Posts Tagged ‘toxic chemicals’
Sunday, May 30th, 2010
If 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.
Tags: baby crib mattress, Bisphenol A, BPA, chemicals affect unborn child, Crib Mattress, Critical Windows of Development, Debra Lynn Dadd, dioxin, endocrine disruptors, fetal development, Home Safe Home, Naturepedic, organic cotton, phthalates, The Endocrine Disruption Exchange, toxic chemicals
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 »
Saturday, April 24th, 2010
Earth Day was officially on 22 April, but in many communities and countries around the world it’s celebrated for the entire week or month. Earth Day was founded 40 years ago by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin. His goal was to create a grassroots movement that would show the government just how concerned Americans were about the environment and get laws enacted that would enforce protection of the earth and its inhabitants – us.
By the end of that year, in December 1970, the Environmental Protection Agency opened its doors. A very good start.
Since that time, there have been many years when there has been little to celebrate. Although there has been continual progress, including some milestones, there have also been pretty serious setbacks. For example, of the 80,000 chemicals that have been produced and used in the U.S. since the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) was enacted 34 years ago, only 200 have been tested by the EPA, and only five have been regulated.
But in the last year, the EPA has undergone some equally serious reform. Finally, the agency is really buckling down on toxic chemicals, both in the environment and in consumer goods.
There is special attention on children, as it should be. Children are most susceptible to toxic chemicals because their bodies are still growing. In the not too distant future, it is our children and grandchildren, the little ones asleep in their cribs right now, who will lead the way in politics, as teachers, as firefighters, artists, business owners and so on, and so on.
To do their jobs well, to achieve their goals and have a satisfying, happy and productive life, they need to be healthy.
At Naturepedic, we celebrate Earth Day every day. We give children a healthy start in life by manufacturing our award-winning organic baby crib mattresses that are certified by GREENGUARD and enjoy the unique distinction of being the only crib mattress recommended by Healthy Child Healthy World.
Do you have a Naturepedic mattress for your infant or toddler? If not, you might want to celebrate Earth Day/Week/Month by checking them out at http://www.Naturepedic.com.
You can also celebrate Earth Day by working on creating a personal environment that is more chemical-free. It really doesn’t take much to get a good start. Read Going Green in 2010 – A Few Simple Things With A Big Impact for some helpful hints that make a real difference.
Start now, and next year your family will also have even more to celebrate on Earth Day!
Tags: award-winning organic baby crib mattress, baby crib mattresses, Crib Mattress, crib mattresses, Earth Day, Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, EPA reform, going green, mattress for infant or toddley, Naturepedic, organic baby crib mattress, toxic chemicals, Toxic Substances Control Act, TSCA
Posted in EPA, Naturepedic, Toxic Substances Control Act, going green, toxic chemicals | No Comments »
Sunday, April 18th, 2010
Many people have complained about needing a degree in chemistry to understand which products are safe and which are not. New Safe Chemicals Act may enable the protection we need.
In February we wrote a blog about The Health Case for Reforming the Toxic Substances Control Act, a new health report from Safer Chemicals Healthy Families. See Toxic Chemicals Are Putting Your Children at Risk. The tireless efforts of many people have finally paid off – landmark legislation that completely overhauls the broken system used by government to protect us from toxic chemicals has been introduced in Congress.
Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Congressmen Bobby Rush (D-IL) and
Henry Waxman (D-CA) are the authors of the new Safe Chemicals Act, formerly known as the Kid-Safe Chemicals Act.
Here are some of the highlights to give you an idea of what the new law would do:
– (Finally) empower the EPA to regulate toxic chemicals, and act quickly when necessary.
– Ensure the EPA is provided with sufficient information to evaluate the safety of a chemical.
– Establish new research programs to help us understand the risk toxic industrial chemicals pose to children, ourselves, and the environment.
– Force industry to prove their products are safe, both those already on the market and those they introduce in the future. Formerly, the burden of proof was the responsibility of the EPA, which didn’t have the power, information or funding needed to fulfill the obligation.
– Provide the public with transparent and adequate information to make their own judgments and decisions.
– and more.
The Safe Chemicals Act will “breathe new life into a long-dead statute by empowering EPA to get tough on toxic chemicals,” said Senator Lautenberg.
And that’s exactly what we need to protect ourselves, our children, and our environment.
If you would like to read the bill in its entirety, it’s available here.
Stay tuned for updates!
Tags: EPA, Kid-Safe Chemicals Act, putting children at risk, regulate toxic chemicals, Safe Chemicals Act, Safer Chemicals Healthy Families, The Health Case for Reforming the Toxic Substances Control Act, toxic chemicals, toxic industrial chemicals
Posted in Kid-Safe Chemicals Act, Safe Chemicals Act, Toxic Substances Control Act, dangerous household chemicals, toxic chemicals | 1 Comment »
Sunday, April 11th, 2010
The truth about the effects of toxic chemicals in our everyday lives is getting more mainstream media attention now than ever. Just last week, Time magazine published a list of ten common household toxins that ‘mounting evidence’ shows may be linked to health problems.
Here’s the list, along with where these chemicals are commonly found:
1. Bisphenol A (BPA) – food wrap, water bottles and other plastics
2. Oxybenzone – moisturizers, sunscreens, lip balm
3. Flouride – toothpaste, tap water
4. Parabens – moisturizers, hair care and shaving products
5. Phthalates – skin care treatment products, crib mattresses, toys, shower curtains, just about everything made with pliable PVC/vinyl
6. Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) – chewing gum, snack foods, diaper creams
7. Perflouroctanoic Acid – tap water, teflon and non-stick pots and pans
8. Perchlorate – drinking water, soil
9. Decabromodiphenyl Ether (DECA) – flame retardant in electronics, furniture, carpets
10. Asbestos – insulation, drywall, artificial fireplace logs, toys
The Time article doesn’t give a lot of information on each chemical and, of course, the actual list of toxic chemicals commonly found is in the thousands. But that’s not the point.
The important thing is that they are writing about it – more people are being educated, the powers that be will be more motivated to bring the issue to the top of their agenda, change will occur at a more accelerated rate, and we’ll all be living healthier lives.
Tags: Asbestos, BHA, Bisphenol A, BPA, Butylated Hydroxyanisole, DECA, Decabromodiphenyl Ether, flame retardants, Fluoride, household toxins, Oxybenzone, Parabens, Perchlorate, Perflouroctanoic Acid, phthalates, Time magazine, toxic chemicals
Posted in dangerous household chemicals, toxic chemicals | No Comments »
Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010
A pillow adds a very nice touch to a bed. It makes it look cozy and inviting – especially to adults who have warm memories of peaceful slumber. But, for a baby, it’s another story. A pillow can suffocate a baby – which is why doctors recommend not using one until your child is two years old. But suffocation is far from the only safety problem with pillows, whether your child is newborn, two years old, or twenty.
What are the other elements of a pillow that can affect health and safety? Primarily, the materials with which they’re made. Interesting enough, almost all of the materials are of the same type used in adult, toddler and crib mattresses.
- Feathers and down. Down is the fine, soft, fluffy feathers on baby birds, and underlying the regular feathers of adult birds. Down is more expensive than regular feathers. Some pillows are made only of down, some are a mixture of down and other feathers, and some mix down or feathers with synthetic materials. The problem? Many people are allergic to feathers, whether down or otherwise, and feathers can really collect and hold dust – another common allergen.
- Polyester. Polyester in itself may not be particular hazardous, but the same is not true of the chemicals with which polyester is treated. Polyester pillows could contain formaldehyde or dangerous fire-retardants. If you’re going to go with polyester, make sure you contact the manufacturer to find out all the details about every chemical used in processing. Unfortunately, the information will not be on the label.
- Polyurethane foam. Many of the new pillows that conform to your shape are made with polyurethane foam – a petro-chemical that the National Association of State Fire Marshals calls ‘solid gasoline.’ Breathing solid gasoline all night is bad enough, but polyurethane foam can also contain toxic chemicals used as fire retardants. If you’re in California, where the addition of fire retardants to some polyurethane items is required by law, there’s not much chance of finding a polyurethane pillow without those chemicals. Fire retardants in polyurethane pillows are also common in other states, but you have to check with the manufacturer of the product. All in all, it’s probably best to avoid polyurethane foam pillows – they’re not quite the breath of fresh air you expect from a healthy, relaxing sleep.
- Wool. Wool pillows may be okay for adults, but they’re not recommended for a baby. Wool is a common allergen and your baby, if not outright allergic, could develop a sensitivity to wool without you being aware of it.
- Latex. Again, allergy is the primary issue. And, as with wool, latex sensitivity can develop with long-term exposure.
The other option is organic cotton – which is we use to make both our toddler and crib mattresses and our adult, toddler and baby pillows. Organic cotton is not an allergen and hasn’t been grown with synthetic pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers. Nor have any dangerous chemicals been added in processing.
When your baby’s ready for a pillow, make sure you choose one that is safe all around. As with all baby products, health and safety are the primary concerns.
Tags: baby pillow, baby pillows, cotton pillow, Crib Mattress, down pillow, feather pillow, fire retardants, latex, latex allergy, organic cotton, organic cotton pillow, pillow can suffocate a baby, polyester, polyurethane foam pillow, toxic chemicals, wool allergy, wool pillows
Posted in Naturepedic | No Comments »
Tuesday, February 9th, 2010
Check out the startling details in a new health report from Safer Chemicals Healthy Families.
Read The Health Case for Reforming The Toxic Substances Control Act
The results of a compilation and analysis of 30 years of environment studies, recently published as a health report from Safer Chemicals Healthy Families, revealed startling details about the increase in disease in the U.S. over the last 35 years, and the link to toxic chemicals.
Here are some of the statistics from the report:
- Leukemia, brain cancer, and other childhood cancers, have increased by more than 20% since 1975.
- Breast cancer went up by 40% between 1973 and 1998 and, while breast cancer rates have declined since 2003, a woman’s lifetime risk of breast cancer is now one in eight, up from one in ten in 1973.
- The incidence of asthma doubled between 1980 and 1995 and has stayed at the elevated rate.
- Difficulty in conceiving and maintaining a pregnancy affected 40% more women in 2002 than in 1982. For woman aged 18 – 25, the incidence of reported difficulty has almost doubled.
- The birth defect resulting in undescended testes increased 200% between 1970 and 1993.
- Diagnosed autism has increased more than 10 times in the last 15 years.
According to the report, there is a growing consensus that chemicals are playing a role in the incidence and prevalence of these diseases.
The birth defect resulting in undescended testes, for example, as well as other hormonal problems with young boys, could be the result of exposure to phthalates – the plasticizer chemicals used to soften PVC/Vinyl so it can be used as a waterproof covering in crib mattresses – which is one of the reasons three phthalates were banned in baby mattresses and other kids products. One study even found that the school-age boys of women who tested positive for phthalates in their urine while pregnant played in ways that were not typical of young boys – no trucks, rough housing, and so on.
What’s being done about the chemical problem?
Although the EPA has admitted they’ve failed to protect the public from the dangers of toxic chemicals, and is currently making changes, the track record is abysmal: Since the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) was enacted 34 years ago, only 200 of the 80,000 chemicals that have since been produced and used in the U.S. have been tested by the EPA, and only five have been regulated.
Health care reform is currently the subject of intense controversy. But real reform will come when we start getting rid of the chemicals suspected of exacerbating, if not causing, illness.
Chemical policy reform would also free up a lot of health care dollars: If reducing exposure to chemicals resulted in healthier people, it would only take one tenth of one percent in health savings to free up $5 billion every year.
Read more details in the report, The Health Case for Reforming the Toxic Substances Control Act.
Safer Chemicals Healthy Families also has a campaign to help eliminate toxic chemicals. There are many facets to their campaign, including Parents for Non-Toxic Alternatives and several others directly concerned with toxic chemicals and the relationship to child safety. Check them out, you may want to become involved.
If you’re concerned about your child’s safety and want to do something about it right now, consider getting a Naturepedic toddler or crib mattress, along with our safe child and baby bedding and pillows. Also, check out the book Home Safe Home by Debra Lynn Dadd for thousands of safe alternatives for just about every chemical in your household.
Tags: asthma, baby bedding, baby mattress, brain cancer, breast cancer, chemical policy reform, child safety, childhood cancers, Crib Mattress, crib mattresses, Debra Lynn Dadd, eliminate toxic chemicals, EPA, health care reform, Home Safe Home, leukemia, Naturepedic, Parents for Non-Toxic Alternatives, phthalates, pillows, plasticizer chemicals, PVC, reducing exposure to chemicals, Safer Chemicals Healthy Families, The Health Case for Reforming the Toxic Substances Control Act, toxic chemicals, Toxic Substances Control Act, TSCA, undescended testes, vinyl
Posted in ADHD, Autism, SIDS, Green your home and nursery, Naturepedic, toxic chemicals | No Comments »
Monday, October 19th, 2009
Many people are becoming aware of the dangers of toxic chemicals, which is one reason why Naturepedic crib mattresses are so popular. But there’s so much information out there, it’s sometimes hard to know how to get started on your quest to eliminate toxins from your baby’s nursery. Here are a few changes that will give you a good start.
Those few basic will give your baby a healthy environment, and a healthy start in life.
p.s. see more about the lovely nursery in the photo at Snugabub.
Tags: chemical free, crib mattresses, dangers of toxic chemicals, eliminate toxins, Naturepedic, nursery, toxic chemicals
Posted in Naturepedic | No Comments »
Wednesday, September 30th, 2009
Although there’s no question that it’s better for everyone if our homes and the environment are completely free of toxic chemicals, it’s just not always possible. To resolve the issues across the globe, it’s going to take a big team – industry, government and our concerned friends everywhere on the planet. But we don’t need anyone’s help to take care of our child’s nursery or, for that matter, our own home.
How do we do that? In addition to using non-toxic products whenever possible – starting with an organic crib mattress and going straight through to cleaning products – you might also consider ridding the walls, floors, carpeting and so on of any residual off-gasing potential.
A step by step process for doing this is in a book called Home Safe Home, written by Debra Lynn Dadd, green maven extraordinaire. I recently had the good fortune to get Ms. Dadd’s permission to re-print the process in its entirety. The section is called Curing a Sick House. See below. And, by the way, I’d love to hear anyone’s feedback after they’ve tried this out.
Curing a Sick House
There are many building materials that have some toxicity when being applied, but cure to a nontoxic finish. This is because the toxic part is the solvent used to keep the material pliable (as in the case of caulks, paints, and other finishes) or that residual chemicals used in manufacturing have not completely dissipated (such as adhesives used to hold together wood floor tiles). Once these chemicals outgas, however, the resulting product is nontoxic.
If you don’t have to install or apply these products yourself, once cured they can be safe for you and your family to live with (though in the larger scheme of things, we should also be considering toxic exposures to the people we hire and the pollutants released into the environment.)
To speed up the curing process, you can do what is commonly called a “bake-out.” In my experience, it has been a cure-all for many toxic homes, as it bakes off the volatile gasses that are present in materials and finishes and cures the materials into an inert form.
The procedure I recommend is this:
1. Close all doors and windows.
2. Remove people, pets, and plants.
3. Turn up the central heat as far as it will go (or use space heaters).
4. At the end of each twenty-four-hour period, open the doors and windows and air your home out completely. Use a fan if necessary.
5. Sniff around to check for odors. Determine if they are gone, or if you need another day of baking.
Baking can take from one to five days. I’ve never needed to do it longer than five days.”
Gloria
The Naturepedic Blog Maven
Tags: child's nursery, Crib Mattress, non-toxic, non-toxic cleaning products, nursery, off-gasing, organic crib mattress, outgas, toxic chemicals, volatile gasses
Posted in Naturepedic | No Comments »
Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009
Bacteria, or cleaning products with toxic chemicals? Hmmmm. Tough choice. But, really, it doesn’t have to be that way. There are many non-toxic cleaning products available in health food stores and even in supermarkets – although you do have to watch the labels carefully in the supermarket products – some say ‘organic’ or ‘natural’ but have simply had something organic or natural added to them, without eliminating the toxic ingredients.
Non-Toxic Cleaning Products from Your Kitchen
We don’t recommend specific products, there are far too many to keep track of, and we’re kind of busy making our wonderful organic crib mattresses, but here is an outline of what to look for to ensure you’re getting something safe. Courtesy of Debra Lynn Dadd, Queen of Green.
“If a cleaning product contains a chemical that is hazardous, it must by law specify the hazard. Look at your cleaning product labels and see if you find any of these words:
Toxic/Highly Toxic: poisonous if you happen to drink it, if you breathe the fumes, or if it is absorbed through your skin.
Extremely flammable/Flammable/Combustible: can catch fire if exposed to a flame or an electric spark.
Corrosive: will eat away your skin or cause inflammation of mucous membranes.
Strong Sensitizer: may provoke an allergic reaction.
Hazardous cleaning products also must prominently display the degree of toxicity with one of the following signal words:
Danger (or Poison, with skull and crossbones): could kill an adult if only a tiny pinch is ingested.
Warning: could kill an adult if about a teaspoon is ingested
Caution: will not kill until an amount from 2 tablespoons to 2 cups is ingested.”
Additionally, your kitchen is actually loaded with the ingredients for just about every cleaning need. The short list includes vinegar, water, lemon, cornstarch, table salt, baking soda and cream of tartar. If you’re interested in making your own cleaning products – it’s very easy and fast – check Home Safe Home, Debra Lynn Dadd’s indispensable guide to non-toxic living.
Gloria
The Naturepedic Blog Maven
Tags: crib mattresses, Debra Lynn Dadd, Home Safe Home, non-toxic cleaning products, non-toxic nursery, organic crib mattresses, toxic chemicals
Posted in Naturepedic | 1 Comment »
