Would you look for Petroleum HERE? ( Archived) (14)

By Rachel Cernansky, Planet Green

About one quarter of the oil consumed in this country is used for industrial purposes. Plastic production is the most obvious example, as awareness grows of the harm plastic does to the earth and people shun the material when they can.

But oil has permeated more of our lives than most people realize. Here, the most surprising places you’ll find oil, in some form, as a key ingredient:

Chewing gum ~ It lasts as long as it does for a reason–just about all brands on store shelves today use petroleum-based polymers. (Unless you find, say, Chicza’s organic rainforest gum, but I haven’t seen it at any 7-Eleven lately.) In fact, Goodyear–the tire and rubber company–supplies Wrigley’s with much of its gum base.

Hair dye ~ As if the toxic chemicals in hair dye weren’t enough reason to avoid coloring your hair. Try finding more natural alternatives, or just go au naturale.

Asphalt ~ Also known as bitumen, the material used to resurface roads (as well as in roofing materials) is an oil-based hydrocarbon.

Crayons ~ The main ingredient is paraffin wax, a petroleum product also used in most candles.

Ink ~ Ever wonder why so many companies with an eco-conscience tout their use of soy-based ink?

Pantyhose ~ …and all other nylon products. All petroleum-based.

There are so many petroleum based products. Would you believe even these: Heart Valves. Pillows. Aspirin. Ammonia. Toothpaste. Toothbrushes. Guitar strings. Shoe polish. Tape. Rubbing Alcohol. Vitamin capsules. Solvents. Caulking. Insecticides. Deodorant. Glue.

The wax layer of the packaging your frozen food comes in. (And, of course, the fertilizers that farmers used to grow much of that food.)

Given the ubiquity of oil, it’s not an easy thing to get away from, no matter how much bike-riding and food-growing we do for ourselves. (Though both of things are a great start…keep ‘em up!) But, like other addictions, we got ourselves hooked, and with serious effort and dedication, we can get ourselves unhooked.


Do you know of any others to add to these items?

I can add this one.
The inside layer of all Aluminum cans produced in the U.S.

Sometimes I have oily skin !

could be doing with a bit of oiling mysel ..Jeep.... ..

I'm sure quite a few would love to check your oil, oops I mean petroleum

How about your pc keyboard, the outside covering of your monitor?
The dash of your car? The car seats? To go cups from your favorite convenience store?

Come on and think! You know of more!

Your makeup ... ?... ...

Absolutely!
Yes! It's TRUE!!

And moisturizers too! Even soaps!

Thanks R!

"OIL second that motion" ...........