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Archive for the ‘safe bath and personal care products for kids’ Category

Educating Family and Friends on Protecting Children from Chemicals

Saturday, August 28th, 2010


We’re pretty lucky here at Naturepedic – everyone is on the same page. We want all children to have a healthy sleep and our organic cotton crib mattresses provide a way to accomplish that goal. But some people, you may be one of them, are surrounded with others who don’t understand the importance of living a toxic chemical-free life.

If you’re looking for a way to spread the word, to educate friends and family about the danger of toxic chemicals and what can be done about it, you might want to start with this new video from Healthy Child Healthy World.

You can direct people you would like to educate to this blog to see the video, or send them right to Healthy Child Healthy World. If you have your own website or blog, you can even display the video yourself. Just click ‘Share’ and follow the instructions. This could be just what you need to start the ball rolling!

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Posted in Green your home and nursery, Healthy Child Healthy World, Kid-Safe Chemicals Act, Naturepedic, PVC/vinyl, Safe Chemicals Act, dangerous household chemicals, going green, pesticides, phthalates, polyurethane foam, safe bath and personal care products for kids, toxic chemicals in kids' products | No Comments »

Mom is Baby’s First House. Is Your Body Kid-Safe?

Tuesday, June 8th, 2010


non-toxic chemicals in MomCouples hoping to start a family or have a new baby often start planning well into the future. Moving into a new place that has room for the baby, is in a safe, family environment, decor, clothing, even what school the kids will go to are sometimes decided years in advance. Prospective parents who are in-the-know would also be searching for the best organic crib mattress and other non-toxic furniture. But sometimes we forget to make sure the baby’s very first house – Mom – is up to par.

Many recent studies have shown that kids whose Moms’ bodies contain chemicals are born with those chemicals in their body. One study found 287 chemicals in newborns’ umbilical cords.

Many experts believe this is a real health hazard because children’s under-developed bodies are especially susceptible to toxins. Even the President’s Cancer Panel suggests that both parents should avoid exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals and known or suspected carcinogens prior to conception, during pregnancy and throughout a child’s early life.

How can you safeguard your baby?

The first order of business would be, of course, to eliminate chemicals from your environment as much as possible. You can do a lot with just a few changes in:

Personal care products and cosmetics,
Household cleaning products and laundry items, and
Food that contains chemical additives or was grown (like chicken and beef) with added hormones, antibiotics, and so forth.

But it is also a good idea to see a health practitioner and get tested for the chemicals in your body and, if needed, do a detox. There are many different types of detox programs – your health care specialist can recommend one that’s best for you.

A chemical-free environment for your baby to come home to is important – everything from clothing to crib mattresses. But a good detox for Mom and Dad gives your baby an excellent start right from conception.

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Posted in Green your home and nursery, dangerous household chemicals, expectant mother's health, pesticides, phthalates, safe bath and personal care products for kids, toxic chemicals | 1 Comment »

How the Chemicals in Your Life Are Affecting Your Unborn Children

Sunday, May 30th, 2010


eliminate toxic chemicals if you're pregnantIf you’ve been reading our blog, or keeping up with news items (including a piece on 60 Minutes that aired just a week ago), you will know that many of the items in our everyday lives contain potentially harmful chemicals. This is even more of a problem for kids than adults, because kids’ bodies are still developing. But the problem starts long before the kids are born. In fact, it’s immediately after conception. Check out this resource that shows you exactly when and in what part of the body chemicals affect your unborn child.

The resource is a chart on the website of The Endocrine Disruption Exchange (TEDX). TEDX is a non-profit organization that studies the effects of low-dose exposure to endocrine disruptors, chemicals that effect fetal development and human health. These chemicals include, but are not limited to, bisphenol A (BPA), dioxin, and phthalates.

The chart is called Critical Windows of Development. It lists the various systems, organs and so on within the body and shows the stages of development during each weeks and trimesters in the womb. On the upper right of the chart, it shows checkboxes for ‘All Chemicals’, ‘Bisphenol A’, ‘Dioxin’, and ‘Phthalates’. Check ‘Phthalates’, for example, and red lines appear on the chart that show you which systems they affect, and at what period of pregnancy.

There are also little triangles on the chart that provide the names of studies that support the information.

One thing is clear: If we want to give our kids the best chance at being healthy as children and throughout their lives, expectant Mothers need to be free of these chemicals.

Pass this on to anyone you know who is pregnant, or may be in the future, so they can start doing something about it now.

What do they do about it? Eliminate the chemicals from their lives as much as possible. Many of our blog posts show you how to do that, and Debra Lynn Dadd’s book Home Safe Home has a wealth of information on what chemicals are in what products and suggestions on healthy alternatives. But, basically, just go organic, go toxin-free.

And once your baby is born, make sure you continue your toxic-free life. Get the baby a safe crib and baby crib mattress, made with non-toxic materials, swaddle them in organic cotton, feed them organic food, get them glass baby bottles and diapers and toys that are not made of harmful plastics or other potentially harmful chemicals.

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Posted in Naturepedic, Non-Toxic Toys and Children's Gifts, Organic Bedding, Studies, dangerous household chemicals, expectant mother's health, organic cotton, phthalates, safe bath and personal care products for kids, toxic chemicals | 1 Comment »

Could Your Baby Crib Mattress Cause Your Child to be Obese?

Friday, May 28th, 2010


Chubby little kids used to be just that – chubby little kids. Big deal. But research in recent years has shown that childhood obesity can lead to serious health problems. The common solution is to try to get the kids to eat less and play more – which, in many cases, simply doesn’t work. Is there hope on the horizon? Yes. A new study has discovered a link between obesity and phthalates – the chemicals used to make children’s toys, personal care products, the PVC vinyl used as waterproof coverings on baby crib mattresses, and many other things that are part of our everyday lives.

How much of a problem is childhood obesity? In the U.S., on average, 30% of children are overweight or obese. In some states the numbers are much higher. In Mississippi, for example, nearly half of the kids have a weight problem.

Not only can this be very hard on a child socially by interfering with relationships and self-esteem, it also increases the risk of heart disease, asthma, liver problems and diabetes. It’s really worth doing something about.

How do phthalates fit into the picture?

As we have covered in several other blog posts, check Phthalates Effect Hormonal Development in Little Girls and Increase Risk of Health Problems in Later Life for more info on what they can do to little girls, phthalates are endocrine disruptors, which means they affect the glands and hormones that regulate many bodily functions, including those relating to fat metabolism.

Several animal studies have shown mice to become obese when exposed to endocrine disruptors. But the new study on 400 girls aged 9 to 11 has now linked endocrine disruptors – specifically, phthalates – to obesity in humans.

To investigate the link, researchers measured the girls’ exposure to phthalates through urine testing. According Dr. Philip J. Landrigan, one of the lead researchers on the study and professor of pediatrics at New York’s Mount Sinai Medical Center, the girls with the highest exposure to phthalates were also the most overweight.

Dr. Landrigan told the New York Times that even though there is some recognition of the role chemicals play in childhood obesity, it is generally thought of as a ‘calories eaten vs. calories burned’ issue. Dr. Landrigran thinks the link to chemicals may be far more significant.

The evidence of the health consequences of chemicals in our everyday lives is mounting. Pesticides, fire-retardants, phthalates – they are everywhere. In some cases they’re used for convenience; in others we’re told they’re necessary to protect us.

At Naturepedic we don’t use those chemicals in our baby crib mattresses. But we meet and exceed government health and safety regulations. And there are hundreds of companies that do the same with their various products.

So … are the chemicals really necessary? In light of all the recent research, they are doing more harm than good. For the health of your children, check out Naturepedic toddler and baby crib mattresses – the kids spend a lot of time there so it’s a good place to start – then do what you can to get phthalates and other harmful chemicals out of the house!

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Posted in PVC/vinyl, Studies, childhood obesity, dangerous household chemicals, fire retardants, pesticides, phthalates, safe bath and personal care products for kids, toxic chemicals | No Comments »

President’s Cancer Panel Warns Against Toxic Chemicals in Everyday Life

Tuesday, May 11th, 2010

non-toxic chemicals make a happy healthy family

Happy, Healthy Family Lives a Toxin-Free Life

The President’s Cancer Panel released their annual report last Thursday. I can’t begin to tell you what a breakthrough it is to have this icon of the medical establishment acknowledge the role chemicals play in our health. Cancer is not the only consequence of chemical exposure but, of course, it is the focus of the report.


Did you know that 41% of Americans will be diagnosed with cancer at some time in their lives? Scary, but those are the statistics. The President’s Cancer Panel wants to do something about it.

To give you an idea of how serious they are, check out this quote from the Panel’s cover letter to the President:

“The Panel was particularly concerned to find that the true burden of environmentally induced cancer has been grossly underestimated. With nearly 80,000 chemicals on the market in the United States, many of which are used by millions of Americans in their daily lives and are un- or understudied and largely unregulated, exposure to potential environmental carcinogens is widespread.”

There’s much more to read in the report itself, but even reading just the cover letter to the President makes things pretty clear. See Reducing Environmental Cancer Risk – What We Can Do Now for both the letter and the complete report.

The authors provide outlines of policy, research and programs to bring about the changes they believe are necessary to keep us safe. But they also provide recommendations we can use in our daily lives, now, to reduce our exposure.

Here are the highlights of their recommendations:

1. Because children’s under-developed bodies are especially susceptible to toxins, both parents should avoid exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals and known or suspected carcinogens prior to conception, during pregnancy and throughout a child’s early life. They also advise we choose foods, house and garden products, play spaces (this would include cribs and baby crib mattresses – check out Naturepedic), toys, medicines and medical tests that limit exposure.

2. If one works in an environmental that contains potentially harmful chemicals, remove work shoes and wash work clothes immediately upon entering the house so as not to contaminate the home environment.

3. Drink filtered tap water. Avoid bottles of water – BPA in plastics is a big issue – unless it is known that tap or well water is contaminated.

4. Buy organic food – food grown without pesticides or chemical fertilizers. Eat meat from free-range animals that have not been given growth hormones or antibiotics. Avoid processed, charred and well-done meats.

5. Properly dispose of pharmaceuticals, household chemicals, paints and similar materials. And, when possible, choose products made with non-toxic substances or environmentally-safe chemicals.

6. Reduce exposure to radiation (they give specifics), and get your home tested for radon.

7. Become a voice in your community.

The report covers many different types of exposure, including radiation from medical testing. For example, did you know that the radiation from one CT scan is equivalent to over 1,000 chest x-rays? To read the complete report, which is lengthy but easy to read and very interesting, check Reducing Environmental Cancer Risk – What We Can Do Now.

This is great news! Not only is the issue getting more mainstream medical attention, the information is now in the oval office. And with fairly simple recommendations we can put into action in our daily lives, we really can do something about our own health and the health of our children, now!

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Posted in Naturepedic, dangerous household chemicals, going green, non-toxic cribs, non-toxic paint, safe bath and personal care products for kids, toxic chemicals | No Comments »

Phthalates Affect Hormonal Development in Little Girls and Increase Risk of Health Problems Later in Life

Wednesday, May 5th, 2010


phthalates can cause early puberty in little girlsIf we could sum up what we want for our kids in two words, ‘happy’ and ‘healthy’ would probably be the winners. Raising children who are happy and healthy as they grow and when they become adults is no small feat! However, it is becoming more and more obvious that many chemicals we use every single day can thwart those goals. Check out the latest study on the effects of phthalates, phenols and phytoestrogens on little girls.

It’s been known for some time that phthalates – used to soften PVC/vinyl so it can be used as a waterproof covering on crib mattresses – can affect hormonal development in little boys. In some cases, it affects their behavior, and the physical damage can be so severe it can even cause structural changes. This information was pivotal in the recent banning of three types of phthalates in some children’s products. Others phthalates are still under investigation.

The new study shows that little boys aren’t the only victims – little girls are at risk, too.

The study, conducted at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, tested 1,151 girls, aged 6 through 8 at the time the study started, from New York, greater Cincinnati and northern California. The content of phthalates, phenols, and phytoestrogens was measured in the girls’ urine.

One year later, they measured the chemical content again, and checked for signs of early puberty – breast development and pubic hair. By then the girls were 7 to 9 years old and, yes, they were developing breasts and pubic hair! The more of the chemicals they had in their body, the more likely they were to be maturing prematurely.

This developmental problem can also lead to health problems in later life – increased risk of breast cancer, for example.

How can you help your children avoid these problems? To start with, Moms, and potential Moms, should be aware that chemicals in their body can pass to their children while still in the womb. Moms, and Moms to be, should study up on these chemicals and use products that don’t contain them. If Mom’s body is free of these chemicals, she won’t be passing them on to her children.

To help you get a good start on that process, be aware that all three chemicals are found in lotions, shampoos, cosmetics, nail polishes and many other consumer products – especially if they contain added fragrance. Perfumes are definitely out. Check into organic essential oils as an alternative.

Next, get a Naturepedic baby crib mattress – no phthalates, phenols, or phytoestrogens. And no other harmful chemicals like those found in fire retardants.

Additionally, always check for dangerous chemicals in everything that goes in or on your baby. Use natural soaps, lotions and shampoos exclusively. And watch out for the toys they play with – especially those made of PVC/vinyl (like rubber duckies); they usually contain phthalates to make them soft. If you have questions about personal care products, check the Environmental Working Group’s Cosmetics Database. You can also check the book Home Safe Home for a wealth of information on healthy alternatives for just about everything. It’s so hard to find this kind of information all in one place – this book is packed with stuff!

To find out more about the study, see Exposure to Three Classes of Common Chemicals May Affect Female Development on the Mt. Sinai site.

Getting rid of harmful chemicals in your life is good for you, your children, and the environment. Have fun finding healthy alternatives!

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Posted in Naturepedic, PVC/vinyl, dangerous household chemicals, phthalates, safe bath and personal care products for kids, toxic chemicals | No Comments »

Keeping Your Baby Safe at Bath Time

Tuesday, April 27th, 2010


safe bath and personal care products for kidsHaving your baby sleep on a Naturepedic baby crib mattress prevents exposure to many harmful chemicals, but exposure doesn’t end there. Check out this information on bath and personal care products.

While not every personal care product for babies and children contains harmful ingredients, two notable carcinogens that are by-products of the manufacturing and storage process are showing up in a majority of products tested by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, a coalition with several notable founding and sponsor members, including the Environmental Working Group. Parents should be aware of what these products are and how to avoid them.

The chemicals of concern are 1,4-dioxane (aka dioxane) and formaldehyde. They are not listed on labels because they are by-products, not ingredients.

Here’s the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics explanation of how they contaminate the products:

“Formaldehyde contaminates personal care products when common preservatives release formaldehyde over time in the container. Common ingredients likely to contaminate products with formaldehyde include quaternium-15, DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea and diazolidinyl urea.

“1,4-dioxane is a byproduct of a chemical processing technique called ethoxylation, in which cosmetic ingredients are processed with ethylene oxide. Manufacturers can easily remove the toxic byproduct, but are not required by law to do so. Common ingredients likely to be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane include PEG-100 stearate, sodium laureth sulfate, polyethylene and ceteareth-20.”

What Damage Can Be Caused by These Chemicals?

1,4-dioxane and formaldehyde are both known carcinogens.

1,4-dioxane has also been linked to damage to the central nervous system, liver and kidneys, and exposure has even been fatal to chemical workers. It readily absorbs into the bloodstream.

Formaldehyde can cause coughing, wheezing, watery eyes, itching, and skin irritations, has been linked to allergies and asthma in children, and to the development of leukemia as well as nose, lung, and brain cancer, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

The Test Results

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics tested 48 commonly used baby products including baby shampoos, bubble baths and baby lotions. Here’s a brief summary of what they found:

* 17 out of 28 products tested – 61 percent – contained both formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane.
* 23 out of 28 products – 82 percent – contained formaldehyde at levels ranging from 54 to 610 parts per million (ppm).
* 32 out of 48 products – 67 percent – contained 1,4-dioxane at levels ranging from 0.27 to 35 ppm

The Campaign acknowledges that using just one of these products might not be a problem – but several of them are used several times a week for years. Add that to toxic chemical exposure from other sources, and that’s quite a load for a little, not as yet developed body.

More Information on the Tested Products and Safer Alternatives

Check out the report on the study, No More Toxic Tub, for a full list of the products tested, the results for each (including which ones tested as safe), more details on 1,4 dioxane and formaldehyde, and additional data. It is an interesting and easy read.

If you’re looking for alternatives, check www.cosmeticsdatabase.com – a wonderful database that provides information on individual products. You can look for the safest products there as well seeing which ones you should avoid.

There are plenty of safe products out there for our kids, and you don’t have to be a chemist to find them. All it takes is a little education.

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Posted in dangerous household chemicals, safe bath and personal care products for kids, toxic chemicals | No Comments »

 
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