Photo credit: erix

Newsweek Magazine recently published an article on how to avoid household toxins.  Nena Baker, author of  The Body Toxic: How the Hazardous Chemistry of Everyday Things Threatens Our Health and Well-being
the EPA and the  Environmental Working Group, has listed nine ways you can avoid household toxins:

1. Filter your water.  In addition to what the article suggests, staying away from plastic bottled water is beneficial to the Earth and body.

2.  Know whats in your grooming products. The Cosmetics Database website is highly recommended when researching common ingredients in personal care products.

3.  Don’t Eat Microwave Popcorn.  “The inside of a microwave popcorn bag is usually coated with a perfluorinated chemical (PFC) called a fluorotelomer that can break down to form perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). Designed to prevent oil from seeping through the bag, PFOA can migrate into the food when heated. It has been linked to cancer and birth defects in animals and preliminary epidemiological studies suggest that a pregnant woman’s exposure to PFOA may reduce her baby’s birth weight….”

4.  Don’t Get Stain-Protective Treatment.  This recommendation is talking about the “extras” or add ons you can get when you buy furniture, clothes and shoes.

5.  Limit Use of Canned Food and Plastic Containers. Speaks about the risk of  Bisphenol-A (BPA) that is not only found in plastic containers, but also used to line the inside of canned foods as well (Previous post: Plastics and its health risks)

6.  Use PBDE-Free Electronics. Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDE) is in the same family flame redardants.  They are mostly found in TVs and computer monitores.  “…is stirred into the equipment’s plastic and can heat up over time, causing the material to break away and settle into the dust. Many manufactures have stopped using PBDEs for electronics, but not all have….” The Environmental Working Group has a list of PBDE-free electronics.

7.  Don ‘ t Use Paint Made With Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC). Fortunately, VOC-free paints can be found at most paint and home improvement stores now. (See links below for resources)

8.  Patronize a Perc-Free Dry Cleaner. “Perchloroethylene (perc) is also a VOC and is most commonly used in dry cleaning. The EPA identifies perc as a known human toxin and “a precursor to ground-level ozone (smog).” It usually enters the body through inhalation and remains stored in fat tissue….”

9.  Dust and Vacuum Weekly. “Baker says that toxins like PBDE can settle into the dust in your house, so to be extra safe, it’s best to keep your house clean through regular dusting and vacuuming.”

Read the full article here: Newsweek – October 1, 2008

Green dry cleaner directory

Non-Toxic Paint

Affordable Low-Voc Paint

The Body Toxic: How the Hazardous Chemistry of Everyday Things Threatens Our Health and Well-being

Study: Plastic Bottles Present Health Risks
http://www.channel3000.com/health/17500416/detail.html
“MADISON, Wis. — The Food and Drug Administration is looking closely at a chemical commonly used in plastic products.

Bisphenol a or BPA is used in baby bottles and other plastics but a new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that chemical could be linked to heart disease and diabetes.

Under the study participants who had the highest levels of BPA also were twice as likely to have heart disease.

The FDA said consumers should avoid products with a recycling seven on the them, and avoid heating plastic containers in microwaves.

Several states are considering a BPA ban, and some manufacturers are removing BPA from their products. ”

Plastic Bottles Linked to Heart Disease
http://www.streem.com.au/breaking-news/6391-plastic-bottles-linked-to-heart-disease
“A chemical contained in plastic drink bottles and containers could be linked to heart disease a study has found.

Researchers in Europe say that higher levels of the chemical Bisphenol A (BPA) within heart disease patients could be linked to it’s inclusion in plastic bottles and containers.”

BPA is almost impossible to avoid, but more companies are discontinuing use

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-bpa-tips_websep17,0,2667607.story

“Some companies are now labeling products as BPA free. For more information on specific items, go to safemama.com.”

Six Chemicals in Soft Plastic Toys Banned Across Europe (2005)

http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/jul2005/2005-07-06-05.asp

“BRUSSELS, Belgium, July 6, 2005 (ENS) – The European Parliament voted Tuesday to impose a permanent ban on six chemicals used in plastic toys and childcare articles to soften the plastics. Young children can ingest the toxic chemicals when they suck or chew on the soft plastic items.”

The FDA’s claim that they are safe:

Agency Affirms Plastics’ Safety, as Study Raises Questions

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/17/health/17plastic.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=plastic&st=cse&oref=slogin

“…Two Dartmouth College analysts of medical research said the study, which does not prove that BPA caused the health problems, raised questions but provided no answers about whether the ubiquitous chemical is harmful…”

What do you think?  Do you think they safe or not?  Why do you think certain chemicals in plastic is banned in European countries, but not in the U.S?

Update 10/29/08: I just found a more recent post about the matter at Safe Mama http://safemama.com/2008/10/29/fda-ignored-evidence-of-harm-regarding-bpa-ruling/