Its’ Earth Day- and what I have just learned about dryer sheets has shocked me- did you know that they may be causing you harm?

Do you put your clothes in the dryer? Like using those scented dryer sheets, or other fabric softeners? Guess what, you are filling your body with chemicals.

Those perfume-laden and even fragrance-free dryer sheets are full of toxic chemicals. Chemicals that infiltrate the clothes we wear, which in turn get absorbed through our skin into our bodies. According to neurologists, environmental doctors and other experts in this area, these chemicals have been linked to cancer, neurological illnesses and other auto immune diseases.

Why are you just hearing about this now you might ask, and why is there no big red X, or skull and cross bones on your box of dryer sheets? That is because, there are no laws in place, which require the manufacturers of these products to list all the chemicals used. These softeners that make our clothes static-free and fresh smelling are toxic chemicals which build up in our body and over time can wreak havoc on our nervous system.

When I was researching for this article, I came across this quote regarding fragrances in dryer sheets and wanted to share it with you.

“When people use dryer sheets, they are coating their clothes with a thin film of artificial chemical perfumes. Just like other perfumes, a person’s sensitivity to these perfumes decreases over time to the point where they don’t even notice how potent these artificial fragrance chemicals are. None of this would be interesting if it weren’t for the fact that these fragrance chemicals are extremely toxic. They are known carcinogens. They cause liver damage and cancer in mammals.” Mike Adams

According to Michelle Schoffro Cook, author of The Brain Wash, here are the seven most common chemicals found in dryer sheets and their effect on the central nervous system:

1. Alpha-Terpineol causes central nervous system disorders. Can also cause loss of muscular coordination, central nervous system depression, and headache. It is also highly flammable. (http://datasheets.scbt.com/sc-291877.pdf)

2. Benzyl Alcohol causes central nervous system disorders, headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, central nervous system depression, and, in severe cases, death (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11766131)

3. Camphor on the US EPA’s Hazardous Waste list. Central nervous system stimulant, causes dizziness, confusion, nausea, twitching muscles, and convulsions.

(http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-709-CAMPHOR.aspx?activeIngredientId=709&activeIngredientName=CAMPHOR)

4. Chloroform on the EPA’s Hazardous Waste list. Neurotoxic and carcinogenic.

5. Ethyl Acetate on the EPA’s Hazardous Waste list. May cause headaches and narcosis (stupor). (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/81-123/pdfs/0260.pdf)

6. Linalool causes central nervous system disorders. Narcotic. In studies of animals, it caused ataxic gait (loss of muscular coordination), reduced spontaneous motor activity, and depression. (http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/703568/LINALOOL/)

7. Pentane causes headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, and loss of consciousness. Repeated inhalation of vapours causes central nervous system depression. (http://nj.gov/health/eoh/rtkweb/documents/fs/1476.pdf)

I had to give up dryer sheets many moons ago due to my chemical sensitivities. I now use a balled up piece of aluminum foil to reduce static and some natural dryer sheets that I purchased at my local health food store.

In the summer months I dry my clothes outside to get the real, outdoor fresh scent on my sheets and towels. In winter months, I tend to hang most of my delicate laundry to dry, except towels and sheets which I put in the dryer. I don’t miss using dryer sheets at all and I save quite a bit of money not purchasing them.

Do you use dyer sheets? Will this new knowledge cause you not to buy them anymore? Comment below.