People have been whitening fabrics for centuries.  The ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans bleached materials and, as early as 300 B.C. , soda ash was prepared from burned seaweed and used to clean and whiten cloth. [1] Today, bleach is found in nearly every household.  People have been putting it in their laundry, using it to disinfect, and cleaning all sorts of surfaces.

PROTECT YOUR SKIN from harmful chemicals and other dangers.

Our body's largest organ is our skin!  It weighs about 8 pounds and covers approximately 22 square feet!  Skin protects our bodies, helps keep our bodies at the right temperature, and allows us to have a sense of touch.  It is made up of three layers.  The outer protective layer is called the epidermis.  The middle layer, which contains nerves, blood vessels, oil and sweat glands, is called the dermis.  The last layer, which is mostly fat to keep us warm and to provide cushion, is called the subcutaneous layer.

Because our skin has so many functions, it has been called the master organ system.  Here are 10 basic  tips for keeping your skin healthy :

1)    Stop smoking or never start!  Tobacco smoke dries out your skin and constricts blood vessels robbing your skin of essential nutrients.
2)    Drink 8-10 glasses of water per day to keep your skin moist and supple.
3)    Protect your skin from the harmful effects of sun exposure.
4)    Eat a healthy, well balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables.
5)    Clean skin is healthy skin.  Remove make-up before going to bed.
6)    Moisturize!  It helps to restore the oils that our skin has and helps to keep the skin hydrated.
7)    Get adequate sleep for body restoration.
8)    Exercise!  It helps keep the skin elasticity.
9)    Consider taking a daily multivitamin with anti-oxidants.
10)    If you have skin problems such as itching, dryness, suspicious moles or rashes, consult your physician.

According to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, Americans use an average of 10 personal care products each day, resulting in exposure to more than 126 unique chemicals and this does not include the many undisclosed chemicals in “fragrance.”  Toxic exposures from personal care products add to our daily dose of hazardous chemicals from air, water, food and other consumer products.   

Because the skin is extremely permeable, cosmetic ingredients are absorbed through the skin.  Some chemicals may penetrate the skin in significant amounts, especially when left on the skin for long periods, such as in the case of facial makeup.  One study showed that 13% of the cosmetic preservative butylate hydroxytoluene (BHT) and 49% of the carcinogenic pesticide DDT (which is found in some cosmetics containing lanolin) are absorbed through the skin.

Below are some of the dangerous chemicals in cosmetics and other personal care products that can be unsafe to your health and their regular exposure can raise many health concerns :
1)    Antibacterials  - used in many products like soaps, deodorants, toothpastes, etc., are easily absorbed by the skin and are known to be toxic or carcinogenic in nature (an example is triclosan).

2)    Butyl Acetate - a commonly used ingredient in nail strengtheners and nail polishes; continuous use can lead to cracked or dry skin.  Inhalation of vapors can result in dizziness or drowsiness.

3)    Cationic Surfactants - chemicals used in hair conditioners or softeners.  When used on a regular basis, these synthetic chemicals can damage hair and make it dry and brittle.

4)    Diethanolamine (DEA) - toxin used with cocamide DEA and lauramide DEA as an emulsifier and foaming agent in many personal care products like shampoos, shaving creams, moisturizers, skin lotions and baby washes.  It is carcinogenic in nature and acts as a hormone disruptor by depleting choline from the body, a vitamin essential for fetal growth.

5)    1,4-Dioxane - a popular animal carcinogen and a potential human carcinogen that can be found in products (usually shampoos and body washes) having sodium laureth sulfate, chemicals with the terms like ‘PEG’, ‘-xynol’,’ceteareth’, ‘oleth’ and many other ethoxylated 'eth' ingredients.

6)    Formaldehyde - harmful chemical which is commonly used in baby bath soaps, nail polishes, eyelash adhesives and hair dyes.  Its continuous use can result in various health problems like immune-system toxicity, respiratory irritation and even cancer.

7)    Fragrance (phthalates)- known to act as endocrine disruptors and can lead to various health ailments like obesity, skin allergies and discolorations, violent coughing, dizziness, etc.  It is recommended that in place of phthalates one should use essential oil fragrances.

8)    Lead - a neurotoxin usually found as a toxic in hydrated silica, an ingredient in toothpaste or as lead acetate, an ingredient in lipsticks and men hair dyes.  Even at very low concentrations, it is known to cause brain damage and development delays in humans.

9)    Nanoparticles  - especially zinc oxide and titanium dioxide particles, which are normally used in sunscreens lotions and creams, can easily penetrate the skin and destroy the brain cells.

10)    Petroleum Distillates - also termed as petroleum or liquid paraffin, are some potential human carcinogens that are found in many cosmetics like mascaras, foot odor powder, etc.

11)    TEA (Triethanolamine) Laureth Sulfate - a synthetic emulsifier that is highly acidic in nature and is generally associated with nitrosamines which are potential carcinogens.  Also can cause severe skin irritation and is highly corrosive to eyes.

12)    Talc - another toxic chemical used in cosmetics like eye shadow, blush, deodorant, soap, etc. for its moisture absorbing properties and ability to provide a hint of sparkle.  It serves as a human carcinogen and is also known to cause ovarian cancer and lung tumors.

If you want to find more information about an ingredient in a cosmetic or personal care product, and its potential hazards, check the databases listed below:
http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/
http://www.mionegroup.com/en/toxic

Using high quality organic skin care products is definitely better for your health and the environment!  True natural skin care products are made with organic ingredients, without mineral oils, parabens, synthetic preservatives, artificial colors and fragrances, or harmful substances.   Organic products aim to exclude or minimize any ingredients that could be considered potentially harmful to people, animals, waterways, or the environment.  

NORWEX is committed to radically reducing the use of chemicals in its personal care and cleaning products to promote good health and reduce the risk of poisoning and disease!!  Its skin care products contain organic ingredients....NOT synthetic ones!  No toxins or dangerous chemicals such as those listed above!  Norwex  personal care products are ECOCERT® certified organic.  ECOCERT® is considered to be the most important organization in Europe in setting the criteria for natural and organic cosmetics!  In addition, the Swiss plant extracts used in our products are also certified organic by Bio Suisse.  Bio Suisse requirements are far stricter than even those of the European Union!

Because regular cleansing is so important in keeping our skin healthy, choose to use NORWEX organic personal care products for that purpose!!  When cleansing is done properly, it serves to remove dirt and grime, removes excess oil on the surface and from the skin pores, and aids the cell renewal process.  It's also generally a good idea to cleanse your face twice a day, usually in the morning and before going to bed at night.  When washing/cleansing the face and your body, there are some key steps to follow :

• Cleanse well.
• Use organic NORWEX Bath & Shower Gel with the NORWEX Body Glove
• On your face, NORWEX Antibac Body Pack and Makeup Removal Cloths do not require soap for use (regular washcloths become stinky & filled with bacteria)
• Exfoliate to remove the dead skin cells - makes penetration easier for facial products like serums.
• Use the NORWEX Loofah to exfoliate skin
• Apply NORWEX Face Lifting Serum as desired
• With a clean towel, gently pat your skin - don't over dry, try to keep your face a little moist.
• Use NORWEX antibac bath towels for drying - super absorbent
• Apply a moisturizer onto your clean, moist skin.  Massage product into your face by gently tapping (not pulling or tugging) with your fingers until it is absorbed.
• NORWEX Day Cream, Night Cream, Face and Neck Gel, and Shea Butter are great moisturizers

Remember to use NORWEX Organic Shampoo and Conditioner for your hair!!  Proper hair care will lead to healthier and better looking hair.  Bad hair care tactics, or not taking care of your hair, can lead to breakage, fly aways, frizzies, split ends, dull hair, and early hair loss.  A hair conditioner will moisturize your hair, give it extra protection, add shine, reduce static, and makes it easier to untangle.  

Also be kind to your feet!!  Years of wear and tear can be hard on them.  Keep your feet clean and dry.  Be sure to dry the area between your toes.  Corns and calluses are caused by pressure when the bony parts of your feet rub against your shoes.  While bathing, gently rub the corn or callus with a pumice stone to help reduce the size.   NORWEX Foot Stone is made of 100% pure natural pumice and is a safe and gentle way to remove corns and calluses!  Use NORWEX Fresh Foot Care to moisturize the skin on your feet and to keep them feeling refreshed.  Consult a podiatrist if you have any health concerns about your feet.

1.  http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/health-and-human-body/human-body/skin-article.html
2.  http://www.drdonnica.com/toptips/00007647.htm
3.  http://www.foe.org/toxic-chemicals-cosmetics-new-legislation-prevent-exposure
4.  http://www.preventcancer.com/consumers/cosmetics/cosmetics_personal_care.htm
5.  http://www.buzzle.com/articles/chemicals-in-cosmetics.html
6.  http://health.yahoo.net/experts/skintype/organic-better-your-skin-and-more
7.  http://www.skincare.net/Exfoliation.php
8.  http://www.haircareguide.com/
9.  http://www.nia.nih.gov/HealthInformation/Publications/footcare.htm

SAFE FRESH WATER - A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT!!

“Access to safe water is a fundamental human need and, therefore, a basic human right. Contaminated water jeopardizes both the physical and social health of all people. It is an affront to human dignity.”
Kofi Annan, United Nations Secretary-General

Over 70% of our earth's surface is covered by water.  Although water seems to be abundant, 97.5% of all water on earth is salt water.  Less than 3% is fresh water! 

Nearly 70% of that fresh water is frozen in the icecaps of Antarctica and Greenland.   Less than 1% of the world's fresh water is accessible for direct human use! This is the water found in lakes, rivers, reservoirs and those underground sources that are shallow enough to be tapped at an affordable cost.  It is this amount only that is renewed by rain and snowfall and is available on a sustainable basis.

Today there are many problems that are associated with the world’s fresh water supply.  The supply is steadily decreasing! Water demand already exceeds supply in many parts of the world.   As the world population continues to rise, so does the water demand.  The current estimate by the United States Census Bureau puts the world population at 6,830,200,000 and will reach seven billion by July 2012.   The accompanying increases in usage of resources are linked to threats to the ecosystem, such as rising levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide, global warming, and pollution.  

Another issue that impacts the world’s fresh water supply is its fitness to drink.  Water pollution has degraded the fitness in many water sources! Some sources of water pollution come from raw sewage disposal in water systems, trash dumping, excessive sediments from soil erosion, chemical waste being dumped into drains and water systems, and petroleum pollution from people pouring used oil down storm drains.  In addition, chemicals and other raw wastes are dumped worldwide by industries and even by governments into the oceans.  Most coastal waters are now polluted. Beaches around the world are closed regularly, often because of high amounts of bacteria from sewage disposal, and marine wildlife is beginning to suffer.   Then too there are catastrophic disasters such as the BP oil rig explosion causing millions of gallons of crude oil to pollute the Gulf of Mexico and the shorelines.

The health and economic impacts of today’s global water crisis and lack of sanitation are staggering.  According to the World Health Organization, 1.1 billion people worldwide lack access to clean water —that’s approximately one in six people on earth! Some statistics include :         

1)    Every 15 seconds, a child dies from water-related diseases.
2)    Every day 4,500 children die from water-related diseases.   
3)    1.8 million children die each year from diarrhea, generally from drinking contaminated water.
4)    Water-related diseases are the leading cause of death for children under age 5.
5)    Children in poor environments often carry 1,000 parasitic worms in their bodies at any time.
6)    Children – and particularly girls – are denied their right to education because their schools lack private and decent sanitation facilities.  
7)    Half of all the world’s hospital beds are occupied by patients suffering from a water-related disease. 8)    Close to half of all people in developing countries are suffering from health problems caused by water and sanitation deficits.
9)    Contaminated water and lack of sanitation claims more lives through disease than any war claims through guns.
10)    2.5 billion people lack access to improved sanitation, including 1.2 billion people who have no facilities at all.
11)    It is estimated that improved sanitation facilities could reduce diarrhea-related deaths in young children by more than one-third.  If hygiene promotion is added, such as teaching proper hand washing, deaths could be reduced by two thirds.
12)    Each person needs 4 to 5 gallons of water per day to survive.     
13)    Millions of women and children spend several hours a day collecting water from distant, often polluted sources.     
14)    Two thirds of all families lacking access to clean water live on less $2 a day.    
15)    Every $1 spent on water and sanitation creates a savings of $8 in other costs and increased productivity.  
16)    No other service has greater impact upon families and nations than providing safe drinking water and the proper disposal of human waste.

Just because we live in the United States, we are not immune to the water crisis.  Scientists estimate 7 million Americans are sickened by contaminated tap water every year, and nearly 40% of our rivers fail to meet current clean water standards!  We should not take our water for granted, yet too many of us do.  Some alarming statistics regarding U.S. water scarcity and water quality include :

1)    Water managers in 36 states expect water shortages by 2013, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office.
2)    One-third of all U.S. water withdrawals are for export.
3)    California has a 20-year supply of freshwater left.
4)    New Mexico has only a ten-year supply of freshwater left.
5)    Florida‚ rapid use of groundwater has created thousands of sinkholes that devour anything , houses, cars and shopping malls , unfortunate enough to be built on top of them.
6)    The U.S. interior west is probably the driest it has been in 500 years, according to the National Academy of Sciences and the U.S. Geological Survey.
7)    In 2007, Lake Superior, the world‚ largest freshwater lake, dropped to its lowest levels in 80 years and the water has receded more than 15 meters from the shoreline.
8)    Lake Mead, the vast reservoir of the Colorado River, has a 50 percent chance of running dry by 2021.
9)    40 percent of U.S. rivers and streams are too dangerous for fishing, swimming or drinking.
10)    46 percent of U.S. lakes are too dangerous for fishing, swimming or drinking because of massive toxic runoff from industrial farms, intensive livestock operations and the more than 1 billion pounds of industrial weed killer used through the country each year.
11)    Two-thirds of U.S. estuaries and bays are moderately or severely degraded.
12)    One quarter of U.S. beaches are under advisories or closed due to water pollution.
13)    1.5 million metric tons of nitrogen pollution are carried by the Mississippi River into the Gulf of Mexico every year.

One of the biggest reasons for developing a worldwide effort to monitor and restrict global pollution is the fact that most forms of pollution do not respect national boundaries!  In September 2000, world leaders came together at United Nations Headquarters in New York to adopt the United Nations Millennium Declaration, committing their nations to a new global partnership to reduce extreme poverty and setting out a  series of time-bound targets - with a deadline of 2015 - that have become known as the Millennium Development Goals.

One of the Millennium Development Goals that all 192 United Nations member states and at least 23 international organizations have agreed to achieve by the year 2015 is to ensure environmental sustainability.  Its goal is to halve, by  2015, the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation!    Solving water quality problems requires strategies to prevent, treat, and remediate or reverse water pollution.  These strategies will require awareness building, increased monitoring, and better governance and regulation worldwide.  International water quality guidelines can also help to assist countries in developing enforceable water quality standards.  Countries and organizations around the world will achieve more by working together to obtain these results.

Due to increased public interest in protecting America’s waters from pollution, the U.S. Congress enacted the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, popularly known as the Clean Water Act (CWA), in 1972!  It was amended in 1977 and it became commonly known as the Clean Water Act.  The Act established a basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States.  Over the years, many other laws have changed parts of the Clean Water Act to strengthen water quality standards and establish better enforcement laws.

Although the facts about water pollution are grim, there are things that people around the world can do to improve the situation.  It is ultimately up to all of us to be informed, responsible and involved when it comes to the problems we face with our water! 

Here are a few ways in which we can help combat water pollution: -

• Conserve & protect clean water.
• Support federal and worldwide programs to extend clean water access.
• Conserve soil to prevent erosion.
• Properly dispose of household and industrial chemicals and waste products.
• Keep machinery in good working order - clean up the residue and dispose of the used oils properly.
• Clean-up beaches and waterways.
• Pick up litter wherever it's found.
• Avoid plastics when possible - plastic bags in oceans is a well documented water pollutant.
• Use natural household cleaning agents and products.
• Make an effort to keep lakes, streams, rivers, and other bodies of water clean.
• Use sand or cat litter to melt ice in the winter instead of salt.
• In our yards, we must determine whether additional nutrients are needed before fertilizers are applied, and look for alternatives where fertilizers might run off into surface waters.
• Preserve existing trees and plant new trees and shrubs to help prevent soil erosion and promote infiltration of water into the soil.
• Around our houses, keep litter, pet waste, leaves, and grass clippings out of gutters and storm drains.
• Consider taking shorter showers.
• Invest in a low-flow toilet or put a plastic bottle filled with water in your toilet tank to reduce the amount of water used per flush.
• Turn off the tap while brushing teeth or shaving.
• Run dishwashers or laundry machines only when full.
• Use water left over from cooking for houseplants.
• Choose landscaping plants with low water requirements.  Consider reducing your lawn size and replacing turf grass with native plants, shrubs, and trees that generally grow well without a lot of excess watering.
• Eat foods that require less water to produce.  The amount of water used to produce animal products and processed foods like soda and chips far exceeds the amount used for growing vegetables and grains.
• When grocery shopping, try to buy more whole foods like vegetables that are in season, and a variety of grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds.
• Patronize businesses with sound water conservation practices.
• Carry a refillable water container rather than buying bottled water.  Production, transportation, and disposal of bottled water consume large quantities of water (and energy).

A compelling reason to green your cleaning is that many of the synthetic and toxic chemicals found in common household cleaning products contain ingredients that are potentially hazardous to us, our children, the environment, and our fresh water! 

To help keep our fresh water safe and reduce our carbon footprint, I highly recommend that you use Norwex Enviro Products for your cleaning needs!! They provide safe alternatives to the toxic and harmful commercial products that are on the market today.  Our products are environmentally friendly, reduce our exposure to toxic fumes, and remove 99.9% of bacteria from surfaces. The organic personal care products are made with certified organic ingredients!  In addition, Norwex Enviro Products help save money and time PLUS come with a 100% satisfaction guarantee! 

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or want more information about these wonderful products or further suggestions on how to use them!
The NORWEX mission is to improve quality of life by radically reducing the use of chemicals in personal care and cleaning!!

http://www.globalchange.umich.edu/globalchange2/current/lectures/freshwater_supply/freshwater.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_population
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/13514/the_threats_to_the_worlds_fresh_water_pg2.html?cat=50
http://www.cleanwaterfortheworld.org/faq
http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/water/interesting-water-facts/
http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/bkgd.shtml
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millennium_Development_Goals
http://www.eoearth.org/article/Clean_Water_Act,_United_States
http://greenliving.lovetoknow.com/Water_Pollution_Solutions
http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/water/interesting-water-facts/

Clean your oven without chemicals...use the NORWEX Oven Cleaner

by Candi Bezte,
Norwex Science & Technical Advisor

Standard oven cleaners contain lye and petroleum distillates and come in aerosol containers. None of this is good for your health…and certainly not good for the environment. Standard oven cleaners carry a health rating of 3, which means they cause serious health effects and they are known to cause burns to skin, eyes, mouth, throat, and even stomach - on contact! Overspray has also resulted in permanent damage to flooring and countertops.

Norwex Oven and Grill Cleaner carries a health rating of 1, comes in a pump (which sprays very effectively, resulting in less use of product), and is also much friendlier from an environmental standpoint due to its ingredients and packaging.

The primary active ingredients are enzymes and bacteria which do an amazing job of naturally breaking down baked-on fats, oils, greases, proteins, and carbohydrates. Simply heat the oven to 100 F, apply, wait for 5 minutes, and wipe with an Envirocloth. Really tough spots may require a second treatment and/or scrubbing with a Spirisponge. Use of gloves is recommended…as this cleaner is amazingly eff ective, and prolonged contact could result in some skin irritation.

See our Before & After Book for some real-life examples of the Norwex Oven and Grill Cleaner in Action!

One testimony that Head Office has received for this product:

"I have had absolutely amazing results with the Norwex Oven & Grill Cleaner! Within 10 minutes, from start to finish, my oven was spotless WITHOUT the mess and fumes. My oven and racks look like new – I have never had it so clean! This was a whole new experience with a very positive outcome!"