The Dirty 15

Today, a new study I had posted about earlier in Neurotoxicity reveals children may be at a higher risk of developing cognitive and behavioral issues such as autism spectrum disorders, ADHD and dyslexia, due to exposure to chemicals.

The researchers from the Lancet Neurology Journal are calling this a “global, silent pandemic of neurodevelopmental toxicity” in children.

There were five neurotoxins discussed from the research in 2006: lead, methylmercury, polychlorinated biphenyls, arsenic, and toluene. Now new research is including six more chemicals: manganese, fluoride, chlorpyrifos, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, tetrachloroethylene, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers.

“The greatest concern is the large numbers of children who are affected by toxic damage to brain development in the absence of a formal diagnosis...They suffer reduced attention span, delayed development, and poor school performance. Industrial chemicals are now emerging as likely causes.”says study author Philippe Grandjean, of the Harvard School of Public Health.

Today research is showing that over 200 chemicals are being found in newborn's cord blood. This is disturbing because "the developing human brain is incredibly vulnerable to chemical exposures, both in utero and in early childhood, and these changes can be lifelong,” states Forbes.

What are some of the toxins that are harmful?

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB): These chemicals have been associated with reduced cognitive function in infancy and childhood. It is found in foods (fish) and it can be passed along by breast milk.

Arsenic: Linked to reduced cognitive function in children. Possibly absorbed through drinking water. Also used as herbicides and antimicrobial additives for animal feed.

Methylmercury: high levels in the bloodstream of unborn babies and young children may harm the developing nervous system. Avoid fish known to be contaminated with methylmercury.

Toluene: Maternal exposure has been linked to brain development problems and attention deficit in the child. It is toxic to respiratory, and nervous systems.

Lead: Found in air, soil, water and homes from fossil fuels, batteries, gas, ceramics and paints. Associated with behavior, lower IQ, hyperactivity and slow growth.

Fluoride: High levels of this chemical has been connected with a 7 point decrease in IQ in children.

Tetrachloroethylene (perchlorethylene): Linked to hyperactivity and aggressive behavior, and increased risk of psychiatric diagnosis.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs): These flame retardants are banned now, but believed to be neurotoxins. They are found in bedding, electronics, upholstery and foam to name a few. Prenatal exposure has been linked to neurodevelopmental disorders in the child. It is also linked to decreased fertility, birth defects, thyroid problems and hormone disruption.

Parabens (methyl, propyl, butyl): Used as cosmetic preservatives, food additives/preservatives. Is an estrogen-like hormone disruptor and has been found in breast cancer tumors. It is toxic to the nervous and immune system, is a skin irritant, and possible carcinogen.

Sodium lauryl sulfate/Sodium laureate sulfate/SLS: foaming agent in shampoo, body washes, facial cleansers, bubble bath and baby products. It is linked to cancer.

Phthalates: A group of chemicals used to make plastics more flexible and harder to break. Also used in soaps, shampoos, hairspray, fragrances and nail polish. Has a high concern of being an endocrine disruptor, and creating high toxicity to organs. Avoid #3 recycling label.

Polyethylene Glycol (PEG): Found in cosmetic cream bases and toothpaste. Linked to brain, liver and kidney damage in high doses.

Propylene Glycol (PG): Found in cosmetic creams, toothpaste, deodorants, sunscreens, body washes, lotions and even soda. It is also linked to brain, liver and kidney damage in high doses.

Triclosan: Commonly found in toothpaste, anti-bacterial soap, mouthwash, deodorant, lotions and detergents. It is linked to creating resistant bacteria, cancer, liver damage and is a probable hormone disruptor.

BPA: used to make plastics and resins. Found in containers that store food, water bottles, drink cans, and receipts. It can imitate estrogen in the body and potential effects show links to heart disease, intestinal damage, infertility, and developmental and behavioral problems in children.

Check out the toxicity level of what you use at home at:

www.ewg.org/skindeep

www.ewg.org/guides/cleaners

Neurotoxicity

CNN recently released a new report about neurotoxicity in newborns stating… “The biggest window of vulnerability to chemicals occurs in utero, during infancy and early childhood, experts say.” As well as, “Pregnant women and small children are at greater risk.”

Dr. Philip Landrigan at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York and Dr. Philippe Grandjean from Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, authors of a review in The Lancet Neurology Journal say the news is so troubling they are calling for a worldwide overhaul of the regulatory process in order to protect children’s brains.

"We know from clinical information on poisoned adult patients that these chemicals can enter the brain through the blood brain barrier and cause neurological symptoms," said Grandjean.  "When this happens in children or during pregnancy, those chemicals are extremely toxic, because we now know that the developing brain is a uniquely vulnerable organ. Also, the effects are permanent."

The scientists go on to explain “The best example of this, he said, is cosmetics and phthalates. Phthalates are a group of chemicals used in hundreds of products from cosmetics, perfume, hair spray, soap and shampoos to plastic and vinyl toys, shower curtains, miniblinds, food containers and plastic wrap.”

These products we use everyday received harmful ratings from the EWG

Read the Full Report

Please be aware of what research is uncovering. We must take an active role now to take care of our families & reduce the many ways we are exposed to toxins by our food, personal care products and what we use in our homes. There are safer and better alternatives which is comforting!

Contact me to find out more about how you can start replacing common, unsafe products with Toxic Free!

Skin Deep

With summer time approaching, do yourself a favor and take a look at the sunscreen you use.  Many of the brands we think are good for us contain carcinogens, hormonal disruptors and other toxic ingredients.

 You can check out your sunscreen and other personal care products ratings at 
http://www.ewg.org/skindeep

Skin Deep relies on a dual rating system to inform consumers about product safety.  It reflects known and suspected hazards associated with ingredients and products.  Hazard ratings are scaled as low, moderate or high concern categories with number ratings ranging from 0-low to 10-high

My old sunscreen received a high health hazard score and rating of 7.  So sad :(

I love the app http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/app/ With the app you can scan personal care items at the store to see their rating.  If an item doesn't scan you can type in the name as well.  It is pretty helpful!  It is also eye-opening and sometimes gets me angry…but the more we can learn about what products we are using in our homes and surrounding our families with, the better!

How does your sunscreen measure up? Let me know!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Ban that Triclosan

Minnestota has one of the highest rates of autism in the country. Take a look at what they are doing to begin reducing toxins consumed by their citizens…

http://news.yahoo.com/minnesota-bans-anti-bacterial-chemical-soaps-205149236.html

"Triclosan is the most common antibacterial chemical in consumer handsoaps. The Environmental Protection Agency classifies triclosan as a pesticide.  It is a chlorinated aromatic hydrocarbon synthesized from petroleum byproducts.  Like other substances in this category, it shares chemical characteristics with other toxic chemicals such as some PCBs, and some PBDE flame retardants."

"About half of the liquid hand soaps sold in the U.S. contain antibacterial chemicals, according to marketing research reported in the New York Times. If the FDA's rule becomes final, it will require manufacturers to prove their antibacterial soaps are safe for long-term use. If they can't, they will be forced to reformulate, relabel or remove these products from the shelves by 2015." 

Learn more about what the EWG article has to say about Triclosan here: http://www.ewg.org/enviroblog/2013/12/fda-trying-again-clean-your-hand-soap

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

I may be crazy...

Why I tossed my plastic storage containers…

My family is beginning to think I'm completely nuts.  I ransacked the pantry to rid it of plastic storage containers we typically store leftovers and pack lunches in.  Why? I was on a mission to replace these with BPA free and glass containers to improve and protect our health.

The Old Stuff

So What is BPA?

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an industrial chemical that has been in commercial use since 1957 used to make two common synthetics:

•  Polycarbonate, a clear, rigid, shatter-resistant plastic found in a wide variety of consumer products, including food and drink containers

•  Epoxy resins, used in industrial adhesives and high-performance coatings. Epoxy coating lines most food and beverage cans made in the US

Why Should You Know About BPA?

BPA molecules can get into foods and beverages from plastic food containers and the linings of metal cans.  The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have found BPA in the bodies of nearly every person over the age of 6. Also, in 2009, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) detected BPA in 9 of 10 cord blood samples. So basically we all have BPA in our bodies…

BPA is a synthetic estrogen that can disrupt the endocrine system even in low doses. BPA has been linked to a wide variety health issues including infertility, breast and reproductive system cancer, obesity, diabetes, early puberty, behavioral changes in children as well as resistance to chemotherapy treatments.

In a 2011 study from Harvard School of Public Health, after 5 days of eating a single serving of canned soup a day, volunteers in a study showed 10 times the amount of BPA in their bodies than those who ate fresh soup!

The federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) barred BPA in baby bottles and children's cups in June 2012, however, is it still allowed in food cans. The EWG advises consumers to limit their consumption of canned products that are not BPA free.

The EWG stated after the ban that "If the agency truly wants to prevent people from being exposed to this toxic chemical associated with a variety of serious and chronic conditions it should ban its use in cans of infant formula, food and beverages."

Overall, empirical evidence supporting the negative health effects of BPA varies significantly across studies^. Though the research I have done is enough for me to want to limit my exposure by getting these cute glass and BPA free containers!

Completely eliminating contact with BPA is pretty much impossible, but you can reduce your family's exposure to this chemical. How you might ask?

• Limit your consumption of canned food, especially if you are pregnant
• Look for canned food and plastic containers labeled as BPA-free
• Avoid heating plastic containers in the microwave
• Avoid leaving water bottles in the sun or hot car

The New! :)

“The problem is, BPA is also a synthetic estrogen, and plastics with BPA can break down, especially when they're washed, heated or stressed, allowing the chemical to leach into food and water and then enter the human body. That happens to nearly all of us; the CDC has found BPA in the urine of 93% of surveyed Americans over the age of 6. If you don't have BPA in your body, you're not living in the modern world.”	”
—The Perils of Plastic, TIME Magazine

Non-toxic vs. Toxic-free

What I wish I had known when I was tossing out all my personal care products and buying new ones, is that being deemed non-toxic and toxic-free are two very different things.

"Non-Toxic" does not mean free of toxins or toxic-free. The word non-toxic appears on many of our daily personal care products, but it is very misleading. According to the federal regulatory definition, non-toxic doesn't necessarily mean "no toxins at all" or "absolutely safe". Many companies inaccurately refer to their products as "non-toxic" because the US Government permits the Cosmetics & Toiletries industry to comply with the "LD-50 Test". This test allows for the "Lethal Dose 50% Rule", meaning when testing an ingredient or product, if less than 50% of animal test subjects die, the product is considered non-toxic. Meaning, a company whose label states "non-toxic" could have 49% of all lab animals perish as a result of being in contact with their product. 

 A ToxicFree™ Seal is only awarded to companies that have proven each ingredient is 100% chemical, toxic & carcinogenic free. Please be very well informed on this seal as it is not an easy label to carry such as "natural" and "organic", which have no real agency overseeing these claims. Look for the "Certified Toxic-Free Product" Seal on products produced by a number of conscientious companies. This seal guarantees that for any listed ingredient, there is reputable research indicating no negative health effects. Be informed and read labels. Check the ingredients on all products you use and be an educated consumer! :) 

  To check out your products and learn more about what ingredients are harmful check out this link: 

www.takethetoxictest.com/livenaturally

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

The Concealer Hunt

When I decided to go toxic-free with skin care and makeup, one of the hardest things for me to find was a great concealer.  Not just any good cover-up would do.  I needed a long-lasting concealer that didn't need reapplication in between jumping on trampolines and crawling through tunnels enticing kids to play at therapy (work?). And now that summer in South Florida is approaching.

What I finally settled on is from 100% pure called Long Last Concealer with super fruits.  

It has many great benefits:

•          It is 100% natural, 100% vegan, gluten free
•       It is water, sweat, and oil resistant
•       It contains antioxidant rich super fruits for anti-aging (always a plus) 

This concealer comes in 5 shades.  I chose the light shade called White Peach, which was spot-on for my skin tone.

I love this concealer because, first things first, it is toxic-free!

It also really is long lasting.  It's creamy and moisturizing and spreads evenly where you can’t see that it is there like you can with some concealers.  I also like that it’s a thicker consistency, but doesn’t cake on my skin.

I’m very excited to have found a concealer that I can feel good about putting on my skin that works well. Finally!

You can check it out at www.100percentpure.com