Archive for the ‘Products’ Category.
29th July 2008, 08:36 am
Lawmakers have approved a bill that bans the use of toxins in children’s toys and products which will take effect in 6 months. Specific to phthalates, a toxin used to soften plastic, the removal of this chemical from children’s products is a big win for parents due to their potential harmful effect on the developing hormone system in young children, particularly boys. The European Union banned phthalates 9 years ago but it’s taken the US a bit longer due to resistance and opposition from the companies who provide these chemicals (1.4 billion dollars worth annually!) to the manufacturing industry, such as Exxon Mobil, who “spent a chunk of its $22 million lobbying budget in the past 18 months to try to prevent any ban”.
According to the Washington Post article that was released today:
The rare action by Congress reflects a growing body of scientific research showing that children ingest the toxins by acts as simple as chewing on a rubber duck. Used for decades in plastic production, the chemicals are now thought to act as hormones and cause reproductive problems, especially in boys.
It also signals an important crack in the chemical industry’s ability to fend off federal regulation and suggests that the landscape may be shifting to favor consumers. The movement to ban the toxins accelerated last year when California prohibited their use in children’s products.
Walmart and ToysRUs have already agreed to remove products containing lead, phthalates and other toxins as of January 2009. However buyer beware…the products will remain on the shelves through the 2008 holiday season.
Like this post? Read more about chemicals in children’s products by clicking through to the following related posts:
Ecology Center Toy Testing Report
How to Green Your Kids Toys
Precocious Puberty
Take Action Tuesday - Ban Phthalates
24th July 2008, 10:51 am
The Ecology Center just released their report on the toxicity of car interiors and common brand infant and child car seats.
“The Ecology Center is a membership-based, nonprofit environmental organization based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Founded by community activists after the country’s first Earth Day in 1970, the Ecology Center is now a regional leader that works for a safe and healthy environment where people live, work, and play.”
Visit HealthyCar.org to see where your vehicle and car seat rank in terms of toxic chemicals. Some of the best and worst child car seat picks in terms of toxicity are as follows:
Car Seats of Least Concern
Car Seats of Most Concern
-
- Graco TurboBooster SafeSeat (Step 3) - Athens
- Graco TurboBooster - Emily
- Britax Marathon Convertible Car Seat - Onyx
- Britax Marathon Convertible Car Seat - Platinum
- Peg Perego Primo Viaggio Infant Seat - Toffee
- Combi Centre EX Infant Seat - Mango
6th July 2008, 07:35 pm
vs. 
The following is a comparison of ingredients between California Baby Calming Shampoo & Bodywash and Johnson’s Bedtime Bath. While California Baby is more expensive, the ingredients speak for themselves. You decide!
| California Baby Calming Shampoo & Bodywash |
|
Johnson’s Bedtime Bath |
| Purified Water |
|
Water |
| Organic Aloe Vera |
|
Cocamidopropyl Betaine |
| Decyl Polyglucose (extracts of organic corn, coconut & palm) |
|
PEG-80 |
| Vitamin E |
|
Sorbitan Laurate |
| Vegetable Glycerin |
|
Sodium Trideceth Sulfate |
| Organic Jojoba Oil |
|
Sodium Chloride |
| Citrus Seed Extract |
|
Polysorbate 20 |
| Vitamin B-5 |
|
Fragrance |
| Essential Oil Blend |
|
PEG-150 Distearate |
| Phospholibid (organic coconut source) |
|
Tetrasodium EDTA |
| Polyaminopropyl biguanide (mild antimicrobial; no formaldehyde, non-solvent, non-genotoxic) |
|
Quarternium-15 |
|
|
Citric Acid |
I plan on doing a weekly post on product comparisons categorized as “Dare to Compare”. I’ve already done one on Ketchup.
What other products would you like to see a comparison for? Leave a comment with your suggestions!
Diapers.com — New Green Baby section
26th June 2008, 11:13 am
The results of a study as reported by WebMD shows that more and more parents are using bassinets, however little is known about their safety. In a nutshell, the study reports 53 infant deaths in bassinets over the course of 14 years. The majority of these deaths occurred as a result of suffocation due to loose blankets and pillows and/or the infant being placed on their stomach to sleep. More details on this limited study can be found in the article “How Safe are Bassinets for Baby“?
Currently there are no federal safety standards for Bassinets, however there are guidelines. Here’s what the CPSC advises to look for in bassinets:
- A sturdy bottom with a wide base.
- Bassinets should have smooth surfaces.
- No hardware should be sticking out of bassinets.
- Mattresses need to be firm and fit tightly.
While some parenting experts including Dr. James McKenna, the world’s leading expert on infant sleep, advise that co-sleeping is best, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants sleep near their parents but not in the same bed due to the possible risk of SIDS. Bassinets provide a cozier alternative to a crib but due to the lack of safety standards, may not be the best option. What do you think? Where is the best place for baby to sleep in the early months? Crib, Bassinet, Co-Sleeper, or Parent’s Bed?
18th June 2008, 01:17 pm
WeeGeneration has finally released their much anticipated eco-friendly diaper bag to the public!
“Wee Generation’s eco-friendly baby bag is an important development in consumer goods,” said William McDonough, green architect and environmental designer. “The initiative sets the pace for an environmentally-intelligent industry and will continue to change how goods are created and repurposed going forward.”
Made from 100% post-consumer recycled water bottles, with PVC-free outer fabric, this diaper bag includes the following features:
- Removable insulated feeding tote, changing tote and plush changing pad
- Detachable insulated bottle holder and quick-access zip pouch
- Large rear zip organizer pocket for on-the-go convenience
- Dual front zip compartments with key tether
- Velcro and magnetic closure as well as dual buckles
- Deluxe adjustable comfort strap with quick release cam buckle
- Stroller attachment straps
- Available in four patterns: Soda Pop Silver Weed, Soda Pop Sage, Soda Pop Black Current, Bottle Bank Thistle
The best part…100% of the proceeds from the sale of these diaper bags goes to Healthy Child, Healthy World!
Get your new eco-friendly diaper bag now!
9th June 2008, 11:11 am
It’s summer time which means your children are out of school and probably playing outside or at the pool. With record high temperatures all over the country, it’s important to use sunscreen especially during the peak hours of the day from 10am to 4pm. Some sun exposure is actually good for your child as it helps the body maintain the necessary levels of Vitamin D. However, too much exposure to the sun’s UVA and UVB rays puts your child at risk for skin cancer. But, you also have to be careful that the sunscreen product you’re using doesn’t put your family at risk for other health problems.
The Environmental Working Group, a non-profit organization committed to product safety, reports on the safety of skin care products including sunscreens in their Skin Deep Database. According to their safety studies on sunblock as reported in an article by Gaiam:
In all, 84 percent of the 831 sunscreens EWG tested did not pass health and environmental muster. Many contained potentially harmful chemicals like Benzophenone, homosalate and octyl methoxycinnamate (also called octinoxate), which are known to mimic naturally occurring bodily hormones and can thus throw the body’s systems out of whack. Some also contained Padimate-0 and parsol 1789 (also known as avobenzone), which are suspected of causing DNA damage when exposed to sunlight. Furthermore, EWG found that more than half the sunscreens on the market make questionable product claims about longevity, water resistance and UV protection.
There are safer alternatives to the conventional sunscreens. I encourage you to visit the Skin Deep Database to see where your current product ranks or if you want to find a safer alternative. My favorite: California Baby SPF 30 Sunscreen. California Baby also has a sunblock stick applicator
for the face.
6th June 2008, 01:30 pm
As you all may know from reading my previous blog posts, I’ve been trying to avoid artificial ingredients, flavorings, colorings and high fructose corn syrup especially with concern to my children. I’ve been able to replace much of what we eat with the healthier, natural alternatives without sacrificing taste. My most recent find was ketchup. I love ketchup…I use it on everything from french fries (Cascadian Farms Organic Potato Fries that I bake); hot dogs (nitrate/nitrite-free, no added growth hormones and no antibiotics) and hamburgers (see hot dog). However, I discovered in reading the ingredients that the quality of good old Heinz Ketchup is dubious…and they’re probably the best of the conventional ketchups. So, I’ve found a new healthier ketchup, Annie’s Naturals Organic Ketchup that’s free of high fructose corn syrup and tastes great!
Below is a comparison of ingredients:
| Annie’s Organic Ketchup |
Heinz Tomato Ketchup |
| Water |
Tomato Concentrate from Red Ripe Tomatoes |
| Organic Tomato Paste |
Distilled Vinegar |
| Organic Sugar |
High Fructose Corn Syrup |
| Organic Distilled White Vinegar |
Corn Syrup |
| Sea Salt |
Salt |
| Organic Onion Powder |
Spice |
| Organic Allspice |
Onion Powder |
| Organic Clove Powder |
Natural Flavoring |
Now that you know the ingredients, which one would you prefer for your family?
You can buy Annie’s Ketchup at some grocery stores, Vitacost.com, and Amazon Grocery in bulk (6 pack).
27th May 2008, 12:00 pm
The Food & Drug Administration has issued a recall alert regarding Mommy’s Bliss Nipple Cream. Breastfeeding mothers should discontinue use of this cream immediately as it contains ingredients, chlorphenesin and phenoxyethanol, which can cause exposed infants respiratory depression, vomiting, and diarrhea. Continue reading ‘Mommy’s Bliss Nipple Cream Recalled’ »
22nd May 2008, 03:10 pm
New legislation, The Kid Safe Chemical Act, introduced into Congress yesterday by Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Representatives Hilda L. Solis (D- CA) and Henry Waxman (D-CA) has recently garnered significant attention and can be great news from families all over the country if passed. Currently there are over 80,000 chemicals used in various consumer products including children’s toys and personal care, most of which are not tested for safety. Continue reading ‘Kid Safe Chemical Act Means Safer Children’s Products’ »
