Not at all. J&J has recently announced that they are voluntarily phasing out Phthalates - but not until 2012. Why the 3 year delay? I have no idea. Not only that, this toxic ingredient is only one toxic ingredient found in their products. My opinion is that they are finally starting to be exposed for not actually living up to their claims of offering 'pure' products.
A study was recently conducted by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics (a well known & respected national coalition of nonprofit health and environmental organizations)on popular children's bath products that claim to be 'safe & gentle'. It exposed many popular brands with having toxic chemicals in their products that have been linked to major health conditions - and you will not even know that these products contain some of these ingredients!
However as you may already anticipate most of these large companies are not what they claim to be. Johnson & Johnson claims their shampoo to be a 'mild, tearless formula baby shampoo that is as gentle to the eyes as pure water' yet contain toxic ingredients including formaldehyde (a toxin banned in personal care products in both Japan and Sweden) and 1,4-dioxane. Both of these chemicals are by-products of chemical manufacturing and product formulation. So you will not find them on the ingredient list on any packaging.
This report is the first to document the widespread contamination of children’s products with formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane. But it's not only J & J products that are toxic for your little one. Other products included in this study with the same results include Sesame Street Bubble Bath, Grins & Giggles Milk & Honey Baby Wash and Huggies Naturally Refreshing Cucumber & Green Tea Baby Wash.
The greatest danger in terms of most studies conducted is that many companies do not test on repeated exposure to many of these toxins. So although some of these products only contain small amounts of these ingredients, the fact that our children are exposed to them through various sources is a reason to be alarmed. For example, there may only be trace amounts of Formaldehyde in your baby's shampoo however it may also be in their body wash and lotion. Formaldehyde is not only in personal care products but also in things like building products (including furniture), new clothes, etc. So our children are exposed to this toxin on a regular basis!
Our children cannot handle these chemicals like an adult can. That is why we need to take special care of their little bodies. Their immune system is not as strong and they are less able to detoxify their systems. That is why they need to be exposed to as many safe & natural products as possible. Unfortunately we really cannot trust these companies, especially with the most precious little people in this world. Know what you are exposing your children to - knowledge is the key to protecting them.
--
Sources:
http://ow.ly/1Oiv
No More Toxic Tub Report
Showing posts with label phthalates. Show all posts
Showing posts with label phthalates. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Is it really necessary to buy PVC-free & Phthalate-Free Toys?
Yes. When looking for Christmas gifts for little ones, think safe & toxic free. This year look for safe alternatives to the gifts you buy this year. Chances are you are buying for someone who is very special to you so look for something you can trust in their little hands.
What is PVC (PolyVINYL Chloride)?
Sometimes the toy or item is labeled with a '3' or 'V' in the recycling symbol at the bottom. It has been called the 'Poison Plastic' by many health experts and has recently been discovered through research that this chemical is associated with developmental damage, as well as damage to the liver, central nervous, respiratory and reproductive systems.
What are Phthalates?
Phthalates is a group of chemicals that is often added to plastic to increase its flexibility (ie teethers). They have been shown to mimic hormones - which can potentially lead to serious health conditions in the future.
They are often found in PVC toys. Essentially any toy that has flexible plastic (ie toys) contains Phthalates. Even the flexible plastic-like fabric on toys contain this toxin.
Scary eh? It's horrible to think of how many toxic toys (of all things) are contributing to indoor air pollution & decreased health. Educate yourself - for your family's future and their health.
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Oh ya, & for those of you who read my previous post about asthma - or anyone who wants to know about a contributor to this condition - check this finding out about the link between PVC, Pthalates & asthma:
' Children may be exposed to chemicals in many PVC consumer (such as vinyl shower curtains) and building products. For example, PVC is used in many building products such as flooring, siding, and wall coverings. A number of studies have found associations between PVC building products and asthma, a major concern for children.
Source:
http://www.safbaby.com/how-dangerous-is-pvc-in-toys-weve-got-the-answers-from-the-expert
http://www.naturalnews.com/z022991.html
What is PVC (PolyVINYL Chloride)?
Sometimes the toy or item is labeled with a '3' or 'V' in the recycling symbol at the bottom. It has been called the 'Poison Plastic' by many health experts and has recently been discovered through research that this chemical is associated with developmental damage, as well as damage to the liver, central nervous, respiratory and reproductive systems.
What are Phthalates?
Phthalates is a group of chemicals that is often added to plastic to increase its flexibility (ie teethers). They have been shown to mimic hormones - which can potentially lead to serious health conditions in the future.
They are often found in PVC toys. Essentially any toy that has flexible plastic (ie toys) contains Phthalates. Even the flexible plastic-like fabric on toys contain this toxin.
Scary eh? It's horrible to think of how many toxic toys (of all things) are contributing to indoor air pollution & decreased health. Educate yourself - for your family's future and their health.
--
Oh ya, & for those of you who read my previous post about asthma - or anyone who wants to know about a contributor to this condition - check this finding out about the link between PVC, Pthalates & asthma:
' Children may be exposed to chemicals in many PVC consumer (such as vinyl shower curtains) and building products. For example, PVC is used in many building products such as flooring, siding, and wall coverings. A number of studies have found associations between PVC building products and asthma, a major concern for children.
For example in one study, workers in an office building were diagnosed with adult-onset asthma at a rate approximately 9 times higher than expected. High levels of VOCs were detected. The researchers concluded the most probable cause of this indoor air problem was the degradation of the PVC flooring.
A number of studies have also suggested a correlation between phthalates, PVC, and asthma. Most recently, a study published in 2008 found an association between concentrations of the phthalate DEHP in indoor dust and wheezing among preschool children in Bulgaria. Another study of 10,851 children found the presence of both floor moisture and PVC significantly increased the risk of asthma. PVC wall coverings have also been linked to asthma. A recent study from Finland found that adults working in rooms with plastic wall coverings were more than twice as likely to develop asthma. These researchers poined to other recent studies in children conducted in Norway, Finland, Sweden, and Russia that also found links between PVC, phthalates, and respiratory problems.'
This information comes from a reliable source, Mike Schade from CHEJ (Center for Health, Environment and Justice).
Source:
http://www.safbaby.com/how-dangerous-is-pvc-in-toys-weve-got-the-answers-from-the-expert
http://www.naturalnews.com/z022991.html
Monday, November 3, 2008
Shop safely this holiday season
I was watching some of my favourite shows tonight and couldn't help but notice that Halloween is barely over with and the holiday season is already getting started. I can't remember seeing two Christmas commercials in a row this early in the year - & I'm certainly not complaining! I absolutely love the holiday season. My daughter & I have already watched a handful of Christmas movies. But getting into this mode also makes me think about how tough it's going to be to shop for her and the other little ones in my life. With all the recalls that have been issued over the past year or so I'm always thinking in the back of my mind, "Is this really safe?".
So, I decided to do some research on what gifts are safe. I live in a community where organic & chemical-free products are not widely available so it makes it a little tougher to be able to find what I'm looking for. I'm not saying they are not available - they are just a little tougher to find in my neighbourhood, especially if you're not sure what you're looking for. So I started looking online for toys and clothing that are more eco-friendly and I realized a few things that I want to share with you, my fellow parents. They include:
~ Shop Local!: Now I understand it isn't always easy to ensure that each gift you buy is 'Made in Canada' however with all the recalls in China (that are still continuing to occur) I recommend steering clear of China-made products whenever possible. Keep in mind that many of the huge companies still produce their toys in China. So this year try to find locally made gifts this year - they will likely be safer (and much more unique!)
~ Buy from Local Independent Retailers: they are much more likely to carry safe products. They are often passionate about what they offer and can be a wealth of knowledge. Many offer organic and/or PVC and phthalate free items and purchase their stock from local sources.
~ Research (& do some shopping) Online: The web offers parents a wealth of information at their fingertips. Do your research (if you're reading this, chances are you already are!) & know what you're looking for.
~ Be prepared to spend a bit more: There's a reason that mass produced products are so cheap. They are often produced under unfair conditions & the quality of material used to create each one are compromised (ie lead based paint is cheaper). So instead of buying a pile of plastic toys that will fill our landfills and potentially disturb our clean air, go with the same budget & buy little less but feel good about what you are giving.
--
I will write more detailed entries about safe shopping this holiday season but I wanted to give you a few easy ways you can make a difference in the lives of the little ones you care about, simply by changing the way you think through educating yourself.
So, I decided to do some research on what gifts are safe. I live in a community where organic & chemical-free products are not widely available so it makes it a little tougher to be able to find what I'm looking for. I'm not saying they are not available - they are just a little tougher to find in my neighbourhood, especially if you're not sure what you're looking for. So I started looking online for toys and clothing that are more eco-friendly and I realized a few things that I want to share with you, my fellow parents. They include:
~ Shop Local!: Now I understand it isn't always easy to ensure that each gift you buy is 'Made in Canada' however with all the recalls in China (that are still continuing to occur) I recommend steering clear of China-made products whenever possible. Keep in mind that many of the huge companies still produce their toys in China. So this year try to find locally made gifts this year - they will likely be safer (and much more unique!)
~ Buy from Local Independent Retailers: they are much more likely to carry safe products. They are often passionate about what they offer and can be a wealth of knowledge. Many offer organic and/or PVC and phthalate free items and purchase their stock from local sources.
~ Research (& do some shopping) Online: The web offers parents a wealth of information at their fingertips. Do your research (if you're reading this, chances are you already are!) & know what you're looking for.
~ Be prepared to spend a bit more: There's a reason that mass produced products are so cheap. They are often produced under unfair conditions & the quality of material used to create each one are compromised (ie lead based paint is cheaper). So instead of buying a pile of plastic toys that will fill our landfills and potentially disturb our clean air, go with the same budget & buy little less but feel good about what you are giving.
--
I will write more detailed entries about safe shopping this holiday season but I wanted to give you a few easy ways you can make a difference in the lives of the little ones you care about, simply by changing the way you think through educating yourself.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Got Asthma?
I do & I hate it. It is the worst feeling in the world to not be able to breathe. Now I don't know anyone who enjoys it. So why aren't we doing more to get rid of it and why is asthma on the rise so dramatically? Well, because we are only shown how to control it. When we go to our doctors for testing they will confirm we have this all too common condition and simply prescribe methods of controlling it when it does flare up, or so that it doesn't flare up as much.
I saw an asthma specialist in a local hospital about a year ago and have never gone back. Why? It wasn't because she wasn't knowledgeable in her field. She was taught to treat this condition with medications. So she told me that I would have to take this specific inhaler twice a day, every day for the rest of my life. Oh, and after inhaling this medication into my lungs, I have to rinse my mouth out so that it doesn't get 'sore'. So this medication was good enough to coat my lungs but should be rinsed out of my mouth. That's crazy. However, my asthma has taken a turn for the worse so I decided that I would only take it when my breathing tightened. So, now I take it only when I feel this happening and continue for 3-4 days. Then stop. If it flares up again, I do the same thing until this cycle is over.
Now I am certainly no doctor. So please don't think I am saying that this is the way everyone should do it. It's just a personal decision I've made for the time being. I am also doing everything I can to make breathing better for myself and my family. I never want my daughter to have any form of asthma and it is my goal to do anything I can to avoid this.
How do you avoid it? Start with getting rid of any and all fragrances (aka 'fakegrances'). I cannot stress enough how important it is to your health to avoid these toxins. Now I touched on this subject in one of my previous posts but what I didn't say is that each scent is composed of dozens if not hundreds of chemicals. Most of the products we use every day are affected including:
~ perfumes (most use phthalates which is a plastic/toxin that makes perfumes stick around longer so it's used everywhere!)
~ laundry soap
~ fabric softener
~ air 'fresheners'
~ microwave popcorn (for that 'buttery' smell)
~ clothes that have been dry cleaned
~ 'unscented' products (which simply means that more chemicals have been used to cover up the smell)
~ most 'naturally scented' products
I found this great article in NaturalNews.com that references the Environmental Working Group who states that, “Fragrance formulas are considered to be among the top five known allergens and can trigger asthma attacks.”
So, please avoid all fragrances whenever possible. You can't control everything but if you take these steps to rid your home and common environments of these fakegrances, you and your family will breathe a much cleaner air.
I am researching more methods on how I can breathe more clearly and I will pass any information I can find onto you so that you and your family can avoid these toxins (and asthma) in every way you can!
Source:
http://www.naturalnews.com/023830.html
http://www.ewg.org
I saw an asthma specialist in a local hospital about a year ago and have never gone back. Why? It wasn't because she wasn't knowledgeable in her field. She was taught to treat this condition with medications. So she told me that I would have to take this specific inhaler twice a day, every day for the rest of my life. Oh, and after inhaling this medication into my lungs, I have to rinse my mouth out so that it doesn't get 'sore'. So this medication was good enough to coat my lungs but should be rinsed out of my mouth. That's crazy. However, my asthma has taken a turn for the worse so I decided that I would only take it when my breathing tightened. So, now I take it only when I feel this happening and continue for 3-4 days. Then stop. If it flares up again, I do the same thing until this cycle is over.
Now I am certainly no doctor. So please don't think I am saying that this is the way everyone should do it. It's just a personal decision I've made for the time being. I am also doing everything I can to make breathing better for myself and my family. I never want my daughter to have any form of asthma and it is my goal to do anything I can to avoid this.
How do you avoid it? Start with getting rid of any and all fragrances (aka 'fakegrances'). I cannot stress enough how important it is to your health to avoid these toxins. Now I touched on this subject in one of my previous posts but what I didn't say is that each scent is composed of dozens if not hundreds of chemicals. Most of the products we use every day are affected including:
~ perfumes (most use phthalates which is a plastic/toxin that makes perfumes stick around longer so it's used everywhere!)
~ laundry soap
~ fabric softener
~ air 'fresheners'
~ microwave popcorn (for that 'buttery' smell)
~ clothes that have been dry cleaned
~ 'unscented' products (which simply means that more chemicals have been used to cover up the smell)
~ most 'naturally scented' products
I found this great article in NaturalNews.com that references the Environmental Working Group who states that, “Fragrance formulas are considered to be among the top five known allergens and can trigger asthma attacks.”
So, please avoid all fragrances whenever possible. You can't control everything but if you take these steps to rid your home and common environments of these fakegrances, you and your family will breathe a much cleaner air.
I am researching more methods on how I can breathe more clearly and I will pass any information I can find onto you so that you and your family can avoid these toxins (and asthma) in every way you can!
Source:
http://www.naturalnews.com/023830.html
http://www.ewg.org
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Trash that plastic vinyl shower curtain!
Why? Well first of all they are made of PVC plastic (#3 plastic). You know, the kind of plastic that is dangerous to human health and the environment throughout its entire life cycle, at the factory, in our homes, and in the trash! And like all 'bad plastics', when heat is exposed to it even more dangerous chemicals - somewhere around 100 different types including Phthalates - are released into the air in which we breathe. So, when you have a hot shower you are filling your lungs with nasty chemicals!
A few years ago I hated cleaning the shower curtains. So, when it would get a build up on it, I would simply replace it with a new vinyl curtain. It was one of the 'bad' things I did. I knew it wasn't the best thing for our environment but noone is perfect (I have since switched to a new way of thinking and feel insanely guilty if I toss even one bottle in the garbage.). However, I had no idea how bad it was & that I would be hurting myself and my (asthmatic) lungs!
So, what do I do now? I simply use a fabric curtain. You can use a fabric curtain made of cotton and/or hemp. They work just as well and 'hang' to dry so there's no worries. When you feel they need to be cleaned, simply toss them in the wash and hang them back up to dry! There are no toxins to worry about so your air is clear, they keep landfills free of more plastic (and are biodegradable!) and last much longer which allows you to save money. I'll never buy a plastic curtain again. What about you?
--
Sources:
http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_23739.aspx
http://www.besafenet.com/pvc/
A few years ago I hated cleaning the shower curtains. So, when it would get a build up on it, I would simply replace it with a new vinyl curtain. It was one of the 'bad' things I did. I knew it wasn't the best thing for our environment but noone is perfect (I have since switched to a new way of thinking and feel insanely guilty if I toss even one bottle in the garbage.). However, I had no idea how bad it was & that I would be hurting myself and my (asthmatic) lungs!
So, what do I do now? I simply use a fabric curtain. You can use a fabric curtain made of cotton and/or hemp. They work just as well and 'hang' to dry so there's no worries. When you feel they need to be cleaned, simply toss them in the wash and hang them back up to dry! There are no toxins to worry about so your air is clear, they keep landfills free of more plastic (and are biodegradable!) and last much longer which allows you to save money. I'll never buy a plastic curtain again. What about you?
--
Sources:
http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_23739.aspx
http://www.besafenet.com/pvc/
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