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The battle against body odour stinks for the planet

HEIDI SOPINKA

From Friday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 10:33 AM EDT 28/09/07

Many of the so-called "natural" deodorants are startlingly far from non-toxic ...Read the full article

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  1. Mark H from Columbus, IN, United States writes: Great journalism - a series of vignettes about studies that were either poorly conducted or inconclusive. Spoon-fed panic. Then again, this comes out of the same series as the 'charcoal grills are killing the planet' story did a couple months ago.
  2. Alistair McLaughlin from Ottawa, Canada writes: The alumininum-Alzheimers link was conclusively refuted at least a decade ago. Let's face it; if we don't use these products, we stink. The last thing we need is for people to start on some naturual trip and stop wearing deodorant. We've all had the experience of working with people who don't seem to feel the need to wear deodorant. It's not fun; it's OFFENSIVE. Let's not be scaring people with stories about chemicals unless there's some damn good evidence.
  3. D. Hall from Winnipeg, Canada writes: Alistair McLaughlin:
    I read your contribution with at first interest and then dismissed it. You start by indicating you had knowledge of scientific info on aluminum, but then didn't say what it was or where you heard it. Then you made an unrelated comment about stinky people really bugging you. This made me suspect that your 'scientific' info was really just your personal prejudices.

    If you have some relevant info, provide it. If you don't, then don't expect to convince anyone.

    By the way, I am totally agnostic on this issue. It is all about cost benefit analysis - which requires information which I don't have.
  4. Omnibot 2000 from Canada writes: I'll chime in with this for attention of D Hall:

    http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/Factsaboutdementia/Riskfactors/infoaluminium.htm

    Satisfied?
  5. dee jay from Calgary, Canada writes: I think we're going to start a 'get a life' rule on these forums. Similar to Godwin's law, the first person to use the phrase 'get a life' loses the argument. Disagreement does not equal rejection. It's not personal, don't take it personally and don't attack the person. Attack the argument.
  6. Joel Xander from Canada writes: I agree with dee jay. Pretty pathetic to attack the person rather than the argument.
  7. carol c from Canada writes: I would like to see a study on the number of posts and the relationship between someone saying either, 'That's not news,' or, 'I already knew that' or somehow inserting a d*ck joke. I am not a scientist and math is not my strongpoint, but I think this would make for an interesting and entertaining study.
  8. Henry Allen from Toronto, Canada writes: Do you ever wonder about our reactions and attitudes to the odours of others? Although our noses are not efficient, compared to many animals, we react far beyond the real impact of the actual odour. The tiniest whiff of a disagreeable aromatic can cause us to respond like we were punched in the head. By comparison, many dogs have a sense of smell thousands of times more sensitive than ours, and yet, they will happily smell the butts of other dogs or hungrily dig into a four day old piile of garbage. So, how did we humans come to judge that some odours are offensive? It's also interesting that similar odours are offensive only when they come from others. For example, we don't mind the smell of our own farts, but if someone else farts we recoil like we've been hit by mustard gas. Interesting stuff, this smell thing.
  9. Patrick Star from Toronto, Canada writes: 'For example, we don't mind the smell of our own farts, but if someone else farts we recoil like we've been hit by mustard gas.'

    Actually, sometimes I have to leave the room after letting one rip. Particularly after a garlic-filled meal. :)
  10. Delaney Murphy from Toronto, Canada writes: Frankly, I find the blend of deodorant smell and persperation more repugnant than the odour of persperation alone.

    Having said that, I not that I and my wife have been using isopropyl rubbing alcohol (70%) as 'deodorant' for almost 25 years. Works like a charm and costs a FRACTION of what these other products cost.
  11. Elisa Brun from Canada writes: A dusting of baking soda works wonderfully. It's safe, and won't harm the environment or your clothes.
  12. Delaney Murphy from Toronto, Canada writes: Elisa Brun:

    You are absolutely right about the baking soda solution. Whenever I go to eastern Europe, there's a baking soda 'solid' that we purchase and bring home with us. Works like a charm - so stains, no odours, no problems.

    It really isn't difficult to control body odour, respect the environment and not kill yourself with toxins simultaneously. But the 'health food store' is not the place to go for info. Open your old Physics and Chemistry books and re-learn what you have forgotten.
  13. dee jay from Calgary, Canada writes: annon Annon . . . thanks for proving the point.
  14. Alistair McLaughlin from Ottawa, Canada writes: D. Hall, I remember it being reported several times that the aluminum-Alzheimers link had been refuted. As for a source, I'm not doing your homework for you. If you want to research it, go right ahead. Google is your friend.
  15. Delaney Murphy from Toronto, Canada writes: Alistair:

    When looking for rental accommodation, I think it wise to keep an eye out for polyester being worn by local residents. Where one sees polyester, one will smell rank human perspiration.

    It is unfortunate that the contemporary burka tends to be made of such synthetic fibres. The presence of a burka is, unfortunately, frequently an indicator of over-ripe human odour.
  16. Alistair McLaughlin from Ottawa, Canada writes: I've tried baking soda - it doesn't work for me. Works in the kitty litter box but not in my armpits. I'm actually moving to a new apartment this weekend, and one of the reasons is that I'm tired of having to share the elevator with people who stink. My apartment is not cheap, nor is it run down, but there are too many people in my building who STINK. It's not the only reason, but it's a factor. The new building seems to appeal to a cleaner clientel.
  17. Tim Nash from London, Canada writes: I was searching around on WiserEarth and found this great resource

    http://www.wiserearth.org/resource/view/a29b4b93aa987a24d7e95fa86a20a9b9

    It's a Cosmetic Database that tells you exactly which ingrediants are in cosmetic products, and rates them on various health criteria. Good Stuff!
  18. Iain Scott from Calgary, Canada writes: Go ahead and stink, then. Try out the alternative, and get back to me about how much it improves your lifestyle (but write, don't drop by). And while your at it, try out the environmental benefits of the "one piece" wipe policy, and that amazing Japanese product "Three Day Underwear"!
  19. H B from Thunder Bay, Canada writes: I actually have a lot of respect for the marketers behind deodorant. A product that we don't need, but we're willing to consume, consume, consume for fear we might be unattractive if we don't use it. I mean, think about it: the transportation, the packaging, the resources used in its manufacture. None of the fossil fuels that go into it will ever be replaced in the life of humankind. The landfills into which we huck the refuse will be contaminated for hundreds or thousands of years. But we just keep buying it, keeping the trucks rolling and the profits jumping. We're basically, as a species, idiots.
  20. Veronica Sanders from Winnipeg, Canada writes: B.O. is caused by bacteria on your skin. Deodorant only blocks your pores, shuts down the sweat glands, stains your clothing, pollutes the environment, etc., etc., and covers the "bad" smell with a "good" smell. It does nothing to the bacteria. If you kill the bacteria, you get rid of the smell they produce. To echo a previous contributor, swabbing your pits (once a day, or as necessary) with 70% Rubbing Alcohol, (also known as Isopropanol), will deal with the problem of B.O. quite efficiently, it doesn't harm the user and has zero effect on the environment. 70% Alcohol is used routinely in the microbiology lab as a standard bactericidal and works effectively and safely on the skin as well. But the deodorant market would be significantly dented if this secret got out, so don't tell.
  21. dee jay from Calgary, Canada writes: Don't forget the bacteria on your armpit hair as well. Bacteria numbers increase over the surface area that is covered in sweat. I suspect the surface area of the skin in your armpit is a very small fraction of the surface area if you include all the pit hair. Hence the incredible decrease in BO potential if you shave your pits. I've never tried the alcohol before, I'm giving that a shot this weekend.

    Unite and shave your pits for the sake of the planet!!
  22. Norman Holler from Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada writes: My personal feeling is that there is a form of interpersonal communication that uses pheromones as the transmission apparatus. This is, a speculation on my part, but my sense is, that we have the perceptive facilities to interpret messages from one another thorough the chemical and hormonal qualities of pheromones. I also speculate that deodorant use masks and confuses these non-verbal (and non-intellectual) messages, which diminishes our capacity to connect with one another, at different, and possibly deeper levels.

    As to the matter of offensive smells, I would suggest that one's dislike of authentic body odours is primarily a cultural persuasion, and that truly offensive smells are the result of the consumption of disagreeable, or toxic foods, beverages, drugs (including tobacco), and living in a polluted environment.

    To good thoughts,

    Norman Holler
  23. Harbinger from Out West from Prince George, Canada writes: When do the pheromones cease and the B O kicks in?
  24. Chrissy Simon from Canada writes: "...if someone else farts we recoil like we've been hit by mustard gas."

    You have a gift for descriptive language. I'm still chuckling at that image!
  25. Norman Holler from Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada writes: If I could add something to my earlier post:

    It would probably be wise for nursing mothers to avoid using deodorants, as the chemical constituents in the products might prove problematic to the infant As well, if there is the pheromone communication phenomenon that I suggest, then the deodorant factor would inhibit valuable "bonding" communication between mother and child.

    As the Dalai Lama, among others have said: "Peace on Earth begins with birth."

    May we help ALL "New People" coming into the word "into" their "Bigger Self", in a good way.

    To good thoughts,

    Norman Holler
  26. karen l from Canada writes: I've been using the crystal stick type deodorant for some years now and like it a lot. Doesn't add smell, just takes away. It works so well that unless you actually scrub it off, one application is usually good for two days. And it's economical: a stick 2 inches long lasts for at least a year.
  27. Dr. Sartor from Victoria, Canada writes: Notice to journalists: Never ever use the phrase "begs the question". You have no idea what it means, and since you haven't learned by now, you obviously never will learn. What you should say instead is "raises the question".
  28. Kenneth Mullen from Guelph, Canada writes: Please tell your writer to learn what the expression 'begs the question' means. She obviously has no idea.
  29. Jennifer Allard from Ottawa, Canada writes: Here's another alternative... detoxification to eliminate body odour altogether. It works. When the body is functioning correctly, body odour does not get generated. Why not promote more healthy living?
  30. Steven Steven from Toronto, Canada writes: Interesting article. Personally, I take the precautionary approach and have not used drug store deodorant products for decades now. I'm not waiting for conclusive scientific proof of the problems with these products. I only have one body and it's really not that much trouble to find an alternative. Besides I really don't like these products, how they smell and feel. I think the idea that it's a case of main stream deodorant products or smelling bad is obvious nonsense perpetuated by the industry itself. As for the comment about shaving hair to reduce odor: Though it seems to stand to reason that less surface area makes for less bacteria, I don't think it's quite that simple. The hair provides much needed cooling. Heat makes for moisture and more bacteria. So I find that I'm much drier and less odor prone with hair. What I find astounding is the extent to which our use of these products has these deadly consequences for other life. Surely that's got to give the person of conscience pause.
  31. Natasha Niznik from Toronto, Canada writes: What happened to high school science?
    Propylene glycol is a food grade solvent. Ethylene glycol is anti-freeze.
    I'm a dirty hippy, but I'm also a chemical engineering student (yes, the two can be reconciled). I'm so sick of people co-opting science for their cause and GETTING IT WRONG!
  32. Patrick Watson from Toronto, Canada writes: Good piece, but Ms. Sopinka should look up "begs the question" in a good dictionary. It does not mean "raises the question" but is a form of logical cheating in an argument.

    Patrick Watson
  33. James Jones from Canada writes: The effectiveness of alcohol is enhanced if mixed with vinegar, but too much V can burn holes in clothing.
    Some posters here have been aroused by the improper use of the phrase "begs the question". Surely that's of trivial importance. It has become the vernacular now to use : dove instead of dived, spelt instead of spelled, could of instead of could have, and I've heard drug instead of dragged a few times lately. Since these improper terms are so often used by journalists, I have to wonder if the Queens english is important anymore.
  34. marge kelvin from Toronto, Canada writes: Natasha: It's "hippie." "Hippy" might pass for a slangy adjective describing someone with a wide pelvis, thick femurs, and/or adiposity in the hip area, but it doesn't describe the blissfully naive long-haired, pot-smoking, acid-dropping souls of the latter 60's. I think my "Peace Symbol" medallion is in a decaying cigar box somewhere.

    And "begs the question" should be retired from the language: It's another one of those ancient phrases which practically no-one, understands. It means 'a question phrased in such a way as to answer itself,' if I remember correctly.

    And the next time someone tells you they'll "double-check" something, tell them it will be sufficient to simply check it. If they have to "double-check" it, they will eventually be diagnosed with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and will live out their days on Luvox, Ritalin, and maybe a super-size prescription for Valium or Xanax, after their series of ECT treatments. I doubt they'll notice stinky armpits ever again ...
  35. harry carnie from Northern,B.C., Canada writes: Delaney Murphy............actually Vodka is better than rubbing alcohol. You can also use it for mouthwash.........and YOU DO NOT have to spit it out.
  36. Jim Goodwin from Philippines writes: My wife uses calamansi (small green lemons) as a deodourant and it works very well for her. I have not tried it myself as I am a westerner who sweats profusely (not acclimatized yet) and need something stronger. However I do not use antiperspirants, my father preached against them when I was a teen back in the 60's. His reasoning, we sweat for a reason and where does it go if we do not sweat it out. Makes sense to me. So I have never used an anti perspirant.
  37. Alastair Berry from NANAIMO BC CANADA, Canada writes: BODY ODOR CAN BE A BIG PROBLEM!!! And I was in the military and called across to the(chief administrative officer) C.Ad.O's office on a certain base quite a few years back. The problem?? The (Civilian)girls(should I say women?) in the telephone exchange had walked out...... COMMUNICATIONS WERE DOWN!! Why?? One of the girls had SEVERE B.O. and the others were nauseated, and they finally walked out.... Well, says I, to the C.Ad.O. why don't you tell her and solve the problem?....... NO WAY , he says, It's obviously a MEDICAL PROBLEM and medical problems are the concern of the Base Medical Officer! The poor girl had a problem and she knew it and had already instituted a very adequate daily hygiene routine. It became my job to find another job some where on the base that was cooler and less conducive to sweating(should I say perspiring?). Anyway the problem for the PBX and the girl herself were solved reasonably well in the end. Personally I think GARLIC EATERS should be forbidden on all public transit, in crowds, aircraft and in audiences! I seems to see a blue haze around heavy garlic eaters yet curiously enough they seem quite anaware of the affect the have on other people. B.O. comes in all strengths from nuances to overpowering. Fresh B.O. is more acceptable than the powerful miasmatic stench that the 'great unwashed' emit on buses and the tubes when strap hanging!
  38. Sylvia Wilson from Canada writes: baking soda not only works as deodorant, but makes good toothpaste too, especially if combined with salt.

    People really need to start to understand labels and know what the ingredients do. Great article.

    Vinegar, by the way, is useful for lots of things--makes for a great rinse for hair and can be used to clean furniture and floors. It makes glassware sparkling clean when used in dishwashers.

    There are lots of home-made recipes superior to buying commercial products. Washing sodas, in cold water for instance get clothes clean without harmful additives found in commercial soaps. Borax is good too:

    http://www.becomenatural.com/blog/2007/06/make-your-own-homemade-biodegradale-laundry-soap/

    My grandmother was allergic to soaps and for years, we made our own that did not produce a reaction. I try to follow her example. She had lots of recipes for a wide variety of things and most were better than what's sold in stores as well as being a lot more environmentally friendly.

    People need to stop buying antiseptic soaps because they kill good germs as well as bad. My family docotr told me that simply using soap for washing hands prevents many, many diseases and agreed that antiseptic soaps destroy a person's natural immunity to germs.
  39. Glynnmhor of Skywall from Canada writes: Aluminum chlorhydrate is one of the most important discoveries of the 20th century, and has revolutionized Society.

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