 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
less toxic cleaning products after my mother was diagnosed with chemical
sensitivity. We became concerned about the safety of the products that are so
highly advertised when she became ill and we were forced to stop using all of the
cleaning and personal hygiene products that contained fragrance. Her reactions
were so diverse it took three years to determine what was causing her illness.
When my mother is exposed to fragrances whether it is perfume, synthetic
fragrances, petroleum products or others, she has neurological problems such as
neurocognitive dysfunction (inability to think, focus, remember) and neuromotor
dysfunction (difficulty writing, walking).
Her symptoms include nausea, extreme fatigue, sore throat, dizziness, heart
palpitations, increased respirations, a metallic taste in her mouth, and flu symptoms.
A few of the products that will cause these symptoms are inks on newspapers and
magazines, petroleum products, car exhausts, computer out gassing, perfumes,
smoke, fragranced laundry and dishwashing detergents and any other product that
has fragrance including most body care products.
These reactions may be immediate or delayed for a day or so. The only relief from
these symptoms is avoidance. My mother was forced to end her 23 year teaching
career because she could not complete a full day amid the chemical cleaning
products, the dry erase markers, out gassing from the machines, ink from copy
machines, and fragrances on the students’ clothes and body. This "chemical soup"
so overburdened her body that by Thursday or Friday of each week she was
exhibiting flu-like symptoms such as body aches, chills, and headaches. She would
then have to spend her entire weekend recovering from the previous week so she
could return to work on Monday.
In the last two years, we have done much research on the illness and the things that
cause her so much discomfort. Initially we stopped using all fragranced products
but have since decided to use products without fragrance and synthetic chemicals.
Information that we have found has made us very concerned for all infant children
and the burdens that we may be placing on their small bodies.
We are also concerned for others out there who may be suffering silently as she did
for many years, not knowing that many of their problems may be linked to chemical
encounters.
We realize that it is difficult if not impossible to avoid all chemicals in today's 'throw
away, no scrubbing' society. But, if we can at least keep our own homes and
personal spaces free of the pollutants that may compromise our own health and the
health of our little ones, then we can win the battle over time. And if we can educate
just a small percentage of people to the dangers of all laboratory brewed toxins and
the safer alternatives, maybe that small percentage will grow to include the masses.
We were forced to change our products and found it difficult to obtain the safer
alternatives in normal shopping centers. We hope by providing these non-toxic
alternatives at our website, we can provide a service for those like my mother who
are unable to shop and for others who want to prevent later health problems and by
doing so we can be a small part in ensuring the health of our future.
Jenny Webster, Owner
Note: If you want to share comments, stories or information about your illness or
conditions, please feel free to email my mother at kaycopple@refreshinglyfree.com.
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
