Over decades we have become increasingly far-removed from the production of our food and products for everyday life. While it is certainly convenient, all things come at a cost. Do you really know what you use by taking a shower using your favorite body wash or feed your family members by ordering your favorite pizza? To find out, it certainly takes time. It always takes time and energy to do your own research. In this new section of My Indigo Sun magazine, we will save you some of that time and do the research for you in regard to common ingredients used in our daily-life products. Today’s ingredient is benzene.
Benzene is a chemical that’s colorless or light yellow at room temperature, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It has a sweet smell and is highly flammable.
World Health Organization classifies benzene as a Group 1 carcinogen, which means that there is strong evidence linking it to DNA damage and other changes that cause cancer in humans.
Benzene keeps your cells from working correctly, the CDC explains. It can keep bone marrow from producing enough red blood cells, causing anemia. It can also damage your immune system by changing the levels of antibodies in blood, leading to a loss of white blood cells.
Unfortunately, benzene keeps being widely used in the US and can be found in plastics, resins, and nylon and synthetic fibers. It’s also used to make some types of lubricants, rubbers, dyes, detergents, hair-care products, deodorants, drugs, and pesticides.
It’s not entirely clear how benzene ended up in deodorant sprays, sunscreen products, and shampoos. It is a really good idea to read the labels of the products you use and stop using those that contain benzene.
Have a look at this article called “Carcinogenic Chemical Benzene Found in Hundreds of US Personal Care Products” and see if your favorite brand you use for personal care contain benzene.
MIS Team
