More and more we are hearing about toxic chemicals invading our consumer products, our environment, and our communities.  Beyond lead in toys and cadmium in drinking glasses, products like baby bottles, sippy cups, “rubber” duckies, and toys made of certain plastics contain synthetic chemicals shown to be toxic. Some chemicals can leach into food and drinks, offgas into the air we breathe, or settle in the dust in our homes, having possible impacts on our health. Many synthetic chemicals we are exposed to daily in various products have been linked to adverse affects to health, brain development, and behavior.

You may be asking: What impact may this have on my child’s development? What does this mean for the health and mental health of my family? How do I know what products are safe?  Why are these chemicals in our products in the first place?  Good questions!

What impact may this have on my child’s development?

Children are at greater risk, especially fetuses and young children.  Children’s immature immune systems, rapid development, and different eating patterns make them more vulnerable to toxic exposures.  Child development is a delicate biological process, guided by the body’s own hormones acting at very low levels and affecting every cell, organ, and function of the human body. Exposures to hormone-mimicking chemicals like phthalates and bisphenol A during critical times in development can disrupt the body’s natural signals.

What does this mean for the health and mental health of my family?

Exposure to these chemicals could compromise our health and mental health.  Overwhelming peer reviewed research  links some chemicals to increased rates of behavioral, learning, and developmental disabilities; early onset of puberty; breast and prostate cancer; infertility; and more.  Because we are exposed to so many chemicals  every day, it’s almost impossible to link a given exposure to a health problem.  Also, we can’t do anything about past exposures. But we can start being more aware of products we use and try to reduce exposures from now on.

How do I know what products are safe?

It’s easy to be overwhelmed at the thought of trying to avoid toxic chemicals that seem to be everywhere, in everything. And no one can totally isolate themselves from chemicals that are such an integral part of our lives.  But there are things you can control; there are steps you can take to lessen exposures–the key word here is “steps,” take one little step at a time.  It’s helpful to do even just one thing, versus nothing.  See “Where Do I Start?” below for suggestions, and let Healthy Legacy help!

Healthy Legacy (www.healthylegacy.org) is a Minnesota non-profit coalition that promotes healthy lives by supporting the production and use of everyday products without toxic chemicals.  They aim to educate and empower people to protect themselves and their children by encouraging support of healthy businesses and practices.  The Healthy Legacy website is chock full of guides, information, and links to help you make safer choices for the products you buy.

Why are these chemicals in our products in the first place?

Most people assume the products they buy (toys, personal care products, cleaning products, electronics, pesticides, plastics, and more) are tested for safety by someone, somewhere before they’re sold.  Unfortunately, the chemicals that make up the majority of products found in your local retailer are untested and unregulated.  A broken federal chemical policy system has led to our involuntary exposure to toxic chemicals, and they are ending up in places they don’t belong: our ecosystems, our communities, and our bodies.

Of the 80,000+ synthetic chemicals used in US consumer goods, the EPA has required testing of only 200 chemicals for health effects under the Toxics Substance Control Act, the 1976 U.S. law regulating industrial chemicals.  Healthy Legacy promotes policies that would phase out the most toxic chemicals and those that persist and build up in our bodies and the environment.  They encourage businesses to protect our health and environment through the development and use of safe substitutes.  Investing in clean technologies also creates new jobs, profitable new markets for farmers and industry, and increases worker safety.

Wouldn’t it be nice to go into a store and know that any product you buy is proven safe?  You shouldn’t have to do a research project to find safe products for your family.  The good news is that safer chemicals and products are increasingly hitting the market.  States have been taking the lead where the federal government has fallen behind and have dramatically moved markets, shifted retailers purchasing preferences, and spurred federal attention to the issue.  In addition, consumers like you have already made significant change by voting with their wallets.  Never underestimate the power of your wallet!  Many manufacturers have phased out certain plastics in certain items (think baby bottles and bisphenol A, or BPA) just because of consumer awareness and demand, before any laws were put in place to do it. What you buy, or do not buy, is casting a vote for or against that product–and the materials with which it is made.

But, consumer choices alone can’t solve this problem.  Healthy Legacy is working to reform the state and federal chemical regulatory systems that allow the continued introduction of untested chemicals into every day consumer products.  They are currently helping with a nationwide effort to pass new smart federal policies that protect us from toxic chemicals (see www.saferchemicals.org). Check out the Healthy Legacy web site for ways you can get involved in advocating for policy change www.healthylegacy.org.

See this link for an overview of toxins and regulation: www.healthylegacy.org/resources.cfm?refid=103969

Who is Healthy Legacy?

Healthy Legacy is a Minnesota-based coalition that is dedicated to safe products, made safely. They have over one million members, representing 32 organizations that include public health, labor, and environmental organizations; mental health, learning disability, and developmental disability groups; parent groups; faith-based organizations; and more.  Their vision is healthy people, safe communities, a clean environment, and a thriving economy.  All the work at Healthy Legacy is based on sound science documented in independent, peer reviewed scientific journals.

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Where do I start?  What can I do as an easy first step?

Here are several choices for your easy first step(s):

1.  Take your shoes off at the door. Removing shoes before entering the home not only keeps your home cleaner by keeping dirt out, it also greatly reduces exposure to pesticides, gasoline, and other chemicals that get tracked in.

2.  Avoid antibacterial soaps. Antibacterial soaps, with the acting chemical triclosan, kill good germs as well as bad germs, and contribute to the growing problem of bacteria becoming antibiotic resistant (super bugs).  Also, according to the EPA, triclosan “could be” and is “suspected to be” contaminated with dioxins, which are highly carcinogenic chemicals¹.  Finally, research shows antibacterial soaps are no better than plain soap in preventing infectious disease.  It’s how you wash your hands that matters. Rub hands together vigorously for at least 15-20 seconds. Don’t forget the spaces between your fingers, your wrists, and under your nails.

3.  Choose fragrance-free products, or products scented with essential oils. Fragrances often contain phthalates (the same hormone-mimicking chemical that is in vinyl plastic).  Phthalates will rarely be listed by name on the label, as fragrance ingredients are considered a “trade secret.”  Fragrances can also cause allergic reactions.

Be aware though, products that claim to be “unscented” on the packaging may not be. They could contain masking fragrances that give off a neutral odor. Read the ingredient label–in products truly free of fragrance, the word “fragrance” will not appear there.

Also be alert to air fresheners.  Synthetically fragranced sprays, plug-ins, candles, etc. are full of chemicals.  Choose products made with essential oils or natural herbs.

4.  Lose the pesticides. Pesticides are poisons and can harm organisms other than those targeted, including your children. By their very nature, pesticides are not safe; and it is illegal for a company to tell you otherwise. There are safer, alternative ways of dealing with virtually every pest problem; here are three resources to start you on a pesticide-free track:

Natural Lawn and Garden Basics

www.healthylegacy.org/resources.cfm?refid=106292

Pests in Home and Garden

www.beyondpesticides.org/alternatives/factsheets/index.htm

http://healthychild.org/5steps/5_steps_1/

5.  Brush up on your plastic knowledge. Learn what the different plastic labeling numbers mean—which types are safer and which ones to avoid.  Use the following handy guide provided through Healthy Legacy from the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy:

Smart Plastics Guide

http://www.healthobservatory.org/library.cfm?refid=102202

Also see Healthy Legacy’s “Quick Tips for Safer Plastics:”

www.healthylegacy.org/consumer_plastics.cfm

6.  Buy organic for one produce item that your family eats. Shop smart and make the most of your extra investment—unless you can buy all organic, don’t bother spending the extra money on produce with the lowest levels of pesticide.  Get a guide to produce with the highest and lowest levels here: http://www.foodnews.org/walletguide.php.

7.  Begin replacing your harshest cleaning products. There are several safer cleaning products currently on the market.  Many are found at food co-ops and natural food stores, but you can find some at common retailers.  Here are some brand names to look for:

7^th Generation

Dr. Bronner’s Soaps

Ecover

Earth Friendly Products

Method

Simple ingredients from your kitchen can double as safe and effective cleaning products, for example white vinegar and baking soda.  Add a couple of additional simple ingredients—a castile soap (like Dr. Bronner’s) and Borax—and you can make a cleaner for most any purpose.  To take that on, get cleaning recipes here: http://www.healthylegacy.org/consumer_cleaning.cfm

If/when you are ready to tackle more, here are some good resources to help guide you:

Healthy Legacy

www.healthylegacy.org

Healthy Legacy information on personal products

www.healthylegacy.org/consumer_personal.cfm

Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families

http://www.saferchemicals.org/

Healthy Child Healthy World

http://healthychild.org/main/

Healthy Child Healthy World five first steps (a little more involved than the easy steps above).

http://healthychild.org/5steps/

HealthyStuff.org –They test toys and everyday products for toxic chemicals and metals; a database of test results is provided.

http://www.healthystuff.org/

Note: Most information in this article was taken from the Healthy Legacy website.

¹Common Antibacterial Soaps Threaten Children’s Health and Offer No Added Protection From Bacteria by Aviva Glaser, Beyond Pesticides