Many daycares and schools have air fresheners and cleaning products that are known to be harmful to children, the environment, and even carcinogenic. You can smell them as soon as you walk in. That strong chemical scent masked with fake florals. An unforgettably strong scent that goes right through your nose and into your throat. Sure, most prefer such a smell to the inevitable aroma of a full diaper pail. And many even believe that such a heavy chemical laden and fake floral scent indicates that the school is somehow a "clean & healthy" environment. However, the opposite is most likely true.
Conventional air fresheners and chemical based cleaning products are harmful to delicate respiratory systems, dangerous to wildlife, and usually don't even clean as well as we believe. Most are filled with toxic ingredients such as Phthalates. According to the National Resources Defense Council, “Phthalates: Health Hazards in Many Forms Phthalates are used in many common consumer products—to soften plastics in children’s toys, as sealants and adhesives in nail polish, and in perfumes and air fresheners. When people use air fresheners, the phthalates are released into the air where they may be inhaled or may land on the skin and be absorbed. Once these chemicals enter the bloodstream, they can alter hormone levels and cause other health problems.”
Most cleaning products leave a chemically rich film on surfaces which children are then exposed to. Not exactly what we would want our children to be eating off of...a chemical rich film on the lunch table or high chair tray, right? Furthermore, it's been recently discovered that the use of chemically based anti-bacterial products do more harm than good in protecting us from bacteria and viruses in the long run. Such products strip us of our natural immunity and bacteria and viruses often become resistant to them evolving into much stronger organisms that attack worse each time. Triclosan, which is almost always used in antibacterial soaps and products is classified as a pesticide and probable carcinogen by the EPA. In fact, the EPA gives Triclosan
high scores both as a human health risk and as an environmental risk. It is a synthetic antibacterial ingredient that contributes to the creation of resistant forms of bacteria like
MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus).
Parabens are also used in most conventional cleaning products. They are used as a preservative and not always labeled. It is a cheap way for companies to make their
products last longer without collecting bacteria. A study done by the Journal of Applied Toxicology detected high amounts of parabens in breast cancer cell growth. Parabens are able to bind to estrogen receptors, where they encourage breast cancer cell growth. Parabens mimic natural estrogen that leads to cancer. This culprit may contribute to sterility in males, hormone imbalance in females, and early puberty. Another known culprit is Propylene Glycol. It prevents deodorant from drying out. It is the main ingredient in antifreeze. The EPA considers Propylene Glycol so toxic that they require gloves and goggles when disposing of and burying it. Yet it is in most all household cleaning and personal care products today.
In their 2004 study, Nazaroff and Weschler concluded that “Cleaning generates benefits by improving aesthetics and hygiene, and by preserving objects. Cleaning also generates risks, including the inhalation of volatile constituents of cleaning products or of secondary products formed by reactive chemistry.”
That is why so many families find comfort in knowing that at Nature's Nest, everything we use to maintain a clean and pleasant smelling environment is natural, plant-based, and most importantly, it's both effective and safe for children. Best of all the products we use promote natural immunity and even support learning.
We start our day by diffusing Orange and Frankincense Essential Oil into the classroom. Orange has a refreshing scent and is said to awaken feelings of love. Frankincense is known to awaken the spirit, support cognition, and ….
At rest time, we diffuse Lavender and/or Chamomile. Both are known to encourage rest and relaxation. Lavender also has a naturally floral scent which is lovely for combating that diaper pail smell. :)
Lastly, we diffuse Thieves and/or Purification Blends at the end of the day. Thieves is a blend of Clove, Cinnamon, Lemon, Rosemary, and Eucalyptus, and it is known for it’s immune boosting benefits. Purification is a blend of … and is largely known for it’s air purifying qualities, pleasant smell, and it’s ability to keep insects and pests away. But we love it’s ability to encourage the liquefication of mucus and immune supporting benefits.
To order any of the products mentioned above or to get started with a cleaner way of living, please click three following link https://www.youngliving.com/vo/#/signup/new-start?sponsorid=25378250&enrollerid=25378250&isocountrycode=US&culture=en-US&type=member
By ordering through this link, you will not only be helping support the Nature Nest mission, but also you will be ensuring that some of our teachers get a small yet very well deserved bonus at no additional cost to you.
References:
Beheshti, S., & Karimi, B. (2016). Frankincense improves memory retrieval in rats treated with Lipopolysaccharide. Journal of HerbMed Pharmacology, 5(1).
Moss, M., Howarth, R., Wilkinson, L., & Wesnes, K. (2006). Expectancy and the aroma of Roman chamomile influence mood and cognition in healthy volunteers. International Journal of Aromatherapy, 16(2), 63-73.
Nazaroff, W. W., & Weschler, C. J. (2004). Cleaning products and air fresheners: exposure to primary and secondary air pollutants. Atmospheric Environment, 38(18), 2841-2865. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjtpbeSmo_XAhVI5YMKHcZwBHAQFggoMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fciteseerx.ist.psu.edu%2Fviewdoc%2Fdownload%3Bjsessionid%3D16D732B37DFCD10658EF265F84454C36%3Fdoi%3D10.1.1.476.1547%26rep%3Drep1%26type%3Dpdf&usg=AOvVaw2agcXF-H5JqhCajeo0h3WX
Solomon, G., (2007). Protect your family from the hidden hazards of air fresheners. NRDC Health Facts, Sept 2007.
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