Yes, They Can Sell Cancer
by B Nelson on Oct 04, 2009 with 22 Comments
You wouldn’t think you could walk into a store and buy something known to cause cancer, birth defects, and other reproductive harm. But you can.
Some time ago I wrote a link, called Ew That Smell, in it I discussed how scented products are harmful. I discussed how some people are particularly sensitive to smell and about how some products work in rather deceitful ways.
Many people contacted me, saying that if these products were really so dangerous (like cigarette smoke) they would not be sold.
Since that time more and more air freshening products have hit the market, one which came to my attention immediately, particularly so because it disproves any thoughts that dangerous chemicals would not be on our shelves.
All Images By Author
Diffusers are containers filled with a scented oil. They have actually be around for a while. Reeds are put into the oil and come up out of the top, bringing the scent with it and dispersing it into the air.
Have you ever seen, or read a disclaimer on a diffuser? Well most don’t have anything, but I recently found one that did, and it scared me cold.
In an irony the product also contained a message “Hand packed with Pride in the USA”
The disclaimer reads “This product may contain chemicals known to the state of California to cause Cancer and Birth Defects or other Reproductive Harm.”.
Am I the only one to say “YIKES!”?
Consumers are being fooled if they think that every product on our shelves today is safe. Some are known to be dangerous and are still marketed.
Many products, even foods and medication, are forced to have warnings, but how many people read those warnings? How many people wash the fruit and vegetables we buy from the store before eating them? We have been told they may be sprayed with preservatives that may be harmful to us but most are more concerned with washing off other peoples germs.
Many people have written informative links regarding some problem ingredients in pet foods that cause cancer (the leading killer of pets after accidents) they these foods are legally sold all the time. Flea Collars are well known to be ineffective against fleas and deadly to some cats and dogs, yet they are still on sale. Why did we not think if they allowed dangerous products for pets, that somebody who stands to gain money off making a product known to be dangerous to people, would not push for their product to be marketable too?
Is a pretty smelling room more important than a healthy body? Is a fresh scent more important than a baby with ten fingers and toes? Scary huh?
Liked it
Published in: Consumer Information
Karen Gross | Oct 4, 2009 | Reply
Thank you for this public service. I find it frustrating that practically every health & beauty and home cleaning product has to be scented. I have allergic reactions to many scents, but there are very few unscented products available.
My skin is so much healthier now that Tide and Bounce have unscented versions. I have found a few unscented lotions, soap, and hair products; but it seems like whenever I find one, they stop making it.
Some laundry products are worse than others. One Christmas morning I woke up with hives all over my body. I was visiting my parents, and my mom had washed the sheets and used a new dryer sheet product.
Hives go away, but it is very scary to think that these products can also contribute to cancer.
ken bultman | Oct 4, 2009 | Reply
Too far off the wall, B. Flea collars are just about a thing of the past. I don’t know what a diffuser is. It must be something we’re shipping north to sicken Aleuts. Everything in California causes reproductive harm.
A.W.H. | Oct 4, 2009 | Reply
Very interesting. What is a Diffuser by the way?
Well.. It scared me somehow.
What’s bad is I did never understand what this product was for… hmm
C Jordan | Oct 4, 2009 | Reply
Well done for bringing this to notice B. A very well argued and presented case.
Bailey Thompson | Oct 4, 2009 | Reply
Wow! The title caught my eye. Very well written article. Certainly an important topic.
zyphyre21 | Oct 4, 2009 | Reply
They also sell cigarettes (And people thought that everything sold was healthy or not bad for you? Come on…), a.k.a. “cancer sticks”.
I mean, you can believe that everything sold can’t be harmful… But that doesn’t make it true.
Petalm | Oct 4, 2009 | Reply
I already don’t use chemical cleaning products or sprays, but I thought the defusers were fine. I’m also going to send this on to my mom who has a cat.
Uma Shankari | Oct 5, 2009 | Reply
Pesticides, fuels , aerosols, food additives …every stuff is carcinogeic, yet it is widely sold and made available. No wonder, cancer is on a dangerous rise.
Excellently presented. The photos made an impactful statement.
Athlyn Green | Oct 5, 2009 | Reply
I remember reading how chlorine bleach is implicated in breast cancer in women.
I’m trying to switch to green products. I use baking soda for scrubbing and peroxide for cleaning.
Next, I’m looking to replace dish detergent with something more healthful.
This is a good awareness article. Bookmarked.
writing4angels | Oct 5, 2009 | Reply
Its true, we never know actually which product may harm in which critical ways! We need to be more educated about this. Thanks for this informative article.
PR Mace | Oct 5, 2009 | Reply
I use to have several diffusers in my home. While cleaning I spilled some of the oil in my dresser. It took the stain off. We really have to be careful what we bring into our home. Thanks for the information. I hope others will listen to your advice.
Louie Jerome | Oct 5, 2009 | Reply
Interesting arguement.
obikelvin | Oct 5, 2009 | Reply
Great write! Consider me your fan from now on out.But why don’t you chill with one of my fascinating articles titled “What Happens in a Sexual Encounter with a Real Ghost?”
Jane Jane | Oct 5, 2009 | Reply
Great piece to boost public awareness.
martinpm | Oct 5, 2009 | Reply
great awareness, title is very intriguing!!
B Nelson | Oct 5, 2009 | Reply
A diffuser, for those who do not know, is a jar of scented oil- bamboo sticks are placed into the oil and out of the top of the jar, thus the scent is put into the air.
Lostash | Oct 5, 2009 | Reply
These just shouldn’t be on the market!! Outrageous!
Vikram Chhabra | Oct 5, 2009 | Reply
I should be more careful. Thanks for posting….
mo hoyal | Oct 6, 2009 | Reply
This is certainly not “off the wall!” I once had a flea collar on one of my dogs and the next day all the hair where the flea collar touched,was gone and had an oily residue. My dog was very sick as well. This happened over night and is just one smidgen of the crap that has filled our world that adds, yes, to our demise!
I believe your article to be not only informative but important! Keep up the good work B.
Bo Jack Russo | Oct 13, 2009 | Reply
Nice warning label,kind of like those commercials about the newest pharmaceutical drug that has potential side affects like strokes and death,LOL. Only it isn’t funny.
Aauhein | Oct 30, 2009 | Reply
Nice write,I wish it would have been more in depth,I think you could of went there with this.-your fan
Blade619 | Nov 9, 2009 | Reply
Just saying, but there are many many products out there with that same warning on them, unless it has an obvious effect I’m not going to worry about it.