ToxicsWAtch Blog
Keeping a watchful eye on toxic chemicals and healthy solutions
Welcome to the ToxicsWAtch Blog! Here you'll find everything you ever wanted to know about the latest science on toxic chemicals, tips for finding safer products, and what you can do to help win policies to protect health and environment from harmful chemicals.
28 States To Consider Toxic Chemicals Legislation In 2012
The past couple years have seen unprecedented changes in the toxic chemicals landscape across the United States. In the past nine years, over 80 chemical safety laws have been passed with an overwhelming margin of bi-partisan support in statehouses across the country.
UPDATE: Toxic-Free Kids Act Moves Forward
Neither snow, nor ice, nor wind, nor rain, could keep supporters of the Toxic-Free Kids Act from Olympia and the State Capitol last week. And it's a good thing because it was quite a week in Olympia for the legisaltion.
Hidden Hazard In Your Nursery?
Parents have a lot to worry about these days; everything from healthy food choices to a good education. However, there are some things parents should not have to think about, namely the safety of kids’ products. Unfortunately, parents need to be aware that there are real health dangers hiding in some of the products on the market. A new report, Hidden Hazards in the Nursery, has found toxic Tris flame retardants in many popular baby products, including nursing pillows and car seats.
Doulas Join The Fight For Toxic-Free Pregnancies
The list of Dos and Don’ts given to a pregnant woman is nearly endless: don’t drink alcohol, avoid unpasteurized cheeses, go to prenatal yoga classes, get more sleep, take a daily prenatal vitamin, strengthen your pelvic floor, skip coffee, find the perfect birth location and medical provider...
We Freak Out So You Don't Have To
Are you feeling a little stressed? The craziness of the holidays can be enough to stress anyone out. Add concerns about cancer-causing chemicals in nursing pillows to the mix and I could understand how that could push anyone over the edge. Everyone, especially parents, has a million things to consider when they think about the health of their families. Packing a healthy lunch, making time for kids, and getting kids to soccer practice will always be on a parent’s to do list—but worrying about about cancer-causing chemicals in car seats or baby blankets shouldn’t be. With your help, we can make it a thing of the past.
Tips To Avoid Toxic Tris
As you’ve probably seen in many of our recent posts, toxic Tris flame retardants are bad news. Exposure to Tris has been linked to cancer, hormone disruption, and nervous system harm. By being mindful with certain purchases, you can try to limit your family’s exposure to these dangerous chemicals and reduce your toxic body burden.
Puget Sound Needs TSCA!
Looking out over Puget Sound’s shimmering waters, it’s hard to imagine the toxic soup it has become and the urgency needed to clean it up. But the facts tell otherwise: Puget Sound’s survival is threatened by chemicals used in the products in our homes. To save the Sound, we must act quickly and boldly to pass a new bill being considered in Congress, called the Safe Chemicals Act.
Don't Be A Toxic Grinch!
This holiday season we’re making a list and checking it twice to find out who’s naughty and who’s keeping our children and future generations safe from harmful chemicals. The Toxic-Free Kids Act will be introduced in January, but we need to get the word out now. Why? Because we don’t want cancer-causing flame retardants in our children’s products and we need companies to stop replacing one toxic chemical with another in products made for kids.
Toxic Tris Flame Retardants Could Soon Be Thing Of the Past
If you're a regular reader of this blog, you know that toxic Tris flame retardants are bad news for our health. Yet, they're currently being used in children's products despite evidence they cause adverse health effects, including cancer and reproductive problems. But now, thanks to new legislation being proposed in Washington State, these troublesome chemicals could soon be a thing of the past.
Tips For A Toxic-Free Thanksgiving
When cooking up a holiday feast, make sure to follow these tips for a toxic-free Turkey Day.
Healthy Holiday Gift Guide 2011
The holidays should bring fun and good cheer, not worries about whether toxic ingredients in toys or other products may harm our loved ones. Before you go shopping, check out our tips for picking out the healthiest gifts for children and others this holiday season:
Bad To The Brain
A flame retardant called TDCPP, or Chlorinated Tris, is making a comeback. It’s found in a variety of products including foam furniture and baby products. New research suggests that beyond its potential cancer-causing properties, the chemical may be harmful to the nervous system as well.
Vacuum Away Toxic Chemicals
Vacuuming is not just for keeping up appearances! It’s actually an easy way to reduce unnecessary chemical exposure and common allergens in your home. Household dust contains many ingredients - some you’d expect, like pet dander, tracked-in soil, and dust mites. However, industrial chemicals like flame retardants, pesticides and heavy metals are also lurking in dust bunnies.
How To Make BPA-Free Pumpkin For Tasty Treats!
I grew up thinking that the only kind of edible pumpkin came in a can. I still get nostalgic when I think about the pumpkin pie my mom made every fall from a can of spiced pumpkin puree. Unfortunately, canned pumpkin also comes with a dose of the toxic chemical BPA. BPA is a hormone-disrupting chemical, linked to health problems like cancer and diabetes that is found in the lining of canned goods, receipts, and polycarbonate plastic. Luckily giving up BPA doesn’t mean you have to give up your favorite pumpkin treats!
Out Of The Frying Pan, Into The Fire
For many people, the thought of toxic flame retardants quickly brings up one image: toxic chemicals in children’s pajamas. That’s because back in 1977, the federal government had to do an abrupt about-face and banned a chemical then used on nearly all children’s pajamas, called brominated Tris, when it was found to be carcinogenic.
Breast Milk Is The Best Milk!
Cloth diapers? Check. Organic produce for mom? Check. Cosleeping on a wool and organic cotton mattress? Check. I was all set as a new mom to provide my baby with the very healthiest start in life. Most importantly, I planned to breastfeed. I knew that breast milk was the best possible food for my baby, and I also knew about the many health benefits that she and I would get from breastfeeding
Chlorinated Tris Officially A Carcinogen
Chlorinated Tris, the flame retardant once pulled from children’s pajamas and now widely used in foam for furniture and baby products, has been designated a carcinogen by a California panel. The chemical, also known as TDCPP, will now be listed as a carcinogen under California’s Proposition 65.
Lighten Your (Chemical) Load
All those products we use to make our clothes clean might take care of the dirt and grease, but they can leave nasty chemicals behind! Luckily, there are plenty of ways to get your laundry squeaky clean without the toxic chemicals.
Trailblazing States Make Industry Cry "Uncle" on BPA
Bowing to pressure from state legislatures and a healthy consumer demand for safer products, the chemical industry announced today they are asking the FDA to eliminate bisphenol-a (BPA) from baby bottles and sippy cups. The industry, led by the American Chemistry Council, has mounted intense opposition to state and federal laws banning BPA.
Take The Next Step
I was talking to a friend and fellow festival attendee the other day; she had just been to a fun event where she had met like minded people and shown her support for the planet but had left asking “what’s next?” I have a feeling she is not alone. If you are ready to take your commitment to a toxic-free world to the next level this fall and meet with your state legislators email me at action@watoxcs.org.
