Naturepedic » Debra’s List http://www.naturepedic.com/blog Organic Baby Crib Mattresses & Bedding Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:46:41 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 New Toxic Chemicals Act Didn’t Pass in Congress – But Don’t Give Up! http://www.naturepedic.com/blog/2010/10/new-toxic-chemicals-act-didn%e2%80%99t-pass-in-congress-%e2%80%93-but-don%e2%80%99t-give-up/ http://www.naturepedic.com/blog/2010/10/new-toxic-chemicals-act-didn%e2%80%99t-pass-in-congress-%e2%80%93-but-don%e2%80%99t-give-up/#comments Thu, 14 Oct 2010 16:46:38 +0000 gloria http://www.naturepedic.com/blog/?p=1497
For parents and others concerned about the toxic chemical ingredients and materials in products we use every day, the new Toxic Substances Control Act not getting enacted in Congress is quite a disappointment (read more at Reform of Toxic Chemicals Law Collapses as Industry Flexes Its Muscles). Discouraging as it may be, the real truth is this: no matter who flexes their muscles, we, each of us, are still in control. And there is hope on the horizon.

The bill, as it was worded, had the potential for real protection – one provision of the bill, for example, was that companies would be made responsible for ensuring that the chemicals they use in their products aren’t harmful. A very big change from the way things have been done, and that’s only one section of the bill.

The bill will be re-worked and presented again, and change will happen. The many individuals and groups, too numerous to mention, who have worked so long and hard on getting things this far will continue, along with others who join the ranks, and there will be progress.

But government tends to change slowly and, for now, we’re still on our own. It’s not illegal to give consumers toxic chemicals and that’s unlikely to change in the near future. So, we’re still living our lives with ‘buyer beware’ as our mantra and we have to be vigilant.

In all truth, we can live and consume safely. There are hundreds or thousands of companies that choose not to use toxic chemicals in the materials, manufacturing and finishing of their goods.

At Naturepedic, for example, we choose to make crib mattresses and other goods without toxic chemicals. We founded the company with that purpose in mind and we will continue to fulfill that purpose. That is what parents want, and that’s not going to change.

Companies that have that purpose will continue to thrive, more will start up, and still others will adopt that purpose. Eventually, the government will catch up. And industry will get the idea that toxic chemicals are just not acceptable.

Sometimes things have to be done over and over again in order to create change – don’t be discouraged. It will happen.

In the meantime, check sites like Debra’s List to find companies that are dedicated to providing non-toxic products.

]]> http://www.naturepedic.com/blog/2010/10/new-toxic-chemicals-act-didn%e2%80%99t-pass-in-congress-%e2%80%93-but-don%e2%80%99t-give-up/feed/ 0 Q & A: Creating a Toxin-Free Nursery – What’s After Getting an Organic Crib Mattress? http://www.naturepedic.com/blog/2009/10/q-a-creating-a-toxin-free-nursery-whats-after-getting-an-organic-crib-mattress/ http://www.naturepedic.com/blog/2009/10/q-a-creating-a-toxin-free-nursery-whats-after-getting-an-organic-crib-mattress/#comments Wed, 07 Oct 2009 23:25:31 +0000 gloria http://www.naturepedic.com/blog/?p=387
Q: I am going to be a new mother in about two months. I am now the proud owner of a Naturepedic crib mattress, but I’m not sure what my next priority should be to make sure our nursery is free of toxins.

A: Congratulations on the soon-to-be new arrival! And on your new Naturepedic organic crib mattress. Your next step to creating a toxin-free nursery really depends on your current environment. If you have just installed new carpeting or just painted the nursery, your first priority right now would be opening windows and/or installing a heavy duty air purifier.

To hasten the off-gassing process, you can also ‘cure’ your nursery – to see exact steps, read the Curing a Sick House section in our recent blog.

You also want to make sure the baby’s bedding and clothes are free of toxic dyes and other chemicals. Organic cotton is your best bet. Fortunately, more and more stores are selling organic cotton clothing for babies so they shouldn’t be too hard to find. By the way, if you’re looking for info on natural products, check out Debra’s List. She’s the Queen of Green – knows just about everything.

I seem to be referencing materials from Debra Lynn Dadd quite frequently of late. No, she’s not paying me. But she does excellent research and has volumes of helpful info on living without harmful chemicals.

Also, it’s very important to make sure your cleaning products aren’t toxic. See our blog on non-toxic cleaning products for more info.

Gloria
The Naturepedic Blog Maven

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