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WE PRACTICE WHAT WE PREACH!
At BCB, it is our goal to provide customers
with high-quality, organic, and environmentally safe products.
Our products do not contain any artificial ingredients and
we purchase our ingredients from companies that have strict
quality control standards. These companies do regular inspections
on their goods such as: moisture counts, bacteria/mold sampling,
and pesticide residue testing. In addition to the above, they
also examine environmental impact reviews, fair market trade,
and human rights issues.
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WHY ORGANIC? WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS
OF BUYING ORGANIC?
WHY ORGANIC?
Items that carry
the organic label represent products that have been grown under
strict standards. USDA certification guarantees that all agricultural
products are grown, raised, harvested, and processed with out
the use of harmful synthetics, irradiation, chemicals, preservatives,
and pesticides. These products are also free of genetic manipulation,
most commonly know as GMO’s (genetically modified organisms).
What are the
benefits of buying organic?
- Organic products are free
from synthetic chemicals and preservatives.
- Environmentally
responsible agriculture. Organic farming reduces pollution
by building and maintaining healthy soils, preserving and respecting
our water resources, and by working in harmony with nature.
Organic farmers help preserve important ecosystems.
- Reduces health
risks for farmers, consumers, and the environment. Several
EPA-approved pesticides were in use long before extensive research
linked these synthetic chemicals to cancer and other debilitating
diseases. Organic agriculture is a way to prevent these chemicals
from being released into the environment.
Why
does it matter if personal care products contain synthetic ingredients
or not?
Frequently used products such as shampoos, lotions,
and soaps contain chemicals that have been linked to serious
health conditions such as cancer and birth defects. Why? Because
major loopholes in the federal law allow the $35 billion cosmetic industry
to use unregulated and unlimited amounts of synthetic chemicals
into personal care products. Some of these chemicals have not been
assessed or monitored by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Panel or the
Federal Government. These harmful ingredients are used as preservatives,
fixatives, colorants, emulsifiers, etc. The amounts of artificial chemicals
in any one product alone is unlikely to cause harm. However, after
repeated exposure to these synthetics from many different sources on
a daily basis creates an accumulative affect on our bodies.
Some of these common
chemicals and health affects are listed below:
Methyl/propylparaben: Used
as a preservative in food and personal care products.
These chemicals are found in facial cleansers, skin lotions,
shampoos, and conditioners.
Effects
on Health: Potential breast carcinogen and endocrine
disrupter. It raises concern for impaired fertility/development
and increased risks for certain cancers. Parabens also
can instigate immune system response such as itching, burning,
scaling, hives, and blistering of skin
Propylene
glycol: A colorless, viscous liquid, used in anti-freeze
solutions, in hydraulic fluids, and as a solvent. This
chemical is used in anti-freeze, brake and hydraulic fluid,
de-icer, paints, pet food, toothpastes, shampoos, and deodorant.
Effects on Health: Contact dermatitis,
kidney damage and liver abnormalities; can inhibit skin
cell growth in human tests and can damage cell membranes
causing rashes, dry skin and surface damage. (Material
Safety Data Sheets/MSDS)
Sodium lauryl sulfate
(SLS): A surfactant used to break down the surface
tension of water. This chemical is used in concrete floor
cleaners, engine degreasers, car wash detergents, toothpastes,
shampoos, and deodorant.
Effects
on Health: SLS corrodes hair follicles and impairs
ability to grow hair. It enters the body and maintains
residual levels in the heart, liver, lungs, and brain via
skin contact. SLS can damage the immune system; cause separation
of skin layers and cause inflammation to the skin. (Journal
of the American College of Toxicology; Vol. 2, No. 7, 1983)
Fragrance: Normally a mixture of synthetics
and can include hundreds of individual ingredients. It
is exempt from product labeling laws and are common human allergens.
Fragrance is found in a wide variety of personal care products
and cosmetics.
Effects
on Health: Unspecified mixture of chemicals have
been linked to potential immune and nervous system toxicity.
Links:
Environmental
Working Group
A good source of detailed knowledge about ingredients
that are used in cosmetic and personal care products.
Health report cards on everyday products.
Campaign for
Safe Cosmetics
Campaigning against harmful ingredients and the companies
that use them, this site provides information on the
cosmetic industry.
Grist
Latest environmental news
and commentary.
Organic
Rights for Consumers Group
Protecting
organic standards for the consumer.
Food and Drug
Administration
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