1,4-Dioxane – Are we all going to die?

19 Aug 2008 Leave a comment

by Mystertim in chemicals, cosmetics, Safety, Science Tags: , ,

So there I was a few months back, blissfully washing my hair.  (Yes, I still have some.  There’s not much there, but it is all mine!)  When my attention was brought to an article proclaiming that many name brand organic shampoos contained 1,4-dioxane a listed carcinogenic material.

My first thought was, “Now I know why all my hair is falling out!”

My first thought was incorrect.

So, let’s talk about 1,4-dioxane and what it means to us.

What is 1,4-dioxane?  Looking to the US Department of Health and Human Services, we find that 1,4 dioxane is used as a solvent in processing other materials and is used as a reagent in laboratories.  One use common to our lives is when manufacturers treat vegetable oils with 1,4-dioxane to help them function as a surfactant.  So that’s where it might show up in organic or natural shampoo.

Where is it? You know, it can show up just about anywhere.  It has been found in tap water, in contaminated air, contaminated food, cosmetics and more!

Cosmetics?  Yep.  It can appear as a trace contaminant because of reasons we talked about earlier.

Wait!  You’re a chemist!  I sure am!  And I do believe in better living through modern science, but that doesn’t mean I support all things chemical.  There is an old saying that goes “The dose makes the poison.”  For example, belladonna – a little inflames, a lot kills.  1,4-dioxane – a lot can cause liver and kidney damage, a little, well we just don’t know what happens.

Can I avoid it?  Sure!  If you would like to avoid 1,4-dioxane, avoid all products that have some of the following words: PEG, Polyethylene, Polyethylene Glycol, Polyoxyethylene, -eth or -oxynol-.  Many chemical manufacturers have added a simple cost-effective process that removes any remaining contamination, but there is no way the consumer can know from whom the shampoo guys buy their chemicals.  Call the 800 number or send an email or letter to the maker of your products and ask.  I would answer it.  They should too.

Will it cause cancer?  Tough question.  It does pose a risk in animals but not aquatic ones apparently.   Fish and plants do not seem to accumulate it.  There are no studies or tests done in humans.  Just hasn’t happened.  The risk is rather unknown.

HUH?  What few studies have been done show that there is a generally accepted safe exposure limit of 10 ppm of 1,4-dioxane.  It is listed as reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.  That means it hasn’t been proved conclusively, but the likelihood is high. 

Now what do we do?  Well, you can avoid cosmetics that have chemical names like those outlined above, if you live near a hazardous waste dump, don’t drink the water and don’t let your children play near the dump.  Especially after a good rain.  1,4-dioxane is stable in water.  Drink uncontaminated bottled water.

You can ask your doctor to test you for exposure, but he probably won’t have the equipment.  However he can collect the samples from you (urine or blood) and ship them to a lab.  But it has to be quick.  1,4-dioxane and its byproducts leave the human body fairly quickly.  So if you think you have been exposed to high amounts, test within a couple days.

Friend or Foe?  The jury is out on this one.  I will call it personal choice.  I know that my products use uncontaminated surfactants.  But if you aren’t sure, I would recommend that you avoid it.

Questions?  Send me a note!  I will answer, maybe privately but very likely in this column.  Let me know if you need your identity hidden for privacy.

Grilled Cheese Sandwich!

07 Aug 2008 1 Comment

by Mystertim in Couples Sexuality, Dildos, Female, Female Sexuality, Male Sexuality, Psychology, Science, sex toys, sexuality, Strap-ons Tags: , , , ,

I was roaming around some other blogs and ran across an interesting entry on www.funsextoyreview.wordpress.com about love bullets.  I did mention early on that we would not only discuss chemicals and materials, but that we would, from time to time, address the emotional impact of sex toys and cosmetics as well.  Here we go.

(OK, for transparency sake, her blog is a sister blog to mine and we work at the same company.  That is not going to change my point: She mentions using a sex toy in conjunction with her partner.  Secondary vibrations are awesome!  Read her blog.  Tell her Tim sent you.)

Using sex toys or as we called them in the old days marital aids, is a wonderful addition to your bedroom repetoire.  But there are a few things to think about before you do…

Some guys have a problem with sex toys.  There it is.  Right out in the open.  Dildos and vibrators can be rather intimidating.  Sex toys are low maintenance, always ready to go, they don’t need their egos stroked, they never had a bad day, and never ask you to do weird things!  I mean, when was the last time your dildo asked you to make him a grilled cheese sandwich?  

Oh yeah, dildos are larger than a majority of men too.  *sigh*   It is hard enough trying to be a man these days, but to have your lady bring a big rubber penis into your bedroom?  What is she saying?  Aren’t I enough for her?  Does she want to leave me?  Does she expect me to touch another penis?  Even if it is fake?  My dick isn’t that small is it?  More issues than a newstand.

I am talking to the men here:  Relax!  You’re fine.  She is looking to increase your excitement and create a closer bond with you.  Haven’t you ever wished you could do two or more things at once with her?  Now you can!  She will love the additional stimulation and vibrations.  Don’t be surprised if she wants to have sex more often!

She is not leaving.  If she was, she wouldn’t be trying new things in the bedroom with you.  Everyone has a secret itch that needs scratching.  Be honored she trusts you enough to let you in on her secret.  Yes, you are that much of a stud.  Besides, unless you are swingers, she does not want anyone else in bed with you!  She loves you.  She wants you.  She is crazy about your dick.  And no, touching a rubber penis does not make you gay.  Think of it as a tool in your bedroom toolbox.  Kind of like a special hammer or “screw”driver.  Imagine being a handyman with everything she needs in and under your toolbelt.  (Hard hat optional)

Ladies: Do not sneak up behind your man wearing a strap-on.  Unless he is into it.

So it all comes down to communication and intimacy.  Discuss your feelings and fantasies in a safe environment.  It is OK to get turned on during the discussion.  Try not to grab each other until the conversation is finished.  I know it is hard to hide that horrified look on your face at some particular fantasy, acknowledge but don’t condemn the kinky thoughts.  Never say never, but don’t let yourself be talked into something you really, really don’t want to do.  Either of you.

Sex toys are fun.  I love them!  They can add a new dimension to your lovemaking.  They can take your intimacy to another level.  They can really improve your sexual health as an individual and as a couple.  After all, what is hotter than than leaving your partner exhausted and totally satisfied?

Nothing.  Not even a grilled cheese sandwich.

Let’s Talk Phthalates – Part One

31 Jul 2008 2 Comments

by Mystertim in chemicals, Dildos, Plastic, Science, sex toys Tags: , ,

Phthalates.  What a word.  It looks wierd, scary, spelled funny and is hard to pronounce.  No wonder people hate/fear it.  Well, that and all of the media/groups telling you that phthalates are bad, will cause cancer and make you overdraw your bank account.

What are phthalates?  Phthalates are a class of chemical compounds that are used most often to soften plastics, to make them more malleable.  They are colorless, odorless and used in just about everything you can imagine.  From your shoes to your picnicware to your soft sex toys.

Why does the industry use them?  They are inexpensive, improve efficiency and output of materials.  And given today’s prices I think we can agree that those are certainly items for the plus column.

Can they be replaced?  Certainly!  But the costs will rise at the plant and in the store.  By a significant margin too!

How many types are there?  A lot, but less than 100 are typically used. 

Why aren’t phthalates banned?  Some are!  For example, Proposition 65 in the State of California, USA bans the use of DEHP, DBP, DnHP and DIDP.  In Europe there is also a ban in place despite the many studies that show specific phthalates are quite safe.

Which phthalates?  DINP is the most popular for use in toys (for children and adults!) and has a ten year study done in Europe showing no harmful effects at all to human health or the environment.  Amazing!  It has been given a clean bill of health by the EU, the USA and I believe Japan.

So why the ban?  Sadly, it appears to be mostly political.  Have you ever had a co-worker, significant other or friend who whines and complains morning, noon and night?  And even though what they want is insignificant, you give in to their requests rather than keep listening to them?  Yep.  It’s just like that.  Only more dangerous.  These folks never go away.  They taste the power of making you bend to their will and suddenly they come up with more demands.  Some of these groups are trying to regulate every part of your life without giving you the common respect to review the situation.  While we are at it, let’s talk about “chemicals.”

What is a chemical?  Everything.  Water is a chemical.  Oxygen is a chemical.  Petroleum Oil is a chemical. Carrots are made of 100% chemicals.  People are made of chemicals.  You see there are these things called elements.  Elements are the building blocks and are made from atoms.  Everything in our known universe is made up of combinations of these elements which are called molecules.  These molecules make up everything.  As any schoolchild of a certain age can tell you, water is H2O, two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.  Carrots are a bit more complicated.  And don’t get me started on coffeee!  That has over two hundred chemical constituents.

So, phthalates.  Friend or Foe?  I learn towards Friend.  It’s use in adult toys helps make us happy and it’s use in cosmetics (perfume and nail polish) help make us look good.  The safety record is nothing short of amazing.  And no, there is no proof that phthalates are endocrine disrupters.

Welcome to the Exploration!

31 Jul 2008 Leave a comment

by Mystertim in chemicals, Dildos, Personal Lubricants, Preservatives, Psychology, Science, sex toys, sexuality, Strap-ons Tags: , , , ,

Greetings!

Why are we here?  What is our purpose?  When will our mission on earth be completed?  Who can we trust?  Am I worthy?  Where are we going for lunch?

These are questions that have amused philosophers, meditators, doctors, stoners and various thinkers for ages.  Very deep, very dark with the answers hidden in those corners of our souls where we dare not tread.

But that isn’t the overt purpose of this blog.  We are here to discuss adult novelties (sex toys), cosmetics and even over the counter drugs, of what they consist and how they work.  We will discuss the physical, medical, emotional effect they have on our lives and how they make us feel.  Hopefully in an open, non-scathing manner.

Here are some of the topics we will cover soon: phthalates, parabens, glycerin.  I know you will have questions so please feel free to submit them to  me for my special brand of quantum cogitation.  Please comment.  Love me or loathe me, I want to hear from you!

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