Articles in the News
Posted by cassie on Monday, 22 October, 2007 @ 7:14 pm
In the past several days amazing articles have come out on chemicals in our children’s bodies (and of course our own). I find it amazing that people are so naive as to think that all of the cleaners, chemicals, pollutants, etc in our lives don’t effect our bodies. I’ve switched to cleaning with vinegar for 99% of everything because if my son ingests it - it won’t hurt him! And it doesn’t do me any harm either. Think about it people!
Here are some blurbs from the latest news articles, complete with links to read more. Enjoy!
Tests reveal high chemical levels in kids’ bodies
Trasande said children up to six years old are most at risk because their vital organs and immune system are still developing and because they depend more heavily on their environments than adults do.
“Pound for pound, they eat more food, they drink more water, they breathe in more air,” he said. “And so [children] carry a higher body burden than we do.” Studies on the health effects of PBDEs are only just beginning, but many countries have heeded the warning signs they see in animal studies. Sweden banned PBDEs in 1998. The European Union banned most PBDEs in 2004. In the United States, the sole manufacturer of two kinds of PBDEs voluntarily stopped making them in 2004. A third kind, Deca, is still used in the U.S. in electrical equipment, construction material, mattresses and textiles.
Another class of chemicals that showed up in high levels in the Holland children is known as phthalates. These are plasticizers, the softening agents found in many plastic bottles, kitchenware, toys, medical devices, personal care products and cosmetics. In lab animals, phthalates have been associated with reproductive defects, obesity and early puberty. But like PBDEs, little is known about what they do to humans and specifically children.
Read the rest of the article here.
Interestingly enough note the next article is out of California and it bans phthalates (which is mentioned above). Good going Governor! Let’s hope all states follow suit soon!
California Bans Hazardous Chemical in Plastic Baby Toys
SACRAMENTO, California, October 17, 2007 (ENS) - Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed legislation to prohibit the manufacturing, sale and distribution of vinyl toys and childcare products that contain phthalates designed for children under three, making California the first state in the country to ban these chemicals used in baby toys.
“We must take this action to protect our children,” said the governor. “These chemicals threaten the health and safety of our children at critical stages of their development.”
The phthalate ban was among 80 bills the governor signed Sunday to meet a midnight deadline. The ban will take effect on January 1, 2009. Several other states are expected to follow suit.
Read the rest of the article here.
Scary stuff guys. I know a lot of it can be attributed to hype since we are all a lot more aware and connected in our lives today (think old days we had the pony express now we have crackberries) which makes it easier to spread stories that may or may not be true. BUT and it’s a big but… don’t assume it is hype and do what you can to lessen your impact on your health. Buy natural products or make your own. Open up the house and let some sunshine and air in instead of burning cloying candles or spraying air fresheners. You don’t have to be crunchy-granola to take into account your health. Trust me your body will thank you 