Synthetic Ingredients : The debate over synthetics

Many consumer products, especially detergents, soaps, cosmetics and other cleansers and personal care products contain synthetic ingredients which are derived from petrochemicals or oleochemicals. It is important to consider these ingredients when looking at how our product choices can have a negative health and environmental impact.

Synthetics are prevalent in nearly every aspect of modern life and there are more than 80 000 chemicals in use today. And although we come into contact with these chemicals on a daily basis through food additives, household and personal care products, plastic packaging, bottles, electronics and a wide variety of other elements there is limited research into the short and long term health and environmental effects of nearly 90% of these chemical synthetic compounds.

To avoid synthetics and synthetic ingredients entirely would be a very difficult task indeed. And there is a great deal of debate on both sides of the argument as to the safety of synthetic ingredients.

In saying this, the fact remains, there is doubt surrounding the safe use of these chemicals and this can be concerning, especially when we consider their prevalence in our lives.

One thing we can do relatively easily is lower our dependency on these polluting and environmentally unsound industries and avoid exposure to potential toxins by choosing products that contain alternative ingredients.

It is up to the individual to assess the possible risks of synthetic ingredients and make a decision based on our own lifestyle and concern over potentially harmful health and environmental effects.

Consider the manufacturing process involved in the production of synthetic chemicals.

And that many of the compounds produced or released from the manufacturing process are toxic, non-biodegradable and carcinogenic. Only a small percent of the entire petroleum industry is dedicated to the production of synthetic chemicals, but we can choose alternatives.

Oleochemicals are manufactured from either animal fats or plant oils. Now while these may seem a more natural alternative, they are in fact still synthetic and analogous to petrochemicals. Meaning they are man-made chemicals, with an almost identical molecular makeup as their petrochemical equivalent and may pose the same health and/or environmental concerns. And as the raw ingredients for these chemicals are sourced from plant and animal materials, it is worth considering their negative environmental and social impact through deforestation and agriculture.

There is concern about what other effects petrochemicals and oleochemicals may have on our environment. When you consider the amount washed down drains daily through their use in shampoo, soap, cleanser, washing detergents, household cleaners and more, it is a staggering amount of potentially harmful chemicals ending up in our waterways.

Consider also that many products containing ingredients derived from petrochemical or oleochemical synthetics are commonly tested on animals. By avoiding products containing these ingredients you are not contributing to this inhumane practice.

Despite research into the potential toxic and carcinogenic (cancer causing) properties of many synthetic ingredients, these products are still available without specific warnings or information to dispute these claims. It is concerning that so little is known about the actually long term effects of exposure to these chemicals.

Petrochemicals and oleochemicals can be found in consumer products as artificial dyes, fragrances, solvents, in beauty products, hair products, perfumes and detergents.

Decide on what is important to you. Our contact with these synthetics can be reduced or avoided and although they may be a cheap alternative to the producer, they are a potentially expensive choice for your health and the environment.

The following is a list of common synthetic ingredients found in many consumer products. Keep an eye out for these listed in the products you choose.

ammonium lauryl sulphate
sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate
bentonite
cococarboxamid MEA-4-carboxylate
cocamide DEA or MEA
PEG-100 (polyethylene glycol) stearate
PEG-150 (polyethylene glycol) distearate
TEA (triethanolamine) lauryl sulfate
diethanolamine (DEA)
disodium laureth sulfosuccinate
glyceryl cocoate
acetone
benzene
butylene glycol
ethyl butyl acetate
propylene glycol
cocamide DEA, MEA
ethyl acetate
PEG-100 stearate
PEG-25 hydrogenated castor oil
triethanolamine (TEA)

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"I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. And because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something that I can do." ~Hellen Keller