Healthy World Watch March 12th, 2010

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

Blog

Top Tips

If you’re overwhelmed at the thought of making your own organic baby food, check out this video featuring Dr. Greene. Making your own organic baby food is easy, some might even call it fun, and it is the best for your baby.
Is your sweet tooth is craving something extra special? Check out the Best Organic Cupcake Recipes from Greenopia. (Make a double batch and send some to our office!)
Tired of looking at crummy ads when you surf the web? Then it’s time to download the Do Good browser plug-in. In two minutes time you can be browsing your favorite sites, seeing ads for good things (like non-profits and tips for greener living), and generating money for charities. Browsing the web has never been gooder. See good. Do good.

Recent Research

Phthalates predispose mice to allergies. Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) rubbed onto mouse skin changed the chemistry of the rodents' immune system and made them more prone to developing contact allergies, reports a new study published in the scientific journal Immunology. This is the first study to show how DBP modifies the mouse immune system to predispose it to developing a type of allergy known as contact hypersensitivity.
Yale study details how and why of BPA's dangers. Exposing a female fetus to a chemical found in plastics causes permanent changes in a daughter’s uterus that might result in cancer — and a research team led by a Yale doctor has figured out why.
Boys and girls differ in genetic response to what mom eats. A new study in mice reveals that expectant mothers’ diets influence gene activity more in the placentas of female than male offspring, with females producing more of a protein that responds to estrogen. The extra sensitivity could make female offspring more susceptible to estrogen-mimicking chemicals in the environment.

Notable News

EPA official says agency will act soon on BPA. Responding to criticism that the Environmental Protection Agency delayed action on regulating the chemical bisphenol A, Administrator Lisa Jackson said Monday that her agency is planning to "finalize an action plan on BPA in the very near future."
What's best for kids: Bottled water or fountains? Tap water may be better for kids than sugary sodas, but many schools have lead-contaminated water.
Plasticizers kept from leaching out. Scientists working with the widely used plasticizers known as phthalates have locked down these compounds, preventing them from migrating. The research may lead to improved versions of hard plastics that don’t leach their ingredients.