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Lead And Coal Tar On Your Head.

There are hundreds of hair dye products that consumers can choose from, and in those hundreds of products are combinations of more than 5,000 different chemicals that are not always listed on the label. It’s important that if coloring one’s hair that chemical exposure is considered, as many hair coloring products contain carcinogenic ingredients.

Researchers at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences used data from the Sister Study involving nearly 50,000 women. Their study revealed a higher risk of breast cancer in those using hair dye, with the prevalence among African American women particularly high.

Consider The Chemicals.

The Consumer Product Information Database lists 182 brands of permanent hair color and 30 brands of semi-permanent hair dye. After selecting the product, one can scroll down and see the chemicals of concern and any health effects. In addition, the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep database lists 783 hair color products.

You’ve probably seen Madison Reed advertisements all over social media. That’s because no matter where you look, it’s listed as one of the safest hair colors available at this time. If you google “Madison Reed Hair Color Safety” be prepared to read for many hours. Good Housekeeping has a terrific article reviewing hair dyes with many popular brands featured. As for Madison Reed, it’s only sold on their website but if you have an Ulta store near you, they may carry it.

Retin Is Safe… Or Is It?

Are there Vitamin A and retinol derivatives in your anti-aging products, moisturizers, anti-acne products, or foundation? Synthetic vitamin A can cause cancer when exposed to sunlight and, whoops, these products are on your face! Which sources of vitamin A are safe and which aren’t? Made Safe Organization points out that we need to check for derivatives of “retin,” including retinyl, retinol and retinoic acid.

Tailpipe Emissions In Our Personal Care Products.

Cancer.gov lists auto emissions as one source of exposure to formaldehyde but it can also show up in lotions, shower gels, baby wash, shampoo, wrinkle-free clothing, and bed linens. It can be tricky to detect formaldehyde because it’s also listed as bronopol, DMDM Hydantoin, or quaternium 15. Thus, it’s especially important to check all of your personal care products because the potential health effects from exposure to formaldehyde include skin rashes, cancer, and asthma. You can check your personal care products at the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, MadeSafe, and/or Skin Deep.

 

Have you seen the amazing product offerings from Hugh & Grace? Their goal is to help reduce your chemical body load by creating products that have been formulated to reduce your use of endocrine disrupting chemicals that are linked to infertility, autism, asthma and more.

Tweens And Teens.

They need safer body care products and cosmetics, too. Educate them to use fragrance-free products and to pay more attention to the claims “no parabens” or “phthalate free” over “certified hypoallergenic” or “dermatologist tested.” Young people need to be aware that the choices they are making will either compound or diffuse the choices that previous generations made when it comes to environmental toxicants. This is a great 8-minute video — show it to a tween or teen and it just might spark their interest in doing a term paper or a report on the topic!

Plastic Waste From Beauty Products.

The chemicals in our beauty products are certainly worth considering for the health of our bodies, but what about the health of the environment? EcoPrincess Warrior  gives the scoop on brands that are tackling the problem of plastic packaging!

Corporate Responsibility.

The 7 biggest companies manufacturing personal care products aren’t listening. Check out this webpage from Safe Cosmetics and be sure to click on “more” at the bottom of each company to see which additional brands the parent company owns, ie. Estee Lauder owns Clinique, while Johnson & Johnson owns Aveeno and Neutrogena. Remember, you DO have the power to boycott these companies until they DO listen!

Soap Or Sanitize?

Which is best — is it antibacterial soap (I’ll give you a clue: no!), is it hand sanitizer, or is it good old soap and hot water? According to Toxic-Free Future, lathering your hands vigorously for 20 seconds while using hot water can remove both chemical contaminants and germs. And if you do need a hand-sanitizer, use EWG’s Skin Deep website to find one with the least amount of toxic chemicals.

Beauty From The Mat.

You’ve decided to start doing yoga regularly because you’ve heard it’s great for maintaining youthfulness, and a yoga mat will help you from slipping in the poses. But wouldn’t you know it? Now you have to be aware of the chemicals in your yoga mat! Check out this link to review the best and worst yoga mats so you can avoid phthalates, PVC, and other plasticizers while trying to do something good for your health!

Another blog that you might be interested in that I posted last year is, “Lathering Bodies with Chemical Slurries.”

Beginning With Flea And Tick Products.

According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, many of the chemicals allowed for use on our pets are linked to health concerns in human beings – things like respiratory problems, cancer, skin irritation, GI disorders and neurological issues. However, pet product manufacturers are not required to list ingredients on labels.

It Goes Beyond Our Pet’s Exposure.

Products that include imidacloprid and dinotefuran can be toxic to the developing brains of young children. Tetrachlorvinphos (TCVP) is a pesticide shown to be toxic to the human nervous system and can increase the risk of learning disabilities in children. Another chemical in the organophosphate pesticide family, chlorpyrifos, is also found in flea collars and powders. Children get the residues on their hands playing with their pets which are then absorbed through the skin or ingested when they put their hands in their mouths. The developing infant is also at risk when pregnant women are exposed.

The Natural Resources Defense Council urges us to be wary of all flea collars due to the fact that they can contain dangerous insecticides. Permethrin and pyrethrin are two more insecticides commonly found in flea and tick products. And be forewarned, these chemicals are also toxic to cats. There are safer options to control fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes at Olive Green Dog.

Natural Isn’t Always Nice.

The American Kennel Club warns that some essential oils are poisonous to dogs, whether ingested by mouth or spread on the skin. For a list of essential oils that are harmful to pets, visit Michelson Found Animals where you’ll find a list of these oils categorized for both cats and for dogs. At Dogs Naturally you’ll find recipes for making your own flea and tick repellents with essential oils that are safe for animals, along with a list of further chemicals to avoid in commercial products. In addition, you may want to visit Dr. Joanna De Klerk’s website for a Beginner’s Guide to Essential Oils for Dogs!

Pet Food Scorecard.

We’re concerned about what’s in the food that we feed our children. Our beloved pets are also our “children” so shouldn’t we also take a close look at what we are feeding them? Cornucopia Institute has developed a guide that reveals whether synthetic preservatives were added to your brand of pet food. Were food dyes, carrageenan, or rendering products also added? And what are the actual ingredients in your pet’s food? Please visit Cornucopia and pass it along!

Industrial chemicals are not only in foods that humans consume, they’re also found in pet foods and animals are just as vulnerable to the effects of the chemicals as we are. A recent study found that BPA in the bloodstream of dogs nearly tripled when they switched to canned dog food. In a study completed at the Ecology Center in Ann Arbor, almost 95% of cat food cans tested had a polyvinyl chloride-based coating, while 81% of dog food cans had a BPA-based coating. Click on the link to see how your pet foods rank.

And it’s not just pet food that can be harmful, some of our people foods are toxic to our pets. Visit the Animal Poison Control Center link for 20 people foods to avoid sharing with animals.

Keeping Pets Clean.

Business Insider posted an article on the best shampoos, collars, beds, crates, brushes, and toys for dogs. My Pet Needs That lists some of the best cat shampoos for bathing felines, but their website also offers other articles on cat’s health conditions, accessories, and what they should eat. My Pet Needs That also has links to the same information for our dogs, fish, birds, reptiles and other small animals.

Dogs Naturally  provides information on 20 dog shampoo ingredients to avoid and why, along with recommendations to some of the most highly recommended shampoos. 4Legger Organic Dog Shampoo shows up as one of the best in both their review and in many others. With the addition of lemongrass and rosemary, using 4Legger acts as a natural insect repellent. If you scroll down on the link you’ll find more information on locating pet safe ice melts, the risks of blue-green algae to your dog, and lots of other informative posts.

Lastly, The Safest Litter.

Only Natural Pet provides information on the safety of natural cat litters, as well as any environmental considerations there may be, while rating the performance and consistency of cat litters made from corn, wheat, pine, grass seed, clay and silica.

Get The Apps.

The National Environmental Health Association website helps you find where ticks and other vectors are located by State. Along with a clear image of the pest, it also provides information on diseases transmitted.

Do you know that there is an app for Tickborne Diseases from the Centers for Disease Control? This smartphone app provides photos to help you identify ticks.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has a free mobile app from the Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) that helps owners quickly identify over 300 potential everyday hazards for horses, cats, dogs and birds, and provides crucial information about the severity of the problem along with the critical next steps to take when an animal has been exposed.

Not Toxic Chemicals!

The Organic Consumers Association published an article on the plastics, fragrances and chemicals found in diapers and menstrual products. The article points out that less than one-tenth of an inch separates toxins from our skin where they can be absorbed. It’s been proposed in research that paraben-containing products around the diaper region may exceed the action of estradiol in children, and that long-term low-level exposures beginning early in life may be priming children for later effects. Likewise, skin around the vaginal area is so thin and highly permeable that females have been shown to have a significantly higher level of triclosan reflecting different hygiene habits than males, including their use of triclosan-treated tampons and makeup.

It’s Not Just Parabens And Triclosan.

Other chemicals used in manufacturing diapers and feminine hygiene products include phthalates, VOCs, dyes, pesticides, PFAS, adhesives, and other harmful chemicals.

For over 25 years, Women’s Voices for the Earth has led campaigns to “to increase corporate accountability and transparency, enact health-protective laws, and take steps to reduce toxic exposure in their lives.” A national movement is currently underway to “Detox the Box” by offering a party kit to help educate partygoers how to stop the toxic assault on women’s feminine hygiene and menstrual products. The 2-minute video parody on Justin Timberlake’s “Dick in a Box” skit on SNL is certainly worth viewing!

Menstrual Cups.

I have to admit that at first “menstrual cups” seemed strange to me (although I’ve been post-menopausal for over twenty-five years now). But leave it to our planet-loving millennials. After all, the cost of a cup represents only 5% of the cost of a 10-year supply of pads or tampons. Think about the feminine products each woman uses in a lifetime with an average of 456 total periods over 38 years, or roughly 2,280 days on her period (and approximately 16,000 tampons!)  That’s costly to the wallet and to the environment.

According to NPR in a study published in the peer-reviewed medical journal The Lancet, researchers looked at 43 studies on menstrual cups that included data from 3,319 women and girls. The review concluded that menstrual cups are being used safely and effectively all around the globe.

At Put A Cup In It, one can take the quiz to find a cup that fits your body. And if you scroll down to the bottom of that page there are 9 instructional videos. This video explains the female anatomy and provides a demonstration for inserting a menstrual cup.

What About Period Underwear?

Allure Magazine published an article on the eight best panties that work for either heavy or light flows. In fact, some of the products can be worn as the main coverage for your regular period or used as just a backup. At Thinx, you can match your personal menstrual flow to either tampons, pads, cups, liners or discs. There is also a quiz one can take at Lunapads  for disposable and reusable products. Clear + Well offers their “Complete Guide to Non-Toxic Period Products” featuring cups, organic pads and tampons, pantyliners, and period panties.

The Environmental Impact.

According to Zero Waste Europe single-use menstrual products, diapers and wet wipe account for almost 8 million tons of waste every year within the European Union. Eighty-seven percent of these products are incinerated, increasing CO₂ emissions. Approximately 6.2% of these single use items are collected on UK beaches, and they amount to 5% of the floating waste on the Catalan coast. And that’s just Europe where the number of women of reproductive age numbers almost 120 million. According to the World Health Organization, there are 75 million women in the US of reproductive age. That’s a lot of menstruating women and a lot of single-use menstrual products!

And speaking of environmental impact, disposable diapers take roughly 450 years to break down in the environment.

Diapers – Disposable vs Reusable.

There were no wipes to clean a baby’s bum in the 1970s. Well if there were, I was not aware of them. We simply used a warm washcloth and soap! Squawkfox has a wonderful exposé on the difference between using cloth diapers and disposable diapers. Author Kerry determined that one can expect to change well over 7,000 diapers in the 30-some months before a toddler is potty trained. In her article she finely tunes the cost of reusable vs disposable diapers – all the way down to cleaning them and paying for additional garbage collection. In the end she determines that one can save almost $2,000 with the reusable option, even while taking into consideration the additional water and energy it takes to clean soiled diapers. Kerry also has another article on building a cloth diaper stash and how to fold the diapers correctly to lessen the chances of leaking!

Planet Wise Products offers green solutions to wet bags, snack bags, changing pads, and so much more. They also sponsor Best Bottom reusable diaper systems out of Akron, Ohio. I’m so impressed by the reviews I’ve read about these diapers. Reusable diapers and inserts will be the perfect gift to for me to give at the next baby shower I attend!

Beginning With Low-Level Radiation.

Dr. Alice Stewart was one of the first experts to alert the world to the dangers of low-level radiation in the early 1970s. These days controversy continues to surround low-level radiation, while the definitive answer on safety remains elusive.

Toxipedia’s “Radiation: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly” mentions “Assessing the human health and ecological effects of both ionizing and nonionizing radiation is complex. While we depend on the sun, we are also familiar with the hazards of solar radiation that can result in sunburn, cataracts, and skin cancer. Microwave radiation, used by cell phones, is also a potential concern as it warms the skin or internal organs. Excessive use of a cell phone on the ear may increase the rate of brain cancers. There is also controversy around the potential hazards of exposure to low-frequency energy such as AC power lines. The challenge, as always, is to limit exposure.”

EMFs.

Also known as electric and magnetic fields. Electric fields are produced by voltage, whether or not a device is turned on, but are easily weakened by walls and other objects. As the voltage increases the field increases in strength. Magnetic fields are produced when current is flowing, and can pass through living things, buildings and other materials. The strength of magnetic fields decreases rapidly with increasing distance from the source.

The National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) indicates sources of exposure include radio and TV signals, radar, satellite stations, microwave ovens, cordless telephones, cell phone base stations, computer and TV screens, digital electric and gas meters (smart meters), WIFI networks, cell phones, Bluetooth devices, power lines, electrical appliances, and MRIs used in medical diagnosing.

Other EMF Exposure.

The Collaborative on Health and the Environment (CHE) website states “Electromagnetic pollution, often subdivided into excessive EMF, dirty electricity, and electrosmog, depending on the frequency or mix of frequencies, rides along on a building’s electrical system with the ability to contaminate an entire home and even buildings and homes nearby.”

And power lines? CHE also states that “Low-frequency magnetic fields from power lines induce circulating currents within the human body. The strength of these currents depends on the intensity of the magnetic field. If sufficiently large, these currents can cause stimulation of nerves and muscles or affect other biological processes.”

One can visit BioInitiative to download charts from their 2019 report findings that summarize adverse health effects from cell towers, WI-FI, ‘smart’ wireless utility meters, wireless laptops, baby monitors, cell phones and cordless phones.

Cell Phones, Cell Phone Cases.

A recent article by San Roe at the Chicago Tribune caught my eye – it was on the topic of cell phone radiation. It’s important that you set aside less than 3 minutes to watch this video.

The National Toxicology Program (NTP) just completed the largest animal study to date. John Bucher, Ph.D., senior scientist of the study, said “We believe that the link between radio frequency radiation and tumors in male rats is real, and the external experts agreed.” The results? According to the final report released in November 2018 there was clear evidence that male rats exposed to high levels of radio frequency radiation, like that used in 2G and 3G cell phones, developed cancerous heart tumors. There was also some evidence of tumors in the brain and adrenal gland of exposed male rats. Also found was a significant increase in DNA damage in the blood cells of female mice. In January 2020 NTP shared a four-page summary of their radiation study in a well-illustrated, downloadable pdf file.

Interestingly, an investigation by the Environmental Working Group found that some cell phone cases actually diminish cell phone signal strength and can partially block the antenna, making the phone work harder to transmit a signal and intensifying the radiation that strikes a user’s head and body. Their report also addresses questions about internet browsing, WI-FI, tablets and laptops, and issues regarding exposure to children and teens.

2G, 3G, 4G And 5G.

NTP studies used 2G and 3G cellphones, indicating that results do not apply to 4G or 5G technologies, because newer technologies use different methods of signal modulation than those used in NTP’s studies. “5G is an emerging technology that hasn’t really been defined yet. From what we currently understand, it likely differs dramatically from what we studied,” said Michael Wyde, Ph.D., lead toxicologist on the NIEHS studies. In addition, he remarked “NTP scientists are still working to understand the impact of exposure to radiofrequency radiation on biological tissues.”

Experts Agree.

In their updated report of May 2011, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a component of the World Health Organization, classified radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as Group 2B – possibly carcinogenic to humans, based on an increased risk for glioma, a malignant type of brain cancer, associated with wireless phone use.

Limiting Exposure.

The challenge is to limit exposure. Most experts suggest the following:

• Reduce the amount of time spent using your cell phone
• Use speaker mode or a headset to place more distance between your head and the cell phone
• If you carry or use your phone in a pants or shirt pocket or tucked into a bra when the phone is ON and connected to a wireless network, you may exceed the federal guidelines for exposure
• Cellphone cases can partially block the antenna, making the phone work harder to transmit a signal and intensifying the radiation that strikes the user’s head and body, while using a case also can lead to dropped calls and depleted battery power
• Don’t charge your phone near your bed while you sleep
• Put the router in a room where people spend the least amount of time
• Keep devices on a table and away from the body – including laptops and tablets
• Moving even a short distance from most electrical appliances reduces exposure dramatically

If you want to find out if you’re being exposed to EMFs the use of gaussmeter, available through a number of retailers, can help you determine where you are being exposed. Also, visiting RadTown can help you explore other sources of radiation exposure.

Where To Learn More.

For information on occupational exposure, visit OSHA and for information specific to your computer work station, OSHA offers this advice. The World Health Organization’s website allows one to download the entire document, “Extremely Low Frequency Fields, Environmental Health Criteria Monograph No. 238.” There is also an EMF Training Course which reviews the interaction between EMFs and biological systems.

On A Different Note – Social Media Disorder.

The National Institutes of Health is discussing whether or not “Internet Addiction” should be classified as a mental disorder. It breaks my heart to see a group of young people together and no one is talking to one another because of being so engrossed by their individual personal cell phones. The website psycom.net was founded by Dr. Ivan K. Goldberg, a New York psychiatrist in private practice for 50 years. On his website one can find the signs, symptoms and treatments for those who may suffering from any number of addictions. You may want to take advantage of the resources on the left hand side of the screen. For an analysis of screen time statistics in the US vs. the rest of the world, visit Comparitech.

 

 

 

 

 

Let’s Start With Paint.

The weekend + springtime = the perfect recipe for getting projects done around the house. The Natural Resources Defense Council offers information on not only the biggest offenders when it comes to hazardous chemical exposure in renovation materials, but they also offer weblinks to finding safer building materials from sources that have banned those worrisome chemicals – places like Cradle to Cradle, HomeFree, Green Seal, BlueGreen Alliance, and more.

Worrisome Chemicals, You Say?

Yes, for starters chemicals like phthalates, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde, and methanol. Also known as methyl alcohol, methanol  is used in manufacturing as a solvent for fats, oils, and resins. Toxicity symptoms from exposure can range from headache to death. We must become aware of where we may be exposed (especially occupationally) through renovation, remodeling, and building construction.

Another of the thousands or so chemicals used in manufacturing today, methylene chloride is an extremely toxic chemical  found in paint strippers. A 31-year old wearing a respirator and gloves died attempting to resurface a floor using a paint stripper containing methylene chloride. But he’s not the only one. There were also 4 deaths in Michigan attributed to exposure to this chemical. But because of consumer awareness and activism, look who has joined in banning products containing this chemical: Lowes, Walmart, Home Depot, Canadian Tire, Ace, Sherwin Williams, and even Amazon!

Interestingly, when the EPA banned it there was pushback from the chemical industry (which actually doesn’t surprise me) while the alternative for methylene chloride is something called NMP – a chemical that can cause birth defects and reproductive issues.

Vinyl Flooring And Carpet.

Thinking about replacing your vinyl flooring or carpeting? If so, it’s extremely important for you to visit the Ann Arbor Ecology Center’s Healthy Stuff website for product test results. Their vinyl flooring study found 58% of 65 vinyl floor tiles tested contained phthalates. They also tested carpet for chemicals in the PFAS family. But along with checking the Healthy Stuff website, you can also check your renovation products through the Consumer Product Information Database in the following categories (and more): Home Maintenance, Inside the Home, and Home Office.

Speaking Of Floors.

Can we really vacuum away toxic chemicals? The answer is “yes.” Some of the tiniest particles of chemicals found in our homes are also in the dust on carpet, rugs and furniture. And remember, children are more vulnerable to exposure as they spend more time on the floor, so they’ll typically inhale or ingest more of this chemical-laden dust. Toxic-Free Future offers links to cleaning carpets without dangerous chemicals, tips for green cleaning carpets and floors, and more information on toxins in household dust. There is also a short YouTube video from the Environmental Working Group explaining how to reduce toxic chemicals in your household dust.

Remediating Mold.

As our climate continues to change and the summers get hotter, there seems to be a lot more flooding from heavy rains in certain parts of the country. Even Ann Arbor got over 6 inches of rain in July 2019 where the average is typically around 3.5 inches. So because of all of this added humidity and flooding, black mold is a becoming more and more of problem. However, the Natural Resources Defense Council offers solutions to remediating toxic black mold on a smaller budget.

The Art & Hobby Room.

Along with the chemicals in renovation materials, you may also want to consider toxicity in the materials that you’re using for your hobbies and art. Toxic-Free Future provides information on adhesives, lead, glue, art paints, mineral spirits and turpentine but don’t forget to also check your Hobby & Craft supplies for safety in the Consumer Product Information Database.

Bottom Line, Check Your Products!

It’s not just the chemicals in our renovation products or those found in the art and hobby room. There are hazardous chemicals in our cleaning products and air fresheners, and even in our dishwashing products! Of 477 products that the Environmental Working Group tested, only 79 scored an “A” while over 53% of them scored a D or an F!

Additionally, you may want to consider the safety of your bath, shower, and laundry products at GoodGuide featuring over 75,000 products in their database. There is also an app you can download on your smart phone and simply scan the barcode of products while you shop!

Then back to the Consumer Product Information Database , where you can also check product safety for Personal Care products, those used on your Auto, in Landscaping/Yard, Pesticides, and Pet Care.

 

 

 

Heirloom Produce.

Every summer in the 1970s I went to local farms in the late summer to pick 5 bushels of tomatoes. There weren’t enough in my own backyard garden to can a year’s worth of tomato sauce, tomato paste and tomato juice. What stood out for me is that no two tomatoes ever really looked alike. Sometimes they were even the size of my hand, and grossly misshapen by today’s standards. But the taste was incredible. Today I can only get close to the same flavor by purchasing “heirloom” tomatoes. Even the green peppers had a mind of their own.

Currently those same vegetables are labeled imperfect, ugly, or as a “misfit.” Yet sales of misshaped produce through home delivery are soaring. Hungry Harvest and Misfits Market offer organic produce, and Imperfect Foods sells both organic and conventional fruits and vegetables.

Grow Your Own.

Interested in growing misfit produce? Heirloom seeds are available from the nonprofit Seed Savers Exchange, organized in 1975. Heirloom Seeds has been around since 1988 while Baker Creek has offered both rare and heirloom seeds since 1998. Sustainable Seed Company offers 875 varieties of heirloom, organic and non-GMO seeds. And there are probably many more companies not mentioned here.

Water And A Little Detergent.

The Northwest Center for Alternatives to Pesticides’ mission is to cut pesticide use by offering resources for reducing pest problems in the garden and in the home. For instance, NCAP teaches that soap kills soft-bodied insects by dissolving their waxy coating, and they recommend making a homemade insecticidal soap using liquid castile soap and water to do just that!

Add Some Essential Oils.

Natural Living Ideas’ website provides recipes that help repel pests using the oils of rosemary, peppermint, clove and thyme. If fungus is an issue, there are also ideas on how to create an anti-fungal garden spray using essential oils. They even recommend oils that will help to attract pollinators to your garden.

Weed Control.

Not all weeds are a problem – some are edible and have medicinal properties. So, you may want to harvest rather than destroy them. TreeHugger suggests that dandelions, purslane, clover, lamb’s quarters, plantain, chickweed, mallow, wild amaranth, and curly dock can supply good sources of nutrients. If you’re not sure what these plants look like or how to use them click here.

Not ready to eat the weeds? On Toxic-Free Future’s website you’ll learn how to safely control weeds with vinegar or use soapy water for the moss on your deck (and so much more.) But if you’re still looking for an environmentally responsible product that is ready made and actually works, look no further than Garden’s Alive. Their products are safe, effective and eco-friendly.

Sustainability.

The Biggest Little Farm is a documentary about a young couple who bought 200 desolate acres of land outside of Los Angeles to develop their sustainable farm. It’s an inspiring movie. Maybe you don’t have that many acres to develop. No problem – the Natural Resources Defense Council offers information on how to invite nature in for a healthier backyard garden. It’s never too early to start planning this year’s project!

On The Topic Of Trees.

Well, maybe not the trees in your garden but simply trees in general. Here’s the scoop: Charmin, Bounty, and Kleenex have said that people aren’t calling for them to stop using wood pulp from Canada’s Boreal Forest to create their tissues. And nearly 60% of the wood pulp from these trees is shipped to the U.S. every year.

Consumers need to demand recycled content or, better yet, go with bamboo and/or sugar cane tissue products. We have used these products for quite some time now in our home. Bamboo grows 30 times faster than conventional trees and produces approximately 30 times more oxygen.

Sure, the tissue may not be quite as soft as Charmin but as I taught my 4-year-old grand-daughter just yesterday – our tissue doesn’t chop down trees in the forest. She got it! She understood! Watch the video on why we need to protect the Boreal Forest and then take a chance on toilet paper, facial tissue, and paper towels made from bamboo or sugar cane!

 

 

It Was In The 1960s.

I recall my first experience with plastic because everything prior to that was packaged in paper, cardboard, metal or glass. Even frozen foods came in a thin cardboard, so plastic packaging was a novelty.

I was about 11 years old and vividly recall a commercial where a woman dropped her shampoo in the shower and surprisingly the bottle didn’t break. Prell shampoo was packaged in plastic and it was a big deal.

My sister and I were playing in the bathroom and to imitate the commercial we threw the shampoo bottle into the shower. To our surprise it completely shattered, and shampoo went everywhere. Plastic hadn’t been perfected yet. But by adding phthalates and BPA to plastic it became more durable.

That was then, but now plastic is everywhere. It’s raining plastic we are breathing plastic, it’s in our water and our food, and found even in the pristine Arctic snow.

Plastic Affects Brain Functioning.

For starters, BPA has been shown to damage brain cells and affect mood and memory. The lead author on research conducted at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York on the effects of developmental exposure to phthalates indicated they found a “striking pattern” of disruptive childhood behaviors such as problems with attention and aggressiveness.

Thomas Zoeller, PhD, professor of biology at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst remarked, “Science can’t keep up with the rapid kinds of chemical changes that industry can manufacture. It would be great if we could get out in front of it and identify dangerous chemicals before people are being exposed.”

Which chemicals are used in plastics manufacturing? There are many; things such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), PCBs, phthalates and BPA – all of which have the ability to negatively affect our health and the environment.

Produce Plastic.

In March of 2019 Trader Joe’s began phasing out single-use plastics. They no longer offer single-use plastic carryout or produce bags. I’ve been using the same reusable mesh produce bags for over 8 years now. Think about it. If I use 20 or so bags per week for produce while grocery shopping over the past 5 years, there are 8,300 less plastic bags in the landfill. My reusable produce bags are washable and obviously durable. And I can justify the cost of purchasing them over time, as my produce stays fresher much longer because the bags are breathable. There are so many to choose from today and they are much less expensive today than they were 8 years ago.

Plastic Bottles.

Michigan lawmakers are proposing bottle deposits on all beverages. Returning bottles only makes sense. My father owned a party store in the 1960s and we had a back room exclusively devoted to returned bottles because at the time everything came in glass. It might seem inconvenient to return your bottles, but a little inconvenience can really help the health of our planet.

Storing Leftovers, Packing Lunches.

15 years ago, I purchased stainless steel storage containers in three different sizes to avoid using plastic for lunch foods and leftovers. I tried to find replacements for them because some of the hinges are now rusting. I found LunchBots (they have a variety of sizes and containers) and ECOlunchbox. At ECOlunchbox, note that some containers have silicone lids; however, they still have some great offerings.

Addressing Silicone.

Silicone cookware is fairly new which means there hasn’t been much research into its safety. This leads to experts claiming it’s safe to use and “likely” not toxic. That’s the word that sticks out for me – “likely.” For example, take the chemical replacement for BPA. BPS was also likely not toxic until the research later came in indicating it also messed with hormones. In addition, Mind Body Green points out that silicone “poses an environmental threat” as it can only be collected by specialized recycling companies.

The topic of safety regarding silicone cookware is controversial. So you may want to visit Healthline for information, as well as watch Dr. Birgit Geueke’s free 30-minute webinar through the Collaborative on Health and the Environment regarding “Silicones in Food Contact Materials” as some studies have shown that certain constituents of silicon leach into food when heated which can lead to ingestion and inhalation.

There’s Hope.

80% of biodegradable plastics, known as bioplastics, are made from food sources like corn and typically cost 40% more than regular plastic. However, a Mexican biochemical engineer by the name of Scott Munguia has come up with a solution: turning avocado pits into disposable cutlery and straws.

While we wait for more ingenious ways food waste can create the products we may need, many companies are already offering alternatives to plastic. One of my favorites is Life Without Plastic – earth friendly, ethically sourced, and nontoxic products. Because we can and must do better than this.

Detoxing Microplastics.

Activated charcoal has been shown to assist in detoxifying microplastics from the body. It works through adsorption – a process where elements bind to its pocketed surface. A word of caution – it may reduce the absorption of prescription drugs and supplementation. You can watch Dr. Axe’s video for more information.

Also available on The Collaborative on Health and the Environment’s website is a free four-part webinar series on the ways plastic affects our health.

 

Even Low Dose Exposure Matters.

The Endocrine Disruption Organization states that hormone disrupting chemicals (also known as endocrine disrupting chemicals or EDCs) do not have a single potency and, therefore, should not be used to make regulatory decisions. For instance one such chemical, BPA, when measured in the liver and uterus has low potency but when measured in the breast or brain it has high potency. The chart to Understanding Potency is quite telling and should be freely shared on social media.

Another easy graphic illustrates how we are exposed to EDCs, and the health consequences associated with exposure. You may want to download this one-page chart and also share it on social media because we need to educate Millennials and the generations that follow on what these chemicals are doing to one’s ability to live a healthy life and to reproduce!

Why take a chance? The mission of Hugh & Grace endocrine-free beauty products is to reduce the body’s chemical load. Their products are not just clean, they are hormone-safe, meaning they are free from hormone disrupting chemicals.

Critical Windows Of Development.

The developing fetus and newborn are the most sensitive to chemical exposure. A timeline available from the Endocrine Disruption Exchange displays how the body develops in the womb. Once on the link, make sure there is a check mark in the box next to “Normal Human Prenatal Development” on the upper right of the screen. Underneath this box make sure the selection “All Chemicals” is checked in the section labeled “Low-Dose Chemical Research.” The results are startling. Click on any of the numbers in the colored bars and you’ll see the effects the chemicals have on the developing child. And keep in mind this is only a handful of chemical classes. We have tens of thousands of them in our environment.

Note that the Pediatric Academic Societies have affirmed that the functioning of the current generation may be impacted by low level exposure to environmental chemical toxicity and that some changes may extend for generations beyond that initially exposed.

The Endocrine Disruption Organization website offers education, via 30-minute webinars, on dozens and dozens of topics such as early-life environmental exposure and child respiratory health; glyphosate (think Monsanto’s Round Up Chemical); thyroid hormone disruption; pre-conception environmental exposures; chemicals in food packaging, and more.

Environment Commissioner.

When she was in elementary school, my now 13-year-old grand-daughter ran for the office of “Environment Commissioner” (and won!) Now attending middle school, she remains concerned about the environment. She wonders if her children will ever see snow. She wonders if she’ll be able to bear healthy children or, for that matter, if she will even be able to conceive. She’s concerned about pollution on the land and in the water and is aware of how long it takes waste to biodegrade. Do you know how long it takes?

According to the NOAA’s Woods Hole Sea Grant project, a Styrofoam cups takes approximately 50 years to biodegrade. An aluminum can takes about 200 years. Both disposable diapers and plastic bottles take approximately 450 years to biodegrade, and fishing line takes almost 600 years.

Boxed Water Is Better.

Yes, that’s a brand name, and boxed water IS a better solution to plastic bottles. I saw a display of boxed water in Whole Foods, but later found them on Amazon in three sizes: 8 oz, 16 oz, and 32 oz. And while searching for them, I also found other brands: Just Water, RainForest, Flow, and Rethink Water. I am not a bottled (or boxed) water buyer because I have a Berkey Water Filter System, so I’m not familiar with pricing. But the concept of biodegradable packaging for water intrigued me because we must do something about plastic pollution, and this would certainly help!

But Is Boxed/Bottled Water Safe To Drink?

The EPA oversees water quality in your home, while the FDA ensures the safety of bottled water. However, the federal government doesn’t require bottled water to be safer than that from the tap and, in fact, bottled water doesn’t even have to be tested! Check out my blog “Who’s Minding Our Water” for more resources to checking the quality of your water.

And Then There Is The Issue Of The Straw.

Do you use straws for your soda? Research I acquired when writing my book indicated that acidic foods and beverages can enhance the absorption of chemicals used to make plastic, so we unintentionally ingest them. Not only do plastic straws litter the environment they require a long length of time to biodegrade. There are so many stainless-steel alternatives (and even glass), which are better for you and for the planet!

One Save A Day.

The app One Save A Day, created by Millennial Maxime Leroux in France, empowers people to commit to just one daily action in order to become a better environmental steward. One such message of the day? “Support a local product instead of a global brand today.” Small steps don’t overwhelm us while becoming more conscious of how our daily habits contribute to the state of our environment. Download his app and take it a day at a time!

 

What’s For Lunch?

Think about it. Before processed foods became available no one thought to consider whether or not food was safe for consumption. They had no concerns about whether or not produce was sprayed with pesticides or if wheat used to make bread was genetically modified. There was just no question about whether or not food was organic. In addition, food wasn’t wrapped in plastic and it wasn’t microwaved. And no one wore toxic food preparation gloves!

Sound Advice From 100 Years Ago.

An “American Woman’s Cook Book” first published in 1927 stated that “the purpose of food is to satisfy hunger and to give pleasure. After hunger is satisfied, more food is a hindrance to health.” It was also suggested that every meal should be planned to meet first the needs of the youngest and weakest member of the family. Additionally, foods that are good for children are equally good for adults, yet foods considered good for adults may, in fact, be very bad for children. Wow. How far we have come from these wise words.

The Good Old Food Days.

Nearly 64% of the labor force in 1850 were farmers. That’s about 7.6 million farmworkers and families owning farms who tended to eat quite well with a steady diet of vegetables, meat and milk – foods commonly available to them. This meant children got the nutrients they needed for growth and development. However, today there are only about 2.6 million family farmworkers.

Pasture Raised, Grass Fed.

There were an estimated 20 million head of buffalo sharing the western plains with 50 million open range longhorn cattle in the 1850s. Today, pasture-raised means the cattle roamed freely but near the end of its life it was fed grain to create more of the fat marbling that makes the meat more tender. Whereas if meat comes from “grass-fed” cattle it’s a bit more tough but has less fat.

Humanely Produced And Sustainable.

Cattle living on factory farms spend their entire existence in poor living conditions while being pumped with antibiotics and growth hormones. In addition, these farms not only pollute our water and land with chemical fertilizers they also contribute to climate change.

Cleveland Clinic emphasizes searching for meat that is humanely produced and sustainable by looking for 6 or so possible labels on meat packaging: (1) Animal Welfare Approved; (2) Certified Humane; (3) Global Animal Partnership; (4) Food Alliance certified; (5) American Grassfed Association; and (6) USDA Organic.

Speaking Of Organic.

Did you ever wonder who owns organic foods? It’s not very pretty. Thanks to Professor Phil Howard at Michigan State University, you can download a high-resolution copy of the chart. If food is organic, it won’t be sprayed with Monsanto’s RoundUp chemical. But, sadly, it just got harder to avoid Monsanto.

Did you know that Monsanto owns Aunt Jemima, Betty Crocker, Capri Sun, Frito-Lay, Kellogg’s, Pepperidge Farm, Stouffer’s and Healthy Choice? And that’s just the beginning. Scroll down the article to see another 62 companies. No wonder they are so powerful. But let’s stick together and pass the word to boycott their products!

Cheese.

In Rome, New York, Jesse Williams opened the first U.S. cheese factory in 1851. He made cheese from scratch in his factory and you can bet there were no growth hormones added! Today we’re lucky to have the Cornucopia Institute’s “Weighing the Curds” scorecard to rate the quality of cottage cheese and help us to determine if brands have overly processed their cottage cheese, if the product is organic, or if it contains carrageenan. Check your brand out!

Mac And Cheese Without Toxic Chemicals Please.

While still on the topic of cheese, the Ecology Center in Ann Arbor, MI did a study on mac & cheese. Unfortunately, phthalates were found in 29 of 30 mac & cheese products tested. In fact, phthalates were sometimes found at levels more than 4x higher in the fat of the mac & cheese powder than in the fat of natural cheese.

Remember, phthalates are endocrine disruptors – meaning they can mess with the body’s hormonal balances. And who eats the most mac & cheese? Kids. Sign the petition from the Coalition for Safer Food Processing & Packaging to urge Kraft foods to KleanUpKraft.

Lastly, Gloves For Food Handling.

Maybe you use gloves during food preparation at home when handling raw meats. Or perhaps it’s mandatory that you wear them at work. HealthyStuff researched the chemicals found in gloves used by food handlers and you might be surprised at which brands scored the best (and the worst.) Check it out and find something that won’t contaminate the food you are handling, nor pass on toxic chemicals via skin absorption!