Download Chemicals Affecting Our Children

Chemicals Affecting Our Children
1.Endocrine Disrupting Compounds
We're going to teach you how to avoid a set of harmful chemicals called endocrine disrupting compounds (EDC). EDC's are synthetic chemicals that mimic or block hormones and disrupt the body's normal functions. This disruption can happen through altering normal hormone levels, stopping or stimulating the production of hormones, or changing the way hormones travel through the body, thus affecting the functions that these hormones control. EDC's are founin ingredients used in everyday plastics, personal care products, flame retardants, insecticides and more. In recent studies, health effects linked to low‐dose exposure to EDC's included reduced fertility, male and female reproductive tract abnormalities, miscarriages, menstrual problems, early puberty, brain and behavior problems, impaired immune function, obesity, diabetes and cancer. Children are at higher risk because these chemicals can effectively interrupt various stages of development. Children also eat, breath and metabolize more than adults due to their rapid rate of growth, causing them to be even more susceptible. Current regulation does not require that manufacturers label their products with materials used or recycling codes. If you do find recycling code labels they can be used to help as a general guide, but are not definitive. But don't worry ‐ we'll teach you exactly what EDC's to avoid, where they're most commonly found and how to do your own product research. You'll be a Non‐toxic Ninja in no time! As we teach folks about the pervasive nature of toxic plastic, we often see a look of helplessness settle over their faces. It all seems so overwhelming, and many people respond with hopelessness, "If it's all around us, then there really isn't anything I can do anyway." But the battle has NOT been lost ‐ we're just getting started! The key is in knowing how to choose your priorities and begin making changes there. Taking one step at a time, starting with the easiest and most obvious solution will quickly decrease your family's exposure to unnecessary chemicals. Using the recycling codes as a general guide will help you successfully choose from the major types of safer plastics. Just think ‐ if you simply replaced all of your reusable food containers with EDC‐free options, you would be eliminating a huge source of chemical exposure in your everyday life! Categories to avoid: PETE or PET (#1): Polyethylene Terephthalate is fine for single use, but begins to break down very quickly when exposed to heat and detergents. Commonly found in bottled water, soda bottles, cooking oil bottles and peanut butter jars. PVC or Vinyl (#3 or "V"): We are literally surrounded by Polyvinyl Chloride, making it difficult to avoid. We'll discuss its common uses, what makes it toxic and how best to avoid in upcoming steps. PS (#6): Polystyrene is commonly found in packaging pellets or "Styrofoam peanuts," cups, plastic tableware, meat trays, to‐go "clam shell" containers. Styrofoam cups, meat trays, and containers break down easily when coming in contact with hot, fatty foods. Other (#7): This plastic category serves as a catchall for any plastic other than the named #1‐ #6 plastic types. These miscellaneous plastic containers can be a combination of several plastic polymers and are often layered with 2 or more of the #1‐ #6 plastic types. It's important to note that not all #7's are toxic, so specifically look for #7 (PC or polycarbonate) and avoid it. We'll discuss its common uses, what makes it toxic and how best to avoid it in upcoming steps. Categories generally considered safer: HDPE (#2): High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) is commonly used in detergent bottles and milk jugs. LDPE (#4): Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) can be found in dry cleaning bags, produce bags, trash can liners and some food storage containers. PP (#5): Polypropylene (PP) is the most common plastic used for sippy cups, reusable dishes and utensils. It can also be found in baby teethers and toys, large outdoor playhouses, kids riding toys, bottle caps, reusable water bottle lids and drinking straws. Additionally, silicone, glass and wood are safer alternative choices and are not included in recycling categories. Keep in mind that you are voting with your dollars. You're telling the manufacturers of plastic products and the chemical industry what you will accept and what you won't. The more you support the companies who have gone the extra mile to remove EDC's from their products (and even label them in some cases), the more they'll continue doing so. 2. Bisphenol‐a. Bisphenol‐a (BPA) is one of the most pervasive endocrine disrupting chemicals used in the plastics market today. Its hiding places are numerous and surprising, so let's get started learning how create a healthier home by side‐stepping it as much as possible. Much of our food supply is packaged in BPA, making it tricky to avoid. And while the FDA recently announced that there is definite concern about its use in developing children, they made it clear that their hands are tied when it comes to regulating it. Common Hiding Places for BPA The most obvious and most simple way to start is by skipping polycarbonate plastic. This #7 (PC) plastic is found in hard plastic items with a clear, glossy look such as baby bottles, water bottles, pacifiers and baby teethers. Polycarbonate resin is known to have a weak chemical bond, which allows BPA to leach out of the plastic and into food under normal everyday use. But the fun doesn't stop there. BPA is often used as an ingredient in more surprising products such as pizza boxes made of recycled cardboard, aluminum can and lid epoxy linings (even on glass jars), infant formula containers and carbonless credit card receipts. Tips for Avoiding BPA 1. Most canned foods are lined with a BPA‐based epoxy. Choose Eden Organics canned foods (so far they are the only BPA‐free option, with the exception of their more acidic tomato‐based products). Foods in aseptic cartons (Tetra Pak) are also BPA‐fee (Pomi tomatoes, soups, dairy‐free milks, broths). 2. Consider cooking and canning your own foods, being sure to use Weck jars or mason jars with BPA‐free plastic Ball lids. Also note that glass jars may still be a better choice than cans because less food comes in contact with their BPA lined lids. 3. Using food containers made from glass, silicone, stainless steel and wood ensures you won't have to be concerned about BPA at all. 4. Before you buy plastic food storage containers (be sure to check out Safer Food Storage Guide for and extensive list of safe alternatives). 5. Choose natural rubber or silicone pacifiers and wood, silicone or EVA teethers. If you do buy plastic teethers or pacifiers with a plastic shield, buy only brands that are specifically labeled as BPA‐free (also check our Safer Pacifier and Teether Buying Guides). 3. Phthalates Were recently banned by the Consumer Product Safety Commission in products intended for children under the age of three. In response, parents are gaining a false sense of security when "phthalate‐free PVC" is proudly displayed by manufacturers on many children's toys. While it's a step in the right direction, we're still left to worry about with many other harmful chemicals common to PVC. In a recent study conducted by the Center for Health, Environment and Justice (CHEJ), vinyl shower curtains alone were found to contain high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOC's), organotins, lead, cadmium and other toxic metals. Tips for Minimizing Exposure to PVC 1. PVC is commonly found in: baby bibs, teethers and toys, cling food wrap, pet toys, 99% of all inflatable toys, nap mats and shower curtains ‐ just to name a few. 2. If you have vinyl flooring in your home, damp mopping it on a regular basis removes phthalates accumulated in the dust on the floor. Direct sunlight, moisture and heat on vinyl tiles can cause it to release phthalates more quickly. And of course, choose non‐vinyl options when replacing flooring. 3. Watch for "vinyl" in product descriptions, as it is commonly used as a nickname for PVC. But keep in mind that the term "vinyl" may also be used to describe ethylene vinyl Acetate (EVA) and polyethylene Vinyl Acetate (PEVA). Both of these plastics are considered to be safer alternative to PVC and are acceptable choices. 4. On a side note: food containers are not typically made with PVC (and thus no phthalates), so don't focus your effort in this area. 5. Encourage the makers of your favorite brands to use PVC alternatives when possible. 6. Check CHEJ's website for an extensive list of companies who have committed not to use PVC in their products. Get ready for some detective work! Learning to do your own research is a must in this world of unlabeled products made from untested chemicals. We've been busily confirming product materials for three years and we're thrilled to share our experience with you! How to Confirm Materials Used in Products * If you find an unmarked product, be sure to contact the manufacturer to confirm all material used. Many companies have begun adding this info to their website, but it may take a little investigative work to locate it. * Don't let manufacturers side‐step your questions; if you don't get a straight answer right away, keep pushing and ask to speak to their manager if necessary. * Always call or email more than once to confirm the info you received, because the customer service representatives often do not have a clear understanding of product materials. * If a manufacturer goes so far as to label their products as BPA/PVC‐free, you can usually trust it; they open themselves up for trouble if that product is found to contain those unwanted chemicals. * BPA, PVC and phthalates are like ingredients in a cookie recipe: it's either used or it's not. Lead on the other hand may be placed in a product on purpose as a stabilizer or it may be more of a by‐product, so always ask whether a company completes third party lead testing on a regular basis. * Always confirm that colorant is also BPA‐free, as even some #5 polypropylene products may have small amounts of tint/color added in a BPA‐base. * Focus your time and energy by prioritizing products you use the most. For BPA, the most important items will be those that contain food or are made to be mouthed by children. For PVC and phthalates, the items are much more widespread, so it's even more important to focus on the products that come in contact with your family the most. If in Drought 3) If you've already purchased a product you suspect of being PVC but you are unable to confirm with the manufacturer, The SmartMama offers product testing with an XRF analyzer for a fee. She has already tested over 300,000 products and is always willing to share her findings. You can contact her via email at [email protected] or via Twitter at www.twitter.com/thesmartmama Take Action Today You can create change in our country's chemical policies today by joining the Safer Chemicals Coalition, supporting Environmental Working Group's research and joining Healthy Child Healthy World's A Wake Up Story education campaign. www.nationalgreenschoolcoalition.org Serving our children and their families!