of the main reasons I started my organic clothing store was because I learned how the fashion industry was using chemicals & common allergens to stiffen the clothes, strong dyes that were poisonous to our skin & the earth, and fabrics made of chemicals (polyester) or sprayed with chemicals (cotton). Being that I have chemical sensitivities regular 'mall' clothing became something I could not tolerate. I have many customers who also have MCS, who can only wear organic cotton with clay dye, color grown cotton, or dye free - because even the low impact dyes have enough chemical compounds in them to bother people.

I saw this great, sad and very validating video today on MCS - mainly focusing on those brave folks who fought in the Gulf War or experienced 9/11, only to now find they can not go near perfume, smoke, household cleaners, etc without getting extremely ill. Many doctors have tried to blow off MCS as depression or even as some psychosis. As evidence mounts, people start to listen, and researchers unveil the toxicity in many products we've been told were "safe" - the dark cloud of misconception over MCS is being lifted.

Here's a quick list of commonly used toxic products which are disabling to those with MCS:

1. Perfume and Cologne

2. household cleaners (sometimes even the eco ones!)

3. car exhaust

4. scented body care products (like soap and shampoo)

5. smoke (cigs, cigars, trees burning, etc...)

6. new plastic

7. air freshener (spray or plug in)

8. detergent

9. paint (house and art), wood stain, solvents

10. bug spray/pesticides (from a bottle or on food)

These all emit some level of toxicity that effects everyone's health (even if your symptoms aren't as extreme those with MCS) so reduce (second choice) or replace with a healthy version (first choice)!

Eco Peeve Friday: Dumping Paint Down the Drain!

You may wonder if I have seen this enough for it to be an eco peeve, and the sad fact is I have. People dump crazy amounts of toxic substances down drains, rather then take the time to dispose of them properly according to the law. Last winter there were some renovations going on across the street and I saw the man who'd bought the house dumping paint down the city sewer five times in one week! Sick Mister! It turned my stomach, and my one regret now is that I hadn't gotten a picture of it and called the police. (I know I know, what was I thinking?)
The best solution is to stop this madness of using stuff soooo freaken toxic in our homes, cause who the hell really wants bio hazardous waste on their walls?!? Think about it. If it pollutes the water, the soil and everything else- it's polluting your house too.

So in the meantime what can we do with toxic substances we either no longer want, or have finished using? Call your local garbage pick up or dump to ask where the nearest location is that handles toxic materials. There are special landfills designated for these types of toxic materials, that have "liners" in a massive hole to keep it from seeping into ground water & soil. Also check with Earth 911, that has guides to many city's recycling programs and places to dispose of paint. In the future just stop buying this sh*t, there's an alternative out there - non toxic paint is now available at tons of eco stores on the web, and many local big chains carry no VOC too.