Healthy World Watch July 31st, 2009

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Nora Chute

Friday, July 31, 2009

Top Tips

• Some composting basics from a fellow mom. Really detailed and really helpful!
• Now that we all know better than to live off bottled water, this list of the five best in-home water filters is sure to come in handy.
• Five common assumptions made about beauty product labeling; just because it’s natural doesn’t mean it’s safe.
• Cuisinart has just come out with a line of green, non-stick, and non-toxic cookware that hast this mom-blogger raving.

Recent Research

• Research shows that the combination of high stress homes and environmental triggers, like cigarette smoke and traffic pollution, puts children at a very high risk of developing asthma. Both pollution and asthma have pro-inflammatory effects on the lungs, explaining this interaction.
• The phthalates used in the IV tubes given to premature infants have been linked to liver problems and reproductive abnormalities in preemies. The chemical at fault is DEHP, and this evidence has already convinced several hospitals to make the switch to phthalate-free feeding methods. In light of this news, The Daily Green’s guide on How to Avoid Phthalates in 3 Steps should be revisited.
• A new study shows that a compound found in soy foods, genistein, may impair oocyte maturation, reduce fertilization potential, and slow the growth of the embryo, which would all make it much more difficult for a woman to conceive. This suggests that women who have trouble conceiving might want to cut back on their soy consumption.

Other News

• The EPA has decided to expand a national network of monitors to track lead emissions, which would ultimately help to reduce the industrial air pollution in many urban areas. This is part of the Obama administration’s new set of rigorous standards to reduce lead contamination nationwide.
• It was not too long ago that Greenpeace was denouncing Nike and other sneaker manufacturers for destroying the Amazon in search of shoe leather. But now, Nike is working with Greenpeace to ensure that all of the leather they use does not come from the cattle raised on Brazil’s deforested Amazon.
• A Breastfeeding Mother’s Bill of Rights passed the Senate last week. The bill was designed to make it easier and more appealing for mothers to breastfeed, requiring women to be informed of the benefits and acceptability of breastfeeding before they deliver. This is great news considering the clear health benefits of breastfeeding, and it is hoped that subsequently the bill will serve to reduce healthcare costs.