Articles
Hazards & Threats
Choosing the Safest Sunscreen
Janelle Sorensen
Healthy Child Healthy World
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
.jpg)
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, June 19, 2008
.jpg)
Some ideas for protecting yourself so you can have care-free fun in the sun!
What Lies Beneath: Toxic Turf Under Our Toes
Janelle Sorensen
Healthy Child Healthy World
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
In an effort to recycle the growing waste piles of used tires, manufacturers across the country have begun making artificial turf out of the discarded rubber. They are using scrap tires as crumb rubber in-fill on playing fields, as shredded loose fill around playgrounds, as composite solid playing surfaces, and even as landscaping mulch. While it seems an environmentally-friendly option at face value, there is growing concern over the potential impacts these materials may have on children’s health. Initial research shows potential chemical and heavy metal leaching depending on a wide variety of external factors, like climate, rainwater pH, and usage. Overall, it’s better to be safe than sorry and we should put a moratorium on using recycled tires where our children play until more extensive research has been conducted.
My kids love the first opportunity of the season to kick off their shoes, peel off their socks, and run around outside with bare feet. I admit, my toes appreciate a little dirt in between them now and then, too, but more and more these days, I am wondering about what lies beneath. Not so much in my own yard, but at my neighbors and at the park and the playground. I’ve worried about pesticides for years now, but recently a new concern has arisen. It all started when I noticed a big truck dumping new ground covering around my daughter’s school playground. What the heck was it?
After school I followed her back to the playground and smelled its acrid odor before I saw it (my nose is my initial alarm system for toxic intruders and in this case, the bells were ringing loudly). As we stepped closer I saw that the ground covering was a loose fill of what appeared to be shredded tires. Wait a minute, I thought to myself, aren’t tires considered hazardous waste? Isn’t that why we can’t just toss them in the garbage? Why are we using these where our kids play?
This definitely warranted an eco-mom investigation and what I discovered was confusing to say the least.
Chlorinated Pools and Your Child’s Health
Janelle Sorensen
Healthy Child Healthy World
Monday, June 16, 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
Saturday, June 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
Friday, June 13, 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, June 12, 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
Wednesday, June 11, 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.
Household Dust Doesn’t Pose a Fire Hazard, So Why Is It Loaded With Flame Retardants?
Janelle Sorensen
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Ever since I cleaned houses for a living when I first started college, I’ve been a bit of a neatnik. Now, my compulsion for cleanliness has medical justification; common house dust is loaded with chemicals that have been linked to a variety of health and development issues.
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, March 13, 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
Thursday, March 13, 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.
Environmental Safety of Toys
Jonathan Weinkle, MD
UPMC Presbyterian-Shadyside and Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
Thursday, December 06, 2007
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.
The Sweet Stuff: The Best and Worst of Sweeteners
SustainLane
Monday, November 19, 2007
Sugar and spice and everything nice--well, almost.
Finding Materials for a Healthier House
SustainLane
Monday, November 05, 2007
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, October 22, 2007
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, October 01, 2007
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.
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.
Reigning Cats and Dogs: All-In-The-Family Pet Care and Hygiene
Healthy Child Healthy World
Excerpt from The Household Detective: Protecting Your Children from Toxins at Home
Thursday, August 02, 2007
For pet owners, dogs and cats are beloved members of the family. Not only do pets complement our needs to nurture, but also they contribute to children's awareness of other dependent living things.
Shopper’s Guide to Plastics & Food: Microwave Ovens
Allison Sloan and Pamela Lundquist
The Green Guide #88/89
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
A “microwave-safe” label does not guarantee that containers don’t leach chemicals into foods when heated.
Soil Contaminants
Stephanie Booth
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
When Maureen H. hired a contractor to paint her Leonia, New Jersey home, she had no idea it would put her children’s health at risk.
Phthalates in Hair Spray, Perfume, Deodorant?
The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics
Monday, July 30, 2007
Phthalates, a group of hormone-disrupting chemicals used to soften plastics, have been found in many common beauty and personal care products. Pregnant women are the most at-risk, because phthalates can enter the womb and expose the fetus during critical periods of development.
Pesticides in Your Home
William Baue
Friday, July 27, 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.
Pesticides in Rentals and Condominiums: No More Pesticides at Home
Jonah Paisner
Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Even as a renter, you have a right to reject the use of dangerous pesticides in or around your home.
Burning Clean: Wood Stoves and Fire Places
Bill Baue
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Brian Robertshaw of West Brattleboro, Vermont, worries that his children – a three-year-old daughter and a baby girl – might burn themselves on the family’s wood stove, but he admits that he isn’t too concerned about the health effects of the wood smoke in his home’s air.
Trends in Children’s Health
John Wargo, Ph.D., Professor, Yale University and HCHW Board Member and Linda Evenson Wargo, M.E.S.
Friday, July 06, 2007
Statistics calling for awareness education regarding children's health.
The state of children’s health needs a turnaround
Healthy Child Healthy World
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Few of the warning flags indicate the necessity for major change in child care.
The Public’s Right to Know
John Wargo, Ph.D., Professor, Yale University and HCHW board member and Linda Evenson Wargo, M.E.S
The State of Children’s Health and Environment 2002: Solutions for Parents and Policymakers, Healthy Child Healthy World
Thursday, July 05, 2007
The guiding principle behind government and corporate policies should be: The public has a right-to-know about health hazards in air, water, food, consumer products, and land. To recognize hazards, all must be better informed. This understanding is necessary for parents and other caregivers to identify and avoid significant health threats. Democracy and effective participation in governmental affairs is not possible without this knowledge; and individual freedom is placed at risk.
Fragrance in Perfumes and Cosmetics
Pamela Lundquist
Wednesday, July 04, 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
Wednesday, July 04, 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
Wednesday, July 04, 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
Wednesday, July 04, 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
Wednesday, July 04, 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.
Managing the Hazards of Insulation
Bill Baue
Tuesday, July 03, 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.
Research Tools: Where to Find In-Depth Information on Children’s Environmental Health Issues
Aisha Ikramuddin
Tuesday, July 03, 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 03, 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.
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, July 03, 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 Homes: The Horrors of Vinyl
Mindy Pennybacker
The Green Guide #69
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
On a trip this summer, I stayed in a tall, narrow Victorian house converted into a motel. Arriving late at night, I entered my room, its walls covered in flesh-colored PVC vinyl, its plastic smell off-gassing into the hot stagnant air, and wished I could check right out.
Old Homes: Mold and Mildew Retrofit
Mindy Pennybacker
The Green Guide #69
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Buildings seldom manifest sickness as completely as Poe’s House of Usher, which finally sank into a mire, but the occupants of an unhealthy house can often feel that things are heading that way.
Old Home Renovation
Mindy Pennybacker
The Green Guide #69
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
They go by various names, from fixer-upper to money sink. But if you opt for an old house or apartment rather than something newly-built, you’ll gain two big environmental points right off the bat: You’re not contributing to urban sprawl, and, like a hermit crab, you’re recycling a preexisting "shell."
Managing the Hazards of Insulation: Alternatives and Solutions
Bill Baue
Tuesday, July 03, 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.
Inert Ingredients: Are They Really Benign?
Journal of Pesticide Reform (Vol. 19, No. 2)
Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides
Monday, July 02, 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.
Gas Appliances Can Be a Source of Unhealthy Indoor Air
Becky Gillette
Monday, July 02, 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
Monday, July 02, 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
Monday, July 02, 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
Monday, July 02, 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.
Shopper’s Guide to Plastics & Food: Cling Wrap
Allison Sloan and Pamela Lundquist
The Green Guide #88/89
Monday, July 02, 2007
Cling wrap can be a useful tool in the kitchen when cooking or putting away food. But some commerical wraps and other food packaging are made with polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which can contain potentially harmful plasticizing chemicals.
Shopper’s Guide to Plastics & Food: Alternatives to the Problem Plastics
Allison Sloan and Pamela Lundquist
The Green Guide #88/89
Monday, July 02, 2007
These simple steps will help you reduce the use of plastics for food packaging and storage.
Toxic Toys? No Thank You!
Pamela Lundquist
Mothers & Others' Shopper’s Guide to Healthier, Greener Toys
Saturday, June 30, 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
Saturday, June 30, 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
Saturday, June 30, 2007
How to control fleas without resorting to chemical warfare.
The Cosmetic Mask: The Ugly on MakeUp
Kristin Ebbert
The Green Guide #31
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Natural alternatives to potentially harmful perservatives (and other makeup ingredients) are available.
The Cosmetic Mask: Coming Clean on Soaps & Shampoos
Kristin Ebbert
The Green Guide #31
Saturday, June 30, 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
Thursday, June 28, 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.
Serious Questions About New-Generation Artificial Turf That Require Answers
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Turfgrass Producers International
In order to make fiscally and environmentally sound decisions regarding the potential purchase and installation of artificial turf in their communities, decision makers must consider all short- and long-term issues and concerns.
Hazardous Chemicals in Synthetic Turf
William Crain and Junfeng Zhang
Thursday, June 28, 2007
A new generation of synthetic turf is becoming popular in the U.S.
A New Turf War/Synthetic Turf in New York City Parks
New Yorkers for Parks
The Arthur Ross Center for Parks and Open Spaces
Thursday, June 28, 2007
New York City’s Department of Parks & Recreation (DPR) has become increasingly reliant on synthetic turf as a replacement for asphalt and natural grass athletic fields across the city.
POPs: 10 Ways to Minimize Your Exposure
Francine Stephens
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
10 solutions and suggestions to minimize risk of exposure to Persistant Organic Pollutants
Safe Pipes: Lead in Your Drinking Water?
Bill Baue
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Lead is invisible, tasteless, and odorless, making it impossible to detect in water without testing.
Safe Pipes Mean Safe Water
Bill Baue
Saturday, June 23, 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
Saturday, June 23, 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?
Tracy Fernandez Rysavy
Co-op America’s Real Money newsletter
Saturday, June 23, 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
Friday, June 22, 2007
Despite what labels say, dry cleaning is not the only answer.
Persistent Organic Pollutants: Chemicals That Won’t Go Away and Hurt Us All
Francine Stephens
Thursday, June 21, 2007
From an environmental and health standpoint, Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are among the most dangerous chemicals known to man.
The Myths of Biotechnology on the Farm
Food, Farms and Genetic Engineering
Mothers & Others for a Livable Planet
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Both large and small farmers initially hoped that genetically engineered seeds would increase yields, decrease pesticide use and reduce the necessity of labor-intensive weed control. There’s evidence, however, that chemical use on major genetically engineered crops, such as corn and soy, has not declined. In some cases, it has actually increased.
Persistent Organic Pollutants Increase Risk of Several Cancers
Mt Sinai Medical School
Center for Children’s Health and the Envrionment,
Tuesday, June 19, 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
Ten Tips For a Pest-Free Home
By: SustainLane
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
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.
How to Provide Safe Drinking Water for Your Family
Healthy Child Healthy World
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Water is life, but it is also easily contaminated hence it is necessary to test and maintain the water used daily by your family. Tips and suggestions on how to provide your family with safe water.
Pick Your Cotton
Rebecca Spector and Sandra Marquardt
The Green Guide
Monday, June 18, 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)
Monday, June 18, 2007
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, June 18, 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
Monday, June 18, 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
Monday, June 18, 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.
Keep Safe From Mad Cow: How to Choose Safer Beef
Healthy Child Healthy World
Monday, June 18, 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
Monday, June 18, 2007
A list of natural alternatives to decrease hormone intake.
Forty-five years after ‘Silent Spring,’ are pesticides still a danger
Kathleen Schuler and Carin Skoog
Reprinted with Permission From: Duluth News Tribune
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Tomorrow, May 27, we celebrate the centenary of the birth of noted biologist, author and mother of the modern environmental movement, Rachel Carson. Carson died of breast cancer in 1964, two years after she published “Silent Spring.”
Hormones in Our Food
Kathryn Perrotti Leavitt
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Hormones are regularly used in animal food production. Are the residues harmful to humans and who is most vulnerable to their effects?
Fish and Seafood: Charting a Course for the Safest Choices
Pamela Lundquist
Wednesday, May 23, 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.
First Steps: The Diaper Debate
Pamela Lundquist
Wednesday, May 23, 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.
Crib Notes
Wednesday, May 23, 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.
Antibiotics in Our Food
Kathryn Leavitt
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
To prevent infection and make them grow faster, farmers routinely give healthy animals–everything from chickens, pigs and cows to sheep, goats, turkeys, and even farmed fish–"subtherapeutic," or low level, doses of antibiotics. These wonder drugs, used to cure humans of sometimes lethal bacterial illnesses, are also regularly sprayed on fruit trees, potatoes and other crops to control infections. In short, the food that our children eat is produced with loads of antibiotics.
Hazardous Chemicals in Synthetic Turf: Follow-Up Analyses
By William Crain and Junfeng Zhang
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Across the country, communities and private sports facilities are installing the "new generation" synthetic turf. Compared to the old AstroTurf, the new synthetic turf is springier and feels more like natural grass. However, the new turf is being installed before there has been thorough research on its health risks.
More Respect for Water
Ricky Cappe, Founder - Green Built Consultants, Inc.
Wednesday, May 09, 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, April 30, 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:
A Doctor’s Viewpoint: Chemical Contaminants and Farmed Salmon
Dr. David Carpenter, Healthy Child Science Advisory Committee
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Most salmon sold in supermarkets today come from fish farms. Farming of salmon has several advantages, in that they are available year round, and are less expensive than wild salmon. However farmed salmon contain levels of 13 fat-soluble persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that are on average ten times higher than those found in wild salmon.
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
Thursday, April 26, 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
Wednesday, April 25, 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.
Weather and Well-Being: How Climate Change is Impacting Health
Janelle Sorensen
Healthy Child Healthy World
Wednesday, April 11, 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.
Protecting the First Environment
Sandra Steingraber, Ph.D.
Adapted with permission from The Green Guide #74/75 http://www.thegreenguide.com
Thursday, April 05, 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 05, 2007
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.
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
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Healthy Schools Resource List
Healthy Child Healthy World
Wednesday, April 04, 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.
Safe Drinking Water: Possible Contaminants
Aisha Ikramuddin
Healthy Child Healthy World
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Learn more about how to protect against water contaminents.
Lawn and Garden Pesticides
Francine Stephens
Healthy Child Healthy World
Wednesday, April 04, 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.
Get Our New Book!
Leading medical & health experts team up with celebrity parents to help you create a cleaner, greener, safer home and lifestyle.
New DVD
Creating Healthy Environments for Children: Easy Steps for Homes, Child Care Centers and Schools.
