Articles
Prevention
Do You Know What’s In Your Baby’s Mattress?
Emily Lynne Ion
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
In our book, spokesperson Laura Dern writes of how excited parents can become obsessed with designing the most beautiful and complete nursery for their expected child. But the nursery item that garners the least amount of attention is, by far, the most imperfect: the crib mattress.
Triclosan Trespass
Janelle Sorensen
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
The US EPA recently released their latest draft assessment of triclosan, a pesticide approved for use in 140 different types of everyday products. The inconclusive report demonstrates how little we know about triclosan, and refuses to address its potential impacts fetuses and children.
Choosing the Safest Sunscreen
Janelle Sorensen
Healthy Child Healthy World
Thursday, July 03, 2008
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Sunscreen is an invaluable outdoor necessity for protecting skin from the sun’s damaging UV rays, but like any other product you want one that actually works and isn’t loaded with potentially dangerous chemicals.
Quick Tips for Sun Safety
Janelle Sorensen
Healthy Child Healthy World
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Some ideas for protecting yourself so you can have care-free fun in the sun!
Chlorinated Pools and Your Child’s Health
Janelle Sorensen
Healthy Child Healthy World
Thursday, August 14, 2008
When I was a child, the smell of a chlorinated pool triggered immediate sensations of joy. It meant that very soon I would be one with water and swimming until my muscles refused to respond anymore. Today, we’ve learned that those telltale fumes could potentially trigger a whole lot more, like asthma.
Buying a Plastic Pool with a Clear Conscience
Janelle Sorensen
Healthy Child Healthy World
Thursday, August 14, 2008
With the dangers of certain plastics making regular headlines, it’s no surprise that we get questions from parents about all sorts of plastic products. Recently we were asked about kiddie pools, since most are made from PVC, also known as the “Poison Plastic.” Our initial searching for a safer plastic pool resulted in only one option. Kids-R-Us has hard plastic pools in a variety of colors and sizes (look for the #2 in the chasing arrows recycling code). Here are some additional thoughts for parents to consider when your options are limited.
Natural Sunshine = A Healthy Child
Janelle Sorensen
Healthy Child Healthy World
Thursday, August 14, 2008
For decades we’ve been warned against the dangers of sunshine with only minimal mention of the benefits of these same rays. Indeed, with more than a million people a year being diagnosed with skin cancer in the US alone, we do need to be on our toes. But, an April 2008 Environmental Health Perspectives report shows that avoiding the sun may be just as damaging to our health. In fact, recent research is compelling us to rethink sun exposure policy particularly for vulnerable groups including pregnant or breastfeeding women, infants and children, the elderly, and those who must avoid the sun.
Beyond Pesticides – Ridding the World of Triclosan, One Sock at a Time
Jay Feldman, Executive Director of Beyond Pesticides
Beyond Pesticides
Thursday, August 14, 2008
When people think of pesticides, they typically think of those toxic chemicals that are too often sprayed on lawns and landscapes to get rid of weeds or the poisons that are used to kill roaches and mice. While these are perhaps the most common uses of pesticides at home, another pesticide has quietly found its way into our hand washing and dishwashing soaps, deodorants, toothpastes, cosmetics, countertops, paints, towels, computer keyboards, even socks and sandals.
The Chemical Legacy of the “Perfect” Lawn
Dr. Warren Porter
University of Wisconsin - Madison
Thursday, August 14, 2008
On the tenth of February, 1997, in Madison Wisconsin, where I live, the Wisconsin State Journal was running a series of articles on our schools. We have many schools of national excellence in Madison, and we are very proud of them. But this particular issue was entitled, “Cost of Accommodating: As special education grows, so does the cost of staffing.” There was a chart with statistics that are very chilling. From 1990 to 1995, in the Madison school district, by disability we had an increase of 87 percent in the emotionally disturbed category over a five year period. The learning disabilities category jumped 70 percent and birth defects increased 83 percent in a five year period.
Prevention Tips and Must Haves for an All-Natural First Aid Kit
Janette Rizk for Whole Body/Whole Foods Market
Whole Foods Market
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Summer time will come up quickly and our friends from Whole Foods are sharing their great prevention and all-natural first aid tips with us.
The Not-so-little Regulatory System that Couldn’t: How Toys End Up Toxic
Dr. David Wallinga
Thursday, August 14, 2008
How many times have we heard, “If it wasn’t safe, the government wouldn’t let them sell it.”? While true to some degree -- such as the FDA’s pre-market testing of pharmaceuticals -- a lot of things slip through the regulatory cracks.
Polycarbonate: The Plastic that Keeps on Giving…BPA
Janelle Sorensen
Healthy Child Healthy World
Monday, April 21, 2008
Last year major recreational retailers pulled polycarbonate water bottles off the shelves over concern that BPA could leach into the drinking water. Later in the year, the Environmental Working Group examined baby formula from cans and found that the epoxy lining was leaching BPA into the formula. The latest news is that polycarbonate baby bottles leach BPA into warm milk and formula.
The Battle Over the Ban: Getting Gender Bending Chemicals Out of Children’s Products
Janelle Sorensen
Healthy Child Healthy World
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
The headlines about toxic toys are increasing and so are policy initiatives to protect our children. States across the US are reviewing bills and you can help support them with the click of a button. It really couldn’t be any easier.
Going Home with Your New Baby
Dr. Alan Greene
www.drgreene.com
Friday, January 04, 2008
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Shortly after your labor and delivery, the mixed anxiety and joy of this life experience will be in your past, and it will be time to look forward to the future—to the time when your baby will live and grow in the protective environment that you will create in your home.
The Laundry Room
Dr. Alan Greene
Excerpted with permission from Raising Baby Green: The Earth-Friendly Guide to Pregnancy, Childbirth and Baby Care
Friday, December 07, 2007
As the holidays approach there are opportunities for green purchases beyond the usual toys and special gifts. The world surrounding a new baby, in particular, the laundry room, is full of choices for green purchases.
Finding Materials for a Healthier House
SustainLane
Monday, March 03, 2008
Just ask the three little pigs (especially the first two): Choosing the right building materials for your house is an important decision with serious consequences.
Cleanse Your Home of Health Hazards
SustainLane
Monday, March 03, 2008
On average, Americans spend 90% of their time indoors and approximately 1/3 of their lives sleeping. That’s a lot of indoor time.
Preventing Attention Deficit Disorder in Kids
Randall Neustaedter OMD
SustainLane
Monday, March 03, 2008
The number of children put on drugs for attention problems is staggering, and school authorities pressure parents to use dangerous stimulant medications and antidepressants to keep children behaving in specific desirable patterns in the classroom.
Our Assumptions About What Causes Chronic Diseases Could Be Wrong
Laura Wright
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Discoveries about how chemicals and environmental toxins interact with our DNA and make us susceptible to disease could revolutionize our concept of illness.
Winning the War on Chronic Disease, One Label at a Time
Elizabeth Sword
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Within each family, parents must assume the role of public health officer, maintaining a knowledge base sufficient to make fully informed decisions and thereby reduce unnecessary exposures to harmful environmental toxins.
Antioxidant Power
Nicole Meadow, MPN, RD
Monday, August 13, 2007
The buzz word of the decade is antioxidant. It discussed practically everywhere, but it seems that people are still pretty confused about the concept. What exactly are antioxidants, what do they do and how can you maximize your intake?
Traffic Congestion: The Chemicals in Your Car
Bill Baue
Monday, August 06, 2007
Is your car giving you a headache? It could be the fumes from the plastics inside or the fuel and its byproducts.
Rest Easy on a Safe Bed
Aisha Ikramuddin and Pamela Lundquist
Friday, August 03, 2007
There's nothing like a good night's sleep to keep you feeling healthy. But what do you do when your mattress or sheets (or both) are "sick?"
The Green Pet: Alternatives to Conventional Pesticides
Sylvie Farrell with reporting by Aisha Ikramuddin
The Green Guide #24
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Non-toxic ways to win the war against fleas and other pet pests.
Pesticides in Your Home
William Baue
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Look in your cupboards, in your basement, under the bathroom sink. Chances are you’ll find a pesticide of one sort or another – a can of insect repellant, a bottle of weed killer, a box of rat poison, some flea shampoo for the dog.
Which Insect Repellant is Right for Your Kids?
Healthy Child Healthy World
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
DEET is the longest lasting insect repellent, according to one study, but its safety for children is a concern. Here we list tips on choosing a repellent and how to minimize risks associated with DEET.
Breathing Space: Asthma Triggers
Mindy Pennybacker
The Green Guide #21
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
List of Asthma Triggers to avoid being exposed to.
Trends in Children’s Health
John Wargo, Ph.D., Professor, Yale University and HCHW Board Member and Linda Evenson Wargo, M.E.S.
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Statistics calling for awareness education regarding children's health.
What Olmsted Knew
Richard Joseph Jackson, MD, MPH
March 2001 issue of Western City magazine
Thursday, July 05, 2007
National Center for Environmental Health Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Special Centers for Pediatric Environmental Health
Katherine Kirkland
Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics (AOEC)
Thursday, July 05, 2007
In 1998, the Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics (AOEC) established Pediatric Environmental Health Speciality Units (PEHSU) to increase awareness and knowledge of health care providers and health agency officials about children's environmental health.
Air Purifiers
Aisha Ikramuddin
The Green Guide #76
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Many things can dirty your indoor air -- from small dust particles to vapors to animal dander. What does an air purifier remove best?
Detecting and Removing Lead Paint
Healthy Child Healthy World
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Find out how to detect lead paint in your home -- and what to do to contain or remove it.
Formaldehyde Surges
Allison Sloan
The Green Guide # 72
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
There's a gas coming out of some latex paint, nail polish and even permanent press fabrics. It happens to be an eye, nose and throat irritant and probable carcinogen. But it's easy to reduce your family's exposure.
Fragrances in Candles, Incense and Potpourri
Pamela Lundquist
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Aromatherapy practices like burning "flavored" candles or incense release a lot more than scent into the air you breathe. Deep, relaxing breaths needn't come with a lungful of chemicals.
Fragrances in Air Fresheners and Deodorizers
Pamela Lundquist
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Given all the chemicals in most commercial air fresheners, they should be called air polluters. Luckily, there are healthier ways of keeping your home smelling fresh -- like nothing at all, that is.
Research Tools: Where to Find In-Depth Information on Children’s Environmental Health Issues
Aisha Ikramuddin
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Suggested web pages to find detailed information regarding Children's Environmental Health Issues.
The Family Homestead: A Tale of History and Hazardous Waste
Philip Dickey
Alternatives Volume 19 #4
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
After ten years of giving advice about proper disposal of hazardous household products, I finally have had to take my own advice. In October, my wife, brother, and I helped my parents move out of the house that they have lived in for 42 years and moved them to a retirement community.
The Benefits of Breast Milk Outweigh Any Risks
Sandra Steingraber, Ph.D. HCHW Advisory Board Member, Biologist, Author and Mother
Having Faith: An Ecologist’s Journey to Motherhood
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
One of the most important decisions you'll make as a new parent is how you will feed your baby.
Recommended Books
Healthy Child Healthy World
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
The following books are excellent resources on children's environmental health issues and how to make your home and community safer for children and adults alike.
Old Home Renovation Resources
Healthy Child Healthy World
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Websites to help you renovate an old home safely, without harming the environment or yourself.
Fragrances: What Your Nose Needs to Know
Pamela Lundquist
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
The fact that common consumer products that previously didn't have a smell now have scents added to them shows how popular fragrances have become. But are scented tissues or toys worth it when you consider the additional chemicals that create them?
Managing the Hazards of Insulation: Alternatives and Solutions
Bill Baue
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Asbestos exposure represents the greatest risk associated with insulation. Luckily, asbestos sealed within insulation poses no risk until it becomes exposed or damaged. To be on the safe side, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advises homeowners to treat all older insulation materials as if they contain asbestos.
Gas Appliances Can Be a Source of Unhealthy Indoor Air
Becky Gillette
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Many parents ban cigarette smoke in their homes to protect their children. They may not realize, however, that some household appliances can emit the same pollutants found in cigarette smoke.
Drugging Our Water: We Flush It, Then We Drink It
Melissa Knopper
E/The Environmental Magazine, Volume XIV, Numer 1
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Birth control pills, estrogen replacement drugs, ibuprofen, bug spray, sunscreen, mouthwash and antibacterial soap: all of these products could turn up in your next glass of tap water, according to a recent United States Geological Survey (USGS). USGS scientists sampled 139 rivers and streams, finding hundreds of prescription and over-the-counter drugs and personal care products lingering in the nation’s water supply.
Don’t Let Termites Eat You Out of House and Home
Aisha Ikramuddin
The Green Guide #37
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Termites are nature’s recyclers. They break down cellulose from fallen trees and decomposing wood and return it to the soil. However, we don’t want termites to recycle our houses. According to the National Pest Management Association, termites devour homes to the annual cost of $5 billion in toxic treatments and damages in the United States.
Are Carpet Cleaners Safe
Aisha Ikramuddin
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Among the inevitable things in life is the fact that all carpets will get dirty over time. Carpets and rugs, of course, take a lot of abuse from rambunctious children and pets, dinner guests who spill, people who refuse to wipe their feet before entering–the list goes on and on.
Toxic Toys? No Thank You!
Pamela Lundquist
Mothers & Others' Shopper’s Guide to Healthier, Greener Toys
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
When it comes to toys, we want what's fun, educational and safe for our children. Elisabeth Marx, former Executive Director of Mothers & Others, wants her children to have a wide range of experiences, too. She had her second child when her first was nine years old which, she says, gave her "a chance to think about how much has improved in the availability of toys are that healthy for the environment and growing bodies."
What’s on the Label: Art and Hobby Supplies
Allison Sloan
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
As they grow up, children typically use many different art supplies to explore their creativity. But art and hobby supplies can contain toxic ingredients, such as lead in ceramic glazes and solvents in glues. The hazards associated with such ingredients can be avoided if parents choose art supplies by reading labels carefully.
The Green Pet
Sylvie Farrell with reporting by Aisha Ikramuddin
The Green Guide #24
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
How to control fleas without resorting to chemical warfare.
The Cosmetic Mask: The Ugly on MakeUp
Kristin Ebbert
The Green Guide #31
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Natural alternatives to potentially harmful perservatives (and other makeup ingredients) are available.
POPs: 10 Ways to Minimize Your Exposure
Francine Stephens
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
10 solutions and suggestions to minimize risk of exposure to Persistant Organic Pollutants
Safe Pipes: Lead in Your Drinking Water?
Bill Baue
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Lead is invisible, tasteless, and odorless, making it impossible to detect in water without testing.
Safe Drinking Water: Testing Your Water
Aisha Ikramuddin
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Safe Pipes Mean Safe Water
Bill Baue
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Stacey Lindell of Putney, Vermont, always runs her cold water tap for at least 30 seconds before helping herself, or her children, to some.
Safe Pipes: Alternatives for PVC Pipes
Bill Baue
Thursday, July 05, 2007
While there is far less risk from PVC pipes, there is a general public health risk in the manufacture of PVC materials. To keep this risk down, choose PVC alternatives for your home.
What’s in Your Bottled Water? Your Alternatives
Tracy Fernandez Rysavy
Co-op America’s Real Money newsletter
Thursday, July 05, 2007
By far the cheapest – and often the safest – option is to drink water from a tap. It’s also the most environmentally friendly option.
Persistent Organic Pollutants: Chemicals That Won’t Go Away and Hurt Us All
Francine Stephens
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
From an environmental and health standpoint, Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are among the most dangerous chemicals known to man.
Persistent Organic Pollutants Increase Risk of Several Cancers
Mt Sinai Medical School
Center for Children’s Health and the Envrionment,
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Multiple Myeloma, & Cancer in Children
The good news about cancer is that, overall, the death rate is declining, thanks to early detection, advances in treatment, and preventive efforts (less smoking, less exposure to second hand smoke, and less exposure to certain industrial chemicals and to asbestos). Some cancer incidence rates have also declined (lung in men, uterine, stom
Nit Picking: Safely Treating Your Child for Lice
Allison Sloan
Green Guide #54/55
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
An estimated 6 million American kids in elementary school contract head lice, or pediculosis, every year. Infestations, however, are more anxiety-producing than physically harmful. The Harvard School of Public Health argues that "lice rarely (if ever) cause direct harm, and they are not known to transmit infectious agents from person-to-person. Thus, they should not be considered as a medical or a public health problem."
Pick Your Cotton
Rebecca Spector and Sandra Marquardt
The Green Guide
Monday, July 30, 2007
Overuse of chemicals in cotton production; how to avoid exposure to these chemicals and toxins and other options to conventional cotton products.
Household Hazardous Products: Serious Business
Barry Connell
North American Hazardous Materials Management Association (NAHMMA)
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Household chemicals pose a significant threat to the health and safety of families, particularly to children. Get informed about hazardous household products and learn how to act responsibly.
Fabric Bleaching and Dyes
Rebecca Spector and Sandra Marquardt
The Green Guide
Monday, July 30, 2007
Many cotton garments are first bleached white before they are dyed another color, either with chlorine or hydrogen peroxide. And dioxin, a carcinogen and possible hormone disrupter, is produced and released into the environment during chlorine bleaching of cotton.
On My Mind: Parents Can Take First Steps for Healthy Babies
Elizabeth Sword (former Executive Director of Healthy Child Healthy World)
Thursday, July 26, 2007
“If the world's environment is contaminated, so too is the ecosystem of a mother's body. If a mother's body is contaminated, so too is the child who inhabits it. These truths should inspire us all — mothers, fathers, grandparents, doctors, midwives, and everyone concerned about future generations — to action.” -- Sandra Steingraber, excerpt from Having Faith: An Ecologist's Journey to Motherhood.
Keep Safe From Mad Cow: How to Choose Safer Beef
Healthy Child Healthy World
Thursday, July 26, 2007
While the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is emphasizing that one mad cow does not an epidemic make, you may be feeling apprehensive about eating beef or serving it to your family. Humans can contract the human form of mad cow disease, or bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), by eating beef contaminated with affected brain or central nervous system tissue. Experts agree that the risk of exposure to BSE in the United States is now low.
Hormones in Our Food: How to Eat Less of Them
Kathryn Perrotti Leavitt
Thursday, July 26, 2007
A list of natural alternatives to decrease hormone intake.
Trans Fat… Beware!
Nicole Meadow
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Trans fats have been receiving a lot of bad press lately, and for good reason!
Hormones in Our Food
Kathryn Perrotti Leavitt
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Hormones are regularly used in animal food production. Are the residues harmful to humans and who is most vulnerable to their effects?
Healthy Highways: The Traveler’s Guide to Healthy Eating
Nikki & David Goldbeck
Ceres Press
Friday, July 20, 2007
Any car trip can result in a visit to a fast food restaurant. Fight the urge by keeping a copy of the book, Healthy Highways: The Traveler's Guide to Healthy Eating in your vehicle at all times!
Food Additives: Among Thousands, Which are Safe?
Pamela Lundquist
Friday, July 20, 2007
Thousands of additives are put in the food that we eat. Some have been thoroughly tested, while others haven't.
Fish and Seafood: Charting a Course for the Safest Choices
Pamela Lundquist
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Tuna fish sandwiches are a staple in many kids’ lunches. In fact, tuna is the most popular fish in the U.S. The good news about tuna’s popularity: Fish is a healthy protein source that’s naturally low in fat and one of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which help prevent heart attacks and lower bad cholesterol (LDLs) while raising good cholesterol (HDLs).
The bad news: Tuna and many other kinds of fish can be contaminated with toxins due to pollution. These toxins are particularly dangerous for children. They can raise a child's risk for cancer, cause brain damage, and disrupt hormonal activity. Even developing babies in the womb can be exposed to — and harmed by — these chemicals.
Crib Notes
Thursday, July 19, 2007
During the first months of life, your baby will likely spend most of her time in a crib — newborns sleep an average of 16 to 17 hours a day. Given this, it's essential that our baby’s first bed should be not only comfortable but safe from dangerous chemicals.
More Respect for Water
Ricky Cappe, Founder - Green Built Consultants, Inc.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Water is one of the few things that is absolutely essential to our survival, yet we do not seem to give it the weight that it deserves. In reality, we do not need that much water, but we have become accustomed to having much more than we require. Of all the water on the planet, only about 1% of it is useful for us, so we need to do a much better job of taking care of the small amount that we have.
What Shouldn’t Be There: Contaminants in Children’s Food
Becky Gillette
Healthy Child Healthy World
Monday, July 16, 2007
Eat your spinach, moms chant across the nation. As much as kids try to avoid the green stuff, moms know it is a safe bet nutritionally. But, increasingly, researchers are discovering some unappetizing facts about our foods:
Why Go Organic? From Shopping for Organic Factsheet
Healthy Child Healthy World
Excerpted with permission from Mothers & Others for a Livable Planet
Friday, July 13, 2007
In 2003, consumers purchased $10.38 billion worth of organic products, from staples like milk, eggs and lettuce to snacks such as cookies, tortilla chips and salsa, according to the Organic Trade Association’s (OTA’s) 2004 Manufacturer Survey.
A Doctor’s Viewpoint: The Womb Cannot Protect Against Many Toxins
by Dr. Maida P. Galvez
With Permission from Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Center for Children’s Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research
Friday, July 13, 2007
“A little kid goes from a single cell to a laughing, sociable, intelligent, friendly human being over a course of two years; that’s dramatic growth and development,” stated Ken Olden, Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. The baby in the womb is at a critical window of vulnerability.
Antibiotics in Our Food: How to Resist Resistance
Kathryn Perrotti Leavitt
Healthy Child Healthy World
Friday, July 13, 2007
Choose 100% certified organic meat, milk and produce.
Organic crops are grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, while cows and poultry are fed only 100% certified organic feed that is antibiotic- and hormone-free. Look for labels that say "Certified Organic," your guarantee that the grower adheres to specific organic production standards and is monitored by an independent certification agency. Many major supermarket chains have organic sections.
Reduce Toxicity, Fight Fat
Janelle Sorensen
Healthy Child Healthy World
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Americans are getting fatter and fatter. Since the mid-seventies, the number of people who are overweight or obese has more than doubled.
Weather and Well-Being: How Climate Change is Impacting Health
Janelle Sorensen
Healthy Child Healthy World
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
What is climate?
“Climate is what you expect, weather is what you get”1 seems an adequately simple explanation. Ironically, this definition is from a 1973 science fiction novel and today, climate patterns and weather are becoming increasingly unbelievable.
Babies and Children Need Extra Protection
Mindy Pennybacker and Aisha Ikramuddin
Reprinted with permission from Guide to Natural Baby Care (Wiley 1999)
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Our children live in a world vastly different from the one we grew up in. More than 80,000 chemicals, most of which did not exist fifty years ago, are registered for use in commerce in the United States, and an estimated 2,000 new ones are introduced every year1,2.
Protecting the First Environment
Sandra Steingraber, Ph.D.
Adapted with permission from The Green Guide #74/75 http://www.thegreenguide.com
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
In April 1998, 15 weeks pregnant with my first child, I went to Boston to undergo an amniocentesis, which involves removing a syringe full of amniotic fluid from the uterus with a long needle. The results of my amnio were destined to turn out fine. “Unremarkable” was the word the nurse would use to describe them. (A more lovely adjective was never spoken.) What was remarkable, however, was how much this procedure made me aware not just of my genetic past, but also of my present surroundings. It reminded me that women’s bodies are the first environment.
Personal Care Products for Kids
Pamela Lundquist
Healthy Child Healthy World
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Kids of all ages have naturally wonderful skin and hair. Generally, keeping it clean is all that’s needed. Nevertheless, children use quite a few personal care products in addition to soap and shampoo, such as toothpaste, bubble bath, lotion, sunscreen and insect repellents. Parents may wonder what is in all these products and if they might affect children’s health.
Natural Lawn Care
Francine Stephens
Healthy Child Healthy World
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Children love to roll around on grass. But most lawns are maintained with toxic chemicals. And they don't disappear from the lawn when we can't see them.
7 Misconceptions about Plastic and Plastic Recycling
Report of the Berkeley Plastics Task Force
Adapted with permission from the Ecology Center http://www.ecologycenter.org
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Healthy Schools Resource List
Healthy Child Healthy World
Friday, August 03, 2007
Though children spend much of their growing years in school buildings and on school grounds, toxins in the environment can impair their health, learning and development.
Healthier Indoor Air
Aisha Ikramuddin
Reprinted with permission from The Green Guide #76 http://www.thegreenguide.com
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Learn more about what affects your indoor air quality.
Safe Drinking Water: Possible Contaminants
Aisha Ikramuddin
Healthy Child Healthy World
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Learn more about how to protect against water contaminents.
Lawn and Garden Pesticides
Francine Stephens
Healthy Child Healthy World
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
When I was twelve years old, I had a small, gray-haired kitten named Moey – as in Ennie, Meanie, Miney, and Moey. After my family moved to Great Neck, New York, we often let Moey play outside on our new, big, sprawling lawn. One morning, I let Moey out early, ate my breakfast, then ran outside to find her.
Step into Shape… with a Pedometer
Nicole Meadow, Registered Dietician
Friday, June 29, 2007
So by now you know that it is extremenly important to be physically active on a daily basis. The next question is: how is it possible to fit this in to your family’s busy schedule?
Make Sure Your Child is Playing With Nontoxic Games, Arts & Crafts
Allison Sloan
Excerpted with permission from Mothers & Others' Shopper’s Guide to Healthier, Greener Toys
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Carpets and Rugs
Healthy Child Healthy World
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
A great place to begin "childproofing" your home is your carpets and floors. Since our children are naturally low to the ground, the floor becomes the primary play space for young children.
Pest Control Without Pesticides
Bill Baue
Healthy Child Healthy World
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Six years ago, Aisha Ikramuddin moved into a Manhattan apartment plagued with roaches, a not-uncommon problem in urban areas. Aisha’s roommate, Jen Hildebrant, had dealt with them the way most New Yorkers do: A monthly exterminator. "The problem was that we still found roaches!" recalls Aisha. But Aisha wasn’t keen on pesticides being sprayed where food was stored and prepared. So she and Jen discontinued extermination.
Healthy Home Improvement
Healthy Child Healthy World
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
At one time or another, many of us decide to tackle a home improvement project. This is especially true when we discover a baby is on the way! Whether you are thinking about starting a do-it-yourself home improvement project or are considering hiring someone to do a major renovation of your home, be prepared. Learn all you can about the materials to be used. Home and decorating products are a major cause of poor indoor air quality.
Natural Garden Care
Francine Stephens
Healthy Child Healthy World
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Gardening with your children can be a wonderful way to share your experience of nature with them in an educational and fun setting. Children love to dig in the dirt, make mud pies, and search for bugs. Children also enjoy planting seeds, watching them grow and eating what they have grown. By cultivating their curiosity, you can help your children to develop a life-long love, and respect, for nature.
Recipes for Safer Cleaners
Pamela Lundquist
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Cleaning products can contain many dangerous chemicals, which are usually not listed on the labels.
One of the easiest ways to protect your family from harm is to stop using cleaning products found in stores and start making your own. In fact, it's easy, far less expensive and just as effective. Most ingredients for homemade cleaners can be found in your kitchen.
What to Consider when Buying Furniture
Healthy Child Healthy World
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Furniture makes our homes comfortable, livable spaces. But whether we're talking about the sofa or a baby's crib, there are a few things to consider about materials used to construct furniture.
Antibacterials and Disinfectants: Are They Necessary?
by S. Hartman & Healthy Child Healthy World
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
At this very moment, microbes are migrating across your kitchen countertops and kids’ toys, burrowing into your towels, basking on your kids’ skin. If this makes you want to lunge for the Lysol, you are not alone.
Alternatives to Antibacterials and Disinfectants: Safer Ways to Keep Germs at Bay
Healthy Child Healthy World
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Rather than relying on chemicals to kill bacteria, protect your family from infections with these easy steps:
PVC: The Most Toxic Plastic
by Pamela Lundquist and Aisha Ikramuddin
Adapted with permission from original material in The Green Guide #23 and #59 http://www.thegreenguide.com
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Shopper’s Guide to Plastics & Food
by Allison Sloan and Pamela Lundquist
The Green Guide #88/89
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
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