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- Dr. Gloria Gilbere's Articles -
Second Hand Reactions

Fabric Softeners Create
A "Gas-ly" Family Visit



By: Dr. Gloria Gilbere
EHN web-posted by permission of Dr. Gilbere

Kootenai Valley Times, September 7, 2000

Dear Dr. Gloria:

As a person living with a respiratory system affected by multiple chemical sensitivities, I submit the following personal account to add some humor to a serious situation caused by the use of fabric softeners by others.

    Our son changed his family's vacation plans to visit us a few days ahead of schedule to spend time with his grandmother who had broken her leg. His wife and children first visited her family, and then joined us. The next morning, I became suddenly ill on the second floor by something wafting upstairs from our living room. I knew not what, but I knew I had to vacate the house immediately.

    Our grandson, 2.5 years old at the time, saw an opportunity to get out of the house on to the front porch with me. I'm afraid my shock and dismay outweighed my grandmotherly spirit for I fairly shouted: JORDON, YOU'RE OUTGASSING!

    His big brown eyes welled up. Two big tears dropped onto his cheeks, ran down his face and onto his shirt. With the saddest face he said, "My mommy doesnít say THAT to me!" He ran inside sobbing and said, "Grandma said I was OUTGASSING!" My daughter-in-law with a bemused look, then with a grin, asked, "What is going on?"

    Apparently, her family had washed their clothes for them, using fabric softener -- which my son and daughter-in-law don't use. When they opened their suitcases and began dressing, the fumes wafted upstairs. It turns out that my granddaughter had started coughing as they were getting dressed. My grandson kept saying, "Oh, my shirt smells so good!"

    My son then had to wash the clothes repeatedly with Borax. The final touch was to throw vinegar into the rinse. The clothes came out fine and I was able to enjoy the family visit -- and my grandson still loves me.

    Both children now have respiratory and headache reactions to fragrances. Interestingly, neither child lived on his/her allergy medicines while visiting us, as they have to do while visiting the other grandparents.

Barb Wilkie


Dear Barb: The health effects of synthetic fragrances, especially in fabric softeners, is becoming more and more evident. Many people experience respiratory ailments such as asthma, bronchitis, walking pneumonia and allergic coughs without giving any thought that the culprit could be the products used in their washer and dryer. The sad truth is that by using fabric softener sheets, as they outgas through the dryer vents, we're also endangering the health of our neighbors. Fabric softeners contain chemicals known to cause cancer/ and or damage to the lungs, brain and nerves. We need to become informed consumers for our health, that of our family, community and planet. Baking soda does an excellent job as a non-toxic fabric softener and anti-static agent; and it's much more economical, Naturally.


An added thought: Do as Julia Kendall had recommened: Contact the Consumer Products Safety Commission at 1-800-638-2772 and emphasize your central nervous system disorder symptoms -- those that affect your brain and your nervous systems -- allergic symptoms are not given priority in Commission investigations.

Additionally, complain to your state's Air Resources Board. It is NOT just a "personal choice" issue, when products used by another pollute the air for those whose astute doctors tell them to "Avoid fragrances." These synthetic scents have moved the use of fragrances far beyond "PERSONAL CHOICE" and into the realm of air pollution for all regardless of age, regardless of health status. The industry, and our government agencies charged with protecting public health, have chosen not to listen to the already disabled public. Indeed, many of us have been ridiculed. And what's happened? The number of people becoming ill has escalated and that AIN'T "mass hysteria." That is chemical injury due to the poisoning of our air by commonly used consumer products, which contain fragrance chemicals that have become ubiquitous. Unfortunately, fabric softeners are one type of polluting consumer product. -- barb



To share your stories of challenges, solutions and living with multiple chemical sensitivities, please mail to:




Gloria Gilbere, N.D. D.A.Hom., Ph.D. is an internationally respected expert in EcoErgonomics, Environmental Illness, Natural Health, and chemically induced immune system disorders. She is author of "I was Poisoned by my body" and practices in Bonners Ferry, ID.

Gloria Gilbere,N.D.,D.A.Hom.,Ph.D.
Director, Naturopathic Health & Research Center
P.O. Box 3220, 7098 Ast Street
Bonners Ferry, IDaho 83805 USA
Ph: (208) 267-5417
Fax:(208) 267-0617
email: secondhandreactions@drgloriagilbere.com
I was Poisoned by my bodywww.luckypress.com/poisoned


--

Return to - Index: Dr. Gloria Gilbere's Articles -
http://ehnca.org/www/drgilbere/ggartind.htm



EHN's General Links, page B, Books
http://ehnca.org/www/ehnlinx/b.htm#Books

EHN's HomePage
http://www.ehnca.org

EHN's Fabric Softener info page -- YOU can use safer alternatives
http://ehnca.org/www/ehnlinx/f.htm#Softeners

EHN's page on Julia Kendall and her
Fabric Softeners = Health Risks From Dryer Exhaust and Treated Fabrics

http://ehnca.org/ehnfs.htm

EHN's Press Releases
http://ehnca.org/www/PressReleases/prsrelin.htm


Support EHN's Citizens' Petition of the FDA. WRITE to the FDA today!
http://ehnca.org/www/FDApetition/bkgrinfo.htm

Comments? (Barb's email is no longer valid, please contact EHN). Please put WWW in subject line. Thanks.


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The Environmental Health Network (EHN) [of California] is a 501 (c) (3) non profit agency and offers support and information for the chemically injured. HomePage is http://www.ehnca.org .