blissmo glossary

• Eco-friendly – ‘Environmentally-friendly’, ‘eco-friendly’, are ‘nature friendly’ are more or less synonymous and used to refer to products and services, laws, guidelines or policies that inflict minimal or no harm on the environment (Wikipedia).

• Fair Trade – Fair Trade Certification empowers farmers and farm workers to lift themselves out of poverty by investing in their farms and communities, protecting the environment, and developing the business skills necessary to compete in the global marketplace. We love GOOD Magazine’s infographic Understanding What’s Behind the Label about Fair Trade highlighting Fair Trade USA and Fair Trade Federation.

• Green – The word ‘green’ is defined in the The Free Dictionary as “beneficial to the environment, favoring or supporting environmentalism.” The word can can refer to businesses, the economy, lifestyle choices, fashion, or pretty much anything.

• Greenwashing – A widely varied term, but basically signifying the act of misleading consumers regarding the environmental practices of a company or the environmental benefits of a product or service as described in TerraChoice’s Six Sins of Greenwashing.

• Local – The definition of ‘local’ implies the concept of buying locally produced goods and services. Wikipedia defines local as “a geographical concept related to the distance between food producers and consumers. In addition to geographic proximity of producer and consumer, however, local food can also be defined in terms of social and supply chain characteristics.” Sustainabletable.org gives us a good visual by having us think in concentric circles, where growing food at home is at the core. The next circle would be food that is grown in the local community or neighborhood, which then expands to state, region, and country.

• Sustainable – Capable of being continued with minimal long-term effect on the environment.

• Sustainable Seafood – Seafood from either fished or farmed sources that can maintain or increase production in the future without jeopardizing the ecosystems from which it was acquired.
  As featured in: I Love Blue Sea

• Sustainable or Eco-Tourism – Sustainable or eco-tourism refers to tourism businesses that are profitable while conserving natural resources and benefiting local communities. Rainforest Alliance’s Sustainable Tourism program, Sustainbletrip.org, has further information on what sustainable business practices you should look for in the tourism industry.
  As featured in: Samasati’s Nature Retreat and Jamaica’s Hotel Mocking Bird Hill
  (^Top)

• BPA – The acronym stands for Bisphenol A, an organic compound used typically to make hard plastic bottles and metal-based food and beverage cans since the 1960′s. According to the National Toxicology Program, the National Institutes of Health and the FDA have some concern about the potential effects of BPA on the brain, behavior, and prostate gland in fetuses, infants, and young children. There are ongoing studies to clarify uncertainties about the risks of BPA, which you can read more at the FDA’s site.
  Avoided in several promotions, including: Hydros

• DEA (Diethanolamine) – DEA is a foaming agent that’s used in a wide range of personal products such as shampoos, hair dyes bath products and laundry detergent. The chemical is responsible for the rich lather in shampoos similarly to sulfates. By itself, it’s not dangerous but it can react with other chemicals in the product or in the body and become carcinogenic. A best practice is to throw shampoo products away after 3 years, whether or not they’ve been used.

• Formaldehyde – Formaldehyde is a colorless gas with a characteristic pungent odor. Healthy Child Healthy World describes that it is chiefly used as a disinfectant and preservative as well as in synthesizing other compounds like resins. The International Agency for Research on Carcinogens (IARC) has classified formaldehyde as “carcinogenic to humans”, and the U.S. National Toxicology Program has classified it as “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen” (see Safecosmetics.org and Cancer.gov for additional information).

• Fragrance – Have you ever seen the word “fragrance” on a product label and wondered what exactly that meant? The National Cancer Institute defines it as a “pleasant, sweet odor” but this doesn’t mean that it is composed of natural scents. Fragrance can mean a group of scents or odors of up to 4,000 separate chemical ingredients are combined. The National Academy of Sciences reports that 95% of the chemicals used in fragrances today are synthetic compounds derived from petroleum, including known toxins capable of causing cancer, birth defects, central nervous system disorders and allergic reactions. Although the “yummy” scent might be a part of your everyday routine, it isn’t worth being exposed to harmful chemicals. Consider choosing a product that’s naturally scented or completely fragrance-free instead.
  Avoided in several promotions, including: MuLondon, eco logical, and Every Man Jack.

• Parabens – Parabens are synthetic preservatives commonly found in cosmetics, food and personal care products that inhibit microbial growth and extend the shelf life of products such as deodorant, shampoo, makeup, lotions, etc. The Breast Cancer Fund and The Environmental Working Group shows that parabens in personal products can migrate into breast tissue and cause the development of tumors by disrupting the hormonal (endocrine) system. In Jan 2012 a team of researchers found further evidence in the correlation between parabens and the incidences of breast cancer. The study found that parabens were found in nearly all tumors; 99% of breast tissue contained at least 1 paraben and 60% of all tissue had no less than 5 parabens. Parabens are usually easy to identify by name, such as methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, or benzylparaben.
  Avoided in several promotions, including: Yoreganics, Odacité, Beecology, Derma E, My True Nature, and A Beautiful Life

• Petrochemicals – Petrochemicals are made from oil, natural gas or other fossilized hydrocarbons. The National Petrochemical & Refiners Association lists thousands of common household items that contain petrochemicals such as “plastics, soaps, detergents, solvents (such as paint thinner), paints, drugs, fertilizer, pesticides, explosives, synthetic fibers, and flooring and insulating materials.” Odacité informs us that petrochemicals are by-products of the petrol industry as they are cheap and don’t go rancid. In cosmetics, petrochemicals can clog pores and prevent the elimination of toxins and contribute to breakouts and acne.
  Avoided in several promotions, including:Maggie’s Organics Socks, Odacité, Pangea Organics and My True Nature

• Phthalates – Phthalates, aka ‘fragrance’ are chemicals known as ‘plasticizers’ used to make polyvinyl chloride (PVC) more flexible or resilient. They are found in hundreds of common products in the home: wallpaper, shower curtains, nail polish, wood finishes, shampoo, adhesives, detergents, etc. Phthalates have been found to be disrupt the endocrine system and are known to cause serious reproductive and developmental effects. In addition, studies have found phthalates linked to liver and breast cancer. Because the FDA has large loopholes in their regulations that prevents the listing of individual fragrance ingredients and products sold by professionals (such as hair salons), it is recommended to completely avoid phthalates until Congress passes the Safe Chemical Act.
  Avoided in several promotions, including: Yoreganics, Odacité, A Beautiful Life, My True Nature and Rock Candy Life

• Sulfates – Sulfates come in the form of sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) or sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and are responsible for that thick foaming action we see in shampoo commercials. Both forms of sulfate are not only used in hair products, but also in soaps, detergent and toothpaste, as well as in cleaners for car engines. Interestingly enough this “luxurious foam” doesn’t have anything to do with making our hair or cars any cleaner. The shampoo contains diluted amounts of these sulfates, which they dissolve and erode oils similarly to getting rid of the grease in your car. Wikipedia reports that some products containing SLES have been found to contain low levels of the carcinogens 1,4-dioxane and or/formaldehyde that the FDA recommends should be monitored According to a report by the American College of Toxicology even at a low level of these ingredients could result in negative side effects for your hair over time: tangles, frizz, scalp irritation, and even hair loss. Look for products that are marked “sulfate-free” which is becoming easier to find these days and increasingly common.
  Avoided in several promotions, including: Pangea Organics

• Triclosan – Triclosan is an antibacterial chemical found in a lot of common household items like toothpaste, facewash, deodorant, soaps, etc. See all 459 products here. The Environmental Working Group informs us that triclosan is linked to liver and inhalation toxicity, and low levels can disrupt thyroid function. Because wastewater treatment cannot entirely remove the chemical, it ends up in our waterways and threatens aquatic life. The American Medical Association recommends against using triclosan, especially avoiding it in antibacterial soap. Simple soap and old-fashioned scrubbing is all you need!
  Avoided in several promotions, including: CleanWell and Hydros

• VOC – VOC’s are volatile organic compounds that exist in naturally and man-made occurring forms. Methane is the most common naturally occurring form found in wetlands, cow farts, and burning wood. The man-made forms of VOC’s can be found in common household items such as paint and paint thinners, furnishings, cleaning products and deodorants. The major concern is about a high level of VOC’s indoors that trigger symptoms that are slow to develop from irritating to chronic illness, which makes research timely and urgent. The USGS breaks down the definitions for us clearly on their Volatile Organic Compounds site.
  Avoided in several promotions, including: Rock Candy Life
  (^Top)