Articles
Non-Toxic & Natural Products
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.
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.
Is There a Healthier Plastic Container?
SustainLane
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Plastic. It’s everywhere. It holds our water, our groceries, our microwavable munchies. Not surprisingly, plastic constitutes 9 percent of the 156 million tons of trash Americans generate each year.
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.
Two Simple Rules for Infant Skin Care
SustainLane
Monday, March 03, 2008
Keeping your little one clean, dry, and comfortable can feel like a full-time job, and the array of products available can make the whole prospect overwhelming.
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.
Environmental Safety of Toys
Jonathan Weinkle, MD
UPMC Presbyterian-Shadyside and Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Nothing says “happy childhood” like a brand-new toy, a playground set, or an afternoon of arts and crafts. Unfortunately, just like bubble baths and pajamas, these items can contain chemical or physical dangers to children of which parents need to be aware.
Baking Without Refined Sugar
SustainLane
Monday, March 03, 2008
A few modifications in your diet can reduce the amount of refined sugar without forcing you to sacrifice sweets.
The Sweet Stuff: The Best and Worst of Sweeteners
SustainLane
Monday, March 03, 2008
Sugar and spice and everything nice--well, almost.
Make Your Own Household Cleaners
SustainLane
Monday, March 03, 2008
Vinegar? Check. Baking soda? Check. Lime, cornstarch, salt? Check, check, and check.
Save Money, Live Better: Building Healthier Homes
SustainLane
Monday, March 03, 2008
Building or remodeling a home is a perfect opportunity to use sustainable alternatives in the construction process.
How to find Seafood you can trust
Timothy O'Shea from CleanFish
Monday, October 22, 2007
I am sending this note to every parent who wants a healthier world and desires to have a healthy child as part of that world.
Dissin’ Disposables: Why Cloth Diapers Rule
SustainLane
Monday, March 03, 2008
Today's cloth diapers are almost as convenient as disposables.
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.
Plant this Fern to Remove Arsenic from Soil
Healthy Child Healthy World
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Now there's a truly "green" solution to remove highly toxic arsenic from contaminated soil. A plant, Pteris genus, actually pulls significant amounts of arsenic out of soil.
The Cleaning Blues
Aisha Ikramuddin
The Green Guide #53
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
In reality, all you need are a few mild cleaners to make for a spotless home. Safer cleaners can even be home-made!
Pesticides in Rentals and Condominiums: No More Pesticides at Home
Jonah Paisner
Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Even as a renter, you have a right to reject the use of dangerous pesticides in or around your home.
Fragrance in Perfumes and Cosmetics
Pamela Lundquist
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Cosmetics and perfumes make us more attractive. But mixed in with the colors and scents are a wide variety of unattractive chemicals.
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?
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.
Managing the Hazards of Insulation
Bill Baue
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
When Sylvie bought her home a few years ago, she discovered that, sometimes, not all rooms are created alike: The original part of the charming, 120-year-old farmhouse–a large living room with high ceilings and a large fireplace–had no insulation within its walls. Fortunately, the majority of us don’t have to worry about such chilly prospects. Most houses have some type of insulation, a building material that blocks heat from escaping during the winter and entering during the summer.
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.
Paints and Finishes
Healthy Child Healthy World
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Whether you paint your own home or have it done by a professional, painting your home should be a pleasurable experience. "When I first began looking at all the color options for my living room, I was so excited," recalls Jenny Hyman, who moved into her new apartment in Astoria, New York, in 2000.
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 in Cleaning Products, Fabric Softeners and Laundry Detergents
Pamela Lundquist
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Household cleaners are often scented so that cleaning seems more effective and enjoyable. But what's in that "clean" smell?
Inert Ingredients: Are They Really Benign?
Journal of Pesticide Reform (Vol. 19, No. 2)
Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Inert ingredients are present in virtually all pesticide products. They are substances added to pesticides to make them more potent or easier to use, but their identities are often claimed as confidential and they have only minimal testing requirements.
Independently Certified Wood
Healthy Child Healthy World
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Unsustainable forest management is causing biodiversity loss, soil erosion, and negatively affecting the economies of communities worldwide. Clean air, clean water, and medicinal plants are all at stake.
Humidifiers: Steaming Up for Safety
Aisha Ikramuddin
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Come winter in a chilly climate and chances are that you will suffer from a dry throat and itchy skin. As the temperature drops, so does the humidity, and that makes us feel uncomfortable. A humidifier -- a device that boosts moisture levels in your home -- can solve the problem.
Floor Coverings
Healthy Child Healthy World
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Modern flooring is often made of synthetic materials. Some can emit unhealthy fumes into indoor air. And their adhesives and finishes may compound the problem. These products contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which contribute to indoor air pollution.
Eating Cotton?
Mothers & Others for a Livable Planet
The Green Guide #82/83
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
As parents, we don’t often think that cotton, the "fabric of our lives," will wind up in the food our children eat or the milk they drink. In fact, only 40 percent of the plant – the boll – is used for the fiber, while the remaining 60 percent goes for seed oil and other byproducts.
The Cosmetic Mask
Kristin Ebbert
The Green Guide #31
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Each day most of us bombard our bodies with a multitude of grooming aids, body care and medicinal products, scents and solvents – some containing very questionable ingredients.
Toxic Toys? Safer, Greener Alternatives
Pamela Lundquist
Mothers & Others' Shopper’s Guide to Healthier, Greener Toys
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
In general, we recommend against plastic toys (especially soft PVC toys) because of their negative environmental and health impacts (see Toxic Toys? No Thank You!). Greenpeace USA has run a continued, extensive campaign alerting people to the dangers of PVC (or vinyl), especially those posed to children. Their 2003 "report card" on toy manufacturers & retailers lists companies that do and do not use PVC.
The Cosmetic Mask: The Stink on Fragrance
Kristin Ebbert
The Green Guide #31
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Strong fragrances are avoidable -- at the very least look for labels that say the product is "fragrance-free."
The Cosmetic Mask: Perms to Dye For
Kristin Ebbert
The Green Guide #31
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Color or perm your hair with gentler, natural ingredients.
The Cosmetic Mask: Decoding Cruelty-Free
Aisha Ikramuddin
The Green Guide #31
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Making sense of the animal testing issue and personal care products.
The Cosmetic Mask: Coming Clean on Soaps & Shampoos
Kristin Ebbert
The Green Guide #31
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
How to get clean without harming yourself or the environment.
Games, Arts & Crafts
Allison Sloan
Mothers & Others' Shopper’s Guide to Healthier, Greener Toys
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Making the world a beautiful place, both indoors and out
While parents love to encourage their children to be creative and artistic, it’s important to be aware that some arts and crafts supplies contain dangerous substances – and that safer substitutes exist.
Why We Need Labeling of Genetically Engineered Foods
Food, Farms and Genetic Engineering
Mothers & Others for a Livable Planet
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Labeling of genetically engineered foods is not required by law, except where genes from common food allergens, such as peanuts and shellfish, are used, or the nutritional value is enhanced.
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
Why We Should Care About Genetically Engineered Foods
Food, Farms and Genetic Engineering
Mothers & Others for a Livable Planet
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Genetic engineering has entered our lives with quiet but forceful determination on the part of companies and the government. Without adequate testing, labeling, careful legislative oversight or public debate, consumers are expected to accept this technology and its promised benefits without a full discussion of its risks.
Food, Farms and Genetic Engineering
Food, Farms and Genetic Engineering
Mothers and Others for a Livable Planet
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Questions about genetically engineered products, how safe they are and learning more about your choices.
Why Go Organic?
Healthy Child Healthy World
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
In 2003, consumers purchased $10.8 billion worth of organic products, from staples like milk, eggs and lettuce to personal care products, nutritional supplements and pet food, according to the Organic Trade Association.
Safe Drinking Water: What’s a Consumer Confidence Report?
Sarah Milstein
The Green Guide #79
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
The United States has one of the safest water supplies in the world, but across the country, groundwater is increasingly sullied by pesticides, fertilizers, industrial chemicals, and septic systems. That’s why it’s crucial to protect our water at the source.
Safe Drinking Water: Testing Your Water
Aisha Ikramuddin
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Safe Drinking Water: Filtration
Aisha Ikramuddin
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
How to Choose a Water Filter
After you test your water, if you find that the levels of contaminants are high, you may want to invest in a water filter. Remember, though, that in order for the filter to be effective you’ll have to change filters and maintain the system, otherwise it can actually result in higher levels of contamination.
What’s in Your Bottled Water?
Tracy Fernandez Rysavy
Co-op America’s Real Money newsletter
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Is your bottled water really safer for your health than tap water?
Every minute of every day, Americans spend around $18,600 on bottled water. Most of these consumers buy their water by the bottle because they feel it’s more pure than what comes out of their faucets. At an average of 500 to 1,000 times the price of tap water, one wonders if it’s worth it.
How to Dry Clean Only Without Perc
Kristin Ebbert
The Green Guide #46
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Despite what labels say, dry cleaning is not the only answer.
How Clean is Dry Cleaning?
Kristin Ebbert
The Green Guide #46
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Mori Mickelson was breastfeeding her 11-month-old son in the bedroom of her New York apartment when she began to get a headache, dizziness, burning in her lungs, and a feeling of losing consciousness.
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.
OTHER THAN DEMO
Ricky Cappe - Green Built Consultants, Inc.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Annihilation is no longer an option. You cannot raze it. It does not have to be eradicated. Demolition is now
outdated.
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."
New USDA Seal Makes Identifying Organic Foods Easier
Healthy Child Healthy World
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Some parents switch to organic foods for their kids' sake, because they want to provide them with healthy meals and snacks. But there are a good number of people who ask: How can I know that a food labeled "organic" truly is organic? And what does "organic" really mean, anyway?
On the Farm
Food, Farms and Genetic Engineering
Mothers & Others for a Livable Planet
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
When genetically engineered (GE) seeds first came onto the market, farmers nationwide bought into the new technology. But many farmers are now expressing concern that the introduction of these crops may have been premature.
In the Supermarket
Food, Farms and Genetic Engineering
Mothers & Others for a Livable Planet
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
How to navigate around genetically engineered products in the supermarket.
Ten Tips For a Pest-Free Home
By: SustainLane
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Stop playing a helping hand in the breeding of pesticide-resistant super bugs and ditch poisonous pest control! Here are some simple ways to do it on both the inside and outside of your home.
In the Kitchen
Foods, Farms and Genetic Engineering
Mothers & Others for a Livable Planet
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
How to limit exposure to genetic engineered material in the kitchen.
Encourage Creativity with Healthy Art Supplies
By: SustainLane
Monday, March 03, 2008
Keeping plenty of art supplies around for your kids will encourage creativity and group play. But even older kids have a knack for putting things in their mouths. That's why it's good to make sure the supplies you choose are safe and sustainable.
Gene Pollution and Farmer Liability
Food, Farms and Genetic Engineering
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Genetically engineered contamination of organic crops, how it occurs and who is liable for it.
Defending Farmers’ Right to Choose
Food, Farms and Genetic Engineering
Mothers & Others for a Livable Planet
Thursday, July 05, 2007
The biotechnology and agricultural industries have rapidly consolidated through mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures. Many farmers and farm groups – from Farm Aid to the American Corn Growers Association – have expressed fear that soon only a handful of multinational corporations will make all the decisions about our food system. This would leave farmers with few choices in seeds, the chemicals used on crops and cultivation methods. Some seed varieties may simply be discontinued. Organic and nonhybrid seeds, such as "heirloom," and traditional fruits or grains may be hard to come by.
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.
Assert Your Rights for Safe, GE-free Food
Food, Farms and Genetic Engineering
Mothers & Others for a Livable Planet
Friday, July 27, 2007
Currently, U.S. government policies amount to a denial of our right to know whether our food contains genetically engineered (GE) ingredients. Although three different agencies are responsible for regulating GE crops, none requires safety testing or labeling of these novel foods. Mothers & Others seeks to change these policies through citizen letters demanding adequate safety testing and labeling of GE foods. Pick up your pen and let the federal government hear your concerns about unlabeled and inadequately tested genetically engineered foods!
Another Fat Factor: Toxic Exposures in the Womb
Healthy Child Healthy World
Friday, July 27, 2007
Eat well. Exercise. Reduce your exposure to toxic chemicals. This may be the new mantra for maintaining a healthy weight as researchers uncover the latest unexpected result from synthetic chemicals we use in everyday products, obesity.
Produce PLU Codes Reveal If It’s Organic, Transgenic or Conventional
Healthy Child Healthy World
Friday, July 27, 2007
What the Price Look Up code can tell you quickly without having to rely on the cashier in a produce market.
Dr. Greene’s Organic Prescription
Dr. Alan Greene
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Go Organic at Your Own Pace
Are you ready to make healthy organic changes in your family's diet, but confused about the best way to stretch your food dollars? Welcome to Dr. Greene's Organic Prescription! Whether you're new to eating organic or you have been making organic choices for years, Dr. Greene will help you make the best choices possible - for your health, your children's health, and the health of the planet. You may be surprised by the items on Dr. Greene's list!
First Steps: The Diaper Debate
Pamela Lundquist
Thursday, July 19, 2007
From birth to toilet training, a baby goes through an average of 8000 diaper changes. This sheer volume of diapers makes one thing clear: Your choice of diaper – cloth or disposable – has a tremendous impact on the welfare of your baby and the planet.
Where to Find Organic Foods
Healthy Child Healthy World
Excerpted with permission from Mothers & Others for a Livable Planet
Thursday, July 12, 2007
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
Storing Baby’s Milk
Healthy Child Healthy World
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Chances are, whether you bottle feed your baby or nurse her, there will be times when you need to store her infant formula or breastmilk. It turns out that glass may be the best material for storage.
Safe Drinking Water: Possible Contaminants
Aisha Ikramuddin
Healthy Child Healthy World
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Learn more about how to protect against water contaminents.
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.
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.
Feeding with the Bottle
Healthy Child Healthy World
Monday, June 25, 2007
The healthiest and most environmentally safe baby food is breast milk, and the American Academy of Pediatricians recommends that mothers breastfeed their babies for one year. But many times mothers are not always able to breastfeed.
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.
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:
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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