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.

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.