Wash that child's new clothes!

Are you getting any children new clothes for Christmas?  If so, be sure to wash them before the child wears them for the first time.  Why? A pediatrician explains on CNN.

Does that dress shirt itch?

Don't miss the New York Times article about formaldehyde in wrinkle-free clothes!

Soapnuts

A couple weeks ago, I was at Lehman's Hardware in Kidron, Ohio, which if you're ever in Amish country, is one place you must visit.  Anyway, I was at Lehman's and noticed they had Soapnuts.  I've read great reviews about their effectiveness for cleaning laundry, so I bought a bag to try.  I've only used them once so far, so the verdict is still out.  However, I have two thoughts on the subject after buying them.

First, if you leave the little bag of 3-4 nuts in the washing machine for the entire cycle, how does the soap ever really rinse out?  Know what I mean?  I've become one of those people who has to rinse some of my loads twice to make sure the soap/detergent is out of the clothes, so the residue doesn't bother my skin.  Now I'm questioning soapnuts.

Second, and this is my own fault for not reading closely in the store, I have to use liquid soapnuts if I use cold water.  Okay.  "I can do that," I think to myself until I get to the next paragraph of the directions... I have to boil some of them, then strain, etc. etc.???  Really?  I have to make my own liquid for cold washes?  And it involves me boiling water?  You mean using a stove?  Now, anyone who knows me, knows the kitchen is my least favorite room in the house.  I rarely get excited about creating something in the kitchen that then involves me eating and enjoying food.  If I don't like the kitchen for that, do you really think I'm going to use it in order to do my laundry in cold water?

Now you know why I've only used the soapnuts once and the verdict is still out about their effectiveness for cleaning clothes.

Finding new uses for old things

I am always intrigued to see how people find new uses for old items.  The creativity and ingenuity is always impressive. I'm not too handy with figuring out new uses, and then I see something someone else has done and I think, "Why didn't I think of that?"  So then I wander around the house seeing what I can change or create, and I usually come up with a big NADA. 

So, what items have you repurposed with success? The most impressive one I've seen recently is a local business that refurbished an old barn for their site.  They used an old windmill as the ceiling fan and the slate off an old roof for part of the floors. It looks great! 

Me?  Well, for years I've used my grandparents old chamber pot as the wastebasket in my bathroom.  Not nearly as impressive, eh? But, I continue to try...

Lead in flooring and wallpaper

Check out the new article about flooring, especially ceramic tile, and wallpaper containing lead.  Maybe all that cold tile will start losing its popularity? 

It's not easy being green

Kermit the Frog had it right years ago when he said, "It's not easy being green."  Since I was little, I've loved wood.  Every tree has it's own "personality" when it's growing, and the wood when cut is all so beautiful and unique.  The grains, the colors, the textures.

I recently discovered the new hobby of marquetry.  It's the art of making pictures with thin wood veneers.  My first project, a sad attempt, was of a person hiking up a mountain.  It's a great little art project - connects me with nature and art and is a peaceful endeavor.

Then I realized:  formaldehyde!  The glue I'm using no doubt has formaldehyde in it.  I imagine the veneer does as well.  So now I need to decide if I should keep going with this hobby.  Will the additional formaldehyde bother my mother when she is visiting?  If so, the decision will be made.  After all, she's my equivalent of the coal miner's canary.

I say all of this, but I do want to reinforce that we cannot escape all formaldehyde, even if it was completely banned.  For example, some formaldehyde is given off by a gas stove or when burning something with fire.  But, to me, it is about choices.  We all have to ask ourselves:  is the item worth it?  Are there alternatives?   It's about living more lightly, decreasing amounts not total elimination.

In the news...

Evidently, a fifth state has banned BPA in baby bottles, sippy cups, and clear storage containers.  It happened almost a month ago, but I missed the news until now.   The article says the new law "prohibits the use of" - - - what exactly does that mean?  Does that mean manufacturers can not sell items in those states if they contain BPA?  Does that mean they can not be manufactured in those states?  Or does that mean you, the consumer, are the one responsible for knowing which items are BPA-free and only using those? 

BPA isn't only in bottles and cans.  An article that that appears in USA Today, discusses a study that was done by the Environmental  Working Group.  They found that 40 percent of cash register receipts contain BPA.  geesh.  Read the article - some say there is no need to ban BPA. 

In other news here, the Reuters article states, "A nonprofit environmental group has sued the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, claiming the agency failed to regulate toxic chemicals found in "antimicrobial" soap and other personal care products." 
 

VOC's

I've heard of VOC's (Volatile Organic Compounds) in paint and so forth - you probably have, too - but for some reason, until recently when I read an article spelling out the fact that formaldehyde was a VOC, I had never made that particular connection.  I knew I wanted to decrease exposure to formaldehyde and to VOC's, but I didn't realize one was the other.  Silly me! So, that begs the questions:  1) What exactly are VOC's? and, 2) What other chemicals make up this category? 

Low and behold, when I did my google search, the first result was from the EPA.  It's an excellent resource page and I encourage you to take a look at the information, including the great html documents at the bottom.  In the very last one, "Indoor Air Pollution: An Introduction for Health Professionals,"  it lists formaldehyde, pesticides, solvents, and cleaning agents as VOC's.  In addition, you should watch for other chemicals such as benzene, methylene chloride and perchloroethylene.

Remember doing those school projects with permanent markers?  VOC. 
Like buying those permanent press clothes for work because of the easy care?  Formaldehyde = VOC.
Like trying a new scent out of all those magazines?  Some scents = VOC.

Some folks may think a formaldehyde allergy like my mom's is rare, or think it doesn't affect them.  I encourage you then to check out the EPA's site. It's worth your time to learn facts like this:

It is estimated that 10 to 20 percent of the U.S. population, including asthmatics, may have hyper reactive airways which may make them more susceptible to formaldehyde's effects. 

And that's just one VOC!

New law limits formaldehyde

Great news for those concerned about formaldehyde.  President Obama signed a new law that limits the amount of formaldehyde in wood products.  Check out the article at USA Today.

Bags, sacks, and pokes

Do you ever forget to take your reusable grocery bag with you to the store?  Many of us do.  Then you have either those plastic or paper bags in the house - what do you do with yours? 
Here are are a couple things to do with the bags  - please comment and add your ideas.

• use the plastic bags as liners in small wastebaskets.
• recycle them at drop-offs, usually at entrances of bigger chain stores.
• give them to the local food pantry to re-use.
• use the paper bags as wrapping paper.
• use the paper bag on top of a landscape area or in your garden where you don't want weeds to grow.  They will eventually degrade into the soil.

Stuff

Annie Leonard was on Good Morning America Friday morning talking about her research, short videos (see youtube and her website) and book, The Story of Stuff.  When you're cleaning out your closets or cleaned your house, have you ever thought about how your possessions are owning you - you are not owning your possessions?  Thought about how you work all those hours to buy more stuff that doesn't really make you happy?  Observed how much stuff you give away barely used?  Realized you are on that hamster wheel just to buy more stuff?  (Not to mention that the stuff you have is made of toxic materials, making you and your family sick?) If any of these things have crossed your mind, then check out Annie Leonard and The Story of Stuff. 

Rules, policies, and laws... oh my!

The Canary Report  has reported that the CDC  has issued a new indoor air quality policy in all of its offices across the country.  The Canary Report links to the entire 13-page document, but guess what it includes?  The chemicals allowed for "housekeeping," standards for paint and furniture, and fragrances in the workplace!  Fragrances covers room deoderizers,  perfumes,  lotions,  etc.   A very interesting read.  If the CDC is covering these items in their policies what is that saying?  This is great! 

Did you know that these chemical sensitivities are covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)?  You can read about that on The Canary Report as  well. 

Also in the news, Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families has information about some landmark legislation to decrease toxic chemicals like mercury, formaldehyde and a few others in our environment.  They have a take action section asking the EPA to take a strong stance on the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).  To read up on the campaign, check here. 

Cleaning, part 2

I just read a spring cleaning checklist.  They actually suggested reusing fabric softeners to dust the rest of the house.  Now why would I want to spread those chemicals all over the house?  Then I thought of the other uses of fabric softener sheets I've read about over the years.

Remember the suggestion to put a fabric softener sheet in a sink with a greasy pan for easy cleaning?   Or how about putting fabric softener sheets under the seats in the car to help absorb odors?  Yeow!  I used to do this.  I bet the inside of my car could get a tad hotter in the summer than the inside of a dryer.  Something tells me that high heat and all those chemicals could not be a good thing.  Good thing I don't do that anymore.

Green clean is catching

As I zoomed down the aisle in our local grocery store chain tonight, I noticed something amazing.  They are carrying Seventh Generation products now!  The ones I noticed in a hurry were pricey, but at least it's a step in the right direction.

IDEA:  Instead of always buying the disposable wipes that go on the mops these days, why not cut flour sack towels - or an old t-shirt - to the size of the disposable wipes?  Hook the reusable towel in the same way to the mop.  Then, use a spray  bottle mixture of your choice (maybe vinegar or tea tree oil) on the towel to do a quick damp mop of the floor.  Wash and reuse.

Restaurant going green

Kiku Japanese restaurant in Pittsburgh is going green.  According to their website, they are the restaurant that "introduced sushi to Pittsburgh."  So, how are they going green?  Think chopsticks. 

Customers now have three options for their chopsticks: 1) bring your own; 2) use the wooden disposable traditionally seen in a restaurant;or 3) buy a pair and leave them there. Kiku's will put your name on the set and store them for your next visit.

What a great way to reduce and/or reuse!

Decreasing those chemicals

Last weekend I spotted Alba's Un-petroleum jelly at Giant Eagle's Market District.  This is great for those who may be allergic to petroleum products or those who are concerned about decreasing use of petroleum products for environmental and/or political reasons.  You can check out the Un-petroleum here, if you are curious and want to learn more.  After using it a few times this week, it seems to really moisturize.  It looks like regular petroleum jelly, except it comes in a tube to squeeze out just what you need.  It's maybe a little thicker.

This week, Herbal Essences announced it would begin to make over the recipes of its shampoos and conditioners in order to decrease the amount of 1,4-dioxane, a cancer-causing chemical.  Current amounts are actually illegal in California.  If you go here, there are two links to this week's press releases on the topic.  Follow the links in the one article to get very handy product lists that are safe to use.  Or use Skin Deep's online database.  The link is in my favorite links list.

I noticed Rite Aid has organic cotton balls.  WalMart has several shirts labeled as organic cotton at very reasonable prices.  Check the clearance shelves for organic cotton sheets.  Giant Eagle Market District has organic cotton kitchen towels.  Look in the baby section for unscented, mild liquid castille soap at the Market District also. 

The blogs... they are a-changin'

I'm in the midst of changing the blog all around, so please be patient.  Thank you!

Updates and reminders on this and that

It's spring time, folks!  That indoor air you've been breathing the last few months is 2-5 times more polluted that the air outside.  Open those windows - let some fresh air in! 

The first day it was warm enough, I opened my windows at home for awhile.  What a difference it makes.  Today, I opened the office window - goodbye stale air, hello fresh air!

I think I finally figured out a recycling system in our suite of offices at work.  If we have to walk over 300 steps one-way every time we want to recycle a bottle or can I know it won't happen.  So, I got an extra container from maintenance,  decorated it with a nice little sign, and voila!  Every can/bottle recycled helps.  And I got an extra one for paper, because our system before just wasn't working.  I think we're in good shape now.

I was asked to be part of a volunteer team for our local recycling program.  I was excited about that - to surround yourself with others who recycle in the county helps stay motivated.  I also like how they promote to reduce in the first place.  Reduction of "stuff" or "things" as the title of this site refers, leads to a much lighter, simpler way of life. 

I love the feeling of cleaning out a cupboard or closet.  It's ridiculous how much stuff one person can accumulate when s/he's not watching.  It's a reminder to always be present, especially in purchases. 

And just because something is on sale or free, does not mean you need to take it home with you!  I had friends that used to give me knick-knacks for every holiday.  It drove me crazy -stuff with no purpose that just collected dust.  Now, I like pictures and occasional trinkets, but simple and minimalist is better, in my opinion.  It truly does give you a lighter feeling - a feeling of freedom. 

A year ago, I did an experiment that I've actually maintained:  how low can I get my monthly bills?   My rabbit ears work just fine.  My tracfone for emergencies is just dandy. 

Books are a weakness, I admit.  But I don't collect them like I used to - and I love to pass books along.  Yes, it's great to use the library, but there is also something wonderful about having a book and passing it along to a friend to share.  It's like sharing a wonderful conversation - although, without the talking to one another. ha!

Duane Elgin coined the term voluntary simplicity a few decades ago, but how wonderful it still is today!  I don't want to be a slave to things.  As my favorite quote from his book says, "You only cross the same creek once."  I want to know when I cross that creek. I don't want to be so busy making a living that I miss it!

Anyway, those are the thoughts for today.  Open your windows, let a fresh breeze into the room, and then tell me:  What do you do to reduce or simplify?

Kids these days...

Kids these days are exposed to more and more chemicals and may be especially vulnerable to the chemicals we use in our homes each day.  Think about it.  Children spend more time playing on the floor, putting their toys and/or fingers in their mouths.  What do you use on your carpets and other flooring?  How many chemicals do you spray somewhere in a room - but where does it settle?  (Think room deoderizers, hairspray, dusting spray, furniture polish, glass cleaners...) Some experts have even suggested that children's skin is likely to absorb more chemicals than adults (think sunscreen, bug spray, lotion, bubble bath, shampoo...).  Pound for pound, children also breathe more air than adults (remember how they say indoor air is more toxic than the air outside - yet another reason to get those kids outside playing for awhile after school).

But, the chemical exposure starts before birth.  In Green Up Your Cleanup, Jill Potvin Schoff says, "A study by the Environmental Working group tested the umbilical-cord blood of 10 American babies born in 2004 and found an average of 200  industrial chemicals and pollutants in each baby's blood."  True, that is a small sample, but do you really think it would be significantly less in a larger sample?

And all those chemicals we're exposed to - the thousands each day - are cumulative.  "Toxins build up in your body over time.  This is what scientists are now calling 'body burden'. . . . The EPA estimates that every American has more than 700 pollutants in his or her body.  And we have no way of knowing how this kind of low-dose exposure will affect people over the course of their lives" (Potvin Schoff).

The website "Chemical Body Burden" has some interesting information. The case study about phthalates mentioned something I had not thought about, but all parents might want to consider: Is your child teething?  Think again about putting that plastic teether in their mouth.  Perhaps the organic cotton teethers would be healthier - I put some in my amazon store the other day without appreciating the full extent to why these might be better.

Golly, it's never ending!  We can't eliminate everything, but we can make better choices and reduce our exposure.  Have you thought of other ways to decrease exposure?  Let me know.

Here's to healthier kids!

CBS "The Early Show" does segment about going green "on the cheap"

Well, maybe "green homes" will go more mainstream.  Recently, "The Early Show" on CBS ran a segment about greening your home.

They  mention those  annoying  parabens -  maybe if enough of us start buying paraben-free products, manufacturers will get the idea!

The segment also mentions replacing those plastic containers with glass containers.  I've already replaced mine with canning jars for those leftovers.  They work great.  I've also put various containers in my amazon store to ease your search.

If you see or hear any mainstream media covering the green home, let me know!

Cloth diaper online store

For all of you moms out there - or aunties, or friends, or people needing gift ideas for baby showers - there is a great little online company I just learned about recently. Cute Caboose. It's a cute website. It looks like a lot of different options - cloth diapers have come a long way! Check it out if you get a chance. And if you're an Ohio resident, you'll be supporting a local company. How great is that?

Toxic Products

Today, a colleague gave me an article he saw written by healthychild.org. "The Top 10 Toxic Products You Don't Need" is a quick read I recommend.

A few of the items on the list are no surprise if you've read previous posts on this blog. For example, number one on the list is air fresheners. Do we really need the artificial fragrances? You know that answer if you read the previous post. Pesticides are on the list - if you read my post about cotton, you'd agree with this one as well.

However, there were a couple items on the list that got my attention. Canned food. According to the article, "food cans are lined with an epoxy resin that contains bisphenol-A (BPA). Most experts believe this is our main source of exposure to BPA, which has been linked to hormone disruption, obesity, heart disease, and much more. Eden Foods is currently the only company with BPA-free canned foods (other than the canned tomatoes...)." Well, that got my attention - especially since we just came through a snow storm. What do I always make sure I have on hand in case of bad weather approaching? You guessed it: canned food.

What was another surprise on the list? Rubber duckies. Well, it really shouldn't be a surprise, it's just that I always smile when I think of those bright yellow, happy looking duckies. But guess what? I bet the one you have in your tub is made of PVC (aka vinyl) - "the poison plastic". According to the article, PVC is "banned in over 14 countries and the European Union." Have you ever looked at the little chasing arrow symbol on the bottom of your plastic bottles? PVC is the one with a #3. Have you bought a new shower curtain lately? Even stores like Target and WalMart are getting on the bandwagon and selling PVC-free shower curtains.
Finally.

The last one I'll share with you - and for the complete list, you'll have to read the article yourself - is couch cushions. You should avoid pillows and cushions "labeled as meeting California TB 117 as it is likely to contain toxic fire retardants. These chemicals migrate from the foam to dust to people. I animal research, these chemicals are associated with cancer, birth defects, thyroid disruption,reproductive and neurological disorders such as hyperactivity and mental retardation. Don't worry about increasing your fire risk, data does not show that this standard has resulted in increased fire safety."

I know it's not pleasant to think about what we are doing to our bodies and our health - sometimes without even knowing it. I mean, how many Moms and Dads out there would think twice about a rubber ducky? But, once you start ridding your environment of these chemicals, it's a very free feeling. It's kind of like the feeling you get after cleaning out a closet and purging all the items you don't need or getting rid of the clutter in your home. You feel lighter! ahhh...

Now, go take a hot shower using your chlorine filter and paraben-free soap and relax.

Fragrance in the workplace

I found a great article about fragrance in the workplace, "Fragrance in the Workplace is the new Second-Hand Smoke." You might be surprised about what is in a "fragrance," the advertising similarities with smoking, and the laws and lawsuits that are being seen in the workplace protecting people with sensitivities to fragrances. It's all a battle about indoor air quality... an article you don't want to miss!

Oh my cotton!

I love when you are skimming through a book and an interesting factoid jumps out at you.  I just got The Balanced Plate by Renee Loux from the library.  A section about cotton caught my attention quickly.  I'll start with the first fact that I read, which is actually  at the end of Loux's list.

She states:

In California, it is  illegal to feed cotton leaves, stems, and short fibers to livestock because of the concentrated pesticide residues.  Instead, the short fibers are used to make mattresses, pillows, tampons, swabs, and cotton balls.

Now, if you sleep eight hours a day, that means you spend 1/3 of your life in that bed made of all those pesticides.  (Not to mention all the flame retardent chemicals on the mattress.) Doesn't exactly make me want to curl up in my nice warm blankets with a good book -  and trust me, that's saying something!   Cozy bed?  Ew...

Using organic cotton products is better for you and the environment.  Organic cotton, according to Loux, is grown in "fields where pesticide use has been discontinued for at least 3 years to rebuild the soil fertility and safety.  No synthetic fertilizers or pesticides are used to grow organic cotton."

Need more reasons to use organic cotton towels, sheets, blankets, clothes, cotton balls, and swabs?  How about these additional stats from Loux:

• 25 percent of all pesticides and insecticides used globally are on cotton - though cotton occupies only 3 percent of farmland.

• 600,000 tons of pesticides are used on cotton crops in America alone - that's 300 pounds per acre, or 1/3 of a pound of pesticides for every pound of cotton!

• An average cotton crop is sprayed 30 to 40 times per growing season.

• Five of the top nine pesticides used on cotton in the United States are known to cause cancer - all nine are classified by the EPA as "Category I  and II," which are  the most dangerous of all chemicals.

• The most acutely toxic pesticide registered by the EPA, aldicarb, is standard for cotton crops.  The number of states where aldicarb is detected in ground water?  Sixteen.

If aldicarb is found in the ground water of sixteen states and it is standard for cotton crops, does that mean cotton is grown in only sixteen states in this country?  So, is it then 100 percent contamination?  Any way the percentage comes out, it's not good!

That's what that nice , cuddly, fluffy cotton sweater is doing to your land, your water, and your body.  Organic sounds worth it now, doesn't it?

Where's the proof?

I found some really interesting statements on the internet about formaldehyde and the build-up of the toxin in our bodies.  The statements claim that during the Vietnam War, the bodies of the Vietnamese dead decomposed at a faster rate than the bodies of the American dead.  Further, the statements claim that twenty years ago twice as much formaldehyde was needed to embalm a person as what is needed today... because, they infer, we are slowly embalming ourselves by using formaldehyde in everything. 

I finally tracked those claims down supposedly to a "Kay Heizer of Healthy Choices."  I then found where she claims the stats came from the National Institute of Health.  I can't find the research on the NIH website, nor can I find a website for this Healthy Choices non-profit.  Does it exist?  Who is Kay Heizer?  Are all these claims part of an urban legend?

The Bees Knees

If the skin on the bee's knees was chapped and sore, he could use Burt's Bees lotion and not harm the environment with yet another petroleum compound.  That's right, not only are Burt's Bees products paraben-free, sodium laurel/laureth sulfate free, they are also petroleum-free.  Good for you, good for the environment.  Now, that's one product that's the bees knees! 

And if you go to their website now, you can request a free sample of their toothpaste.

A Pair of Bens...

No, not a pair of Bens.  I mean parabens.  What are they, why all the hype, and why do I try to avoid them?

Parabens are used as preservatives in almost all of your cosmetics.  And when I say cosmetics, I mean your shampoo, conditioner, shaving cream, toothpaste, soap, make-up, lotion... get the idea?  Go get your shampoo bottle and look at the ingredient list.  I bet you'll find some of those big words that I can't pronounce will end in "paraben."

Well, if they are preservatives, that's good, right?  Well, they are also known skin irritants (the first reason for me looking at the ingredient list), hormone disrupters, and carcinogens.  If you do much research about parabens, you'll hear about the research done where women with breast cancer were found to have parabens in the tissue.

Now, the FDA says they are used in such small quantities that they aren't harmful.  My sore skin begged to differ.

Some argue that many of the paraben items are used in a hot shower, increasing the skin absorption.  Others acknowledge that the amounts in one item may be small, but consider how many of those small quantities you use each day!  Also consider that Japan and Sweden are now banning them from all cosmetics and toiletries!

The author of this article published in a Canadian magazine sums up the chemicals pretty succinctly.

So, what are some paraben free items?  Most items will point out in large print if they are paraben-free. 

• Kiss My Face olive oil soap (I can find it locally at Kroger or Giant Eagle's Market District)

• Vanicream lotion and soap (online or have a pharmacist order it)

• Free and Clear shampoo and conditioner (made by same company as Vanicream) (found online or have a pharmacist order it)

• Renpure shampoo and conditioner  (I can find locally at Rite Aid). 

• I haven't found makeup that I like, yet that is paraben free, but you can search for Swedish make-up and buy online.

• This blog lists Tom's of Maine deoderant.  I didn't care for it when I tried it - it just felt sticky. 

• Jason has some (if not all?) hair and shampoo products that are paraben free.  (Again, I can find it at Kroger in the organic section locally).

• Burt's Bees!  - they are now announcing a toothpaste on their website!  - check out their website for info on label reading and the definition of "natural." - You may be surprised.  I use their lipstick and lip moisturizer.  Where can you find Burt's Bees?  If you ask this, you haven't been in a store lately!  WalMart, Target, Kroger, drug stores, health food stores...

If you need a paraben-free product and have trouble finding it, let me know.  I'll see what I can find.  Also, keep in mind that you can use the Skin Deep product database (link is listed in my favorite links, too) to research product ingredients.

Here's to more paraben-free products!

What about?

I said in my last post that this post would be about parabens; however, I wanted to post some thoughts and observations quickly tonight. A paraben post is coming soon, I promise. Okay,so my observations:

• Have you noticed in the malls any of those nail salons?  Have you noticed that the employees wear face masks?!  If the fumes are bad, why don't they hand the masks out to the customers, too?  Do they offer them? I wonder... 
• I know of a person that has a child with a peanut allergy.  He even reacted one time because he was riding in the shopping cart and holding onto the  handle.  A previous cart user had touched peanuts and then the handle.  Now that's another reason to wipe off your cart handle!
• If people are allergic to latex, I wonder how many businesses hand out or use latex-free pens on their counters?  I've seen some packaged and sold at the local office supply store, so that got me to thinking.  Think about the banks and restaurants where you may be likely to use the business' pen.  That would be an easy and considerate change we could all do.  And think about all the free pens we give away for marketing purposes!
• How many people have small first-aid kits in their offices - you know the small ones with a few adhesive bandages and wipes?  How many people have latex-free kits?  Now, presumable a person with such an allergy would know not to accept a bandage, but what do they do it they really need one?  Where is one to be found? 
• What kind of cleaners do you use in your office?  Are they strong industrial cleaners?  Are they really needed?  How many people off the street come into your business each day?  Could they be having a reaction and you not know it?  Are the employees having to endure toxic chemicals for over 40 hours a week? Can a few of those cleaners be changed to healthier cleaners?  Are we creating sick building syndrome by trying to kills germs to stay healthy?  Makes me appreciate my office window!
• I know a person that will have an asthma attack after a mechanic has driven his car.  You know that smell when you get back into your car after a mechanic has been in it?  Not so good for some people.  I haven't figured out an alternative for that one.  

Just some thoughts.  What have you noticed?

Your body is a . . . landfill?

A couple of years ago, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted a comprehensive study of the degree to which the bodies of Americans age six and older are contaminated by 148 specific toxic substances. There was some good news: Lead levels in children have dropped significantly. But the bad news stunned environmental health experts: Most Americans, but especially children, have dozens of pesticides and other toxic compounds in their bodies, many of them linked to health threats. A source of many of the toxins? Common, everyday,run of the mill household consumer products. There's no polite way of saying this: your body is a landfill, a dumping ground for a mind-boggling array of toxic chemicals. So is mine. So is your child's. (Sloan Barnett in Green Goes with Everything).

Puts things into a little different perspective doesn't it? If there are products out there that we can easily switch to in order to be healthier why not do it? You just have to know what to watch for, what to avoid. Why not decrease the load on your body?

One common item to avoid that most of us have probably already heard about: aspartame. Beth Greer states the following two facts in her book, Super Natural Home. They are quite startling :

There is a 41% increase in risk of being overweight for every can or bottle of diet soft drink a person consumes each day, according to Sharon P. Fowler, MPH, and colleagues at the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio.

Aspartame contains methanol, which the body breaks down into formaldehyde - the same substance used in the embalming process. In a living person it can cause cancer, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer. According to Dr. Blaylock, "Drinking even one diet cola a day can cause formaldehyde buildup in cells, so that the amount of the toxin increases daily."

Wow!

Okay,so that's food-related, which is not routine for this blog. However, I wanted to include that since it is something so common and it relates directly to why this blog started originally: formaldehyde allergy. But, back to the consumer products that we use around the house every day - consumer products that could possibly have harmful chemicals in them. Let's talk about parabens and the products in which these chemicals can likely be found. Parabens will be the next post.

Random Rambles: What I learned this week

I've spotted a few new articles and products this week. The first came because drugstore.com is having a big sale right now. I looked at the email and then, out of curiosity,their website, to see what green products they have. I noticed one for the home I have not seen before: Eco-me. It was a home starter kit for cleaning. I checked out their website also. Has anyone tried any of their products before?

I was given the book, Vinegar, this week. In an earlier post I discussed using vinegar as a fabric softener, but not to use it for delicate fabrics because of acidic nature of the vinegar. Vicki Lansky,the author of this book, says:

Add about 1/4 cup vinegar to the last rinse in just about any kind of laundry. The acid in vinegar is oo mild to harm fabrics, yet strong enough to dissolve the alkalies in soaps and detergents. Besides removing soap, vinegar prevents yellowing, acts as a fabric softener and static clean reducer and attacks mold and mildew. And add 1/2 cup vinegar to the wash cycle to prevent lint from clinging to clothes.

Note that these tips are referring to the use of distilled white vinegar.

I finally found organic cotton kitchen towels last week at a local store. I bought the natural color, so I didn't have to worry about any dyes. They are unbelievably soft! After washing them,they got even softer. Well worth it in the softness sense. And to know I'm washing dishes with a product that was not grown with pesticides and fertilizers or processed with petro-chemicals... nice.

And my last thought for today's post is about an article I received. "Why you should fear your sofa, baby stroller, and nursing pillow" is an interesting article that covers a bit of the history of why flame-retardant chemicals are used in products for our babies. Worth keeping an eye on the California legislature.

Future Topics

I have so many topics I eventually want to write about on this blog! I'm going to list a few below. Let me know if there are any other topics you would like to read about.

• parabens
• sodium laurel sulfate
  
• vinegar
• healthy flooring
• organic cotton
• formaldehyde in clothes, sheets, towels
• reading labels
• shower curtains
• castille soap
• ... and many more...
  

April Fresh or Asthma Attack?

Since I wrote the last post, I heard about another dreadful fabric softener story, so I think it's a topic to spend a little more time thinking about. First, the new story. Then a couple old stories. Then something for everyone to think about – even those who do not suffer from allergies or sensitivities to fabric softeners.

Last night at dinner, one of our companions for the evening mentioned that his father finally figured out the fabric softener was bothering him. For months he suffered from a rash all over his body. Originally he thought it was mold in his washing machine, so he got a new washing machine. No luck. Eventually, the fabric softener sheets were discovered to be the evil cause of his misery.

Another friend and colleague can only use certain kinds of fabric softeners. She won't go near any clothes that have been washed and dried in the wrong detergents. Don't offer her your sweater when she's cold if you've used fabric softener - you'll cause more harm than good. She has to take her own towels and sheets on trips with her to hotels or friends' houses. In the morning when she is walking her dog outside, she can smell from a block away if someone is doing laundry.

My mom is very similar. As soon as she walks into a house, she knows if someone has done laundry. She'll start itching and her eyes start watering. If she gets into a car with someone who uses a fragrant detergent or a fabric softener, same thing happens. It'll take her a couple days to get straightened up. She also has to pack her own sheets and towels when going on trips.

This seems to be an incredibly frequent sensitivity and allergy for people. I know these folks have a hard time, and it makes me wonder what it would be like if they had to work in a little cubicle close to other people that use these items. Or what public transportation would be like for them if they had to commute every day via that method? What a potential nightmare.

I think it's something the rest of us need to be mindful of when we are doing laundry. Do our socks really need to smell April fresh? Many of us can't smell our laundry five minutes after we put it on anyway, so what's really the point? Are my April fresh jeans more important than someone else's health and/or comfort? Is my fabric softener worth causing someone else a migraine or asthma attack or itchiness or watery eyes? Would I want something I use for aesthetics to cause someone else to feel like they have poison ivy?

“We need to rethink what is clean – our idea of clean may be hurting us,” said Sloane Barnett in her book, Green Goes with Everything. "And what's clean? .... It's when I come home and smell absolutely nothing... Utterly unscented. That's when I know my house is clean. And safe.”

Soft laundry without the chemicals

I haven't found one green person yet – whether they are green for environmental reasons or health reasons or both - that says fabric softeners are okay to use. Many say the dryer balls are great to use. But I got to wondering – they are just a hard plastic and we're putting them in a heated environment. Is that good? I've only found one person, so far, who says not to use them. I have found chemical-free towels that are supposed to do the same thing as the balls. They are supposed to work by the weave of the fabric. Interesting. I wonder if it works.

Also some recommend putting vinegar in the washing machine to create softness without a fabric softener. I use this method along with the drier balls for now. Don't worry. You can not smell the vinegar afterwards - less that a 1/4 cup per load will do the trick. There are some fabrics where one probably does not want to use vinegar – the acidity breaks down the fibers, supposedly.

Just something to think about. . .

Dreaming of... Weeds?

Since the ground is covered with inches of snow, I'm already dreaming of spring. With spring comes the beautiful wildflowers and green, green grass. Within grass covered lawns comes those plants that many people refer to as “weeds.” I have been telling one of my relatives for years - and she continues to just laugh at me as she pays her bill for yard-treatment – that weeds are just misplaced wildflowers. After all, dandelions,violets, and mints are in the Newcomb's Wildflower Guide I had to use in my plant biology class in college.

For some reason, the most hated weed seems to be the bright yellow dandelion. Why do we hate the dandelion so much? It's a brighter yellow than those tulips and daffodils that we ooh and ah over every spring. And we pay to plant those beauties! And look at the flower of the dandelion? Does it really look that much different from a distance than those marigolds so many people plant every year? And after paying to buy those plants, then spending the time to plant them, watering them, “weeding” the flower beds... Now, that nice dandelion doesn't require any cost to plant or any time to maintain!

Then if you look closely at your yard you might find some violets. My grandma used to dig those up and transplant them to her flower bed. After all, do they really look that different from the impatiens and violas that we buy? And look at the variety of violets you have free in your yard! You might even find some white violets. Try to explain that to your three year old!

And if you look really closely, you'll see a small purple plant, the flower looks like a horn. The leaf is scalloped. Feel the stem. It feels like a square. Know what that means? It's part of the mint family.

Maybe instead of “taking time to smell the roses” we need to take the time to count the violets or feel the mints or take the time to make a dandelion bracelet. It'd be better for the environment and our health if we accepted these misplaced wildflowers. I mean, who wants to go out and play ball in the yard with the kids if you're having all those chemicals sprayed on the yard? Who wants Bowser or Furrball to lick their paws after walking across the lawn? Is a wildflower-less lawn really worth it?

Go Green for Better Health

Being green is better for your health. In Sara Snow's Fresh Living, Snow explains:

In 1995 the National Toxicology Program tested four hundred of the eighty thousand different chemical compounds currently in use for carcinogenicity. Based on results, researchers estimated that somewhere between four and eight thousand chemicals currently in use are likely to trigger cancer. Another study found that women who work in the home have a 55 percent higher risk of developing cancer or other chronic respiratory disease than those who work outside of the home.” [bold added]

They say our indoor air is much worse than the air outside. They aren't kidding!

A friend told me about a story she saw on he Veria television station. A young woman was sick until the age of 18. Doctors could not figure out what was wrong with her. Her mom kept the house clean from germs, what could be the problem after all the serious problems were ruled out? The girl went off to college and was the healthiest she had ever been. She graduated college, got an apartment of her own, and started her new, exciting life. Except she started getting sick again. This time, they were finally able to figure out what was wrong. When the young woman moved into her own apartment, she started cleaning like her mom had. The cleaners were making her sick.

Now, I'm a fan of a clean home! When I was in college my roommates would tease me because I was always vacuuming. (I would argue that they just never wiped their feet!) Anyway, what are some easy things to do and products to use to keep that clean home but that does not add to the toxicity levels in your home? Take your shoes off at the door... especially if you have your yard treated! Do you really want to track in all those petroleum products onto your floors where the kids play, toys go into mouths, and pets roam? I admit, I like really warm feet, so I'm not really good at this in the winter time if I don't have slippers handy.

Castille soap, vinegar, and tea tree oil can clean just about anything, I'm learning. This will also save you money, because a little of these items goes a long way. I think everyone has heard about vinegar to clean windows and the shower head. A few drops of Castille soap and tea tree oil in a spray bottle can be used to clean counters, door knobs etc. I've used it to dust, too. If you want specific recipes, I can direct you to those.

Breathe In... Breathe Out...

Because of off-gassing, chemicals are in the air.  I read a letter to the editor in one of our local papers recently where a man complained about the money NASA spends, but none of it helps you and me.  Well, here is some research they've done that does help:  research on plants.  They've rated the top indoor plants for their effectiveness cleaning the air.  The common and incredibly easy to grow spider plant is one of them.  According the Clean Air Gardening's website, "For an average home of under 2,000 square feet, the study recommends using at least fifteen samples of a good variety of these common houseplants to help improve air quality. They also recommend that the plants be grown in six inch containers or larger."

Renee Loux has written one of the best books I've found so far on living greener with fewer chemicals.  In her book Easy Green Living, she says, "Two small plants or one medium-size plant per 100 square feet will provide fresh air and healthy mold-free humidity in any room so everyone can breathe deeply with ease."

She also lists the following as the most effective air-purifying plants:

• bamboo palm 
• Chinese evergreen 
• corn plant 
• dragon tree 
• chrysanthemum 
• English ivy 
• peace lily 
• pothos 
• philodendren 
• snake plant

So, in my 13x18 office which I spend 8+ hours in a day, I have a Chinese evergreen, golden pothos, a palm (no idea what kind) and a spider plant.  Think about where you work.  How's the air in there?


I have five plants in my living room, four in my kitchen, but several of them are small.  Perhaps I should get Chinese evergreens for my bedroom and bathroom.  Chinese evergreens don't need much light, so that seems to be my best bet.  We had a large one in an indoor foyer at work that was not exposed to any natural light and lived by only two lamps. It did fine.  I need easy-to-grow plants! 

Your Skin

Your skin is your largest organ, and sixty percent of what is put on your skin is absorbed into your body. All those lotions and potions on your bathroom counter? Look at the ingredients. Your body is absorbing sixty percent - that means your other organs, like your liver, are having to detox your body from those items. Do you need all those chemicals in your lotions? No.

I now use 100% olive oil soap. Kiss My Face makes it.

I put a filter on my shower to reduce the amount of chlorine. You can find these at your local home improvement store, and they are incredibly easy to install. Even I had it done in less than two minutes.

I will not use shampoos or conditioners with sulfates or parabens. These are known skin irritants as well as possible carcinogens. At first I really missed the softness that the old shampoos provided, but a week with the filter on the shower head changed all that. I couldn't believe the difference in softness because of decreasing the chlorine with the filter. Parabens deserve their own post one of these days, because there are countries that have banned them from cosmetics and toiletries completely.

Natracare feminine products are great for women with skin sensitivities. No plastics! No chlorine used in the manufacturing process! (If you have endometriosis, limiting your exposure to chlorine products might be something to consider. Doesn't hurt to try! There is research that shows it can affect endo. Of course, there are those who argue with the research.) According to the ALAA, these are latex-free.

My mom now uses Vanicream's products. The lotion is free of formaldehyde, lanolin, dyes, fragrances, and parabens. She likes the cream and the soap. When she starts really itching, Grandma's Lye Soap helps her. She got the Vanicream sunscreen in her stocking at Christmas, but hasn't quite had the chance to use that considering it's been snowing for days. You can buy Vanicream online (drugstore.com or amazon.com). We haven't found it in our local stores yet, but pharmacists have offered to order it for her.

The Beginning

You hear the word organic frequently these days. Pretty common, right? I'd heard about organic cotton, for example - about all the environmental effects of pesticides and how organic is better. Heck, I'd even taught elementary students about bio accumulation (how the higher up the food chain an animal is, the more chemicals in it's body because it had eaten something that had eaten something that had eaten something... lots of chemicals.) I've heard about the advantages of using simple cleaners like vinegar. Yes, I've even been known to do that, too. And I've been sensitive to certain products and known others that reacted to strong smells or chemicals. I've been an advocate, I hope, for those in the workplace who can not tolerate perfumes, candles, and the like. But I never really – I mean really – appreciated or truly connected all of those things. Until this year.

After years of misery, the doctor finally figured out my mom is allergic to formaldehyde. The only way to truly handle the allergy is to decrease exposure to it. Formaldehyde is in everything! Carpet, furniture, paint, permanent-press clothing, wrinkle-resistant clothing and sheets, polyester... it's used in the tanning process for leather. Lotions, shampoos and conditioners, laundry detergents, fabric softeners, household cleaners. Are you getting the picture yet?

If you want to see a grown woman cry, make her eyes water so badly tears are running down her face, watch her go into a store. Watch her spend five minutes in a car with someone who uses fabric softener. Watch her open the door and walk into a house where someone has just done laundry.

If you want to see someone's skin over their entire body turn read and leathery, make the person wear leather shoes.

If you want to see someone itch all night so badly she can't sleep, put sheets on the bed made of polyester – even a small percentage of polyester.

If you want to see someone itch all day during the winter, have her wear fleece.

It's miserable.

So. I've been on a mission the last few months: read and research as much as I can about chemicals in the environment around us and how to decrease exposure to them. I've learned surprising and downright pitiful information about our country's use of chemicals compared to usage in Europe. I've learned how these chemicals are harming us, safe/safer products to use, how to read labels, how to use plants to help clean the air, and so much more.

This blog is a way for me to keep track of what I'm learning and also to help others. There is not a single person I've talked to in the last several months who does not have or know someone who has chemical sensitivities or allergies to things like latex. Through hours of searching and continued searches, I've found some great sites and manufacturers. Even if you do not suffer – or know you suffer – from these chemicals, leading a cleaner, more chemical-free lifestyle will be healthier for you, the people around you, and the environment.

And maybe, if folks are lucky, my writing this will help keep me from talking about it constantly. They can read this anytime they want instead of me adding some new fact to every conversation. You're right. It might not be possible.