Health

BPA Now Banned From Bottles & Sippy Cups

Is it too little too late? The Food and Drug Administration will now ban Bisphenol-A from baby bottles and sippy cups. However, manufacturers have recently phased BPA out of  those products. In fact, the U.S. Chemical Council, which is the chemical industry’s main association, had requested this move, according to NBC, to help boost consumer confidence.

The ban of the controversial chemical does not go further than those kids’ products. And that mean BPA is probably still getting into your homes and bodies everyday. There is reason to be concerned.  BPA is linked to everything from developmental problems to infertility.

To find out how you can help ban BPA from your home, watch my Do Your Part video here.

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Household Cleaners Hall of Shame

The Environmental Working Group has just released its new report on the dangers of certain household cleaners and the organization is naming names. We know that many of the toxic chemicals we bring into our homes are actually found in our cleaning products. That’s because meaning popular cleaners people use each and every day are filled with chemicals known to cause all sorts of health problems – everything from cancer to asthma, to reproductive problems. Now, the EWG has released what it calls their Hall of Shame database.

You can read their full report here. In the report they disclose the chemicals that could be lurking behind the term “fragrance” in the ingredient list and also report that some so-called “green” cleaners are actually harmful to the environment. The Environmental Working Group also gives consumers tips to find safer cleaning alternatives.

 

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The Main Sources of Pollutants at Home Could Surprise You

Do you know what’s in your home right now that’s polluting the air you breathe? Rodale reports that scientists at the Silent Spring Institute analyzed roughly 200 common products to get the answer. Here are their top 3 main sources of toxic chemicals:

1) Fragranced Products
That includes soaps, shampoos, dryer sheets, air fresheners, and more. Companies don’t usually have to reveal the chemicals used on their ingredient list either.

2) Vinyl Curtains and Bedding
Products made from vinyl (think shower curtains and pillow protectors) may contain hormone disrupting phthalates and BPA. And it’s tough to shop for ones without it because most aren’t properly labeled.

3) So-called “antibacterial” products
These days there are everything from antibacterial soaps to socks. Many of these products contain the controversial ingredient Triclosan. Not only can that ingredient cause health problems but our obsession with killing germs is creating a rise in drug resistant bacteria.

By |Eco-News, Green Cleaning, Head To Toe, Health, In Your Home, Pollution, Toxic Chemicals & Metals|0 Comments
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Antibacterial Ingredient Declared Toxic – But Not Here!

Canada is about to declare Triclosan, a controversial chemical found in many antibacterial products, as toxic to the environment. Triclosan was created more than 40 years ago as a surgical scrub for hospitals. It is now found in commonly used products like soap, toothpaste, furniture and toys. Several scientific studies have shown the chemical may alter the regulation of hormones in lab animals. The FDA says other studies have shown triclosan may contribute to making bacteria resistant to antibiotics.

Canada.com reports that once Canada makes that declaration, health officials will begin work to phase out triclosan especially in personal care products.

Meantime, half of all liquid hand soaps sold in the U.S. are antibacterial or antimicrobial. The FDA plans on reviewing the safety of triclosan in the coming months. Right now, the FDA says the agency does not have sufficient evidence to recommend changing consumer use of products that contain triclosan.

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Pocket Guide to Safer Produce

During the winter months, much of the produce we purchase at the grocery store is imported from thousands of miles away and usually is not organic. The Organic Center claims that certain pieces of imported produce actually contains up to three times the amount of pesticides as produce grown in America. Click here for the organization’s pocket guide that you can print out and keep handy for safer food shopping.

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Giving Old Soap New Life

Did you know that in the last two years 7 million children around the world have died from disease that could have been prevented with proper hygiene? At the same time, hotels worldwide throw away tons of partially used soaps and shampoos. It’s estimated in the United States alone, 2.6 million soap bars are discarded every day. A program that gives new life to used hotel soap is now getting a major boost. Hilton Hotels is donating $1.3 million dollars to the Global Soap Project, a program that donates soap to people in need around the world.

The Global Soap Project collects and recycles soap from hotels that would normally be thrown in the landfill. The group remolds used soap into new bars and distributes the soap to vulnerable people in developing areas around the world. More than 300 hotels across the U.S. are donating soap to the project. Since 2009, more than 25 tons of soap has been donated to vulnerable communities in 20 countries.

Hilton will be donating soap from its hotels and investing money to help expand operations of the Global Soap Project. Hilton estimates the partnership will result in the donation of 1 million four-ounce bars of soap that would have ended up in landfills.

 

 

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Report Finds Chemicals In Crib Mattresses

A majority of the crib mattresses sold in the U.S. contain chemicals of concern. That’s according to a new report by an environmental health group. The report found 72 percent of the mattress models surveyed use suspect or dangerous chemicals, including certain flame retardants, antibacterials and waterproofing additives. The chemicals of concern have been linked to health problems such as eye irritation, asthma, headaches and thyroid issues. The good news from the report by Clean and Healthy New York is a number of mattress makers have made significant strides in reducing chemicals of concern.

The report focuses on crib mattresses because infants are especially vulnerable to chemical exposure and spend up to 16 hours asleep in bed. Clean and Healthy New York surveyed 28 companies that together make 190 models of crib mattresses. 98 of the mattresses used one or more chemicals of concern including vinyl, polyurethane and other volatile organic compounds. 39 of the mattresses made some ‘green claims’ including the use of organic cotton or added plant oils but still used chemicals of concern. Another 39 mattresses did not use suspect chemicals but contained potential allergens. Eight percent of the mattresses avoided all potentially harmful chemicals and allergens. The report also found different degrees of public disclosure by companies about the chemicals used in their mattresses.

Clean and Healthy New York says a lot must be done to adopt safer chemicals and full transparency. The group recommends consumers use information in the report to find the safest mattress for their family and that policy makers act to make sure toxic chemicals are removed from everyday products. A hearing on legislation to overhaul the 35 year old Toxic Substances Control Act will be held before Congress in a few weeks. The Safe Chemicals Act of 2011 would require listing health and safety information for all chemicals as a condition for staying and remaining on the market. It would also require the EPA to identify and restrict the most toxic chemicals that persist and build up the food chain.

 

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Study Links Lung Cancer to Air Pollution

Smoking may be the number one cause of lung cancer, but one in ten people with the disease are non-smokers. A new study sheds light on what could be contributing to cases of lung cancer in people who have never smoked. The study found non-smokers who live in areas with high pollution levels are 20 percent more likely to die from lung cancer than people who live with cleaner air.

Researchers followed more than 180,000 non-smokers for 26 years. During that time, 1,100 people followed in the study died of lung cancer. Researchers then estimated how much air pollution they were exposed to. After taking into account second-hand smoke and radon exposure, the study found that for every 10 extra units of air pollution exposure, the risk of lung cancer increased by 15 to 27 percent.

The study in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine did not prove that pollution causes cancer but researchers say there is evidence that exposure to pollution increases the risk of heart and lung problems. Authors of the latest study say the pollution levels connected with higher cases of lung cancer are not uncommon and are within regulatory standards.

By |Eco-News, Health, Pollution|1 Comment
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Group Warns of Chemical in Baby Shampoo

Harmful chemicals are probably the last thing parents would expect to find in their baby’s shampoo. But a coalition of health and environmental groups says a potentially cancer-causing chemical can be found in a popular brand of shampoo for babies. The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics says Johnson and Johnson is using a formaldehyde-releasing ingredient in the baby shampoo it sells in the United States. Quaternium-15 is a chemical preservative that kills bacteria by releasing formaldehyde. Formaldehyde was recently added to the U.S. government list of known human carcinogens by the National Toxicology Program.

The coalition analyzed the labels of Johnson’s Baby Shampoo sold in 13 countries to see if the products contained quaternium-15. The group published its findings in a new report called “Baby’s Tub is Still Toxic”. The report found Johnson’s Baby Shampoo sold in the United States, Canada, China, Australia and Indonesia all contained the chemical while the same line of shampoo sold in seven other countries contained formaldehyde-free preservatives.

“Clearly there is no need for Johnson & Johnson to expose babies to a known carcinogen when the company is already making safer alternatives,” said Lisa Archer, director of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics at the Breast Cancer Fund.

For two years, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics has been urging Johnson and Johnson to remove trace amounts of harmful chemicals from its products. In response to the latest report, Johnson and Johnson released a statement saying it is no longer introducing new products with formaldehyde-releasing chemicals and has reduced the use of the preservatives by 60 percent in the U.S. market and 33 percent globally over the past few years.

The coalition sent a letter to Johnson and Johnson signed by medical and environmental groups representing 3.5 million people. It asks the company to publicly commit by November 15 to removing chemicals from all personal care products. The coalition also called on consumers to boycott Johnson and Johnson baby products until the company agrees to remove the chemicals.

For tips on finding bath products that are safe for your baby and the planet, watch this DoYourPart video.

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Prenatal Exposure to BPA May Affect Children's Behavior

A controversial chemical used in everyday products is connected to behavior and emotional problems in young girls. That’s according to a new study by Harvard researchers. The study found mothers with higher levels of the chemical BPA during pregnancy tended to have young girls with signs of hyperactivity, depression and anxiety. BPA is a chemical found in products including hard plastic containers, the lining of canned food and cash register receipts made from thermal paper. BPA is an endocrine disruptor that some studies have connected to infertility, heart disease and some cancers.

Researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health collected data from 244 mothers and their 3 year old children. They measured BPA levels in the urine of the mothers during pregnancy and at birth. The children were tested each year from ages 1 to 3 at which time the mothers completed surveys about their children’s behavior. Researchers found mothers with high levels of BPA during pregnancy had children with more depressed, anxious and aggressive behavior, as well as poor emotional control and inhibition. The relationship was not seen in boys.

Harvard researchers say the study confirms two prior studies showing that exposure to BPA in the womb can impact child behavior but this is the first to show that in utero exposures are more important than exposure during childhood. Lead author Joseph Braun says “Gestational, but not childhood BPA exposures may impact neurobehavioral function, and girls appear to be more sensitive to BPA than boys.”

The Food and Drug Administration says recent studies provide reason for some concern about the potential effects of BPA on the brain, behavior, and prostate gland in fetuses, infants, and young children. The FDA’s National Center for Toxicological Research is carrying out studies to clarify uncertainties about the risks of BPA.

Read Terri’s Top 5 Ways to Reduce BPA Exposure for tips on keeping the controversial chemical to a minimum in your home.

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