Why is Revival Pharms passionate about using nature soaps, lip balms, and other cosmetic products?  It comes down to the unknown long term affects of chemicals used in large scale commercial products.

A study done by Environment Illinois titled “Is It In Us? Chemical Contamination in Our Bodies“ set out to see if common chemicals used in large scale commercial products would also be found in the people who use them.  The three specific chemical’s they looked for were phthalates, bisphenol A, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). Using blood and urine samples from a diverse group of 35 individuals across 7 states the researchers found all three chemicals in each person tested.  Both human and animal studies suggest these chemicals are linked to health issues like birth defects, cancer, learning disabilities, infertility, asthma, and obesity.

It is interesting to note the chemical exposure goes well beyond the three specific chemicals looked at in Environment Illinois’ study. As sited in the study “Associations among personal care product use patterns exogenous hormone use in the NIEHS Sister Study“, the average American women uses 12 personal care products a day resulting in daily exposure to an estimated 126 unique chemicals.

Under a 1976 law call the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) the EPA has the power to limit chemicals. The EPA largely focuses on new potential toxins, however it rarely to never updates its stance on existing chemicals despite advances in science and evidence showing tiny doses of toxic substances may cause harm. A 2016 amendment known as the Lautenberg Act required the EPA to evaluate all potentially risky chemicals, but progress on this backlog has been painfully slow for those wanting change.

Several states are creating policy to limit and remove these and many other chemicals. Washington and Hawaii are phasing out PBDEs and California is modeling laws after the European Union provision to eliminate toxic phthalates in children’s toys.

In actuality, the European Union has banned thousands of potentially harmful ingredients in everyday products like cosmetics, to include makeup, toothpaste, shampoo, and household cleaners that are still allowed in the US.  Why such a difference exists between the US and EU is a much larger discussion, but many believe the EU has got it right.

Start your journey to healthier living by checking out our natural products.