Ways to Avoid Phthalates--

I've been working on and thinking about this post for some time, and since that time a few new resources have popped up on the topic of avoiding phthalates in everyday products.

Why should we all avoid phthalates? Amanda at Enviroblog has put together a cheatsheet on these chemicals that even us with limited cognitive function due to multiple night wakings can understand. Here's what she says about what phthalates are, and here is a link to my past posts about phthalates.

Amanda from the Environmental Working Group goes on to give a list of ways to avoid phthalates, and this is most helpful to us parents who like short, to the point lists:

"How can I minimize my exposure?
Avoid these, and you'll also be avoiding phthalates:

Nail polish: Dibutyl phthalate is often used to make nail polish chip-resistant. Look for it on the ingredients list, where it may be shortened to DBP.
Plastics in the kitchen: Take a critical eye to your cupboards. Phthalates may be more likely to leach out of plastic when it's heated, so avoid cooking or microwaving in plastic.
Vinyl toys: Phthalates are what make vinyl (PVC) toys soft, so don't give them to children. Opt instead for wooden and other phthalate-free toys, especially during that age when they put everything in their mouths!
Paint: Paints and other hobby products may contain phthalates as solvents, so be sure to use them in a well-ventilated space.
Fragrance: Diethyl phthalate (DEP) is often used as part of the "fragrance" in some products. Since DEP won't be listed separately, you're better off choosing personal care products, detergents, and cleansers that don't have the word "fragrance" on the ingredients list.
Vinyl: Vinyl shows up in a lot of different products; lawn furniture, garden hoses, building materials, and items of clothing (like some raincoats) are often sources. Aside from carefully choosing materials when you're making purchases, there is one easy change you can make: switch to a non-vinyl shower curtain. That "new shower curtain" smell (you know the one) is a result of chemical off-gassing, and it means your shower curtain is a source of phthalates in your home.
Air Fresheners: Just like fragrances in personal care products, most air fresheners contain phthalates."

My big take home message from this? Avoid anything with fragrance added. Period. In this article there are also some great links to more information, including an interview with a scientist from EWG.

The Daily Green also shares an ingredient abbreviation list of some phthalates that actually do show up on the label (many don't).

"Read the ingredients. According to the organization Pollution in People, you can identify phthalates in some products by their chemical names, or abbreviations:

DBP (di-n-butyl phthalate) and DEP (diethyl phthalate) are often found in personal care products, including nail polishes, deodorants, perfumes and cologne, aftershave lotions, shampoos, hair gels and hand lotions. (BzBP, see below, is also in some personal care products.)
DEHP (di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate or Bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate) is used in PVC plastics, including some medical devices.
BzBP (benzylbutyl phthalate) is used in some flooring, car products and personal care products.
DMP (dimethyl phthalate) is used in insect repellent and some plastics (as well as rocket propellant)."

Read the full post here. Then you can avoid buying those products with the labeled abbreviation. So much to remember!

Here is a link to the study in the Journal of Pediatrics, about the exposure to phthalates in babies and young children.

Some of my favorite brands and products without phthalates are California Baby, Desert Essence Organics, Aubrey Organics, and Burt's Bee's Baby Wash. Check out your favorite products over at the Skin Deep database at EWG.

Let's hope someday in the future phthalates will be banned from all products, everywhere.
photo by Green Patriot

Eat Where You Live--

(This article first appeared in Five Magazine, issue 18- and I thought since a new growing season has just begun, this might be a good article to share)

Most Americans don’t think about where their food comes from. They like their food fast and convenient and don’t contemplate its impact on their world, local communities or expanding waistlines. There’s a serious cost to this kind of eating. Considering an average food item travels between 1,500 and 2,500 miles before hitting the grocery store shelves, and was likely carried in a huge gas guzzling, ozone-depleting truck, it’s not hard to see this can be a big problem. The shrinking number of family farms and increasing obesity rates makes it even clearer that our relationship with food is broken.

Regardless of whether you’re a carnivore, herbivore or omnivore, most of our food comes from somewhere else. Beef from Texas or broccoli from California, the majority of the food we eat comes from hundreds of miles away. But there’s agrowing movement to keep things closer to home, which is no simple task. Localvores challenge themselves and each other to only eat food grown, harvested and processed within a 100-mile radius of where they live. Organized groups of localvores have popped up in Vermont, California, Oregon, Maine, Illinois, New Hampshire and other states as well. The groups set up potlucks, share recipes and provide support. They also issue challenges, usually one month long. Even if you are unwilling to give up that beloved cup of coffee or dark chocolate from South America, you can still participate. Sure, one hardcore group, the Champlain Valley Localvores in Burlington, Vermont, allows for only “modern Marco Polo” exceptions. These are food items that explorers would have in the 13th century, such as spices, baking soda and yeast. But other, more lenient groups allow for daily “wildcard” items such as coffee, or chocolate. Some groups have challenges focused on one meal, or as much involvement as people can handle. The idea is to get people thinking about where their food comes from and how much good eating can come from one’s home area.

So what does a Localvore eat? Central Vermont localvore Dana Hudson ate lots of eggs, cheese, frozen berries, locally-made yogurt, meats and salads during a recent challenge. Figuring out what’s available and acceptable is one of the hardest parts of a challenge. “I viewed it as a puzzle. I would visit our local farmers market and buy lots of what was in season and the cheapest. Then I would seek out different ways to prepare it from friends and websites,” says Hudson.

Does eating locally cost more? This depends, of course, on your interpretation of the word “cost.” Yes, buying locally produced foods will most likely cost more in upfront dollars, but what will be gained? Food that is produced with care and closer to home is fresher and simply tastes better. A tomato that is allowed to ripen on the vine always tastes better than one picked and shipped green.

By eating locally, you support your local farmer and economy, not faceless corporate farms which have already begun taking over the organic market. According to Susan Roy, head of the Mad River Chamber of Commerce in Central Vermont, for every dollar spent on local foods in Vermont, 43 cents stay in the community. That number drops all the way down to 13 cents per dollar when buying from a chain. Money that stays close to home has a better chance of making its way back into your wallet.

The environmental impact of eating locally is significantly smaller. An average, non-locally-produced meal produces up to 17 times the amount of carbon dioxide emissions of a meal of food produced locally. The food industry is responsible for about one fifth of the US’ consumption of petroleum. Only a small fraction of this is used at the farms – the rest is used for keeping food cold, transporting it, and packaging it. By shopping at a local farmers market, most of those packaging and transportation costs can be saved by simply bringing cloth bags.

And let’s not forget one’s environmental health – local foods often have less pesticide and herbicide residue, which is healthier for everyone.

Let the Localvores be an inspiration for how you can eat more locally – or better yet, join them and see if you are up to the challenge.

Learn more about Localvores:

Vermont Localvores
Upper Valley Localvores

Tricolsan in my Toothpaste-

The title of this post sounds like a country song. It is sad, but true.

Let me back up.

Ever since I wrote that article about the Dateline Body Burden show chronicling two families, and the levels of toxins present in their blood, I have been thinking about tricolsan. I know, that is a little weird.

Here's what I wrote about tricolsan, "The Green family also had very low levels of triclosan, a bacteria killing pesticide found in hand soaps, cutting boards, and even toys and toothpaste (!?). Dateline states that this chemical is toxic to wildlife, linked to cancer, and bioaccumulates in the food chain over time. It is also a chemical that is showing up in our wastewater treatment plants, rivers and streams. I had heard of this chemical before, but I haven't been vigilant about avoiding it, as I will now be."

I remember feeling horrified that this chemical would be added to toothpaste. Then that night, I flipped over my tube of toothpaste, Colgate Total, and there it was. Right there. In my toothpaste. In my mouth.

I can hear you screaming, why are you using conventional toothpaste? The truth is, I love that antiseptic, clean mouth, after the dentist feeling. I did not feel that after using Tom's of Maine toothpaste. And boy, did I suffer for these teeth. Years of braces, retainers, and broken jaws. I really want them to last until I am, well, not around any more. So, this is one area I have not changed about. At least not yet.

Then I learned how tricolsan is very toxic to wildlife as well. The Good Human reports that the chemical is related to the pesticide Agent Orange (charming), breaks down into dioxin in river water, and turns into toxic chloroform gas with tap water. So why haven't I heard much about this ingredient before now?

Tricolsan is also in anti-bacterial soaps and products. Thankfully, this chemical does have to be labeled as an ingredient, and it is an easy one to avoid.

Unless you just bought an expensive new tube of Colgate Total, and you are frugal, left wondering what the cost/environmental benefit analysis is.

For the record, I use Tom's of Maine with my 3 year old. At least she won't grow up thinking an artificial antiseptic feeling is a good thing.

photo by freedigitalphotos.net

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, lots of Lovely Links (and a most Happy Mother's Day to you-)-

Here are some of the inspiring, interesting and unique projects, businesses and links that have filled my inbox lately. Enjoy!

The good folks at Sustainlane just released a new, animated web show about environmental issues, called the Gorilla in the Greenhouse. It is an action packed show that is designed to inspire kids to take action in their own communities. The first episode is about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, and it has the fearless young environmentalists tackling the problem of too many plastic bags. Kids can post their responses to the show, and what they are doing to help the environment at the site as well. This is a hip, snazzy show for kids over 4 or 5, with lots of ways to learn more, take action, connect with others, and spread the word. You can watch the show and learn all about it, here.

And for all you Mom entrepreneurs out there, here is an opportunity for funding! The Whirlpool brand is offering the Mother of Invention Grant Program, that provides seed money and guidance to help moms turn their business or service ideas into businesses. They are offering a $20,000 grant to the grand prize winner, and $24,000 for the four runners-up. They have added a new category for moms who create "environmentally friendly product/service or use natural/recycled materials to create their invention." How great is that? The contest is open until July 31, 2008, so get your thinking caps on. You can learn more on their website, here.

Look at the beautiful blankets and lovies made by Erin of Piece Textiles. She wanted to create designs that were not so cutesy but still fun for a baby, interesting to the touch and soft against a child's face, and were made of organic cotton.

And has she ever. The blankets are made from 100% American organic cotton, and they are stunning, simple and sweet.

Here is Hess Natur, a 30-year-old German sustainable clothing company that is entering the US market this July. The line was designed to be chemical free, and to help people lessen their carbon footprints through clothing choices.

Veronica at The Conservation Group states that "Hess Natur apparel consists of 100% natural fibers, including organic cotton, silk, wool and linen. While many apparel companies label their garments organic, Hess Natur is unique in utilizing ecological methods throughout their entire textile chain, from fair labor to green production. The impact of an organic manufacturing process is huge: It takes nearly a one-third pound of pesticides and fertilizers to manufacture just one of the over 2.4 billion "pure cotton" tees that are produced globally each year. "

That is enough to make you think twice about that $2.99 cotton shirt at Wal-mart.

The line also features many items for babies and toddler.

And of course, Happy Mother's Day! I will be away from my computer tomorrow, hopefully enjoying the sun, my lovely girls and family, and eating some tasty treats throughout the day. I wish all you mamas out there a restful, peaceful and wonderful day, however you would like it to be.

Desert Essence Organics (chemical free sunscreen)-

In my quest for chemical free sunscreen I found a new product by Desert Essence Organics. I wanted a non-chemical SPF cream I could use everyday, but I could also use on my girls if I needed to. At our co-op I found this Mineral Sunscreen with an SPF of 30. I know from using California Baby as well that the mineral creams do not spread on as easily, but this is the price you have to pay to be chemical free.

What I really like about this brand is that it seems they are free of all the toxic chemicals I write about on this blog.

The website declares, "Our new Desert Essence Organics line is 100% Vegan and is wheat and gluten free. It has NO parabens, NO Sodium Laurel/Laureth Sulfates, NO Phthalates, NO Artificial Fragrances or Colors, NO Silicones, NO EDTA, NO Glycols and NO Petroleum based ingredients. Our products are Cruelty Free and Biodegradable. They are good for you and good for the planet."

Sounds great to me!

I looked at their ratings on the Skin Deep database, and it looks like this new line has not been rated yet. I wasn't thrilled with what looks like their old products' ratings, but the new line seems to have been much improved.

Vermont Passes New Legislation limiting Lead, Phthalates and Mercury!

As Vermont's legislative session closed, I held my breath and hoped that all or most of the environmental health bills would pass.

And happily, most of them did.

The bill that I had been most involved in, S.152, the Lead in Consumer Products bill, passed both the House and the Senate. Some of the provisions were weakened over the process, but the bill is one of the strongest lead product safety bills in the country. The bill sets new standards to be phased in on lead in children's products. No, the levels are not zero, but they are a good start in protecting our kids from lead exposures from children's products such as toys, bibs, diaper bags and pads. It also phases out lead in wheel weights and non-residential paints and primers and according to VPRIG, "Sets a standard on lead in plumbing fixtures and related supplies (we will be the 2nd state in the nation to have this protective standard on plumbing)". In a most helpful provision, it requires warnings to be posted for jewelry for adults, and salvage building materials that may contain lead. As you might remember, this would have helped our situation with the salvage antique doors in our home. The warnings about adult jewelry will also help us make better decisions as to what we want to buy and wear, and what we want our children exposed to by trying on all of our jewelry (hello, mothers of girls!).

Also passed by the House and Senate was H.352, the Lead in Housing bill. A few key provisions were lost in the "compromising" process, but I agree with VPRIG that this bill is a good step in the right direction. The bill requires the Vermont Department of Health to report to the legislature the lead rates of Vermont children, sets goals for higher participation in the screenings, and requires the Department of Health to keep better records of lead screening rates to report to health care providers.

To protect our families from the mercury contained in older thermostats, H.515 increased the manufacturers responsibility for the disposal of mercury containing thermostats. The bill sets up goals for recycling thermostats, gives a $5 amount to homeowners or contractors to recycle them, and sets up a reporting system about the progress of the recycling program.

And lastly, a bill that was threatened when lobbyists from Exxon Mobil flew in to little ole' Vermont to fight it, survived. S.261, Phthalates in Children’s Products, was passed by the House and Senate. This bill restricts the use of phthalates in toys and child care products for children under 3. Of course, it would have been better if it were to protect all children (heck, all people! Why is it okay for adults to be exposed to phthalates? Isn't the current older generation the one with the highest cancer rates ever?), it is an important first step in minimizing the risk from these toxic chemicals. As of July 1, 2009, phthalates will be banned from any children's product that is designed to go into a child's mouth, including toys.

The last step for these bills is to be signed by our Republican Governor (I'm keeping my fingers crossed. It's an election year. Does he really want to be the guy who vetoed any of these bills? I don't think so-)

I want to thank Charity Carbine, of Vermont Public Interest Research Group for her tireless efforts in support of these bills, and the entire VPRIG staff for looking out for Vermont families. A huge thanks also goes out to our Assistant Attorney General, Elliot Burg, who worked diligently on the Lead in Consumer Products bill, and I'm sure many others. In the absence of federal legislation, it is up to the states to take on a leadership role, and Vermont has begun that process.




Source: VPRIG legislative report

Freecycle It-

In an effort to simplify before we start a renovation on our house, and to get rid of chemically laden products we had deep in various closets, I made a pile of stuff. It contained old sunscreens, lotions and body washes that were gifts, old shampoos and conditioners, and random products that were obviously not in use.

The box sat in the living room for quite some time, being moved around periodically so no toddler's hands would reach it.

I stared at it often, thinking about my options. I bought some of the products before I knew anything about the chemicals they contain. It seemed like such a waste to my frugal self to simply pour them down the drain and recycle the containers. I mean, some of them were brand new!

But to give them away to friends seemed odd too, because I certainly didn't want my friends to be slathering on phthalates, parabens, and other chemicals. So what to do? People are buying these same goods at Walmart this very minute. And if they want the products, and I have them, I want to limit waste, their output of cash, and transportation costs.

So I put the items on Freecycle. Have you heard of it? You can post anything you don't want on Freecycle, and someone will email you to come and pick it up. You might wonder if anyone would really come and pick up a bag of body products. I had 5 or 6 emails about it the next day, and someone picked it up right away. You do have to join a local Freecycle group to be able to post, but it is easy. You can even post items you are looking for. Who doesn't love free stuff? And of course, keeping usable items (anything, really) out of our landfills helps us all.