Healthy Begins Here

Neil Mallett
/ CC BY-SA 2.0

A new report from the Danish Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), highlights the critical risks facing toddlers from gender bending chemicals in everyday products. Chemicals like phthalates (found in PVC and fragrances), parabens (found in lotions and sunscreens), and pesticides are increasingly being linked to hormone disruption - and two year olds have more in their blood than any previous generations.

What does it mean?

Today's boys have less sperm. Sperm counts are falling so fast that young men are about half as fertile as their fathers (and have about one-third the amount of sperm per milliliter as a hamster if you care to compare.)

More boys are playing like girls. The DEFRA report highlights research from Rotterdam's Erasmus University that found that boys whose mothers were exposed to certain hormone disruptors were more likely to dress up in girl's clothes and play with dolls and tea sets.

Fewer boys are being born. According to coverage of the report in the Telegraph, "A Canadian Indian community living on ancestral lands at the eastern tip of Lake Huron, hemmed in by one of the biggest agglomerations of chemical factories on earth, gives birth to twice as many girls as boys. It's the same around Seveso in Italy, contaminated with dioxins from a notorious accident in the 1970s, and among Russian pesticide workers. And there's more evidence from places as far apart as Israel and Taiwan, Brazil and the Arctic."

Boys' unmentionables are getting smaller. Scientists at the University of Rochester in New York discovered that boys born to women exposed to phthalates had smaller penises and other feminization of the genitals.

Many of the chemicals being criticized have received their fair share of criticism in the past. What's new about this report is the emphasis on "chemical cocktails" - or the fact that these chemicals mixed together are far worse than they are alone. And, this is how we are exposed to them - in mixtures from our everyday environments - not isolated like they are often tested in the laboratory. Beyond the machismo these occurrences may invoke in many a male, the overwhelming concern is the threat to reproduction.

What can you do?

Reduce your exposure to hormone disruptors like pesticides, plasticizers, and chemically-laden personal care products.

Eat organic food, whenever possible. Some of the offending chemicals mentioned in this report are stored in fat. So if you eat meat, choose low-fat cuts and remove excess fat. Also, choose low-fat dairy products.

Avoid using plastic containers, especially for food and beverages. Use glass or stainless steel instead.

Find safer personal care products. Cut back on how many and how much you use. And, maybe even try making your own (simple olive oil makes a wonderful skin moisturizer).

Avoid using pesticides. Don't give pests food or shelter. Clean up spills immediately, fix leaks, repair cracks, and mend torn screens. Yank weeds or pour boiling water on them instead of resorting to herbicides.

Find safer toys, teethers and clothes for your family. Help friends out, too by sharing some handy pocket shopping guides.

Labels: chemicals, children's health, environment, green, personal care products, pesticides, phthalates

Posted by: Christopher Gavigan at 7:24 AM

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Thursday, November 12, 2009

BPA Found in Cans Marked BPA-Free

by Janelle Sorensen

Just when you thought the BPA issue couldn't get any more confusing...Consumer Reports just published a study where they found BPA in food from nearly all cans tested - including those marked "BPA-Free."

According to the release:

"Consumer Reports' latest tests of canned foods, including soups, juice, tuna, and green beans, have found that almost all of the 19 name-brand foods we tested contain some BPA. The canned organic foods we tested did not always have lower BPA levels than nonorganic brands of similar foods analyzed. We even found the chemical in some products in cans that were labeled "BPA-free."

The debate revolves around just what is a safe level of the chemical to ingest and whether it should be in contact with food. Federal guidelines currently put the daily upper limit of safe exposure at 50 micrograms of BPA per kilogram of body weight. But that level is based on experiments done in the 1980s rather than hundreds of more recent animal and laboratory studies indicating serious health risks could result from much lower doses of BPA."

Consumer's Union, the non-profit organization behind the publication, immediately wrote the FDA and urged for tighter regulations. Not surprisingly, the American Chemistry Council (ACC), which represents BPA-makers, is highly critical of the report for being "inconsistent with findings of regulatory bodies all over the world."

Meg Kissinger of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel summarizes the ACC statement:

"Eleven global regulatory bodies - including the European Food Safety Authority and Health Canada - have recently completed scientific evaluations and found BPA safe in food-contact products, including canned foods and beverages," said Steven Hentges, the group's chief lobbyist

He noted that a study funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and published last week in the journal Toxicological Sciences found that exposure to BPA - including very low doses - had no effects on a range of reproductive and behavioral activities measured."

Interestingly, critics of this new study say it was rejected by a more prestigious journal (Biology of Reproduction) and endocrinologists ravaged the manuscript. One of the authors of the original manuscript withdrew his name after seeing the reviews from the endocrinologists.

Perhaps the biggest flaw in the study? The strain of rat used was at least 2500 times less sensitive to estrogens than other animal models. No wonder it didn't respond to BPA.

Other BPA news:

Jeremiah McNichols from Z Recommends recently published an exclusive report that provided extensive evidence that Gaiam water bottles previously marketed as "BPA-free" were likely to contain the endocrine-disrupting chemical bisphenol-A. Shortly afterwards, the company quietly added information to its retail website which admits to independent lab test results showing leaching levels at 23.8 parts per billion. These findings are more than ten times the detection limit SIGG said revealed no leaching from their own bottles and over 18 times more than the leaching levels found in independent testing of SIGG bottles shared with ZRecs by an anonymous source.

Liz Szabo from USA Today writes: "The National Institutes of Health will devote $30 million to study the safety of bisphenol A, or BPA, an estrogen-like chemical used in many plastics, including sippy cups and the linings of metal cans. According to the NIEHS, animals studies link BPA with infertility, weight gain, behavioral changes, early onset puberty, prostate and breast cancer and diabetes. New research will focus on low-dose exposures to BPA and effects on behavior, obesity, diabetes, reproductive disorders, asthma, cardiovascular diseases and various cancers. Researchers will also see if the effects of BPA exposure can be passed from parents to their children."

Learn more about BPA and how to reduce your exposure.

Related Topics:

Labels: BPA, chemicals, environment, food, green, plastics

Posted by: Janelle Sorensen at 1:13 PM

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Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Leaf Blowers Blow a Lot More than Leaves

by Janelle Sorensen

Micah Weber
/ CC BY-SA 2.0

Leaf blowers drive me crazy. And, I know I'm not the only one - the noise alone is enough to test the patience of a saint. I mean, they sound like a giant dentist drill or a mammoth mosquito, how unpleasant can you get? Beyond imaginative associations, the facts about their auditory irritation are no laughing matter. Jane Dale Owen writes for CLEAN Houston about how loud these machines can be:

Zero Air Pollution Los Angeles (ZAPLA) says that blower use at one residence impacts eight to fourteen others.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the noise induced by leaf blowers at 90 decibels exceeds the threshold of danger at 85 decibels and can seriously impair hearing. Leaf blowers are used mainly in residential areas where many types of residents are exposed to their pollutants and noise. This population includes homemakers, retirees, day sleepers, young toddlers, the ill or disabled, and pets.

Those at highest risk are the blower operators - gardeners and yard workers, who regularly omit wearing protective headphones and respiratory gear.

According to one manufacturer's lobbyist, at a distance of fifty feet, the average blower measures 70-75 decibels. But the World Health Organization states that in order to have a healthy environment daytime noise levels should not exceed 55 decibels.

Excessive noise pollution is associated with increased blood pressure, headaches, ringing ears, loss of sleep, lower level in students' ability to learn, and a lower frustration tolerance. Former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Luther Terry stated that "excessive noise exposure during pregnancy can influence embryonic development."

But they're more than just a noise nuisance - they can be a real threat to your health.

Most obviously, gas-fueled leaf blowers spew out air pollution - one hour of use creates as much air pollution as a car driven for 100 miles. In addition, consider these disturbing air pollutants - what the leaf blower is blowing around besides leaves.

The particulate matter (PM) swept into the air is composed of dust, fecal matter, (yep, critter poo), pesticides, fungi, chemicals, fertilizers, spores, and street dirt which can contain lead and gasoline - among other things. There have even been cases of viral diseases being spread by the use of leaf blowers.

Do you use a leaf blower? Maybe it's time to buy a good rake instead (contrary to popular belief, it's just as fast - check out this story about a grandma who proves a rake and broom is as fast as a leaf blower). Raking is also good exercise.

Have a neighbor who refuses to lay off the leaf blower? Share these tips for safe and courteous use of leaf blowers.

Related Topic:

Labels: environment, gardening, green, lawn, yard

Posted by: Janelle Sorensen at 4:20 PM

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Wednesday, October 21, 2009

What's in Your Carpet? You May Not Want to Know

Andy Melton / CC BY-SA 2.0

Most homes have carpet in them somewhere, but one problem with carpeting is that it's a perfect home to microorganisms such as mold, mildew and dust mites. It is also a reservoir for everything you track indoors on your shoes: soil, lawn chemicals, lead dust, asbestos fibers from automotive brake linings, animal feces, and anything else found on the ground outdoors.
Wall-to wall carpeting is virtually impossible to clean thoroughly, but here are some tips to help:

Encourage family members to remove shoes upon entrance into the home. Pesticides, pollutants and dirt come indoors on shoes and are tracked onto carpets. If going shoeless is not acceptable to family members, suggest that they wear house shoes (that don't go outside), slippers or socks.

Vacuum two or more times per week. Frequent vacuuming helps reduce the level of dust mites, which trigger asthma and allergy attacks. It also means getting rid of surface dirt on carpets before it has a chance to get ground in. A vacuum cleaner with strong suction, rotating brushes and a HEPA filter, so the dirt and dust won't get blown back out in the exhaust, is best. Go back and forth over the same spot several times, especially in high traffic areas, to get all of the dirt and dust!

Clean up spills on carpets immediately to prevent stains. Soak up liquid spills by covering them with clean white (or light-colored) towels or paper towels. Scrape sticky substances off carpets with a spatula or spoon. Don't rub the spill. That will damage carpet fibers and make the stain spread. To clean the stain, mix 1 cup warm water and 1/2 teaspoon mild liquid soap, such as dishwashing liquid or fine fabric detergent. Apply a small amount, blot by pressing a clean white towel into the carpet and lift. Then repeat the process until the stain is removed. Don't scrub. Be patient. After stain is removed, rinse the area with a solution a few teaspoons of white vinegar to one cup water and blot with another clean towel.

Use household ingredients to clean carpet stains. Club soda removes red wine stains. Use an ice cube to harden gum and candle wax, then scrape off. Sprinkle greasy stains with baking soda, corn starch or corn meal. Let stand six hours or overnight. Then vacuum. Mix 1/3 cup vinegar with 2/3 cup warm water and apply to the stain. Then blot with a clean towel and repeat until the stain comes clean.

As a last resort carpet stain remover, try rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. Test first on a hidden spot of the carpet as either substance may lighten or bleach the carpet. Apply a small amount to the stain, then blot with a clean, white towel. Repeat until the stain is gone.

Use baking soda to remove odor from carpets. Carpet deodorizers and fresheners often contain fragrances that merely mask the smell. Baking soda soaks up the odor. Just sprinkle baking soda over the surface of the carpet. Let it stand for 15 - 30 minutes. Then vacuum.

Steam clean carpets with plain water. Don't bother with the detergent. Just use water and operate the machine as directed. The hot water will remove a considerable amount of dirt, even without detergent. Alternatively, use a mixture of 1 cup white vinegar and 2-1/2 gallons of water. (Add another cup of vinegar for a stronger solution.) This is an effective way to remove shampoo residues from earlier cleaning attempts.

Ventilate well during and after carpet cleaning. To speed drying time and prevent mold growth, keep windows open and use fans. Avoid carpet cleaning on humid or damp days.

Getting Your Child's School or Day Care Center to Clean Green

by Janelle Sorensen

You've made the switch to safer cleaners at home, but what about when your child is off at daycare or school? The chemicals in institutional cleaning products can cause a wide range of major health problems for children, including respiratory irritation and increased risk of cancer.

Luckily, safer cleaning products are now widely available and cost effective. As a result, child care centers and schools across the country are switching to green cleaners to improve health, increase staff performance, lessen adverse environmental impacts, reduce potential liabilities, and save money. (Yes, switching to green cleaning does have all of these benefits - talk about win, win, win.)

How do you get your childcare provider or school to make the switch?

Get informed. Use the resources listed below to get up to speed on the benefits of going green and the tools available to help schools and child care centers make the switch. It's much easier for them to address the "problem" if you have solutions in hand.

Inform others. Once you understand the problem and solution, talk to other parents, teachers, the school nurse, anyone who'll lend you a sympathetic ear. You want to have an influential group of people to help support your effort as you move forward.

Talk to someone with the authority to do something. That may be your school's superintendent, a school board member or the manager of your child care center, or they may direct you straight to whomever is in charge of maintaining the facility.

Approach every person you talk to as an ally, not an enemy. Remember the fundamentals of How to Win Friends and Influence People - like not criticizing people, showing appreciation for their work, smiling. Trust me, you will get much farther much faster if you employ kindness, gratitude, and diplomacy. You want to be seen as an invaluable asset, not as an incessant nag.

Give people the benefit of the doubt that they are doing their job to the best of their ability. School and child care professionals are typically overworked, underpaid, with a lot to do and inadequate funding to get it done. Make yourself available. Keep asking "what can I do to help?"

Here are some resources to get you started:

Creating Healthy Environments for Children: Easy Steps for Homes, Child Care Centers and Schools
Cleaning For Healthy Schools Toolkit
Healthy Schools Network Guide to Green Cleaning
Healthy Schools Campaign Quick and Easy Guide to Green Cleaning in Schools
Green Clean Schools Free Webinar Series
ChildSafe Cleaning Products

Labels: children's health, clean, cleaning, environment, green

Posted by: Janelle Sorensen at 9:15 AM

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Tuesday, October 13, 2009

5 Non-toxic Tips for Getting Rid of Rodents

Mice aren't just unpleasant guests, they are dirty animals. They can be carriers of a disease called "ratbite fever" that people can catch from a mouse bite or from the bodily fluids of a sick mouse. Mice can also introduce mites, tapeworms, and ringworms into your home. And in homes where people have allergies or asthma, their dander and urine can trigger reactions.

The only way to permanently get rid of a mouse problem is to stop access to the food and shelter that you are providing.

Follow these tips to get rid of rodents:

1. Prevent Entry

Block holes and cracks larger than 1/4-inch, which mice can pass through. Use a pencil (eraser end) to check size. Fill holes with steel wool and seal cracks in foundation. Close gaps around pipes and cables. Use hardware cloth to screen vents and floor drains. Don't use chewable materials, like plastic, rubber, vinyl or wood.

Repair broken windows, doors, screens and make sure they close tightly. Replace worn weatherstripping and install door sweeps

2. Clear the Path to Your Door

Remove or cut down tall grass and weeds, blackberries and other brush from the area near your home's foundation.

Prune ground level branches off shrubs.

Avoid ivy, which shelters mice.

Keep bird feeders away from the house and sweep up seeds on the ground frequently.

Use trash cans with tight lids.

Clean up fallen fruits, seed pods, and nuts from trees.

3. Make Your Home Uninviting

Use garbage cans with tight lids or take trash out daily.

Use mouse-proof containers, such as coffee cans, jars with screw lids or plastic food containers with tight fitting lids for pantry items, such as grains, cookies, sugar, etc. Mice can chew through, plastic bags, cardboard and burlap.

Keep pet food in mouse proof containers. Rather than leave food out for pets all day and night, feed them at specific times and then remove food bowls.

Store lawn and garden seed, birdseed and organic fertilizers (such as bone meal) in mouse proof containers.

Don't leave food or dirty dishes out overnight. Keep counters, stove top, broiler and the kitchen floor clean.

4. Determine Where The Mice Are

Do a visual inspection for clues, such as chewed food boxes, etc. Mice do not usually travel far in search of food. Look for holes in which they may be entering.

Coat the floor with flour in areas where you suspect activity. Look for mice tracks in the flour the next morning.

5. Trap Those Sneaky Critters.

If mice move in, a highly effective way to deal with small infestations is to trap them.

Use peanut butter, raisins, oats, or dried fruit for bait in snap and live traps.

Use gloves when handling traps to prevent getting a human smell on the traps.

Set out the traps unset and without bait for a few days to get the mice used to them. Place them five to ten feet apart near the wall, with the trigger closes to the wall. Behind objects and in dark corners are also good places to set the traps.

Make sure you release mice caught in live traps far (1+ mile) from your house.

Keep traps away from children and pets.

Rodent poison baits and powders are highly toxic!
Do not use in homes with children or pets!

Posted by: WebMD Blogs at 1:01 PM

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Friday, October 9, 2009

Obama Administration Endorses Chemical Regulation Overhaul

EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson said the time had come to strengthen EPA's authority to regulate toxic chemicals, which are ubiquitous in the environment and human bodies. She will ask Congress to draft a tougher law to overhaul the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), passed in 1976.

"The American people are looking to the government for assurance that chemicals have been assessed using the best available science and unacceptable risks haven't been ignored," Jackson said in a conference call with reporters before a formal announcement in San Francisco. "Unfortunately, the current law does not allow us to grant them that assurance." She reaffirmed that chemical management reform is a top priority for the agency.

The new law would require chemical manufacturers to provide the EPA with sufficient data and information to regulate properly. Under current law, manufacturers are not required to develop or supply data on toxicity and exposure that doesn't already exist, which has led to chemicals being used in products that have not been adequately screened for safety. Jackson stated that six chemicals, including BPA and PFCs, will be subject to immediate review.

Many of the reforms the administration has suggested largely mirror those advanced by the chemical manufacturing industry, which is concerned about a patchwork of regulations at the state and local level.

That there is general agreement on many issues is significant, and make TSCA reform more likely to pass Congress. The proposed overhaul has been through an interagency review process and has the backing of the White House. The principles Jackson outlined to guide Congress in creating new legislation include:

Chemicals must pass muster under a safety standard that protects human health and the environment;

Responsibility for providing data rests with the chemical industry, not taxpayers;

EPA must have clear authority to take quick action to restrict use of chemicals that violate the safety standard;

Manufacturers and EPA should assess and act on priority chemicals, both existing and new, in a timely manner

• Vulnerable populations, especially children, must be given special consideration when setting safety standards;

Green chemistry, which will lead to safer chemicals, should be encouraged and the public's right to know about chemicals must be ensured;

The EPA should be given a sustained source of funding for implementation and the chemical industry must pay its fair share to implement the new standards.

Toxic Chemicals in Everyday Products

Healthy Child Healthy World

A new database was recently released which has the results on over 900 common products tested for toxic chemicals including lead, cadmium, mercury, bromine, chlorine (PVC) and arsenic. Using an XRF analyzer, researchers at the Ecology Center analyzed the ingredients of pet products, cars, women's handbags, children's car seats and more, creating the largest database yet of independent tests of toxic chemicals in consumer goods.

The results can be found on the user-friendly website, HealthyStuff.org. Visitors can look up products by manufacturer, brand, or product type and easily generate lists of highly rated and poorly rated products. HealthyStuff.org tested for chemicals based on their toxicity, persistence and tendency to build up in people and the environment. Such chemicals have been linked to reproductive problems, developmental and learning disabilities, liver toxicity and cancer.??

"The more we test, the more we find that the presence of toxic chemicals is widespread in everyday consumer products," said Jeff Gearhart, Research Director at the Ecology Center, who created the site. "It should not be the responsibility of public health advocates to test these products. Product manufacturers and legislators must take the lead and replace dangerous substances with safe alternatives.

For the past several years the Ecology Center has spearheaded groundbreaking research on toxic chemicals in toys, cars and children's car seats at HealthyToys.org and HealthyCar.org. HealthyStuff.org is a compilation of all of these findings and more.

New Key Findings From HealthyStuff.org:

Pet Products - HealthyStuff.org tested over 400 pet products, including beds, chew toys, collars and leashes. Since there are no government standards for hazardous chemicals in pet products, it is not surprising that alarming levels of toxic chemicals were found. One quarter of all pet products had detectable levels of lead, including seven percent with levels higher than 300 ppm - the current Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) standard for lead in children's products.

Automobiles - HealthyStuff.org tested nearly 700 new and used vehicles, from 1980 to 2010 model year vehicles. The US-made Pontiac G5 and Chevy Cobalt rated best overall 2009 vehicles. Levels of some chemicals found in vehicles are 5-10 times higher than in homes or offices. Since the average American spends more than 1.5 hours in their car every day, this can be a major source of toxic chemical exposure.

Children's Car Seats - Infant and child car seats contain chemical additives that can have adverse health effects on babies and young children. Over half (58%) of car seats contain one or more hazardous chemicals, including PVC, BFRs and heavy metals. Three examples of car seats that had none of the chemicals tested for are: Baby Trend Flex-Loc; the Graco Nautilus 3-in-1 Car Seat; and the Graco Turbo Booster. Despite the toxic chemicals, it is vital to use a car seat for your child because they do save lives.

Back-to-School Products - HealthyStuff.org screened over 60 common back-to-school supplies, including backpacks, pencil cases, binders and lunchboxes. Far too many of these supplies are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and 22% contained detectable levels of lead. Overall nearly 90% of back-to-school supplies contained one or more chemicals of concern.

Women's Handbags - HealthyStuff.org tested over 100 women's handbags and detected lead in over 75% of the bags analyzed. Sixty-four percent (64%) of the bags contained lead over 300 ppm - the CPSC limit for lead in children's products. Over half of the handbags contain more than 1,000 ppm lead.

Read the original press release.

Labels: chemicals, environment, health and wellness

Posted by: WebMD Blogs at 10:53 AM

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Monday, October 5, 2009

9 Things to Know About Building a Safer, Healthier Fire

Ted Percival / CC BY 2.0

Whether you have indoor fires for warmth or ambiance, it's important to know how to build a fire that prevents indoor air quality problems. Smoke is made up of fine particles that, when released, can get into your eyes and respiratory system, where they can cause irritations like burning eyes and a runny nose, and aggravate illnesses such as bronchitis and asthma. Follow these tips to build a safer, healthier fire.

Buy a wood stove made after 1992. Wood stoves made after 1992 meet tight U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emissions standards, so you can even buy a wood stove confidently on the used market if it dates from within a decade. The EPA recommends using a certified professional installer as the best way to ensure correct installation for ensured safety. A properly installed certified wood stove or fireplace insert always has a vent to the exterior and releases far less smoke through the chimney, overall emitting 60-80% less pollution into the environment.

Think about installing a catalyst. Many stoves are now fitted with catalysts - similar to catalytic converters on automobiles - that burn up smoke to reduce emissions to an absolute minimum. Older stoves can also be retrofitted with catalysts.

Burn dry wood. Wood that's been "seasoned," or dried for at least six months outside, burns hotter and cleaner than "green" wood. To season wood adequately, shield it from the elements with a cover on top but keep it well ventilated on the sides to allow airflow between the logs. "Green" wood (which has a thin, green layer under the bark) appears yellowish, and crackles from evaporating moisture when burned. Dry wood appears grayish and cracked at the ends, and weighs less than "wet" wood, as the heavy moisture has already evaporated.

Burn many logs at once. Once the fire is well stoked, fill the stove with largish, long-burning loads to reduce the number of times you need to open the stove door for reloading, the primary means of introducing smoky pollutants into the indoor air.

Burn hardwoods. Wood from deciduous trees, the kind that shed leaves in the fall, is harder than wood from coniferous trees, or evergreens, whose wood tends to be soft and sappy. Hardwoods - namely oak, maple, hickory, apple, and ash - burn hotter, longer, and cleaner than softwoods, such as pine, spruce, and fir. Hardwoods are not only environmentally safer, but also economically smarter: You can burn through a cord of softwood twice as quickly as a cord of hardwood.

Make hot fires. Catalysts burn smoke when they "light off," reaching temperatures of 350 to 600 degrees Fahrenheit. Most catalysts come equipped with a temperature monitor. Even without a catalyst, wood fires burn best hot, because they eat up all the carbon monoxide and other pollutants.

Install carbon monoxide alarms. When wood is not burned completely, the resulting smoke contains a number of chemicals, one of which is carbon monoxide (CO). CO is odorless and colorless, but exposure to it reduces your blood's ability to carry oxygen. The Underwriters Laboratory certifies carbon monoxide monitors, which beep in alarm if carbon monoxide levels increase. Carbon monoxide alarms should be placed on every floor of the house and near bedrooms.

Sweep chimneys. Creosote, a black, tar-like or flaky deposit, builds up on the chimney lining, blocking the proper exhaust of smoke and raising the risk of a chimney fire. Chimney sweeps certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America and the National Chimney Sweep Guild recommend a yearly chimney cleaning.

Burn only solid wood. Pressure-treated wood, particleboard, and plywood contain toxins, such as formaldehyde and arsenic, in their preservatives and adhesives, so never burn them. Also avoid burning plastics, newsprint and magazines in your stove or fireplace. Start the fire with newspaper, but get rid of your piles of read papers by recycling.

Posted by: WebMD Blogs at 2:11 PM

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Monday, September 28, 2009

"Eat Healthy" Helps Parents Make Every Bite Fast, Frugal, Fun and Eco-Friendly

by Christopher Gavigan

Amazingly, my toddler, Luke, eats EVERYTHING you put in front of him (except avocados, sadly). I don't know how we lucked out with such an open-minded, open-mouthed child, but I have great empathy for the parents of finicky eaters. As if simply finding something healthy that children will eat wasn't hard enough, today we also have to worry about allergies, food recalls, chemical contaminants, packaging, and more. How did the simple act of eating become so difficult?

A lot of parents have told us they're concerned about these issues and want their family to eat healthier, but have a limited budget. And like all parents, they just don't have the time to seek out high quality information or research how to make better choices. With all this in mind, Healthy Child Healthy World started Eat Healthy, our new program that makes food fast, frugal, fun and eco-friendly! Need a recipe for a kid-friendly salad or want to make your own baby food? Looking for quick tips on safer, healthier foods for children? Concerned about chemicals in cans and plastic containers? Look to Eat Healthy for simple solutions to address our complex world of food.

With tips and ideas from experts like Myra Goodman, cookbook author and co-founder of Earthbound Farm (the world's largest grower of organic produce), and Raising Baby Green author Dr. Alan Greene, and recipes from celebrity moms such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Meryl Streep and the "Renegade Lunch Lady" chef Ann Cooper, Eat Healthy is a comprehensive, easy-to-read online recipe and healthy food guide. It's filled with easy, delicious (yet kid-friendly) recipes; essential reading and advice about today's most worrisome food issues; food and nutrition videos; and even downloadable pocket shopping guides like Healthy School Lunch and Healthy Formula & Food, so you can always keep the wisdom of Eat Healthy with you.

Other Eat Healthy resources include:

Tips to take to the grocery store, including the most and least pesticide-laden fruits and vegetables and the best healthy, kid-approved snacks

Eight simple steps for making healthier, greener food choices for your family's diet

Quick and easy recipes for eating right on a budget

A checklist of fish that is safe for children, teens and women of child-bearing age

How to limit your child's intake of food additives

Eat Healthy is also an interactive space for parents and caregivers to share their recipes and tips, too. Your child's favorite snack could be the answer for another mom in search of fun, healthy mealtime ideas. Your low-cost, eco-friendly storage idea may be just the solution for the dad who just purged all his plastics.

Visit Eat Healthy today to explore the resources and recipes. And, get involved by attending one of the many exciting Eat Healthy events we're hosting. We've lined up some of your favorite experts on children's health and put together fantastic giveaways loaded with goodies from our trusted, non-toxic product partners. So mark your calendars today for these not-to-be missed events!

Join a Live "Eat Healthy" Web Chat on theMotherhood.
We'll have live text chats on theMotherhood:

September 28th, 1:00 pm EST: "Raising Baby Green" with Dr. Alan Greene on children's nutrition

October 7th, 1:00 pm EST: "Cooking Organic" with Myra Goodman, cookbook author and co-founder of Earthbound Farm, the world's largest grower of organic produce

Twitter the Night Away with Healthy Child.
Join our "Eat Healthy" Twitter Party, October 15th at 9 pm EST. Hosted by health and nutrition experts, we'll share a feast of information about healthy, eco-friendly eating and loads of fun prizes from Earthbound Farm, Klean Kanteen, thinkbaby, Clif Bar, Dr. Alan Greene, PlanetBox, Plum Organics and Healthy Child Healthy World. Follow the #EatHealthy hashtag to dish with your fellow parents on how to make healthy eating, fun, fast, affordable and eco-friendly.

Share Your Favorite Recipes for a Chance to Win!
Have a fun, healthy recipe for a snack or meal your kids can't get enough of? Looking for recipe ideas to share with your readers? Healthy Child Healthy World wants to know!

Send us your favorite recipe from your collection or post your top pick from our recipes for a chance to win an Eat Healthy gift bag - a reusable Whole Foods Market "I used to be a plastic bottle" recycled grocery tote loaded with goodies, including copies of The Earthbound Farm Organic Cookbook by Myra Goodman and Dr. Alan Greene's new book Feeding Baby Green, an 18 oz. Klean Kanteen, a stainless steel PlanetBox lunchbox, a thinkbaby Feeding Kit, nutrition bars for the whole family from Clif Bars, snacks from Plum Organics, a perfectly portable Healthy Child Healthy World paperback and a "Healthy School Lunch" Pocket Shopping Guide.

There are two ways to enter:

Submit your recipe to Eat Healthy.

Post your favorite Eat Healthy recipe on YOUR blog and email us at recipes@healthychild.org with the link.

On November 6th, one winner will be randomly selected to win the Eat Healthy gift bag.

Happy and Healthy Eating All!

Related Topics:

Safer Food For A Healthier You

Labels: children's health, Eat Healthy, environment, food, green

Posted by: Christopher Gavigan at 6:15 AM

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Friday, September 25, 2009

Better Ways to Box Up Take Out

by Christopher Gavigan

I don't know about your neighborhood, but I've yet to find an Indian restaurant that delivers my curry take-out in compostable or sustainable containers. Ditto practically every other dining establishment in the country. Tons of plastic, paper and the dreaded Styrofoam are the norm for packing to-go items, with disastrous implications for the planet. In addition to the eco-consequences, disposable plastics and Styrofoam leach chemicals into food, and much disposable fast food packaging often contains chemicals called PFCs (often labeled as Teflon or Scotchguard) to control stains and grease.

So for the moment at least, its up to the consumer to reduce the footprint and any health risks our take-out habits create. Here's a list of small ways to make your take-out easier on the planet.

No Bag, Thank You.
The growing trend (now an ingrained habit for many) of bringing reusable canvas or cloth bags to the super market applies to all situations where you're leaving with a plastic bag in hand. Keep an eco-friendly sac at work or in your car, and make sure the cashier or server knows that you brought your own alternative!

I'll Drink to That!
Many coffee shops and cafes will gladly use your brought-from-home mug for your hot beverage. You won't even catch an odd look from a Starbucks barista since your good deed is saving them a few pennies on packaging! For everyday java fixes, pick up the stylishly sustainable I Am Not A Paper Cup, a ceramic version of the take-out coffee cup, made for day to day use. Another simple way to cut back on waste is by keeping a compact, handmade Cup Kozy attached to your key chain or bag. By replacing the single-use cardboard sleeves on any size of coffee cups, you're keeping something small out of the trash - but small items definitely build up!

Bring (or try at least) Your Own Containers
Few establishments will allow customers to bring their own to-go containers because of state health codes. It is allowed at some locations though, especially at serve-yourself delis or salad bars, so pack your glass or bamboo containers and give it a try. Another workaround is to keep some aluminum foil handy. While not always the right solution (soup, for example, is a no go), 100% recyclable foil can make a perfect carrier for bagels, sandwiches, and small snacks. And it can be washed and reused over and over before being recycled. If there's no way to get around the plastic or Styrofoam, encourage them to place a liner of tin foil between your food and the container, which will prevent chemical leaching, even when heated.

Utilize Your Own Utensils
This is one area of the take-out world you can dominate! Sometimes your to-go meal comes with a set of plastic utensils, whether they're needed or not, and a mountain of paper napkins. Cut back on this major waste by bringing your own utensils and a cloth napkin from home, and store them at your desk at work or in your bag when you're on the go. If you're constantly on the move, pick up a bamboo travel set from To-Go Ware. Be sure the restaurant leaves the plastic behind, and not in your bag!

Fill Up the Kanteen
We've been singing the praises of Klean Kanteens for ages, but having your own beverage with you during the day means you're less likely to purchase one that comes in a plastic or foam cup. When heading out to lunch or grabbing a snack on the road, refill your empty canteen with juice, tea, or milk for the kids. Another helpful addition is packing a glass or stainless steel straw so you can sip away sans plastic.

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Labels: environment, food, green, health and wellness, healthy diet, plastics

Posted by: Christopher Gavigan at 7:00 AM

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Monday, September 21, 2009

10 Tips to Prepare for a Healthy Pregnancy

Bonbon / CC BY 2.0

1. Eat the healthiest, safest foods.

These eight simple steps will help you reduce your exposure to synthetic pesticides and guard against certain cancers and high dioxin intake. Increasing your intake of fruits, vegetables, legumes and fiber may help eliminate toxins.

2. Feast on folic acid before conceiving and while pregnant.

Sources include dried beans and peas, citrus fruit, spinach and broccoli. Adequate folic acid early in a baby's development helps prevent neurological defects, such as spina bifida. Note: too much folic acid may pose it's own risks, so talk with your doctor about how much you need.

3. Reduce consumption of alcohol and caffeine, and quit smoking.

Women who smoke during pregnancy (or are exposed to secondhand smoke) are more likely to give birth to small babies with low birth weight. Alcohol and caffeine lower overall health and can negatively impact a fetus.

4. Cut down your intake of animal fats and fish to reduce dioxin, PCB and mercury exposure.

Trim fat and skin from meats well. Limit consumption of fatty and predatory fish, such as tuna and salmon, to once a month at most; alternatives include flounder and sole. (Use Seafood Watch to learn about which fish are safest to eat.) Broil fish and meat, so that fat drips away from the food. Choose skim dairy products.

5. Drink pure water.

Test drinking water for lead, chlorine byproducts (trihalomethanes) and pesticides. If there are contaminants, install an appropriate water filter and use a stainless steel water bottle to keep yourself hydrated on the go.

6. Test old paint for lead while planning your pregnancy.

Lead is stored in the bones and can be passed to a developing baby through the placenta. The EPA maintains a list of certified labs where you can send paint samples. Removal of lead paint must only be done by a professional and pregnant women should stay away from the area until it is thoroughly cleaned. See Detecting and Removing Lead Paint for more information and resources.

7. Get smart about plastics.

Some plastics cause dangerous pollution during manufacturing and some contain chemicals suspected of causing harm - especially to kids. Avoid those numbered 3, 6, or 7 (PC). These resin codes are typically on the bottom of an item in a triangle of arrows. When using any plastic, be safe by not using in the microwave or with hot food (the heat promotes leaching). Discard or stop using for food and beverages when the product begins to have signs of wear and tear.

8. Use fewer personal care products.

Many personal care products contain chemicals that disrupt hormones your baby will rely on for proper development. And others contain carcinogens and neurotoxicants, among other things. The best thing for you and baby is to reduce how much you use and to use Skin Deep to find the safest products.

9. Clean without toxic chemicals.

You don't need a chemical arsenal to keep your home clean. Basic ingredients like baking soda and vinegar can tackle most household chores. Or, you can look for natural products at the store (don't be fooled by marketing, though. Check the label for ingredients and use Seventh Generation's Label Reading Guide.)

10. Find out what chemicals are in your local air, water and soil.

Start in your backyard, by finding out what's in the soil. Sign up for air quality alerts at AirNow.gov.

Posted by: WebMD Blogs at 11:38 AM

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Friday, September 11, 2009

New Resources to Help You Understand Toxic Flame Retardants

by Christopher Gavigan

There is a major battle underway in the State of California to amend a decades old provision requiring manufacturers to add flame retardants to children's products made using polyurethane foam (car seats, breastfeeding cushions, and much more). California is the only state in the country that requires this and it has led to the use of millions of pounds of halogenated flame retardants (which are the cheapest, but also pose a variety of health risks). Since manufacturers don't like making different products for different states, it means that children's products sold across the continent have flame retardants added to them - even if California is the only state to require it. This issue impacts all of us and many people think the practice is a completely unnecessary risk to children's health and development.

Two new fact sheets developed by the Consumer Federation of California help make the issue clear. Here are some highlights from what they've put together:

Toxic Flame Retardants Endanger Public Health
Halogenated fire retardants - the least expensive and most likely chemicals used to meet this regulation - have been linked to endocrine disruption, neurological and developmental impairments, cancer, birth defects, learning disabilities such as attention deficit disorder and hyperactivity, and a host of other health disorders.

When certain fire retardant chemicals burn, they form highly toxic dioxins and furans. In November 2006, the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine published an analysis of 32 studies that found that fire fighters have significantly elevated rates of four types of cancer: multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, prostate, and testicular cancer, likely resulting from chemical exposures. For that reason, many firefighter groups across the nation have been active in support of efforts to reduce or eliminate the use of certain toxic fire retardants in consumer products.

Low-income residents and communities of color are the most likely to be exposed to these chemicals and fall victim to these diseases as they purchase products laden with the toxins at the big box stores. Other communities can opt out by purchasing more expensive imported or toxic-free product lines of baby products. Furthermore older or second-hand products are more likely to have crumbly foam that will escape and cause the greatest health hazard.

As a result of these public health dangers, both the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the International Association of Firefighters have also opposed their use in favor of other, less toxic, but fire-safe, alternatives.

Toxic Flame Retardants and Fire Safety Alternatives
Children's products such as strollers and changing pads do not pose a fire hazard. According the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), there is no evidence that these toxic chemicals actually reduce fire deaths in California; they just slow them for an estimated six to twelve seconds.

Fire deaths declined by 38% in California from 1980 to 1999; but the decline was similar or even greater in other states that don't have standards leading to the use of these toxic chemicals. Considering that most victims of fires die from smoke inhalation and not the actual flames, alternative fire-fighting measures like smoke detectors and sprinkler systems have proven more effective.

In fact, the Juvenile Products Manufacturing Association has NEVER been sued by anyone, anywhere, because their "flame retardant free" products were associated with a fire hazard.

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The opinions expressed in the WebMD Blogs are of the author and the author alone. They do not reflect the opinions of WebMD and they have not been reviewed by a WebMD physician or any member of the WebMD editorial staff for accuracy, balance or objectivity. WebMD Blogs are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your physician or other qualified health provider because of something you have read on WebMD. WebMD does not endorse any specific product, service or treatment. If you think you have a medical emergency, call your doctor or dial 911 immediately.

Labels: baby, chemicals, children's health, environment, green, health and wellness

Posted by: Christopher Gavigan at 12:59 PM

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Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Healthy Child 3.0: Calling all Tweeps, Friends, and Fans!

Healthy Child Healthy World

Healthy Child is building up our presence on social networks because we want to be more connected with you. The closer we can get to your thoughts and suggestions, and the easier we can answer your questions, offer support, and give advice, the better we are serving you and your families.

So we've been branching out and trying to make our work as accessible and user-friendly as possible. There are now so many ways to interact with us online! Here's how you can further discover, learn and share all that Healthy Child has to offer:

Facebook
With just over 2,100 fans, our Facebook page is a hub of discussion and dialogue from our passionate followers on all topics related to environmental health. We love hearing your opinions on our articles and answering your personal questions directly, so please keep sharing your thoughts.

If you're not yet a fan, check out our page and see for yourself. All of our fantastic resources are there - informative blogs, recent podcasts, cool videos - and can be quickly and easily shared with your own networks of friends, coworkers, and family. We also share a lot of fun images from our national events, including the Healthy Home Party Kits, with our fans. Be sure to tag yourself if you see a familiar face!

Twitter
We're twittering! Our Twitter stream is a great source for updates from the staff and the latest on news and events. We're currently growing our feed and there's a lot of great stuff coming down the pipeline. In late September we'll be launching themed Twitter parties in conjunction with some exciting initiatives and will be inviting some of our guest experts to participate. And we'll also start offering cool products giveaways and special offers for our followers. You don't want to miss out on all that's coming through Twitter - so follow us! And check out Senior Editor Janelle's hopping feed, too!

RSS Our Blog
You'll never miss a moment when our blogs arrive right in your inbox. Read them daily or catch up with a cup of tea once the kids are tucked in. Either way, you'll always be in the loop no matter how busy life gets.

Have Your Own Blog? Get Our WIDGET!
If you're a mom by day, scribe by night, think about adding a little of Healthy Child to your blog or website! We've designed a great, versatile Widget, compatible for many formats that will update you and your readers with the latest health news and ideas. Have a look and add it to your blog today.

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Labels: blogs, environment, Facebook, green, social networking, Twitter, widget

Posted by: WebMD Blogs at 8:05 AM

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Wednesday, September 2, 2009

7 Fall Time Tips for a Fabulous Organic Lawn

kate mccarthy
CC BY-ND 2.0

My son loves rolling around in the grass naked. I'm guilty since I actually encourage it - the pure excitement he gets, and the calming satisfaction I get knowing the lawn is totally non-toxic and safe makes it pure delight for both of us. I'm sure some day he'll be embarrassed that I made that fact a part of the public record, but it's just so cute. It's glorious watching him enjoy such a simple and pure form of playing. Rolling about and letting the lush green blades of grass tickle him all over.

To keep our small lawn green, lush, and safe for him (and pets) - we take care of our yard organically, without relying on toxic pesticides or synthetic chemical fertilizers. Here are 7 tips for a fabulous non-toxic and organic lawn this Fall season (of course, different regions and different grasses will have slightly different needs - contact your local Extension Services to find out your lawn's special needs). Because grass goes dormant during the winter, any preparation for a healthy spring must be made in the fall. These tips will encourage strong, healthy roots for a lush lawn next spring.

Keep your grass 2 to 2 ½ inches tall throughout Fall. If your grass grows more than 3 inches long it can mat, leading to winter lawn disease problems. Cut it shorter than 2 inches and you'll severely compromise its ability to make and store food for growth during the winter months. Make sure you keep your mower blades sharpened. Dull blades shred the ends of grass blades leaving them open to dehydration and disease.

Rake your leaves. Excessive leaf cover can kill the grass underneath. You should also keep grass clippings and leaves off driveways, sidewalks and streets. During heavy rainfall they can end up clogging storm water drains which can lead to flooding.

Recycle leaves. The best way to recycle leaves is to compost them, because they decompose into a rich, organic fertilizer. Learn about composting leaves. You can also use fallen leaves as mulch around landscape plants. Either use them whole or shred them by mowing over them and then rake them into a pile. If you don't have excessive amounts, you can leave them shredded on your lawn to slowly release nutrients for the grass. One final option is to bag leaves for disposal by municipal authorities.

Water wisely. Water only as needed to support fall growth until the grass begins to go dormant. Just as in summer, water deeply and infrequently to force grassroots to go deeply into the soil which makes your grass stronger. For Fall watering, this is best done in the morning since Fall nights are cooler and longer. If the soil doesn't get a chance to dry out, it can lead to fungus growth on the soil.

Fertilize. Apply a dose of organic fertilizer to nourish your lawn throughout the winter. What type of fertilizer you use and when exactly you apply it will depend on where you live and what type of grass you have. Contact your local Extension Services to find out your specific needs. Organic fertilizers are much more readily available at your local garden and home store.

Control weeds. Fall is a good time to control perennial broad leaf weeds such as dandelions, plantain, clover, and creeping charlie. Instead of reaching for a toxic herbicide, get to the root of the problem and find out what's promoting weed growth. Different weeds are indicators of different problems, like soil compaction or excess nitrogen. Beyond Pesticides has a handy fact sheet for you to refer to and their site is filled with information for controlling weeds naturally.

Seed or sod your lawn. Fall is generally the best time of year to establish or repair lawns by over seeding or planting sod. (Again, your local Extension Office can tell you what time is optimal for your region). Rake the area before you seed to remove debris and dead grass, as well as scarify and loosen the surface of the soil. This gives the seeds little divots for shelter and growth. Keep some extra seed on hand for areas that don't take the first time around. Most lawns have problem areas that need a little extra time and patience. If the grass simply doesn't grow well in a certain area, consider other perennial plants to cover the space.

Show off your Green Thumb! Do you have extra tips for fall time lawn care? Add them in the comments below!

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Labels: environment, green, lawn, yard

Posted by: Christopher Gavigan at 6:45 AM

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Monday, August 31, 2009

6 Steps to Reduce Exposure to Synthetic Hormones in Food

by Janelle Sorensen

Hormones are responsible for much more than just acne in teenagers and mood swings in pregnant women. They are the messengers for much of your body's functioning, including growth and development, immune response, regulation of metabolism, and reproduction among other things.

The body creates its own hormones to take care of these vital duties, but many synthetic chemicals also mimic hormones. Some are intentionally developed to do so, like birth control pills or recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH) and others accidentally disrupt hormones, like bisphenol-A and phthalates.

And, whether natural or synthetic, hormones are powerful. It only takes a miniscule amount to cause big changes. That's why understanding hormones is extremely important.

The Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) just released its latest "Smart Guide" covering the issue of hormones in the food system. And, there are a lot more than you were probably aware of. They include:

hormone growth promoters given to food animals
hormone-active pesticides sprayed on food crops
hormone plastic additives in baby bottles, infant formula cans or other food packaging
hormone disruptors that build up in the food chain (like brominated flame retardants)

Plenty of uncertainties still remain about the impacts associated with these substances, but preliminary studies paint a disturbing picture.

According to the Guide:

"[E]ver-strengthening science links exposure to many individual hormone disruptors-pesticides, Teflon chemicals, plasticizers and food contaminants with these common or rising chronic conditions, including:
Breast and prostate cancer
Thyroid disease
Obesity and diabetes
Endometriosis, uterine fibroids and infertility
Immune-related disease, such as asthma or allergies
Increasingly, exposure in the womb to these same chemicals is implicated in serious problems found in newborns such as birth defects and low birth weight, as well as reduced odds of having a boy child.

A recent study links a mother's high beef consumption while pregnant (steroid growth promoter use is widespread in beef production) with lower sperm counts in her son."

While waiting for conclusive research, IATP advises consumers to take precautions and reduce exposure by following these steps:

Eat low-fat meats and dairy products.

Eat "certified" organic when possible.

Avoid pesticide hormones. Peel your fruits and vegetables, especially if they have been waxed, or wash them with a vegetable wash or diluted vinegar to remove surface pesticide residues.

Use hormone-free cans and bottles.

Demand that your elected officials support stronger efforts to keep synthetic hormones out of our food supply.

Read the "Smart Plastics Guide," the "Smart Guide on Sludge Use in Food Production," and IATP's other Smart Guides at healthobservatory.org.

Learn more about why these steps are important and exactly how to take them by reading the full Smart Guide to Hormones in the Food System.

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Labels: environment, food, green, health and wellness, healthy diet

Posted by: Janelle Sorensen at 12:00 PM

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Friday, August 28, 2009

What's Your Favorite Eco-Friendly Toy?

Tiffany Washko / CC BY 2.0

I think every parent has a favorite eco-friendly toy. The kind of toy that makes you feel so good watching your child play with it that you're desperate not to get rid of it the moment they grow out of it. The charming giraffe, the wood blocks from Grandpa, the cotton baby doll that either ends up as a decoration on a shelf or gifted to a close friend or relative. Well, now you can nominate it for the Second Annual Best Green Toys Contest sponsored by Eco-Child's Play and The Goddard Schools for Early Childhood Development.

Toys must meet the following criteria:

the toy is eco friendly
the toy is affordable (under $25)
the toy encourages creative, social, and engaging play activities
the toy is interactive and lends itself to child-initiated play
the toy is appropriate for preschool to early elementary school-aged children

According to the Eco-Child's Play announcement the top green toys will be awarded the Eco Friendly Toy seal and listed in the Top Ten Eco Friendly Toys of 2009. In addition, preschoolers at participating Goddard Schools will get to play with the Top Ten and then name the "Local Preschoolers Picks" for the top kid's choices.

The contest is open to environmentally safe toy submissions until October 1, 2009, and the winners announced at the end of October. To enter, download the Eco Friendly Toy Test entry form and read the guidelines.

Now they need your help!

What's your favorite eco-friendly toy under $25? Please leave your nominations at EcoChild's Play. Personally, I nominate Green Toys, Inc and their "Indoor Gardening Kit". This earth, social, and health conscious company actually makes all toys in California from recycled milk jugs. No batteries here. The toys are packaged in recycled corrugated boxes with no plastic, tie downs, or cellophane. Of course they meet all safety requirements, as well has having NO traces of phthalates, lead, or BPA. Good for the earth, and great fun for you kids.

If you're on Twitter, please complete and Tweet this using the hashtag #bestgreentoys @EcoChildsPlay: I nominate ______ for the #bestgreentoys contest.

If you know a green toy company, reach out to them to enter the contest by sending them a link to this post.

There is a Flickr stream set up (bestgreentoys) for you to upload a picture of your child with their favorite green toy (tagged with #bestgreentoys) to suggest that the company should enter the contest. And we have a Best Green Toys Facebook Page (please become a fan and upload pictures and leave comments).

I can't wait to see all the nominations. Regardless who wins, I'm sure it'll be an awesome list of wonderful, safe, eco-friendly toys.

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Labels: children's health, contest, environment, green, health and wellness, toys

Posted by: Christopher Gavigan at 6:30 AM

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Thursday, August 27, 2009

7 Frugal Food Tips for the Farmers Market

by Janelle Sorensen

Feeding a family can be an expensive endeavor - especially if you're trying to avoid things like pesticides, genetically modified ingredients, synthetic hormones, or any of the other questionable contaminants or practices related to modern industrial farming. Good, pure food isn't cheap. Or is it?

Photo: Tiffany Washko / CC BY 2.0

It can be if you know where to look for it. Your local farmers market can be a treasure trove of affordable, organic fare. Even if it's not certified organic, many of the farmers who sell food at the farmers market often have relatively small scale operations and are more likely to use environmentally beneficial practices including using less synthetic inputs like toxic pesticides and sewage sludge fertilizers. Often the foods are cheaper than the grocery store because by buying directly from a farmer, you are avoiding the extra costs that are involved in commercial food production (processing, inspection, packing, shipping, etc.).

Here are 7 tips to get the most bang for your buck at the farmers market:

Shop around. Find your nearest farmers market, other nearby markets, and even farm stands. (Visit Local Harvest to get started). You'll only know where the deals are if you comparison shop. Check out each location and each vendor.

Make friends. Talk to the farmers (often the same people that grow the food, sell the food). Ask questions about the farm, the food, their business. Small farmers are usually very passionate about their work and will talk your ear off if you get them started. Befriend farmers to build a lasting relationship - then reap the rewards of the secret deals only loyal customers receive. Go the extra mile by bringing your favorite farmer a loaf of zucchini bread you made from his produce. And, remember, flattery will get you everywhere. If their berries make you go bananas, tell them! Everyone loves a compliment.

Be flexible. Skip the shopping list and look for what's cheap. Often, odd specialty foods (like heirloom, ethnic or rare vegetables) are at cut-rate prices due to their less than significant popularity. If you're flexible, you can save money as well as expand your palate - perhaps finding new favorites you never knew existed. If you're unsure about what something might taste like or how to prepare it, just ask! Oftentimes a farmer will have cooking secrets to share or even printed recipes for you to take home.

Barter. Money isn't everything. After you've established a relationship with a farmer, offer your time in exchange for food. If you have a certain skill - like accounting, web design, mechanics, carpentry, etc - your time may be a valuable asset to a farmer. Likewise, you can offer to be an extra farm hand - weeding, cleaning barns, whatever the two of you find mutually beneficial.

Bulk up. At the farmers market most produce is available based on seasonality. That's not to say you can't find certain foods out of season, but just like at the grocery store - you're going to pay a premium. So, bulk up on foods when it's the natural harvest time and there's a healthy surplus (which drives prices down). You might be able to get it even cheaper by offering to buy cases or crates of food. Save your seasonal food by canning, drying, or freezing. Or, share the savings and split bulk purchases with friends or family.

Volunteer. Find out if there's a community organization that coordinates your market. If so, they almost certainly need volunteers. Becoming a volunteer will help you get to know the farmers better and likely earn you discounts and free products for your benevolent service.

Go late. If you want the best selection, go early. If you want the best bargains, go late. Vendors would rather sell off their stock than haul it back to the farm (especially if it's something with a short shelf life like lettuce or herbs). Haggle a bit to get the price down (but don't be annoying or make disrespectful offers). Again, try to build a real relationship and offer to buy up the days-end goods on a regular basis. Then you'll be saving money by buying in bulk with the added savings of getting the rock bottom price.

Posted by: Janelle Sorensen at 6:00 AM

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Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Diaper Bag Eco-Makeover

by Janelle Sorensen

When you're the parent to a baby, your diaper bag is your lifeline. Without it, chaos ensues. Try this diaper bag eco-makeover to save your sanity, help your baby stay happy and healthy, and protect the Earth.

First off, start with a good bag. If you buy new, look for Earth-friendly textiles like organic cotton, hemp, bamboo, or recycled plastic. Check out Pristine Planet or Fleurville for some preferable options. If you're looking to re-use (the Earth-friendliest and most affordable option), avoid PVC which can leach phthalates and lead.

What should you fill it with?

Diaper Bag Must Haves	Look For
Diapers	Chlorine-free, flushable or cloth
Baby wipes	Chlorine-free, unscented, refillable tubs, homemade
Baby lotion	Botanical-based, certified organic
Diaper cream	Botanical-based, certified organic, zinc oxide for rashes
Bottle	BPA-free plastic or glass
Teething biscuits	Whole grains, organic
Snacks	Reusable containers; organic, whole foods
Baby food	Jarred, frozen, or homemade; organic whole foods
Toys & teethers	Natural materials like solid woods or organic textiles
Pacifier	Natural rubber or clear silicone
Burp rag	Organic cotton, reusable plastic bag or container for sanitary storage
Bib	Organic cotton or bamboo textiles
Blanket	Organic cotton, wool, or bamboo
Sunblock	Non-petroleum based, SPF 30 (or higher)
For Mom or Dad:
Water	Reusable, stainless steel bottle
Hand sanitizer	Botanical based options like tea tree oil or Cleanwell

Quick tips:

Avoid care products with parabens, phthalates, DMDM hydantoin, fragrance, triclosan, sodium laureth/lauryl sulfate, toluene, formaldehyde, PEGs, anything with "glycol" or "methyl."
Opt for products that are reusable or recyclable.
Choose natural materials.
Look for products with the least packaging.

This is a dream list just to get you thinking about things, so don't feel bad if you can't do everything. You should only be losing sleep because your baby keeps you up, not because you bought the wrong lotion.

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Labels: baby, environment, green, health and wellness

Posted by: Janelle Sorensen at 2:06 PM

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Monday, August 17, 2009

Bulk Up and Save $500 a Year

by Janelle Sorensen

Buying food in bulk not only saves money, it's also healthier since these foods are typically whole foods (meaning they have not been processed). Buying in bulk also means less packaging, which means less pollution, which means a happier planet.

How to Do It
Take a tour of your local supermarket's bulk section and make a list of what they offer. Go home and hit the recipe books to find things your family would like to eat using these ingredients. Some will be items you already buy frequently like sugar and flour. Others may be new to your menu, like lentils or couscous. The key to saving money with bulk food, is buying what you'll eat.

When you get home, make sure you put your food in airtight containers or in the freezer and clearly label them with their name and the date of purchase.

Good for Your Pocketbook
Buying in bulk can save a family up to $500 per year. It should also mean you won't have to spend so much time in the supermarket. Less time in the supermarket can mean even more savings as most of us frequently indulge in spontaneous purchases. If you're not there, you won't succumb to these little purchases that can quickly add up. Finally, shopping strategically means visiting the store less or, driving less - saving gas and even more money.

Good for You
Heavily processed foods, like many of the packaged convenience foods you find in the center shelves of the grocery store, are stripped of much of their nutritional value and have a lot of synthetic additives and preservatives in them (not to mention all the extra sugars and salt). Buying whole foods and making meals from scratch is much healthier for you and your family. It may sound difficult at first, but you'll soon find that there are many easy recipes out there that are quick, delicious, and nutritious. Healthy Child's Eat Healthy program has a wide variety of family friendly recipes to try.

Good for the Planet
Buying in bulk uses less packaging (look out for warehouse store options that are simply cases of individually wrapped smaller servings). According to ShiftYourHabit.com, if everyone bought in bulk, we'd save enough packaging waste to eliminate 1.1 million fewer garbage trailer trips to the landfill per year.

Take it even further by using durable containers instead of the disposable bags at the store. Safer plastics for food storage include those numbered 2, 4, and 5. Glass or stainless steel are even better. If you must use plastic bags, try to reuse them several times and then return them to the store for recycling.

Extra oomph: Don't stop at food. Buy shampoo, soap, toilet paper and anything else available in bulk or large sizes.

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Labels: environment, food, green

Posted by: Janelle Sorensen at 11:23 AM

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Friday, June 12, 2009

Healthy Body Care Tip #5: Antibacterials Are Not the Answer

by Christopher Gavigan

There is no doubt that personal hygiene is important to good health, but how much is enough? Sales of personal care products for children have jumped significantly in the past decade in part because marketers continue to redefine the "needs" of children in order to increase profits. One of the biggest new "necessities" is antibacterial products. Marketers have done a brilliant job at making parents feel like they need a scrupulously sanitized home and if you scrub enough with enough antibacterials and disinfectants you can rid the world of germs and bacteria and keep your family safe and healthy.

Guess what? Antibacterials are not all they're cracked up to be. Consider these facts, shared with Healthy Child by Jay Feldman of Beyond Pesticides:

The most common illnesses (colds, flu and gastrointestinal upsets) are caused by viruses. Antibacterials have little or no effect on viruses.
Antibacterial products target good bacteria as well as bad, but our bodies need those good bacteria. They help us digest our food, for example, and keep harmful microorganisms from entering our bodies through our main orifices like our mouths and nose.

The bad bacteria we encounter typically have no impact on a healthy immune system. In fact, only 1 percent to 2 percent of microbes are likely to make us sick.

Bacteria are so prevalent and reproduce so fast that it's impossible to eliminate them anyway. In addition, a large number of recent studies have found substantial evidence that certain antibacterial products actually promote the emergence of bacteria resistant to antibiotic medications and antibacterial cleansers

Research shows that plain soap and water is just as effective for hand washing as products containing triclosan. The Nonprescription Drugs Advisory Committee, which advises the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), voted 11-1 that antibacterial soaps and washes were no more effective than regular soap and water in fighting infections-both work equally as well.

The overuse of triclosan (and other antibacterials) could potentially be increasing the incidence of allergies. The "hygiene hypothesis" theorizes that there is a correlation between too much hygiene and increased allergies and asthma. Studies have found an increase in the frequency of allergies, asthma and eczema in persons who have been raised in more sterile and hygienic environments. Through over-cleaning ourselves, The theory states, the body's immune system is not challenged, and thus it is prevented from developing and maturing.

Even the American Medical Association concludes, "Despite their recent proliferation in consumer products, the use of antimicrobial agents such as triclosan in consumer products has not been studied extensively. No data exist to support their efficacy when used in such products or any need for them...it may be prudent to avoid the use of antimicrobial agents in consumer products."

Visit Healthy Child Healthy World to learn safer ways to keep germs at bay.

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Labels: antibacterial soap, chemicals, children's health, clean, cleaning, environment, green, health and wellness

Posted by: Christopher Gavigan at 6:00 AM

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Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Healthy Body Care Tip #3: Know What You Need to Get What You Want

by Christopher Gavigan

America is the land of impulse shopping and if you don't know what you want, you'll end up buying a lot of things you don't need. In the case of personal care products, if you don't know what you need, you can end up buying products with a laundry list of chemicals that you don't want.

The variety of personal care products and cosmetics available is quite stunning and Americans buy 11 billion every year. While it would be nice if you could trust marketer's claims and make purchases based on which products you liked the smell of or that had the most attractive container, it's not that easy. If you want the safest products, you have to know what you need and want.

Luckily, the internet provides a wealth of information right at your finger tips. Two places to begin your search for the safest products are GoodGuide.com and CosmeticsDatabase.com. These two sources detail the health and environmental performance of thousands of products. You can refer to these in order to create your own personal shopping list, so you know exactly what to look for at the store.

Still, the best products you find in these databases are not always the ones you'll find on your local store shelves. In that case, turn to the internet again and shop on-line. There are a growing number of mindful manufacturers offering pure personal care products that don't use chemicals, fillers, or preservatives. A few of Healthy Child Healthy World's favorites are: Perfect Organics, Weleda, California Baby, Earth Mama Angel Baby, Aubrey Organics, Dr. Bronner's, and Dr. Hauschka. And as for cosmetics for mom, my wife tells me Josie Maran Cosmetics and CARE Cosmetics are outstanding.

Be intentional. Buy intentional.

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Labels: chemicals, cosmetics, environment, green, health and wellness, personal care products

Posted by: Christopher Gavigan at 6:38 AM

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Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Healthy Body Care Tip #2: Learn Label Lingo

by Christopher Gavigan

"Natural," "Hypoallergenic," "Herbal," "Organic" - they all sound like exactly what any parent would want to apply to their child's delicate skin. But while these terms are tempting product descriptions, don't judge the book by its cover. Currently, there is only one clear-cut hallmark of safety and that is the USDA Certified Organic seal. This seal is the only one that has defined standards and is actually regulated.

Unfortunately, there aren't a lot of Certified Organic body care products available and they typically cost much more than most families can afford. You can still make safer choices, but you have to be a savvy consumer. Use these two label-decoding tips to help you find the safest products:

Read the actual ingredients list. Even though marketing claims are largely unregulated, manufacturers are required to list the actual ingredients of products in order of volume. Still, reading product ingredients is like reading another language.

Here are the top toxic ten to try to avoid: Parabens, Phthalates, DMDM Hydantoin, Fragrance, Triclosan, Sodium Laureth/Lauryl Sulfate, Formaldehyde, Toluene, Ceteareth and PEG compounds, Anything with "glycol" or "methyl."

It may be difficult to always avoid everything in this list, but do your best to cut back as much as possible.

Go fragrance-free. The one loop-hole in ingredients lists is "fragrance" (aka "parfum"). Fragrances of products are considered industry secrets and that single component can actually be made up of over a hundred other ingredients that do not need to be spelled out in the ingredients list. Play it safe by avoiding it. And, again, it does not matter if the label says "unscented." Read the ingredients to ensure that this suspect element is not present.

Worried you won't remember what to watch for? Go to Healthy Child Healthy World to print a pocket guide to keep with you when you're shopping.

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Labels: chemicals, cosmetics, environment, green, health and wellness, organic, personal care products, phthalates

Posted by: Christopher Gavigan at 6:38 AM

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Monday, June 8, 2009

The Golden Rule for Reducing Exposure to Chemicals from Personal Care Products

by Christopher Gavigan

I've considered myself green for many years, but becoming the CEO of Healthy Child Healthy World and then becoming a father has certainly increased the hue. Everyday is a learning experience, whether I'm researching issues that pertain directly to being a father or I'm watching the headlines for breaking news or the latest studies at work. One area of environmental health that never ceases to shock or exasperate me is personal care products.

Allow me to share some of the jaw dropping statistics about the products you rub into your scalp and skin and trust on your baby's body and even use to clean your mouth every day:

Even though the average person uses about ten products a day constituting hundreds of individual ingredients, safety testing of these products is voluntary and conducted by the product manufacturers.

Eighty-nine percent of the 10,500 ingredients used in personal care products have never been evaluated for safety by any publicly accountable institution.

The FDA has banned or restricted only nine personal care product ingredients. For comparison, the European Union has regulated over 1100.

For me, for my wife, for my son, this is entirely unacceptable. Luckily, we've found safer products we love and we know the tricks to reduce exposures in general. You can learn how to do exactly the same thing.

To kick things off, here is the Golden Rule to remember in order to reduce unnecessary exposures to chemicals in care products:

Use fewer products in smaller amounts.

Posted by: Christopher Gavigan at 6:37 AM

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Friday, June 5, 2009

The 5 Most Important Things We Can Do to Protect the Planet

by Christopher Gavigan

I recently spoke with Julia Wasson of Blue Planet Green Living and she asked me what I think are the five most important things we can do to save the planet.

Saving the planet - let's just say, protecting the planet. I'd like to frame this whole thing as protecting the planet instead of saving the earth. The planet doesn't need to be saved. The planet will be around a lot longer than we will.

Really, we need to save ourselves and save our existence and our civilization as we know it. I believe that it's a humankind challenge in how we accept and interact with each other. Certainly, love and respect and the ability to listen and be collaborative is part of that process. I think we could learn to love ourselves, our families, and each other a little bit more and judge less. I think if you embrace the fact that we're all trying our best and really take that critical nature out of it, we would be less entrenched in our own opinions and more willing to listen and be collaborative.

We certainly all could eat less meat and rely less on land animals as food sources. There's no question about it that the amount of resource intensity required by meat and dairy production and the amount of land source degradation happen because of eating animals. And so, I would embrace the fact that we could protect the planet more if we all ate less meat. I've been doing this as a vegetarian for almost 15 years now.

We should use less toxic products in our daily lives, from our cleaners to our beauty care products to the mattresses and furniture we build. We need to be aware of the chemicals that exist in each one of those and understand that you don't have to live a chemically laden life. Reducing the amount of chemicals is more beneficial for the planet, for our waterways, and for land, our children's future, and also our own health.

Another thing we should think about is the "buying cycle," and put some intentional thinking around this. Every day, I realize that less really is more. Truly, I need less to have a fulfilled and happy life. Just buying less would be very anti-capitalistic and anti-consumptive, but the planet would breathe a big "Ahhh" of relief. Being less consumptive is a powerful thing. You're requiring less, you're demanding less of the earth. And you're reducing your impact on the planet, something that I think about. Certainly, it's a challenge of mine. I always can do better at it, but it's an intention of mine, and I do a little better every day.

The last thing is being grateful. I don't think, as a culture, as a species, we're grateful enough. Grateful for the moments that we have. Grateful for the people that are in our lives. And grateful for the resources that we have and the ease of the life that we have. I try to be very intentional every day when I wake up in the morning. I try to think of those things that I'm most grateful for, and I try to think of something new every day. Being more grateful is a way to recognize the magnitude and the importance of where we are and our lives. And embracing the fact that we have a limited time here and we should make the most of it for our children, for the people who are around us, and for the planet.

Posted by: Christopher Gavigan at 7:01 AM

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Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Climate Change & Health

Our guest blogger is Mary Gant, Program Analyst, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

Mankind is totally dependent on the Earth's natural systems for the essentials of life-air, water, food, and shelter. Over the coming decades, global climate change will have a significant impact on our atmosphere and our marine and terrestrial ecosystems and their ability to provide these essential elements. For some, e.g., the millions of people who live less than a meter above sea level or who eke out a living in already arid environments, the impact may be catastrophic.

The health consequences of climate change include disease (both physical and mental), injury, and the misery of poverty and dislocation:

An increased frequency or severity of heat waves would cause an increase in cardiorespiratory diseases and mortality. The elderly and very young children would be most at risk.

Extreme weather events (hurricanes, torrential rains, tornados, etc.) would occur more often and with greater intensity resulting in disruptions in locally available food, clean water, and shelter, in serious injury and death, and in devastating economic loss.

Some regions of the world will become drier and plagued by serious drought forcing changes in agricultural, animal, and fisheries productivity and overall water usage. Drought may also increase the risk of meningitis in some regions.

Sea level rise above various thresholds in different parts of the world will result in adverse impacts on economy, infrastructure, and resources, especially fresh water, and may force migrations and crowding with an increase risk of disease, psychological disorders, and injury.

Increases in temperature and longer warm periods without frost will increase the ranges, numbers, and seasons for vectors that carry diseases, such as dengue, malaria, West Nile, Lyme, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and encephalitis. When temperatures rise, mosquitoes breed and mature more rapidly.

Increased air pollution, especially ozone, would increase asthma and other acute and chronic respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

Increases in pollens and spores would exacerbate allergic disorders, especially asthma.

The production and use of alternative fuels (methane, ethanol, biomass, etc.) calls for understanding the health effects of their emissions and exposures and other economic and environmental consequences.

New technologies to mitigate or adapt to climate change may entail exposures during their manufacture, use, and disposal to materials and compounds whose health effects are little understood.

The health consequences of the loss of biodiversity could be enormous. The alteration of the Earth's ecosystems and declines in species diversity could result in an irreversible loss in human well-being.

All of the impacts of climate change demand the attention of federal, state, and local officials and the public to provide the research to understand more fully these impacts and to develop the strategies to cope with them.

Learn how you can start preventing climate change today by taking simple steps in your home.

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Labels: climate change, environment, global warming, green, health and wellness, pollution

Posted by: WebMD Blogs at 12:17 PM

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Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Watch and Learn and Laugh: Our Video Contest Winners

by Janelle Sorensen

Can you believe we live in a day and age where anyone can make their own reality TV show? When we started our "Healthy Begins Here Video Contest", I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to record a video of my daughters, edit it, and then publish it on YouTube for the whole world to see. I was even more amazed by the videos other parents submitted. Seriously, the videos were clever, the kids were adorable, and they shared some really easy, great tips.

After tallying all the scores, here are our Grand Prize and First Place Winners. Congratulations!

Grand Prize Winner: Healthy Home Tips

First Prize: Cloth Diapering

Want more? Visit our YouTube channel to see all of the submissions. And if it sparks an inspiration, feel free to submit one of your own. The contest may be over, but we want more! These videos help us teach parents to create healthy environments for children. And, the more people who start taking simple steps and making smarter choices, the closer we get to a healthy world for all children.

So, next time you're scrubbing your tub with baking soda or getting some local produce at the farmer's market, whip out the video camera and record it. Be a part of Healthy Child reality TV!

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Labels: contest, environment, green

Posted by: Janelle Sorensen at 3:04 PM

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Friday, May 22, 2009

Healthy Spoonfuls: 3 Ways to Feed Your Baby the Best

First Lady Michelle Obama and White House Chef Sam Kass
show students from the Bancroft Elementary how to plant a garden.

Photo: LilySusie

A baby's first bites of solid foods are thoroughly entertaining to watch. New flavors and textures provoke faces that are both adorable and incredibly funny. What's not so funny is that in some instances, there are invisible contaminants, fillers, and unhealthy ingredients hiding in those tiny spoonfuls of food. And if your baby is eating non-organic food, he's also eating pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, and synthetic preservatives and additives.

While traces of contaminants are tiny, they build up quickly in a child's diet as children eat more food pound for pound than adults. In fact, children one through five years of age eat three to four (or more) times as much food per pound of body weight as an average American adult. In addition, their developing bodies are more vulnerable and less able to detoxify.

Because there is a growing body of evidence showing these toxins can impair child health and development, common sense compels us to minimize exposure whenever possible. Especially during pregnancy and infancy when their bodies are most vulnerable, we need to take precautionary action - a "better safe than sorry" approach and choose an organic diet for our little ones. Not only does an organic diet reduce exposure to contaminants and synthetic additives, some studies also show that organic foods are healthier and have more antioxidants and added nutrition.

There are a variety of options and many opportunities to take toxins off the menu. Here are some easy ideas for feeding your baby an organic, safe and healthy diet:

1. Store bought. With the growing interest in organic foods, there is also an increase in availability of pre-made organic baby foods. Some are on the shelf right next to their conventional counterparts and other can be found in the refrigerated or frozen food sections. Look for names like Plum Organics, Happy Baby, Homemade Baby, Tasty Baby, or Sprout Baby Food.

2. Delivered. Referred to as "baby food catering", home delivery services are the pinnacle of convenience. Service providers include Bohemian Baby and Pomme Bebe.

3. Homemade. Not nearly as intimidating as it sounds, homemade baby food is the freshest and most inexpensive option (with the added benefit of having the least impact on the environment). My wife makes all of our son's food and has been super charged with how easy and enjoyable it's been. She uses fruits and veggies with a variety of colors and tastes then adds in probiotics and flax seed oil for additional nutritional benefit.

To make your own, pick one time a week to cook and puree selected foods and then freeze in an ice cube tray for handy serving sizes. WholesomeBabyFood.com offers age appropriate recipes, as well as tips for cooking and storing food. You can also get a handy, portable food grinder and freezer storage trays at Fresh Baby. Find local, organic food in your neighborhood using the Eat Well Guide, which lists not only grocery stores, but also co-ops, farmer's markets, and CSAs (where you buy a share of food from a local farm).

Photo: LilySusie

Organic on a Budget: For many parents, buying all organic all the time is a financial impossibility, so keep this in mind: certain foods have higher levels of chemical residues including meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy, as well as apples, bell peppers, celery, cherries, imported grapes, nectarines, peaches, pears, potatoes, red raspberries, spinach, and strawberries - so focus on getting the organic versions of these items. Some foods typically have very low levels of residues and are okay to purchase conventionally grown, including avocados, frozen sweet corn, pineapples, mangoes, frozen sweet peas, asparagus, kiwis, bananas, cabbage, broccoli, and eggplant.

You can also invest selectively. We have committed to trying to feed our son 100% organic for at least his first year (yes, I said "trying," no one's perfect). When they get older, choose the foods they eat the most of. If they eat a ton of apples, make sure you're buying them organic even if you can't buy everything organic. Overall, just do the best you can and concentrate on consistently providing a healthy, fresh, well-balanced diet for baby and family. Bon Appetit!

Sources:

Consumer Reports. Better for Baby? Our analysis finds organic food is safer for children. January 2006.
Landrigan, P. et al. Children's Health and the Environment: A New Agenda for Prevention Research. Environmental Health Perspectives. June 1998, 106, 3, 787-794.
Virginia Worthington. Nutritional Quality of Organic Versus Conventional Fruits, Vegetables, and Grains. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. April 1, 2001, 7(2): 161-173.
Lombardi-Boccia, G. et al. Nutrients and Antioxidant Molecules in Yellow Plums from Conventional and Organic Productions: A Comparative Study. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 2004, 52, 90-94.
Asami, D. et al. Comparison of the Total Phenolic and Ascorbic Acid Content of Freeze-Dried and Air-Dried Marionberry, Strawberry, and Corn Grown Using Conventional, Organic, and Sustainable Agricultural Practices. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 2003, 51, 1237-1241.

Posted by: Christopher Gavigan at 8:31 AM

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Tuesday, May 12, 2009

The ABC's of a Healthy and Green Baby Shower

by Christopher Gavigan

Especially during pregnancy, it's usually best to keep it simple, healthy, and pure. Here's our simple approach - with help from the ABC's - to plan a baby shower that celebrates the life and health of the baby, as well as the Earth she'll be living on.

Ask everyone to forgo fragrance. Avoid exposure to phthalates by making it clear in your invitations that this event is scent-free.

Buy eco-friendly decorations. Use potted plants, artfully arranged twigs, rocks and shells or even crystal bowls filled with seasonal fruit (a la Martha Stewart) for lovely, natural decorations.
Clean up using eco-friendly supplies. Look for natural products or use kitchen ingredients like baking soda and vinegar.

Dish up food on compostable or reusable dishware. Use your good china to really make the day feel special (and reduce an enormous amount of waste). Or go second best by using eco-friendly disposables. Check out the Biodegradable Store, EarthShell, or Royal Chinet.

E-vite your guests. Using email invitations (like evite.com) is a great way to quickly get the word out and track RSVPs. It's also better for the environment (no paper, no waste, no fuel emissions from sending invites, etc).

Find the most natural setting. If you can have it outside, great! If not, at least choose a venue that will respect your green ideas.

Get your green game on. Choose waste-free games and provide green prizes like natural personal care products or soy candles.

Have a good time. This goes without saying, but really - after all this planning - just enjoy yourself during the party.

Inform your guests that this is a green shower. Make sure your requests are clear, so none of your guests feel awkward from missing the memo.

Judge not. Make sure that no matter what shade of green a guest is, she feels welcome and appreciated.

Know your guests. Some may take a little more cajoling to make the green jump.

Look for local. Whether it's food or flowers, try to find all of the products you need from local vendors.

Make it a learning experience. You've taken all this time to make it green, share your newfound knowledge with your guests.

Need help? Ask! Hosting a green baby shower can take a lot of preparation. Have a team to help.

Opt for organic. Look for foods and beverages with the USDA Certified Organic seal.

Plan far in advance. Coordinating any type of party takes time. When you're trying to make it as healthy and green as possible, you should start even earlier.

Quench your thirst with pure beverages. Keep mom and all her adoring guests healthily hydrated with filtered water (not bottled). Have a pitcher and plenty of glassware available.

Register for green gifts. Make it easy for your guests to find the perfect green gift by having the mom-to-be register at on-line stores such as Maple Grace, Our Green House, or Better for Babies.

Strive for zero-waste. Use dishware instead of disposables. Look for products and packaging that are recyclable or compostable.

Try not to get neurotic. Do what you can and let go of what you can't.

Unwrap. Encourage guests to rethink wrapping. Use a baby blanket, a pretty silk scarf, or a recycled paper gift bag.

Ventilate. Keep fresh air flowing by opening a window (even just a crack, for a few minutes if it's winter.)

Write eco-friendly thank yous. Use e-cards to send your thank yous. Some services will even allow you to embed a video. (Your guests would love to see your new baby!)

eXamine gifts. I know you're never supposed to look a gift horse in the mouth, but after your guests leave, decide which gifts are keepers. Just because your Aunt Mary gave you a bottle of expensive baby lotion (with risky chemical ingredients) doesn't mean you should slather your new baby in it for sentiment's sake.

Yank some plugs. (Hey, there aren't many verbs that start with "y".) Save some energy by unplugging unnecessary electronics and appliances.

Zip your memories. Have everyone email you their images and video and then zip them into a file to send to everyone else. You'll save the memories of the day and save paper and chemicals by allowing everyone to only print what they love.

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Labels: baby, chemicals, children's health, environment, green, organic

Posted by: Christopher Gavigan at 6:00 AM

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Monday, May 11, 2009

A Baby-Making Story (Rated E for Everyone)

by Healthy Child Healthy World

Photo Credit: Guido

Peruse pregnancy books from the past and you'll find a wide array of ridiculous advice like avoiding automobile travel and sewing machines and even sporting events (the excitement was not suitable according to a 1950 publication called The Canadian Mother and Child). Just as our understanding of the physical capacities of a pregnant woman has changed drastically over the past century, so too has our understanding of the biological development of the baby.

Photo Credit: Guido

For example, the placenta used to be considered a powerhouse of protection against fetal damage, screening out anything bad in the mother's bloodstream and even independently generating necessary nutrients if mom fell short. Now we know the placenta is not an impermeable barrier and that the developing fetus is extremely vulnerable. We know we have a heightened responsibility during pregnancy to protect the miracle happening within the womb. Dr. Theo Colburn, President of The Endocrine Disruption Exchange and Professor Emeritus at the University of Florida, Gainesville, writes in Healthy Child Healthy World about the magic and fragility of those nine months of development.

The making of a baby is like a fairy tale in some ways. Fairy tales are about giants and broken eggs and interesting animals, and things that no one will ever see. The story of the construction of a baby is about infinitesimally small things, so small that it is hard to believe, which makes it like a fairy tale. Instead of an egg breaking in the baby-making story, an egg, a single cell, begins to split over and over again until it forms a hollow ball of cells, at which time the cells begin to move about to form buds that become hands, feet, fingers, toes, arms, legs, and eventually organs and bones and muscle, and even a heart and a brain, which are all very real. That part of the story can be seen with microscopes and has been described with pictures in hundreds of textbooks in many languages.

When one asks, "What caused that single cell to split and keep splitting until it morphed into a baby?" the baby-making story begins to read like a real fairy tale. It is hard to believe that in the invisible universe where the egg is developing, there are hormones operating in the part-per-trillion range. And that each hormone is programmed to exert its influence on the construction of the baby only during rigid windows of time. No other period in the baby's life is as fragile as during those early days when its organs and brains are being constructed and programmed. And just as there are fairy-tale villains, there are many modern chemicals that can enter the womb environment and disturb its sacred hormonal balance.

As the body of research linking chemicals in everyday products to developmental disruption increases, it becomes clearer and clearer that a healthy pregnancy starts with a healthy environment. Start (or continue) making yours cleaner, greener and safer by picking up a copy of our book and visiting the Health eHome.

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Labels: baby, chemicals, children's health, environment, pregnancy

Posted by: WebMD Blogs at 10:21 AM

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Thursday, May 7, 2009

Share Your Green Tips to Win Great Prizes

Final Announcement!

by Healthy Child Healthy World

We laughed, we learned, we were amazed. I refer of course to the fantastic videos that have been submitted to our Healthy Begins Here Video Contest, sponsored by Seventh Generation.

If you haven't had time yet to check out the entries found on Healthy Child's YouTube channel, you'll soon be as excited as we are. As we anticipated, the videos are full of humor, authenticity, and inspiration. Well done to all!

And what we're hearing from our friends and supporters is that you all need more time to join in the fun and get those creative juices flowing. The response has been great thus far, why curb the enthusiasm? Therefore we are going to extend the contest deadline until May 12 - and announce winners May 15, 2009!

So this gives you more time to capture your Earth Month commitments, document changes you are making around the house. And, if you submit a video of yourself doing what you do, you can win fabulous prizes - generously donated by Seventh Generation (The GRAND PRIZE winner will receive an Apple 8G iPod Touch pre-loaded with Seventh Generations Label Reading Guide application in addition to a years supply of Seventh Generation home care and cleaning products and a copy of the Healthy Child Healthy World book and DVD. FIRST PRIZE will receive a Flip Ultra digital video camera, a Seventh Generation Living Home Starter Kit and a copy of the Healthy Child Healthy World book and DVD. The eight runners-up will receive a Seventh Generation Living Home Cleaning Kit.)

There is only one rule (well, actually, there's a list of rules and you can find them at our website) but there is only one Golden Rule and that is you must have fun! If you're having fun doing it, people are going to have fun watching you, and hopefully then they'll try it too. And that's the whole point. We want you to inspire others to do whatever they can to protect their home, their health, and the planet.

So, here's how you can get started:

Step #1 - Read the Official Rules and use our Tips, Tricks, and Tools to make your video in a snap.

Step #2 - Still stumped? Check out other submissions. While there are kids in many of our videos, there DO NOT have to be children in the videos you submit!

Step #3 - Have fun making a 2-3 minute video about healthy solutions! No video camera? No problem. Turn photos into video using a free service like SlideRoll.

Step #4 - Submit your video.

Step #5 - Wait until May 15th when we announce the 10 winners!

Good Luck! We can't wait to see your videos!

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Labels: contest, environment, green

Posted by: WebMD Blogs at 10:00 AM

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Friday, May 1, 2009

Mother's Day the Green and Healthy Way

Make a Mama Proud

by Janelle Sorensen

I openly admit that I have repeatedly taken the easy way out on Mother's Day and just bought flowers and a card. I will also admit that I would be disappointed, to say the least, if my husband or my children (when they are grown) did the same thing for me. Flowers and cards are a nice gesture, but they really fall short of showing moms how much they truly mean to us.

Make your mother (or wife) proud this year by putting a little more thought into it. Think about what she's done for you. Think about what would be memorable for her. Think about a way to show her that doesn't involve pesticide-laden flowers, chemical-laced lotions, or over-packaged candies. I know I sound like a holiday spoiler, but gifts really can be healthy for the people receiving them and healthy for the planet we live on. Think of how proud the special women in your life will be that you're considering the bigger picture.

Okay. Enough with all the thinking. I've actually taken a little bit of the thought out of it for you by finding 5 awesome options (that are completely recession proof) for the moms in your life. You can thank me later.

Give her a time out. Whether it's with or without the kids around, let mom lie around and do nothing. No cooking, cleaning, laundry, diaper changing, tantrum squelching, spit-up washing, trying to get the baby to sleep, or getting up a million times for random reasons like rescuing toys from the toilet or making sure that wasn't a meow heard coming from the dryer for an entire 24 hours.

Unplug. Turn off the TV and the computer and the video games for the day and get outside. Take a walk, a bike ride, or a break on a blanket at the park.

Give the gift of time. Give mom a break by volunteering to run errands, prepare dinner, or tend the garden. Or, give her some one-on-one attention by making plans for just you and her.

Make a DIY Spa Kit. Pamper mom with a basket of indulgent goodies. Sugar scrub: fill a small container with white sugar, saturate with apricot or olive oil, add a couple drops of lavender oil or organic vanilla extract. Facial mask: mix a little ground oatmeal with organic honey in a small container. Have mom open her pores with a warm wash cloth, apply the honey mask, leave on for 20 minutes, and then rinse. Bath salts: mix 3 cups Epsom salts, 2 cups baking soda and 1 cup table salt with an essential oil. You can find many more recipes by doing a simple on-line search.

Write a Letter from the Heart. Hand-written letters are nearly a lost art form, but they are a simple and priceless gift for someone you love. Don't worry if you're not as linguistically inclined as Shakespeare; just write what you think, in your words. Your mom (or wife) will love and cherish it forever.

Bonus Shameless Plug Idea: Every mom and even every grandmother - anyone who spends time with children - should have a copy of Healthy Child Healthy World: Creating a Cleaner, Greener, Safer Home. For only $11, it's one of the smartest investments you can make for your family's health.

Do you have an idea to share? Let us know in the comments!

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Labels: environment, green, mom, Mothers Day, organic

Posted by: Janelle Sorensen at 7:32 AM

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Thursday, April 30, 2009

8 Helpful Hints for a Healthy, Chemical-Free Lawn

by Healthy Child Healthy World

Photo Credit: Andrew Ciscel

It's hard to imagine that the well-groomed, picture-perfect lawn took root in the U.S. only in the last 50 years. The ingredients of lawn success - pesticides and fertilizers - were originally developed after World War II to improve farmers' economic prospects by reducing damage to food crops caused by insects, rodents and disease. These same herbicides, insecticides, fungicides and fertilizers became popular among home gardeners. They did the job quickly and made it easier to create green, pest-free lawns and bountiful gardens.

However, within a few decades, it became clear that pesticides have costs alongside their benefits. Pesticides are poisons, intended to kill living insects, rodents or plants. By their very nature, most pesticides create some risk to all living creatures, including humans.

Some lawn and garden chemicals have been linked with behavioral problems in children, damage to the nervous system and brain, developmental and reproductive defects, and cancers. There is much we don't know about many pesticides - a number have not been fully tested, and it often takes decades to discover how dangerous some pesticides truly are. Scientists are learning, too, that even small doses, at critical times during a child's development, or even during that of an embryo, could have a tremendous impact on that child's life and long-term health.

Other issues related to lawn and garden pesticide use:

Pesticides provide quick relief, but do not eliminate the source of the problem. While certain pesticides are efficient tools for killing insects and weeds, almost all do nothing to deter problems from coming back. To prevent a pest's return, it is necessary to change the conditions that have allowed the pest to thrive.

Extensive use of pesticides has led to resistance in many insects and weed species. It takes from two to five pesticide applications today to do the job that just one application accomplished in the 1970s. As a result, many resort to stronger chemicals, which may have greater consequences for human and environmental health.

Pesticides drift. Chemicals used on lawns and gardens don't stay put. They enter groundwater, streams and rivers. Pesticide particles attach to dust and soil, which we bring indoors on our shoes. Pesticides can evaporate into the air, then are carried on currents and deposited many miles away. By using pesticides, we contribute to environmental damage far beyond our yards.

Use this checklist for a naturally beautiful lawn:

Avoid Pesticides and Herbicides. Weed manually, before seed heads appear. Use boiling water, diluted soap or white vinegar to kill weeds. Apply corn gluten to discourage weeds. Use least toxic products and practices like Integrated Pest Management. http://spcpweb.org/

Develop Healthy Soil. Leave mulched grass clippings to recycle nitrogen. Reduce soil compaction - aerate soil to allow air to circulate around grass roots. Grade to promote good drainage.

Reduce Thatch, the layer of decomposing roots, leaves & stems at the surface of the soil. Rake to remove thatch - it prevents water and nutrients from penetrating soil.

Choose Native Grass Types Suited To Your Climate And Soil. Plant disease-resistant varieties. Call your agricultural cooperative extension service or local nursery for information. Consider alternative ground covers.

Water Deeply But Not Too Often. Deep but infrequent watering is best and reduces fungal growth. Water between midnight and 8AM to reduce evaporation.

Mow High, Not Low. Taller grass chokes out weeds, longer grass takes in more sun and moisture. Keep mower blades sharp to avoid tearing grass, keeping it healthy.

Use Fertilizers Wisely. Choose natural organic fertilizers, use sparingly in early spring or late fall. Avoid application prior to expected heavy rainfall to prevent runoff into waterways.

Encourage Neighbors to avoid pesticides and over fertilizing - which contaminates your neighborhood, yard, family, & world.

Additional Resources:

Posted by: WebMD Blogs at 7:27 AM

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Wednesday, April 29, 2009

The Chemical Legacy of the "Perfect" Lawn

Our guest blogger is Dr. Warren Porter, Professor of Zoology and Environmental Toxicology at the University of Wisconsin at Madison.

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.

This was astonishing, so I began to dig further. We were having big increases in the state of Wisconsin. California was having big increases. Pennsylvania was having big increases. Iran, where my wife is from, was having big increases. Australia, which I had visited a couple of years earlier, was having big increases. Something was happening to our children.

We have known for decades that many pesticides are neurotoxins, they are that way by design. Studies have also shown links between pesticide use and childhood cancers. We have also shown that mixtures of common herbicides and fertilizers found in groundwater can change aggression levels, learning abilities, hormone levels and immune function in rats and mice. Pesticides are a molecular bull in a china shop when they penetrate the human cell. Depending on where they end up in the cell, they can kill it or mutate the genetic coding - and children don't have the enzymes to defend themselves.

Recently my research team bought one of the most commonly used lawn chemical mixtures right off the shelves of a local store instead of buying ultra-pure active ingredients, which is what EPA registers. We found that the mixture, at minuscule amounts well below what is considered safe by the EPA, could induce abortions and resorptions of fetuses in mice. And of particular importance, we saw things that are not typically seen in toxicology, namely that there was an inverse dose response. That is, the greatest effect was at the lowest dose. This is because natural hormones in the body work at the low parts per billion to parts per trillion dose levels. Our research was only at the high end of the physiological dose range and as we go down in dose we were approaching the most sensitive middle range.

This is a disturbing finding, to say the least. As consumers we are repeatedly told that chemical exposures are too small to cause any harm, and many people are comforted by that thought. Now we have found some chemicals are more toxic at infinitesimal levels than they are in higher quantities. This fundamentally shifts our understanding of toxicology. We can longer hide behind the argument that "the dose makes the poison." Now, we must face the reality that some poisons are simply poisons and that we have to abandon these chemicals altogether.

As a nation, we spend more than $2 billion dispensing more than 80 million pounds of pesticides on our lawns and gardens, but the tide is shifting. Nevada now offers a $1,000 incentive for homeowners to remove their grass and 80 cities in North America have banned the use of lawn pesticides. Both Ontario and Quebec have banned the cosmetic use of pesticides. Home Depot in Canada is voluntarily pulling pesticides from the shelves and replacing them with safer alternatives. In my hometown of Madison, Healthy Lawn Teams continue to promote pesticide-free neighborhoods and students at the University are pressing for safer lawn care practices on campus.

Each one of us has a role to play in breaking the habit. If you haven't switched to organic lawn and garden care, now is the time. If you have, now is the time to start working with your neighbors or your local school or hospital.

Get started by visiting the National Coalition for Pesticide-Free Lawns.

Resources:
Facing Scientific Realities, Debunking the "Dose Makes the Poison" Myth by Warren Porter, PhD

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Labels: children's health, environment, green, lawn, pesticides, yard

Posted by: WebMD Blogs at 5:52 AM

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Friday, April 24, 2009

5 Ways to Clean up Your Car for a Healthier Ride

by Janelle Sorensen

You're careful about keeping toxics out of your home, but have you considered your car? Between running errands, commuting to work, and driving kids to appointments and extracurricular activities, we're spending more time in our cars than ever before. Take these simple steps to keep your car clean and reduce your exposure to automotive contaminants.

Air it out. You know that new car smell that makes most of us euphoric? That distinct perfume is a mixture of volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) from the materials used to make the car, including styrene, formaldehyde, xylene and diazinon. If you have a new car, leave the windows down whenever you can - while you're driving, while it's parked in your driveway, when you stop at a park. Also, try not to park in direct sunlight unless you can leave the windows down. Heat increases the rate at which chemicals are released from the materials.

Dust it out. Whether your car is old or new, wipe the interior down with a damp cloth regularly. The dust in your car can be loaded with contaminants like flame retardants from the seat cushions (especially if your car is older and the cushions are beginning to degrade).

Vacuum it out. Before you wipe it down, vacuum your car's upholstery and flooring with a machine that has a HEPA filter (the high-powered machines at DIY car washes should suffice, as well). You'll suck up chemically laden dust, allergens, and the dirt that's tracked in on your feet (that could have lead, pesticides, or gasoline mixed in).

Keep it out. If you're trailing a big diesel truck, back up a bit or take an alternate route to keep polluting emissions from entering your car. Same goes for traffic congestion, if you can, take an alternate route to avoid sitting in a cloud of idling vehicle fumes.

Wash it without....chemicals or kids. A good microfiber cloth and plain old water can do wonders for washing the interior and exterior of your car, so save your money and skip all those magical car cleaners on the market today. Also, as much you would appreciate the help, keep the kids away from this chore. As mentioned above, the interior dirt and dust can be heavily contaminated. The exterior dirt and dust is no different. Think about it. Dust from the friction on your tires and brake pads can cling around your wheel wells. Gasoline residue may linger around the fuel opening. Cars are a dirty mess that kids should not be involved in cleaning up.

Helpful Resources:

Use the Healthy Car database. While there are numerous substances in vehicles that can lead to health and environmental problems, HealthyCar.org focuses on bromine, chlorine, lead, as well as some other heavy metals, allergens and carcinogens. All of these substances were chosen because of their toxicity, persistence, and/or tendency to build up in people and the environment. All of them have also been subject to regulatory restrictions and/or voluntary limits set by industry associations or third party certification organizations. HealthyCar.org includes test results from approxomiately 450 of the most popular vehicles in the U.S. market between model years 2006-2009.

Use the Healthy Car Seat Guide that has tested over 130 popular 2007-2008 child car seats. The components sampled include: seat cushion, foam backing, seat base, seat belt clip and sun shade (when available). The XRF device identified the elemental composition of each of these components. Based on these findings, each car seat was given an overall car seat rating, as well as chemical ratings for bromine, chlorine, lead and a group of substances referred to as "other chemicals".

Learn More:

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Labels: cars, cleaning, environment, green

Posted by: Janelle Sorensen at 8:19 AM

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Thursday, April 23, 2009

Fishing for Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Our guest blogger is Tara DelloIacono Thies, RD, LUNA Nutrition Strategist at Clif Bar & Company.

Photo Credit: FrenchDuck

Mothers-to-be are in a quandary when trying to make safe and sustainable choices when eating fish. Fish is a fantastic source of omega-3 fatty acids, important to well-being and the developmental health of our babies. Yet, many fish are a source of mercury and other unfortunate contaminates. Fishing also takes a toll on the environment with fishing and farm methods that leave a fishy aftertaste in our mouths.

Complicated with contaminated and poor sourced fish choices many women are skipping out on fish all together. Our seafood deficient diets are leading to deficiencies in DHA, an important form of omega-3 fatty acids, which our bodies can not make and must be obtained through our food.

DHA is also important to your baby's developing brain and your psychiatric health. Research coming out of the most recent American Dietetic Association Annual Conference reported on studies that revealed a "no sea food diet" during pregnancy resulted in children with low verbal IQ, low social development, and poor peer interactions. Women who were DHA deficient were found to be more anxious and distressed.

Fish is one of the best sources of DHA. This leaves us with a complicated task of figuring which fish are good for our bodies and the planet. Thankfully someone has done the thinking for us and created a simple pocket tool that you can use while shopping to at the grocery store: the Seafood Watch Pocket Guide.

This is a great tool to guide you to the best choices for fish that are not contaminated and fished using sustainable methods. After referring to this guide you will see that there are a lot of good options, and you can even have some canned tuna often thought to be totally off limits.

How much omega-3 fatty acids do you need each day? The Dietary Recommended Intake for non-pregnant women is 1.1 grams per day, which can come from all three types of omega-3s' - EPA, ALA, & DHA. Pregnant and breast feeding women need an additional DHA boost of .2-.3 grams per day. You can meet your needs by eating about 6-12 ounces of fish per week.

Look for the three magic letters (DHA) on the front of the package too. Many foods such organic milk and organic yogurts are now fortifying with additional DHA omega-3 fatty acids.

In addition to all these great food sources there are some supplements both over the counter and prescription that you may want to consider:

Over the counter:

Nordic Naturals
Spectrum Fish Oil

Ask your doctor about:

Natelle Plus
Citranatal 90 DHA
Duet DHA
Prenate DHA

Fish is a great whole food source of DHA. I hope you can now head to the fish market more informed and also enjoy a tuna sandwich once again.

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Labels: environment, fish, food, green, health and wellness, Omega-3, pregnancy

Posted by: WebMD Blogs at 8:09 AM

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Tuesday, April 21, 2009

10 Easy Ways to Eat "Green" Earth Day and Everyday

How to Shop for the Earth, Cook for Your Health and Bring Pleasure Back to Your Kitchen!

by Healthy Child Healthy World

Everyone's heard the cliché "you are what you eat." And, it's true - your health is intimately connected to the foods and drinks you put in your mouth. But, have you ever stopped to consider what other impacts your food choices may have? Industrial farming practices can cause soil and water pollution. Over-packaged, single-size foods result in litter and plastic waste that will linger in landfills for hundreds of years. The average American meal travels 1,500 miles from farm to fork increasing air pollution and greenhouse gases. Human health is affected by what we eat, but planetary health is affected by how we eat.

Luckily, we don't have to sacrifice either health or the environment. And, you might even find that when you start considering both and making smarter choices, your foods are more flavorful and cooking is more enjoyable. But, let's not get ahead of ourselves. Start simple by trying the easy (and affordable) tips below.

Photo: Donika Sadiku

1. Eat a healthier snack like a USDA Certified organic apple. Organic certification guarantees that the product has been grown, handled and processed without synthetic pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, artificial ingredients, preservatives and without using genetic modification or irradiation. Organic certification also means the farmer is promoting biological diversity by rotating crops, conserving and renewing the soil, and protecting water sources.

Organic foods are the best investment you can make for your health, but they can cost quite a bit more. According to the Environmental Working Group, you can lower your pesticide exposure by 90 per cent simply by avoiding the most contaminated conventionally grown produce: peaches, apples, sweet bell peppers, celery, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, lettuce, imported grapes, carrots, and pears. If you're really craving one of these foods, opt for organic. Conventionally grown fruits and vegetables that have the lowest levels of pesticide residue include: onion, avocado, sweet corn, pineapple, mango, asparagus, sweet peas, kiwi, cabbage, eggplant, papaya, watermelon, broccoli, tomato, and sweet potato. You can download the EWG pocket guide that lists these and the dirty dozen from Foodnews.org.

Photo Credit: Keven Law

2. Ease up on animal fats. Meat and dairy products are major sources of saturated fat in the U.S. diet, and contribute to higher risk of heart disease, cancer and diabetes. Animal products can also contain hormones, antibiotics and organochlorine chemicals, such as dioxin, DDT and other pesticides, which concentrate in animal fat. Modern meat production also consumes water, energy and land. Animal waste produces air and water pollution. And red meat production creates about 3.5 times more greenhouse gases than that of grains.

When you do buy meat, poultry or dairy, look for low fat options (get the unsaturated fats your body needs from plant sources like walnuts, flax seeds, and avocados). You can also do a favor for your body and the planet by reducing how much meat you eat. Making even one vegetarian meal a week can make a big difference.

3. Ban the can. Canned foods and beverages are lined with a resin that contains bisphenol-A, a hormone-disrupting chemical that's building up in our environment and our bodies. Most manufacturers are beginning to explore safer alternatives, but in the meantime you should choose foods that are fresh, dried or frozen or packaged in glass jars or tetra packs.

4. Select safer seafood. Eating seafood is the primary way we are exposed to methylmercury, a potent neurotoxin. Fish can also be contaminated with PCBs, which the International Agency for Research on Cancer and the Environmental Protection Agency have declared a probable carcinogen. In addition, many commercial fishing practices damage the aquatic ecosystems or depleting fish stocks to dangerous levels. Worldwide about 90% of large predatory fish stocks are already gone. Use the Environmental Defense Fund's Safe Seafood Selector to find species that are lowest in chemical and heavy metal contamination and that are fished in ways that are not harmful to our oceans.

5. Bulk up. It's common knowledge that buying in bulk saves money, but it also reduces waste because there's so much less packaging. In addition, bulk foods are often less processed so you reduce your exposure to questionable food additives. Bulk cook staples like beans and other legumes and store them in your freezer in serving sizes that are appropriate for your family size.

6. Turn on your tap. Plastic bottled water is over-priced, over packaged, and not necessarily cleaner than tap. In fact, municipal tap water is more regulated than bottled water and some bottled water is just tap water with a clever name. It's a waste of your money that creates enormous amounts of waste. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council,

"In 2006, the equivalent of 2 billion half-liter bottles of water were shipped to U.S. ports, creating thousands of tons of global warming pollution and other air pollution. And while the bottles come from far away, most of them end up close to home - in a landfill. Most bottled water comes in recyclable PET plastic bottles, but only about 13 percent of the bottles we use get recycled. In 2005, 2 million tons of plastic water bottles ended up clogging landfills instead of getting recycled."

Make an investment in a water filter and reusable stainless steel water bottles. They quickly pay for themselves. While you're at it, skip the soda and other bottled drinks. Water's much better for you.

7. Purge plastic. Okay, it's almost impossible to eliminate plastic - and sometimes there's no better choice. Still, plastics are clogging our landfills, polluting our Oceans (check out the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, 100 million tons of debris that's essentially made a trash island in the ocean), and being petroleum-based products, they create a lot of pollution when they're manufactured. In regards to human health, studies are piling up showing how chemicals leach from many plastics and end up in our food and drinks. For your food, glass is the safest bet and extremely affordable. Most second-hand stores have loads of glassware and old spaghetti or canning jars are super for storing leftovers. If you do use plastic, opt for safer ones like those with the number 2, 4, or 5 in the chasing arrows symbol (usually found on the bottom). Never heat food in plastic as it increases chemical leaching.

8. Read a food label - for real. Ever stop to read the ingredients label on packaged, processed foods? It's usually a mouthful of words most of us have a hard time pronouncing, so what exactly are you eating? You can learn which food additives are safe and which are not by visiting The Center for Science in the Public Interest's food safety guide, but it's even easier to simply choose whole foods. Whole foods are not processed, so they have all their natural nutritional gifts - and less processing means less pollution. Look for foods made from whole grains (think whole wheat bread, oatmeal and brown rice) - and it should say "whole" on the label. Make more foods from scratch (it's easier than you think). You'll end up saving money, eating healthier and reducing all the waste created from packaging and processing foods.

Photo Credit: e.t

9. Look for local. The average mouthful of food travels 1,400 miles from the farm to our plates. Food from local farms is fresher and closer to ripeness, has used less energy for transport and is less likely to have been treated with post-harvest pesticides. Buying local products also supports regional farmers and preserves farmland. Ask for local produce, meat and dairy at your local market and see what they show you. Better yet, visit your local farmer's market. You'll be supporting your community, saving money, protecting the planet, and eating healthier. Visit EatWellGuide.org to discover your local food system.

10. Savor your flavors! When was the last time you really experienced your food? Really taken some time to appreciate what you're eating? From the crisp juiciness of a fresh apple to the creamy, cool sweetness of a spoonful of ice cream, are you really tasting what you put in your mouth or are you thoughtlessly inhaling? We've become so accustomed to fast food (whether at home or at the drive-thru), we've nearly lost the ability to appreciate our culinary bounty. When we eat without thinking, we're more apt to choose foods that are less healthy (for us and the Earth) and to overeat whatever we've slopped onto our plate (if it even made it on to a dish). Take a moment to savor the flavor, to think about where your food came from, and to feel a little gratitude.

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Labels: Earth Day, environment, food, green, organic

Posted by: WebMD Blogs at 8:31 AM

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Thursday, April 16, 2009

Recipe for a Green Kitchen

by Christopher Gavigan

You may be buying healthy foods like whole grains, organic veggies and milk, and even local honey, but now it's time to consider the "health" of your kitchen. Your cabinets and refrigerator can be just as safe, green, and nontoxic as the food and products you put in them. And in addition to being better for your family's well-being, a healthy kitchen saves money and helps the planet, too. So, whether you're ready for a floor-to-ceiling renovation or just looking for a little facelift, here are some tips for making it healthier, greener, and easier on your bank account.

SAFER STORAGE AND SMARTER SURFACES

Cabinets
Household cabinets are often made from particleboard, tiny wood shavings pressed together using a resin that off-gasses formaldehyde, sometimes giving off that "new cabinet" smell. Formaldehyde (even at low levels) causes eye, nose, throat, and skin irritation and the Department of Health and Human Services suspects it to be a carcinogen. Instead, spend a bit more for a solid wood material (wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FCS), which regulates against mass deforestation, or bamboo is best) not fortified with chemicals. Paint or stain in no- or low-VOC options - it's safer and healthier.

Counter Tops
Inexpensive counter tops are usually made from plastic laminates and resins, which are very hard and not at all toxic. But they frequently have particle-board backing, which (you guessed it) emits fumes. High-quality stones like marble, slate, limestone, and sandstone may seem expensive, but are a sounder long-term investment. If you choose a granite counter top, make sure to have it tested for radon - the uranium base is sometimes radioactive and can release radon gas as it decays. Another perhaps less expensive option is to leave your existing counter tops in place and tile over them.

WHAT LIES BENEATH (OUR TOES)

Hardwood
Hardwood floors are easy to love: aesthetically pleasing, a cinch to clean, and kind to those with allergies or chemical sensitivities. The most earth-friendly wood is FCS-certified. Reclaimed flooring is a beautiful option too—salvaged from another site and installed in your home. Your "reuse" story will be just as beautiful as the historical patina.

Bamboo
The king of sustainable materials, bamboo is durable, inexpensive, normally pesticide-free, and a rapidly renewing natural resource. It takes only four years from planting to harvest bamboo!

Cork
Made from the Mediterranean cork oak, this hypoallergenic material can be cut repeatedly from very old trees. Its natural texture has small pockets of air, making it almost bouncy to the foot and easy on adventurous kids.

Tile
Made from ceramic, stone, or recycled glass, tile is virtually free of potent chemicals like volatile organic compounds and is highly durable and easy to clean. Be mindful of the adhesives, especially grout sealer, when installing. Such substances are made of solvents, such as petroleum and toluene, that can affect your nervous system and cause irritation. Use mortar and grout as a nontoxic alternative.

PURIFY THE AIR MOTHER NATURE'S WAY

Install Skylights
For a bigger renovation, skylights offer benefits like natural light, passive-solar-heat gain, and natural indoor ventilation. They reduce energy costs, freshen your home naturally, and are very eco-chic. And being able to stargaze while washing dishes is a very cool bonus.

Grow Houseplants
In the kitchen, leafy greens usually end up in a salad. Incorporating a few plants into your decor will purify the air and bring a bit of nature inside. Houseplants consume carbon and emit oxygen, refreshing the room's air constantly. Pick up a copy of my book, Healthy Child Healthy World, for a complete list of purifying plants you can find easily at your local nursery.

SAVE ENERGY AND REDUCE YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT

Choose Energy-Efficient Appliances
Energy Star Products have earned a star rating for energy efficiency - the more stars, the better. Updating your refrigerator, dishwasher, or cooking appliances means you'll decrease your water and utility bills, and reduce your home's energy drain. You can recycle your old appliances with the expertise of Earth 911.

Unplug, Unplug, Unplug
Not using that blender as much as you thought Unplug it! Appliances continue to draw energy even when on standby or not in use, so unplugging them can really be a savings, especially that mobile-phone charger.

Make the Switch to CFLs
Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs, or CFLs, are the ultra-efficient, swirly version of their standard incandescent counterparts. They use 75 percent less energy than regular bulbs, thus saving an average household electrical budget between $12 and $20 a month. Recycle them at designated centers, but exercise caution - they contain small amounts of mercury.

As seen in Cookie Magazine.

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Posted by: Christopher Gavigan at 5:15 PM

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Wednesday, April 15, 2009

The White House Garden: Planting Seeds of Health and Hope

by Janelle Sorensen

Spring is here which means it’s time to garden for millions of Americans. And no one's garden is getting more attention than the recently planted White House garden. Why? Because at the crossroads of an obesity and diabetes epidemic, an economic crisis, and increasing environmental degradation lies the simple, family garden. And this makes the White House garden more than just a bunch of dirt and seeds. This particular garden is raising awareness about taking control of these four very important issues.

Gardening for Health
Michelle Obama described the White House garden project in a recent interview with Oprah. "We want to use it as a point of education, to talk about health and how delicious it is to eat fresh food, and how you can take that food and make it part of a healthy diet. You know, the tomato that's from your garden tastes very different from one that isn't. And peas - what is it like to eat peas in season? So we want the White House to be a place of education and awareness. And hopefully kids will be interested because there are kids living here."

In addition to getting Malia and Sasha to dig in the dirt, Mrs. Obama has invited students from Bancroft Elementary School in Washington, DC to participate in the garden project (perhaps to help guide the way as they've been actively planting and tending their own school garden for two years now). Gardening is a great way to teach children how to grow food and the importance of eating healthy, but the practice is being embraced by adults as well. According to the National Gardening Association's most recent survey, 43 million households plan on growing their own food this year, up 19 percent from 2008. Roughly half of the survey's respondents said they were planning on growing their own in order to have food that is better tasting, higher quality, and safe (because they know where it comes from).

Gardening for the Economy
Beyond the important issues regarding health, there are economic rewards for following Michelle Obama's example. Growing our own food reminds us that we can be resourceful no matter what the state of the economy. Indeed, this isn't the first time the White House has had a garden and promoted gardening for fiscal reasons. As far back as 1800, John Adams started the first White House garden because at that time, the President (not the taxpayers) had to buy the food he ate. Growing his own was simply the most frugal thing to do.

Perhaps the most famous White House garden (until now) was the Victory Garden planted by Eleanor Roosevelt during World War II. The Roosevelt garden inspired an entire movement during wartime to address a food system stressed by an economy fraught with labor and transportation shortages. At the peak of the Victory Garden movement American families grew 40% of the nation's produce. Our nation once again desperately needs this type of patriotism rooted in frugality and the Obamas are making that clear.

Gardening for the Environment
Unfortunately, despite how many Presidents carefully cultivated and expanded the White House garden, the fruit trees and annual vegetables were left to shrivel after the end of World War II. In fact, the end of World War II marked a revolutionary change in our entire national food system. Much of the research, development and manufacturing supporting the war was transferred to agriculture. Chemicals used for warfare were marketed instead as fertilizers and pesticides. Weapons and machine technologies were applied to farm equipment allowing farmers to significantly increase how many acres they cultivated. Industrialized farming was subsidized and encouraged as the global food system opened and local farms exported foods to the war ravaged lands of Europe.

With grand dreams of economic prosperity and the eradication of hunger, agricultural science progressed almost unfettered, nearly losing sight of its roots - or, more specifically, the soil and water from which all things grow. Today, industrial agriculture practices pollute surface and groundwater with animal waste and chemicals, cause negative health impacts from pesticide use, and increase ozone pollution and climate change from heavy use of fossil fuels. It's an unsustainable system fueled by the soaring profits and power of a handful of multinational corporations.

The new White House garden will be grown organically, without using toxic, synthetic chemicals - good thing for the kids who will be working in it. Actually, with growing awareness of the health and environmental tolls of conventional agriculture, national interest in organically grown food has been increasing over the past decade - roughly 15 to 20 percent annually. It's a development the chemical manufacturers are none too pleased about and they've petitioned the First Lady, urging her to use conventional methods. Kudos to Mrs. Obama, she's remained steadfast in her commitment to grow a garden that promotes human and environmental health.

Gardening for You
While the Obamas have made a point of making the White House and its new garden open and welcoming to the public, you can plant your own personal seeds of health and hope by starting a garden in your yard, on your roof, in a local vacant lot, or on your kitchen windowsill. There's no excuse not to, especially when you can get seeds for free from onemilliongardens.com - each packet contains 4-6 varieties of heirloom seeds that have the potential of providing hundreds of pounds of food.

You can find more great ideas for starting your garden from Kitchen Gardeners International, a non-profit network of 10,000 gardeners from 100 countries whose mission is to inspire and inform people to grow their own food. So, what are you waiting for? Grow your own!

Posted by: Janelle Sorensen at 11:34 AM

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Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Earth Month Exhibitionism

Show Off Your Healthy, Green Stuff for Self-Promo and Prizes

Healthy Child Healthy World

What's all the hoopla about Earth Hour, Earth Day, Earth Month and going green all about? It's really about more than just a day or month of the year. It's about you, and me, and each one of us - taking simple steps, making smarter decisions – every single day. By making the healthiest choices, you CAN protect the Earth and everyone living on it. It's really so much easier than you think.

And every little bit helps.

For example - according to Seventh Generation, if every household in the US replaced just one box of 100 sheet virgin fiber facial tissues with 100% recycled ones, we could save 332,000 trees, 859,000 cubic feet of landfill space(1,200 garbage trucks), 120 million gallons of water (a year's supply for 900 families of four), and avoid 20,000 pounds of chlorinated pollution.

From one box of tissue. Small actions really do add up.

So, what are you doing? There's so much you CAN do!

And, if you make a video of yourself doing what you do, you can win fabulous prizes generously donated by Seventh Generation (The GRAND PRIZE winner will receive an Apple 8G iPod Touch pre-loaded with Seventh Generations Label Reading Guide application in addition to a years supply of Seventh Generation home care and cleaning products, and a copy of the Healthy Child Healthy World book and DVD. FIRST PRIZE will receive a Flip Ultra digital video camera, a Seventh Generation Living Home Starter Kit and a copy of the Healthy Child Healthy World book and DVD. The eight runners-up will receive a Seventh Generation Living Home Cleaning Kit.)

In addition, these videos will be used to educate and inspire thousands of other people! That could mean great promo for your own blog (if you have one) or simple good green Karma (you'll be an educator - put it on your resume!).

There is only one rule (well, actually, there's a list of rules and you can find them at our website); but there is only one Golden Rule and that is you must have fun! If you're having fun doing it, people are going to have fun watching you, and hopefully then they'll try it too. And that's the whole point. We want you to inspire others to do whatever they can to protect their home, their health, and the planet.

Show us your stuff by making a video less than two minutes long of you or your kids or your pet Chihuahua or your hamster or your crazy Uncle Eddy taking some sort of simple step to make your home greener and healthier - protecting your little piece of the planet. Then enter it into our "Healthy Begins Here" video contest, because it all begins with you.

So, here's how you can get started:

Step #1 – Read the Official Rules and use our Tips, Tricks, and Tools to make your video in a snap.
Step #2 - If you're still stumped, check out our other submissions in our playlist.
Step #3 - Have fun making a video!
Step #4 – Submit your video by 12 a.m. PST on April 19 as a video response to ours.
Step #5 - Wait patiently until Earth Day when we announce the winners.

Good Luck! We can't wait to see your videos!

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Labels: contest, environment, green

Posted by: WebMD Blogs at 11:03 AM

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Thursday, April 9, 2009

Price of Organic Got You Down? Grow Your Own!

Yard Not Required

by Janelle Sorensen

Photo Credit: Cheryl Davis

One of the top recommendations that we give people at Healthy Child is to eat organic foods. Still, I can't count how many times I've heard people say, "I'd love to buy organic food, but I just can't afford it." I get it. I get it. We can't afford an all organic diet at my house either. But, eating organic doesn't have to mean buying organic. You can grow your own. And it's cheaper than anything you'll find at the store (a $2 tomato seedling can give 10 pounds of tomatoes over a season).

Even if you've never done it before. Even if you think you don't have the time. Even if you don't have a yard. Even if you have a brown thumb. Really. There's no excuse and the results are so gratifying: cheap, healthy food; eating the fruits of your own labor; the look of awe in your friends' eyes when you bring homegrown culinary delights to the next potluck.

So, for all of you greenhorn gardeners, here are four tips for getting started.

Pick a pot and a place. You don't need green acres or a plow to have a healthy harvest. You don't even need to have a yard. You can grow a wide variety of herbs, vegetables, and even fruits in containers (on your roof, fire escape, patio, or windowsill). R.J. Ruppenthal, author of Fresh Food from Small Spaces: The Square-Inch Gardener's Guide to Year-Round Growing, Fermenting, and Sprouting, even has tips for using closets and empty bathtubs. Your only limitation is your imagination.

Start simple. Ensure immediate success by beginning with surefire winners like herbs, sprouts and lettuce. Take it up a tiny notch by growing a pizza garden (basil, oregano, cherry tomatoes) or a salsa garden (cilantro, onion, tomatoes, peppers). There are specific varieties of vegetables and fruits that fare best in containers. You can find a list of them and the specific size of container they need at Garden Guides.

Enjoy the experiment. Gardening is all about experimentation and even the most adept grower sometimes has a failed crop. It doesn't mean you have a brown thumb. Keep a journal of your successes and failures (including details like type of container, type of soil, lighting conditions, watering schedule, etc), so you won't make the same mistake twice.

Get some help. Pick up some books from your library, like Organic Crops in Pots by Deborah Schneebeli-Morrell. Join the growing community of home gardeners by visiting websites like www.gardenaut.com. Call your local extension services with questions (for some immediate troubleshooting tips visit Texas University Extension Services).

I remember when I was a child and we had a small garden. The tomatoes were amazing. They were so delicious we would sprinkle a bit of sugar on them and eat them for dessert. Children eating tomatoes for dessert. Today parents share all sorts of tips for trying to get kids to eat their vegetables and even adults rarely eat the recommended amount of vegetables every day. Maybe it wouldn't take so much effort if the vegetables actually tasted like they're supposed to, flavorful and delicious. Once you taste your own homegrown organic produce, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about. So, do it. Grow your own.

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Labels: environment, gardening, green, organic

Posted by: Janelle Sorensen at 12:00 PM

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Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Calendar of Easy Tips for Earth Month

Healthy Child Healthy World

It began as Earth Day, but it was soon clear that 24 hours is simply not enough time to celebrate the planet that sustains all life. So now we celebrate our dedication to preserving the planet over the entire month of April.

Healthy Child Healthy World couldn't be happier about having a whole month to bring our greening into sharper focus. The way we go about creating healthy lifestyles is step by step, little by little, without self-imposing any guilt or anxiety. This is supposed to be fun and celebratory, isn't it??

So in this spirit, we put together a calendar of daily Earth Month action tips that not only make your home more environmentally-friendly, but also more clean and healthy. These tips may seem like little things, but put together over a whole month they make a big impact. Print out or download a copy of our calendar, place it somewhere you'll be reminded (like on the fridge or by your computer), and join the month-long movement by greening your home one small step at a time.

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Labels: Earth Day, environment, green

Posted by: WebMD Blogs at 11:45 AM

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Saturday, April 4, 2009

Green Dieting with Gwyneth Paltrow

No. It's not some new Hollywood weight loss plan. Green dieting means eating foods that are good for you and the Earth. It's not about sacrificing foods you love, or eating all raw veggies you grew in your own yard. It's about eating a healthy, diversified diet and getting to know your food. Everyone gets to choose their own menu and everyone gets there through their own culinary adventure. In our book, Healthy Child Healthy World, Gwyneth Paltrow talks about her journey to the green diet:

My mom has always been conscious of the environment and health issues. When I was growing up, we would go to farmers' markets and even had wheatgrass in the kitchen. She started a curbside recycling program in Santa Monica in the 1970's, and each week I drove with her to the recycling center. She says I used to roll down the window to yell, "You're polluting!" at truck drivers in their semis. I was three years old.

It wasn't until later that I understood the harm that can come from pesticides and other chemicals in foods. As soon as I did, I tried to eat organic, locally, and foods that weren't processed or full of preservatives. That was reinforced when I became a parent. When I would read about what pesticides do to insects and small animals, I thought, Why would I expose my child to that? It didn't make sense.

From the beginning, my kids have eaten organic. I make a lot of their foods myself. Some people say it sounds difficult - or crazy - but I never found it so. When I'd go to the health food store and see organic baby food in a jar that had been sitting on a shelf for six or nine months, I thought, How good can that be? So I didn't find it tough to make my own. It's much tougher for me to open a jar that's been sitting on a shelf for God knows how long and then feed it to my child.

Food was the beginning of my awareness of toxic substances we ingest. But I try not to get hysterical about it. I'm not doing this to turn my kids into freaks - I just want them to be as healthy as they possibly can. Of course there will be toxic chemicals and heavy metals that come into your and your kids' lives and nostrils and mouths. But I believe that eating well is the best start for living well.

Green Diet on a Dime

Eating with health and the planet in mind doesn't have to cost a fortune. Actually, many choices can save you money! Here are the top five tips for eating green on a dime.

Eat lower on the food chain. A diet based more on plant-based foods than meats and dairy can lead to extra years of healthy living. Not only is it healthier in terms of nutrients, but you'll also be consuming less of the potent toxins that build up in animal fats. For example, animal and fatty foods contain the highest levels of DDT and PCBs (both carcinogens banned over 30 years ago) because they are stored in fat and increase in concentration as they move up the food chain. This very same diet reduces environmental damage and pollution and reduces your grocery bill since meat and dairy are big-ticket items in your grocery cart. This doesn't mean you have to become vegetarian or vegan, just cut back a little.

Eat clean foods. Everyone knows you should always wash fresh produce, but I'm talking about a different kind of clean. Choose foods that have fewer chemical or heavy metal residues. The easiest way to do this is by buying organic foods, but they often cost more. Budget-friendly options are foods that naturally have less - either by virtue of how they're grown or because of their physical attributes (like bananas, which have a thick peel that protects the fruit from the pesticides sprayed on them).

According to research by the Environmental Working Group, the following fruits and vegetables have the lowest levels of pesticide residue: onion, avocado, sweet corn, pineapple, mango, asparagus, sweet peas, kiwi, cabbage, eggplant, papaya, watermelon, broccoli, tomato, and sweet potato. You can download their pocket guide that lists these and the dirty dozen from Foodnews.com.

When choosing meat and dairy, look for low or non-fat options so you reduce your exposure to chemicals that accumulate in animal fats. For fish, use a guide like the Environmental Defense Fund's Seafood Selector to find species that are lowest in chemical and heavy metal contamination and that are fished in ways that are not harmful to our Oceans.

Eat local. As recent as our grandparents' generation, food was mostly grown, sold and eaten all in the same geographic region. Today, we can find foods from all over the globe in our local markets. In fact, the average food item travels over 1,500 miles to get to our plates - that's a lot of pollution and waste created to make a meal. Support your local economy and your health by getting to know your local farmers. You don't need to be BFF, but you should get an idea of where your food comes from. Ask for local produce, meat and dairy at your local market and see what they show you. Better yet, visit your local farmer's market. You'll be supporting your community, saving money, protecting the planet, and eating healthier. Visit EatWellGuide.org to discover your local food system.

Eat whole foods. Ever stop to read the ingredients label on packaged, processed foods? It's usually a mouthful of words most of us have a hard time pronouncing, so what exactly are you eating? You can learn which food additives are safe and which are not by visiting The Center for Science in the Public Interest's food safety guide, but it's even easier to simply choose whole foods. Whole foods are not processed, so they have all their natural nutritional gifts - and less processing means less pollution.

Look for foods made from whole grains (think whole wheat bread, oatmeal and brown rice) - and it should say "whole" on the label. Make more foods from scratch (really, things like mac-n-cheese are just as easy to make from whole ingredients as they are to make from the box). You'll end up saving money, eating healthier and reducing all the waste created from packaging and processing foods.

Buy in bulk. It's been common knowledge for many years that buying in bulk saves money, but did you ever think about how much waste you reduce by not using so much packaging? Also, similar to tips above, bulk foods are often less processed so you reduce your exposure to questionable food additives. Bulk cook staples like beans and other legumes and store them in your freezer in serving sizes that are appropriate for your family size. You'll be saving money and you'll reduce your exposure to Bisphenol-A (BPA), an endocrine disruptor found in the lining of some cans.

Extra Credit Tip: Stop Wasting Food. According to the US Health Department, approximately 25% of food in the US is thrown away - 96.4 billion pounds of food a year. That's about one pound of food, per citizen, per day that ends up lining the trash bins. And that's a study from 1995; many believe the number has perhaps doubled by now. Take only what you'll eat and use your leftovers (try LeftOverChef.com for recipe ideas).

*****

Gwyneth Paltrow's quote taken from Healthy Child Healthy World: Creating a Cleaner, Greener, Safer Home. Reprinted by arrangement with Plume, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc. Copyright (c) 2009 by Healthy Child Healthy World.

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Labels: environment, green, healthy diet, organic

Posted by: WebMD Blogs at 7:11 AM

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Wednesday, April 1, 2009

A Healthy Planet Begins With You

Show How for Chance to Win Great Prizes!

by Healthy Child Healthy World

Healthy Child Healthy World translates the complicated issues of chemicals in our environment into understandable information with easy solutions, but oftentimes the best tips come from people like you. In honor of Earth Month, we're asking for you to share your best advice by submitting a very short video to our Healthy Begins Here contest.

How do YOU create a cleaner, greener, safer home?

Get started by visiting the new WebMD Health eHome, an interactive tool to help you find easy ways to protect the planet and your health. Maybe you learn something new or maybe you're way ahead of us and have something better to offer. Whether it's your great grandma demonstrating her old school chemical-free cleaning tricks or your dog taking out the recycling - send us a video under 2 minutes that shows us how you protect your little piece of the planet. Do whatever you do, but do it refreshingly different. Make it fun.

Actually, having fun is the Golden Rule of our contest (read the other rules on our website). Going green and living healthier doesn't need to be complicated, or a hassle, or a sacrifice. Talking about it shouldn't be doom and gloom or wrapped in contrived morality. It should be fun. And it CAN be fun (especially if you get your kids, or pets, or eccentric relatives involved). If you're having fun doing it, people are going to have fun watching you, and hopefully then they'll try it too. And that's the point. We want you to inspire others to do whatever they can to protect their home, their health, and the planet.

And, if you make a video of yourself doing what you do, you can win fabulous prizes, generously donated by Seventh Generation (The GRAND PRIZE winner will receive an Apple 8G iPod Touch pre-loaded with Seventh Generations Label Reading Guide application in addition to a years supply of Seventh Generation home care and cleaning products and a copy of the Healthy Child Healthy World book and DVD. FIRST PRIZE will receive a Flip Ultra digital video camera, a Seventh Generation Living Home Starter Kit and a copy of the Healthy Child Healthy World book and DVD. The eight runners-up will receive a Seventh Generation Living Home Cleaning Kit.) In addition, these videos will be used to educate and inspire thousands of other people! Going green never felt better.

What are you waiting for? A healthy planet begins with you (and we're only accepting submissions until 12am/PST April 19, 2009. We can't wait to see what you can do!

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Labels: clean, contest, environment, green

Posted by: WebMD Blogs at 4:37 PM

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Monday, March 30, 2009

Organic: A Choice For Our Children

Our guest blogger is Alan Greene, MD, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at Stanford University School of Medicine, Attending Pediatrician at Packard Children's Hospital, and Senior Fellow at the University California San Francisco Center for the Health Professions. He is also founder of DrGreene.com and author of Raising Baby Green: The Earth-Friendly Guide to Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Baby Care.

As parents, we want to feed our children healthy food. What parent would turn down the chance to give a child delicious, healthy food that is convenient, a good money value, that the child loves - and then responds with a, "Thank you, Mommy, that was great! May I help clean up?"

In practice, though, many powerful forces determine our food choices. Our children have tasted artificially flavored, partially hydrogenated, day-glow snack foods and clamor for more. Our kids tell us that their friends' "parents let them eat" the latest processed food fashion. Huge sums of money pay for artists, musicians, toy manufacturers, psychologists, and marketers to work together to carefully manipulate your child's food preferences.

We're busy and want something simple, quick, and preferably inexpensive. We return to the ruts of the unhealthy foods we ate ourselves as kids or that we know our own kids will like. We feel guilty because of our busy lifestyles and don't want to say "no" to our kids - especially if it means yet another battle.

And the last straw - we hear conflicting information about what is healthy. High carb or low carb? Low fat is good for kids. Low fat is bad for kids. Sugar doesn't affect behavior. Sugar causes ADHD. Aspartame is totally safe. Airplane pilots aren't allowed to eat foods containing aspartame because it affects their judgment.

Phew! What's a parent to do? Thankfully, making healthier food choices is simple and clear. Increasing fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in the diet makes the diet healthier. Especially in our antibiotic-flooded age, eating foods that contain live active cultures of beneficial bacteria makes our diet healthier. Decreasing artificial chemicals in the diet and the environment, makes us all healthier.

Nutrition is not an all-or-none activity. The goal is to keep making choices that make the diet a little better.

A Stitch in Time
DDT used in the United States before 1966 may have caused an epidemic of premature births that has only now been detected! According to a fascinating study published in the July 14, 2001 issue of The Lancet, scientists who studied stored cord blood samples from mothers who had delivered at that time found elevated levels of DDT breakdown products among the group who had premature deliveries or low birth weight infants. This would make DDT responsible for a host of medical problems and the deaths of many children - but the link wasn't proven until more than 30 years later! DDT use in the United States was stopped in 1972 because it caused reproductive damage to birds (the bald eagle and brown pelican were nearly extinct), but DDT is still widely used in developing countries for insect control. I'm certain that the dangers of some chemicals in common use in the United States today will be proven in the future. I believe that toxic chemicals are one of the biggest health threats to our children. We may not prove the links until they are grown, but we must not wait until then to provide them with safe food, water, air, homes, and schools.

On a personal note, my wife has now recovered from a very malignant form of breast cancer. She has no family history of the disease, but toxic chemicals were used on her farm when she was a child.

What we now call 'conventional farming' is actually something very new. In the 20th century, our naïve optimism about science led to the over-exuberant use of antibiotics, infant formulas, surgery, pesticides, hormones, and fossil fuels. It's time to bring this back into balance.

Organic food has long been the standard for human nutrition. In contrast, many chemicals and hormones introduced post World War II do not have proven long-term safety. Some of them may be fine. Time will tell. I prefer organic for children where there is a good choice.

With the dramatic increase in organic farming in recent years, the new generation of organic farmers is developing innovative and earth friendly ways to increase yields and improve flavor. What is organic and why is it so important for our children?

Organic Defined
Organic refers to the way agricultural products - food and fiber - are grown and processed. It is an ecological system that relies on healthy, rich soil to produce plants that resist pests and diseases. Organic farming prohibits the use of toxic and persistent chemicals in favor of innovative practices that work with nature, instead of against it, such as crop rotation, cover crop planting, beneficial insect release and composting. In the case of livestock, no antibiotics or synthetic hormones are permitted. Organic production also prohibits the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Organic practices mean:

No pesticides to contaminate our soil and water or injure farm workers
No fertilizers to runoff and contaminate rivers, lakes and oceans
A healthier and more sustainable environment for us all

Pesticides In Our Food and Environment
Chemicals used in conventional farming pose many risks to human health. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is charged with evaluating pesticides and setting "acceptable risk" levels of exposure. EPA's tests have largely been conducted on fully grown adult men or non-human animal species, exposing them to one chemical at a time. Evidence now shows that chemicals in combination - the way we are usually exposed to them in everyday life - may exponentially increase health risk.

Additionally, many EPA-approved pesticides were registered long before extensive research linked these chemicals to cancer and other diseases. Now the EPA considers 33% of all pesticides as potentially cancer-causing.

Why Organic Especially for Children?
Children are developing organs to last a lifetime. Due to their smaller size, fast-growing speedy metabolisms, and less varied diets, infants and children are more vulnerable to health and developmental damage. In 1993, a congressionally mandated study by the National Academy of Sciences expressed concern that existing methods of risk evaluation for pesticide exposure were failing children. More recently, the Consumers Union and Environmental Working Group have released studies confirming that children are overexposed even if their exposure is within legal limits.

The Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 mandated a review of agricultural chemicals in light of this new information about risk assessment. Included in this act is a requirement to impose a 10-fold margin of safety to protect children when setting standards for the use of pesticides on food. While safety standards have become more strict, buying organic products, if they are available and you can afford them, and supporting organic agriculture may be your best protection.

Why Does Organic Cost More?
Organic products do tend to cost more than their conventional counterparts. To some extent, this is changing as production capacity and demand for organic products increase, improving production efficiencies and lowering prices at the checkout. In addition, many involved in organic are striving for a sustainable agricultural system - one which is ecologically sound as well as economically viable. Paying farmers a fair price for their products is an important tenet for many involved in organic agriculture.

Raising a family on a budget can pose challenges at times. Watching pennies and doing "the right thing" for our families can sometime seem in conflict. For example, in the case of organic foods and fibers, it's understandable to question if the benefits are really worth the extra cost. Looking beyond the price of an organic product and considering the true value, may shed light on the subject. When considering products for your children, organic may indeed be a far better value.

An Opportunity to Support a Healthier Tomorrow
Our children are our most treasured resources, and we have the opportunity to protect them. By reducing toxic exposure, organic products can help us raise healthy, strong children. Through nurturing the soil and keeping toxic and persistent chemicals out of the environment, organic agriculture is one thing we can support to help us pass along a healthy and safe planet for future generations. The cost may be a little more, but the value for you and your family may be far greater.

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Labels: chemicals, children's health, environment, healthy diet, organic, pesticides

Posted by: WebMD Blogs at 3:48 PM

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Friday, March 27, 2009

One Hour + One Billion People = One Happy Earth

How an Hour of Darkness Can Shed Light on the World

by Janelle Sorensen

How often do you sit in the dark? I'm guessing never (unless, maybe you're an insomniac). This Saturday, I'm going to try sitting in the dark for an hour with my family. I think we'll either tell campfire ghost stories or play board games by candlelight.

Why?

Because we're voting for Earth. Not following me? Allow me to explain.

Saturday from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (your time zone) is Earth Hour, a global event where people all over the world turn out their lights for just one hour as a sort of unified honor the Earth moment. This year, Earth Hour has been transformed into the world's first global election, between Earth and global warming. Lights off – are a vote for Earth. 2,500 cities, towns and municipalities (up from a mere 370 last year) in 83 countries have already committed to VOTE EARTH for Earth Hour 2009, and the event's coordinators are hoping to get one billion people to participate.

One billion people taking one simple action to show united, global support for addressing climate change. It will be an unprecedented moment. Never before have so many humans stood together on one issue.

According to EarthHour.org,

"The historic event will see millions of people gathered in parks, streets, town squares and homes around the world to witness the lights going out on iconic landmarks and city skylines, while taking in the atmosphere of some truly unique Earth Hour events. In Sydney, where Earth Hour began in 2007, every ferry in the city's famous harbor will sound its horn at precisely 8.30 p.m. to herald the beginning of Earth Hour in Australia, while in Melbourne a people-pedal-powered concert will be underway at Federation Square. On the other side of the world, arrangements will be underway for a host of concerts and parties in cities across Europe, including a 'circle of percussion' in Athens, where people will be given percussion instruments to play, led by a conductor, as the lights go out on the Acropolis. In Oslo's city centre, members of the public will take up the challenge of peddle-powered light bulbs, while residents in the city of Lisbon will sit down to an evening of outdoor candle-lit dining as they watch their city skyline go dark."

Earth Hour Executive Director, Mr. Andy Ridley, says Earth Hour is more than just a call to action on climate change."Earth Hour is an opportunity for the global community to speak in one voice on the issue of climate change, while at the same time coming together in celebration of the one thing every single person on the planet has in common - the planet," he said. "Whether it's joining your community in a town square to watch the city lights go dark or hosting a lights out party in your own home, I encourage everybody across the world to be a part of this historic occasion. Turn off your lights, celebrate the planet, enjoy the moment and cast your vote for Earth."

What about when the lights come back on? Many argue that this event is completely missing the point. That we need to do more than just turn out the lights for an hour. They're absolutely right.

So what are you doing? Or, what are you going to do? Today marks the launch of the "Healthy Begins Here" video contest challenge where we are asking you to submit a video less than 2 minutes in length that shows what you can do to make a healthy, green home (which helps support a healthy, green Earth).

But, we don't simply want you to show us what you do, we want you to have fun. Because if you make it fun, other people will be inspired to try it too.

Going green and living healthier doesn't need to be complicated, or a hassle, or a sacrifice. Talking about it shouldn't be doom and gloom or wrapped in contrived morality. It should be fun. And it CAN be fun.

Whether it's your great grandma demonstrating her old school chemical-free cleaning tricks, your dad skateboarding to work, or your dog taking out the recycling - send us a video under 2 minutes that shows us how you protect your little piece of the planet. Do whatever you do, but do it refreshingly different. Make it fun.

Visit http://www.youtube.com/user/HealthyChild to learn more.

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Labels: contest, Earth Hour, environment, green

Posted by: Janelle Sorensen at 5:00 AM

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Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Leave Dirt at the Door: How Taking Off Your Shoes Can Improve Your Health

Our guest blogger is Laura Dern - Actress, Activist, and Mom to Ellery and Jaya.

In many cultures it's customary to remove your shoes before entering a home for spiritual or practical reasons. And as a mom, I encourage the practice because I want a clean home. But taking off your shoes not only helps keep your home cleaner, it also helps keep it healthier. Think about it. Where have the bottom of your shoes been? If you've stopped to fill up your car, you can track home gasoline on your feet. If you've walked through a freshly treated lawn or putting green, you can track home toxic pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Seemingly benign dirt can have traces of lead in it. You walk through it, then you walk through your home leaving traces on your rug, your baby crawls past, and then stops to put her hand in her mouth. Get the picture?

The professional cleaning industry estimates that we track 85% of the dirt in our homes in from the outside on our shoes or paws of pets. In a recent warning about lead exposure, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) specifically recommends that shoes remain outside the house. According to a report called The Door Mat Study, lead-contaminated soil from the outside causes almost all the lead dust inside homes. It notes that wiping shoes on a mat and removing them at the door cuts lead dust by 60 percent. The study explains that limiting the amount of dust and track-in may also help reduce exposure to lawn and garden pesticides, wood smoke and industrial toxins, mutagens, dust mites, and allergens.

Wiping our shoes off as we enter the home reduces the amount of contaminated dirt tracked in. Large mats, that cover two or three strides, will ensure that even those that refuse to wipe will leave most of the dirt clinging to their shoes on the mat rather than your carpet

The BEST solution is to take off your shoes as you enter your home. It is a good excuse to buy some great socks or slippers. And your flooring will stay clean as well as keep dirt and potential toxic threats from getting into carpets. If going shoeless is not acceptable to family members, suggest that they wear house shoes (that don't go outside), slippers or socks.

And walking around in soft slippers, socks, or barefoot does another wonderful thing - it helps us relax and unwind.

Sources:
EPA, Lead in Paint, Dust and Soil
Housekeeping Solutions, Floor Care: Rolling Out the Welcome Mat
Small Property Owners of America, The Door Mat Study

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Labels: clean, environment, green, health and wellness

Posted by: WebMD Blogs at 6:22 PM

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Friday, March 20, 2009

What the Heck is Household Hazardous Waste?

You may be surprised...

by Healthy Child Healthy World

Are you familiar with what household hazardous waste is? Sounds like a vat of bubbling green goo, but it actually comes in much more benign packaging. Most of what makes up household hazardous waste are products we casually purchase on a regular basis, like conventional cleansers, paints, pesticides, batteries, medication, antifreeze, glues, lighter fluid, even nail polish and perfumes. All of these unassuming products (and many others) are risky for human health and the environment and should be handled and disposed of with great care.

Quick Facts

Hazardous products will have one or more of these characteristics in varying degrees: Ignitability, Toxicity, Corrosivity, Reactivity

Hazardous products currently are labeled with signal words: Danger, Warning, Caution, Poisonous, Flammable (older products may not contain signal words)

The term "inert ingredients" on product labels is highly misleading because it may convey the impression that these ingredients are nontoxic or otherwise not hazardous. Some inert ingredients are quite toxic or can make the active ingredients more toxic.

Quick Tips

Buy only what you need. Try to find safer alternatives to common hazardous materials by looking for non-toxic, natural products. If you do buy a hazardous product, buy only as much as you need.

Never pour pesticides, flammable materials, or solvent-based products down the sink drain.

Never pour anything down the storm drain. Storm drains are directly connected to the nearest stream, lake, or ocean. There is no treatment of any kind before water is emptied into a natural body of water.

Never put liquids or any toxic, corrosive, flammable or chemically reactive materials in the trash. No liquids - not even soda. Use up hazardous products according to label directions or dispose appropriately - not in trash! Triple rinse empty containers and pour/apply the rinse water to the same area you are treating. Do not use banned pesticides, outdated medicines, lead paint or old chemistry sets.

Recycle. Bring leftover products to someone else who will use it. (Does not apply to banned pesticides, outdated medicines, lead paint or old chemistry sets.) Motor oil - call your local health department for recycling information.

Take it to a household hazardous waste collection program. Call your Department of Health or Department of Sanitation for advice, dates & locations. Also, visit Earth 911 (www.earth911.org), or call 800-CLEANUP for more information on proper disposal or recycling of household hazardous products. Enter your zip code for local information.

Any additional questions? Visit the US Environmental Protection Agency's Household Hazardous Waste information page.

Posted by: WebMD Blogs at 7:07 AM

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Wednesday, March 18, 2009

A Green Guide to Poison Prevention

by Janelle Sorensen

Did you know this is National Poison Prevention Week? I am personally thankful for the many Poison Control Centers across the country. When my older daughter was about 4, she climbed on top of our kitchen counter and reached high into the cupboard where we kept her vitamins, grabbed them, jumped down, and ate them all. I found her peacefully sitting on the couch next to the empty bottle, asked her what she had done, and called Poison Control (that number, by the way is 1-800-222-1222, keep it handy, you never know when you'll need it). The woman I spoke with asked me some questions about the brand of vitamin and my daughter's age and size. And, after a few tense moments of waiting while she entered the information into her computer, she kindly told me my daughter would be fine. Phew!

According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC), almost 2 1/2 million poisonings are reported each year - that's a call every 13 seconds. More than 90 percent of these poisonings occur in the home and almost 50 percent occur in children younger than six years old.

The AAPCC recommends a lengthy list of actions including locking cabinets, only using toxic products when you can completely focus on the task at hand, and keeping an ever watchful eye on your children. Great tips in general, but every parent knows how quickly distractions occur and how easy it is to forget taking precautions sometimes (hey, we're busy and sleep deprived and multitasking to the best of our abilities). So, I have a simpler suggestion - go green. Green products don't rely on the toxic chemicals used in conventional products. So, if you opt for green, non-toxic options, you're reducing the possibility of poisonings, reducing the number of precautions you need to take, and reducing worries.

What's poisoning our children and how do we prevent it?

Personal Care Products. Shampoos, lotions, and cosmetics contain hundreds of synthetic chemicals (read the labels to get a glimpse inside). Three steps can help you reduce this risk: eliminate unnecessary products (how many face creams do you really need?), look for natural and organic products (visit cosmeticsdatabase.com), and get back to the basics (olive oil makes a great moisturizer and I've heard you can wash your hair with baking soda if you really want to simplify).

Cleaning Products. Instead of worrying about “safe” use and proper storage of cleaning products, stop buying toxic products and make the switch to green cleaners or use basic ingredients like baking soda and vinegar. (If you mix up your own cleaner, label the bottle and list what ingredients you used.)

Pesticides. In 2006, there were over 77,000 calls regarding potential exposure to pesticides. Again, the advice is to lock up these poisonous products, but you can avoid having them altogether by taking preventative steps to avoid pests and using safer methods for killing them if you still end up with a problem. Visit BeyondPesticides.org for more information.

Plants. Plants are beautiful additions to any home and actually help purify your indoor air, but some can be poisonous for children and pets. Safe plants that have been shown to help clean up indoor air include Chinese evergreen, arrow head vine, English ivy, and spider plants.

Arts, Crafts, and Office Supplies. Kids love crafting, but chemicals in materials can end up being absorbed by their skin, eaten (if your kids are young), or inhaled. So avoid the risk and go green with your crafts and your office by selecting supplies made of natural materials.

This is actually just the beginning of a very long list of the many different potentially poisonous materials we have in our homes the AAPCC receive calls about. It doesn't make sense to me that we so nonchalantly bring these things into our living spaces and keep them (and use them) around our children. Especially when we now know that it's not always the dose that makes the poison. For very young children or the developing fetus, small exposures can have lifelong negative health impacts even if there's no immediate signs of poisoning. In these cases it's the timing that makes the poison.

Your safest bet for poisoning prevention AND good health in general is to go green. Start using the Health eHome and HealthyChild.org today. If you're already taking steps to create a healthier home, kudos. Keep making progress and share your knowledge with friends, family, neighbors, and your community.

Posted by: Janelle Sorensen at 1:58 PM

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Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Dose Doesn't Always Make the Poison

Our guest blogger is Philip J. Landrigan, MD, MSc, a pediatrician, epidemiologist, and internationally recognized leader in public health and preventive medicine. He is currently the Ethel H. Wise Professor of Pediatrics, Chair of Community and Preventative Medicine, and Director of the Children's Environmental Health Center at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine.

It goes without saying that it is imperative to know the appropriate dose of any medication you need to take. Take too little and you may feel no relief; too much and you could become sicker. In fact, it's actually quite marvelous that some things can be poisonous in large doses, but beneficial in small. Still, this rule does not always hold true.

For centuries, the basic tenet of toxicology has been "the dose makes the poison." Increasingly, scientists are finding "the timing makes the poison" - in other words, it's not just how much you are exposed to, but also when the exposure occurs. This new rule is especially important for fetuses who are uniquely susceptible to exquisitely small amounts due to their developing systems. In fact, many of these prenatal exposures leave the mother unscathed while causing injury to her fetus.

The growing brain appears to be the most sensitive, but scientists are also extremely concerned about the newest animal research suggesting that chemicals can alter gene expression. In essence, a single chemical exposure during a critical window of development can turn a gene on or off and subsequently predispose people to disease. Although the DNA is unchanged, isolated genetic alterations can be permanent, placing all subsequent generations at greater risk of diseases. Toxic exposures during these moments of heightened susceptibility can cause disease and disability in childhood and throughout life.

Though some chemicals connected to negative health or development impacts are now regulated in the United States, many remain unregulated Adverse health effects have been linked to chemicals at exposure levels commonly found in our everyday environments. Moreover, tests for developmental effects are not routinely required before a chemical is used in everyday products. So, we have an incredible gap in understanding because 80% of major chemicals in commerce have never been tested to see if they damage early development - the period of highest vulnerability.

What can you do to protect yourself and your children (whether you have kids now or are planning on having them in the future)? Prevent unnecessary exposures. Use the Health eHome and visit HealthyChild.org to find out how.

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Labels: chemicals, children's health, environment, green, health and wellness, pregnancy

Posted by: WebMD Blogs at 1:15 PM

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Friday, March 13, 2009

Environment and Cancer: Myths Vs Facts

Our guest blogger is Devra Lee Davis, PhD, MPH, Director, Center for Environmental Oncology, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute and author of The Secret History of the War on Cancer.

At the Center for Environmental Oncology, our mission is helping to make prevention the cure for cancer. We translate scientific findings into educational materials and public policy recommendations to provide information on practical actions people can take to reduce the risk of cancer. Knowledge about cancer risks can empower people to make healthier choices for themselves their families and communities.

Myth: Chemical flame retardants in furniture and plastics are a "necessary evil" for preventing house fires.

Toxic flame retardants, long-lived chemicals that can accumulate in people and other animals, threaten the health of adults, children, the environment, and wildlife and are not proven to prevent fire deaths. Brominated Tris, a chemical used to make children's sleepwear fire resistant in the 70's, was banned in 1977 after it was found to damage DNA in laboratory tests and shown to leach into children's bodies. Its replacement, chlorinated Tris, was later banned after it was found to also damage DNA. (1)

Today, because of California law, much furniture and bedding foam is treated with a brominated chemical called poly brominated diphenyl ether (PBDE). PBDE's structurally resemble chlorinated Tris, which was a widely used fire retardant in furniture. Like chlorinated Tris, PBDE was recently deemed by the Consumer Product Safety Commission to be "a probable human carcinogen based on sufficient evidence in animals." (2) most chemicals in this family, when tested in animals, have been found to cause health problems like cancer, sterility, thyroid disorders, endocrine disruption, and developmental impairment or birth defects, even at very low doses. (3, 4) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that residues of these and other persistent organic chemicals are found in children and women of reproductive age and in breast milk. (5) An analysis of fire data from 1980 to 2002 showed that, among the eight most populated states in the U.S., the rate of reduction of fire deaths in California (the only state with regulations leading to the use of fire retardant chemicals) is similar to seven other states that do not regulate the flammability of furniture. (6)

Myth: Asbestos, a known carcinogen, has been banned in the US.

Although restricted in use, asbestos is not banned and can sometimes be found in old brakes, roofing tiles, cement and insulation. Asbestos, the name given to a number of naturally occurring, fibrous silicate minerals mined for their useful properties such as thermal insulation and high tensile strength, is found in many products today, including roofing shingles, pipeline wrap, ceiling and floor tiles, paper and cement products, and in automobile parts such as the clutch, brake and transmission. Additionally, the EPA reports that 35 million American homes may be contaminated with asbestos in their attics in the form of Zonolite, the trade name for one specific type of insulation that was sold in the 1960s through 1980s and can contain an asbestos fiber called tremolite.

Asbestos is made up of microscopic bundles of fibers that may become airborne when asbestos-containing materials are damaged or disturbed. When inhaled, asbestos fibers can lead to serious lung diseases such as lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma. If it must be disturbed or removed, asbestos should be handled only by a licensed inspector. Children should never play in attics or other areas where asbestos products have been used. (7) According to reports from several national cancer institutes (8), one in three cases of mesothelioma—a lethal and rare cancer uniquely tied with asbestos exposure—occurs today in a person who has never worked with asbestos, indicating that environmental exposures may play a role.

Myth: Personal care products are always safe to use.

The FDA does not have the authority to require safety testing on personal care products. Many of the products that women, men, and children use every day contain known and suspected cancer-causing agents. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which has undertaken a human biomonitoring study, reports that some of the toxic chemicals found in personal care products - including those that can cause cancer, interfere with hormone function and cause birth defects - are ending up in our bodies. (9, 10) These toxic chemicals include: lead in lipstick, phthalates and formaldehyde in nail polish, and parabens, used as preservatives in many products. the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics created Skin Deep Database, which can be searched to evaluate make up; skin-, hair-, eye-, nail-, baby-, and oral-, care products; and products containing fragrance.

Myth: Diagnostic radiation is safe for adults or children.

In 2007, the American College of Radiology (ACR) noted that in the past quarter century, the amount of radiation the U.S. population receives each year from medical imaging has increased fivefold. (11) Just this past month, the FDA issued an advisory to physicians regarding the inappropriate use of diagnostic radiation in children (12), while the Image Gently national campaign is encouraging pediatricians to use as low as reasonable achievable doses. (13)
A single CT scan of a child's stomach or head can be equivalent to between 200 to 6,000 chest X-rays. (14) One group of researchers, recently estimated that in one year, 700 people will die from cancers associated with head CT's and 1,800 will die from radiation-induced cancer from abdominal examinations carried out when they were infants. (15) If a CT scan is recommended for a healthy individual, especially a child, it is important to consider whether another diagnostic tool, such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or ultrasound (neither of which involve radiation) could be used, instead.

References

A. Blum and B.N. Ames, Flame Retardant Additives as Possible Cancer Hazards: The main flame retardant in children's pajamas is a mutagen and should not be used. Science 195, 17. (1977)
The National Academies, Advisers to the Nation on Science, Engineering and Medicine,"The Science Behind Today's News," [Website]
J.A. Dye, M. Venier, C.R. Ward, L.Y. Zhu, R.A. Hites, L.S. Flame retardants in animals: Pet cats in the U.S. have high polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) serum levels. Birnbaum Society of Toxicology. Annual meeting Abstract number 853. (2007)
Tomy, G. T.; Palace, V. P.; Halldorson, T.; Braekevelt, E.; Danell, R.; Wautier, K.; Evans, B.; Brinkworth, L.; Fisk, A. T., Bioaccumulation, biotransformation, and biochemical effects of brominated diphenyl ethers in juvenile lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush). Environmental Science & Technology, 38, (5), 1496-1504. (2004)
Schecter A, Pavuk M, Papke O, Ryan JJ, BirnbaumL, Rosen R. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE's) in U.S. Mothers' Milk. EHP 111(14)1723-1729. (2003)
California fire deaths compared to other states: National Fire Protection Association, Fire Death Rates By State, [Website]
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/help.html#pastandpresent http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/ashome.html
Davis, Devra. The Secret History of the War on Cancer, Basic Books, New York. (October 2007), pps. 310, 471.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals [Website] (2001-2004)
Malkan S. Not Just Another Pretty Face: The Ugly Truth about the Cosmetic Industry. New Society Publishers; 1 edition (November 1, 2007)
Amis, E S, Butler, P. F., and Applegate, K.E., et al. (2007) American College of Radiology White Paper on Radiation Dose in Medicine. J AM Coll Radiol, 4, 272-284.
US Food And Drug Administration: FDA Public Health Notification: Reducing Radiation Risk from Computed Tomography for Pediatric and Small Adult Patients [Website]
American College of Radiology, Image Gently Campaign, [Website]
Brenner D, Elliston C, Hall E, Berdon W. 2001."Estimated risks of radiation-induced fatal cancer from pediatric CT." AJR 176(2): 289-96.
Brenner, D, Elliston C, Hall E, Berdon W., "Estimated risks of radiation-induced fatal cancer from pediatric CT." AJR 176 (2): 289-96/

Posted by: WebMD Blogs at 10:43 AM

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Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Eliminating Pests Without WMDs

by Janelle Sorensen

Photo: Sean Dreilinger

Every winter, my husband and I marvel at the ability of mice to defy the laws of physics by contorting their molecular make-up in order to squeeze through any tiny crack or crevice they find in the exterior walls of our home. Usually they are heard and not seen - a little scratching behind walls or a nearly inaudible squeak. My husband strategically places traps around the house, and I imagine him releasing the captured mice at a rodent resort where they get poolside peanut butter service.

Believe me when I say that I respect the concepts of biodiversity and cohabitation with many species. I just don't want most of them in any proximity whatsoever to where I eat, sleep, or bathe.

One unfortunate day, when just my 4 year-old daughter and I were at home, a brave (or perhaps naïve) young mouse ran across our living room. Instead of bursting out in hysterical shrieks, I decided to set a good example for my daughter and calmly deal with the situation. Thus, I retrieved our broom and began my comical pursuit.

The mouse ended up running behind a large bureau where we engaged in a ridiculous dance. I poked my broom behind the bureau on the left side and it ran to the right. I ran to the right side and poked again and it ran left. Back and forth, back and forth. As the chase continued, my adrenaline pumped faster and faster until finally, I yanked the bureau away from the wall and went in for the kill. (Note to the squeamish: skip the next sentence). I hit the mouse with immense force (and not once, but over and over and over) until blood sprayed onto the walls and the broom handle snapped in half.

I stared in disbelief, my whole body trembling, and then remembered my daughter had been sitting on the couch witnessing the whole debacle. I took a deep breath, walked away from the murder scene and over to where she was sitting. She was perfectly silent, sitting absolutely still. I thought she must be permanently traumatized - how am I going to explain this? I asked gently, "Are you okay, honey? I know that may have been kind of scary to watch." She answered with complete nonchalance, "It's okay Mommy. That mouse couldn't live here and there's a lot more mouses. Can I watch PBS?" Sure, sweetheart. You'd never witness anything as inappropriate as that on Sesame Street.

What's the point of this story? As I said earlier, I really don't like bugs or rodents in my home. Not surprisingly, neither do most other people. And, while I beat my unwanted guest to a pulp, others opt for less physical methods, like poison or bug bombs. Neither way is ideal. In fact, even though pesticides likely won't give your kids nightmares, they may cause permanent health impacts. They're linked to a wide range of health problems including asthma, brain damage, and even cancer.

The best way to get rid of rodents and bugs is actually not to get them in the first place. Well, duh, tell me something I didn't know, right? Really, though. Keep your house clean and uncluttered. Keep foods in your pantry in airtight containers. Clean spills immediately. Regularly wash out your garbage can and recycling containers. Dust, dirt, and crumbs are like a free buffet for bugs and critters. And you may as well have a flashing neon sign inviting them in if you have a torn screen or cracked foundation. Don't provide dinner and don't provide a way in, and you should be okay.

If that fails, try a safer remedy like Boric Acid or food-grade diatomaceous earth. Of course these ingredients aren't a panacea for your pest problems. There are specific tips for every kind of invader and you can learn all about them at BeyondPesticides.org.

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Labels: environment, green, pesticides, pests

Posted by: Janelle Sorensen at 10:07 AM

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Friday, March 6, 2009

Kate Hudson Says You're in Charge!

What are you in charge of? Your life, your home, your purchases, and so much more. It's not as though you needed permission, but it's important to remember nonetheless - especially as you start to create a cleaner, greener, healthier home. You're going to encounter a lot of rules - do this, don't do that, avoid this, buy that - but you need to take charge and choose what's right for you.

As Kate Hudson says in our book, "When it comes to living a healthier life, I really feel you have to call your own shots. You have to begin by deciding to make positive changes. I started by making certain things myself. I've made lotions, candles, homeopathic remedies, and aromatherapy treatments, mainly as fun hobbies that then developed my interest in the types of ingredients used in products and their effects on us and the environment...It's all about taking charge...I can do something - quite a lot, actually."

She's right. You'll find that small actions quickly turn to habit and before you know it, you're feeling healthier and happier than ever. Many of the ideas will help you save money, too! Want to make your own lotion like Kate? For less than a dollar per bottle and with only three ingredients, you can make a natural moisturizing lotion. Replace that apple cinnamon plug-in air freshener with some real sliced apple and cinnamon - just simmer in some water on the stove to make the whole house smell like apple pie. Simple tricks like these save you money, reduce your exposure to unnecessary chemicals, and help protect the planet.

Where should YOU start creating a healthier home? Take the Health eHome quiz to find out.

*****

Kate Hudson's quote taken from Healthy Child Healthy World: Creating a Cleaner, Greener, Safer Home. Reprinted by arrangement with Plume, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc. Copyright (c) 2009 by Healthy Child Healthy World.

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Labels: chemicals, children's health, environment, health and wellness

Posted by: WebMD Blogs at 7:21 AM

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Thursday, March 5, 2009

No One Can Do Everything

by Christopher Gavigan

Eat your (local and seasonal) vegetables. Clean the kitchen. Pay your bills online. Life is filled with demands, tasks, and responsibilities. All these big and little things we're supposed to do everyday, and the list is always growing. Toss in loving and attending to your children's needs, and each day becomes a whirlwind of activity. There never seem to be enough minutes in the day.

As if you didn't have enough to worry about already, there is a constant onslaught of fear-based headlines about chemicals in plastics, toxics in toys, and contaminants in food - all of which can make you confused, overwhelmed, and near immobile. What are you supposed to do? What's important? What do you do first? Who has time to research all of these issues?

Every so often something comes along that actually makes your life easier. Right now is one of those times.

WebMD has aligned with Healthy Child Healthy World, a nonprofit leader dedicated to inspiring parents to protect children from harmful chemicals, to bring you the all new Health eHome. This interactive, educational tool offers you the easy tips, practical solutions, and most trusted advice about healthy, safe, environmentally sensible living. (Life just got easier.)

Explore it, bookmark it, and refer to it whenever you read an alarming headline, hear a fellow parent express concern, or see a product claim that makes you wonder what you can realistically do to protect your health. We know you're busy and you have better things to do with your time, so we'll try to make it all quick, easy, and maybe even entertaining (RSS this blog for that part).

And if we inspired you to be even more interested about nontoxic options and safer products (it's ok to be an uber-greenie), there is MORE, much more, to discover at HealthyChild.org, our nonprofit's main site.

Please always remember, while trying to protect your health and the planet can seem very overwhelming, every little bit you do helps. Promise. Try to live with this mantra in mind: No one can do everything, but everyone can do something.

So, visit the Health eHome when you can get those free 10 minutes and pick one thing to do today. It matters! And you'll be joining a movement of parents eager to create a healthier tomorrow for our children.

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Labels: children's health, environment, green, health and wellness

Posted by: Christopher Gavigan at 9:41 AM

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Friday, February 27, 2009

Know Your Plastics

Code 1: PET or PETE (polyethylene terephthalate). You'll most commonly see this in the thin, clear plastic of bottled water (or bottled cooking oil, peanut butter, soda, etc.). It's appears safe for single use, but these bottles should not be reused, refilled, or heated. This plastic can be recycled once into new secondary products, such as textiles, parking lot bumpers, or plastic lumber.

Code 2: HDPE (high-density polyethylene). This is the thicker, milkier or opaque plastic found in milk and water jugs, juice bottles, detergent, shampoo, and motor oil containers, and toys. Unlike #1, these are safe to refill and reuse, even though they may not look as snazzy as #1 or #7. Recyclable once into products similar to those for # 1 plastics.

Code 3: PVC (polyvinyl chloride). Found in bibs, mattress covers, squeeze bottles, cling wrap, some peanut butter jars, and a few other food and detergent containers. The manufacture of PVC releases dioxin into the environment, a potent carcinogen that accumulates in animals and in us. It may also contain phthalates, chemicals used, among other things, to soften plastics. Some phthalates are hormone disruptors that have been linked to possible reproductive problems and birth defects, and even to smaller penis size in boys. PVC workers have higher cancer rates. May be discarded at the recycling plant. AVOID #3!

Code 4: LDPE (low-density polyethylene). Found in soft, flexible plastics such as those used in grocery story bags, plastic wrap, dry cleaning bags, shopping bags, and garbage bags. One of the safer plastics - but recycle, don't throw away. Many of these bags could be better replaced with reusable bags, especially when shopping.

Code 5: PP (polypropylene). Found in hard but flexible plastics, such as those used for ice cream and yogurt containers, drinking straws, syrup bottles, salad bar containers, and diapers. One of the safer plastics - but recycle, don't throw away.

Code 6: PS (polystyrene).Found in rigid plastics such as opaque plastic spoons and forks, and in Styrofoam, such as those found in coffee cups and meat trays. These plastics can leach styrene, a known neurotoxin with other negative health effects. AVOID #6.

Code 7: Other (including polycarbonate, nylon, and acrylic). This is a grab bag symbol. It includes polycarbonate, an important source of the endocrine disruptor BPA, found in many baby bottles. Polycarbonate is also common in 5-gallon water bottles, sports bottles, clear plastic cutlery, and in the lining of food and formula cans.

But code 7 also includes some of the newer, compostable green plastics, such as those made from corn, potatoes, rice, or tapioca. (I wish they would make a code 8 for these!) AVOID # 7, unless it is labeled as one of these new bio-based plastics.

Whatever plastics you choose, when microwaving food or drink, try to opt for glass or ceramic containers instead of plastic, where possible, and wax paper or a paper towel instead of plastic wrap. Hand wash plastics to make them last longer and recycle them or find a non-food use for them when they begin to show signs of wear and tear.

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Labels: environment, green, health and wellness, phthalates, plastics

Posted by: WebMD Blogs at 7:00 AM

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Thursday, February 26, 2009

How the First Family Copes with Asthma

The Obama's have been on a dog hunt for several months now as a reward for Malia and Sasha's patience throughout the long campaign. There have been many recommendations for a first canine, so why is it taking so long to find just the right one? Well, as a matter of fact, it needs to be hypoallergenic because young Malia suffers from asthma.

According to the First Lady, in a piece she wrote for our book, it all started with a family outing to the circus when Malia was about three years old. Her breathing became more and more strained until they rushed her to the emergency room where the doctor diagnosed her with asthma.

Everyone who's been through it knows that an asthma diagnosis begins a complete shift in lifestyle. For the Obama family, it was no different. How have they coped? "Since then, we've worked to stay ahead of it," writes First Lady Obama. "We take Malia to the pediatrician regularly to ensure she has whatever treatment she requires. She had an inhaler for a while, but hasn't needed one for a year or two now. We keep our house dust- and dander-free, and don't bring in anything that will disrupt her."

She advocates for the same type of simple prevention for others in the same position. "Parents of children with asthma need to know how to reduce the chances of an attack if it happens, and when to go to the hospital. Irritants and allergens in the air, such as smoke, dust mites, pet dander, cockroaches, mold, and pollen, can make attacks more likely. So parents who have children with asthma should keep houses clean of potential triggers."

In addition to reducing these more commonly recognized allergens, you can also help everyone breathe easier by following these simple steps:

1. Open your windows. Chemicals like respiratory irritants build up in your home if there is no ventilation. By opening your windows, you will let fresh air in and allow polluted air a way to exit. Check AirNow.gov and Pollen.com for information regarding outdoor air quality in order to make sure you are opening your windows at the best times.

2. Reduce dust and other particles on your floor. Twice a week, use a damp mop or use a vacuum cleaner equipped with a HEPA filter. HEPA filters capture 95 percent of all particles. Consider replacing wall-to-wall carpeting, a pollutant trap, with washable area rugs.

3. Avoid all chemical pesticides. Pesticides are poisons. There are safer alternatives to keep pests under control.

4. Use least-toxic, mild, or non-toxic household cleaners. Conventional cleaners can irritate airways. Instead, use basic kitchen ingredients or buy "green" cleaners that are made with less toxic ingredients.

5. Use natural personal care products. Cosmetics, lotions, shampoos, and perfumes can all contain a multitude of chemicals that can irritate the respiratory system. Look for products with ingredients you can pronounce and use less. Refer to Cosmeticsdatabase.com for the safest options.

*****

Michelle Obama's quotes taken from Healthy Child Healthy World: Creating a Cleaner, Greener, Safer Home. Reprinted by arrangement with Plume, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc. Copyright (c) 2009 by Healthy Child Healthy World.

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Labels: asthma, children's health, environment, green, Obama

Posted by: WebMD Blogs at 3:30 PM

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Friday, February 20, 2009

Pollution Comes Home and Gets Personal

by Janelle Sorensen

If you would have asked me to draw a picture of pollution fifteen years ago, it would have been something along the lines of a factory with smokestacks billowing and litter strewn around the surrounding grounds. Pollution was outside, over there. I was not a part of it.

According to a new study, it's a pretty typical perspective. "People more readily equate pollution with large-scale contamination and environmental disasters, yet the products and activities that form the backdrop to our everyday lives - electronics, cleaners, beauty products, food packaging - are a significant source of daily personal chemical exposure that accumulates over time," said sociologist Rebecca Gasior Altman, the lead author of the study, Pollution Comes Home and Gets Personal: Women's Experience of Household Chemical Exposure.

"Pollution at home has been a blind spot for society," said Altman. Still, chemicals in our everyday environments are increasingly making media headlines. From BPA in baby bottles to phthalates in toys, pollution is starting to get really personal. But, is it really helpful at all to know all these dirty little secrets, especially when we don't really know the health impacts of many exposures?

Some government officials and scientists worry that widespread access to information about chemicals in everyday products and personal body burdens will provoke fears and generate misleading hype. Yet, according to Altman, "This study documents that an important shift occurs in how people understand environmental pollution, its sources and possible solutions as they learn about chemicals from everyday products that are detectable in urine samples and the household dust collecting under the sofa."

The participants in this study who learned about chemicals in their homes and bodies were not alarmed, but eager for more, not less, information about how typical household products can expose them to chemicals that may affect health. (Hey, un-named participants! Visit HealthyChild.org!) According to Dr. Linda S. Birnbaum, Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, "Understanding that the indoor environment may be one of the largest sources of exposure is extremely important as we move forward - not only in getting appropriate regulation of sources, but in altering individual behaviors."

Ask me to draw a picture of pollution today and I'll draw a picture of the inside of a house, with brightly colored cleaners under the kitchen sink, a plug-in air freshener quietly doing its business in an outlet, and an elementary figure of a pregnant woman with a tainted womb. Pollution is inside, in our comfort zones and sacred spaces. It is in me and I am a part of creating more pollution every time I buy something or turn on a light. Like the women from the study, this new picture has changed my behavior dramatically. I am not afraid and I want to learn more. I recognize my role in the problem and I am empowered to be a part of the solution.

How about you?

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Labels: chemicals, environment, pollution

Posted by: Janelle Sorensen at 8:00 AM

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Thursday, February 19, 2009

Eco-Conscious Conception

by Christopher Gavigan