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| The Big Stink Behind Deodorants Research by Syed Kamaran Hussain (Karachi) |
| Come summer and
you have peo- ple using deodorants to sup press odour and perspiration. But what they probably aren't aware of is that constant and indiscreet use of these can harm one's health. Deodorants are mostly combined with anti-perspirants - chemicals which attempt to prevent odour by sealing the pores on the skin and thus preventing perspiration. The sealing of pores hampers the elimination of liquid toxins. Normally, liquid toxins are eliminated through kidneys and skin. But when the skin is prevented from throwing out these toxins, it tends to become sluggish and in turn, the kidneys are overworked, leading to kidney disorders. Perspiration is not the only function of a healthy skin. It also supplies oxygen to the blood and helps purify it. But when the pores on the skin are sealed, this important activity is considerably hampered, leading to stress on the lungs. Indiscriminate use of deodorants therefore causes skin allergies and also harms some of our vital organs. Practically all deodorants are toxic, but the toxicity varies, according to Clinical Toxicology of Commercial Products of USA. Compiled and periodically updated by top pharmacologists, the book furnishes details of ingredients on a toxicity scale from one to six. A rating of one indicates the lack of ill effects of any sort and a rating of six indicates that the effect is fatal. When you examine commercial deodorants, you will find that they have a toxicity rating between two and three. This does not, of course, mean that they are fatal, but most of them have been found to evoke some kind of unhealthy reaction, if used continuously for a long period. Deodorants come in two forms - cream deodorants and pencil or stick deodorants. Cream deodorants chiefly contain oxyquinoline sulfate which is a moderately toxic chemical, known to be a stimulant of the central nervous system. Besides, they contain formaldehyde which is used as an embalming fluid and is a well known poison. Zinc sulfocarbonate is a well known pesticide, which is also used in deodorants for its astringent properties. Pencil deodorants also contain petroluctum (a derivative of petroleum jelly) which is used as a base, in addition to the above mentioned chemicals. Petroluctum has been recognised as a cause for skin irritation and is said to lead to a number of skin diseases. They also contain sodium hydroxide which is nothing but caustic soda, a chemical that goes into the preparation of soaps. Caustic soda is the strongest alkali known and can absorb atmospheric moisture too. Even in a small proportion, it can cause skin burns. Besides them, there are various other chemicals involved in the manufacture of a number of deodorants. One does come across dangerous chemicals like benzoic acid and chlorate hydrate, in these deodorants. The former is poisonous and if a child happens to consume a bit of it, could cause convulsions and could often be fatal. Chlorate hydrate is extremely corrosive and is known to corrode the strongest and the hardest of metals. If taken internally, it leads to unconsciousness and worse. During the scorching summer heat, these deodorants vapourise in no time and turn into toxic gases. Hence they are not only dangerous to the user, but could be equally troublesome to people around the user, who would inhale these gases. Moreover, though they are called deodorants or antiperspirants, they do not deodorise at all in the real sense of the word. What they really do is cut down the natural flow of perspiration by sealing off the pores of the skin. They also kill the natural useful bacteria. With the closing of pores, the outlet for natural oils, which are so very essential for imparting a healthy glow to the skin, is also closed. This results in unwanted pimples and blackheads. Besides, when absorbed by the skin, these toxins enter the blood stream, causing blood impurities. These are just a few warnings for those who use these products. The absence of any awareness on this issue has a commercial angle. As Dr B. M. Prasad, a general practitioner of medicine says, "In allopathic medicines, though we have a course on preventive medicines, not much emphasis is given to this vital aspect of health. In the era of aggressive advertisement and competition to lure as many consumers as possible, the new mantra is to make as much profit as possible and doctors have also jumped onto this bandwagon." Dr Swaminathan, a naturopath says, "Deodorants in any situation are not to be recommended. They are harmful to everyone, though it is double harmful in our conditions where the weather is hot and humid. Because of the sticky nature of deodorants, they attract dust and other pollutants on to the skin. He recommends application of gopi chandan (a clayey material, mostly found in the vicinity of Mathura but available elsewhere too) to the body before taking a bath which will further reduce the chances of odour. Age-old application of turmeric- malai mix is equally good. Air bathing during summer and sun- bathing during winter before taking showers will also give a natural lustre to the skin. Shri Sumer Kumar Gupta, another natu-ropath, also prescribes mud-bathing, steam-bathing and spray water bathing for this purpose. Such practices not only improve blood circulation and tone up skin but also help in improving the general health greatly. Environmental Engineer with the Central Pollution Control Board, Delhi, Mita Bhattacharya voices her concern about deodorants, "Although I do not know about the che-mical compositions of the deodorants, my hunch says that such solid or semi-solid materials have nothing but positively harmful effects on the skins. I prefer spraying a few drops of good old Eau de Cologne after the bath which is in a liquid form. Poonam Chanda, who lived in the US for a few years says, "I prefer natural products, particularly since I came back to India, to the deodorants available in India. The markets now are flooded with various kinds of natural products, I have my own doubts about their `naturalness.` I prefer my instinct coupled with what I have heard from my granny and mummy. I make a concoction of henna, turmeric, urad dal paste and use them once a week. When I attend parties, I do spray perfumes and may apply deodorants of good quality at times, but I take care to wash it off once I return home." Of course, the safest bet would be to avoid indiscriminate use of deodorants. |