Have you heard about all the harmful chemicals in everyday
baby products?
Children today face increasing obstacles to healthy
development, including rising incidence of premature birth;
male genital defects; learning, attention and emotional
disturbances; early puberty; obesity; and low sperm quality.
A recent report, "Growing Up Toxic" by the Environment
California Research and Policy Center, confirmed findings
that chemical exposures are the primary cause for increased
disabilities and disease. The only good news is that YOU
can protect your child from many of these chemicals, armed
with knowledge and the commitment to buy smart.
Headlines are screaming about bisphenol A (BPA), a noxious
chemical used in many plastic containers including baby
bottles, water bottles, sippy cups and other containers
used for food and beverages. Much of the recent clamor
occurred after publication of a recent study, Baby's Toxic
Bottle: Bisphenol A Leaching from Popular Brands of Baby
Bottles.
The study, commissioned by Environmental Health groups in
the U.S. and Canada, has resulted in calls for bans on BPA,
an environmental estrogen, since it is known to leach out
of the plastics and has been implicated in development and
reproductive health risks.
Dr. David Carpenter, a professor of environmental health
sciences at the State University of New York at Albany
School of Public Health, said that BPA taken into the body
before birth or in early years of life can alter the ratio
of sex hormones and affect development.
"It's absolutely obscene to use a substance that can make
little boys less masculine and opens the chance that little
girls will go on to develop breast cancer," he said at the
teleconference.
The BPA studies call for a ban on the use of BPA following
action by the State of California to ban the use of
phthalates and other known cancer causing ingredients in
products designed for children. Phthalates (pronounced
thah-lates) are used to make plastic 'soft' and is found in
toys, teething rings, some bottles and other play things
that children often handle or put into their mouths. The
California legislation is leading other states to begin
regulation on known carcinogens, hormone disruptors,
neurotoxins, but the road to success is rocky and very long.
Early 2008, another study found elevated levels of
phthalates found in the urine of babies who'd been recently
shampooed, powdered or lotioned with commonly used,
commercial baby products. These reports, along with a
myriad of other recent studies, are contributing to real
concern and outrage on the part of parents across the
nation.
When the very products that are designed to encourage good
parenting become a threat to good health, it creates worry
and distress. It also points to the need for parents to
become vigilant consumers who learn to read labels, follow
new studies as they are published and begin to demand safe,
clean products for their children.
One of the first and most controllable items that a parent
can focus on are the skin and body care products they
expose their child to each day. And, no, I'm not talking
just about the baby care products. I am including all the
items adults use to bathe or shower, brush their teeth,
plus deodorant, lotion, makeup, nail polish and products
that clean / freshen the home. READ the labels on your
product containers and remember that the average American
comes into contact with over 200 toxic chemicals just
getting ready for work in the morning! If you put it on
your own body and then pick up your child to quiet their
sobs, it's safe to assume your child is getting exposed to
the same 200 chemicals that you just slathered over your
own body.
So, how do you get started?
Just take one step at a time. READ labels and try to limit
the number of toxins in each product. I've listed the most
worrisome below - clip the list and take it with you when
you are shopping. Remember that if a product has 5 or 6
ingredients that are on the list - or only 1 ingredient on
the list, that should be reason enough to look for a safer
product.
Red Flag Ingredients (toxic synthetic chemicals) to Avoid:
· Alcohol, Isopropyl (SD-40)
· Benzoyl Peroxide
· DEA (Diethanolamine), MEA (Monoethanolamine), &
TEA (Triethanolamine) · Dioxin
· DMDM Hydantoin & Urea (Imidazolidinyl)
· FD&C Color Pigments
· Fragrances
· Parabens
· PEG (Polyethylene glycol)
· Phthalates
· Propylene Glycol (PG) and Butylene Glycol
· Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth
Sulfate (SLES)
· Triclosan
· Sunscreen ingredients like benzophenone,
avebenzone, methyoxycinnamates, paba, etc.
I recommend that you take the time to find the best
natural, certified organic and/or wild crafted
formulations. Look for certifications like: Certified
ToxicFree® Product Seal, the EcoCert Seal or the USDA
Certified Organic Seal.
These seals are indications that a third party has examined
the formulations and judged them according to their safety
standards. I believe that you have a 'Right to Know' that
what is in products will not harm you or your baby! Feeling
assured that the products you purchase are free from
xeno-estrogens, carcinogens and other known toxic
ingredients is important when you are buying for you and
your baby.
----------------------------------------------------
Linda Chaé is President & Chief Formulator for
Chaé Organics, Inc. and a pioneer in 'go natural'
skin care for consumers. Her commitment to clean, safe
toxic free products requires organic ingredients backed by
scientific research. Her toxic free baby shampoo and baby
lotion are gentle and safe for baby's sensitive skin. For
more information and to order her products, visit
http://www.chaeorganics.biz
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