We’ve written several blog posts about protecting your children’s health, and your own, by eliminating toxic chemicals from your life. This issue is getting very mainstream – which is the kind of impact we need for significant change to take place. CNN Health, for example, recently aired a two-part investigative report called Toxic America. Here’s a summary of some of the show’s most vital information you can use to protect your family: 5 toxics that are everywhere, and what you can do about them.
Each of the following 5 toxics are now on the EPA’s Chemicals of Concern list and, as you will read, for good reason.
BPA – Bisphenol A: BPA is used in lightweight, almost unbreakable plastics and in epoxy resins. According to the CNN report, it’s in water bottles, baby bottles, reusable food containers, plastic tableware, infant feeding cups, linings of infant formula cans and other cans, jar lids, CDs, electrical and electronic equipment, dental sealants.
Phthalates: Used to soften plastics and bind chemicals, phthalates are used in shampoos, conditioners, body sprays, hair sprays, perfumes, colognes, soap, nail polish, shower curtains, medical tubing, IV bags, vinyl flooring and wall coverings, food packaging and coatings on time-release drugs. Other specific uses worth mentioning are children’s soft vinyl toys and the waterproof plastic coverings on most crib mattresses. The use of three types of phthalates was recently banned in some children’s products – but not all children’s products, and not all phthalates. The phthalates that weren’t banned are still being investigated. Naturepedic’s crib mattresses, by the way, contain no phthalates. We figured out how to make our mattresses waterproof without them.
PFOA – Perfluorooctanoic acid (also called C8): Used to make Teflon and “thousands” of other nonstick, stain-repellant and water-repellent products. PFOA is in products that fit that description – cookware, waterproof breathable clothing, furniture and carpets – and can be produced by a breakdown of these products. Also used in many industrial settings.
Formaldehyde: Used in glues and adhesives, glue-type resins in pressed wood products like particleboard, plywood, paneling, fiberboard, and durable-press fabrics like drapes. Although not mentioned in the CNN show, formaldehyde is also in just about every article of clothing, bed linens and other fabrics labeled permanent-press, wrinkle-resistant, easy-care, and so on.
PBDEs – Polybrominated diphenyl ethers: Chemicals used as flame retardants. They’re in televisions, computers and wire insulation, and furniture foam – by which is meant, polyurethane foam, the very same foam that is used in most mattresses, including the crib mattresses slept on my most children in America. More than 124 million pounds of PBDEs are produced annually worldwide and they do not break down easily, so these chemicals are ubiquitous. In addition to the direct exposure in our furniture, wiring and electronics, we are also exposed through our food and water. Babies even get them from mom’s breast milk.
More data about these chemicals, the health problems they can cause, and how you can avoid them and/or prevent exposure to them is on the CNN Health site. Read 5 toxics that are everywhere: Protect yourself for details.
Also, the original two-part broadcast, Toxic America, is also available online. You can watch it at http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2010/toxic.america. The links to the show are on the right of the page.
The toxic chemical situation in America sounds bad, and it is bad. But you can protect yourself and your children. It’s not even that difficult, and it’s well worth it.
