Healthy World Watch December 4th, 2009

Our Mission: We ignite the movement that empowers parents to protect children from harmful chemicals. Donate »

Blog

Kathryn Meigel

Friday, December 04, 2009

Top Tips

• Ever wonder if those spent dryer sheets can be reused before they enter the trash bin? The Daily Green lists many ideas to extend the life of dryer sheets from drawer fresheners to bathtub grim fighters.

• Looking for that perfect gift for the kids in your life? How about something that keeps giving year after year with the ability to change from day to day, all while being eco-friendly? Building blocks are a traditional children’s gift that never gets out-dated and suits kids from birth into the teen years.

Recent Research

• A new study from the Netherlands finds that polybrominated flame retardants (PBDEs) can cross the placental barrier from mother to fetus and influence childhood development later in life. High levels of flame retardants in mothers during pregnancy is linked to decreased fine motor skills and attention span, yet strangely improves coordination, visual perception and behavior. PBDEs are compounds often used as fire retardants in furniture, textiles, electronics, and carpet padding. Exposure to PBDEs is so widespread in the United States, with 97 percent of Americans having detectable levels in their blood.

• The Environmental Working Group reports this week that in a recent study, 10 infant cord blood samples showed 232 different chemicals. Dr. Anila Jacob, EWG’s senior scientist and co-author of the report states that there are ways to reduce your baby’s exposure to these chemicals; decreasing the use of canned foods, not microwaving in plastic, and selecting BPA-free baby bottles. She notes that the real responsibility is on politicians, calling for stronger federal legislation. Currently, chemicals are released into the marketplace without definitive safety testing, exposing millions to potentially unsafe products. Sign the Kid Safe Chemicals Act to reform the nation’s toxic chemicals policies.

Other News

• Good news on school lunch reform. Revolution Foods, a small privately held company is demonstrating how fresh, healthful and all-natural meals can make-up a successful school food program, delivering nearly 45,000 breakfasts, lunches and snacks daily to 235 public and private schools so far while keeping costs at a minimum. Thea Stewart, a kindergarten teacher at KIPP DC: LEAP Academy, a charter school in Southeast Washington, D.C., has noticed an increase in concentration of her students since Revolution has been supplying their meals. She credits the change to more healthful food choices. School food programs have come under scrutiny recently due to a dramatic rise in the childhood obesity and diabetes.

SPECIAL MENTION: Have you voted for a Hopenhagen Ambassador yet? The Huffington Post in conjunction with Hopenhagen.org is sending one person to Copenhagen for the UN Climate Change Conference to both represent concerns of people around the world and to report back daily as a HuffPost citizen journalist. Healthy Child Healthy World endorses Diane MacEachern - green mom extraordinaire - because she wants to raise awareness of how climate change will impact our health. This is exactly what we're concerned about, too! Watch her video and vote for her TODAY before midnight!