Ever given serious thought to some products you use or consume? Another feature in the social change series by ETEOBONG ITA

In Germany, I visited my local supermarket to purchase a number of items. One would imagine flour is flour, and rice is rice, but it is not so. Having spent quite a number of minutes reading labels on the items of interest, I became utterly confused. Indeed, you need a PhD to comprehend what items such as cereals, milk, cooking oil, washing detergents, bathing soaps, shampoos and body lotions actually contain. From the fruits and vegetables, to the meats, poultry, seafood, and drinking water, unsuspecting consumers are being sent down a slippery slope. Seemingly, consumers are being stripped of the power or knowledge to ascertain the actual contents of what they consume or ingest.

Turning to shampoos, long-term use can be devastating. Some shampoo ingredients contain sulphates, which increase skin sensitivity and strip hair of natural oils, causing dryness. While Parabens increase the risk of skin cancer, Phthalates pose a threat to the environment and cause hormonal imbalances. Formaldehyde is carcinogenic, and easily absorbed by the skin. Retinyl palmitate causes itching, scaling, and peeling. Toluene can disrupt the immune system and cause congenital problems. In fact the list of ingredients is so long, some are tongue twisters, making it difficult to understand what they really do.

Many people apply deodorants to mask body odour. So, what is it? Generally, a deodorant is a substance that can be applied to the underarms, to mask body odour resulting from bacterial breakdown of perspiration. An antiperspirant can also be applied to the underarms to prevent or reduce perspiration. Clearly, both perform different functions.

Perspiration or sweating is the production of fluids secreted by the sweat glands in the skin of mammals. Serving as the body’s coolant and protecting it from overheating, sweat is essential to human survival. Actually, sweat does not contain toxins, therefore one does not 'sweat out' toxins. Rather, sweat is made up of 99 percent water, small amounts of carbs, salt, protein, and urea. The kidneys and liver are organs responsible for detoxing your body.

In 2014, the Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung (BfR) – German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment – assessed health risks posed by antiperspirants containing aluminium. Given that the available data proved inconsistent, the Institute advised that further research be conducted. Later, two clinical studies were published. The conclusion was that the safety of aluminium in antiperspirants be reassessed.

Aluminium salts are key active substances in antiperspirants. By temporarily blocking sweat pores, they prevent underarm perspiration. Given their antibacterial effect, bacteria that break down sweat cannot propagate. It is this inhibiting factor that reduces body odour. Aluminium chlorohydrate (ACH) is a group of water-soluble, specific aluminium salts used in cosmetics as an antiperspirant, and a coagulant in water purification. As a nephrotoxin, aluminium impairs renal function by promoting the formation of kidney stones. Apart from its toxic effect to the bone and the testes, aluminium is equally capable of causing cognitive impairment.

Beeswax has wide-ranging uses; as a lubricant, waterproofing agent, polish for wood and leather, for making candles and as an ingredient in cosmetics. So, I purchased what I believed to be pure beeswax to condition a pair of leather boots. What I received was something other than pure. The product label reads, “WITH 100% PURE AUSTRALIAN BEESWAX”, which was misleading. Particularly so because at first glance, a potential buyer thinks the product is made of 100% beeswax.

In actual sense, the product contains a list of ingredients including Petrolatum and Hydroxy-citronellal. Studies suggest that exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) – including skin contact over extended periods of time – has been associated with cancer. Consequently, the European Union (EU) classifies Petrolatum a carcinogen and restricts its use in cosmetics. Hydroxy-citronellal is a thoroughly evaluated and commonly used fragrance ingredient. It was identified by EU scientific bodies as a potential skin sensitiser, with the potential to cause red, bumpy or itchy skin reactions. A stitch in time saves nine.

In the 1970s, Nestlé was accused of getting mothers from developing countries hooked on formula, which was less healthy and more expensive than breast milk. While research showed breastfeeding is healthier, new mothers were receiving information promoting formula. Some hospitals were also accused of urging mothers to use formula. To save money, some women began diluting the formula, which led to malnutrition and the death of many babies.

Breastfeeding can help to protect babies against some illnesses and diseases. Breastfed babies have a lower risk of asthma, obesity, type 1 diabetes, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). They are also less likely to develop ear infections, diarrhoea, or pneumonia. According to a recent Global Market Insights (GMI) report, the global infant formula market size is projected to reach USD 85.3 billion by the year 2030.

•Ita is an Environment Consultant and Independent Journalist based in Germany.

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