Chemicals within US!

It’s not just the environment we need to consider when owning products. We must also consider the effect of the products on our bodies and the bodies of our loved ones. When de-cluttering, consider starting with items which contain toxic chemicals. Read on . . .

A coalition of environmental groups released a national report in November 2007 which found industrial chemicals in the body fluids of volunteers. The groups sponsored the study to show that Americans are absorbing hazardous chemicals from common household products.

Volunteers from across the country were tested for three classes of chemicals used in plastics and flame retardants: phthalates, bisphenol-A and PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers). These chemicals were targeted because animal studies have linked them to cancer, diabetes and birth defects, and because they are found in everyday household products like water bottles, canned food, and computer screens. The problem with most of the 80,000 chemicals used in the production of consumer goods is that no one knows the threshold for humans.

The study is titled “Is It In Us?” It was not meant to be a scientific study, merely a demonstration to raise public awareness. It was authored by members of Clean New York and supported by the Commonweal Biomonitoring Resource Center and the Body Burden Work Group. The coalition is advocating for government regulations to force manufacturers to stop using the chemicals. It hopes to galvanize support for regulations like the ones adopted by the European Union which set new rules for 30,000 toxic substances and banned the most hazardous.

The full study can be found at www.isitinus.org.

When de-cluttering, start with items which contain toxic chemicals.

Here is a closer looks at the three chemicals:

Phthalates

What are they? They are a group of industrial chemicals that add flexibility and resilience to plastic products; additive in fixatives, detergents and solvents.

Found in: Shower curtains, garden hoses, table clothes, vinyl flooring, inflatable swimming pools, plastic clothing such as raincoats, children’s toys automobile upholstery, carpets, time release capsules, soap, shampoo, hair spray, nail polish deodorants and fragrances.

How to reduce exposure? Avoid PVC (vinyl) in home remodeling products, use a shower curtain maid of natural fibers, polyester or nylon instead of vinyl; avoid plastics marked #3, and products that list “fragrance” as an ingredient; eat fresh food grown without pesticides.

Bisphenol-A

What are they? Production chemicals used in epoxy resin and polycarbonate plastic products; also called BPA

Found in: some water bottles, baby bottles, food storage and heating containers, the lining of metal food cans, dental sealants and toys

How to reduce exposure? Use glass, stainless steel or polyethylene bottles (PETE, PET or #1 or #2 plastics) instead of polycarbonate (PC or #7) bottles; avoid heating food in polycarbonate containers; cut back on canned foods; ask your dentist about the ingredients before getting dental sealants.

PBDEs

What are they? A class of flame-retardant chemicals added to many products.

Found in: Furniture foam, textiles, kitchen appliances, electronics, like TVs and computer monitors and in the fat of some food animals

How to reduce exposure? Wash hands frequently; dust with a damp cloth; look for companies that have pledged to create PBDE-free products; choose lean meats and cooking methods that remove excess fat.

Resources for finding products that do not use these chemicals:

• www.healthbuilding.net
• www.householdproducts.nim.nih.gov
• www.safecosmetics.org
• www.ewg.org
• www.safer-products.org
• www.thegreenguide.com

© Copyright 2008 Helen D. Volk All Rights Reserved

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