Greening our Kids: Smart ways to avoid toxic products

Last night I attended a lecture by Dr. Arlene Blum of the Green Science Policy Institute. Dr. Blum has been at the forefront of green science for 40 years. In the 1970s she conducted research that proved that flame retardant chemicals (that were required by law to be included in all children’s pajamas made in the United States) were actually highly toxic and were poisoning children. Thanks to her research, and subsequent outspoken advocacy, flame retardants were removed from children’s pajamas within two years, by 1977.

Since then, Dr. Blum has continued to research toxic chemicals used in common household items. Unfortunately, there are toxic chemicals in so many items, from sofas to lipstick, that it can get very overwhelming. In order to make it a little easier to make healthy choices, Dr. Blum suggests focusing on six classes of chemicals that are known to be carcinogenic and /or endocrine disrupters that are particularly harmful to pregnant women, babies, and small children. When you are out shopping for food, clothing, cleaning products, and furniture, be conscious of these categories and try to avoid products that include these chemicals.

1. Highly Fluorinated: In other words, stain, and water repellents. As tempting as it may be to spray your rugs and furniture with products that claim to repel water and make clean-ups easier, it is likely that those chemicals are toxic.
2. Antimicrobials (triclosan and triclocarban): Commonly found in antibacterial gels, toothpaste, and soap, this is a compound that, once created, never actually breaks down, so it remains in the earth’s water forever. Antimicrobials are known to be carcinogenic and, once ingested, will stay in your body for years.
3. Flame retardants: These are found in furniture made in the US between 1975 and 2014. Any furniture that has a TB117 or Technical Bulletin 117 label on it is likely to contain flame-retardant chemicals. Replacing the foam in the future with new foam that does not contain these chemicals will reduce your family’s exposure. Alternatively, you can replace your furniture. Although I normally would suggest donating your used furniture, in this instance, you might want to send it to the dump so you don’t pass on the bad chemicals to another family.
4. Bisphenols and Phthalates: These are the BPA and BPS found in plastic water bottles.
5. Organic Solvents: Dry cleaning chemicals. Try to find a dry cleaner that uses chemicals that break down in water.
6. Certain Metals (lead, mercury)

The Children’s Environmental Center at Mount Sinai provides some more Dos and Don’ts to reduce chemical exposure:

DO

1. Wash your hands with plain, fragrance-free soap and water
2. Buy organic food
3. Support companies, like Ikea, that reduce the use of toxic chemicals and disclose all ingredients

DON’T

1. Use unnecessary products
2. Don’t use aerosolized sprays
3. Don’t use plastics #3, 6, and 7

Other great tools

1. A mobile app that tells you whether a product contains toxins: http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/
2. Great website on environmental toxins with studies, user guides, etc.: http://www.greeningourchildren.net

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The last issue that was raised in the Q&A session was the danger of artificial turf. You would think I would have heard more about this since I have three children who play on artificial turf fields, but I was unaware that recent studies indicate that artificial turf appears to be linked to rising rates of cancer in young soccer players, especially goalies. So as we head into spring and return to those fields, do not sit on that turf, and be sure to wash your hands and face (and your kids’ hands and faces) when they get off the field. The small particles of rubber are otherwise ingested and can cause real health issues.

While it is a little daunting to think about all these chemicals, if we all make smart choices, we can affect changes in our communities, and nationally. Governor Brown in California was motivated by the media and the firefighter’s associations to ban toxic flame retardants from all furniture sold in California. As a result, basically all furniture in the US no longer contains those chemicals, so that is a major breakthrough we can all be happy about. Avoiding toxic chemicals is the greener way to go, we hope you find this information useful!