Phenol, also carbolic acid, can occur naturally or be manufactured. This chemical is used in many cleaning products used today.
The website http://www.newautismcure.com/the-dangers-of-toxic-cleaning-products/513/#more-513 links an intolerance to this chemical with autism and hyperactivity.
"Autism and Phenol
An intolerance to phenol in food, as gallic acid, has been linked to attention problems and hyperactivity and a malvin intolerance has been linked to autism, MS and epilepsy. High levels of phenol in the diet (and in the environment) are thought to really affect children with autism and problems tolerating foods containing phenol and salicylates are thought to cause the following symptoms:-
Hyperactivity
Diarrhoea
Difficulty sleeping
Red face and ears
Seizures
Headaches
Bedwetting
Inappropriate laughter
Impulsive or aggressive behavior
Self-injurious behavior
Speech problems
Stomach ache
Hives
Dark circles under the eyes
High phenol foods include bananas, apples and grapes, and it may be that just avoiding these foods will help autism symptoms. However, some children may need to follow a low phenol diet and also cut environmental exposure to phenol."
Most websites not only list that a GFCF-diet is beneficial to children with Autism, but also mention that using less toxic cleaning supplies also make a large difference in the child's symptoms of Autism.
Dr. Feingold has developed a diet that supposedly has very positive affects on many different disorders, allergies and dissabilities. The diet pretty much is a non-preservative (BHA,BHT,TBHQ), no artificial flavoring or coloring, low to no food with salicylates (which he lists in his handbook that is not offered online), and no Aspartame. This is all pretty well known information, atleast to me; except for the salicylates information which I have just recently been introduced to after doing my research for this blog. His website is
http://www.feingold.org/pg-overview.html .
As for cleaning supplies many websites list recipes for making your own 'green' cleaning supplies, many others are on the market. Be wary however; many of the websites say that 'green' labeled cleaning supplies are still not toxic free enough for children with Autism. Make sure you check the label for phenol, and bleach is also not recommended.
http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/programs/extension/publicat/wqwm/he368_2.html This website suggests using multi-purpose cleaners in order to lessen the amount of cleaners you have in the home. They also list recipes for safe cleaners that you can make yourself.
The website first mentioned in this blog suggests to keep the air in your home clean, simply by airing it out regularly. Also they suggest using HEPA filters on your vacuum
http://www.prlog.org/10014828-toxic-cleaners-include-chlorine-phenol-ammonia-and-formaldehyde-that-are-found-on-product-labels.html This article from Pennsylvania lists the toxic chemicals in cleaning products as not just Phenol, but also: Chlorine, Ammonia and Formaldehyde.
I believe that I would make my own cleaing products, because I probably will be doing that anyways; however, a parent should atleast look out for these ingredients on the label before buying something that is used all over their home.
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In regards to Autism, common household chemicals/products that can be found in most homes are really much more of a threat to pregnant women and children with Autism than I have ever known. I find this information very surprising.
ReplyDeleteAfter doing some research on the web, I came across an ABC news article on this topic. After reading the article I found something very interesting:
"A preliminary study out of California might have uncovered at least one chemical worthy of investigation: pyrenthrin, a type of pesticide found in common products, from pet shampoos to household bug killers."
Along with many chemicals out there in common household products, even pet shampoos are known for causing Autism during a mother's pregnancy. It was also said that, "Mothers of more than 500 young children (some autistic, some not) participated in the study, reporting long lists of products they remembered using from a few months before conception until their child turned 1, (and that) mothers of the 138 children with autism were twice as likely to report using pet shampoos and other household products containing pyrenthrins than other mothers".
If this is the case, then I think that such a harmful chemical (Pyrenthrins) should be removed from such household products. Along with what Naomi said, I also agree that less harmful household products should be used by all people, especially pregnant women.
Overall, I found this information very surprising to me, especially the information found in the ABC news article.
Information above provided by:
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/OnCall/Story?id=4857380&page=1
I would have never thought that common household cleaning products could affect autism. I didn’t know that it could cause so many symptoms, such as bedwetting, inappropriate laughing or aggressive behavior. It was interesting that having this phenol in cleaner could affect ways that children with autism tolerate foods such as bananas, apples and grapes. It’s crazy that so many things are in the environment that can harmful to children. It makes you wonder what else is there in the environment that is harmful not only children with disabilities, but everyone.
ReplyDelete