Tag Archive for 'cancer'

Weekly Highlights (2/29/2012)

Published on February 29, 2012 in News. 2 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Happy Leap Day! Sorry for the delay this week, as I managed to land myself with crutches after a rough spill and a badly sprained ankle. Nevertheless, welcome to this week’s highlights, our weekly post that recaps important child health and safety news, research, and recalls from the previous week and other great finds we’ve come across in our internet travels. Enjoy!

- Jasmine

In the News:

Baby Born with Cancer is a Medical Mystery - In the rarest of medical occurrences, a baby was diagnosed with Stage 4 melanoma shortly after her birth. Earlier this month, her mother lost the battle with the same cancer that they believe she passed on to her baby in utero. Now baby Addison is fighting the cancer and being treated with an experimental FDA-approved medication approved only for her and not covered by insurance. To help the family with the cost of care, donations can be made to the “Cox Family” donation account at Arizona Federal Credit Union.  Account #826604.

Recall: Birth control pills Norgestimate and Ethinyl Estradiol—Tablets out of order - We wanted to bring to your attention another birth control pill recall - Generic birth control pills Norgestimate and Ethinyl Estradiol sold between September 21 and December 30, 2011.

California Bill Would End Use of Toxic Flame Retardants - A new bill was introduced Friday seeking to change the state’s outdated flame retardant standard. While the new bill doesn’t require the phasing out of toxic flame retardants, it does set a standard that most furniture items could pass without the use of toxic chemicals, and that is a step in the right direction.

I’ll Take a Sperm Test to Go: First DIY Male Fertility Test Now Available - Very few men get tested early on or at all in struggling couples, but now a new screening test approved by the FDA, SpermCheck, can assess sperm count with 98% accuracy in 10 minutes in the privacy of your own home.

CPSC Adopts New Federal Standard for Portable Bed Rails - Bed rails intended to keep children from rolling out of an adult bed have entrapped young children and killed infants. The CPSC has adopted a new standard requiring testing and improved warnings stating that rails should never be used with children under 2. Portable bed rails must also not create a dangerous gap with the mattress or contain hazardous edges or small parts.

New Research:

That New Car Smell is Toxic
That new car smell is actually the smell of chemicals off-gassing from interior auto parts like the steering wheel, dashboard, seats, and trim. It’s amazing how the smells we’ve been conditioned to associate with new and clean can be so toxic to our health. Over 275 different chemicals have been identified in vehicles interiors, including bromine (associated with brominated flame retardants); chlorine (indicating the presence of polyvinyl chloride, or PVC and plasticizers); lead; and heavy metals. These chemicals have been linked to a variety of health problems such as allergies, birth defects, impaired learning, liver toxicity, and cancer.

Healthystuff.org has tested over 900 vehicles since 2006 for these chemicals, and in its latest release the 2012 Honda Civic topped its list as the least toxic whereas the 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander was the organization’s worst pick. Some general observations to note: Honda has virtually eliminated PVC from its fleet, with 83% of 2011/12 models free of PVC. North American-produced vehicles lag behind Europe- and Asia-produced vehicles in PVC and brominated flame retardant use, as the U.S. has the weakest regulatory system for chemicals in consumer products and provides the fewest incentives. How does your car stack up?

Memo to Pediatricians: Screen All Kids for Vitamin D Deficiency, Test Those at High Risk
As numerous studies have shown the fundamental role of Vitamin D on health and disease, which often develop in childhood, pediatricians are recommending that children be screened for risk factors and tested when at high risk. The AAP recommends 400 IU daily for breastfed infants under one and 600 IU daily for toddlers. I give my girls, one of whom refuses to drink milk,  Carlson Labs Vitamin D supplement which comes in the form of liquid drops of vitamin D3 in fractionated coconut oil. It’s tasteless, so they don’t notice a few drops added to their water.

Kids Get More Added Sugar From Foods Than From Drinks
While soda is still the single largest source of added sugar in children’s diets, new government data shows that processed and packaged foods are the leading source in their diets with 63% of calories from added sugars consumed at home. “Soda consumption is high, but we shouldn’t lose sight of the added sugars in foods such as muffins, cookies, sugar-sweetened cereals and pasta sauces,” says Cynthia Ogden, senior author on the report and an epidemiologist with the National Center for Health Statistics.

Getting Kids to Eat Veggies Can Be Sticky Business
A recent study found that rewarding children with stickers increased their affinity for a previously disliked vegetable. In the study, 173 families were assigned to three different groups: one that rewarded tiny tastes with stickers, another that rewarded with praise, and a control group that used no special tactics. Over the course of 12 days, the researchers found that the children rewarded with stickers gave higher yum factor ratings to vegetables they’d previously disliked and the results seemed to last, whereas praise seemed to have little effect. While rewards can be controversial as may lead to an expectation of reward, the researchers suggest that it about 10 days was enough to change a child’s attitude toward the vegetable.

Fantastic Finds:

Solutions for Siblings from Positive Parenting - I’m fortunate that my children get along most days, but sometimes they and I need a little help diffusing a situation. This article provides some great ideas for minimizing sibling rivalry and creating an environment where children can feel safe, loved, and valued.

How to Delete Your Google Browsing History Before New Privacy Policy - Apparently, once Google’s new policy takes effect tomorrow, all data it has previously collected about you across Google, Gmail, YouTube, etc. will be unified and associated with your online identity including search data which can reveal particularly sensitive information. The EEF, a nonprofit org for online privacy, recommends that all Google users take steps to delete their web history.

Porn for Pregnant Ladies from Pregnant Chicken - Don’t worry, ladies. It’s safe for work. My personal favorite? Hugh Jackman on Pinterest. :)

Get Closer from YouTube -  An inspiring human message.

Recalls, February 22 – February 29:

CPSC Child Product Recalls

Child Safety Seat Recalls

No child safety seat recall announcements this week.

USDA/FDA Recalls

If there’s anything you see and think we should feature, please send it to jasmine@purebebe.com.

Weekly Highlights (2/13/2012)

Published on February 14, 2012 in News. 2 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Happy Valentine’s Day! We hope you and your families have a wonderful day filled with lots of love.

Welcome to this week’s highlights, our weekly post that recaps important child health and safety news, research, and recalls from the previous week and other great finds we’ve come across in our internet travels. Enjoy!  - Jasmine & Heather

In the News:

Are the French Really Better Parents? A Different View from Paris - Perhaps you saw the original article in the WSJ or have seen commentaries since, but the latest buzz about parenting styles since The Tiger Mom is now focused on french parenting’s superiority to American a la Pamela Druckerman and her new book, Bringing Up BéBé. I found this opinion piece to be an excellent commentary which brings Pamela’s thoughts into perspective.

Woman Fired Over Lactation, Judge Says Not Sex Discrimination -  A woman was fired for asking for to pump at work, and a recent court ruling says that lactation is not pregnancy-related and thus not protected under sex discrimination law. Although Obama’s health care law requires employers to give women breaks to pump, it apparently doesn’t specifically protect them from being fired if they ask to do so - pretty much rendering the requirement ineffective.

Mom Induced Early for Dying Husband - In a heartbreaking situation, Diane Aulger scratched her plans for a natural birth and was induced two weeks early so that her dying husband could meet his unborn child. Husband, Mark, passed away just 5 days later. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Diane and her family.

New Research:

Chemo Possible for Pregnant Women with Cancer
About 1 in 1,000 women will face cancer during pregnancy and the unbearable dilemma of how to proceed. I personally have a family member who went through this, so this news comes very close to home. A series of papers published last week suggest that women with cancer can be treated the same as other patients with minimal risk to the fetus. One study of 70 children who were exposed to chemo in the womb found that they developed just as well as other children based on tests on their hearts, IQs, and general health. Another study suggests that chemotherapy after the first trimester is possible with extra ultrasounds to monitor baby’s development and radiation is best done in the first two trimesters when the baby is small enough to be covered by a lead blanket. The same study also found that ending the pregnancy did not improve the chances for the mother.

Skip The Strained Peas, Let Babies Feed Themselves
Does this mean the end of my beloved Beaba Babycook? New research suggests skipping baby food purees and letting children go straight to finger foods through “baby-led weaning”. In a study of 155 children ages 20 months to 6 1/2 years, parents filled out questionnaires on their children’s feeding and weaning practices, food preferences, and height and weight. The results of the questionnaire indicate that babies who learn to feed themselves early on may develop healthier eating habits and be less likely to become overweight as self-feeding helps them to be more mindful of their appetites. The study also found that the finger-fed children preferred carbs while the spoon-fed children preferred sweets. It seems to me that there may be more factors at play, but ultimately helping children become mindful of their appetites and serving them fresh, whole foods when they are ready is key.

Tests Find Mold, Fecal Bacteria in Children’s Lunch Boxes
Ewwww. A NC State University scientist and her grad students paired up with a local news station to investigate germs where we eat. They found no evidence of harmful bacteria on the trays tested from fast food restaurants and mall food courts; however, children’s lunch boxes were a different matter. Of the 100 lunch boxes tested at a local middle school, about half tested positive for low levels of staph and about 15% showed fecal contamination most likely due to children not washing their hands properly after using the restroom. What was also surprising to me - the list of other surfaces with highest germ concentration according to other studies - i.e. gas pump handle.

Fantastic Finds:

Stomach vs Food

This video follows a “smart pill” into the stomach of two subjects and shows how our bodies digest (or fail to digest) processed foods - Ramen and Gatorade - as compared to their homemade counterparts. Incredibly fascinating to watch.

Best Children’s Books for February from HuffingtonPost- I’m a book lover, and there look to be some fun recommendations here.

Why Pinterest is 2012′s Hottest Website from CNN - I’m a HUGE fan. I joined Pinterest in its early stages and was hooked from the start. It’s essentially a visual online bookmarking system; however, the social aspect allows you to see and repin what others have pinned too. I can’t tell you how many fantastic ideas I’ve found using this site.

Recalls, February 7 – February 13:

CPSC Child Product Recalls

No child product recall announcements this week.

Child Safety Seat Recalls

No child safety seat recall announcements this week.

USDA/FDA Recalls

If there’s anything you see and think we should feature, please send it to jasmine@purebebe.com.

Weekly Highlights (10/18/2011)

Published on October 18, 2011 in News. 2 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Welcome to “Weekly Highlights”, our weekly post that recaps important child health and safety news, research, and recalls from the previous week and other great reads we’ve come across in our internet travels.

In the News:

Outrage in China After Toddler Run Over & Ignored - I can’t even watch the video included with the news story after the description I received from my husband. A small child was run over not once, but twice, by two separate vehicles in hit-and-runs and meanwhile passersby walked around her body. Fortunately for the child, a homeless woman comes to her aid, yet the child now lies in critical condition in the hospital. It’s absolutely horrifying, infuriating, and unfathomable.

Record Number of Booster Seats Earn Highest Rating from IIHS - A record 31 seats have been designated Best Bets this year, meaning that they position a seat belt on a typical 4 to 8 year old in just about any car. Notable this year – All five seats made by one manufacturer, Canadian-based Harmony Juvenile Products, made the Best Bet list as did an inflatable seat, the BubbleBum, marketed for vacations, car pools, and taxis.

Target commits to 100% sustainable, traceable fish by 2015 - Target is partnering with a nonprofit marine conservation group to identify and sell only sustainable, traceable fish by 2015. This will be no easy feat. I’m really excited to see them taking this step and hope it encourages other grocers to do the same.

Flame Retardant Added to California’s List of Cancer Causing Chemicals – The flame retardant, Chlorinated Tris (TDCPP), recently found to be present in many baby products, was added last week to California’s Proposition 65 list of cancer-causing chemicals. The listing will not ban the chemical but could result in labeling of products containing the chemical.

FDA Petitioned by American Chemistry Council to Ban BPA in Baby Bottles and Sippy Cups - The American Chemistry Council has petitioned the FDA to ban BPA in bottles and sippy cups, noting that in many cases manufacturers have phased out BPA due to consumer demand and that a nationwide ban would ensure consistency and allow states to focus their legislative energies elsewhere. The FDA has not confirmed it will issue a regulation yet but it will issue a notice for comment. The EWG, on the other hand, is asking the FDA to extend the ban to baby formula and other canned goods. Not holding my breath on that one just yet.

New Research:

Have Penn State Researchers Found the Cure for Breast Cancer?!
Incredibly promising news came from Penn State this week as scientists there discovered a virus that kills breast cancer cells. The researchers applied the virus to three different breast cancer cell groups, representing three different stages of development, and the virus managed to kill 100% of the cells. In a particularly aggressive type of cancer cell, it took three weeks to kill 100% of the cells, but in the others it took only 7. The virus has also been successful against other types of cancer cells, including prostate and skin cancer. It currently works in a culture dish and in mice, but further animal trials and then human trials are needed before it can be considered for human treatment. Penn State is now stepping up its efforts to find the money to fund further research. 

Environmental Chemicals May be an Obstacle for Infertile Couples
New research has turned up evidence of a link between endocrine-disrupting chemicals in the environment and poor IVF outcomes. These chemicals disrupt a woman’s estrogen, making it more difficult to get pregnant. Higher blood levels of pollutants such as bisphenol A (BPA), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) have been found in mothers with failed IVF attempts, according to a handful of recent studies. In the studies, high levels of PCBs and HCB were associated with failed implantation, and high levels of BPA were associated with low levels of a particular form of estrogen instrumental in the development of eggs. More research is needed to determine if the results could be generalized beyond couples undergoing IVF.

Good Reads (or vids):

Notes from a Dragon Mom from The NY Times Sunday Review - Absolutely heartbreaking, yet inspirational.

Bully-Proofing Your Kids from CNN Living - Things we can start now with our young children to help them navigate the later years.

20 Tips for Using Baking Soda Around Your House from The Huffington Post - I’ve used baking soda for stain and odor elimination with good results but was surprised by some of the others on the list.

Recalls, October 11 – October 18:

CPSC Child Product Recalls

Child Safety Seat Recalls
No child safety seat recall announcements this week.

USDA/FDA Recalls

If there’s anything you see and think we should feature, please send it our way to jasmine@purebebe.com. We hope your week is off to a great start! XOXO, Jasmine & Heather

Weekly Highlights (10/11/11)

Published on October 11, 2011 in News. 3 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Welcome to “Weekly Highlights”, our weekly post that recaps important child health and safety news, research, and recalls from the previous week and other great reads we’ve come across in our internet travels.

In the News:

Just Label It: We Have a Right to Know What’s In Our Food - A coalition of nearly 400 business and organizations has submitted a petition to the FDA calling for mandatory labeling of genetically-modified foods. Click here if you’d like to visit the coalition’s website and submit a comment on the petition to the FDA.

Woman Finishes Chicago Marathon, Gives Birth - Nearly 39 weeks pregnant with her second child, a woman completed the Chicago Marathon Sunday, grabbed a bite to eat, then headed for the hospital to deliver her baby. With the permission of her doctor, she ran half then walked half, finishing the marathon in 6 hours, 25 minutes and 50 seconds! Wow!

California Governor Signs The Toxin-Free Infants and Toddlers Act – Governor Brown signed a bill into law banning BPA in baby bottles and sippy cups in California.

Fluoride Safety Debate Bubbles Up Again - While professionals say fluoride is safe in reasonable quantities, the EPA is reviewing its maximum allowable level in water supplies. Some communities are going ahead and removing fluoride from their water systems.

New Research:

Peanut Allergies – Have Scientists Finally Found a Cure?
In a promising study, scientists from Northwestern University in Chicago were able to trick the immune system into tolerating nut proteins by attaching the proteins to white blood cells, causing the immune system to recognize the protein and become tolerant to it. The researchers also found that they were able to increase the number of regulatory T cells, the cells that recognize the nut protein, introducing balance into the immune system, and they were able to attach more than one protein to the cells indicating that other food allergies might be targeted.

Moms’ Hormone Use Linked to Cancer & Reproductive Health Problems
A study performed by the National Cancer Institute followed the daughters of women who took DES, the first synthetic form of estrogen prescribed to up to 10 million women between 1940 and 1971 to stave off miscarriage and other pregnancy complications. The researchers linked DES exposure in the womb to increased risks of 12 health conditions, including cancer, infertility, miscarriage, and preterm delivery to name a few. The drug was pulled in 1971 when the FDA found that it didn’t work and was causing cancer. Now it appears to be causing the symptoms it was intended to prevent, and this study further highlights concerns over hormone exposure in utero.

Pregnant Women Who Are Obese Put Their Children at Higher Risk of Asthma
A study of over 129,000 mothers in Sweden and their 189,000 children found that mothers who were very obese had a 61 percent increased likelihood of their children developing asthma by the time they were between 8 and 10 years old. Maternal obesity increases a child’s risk of obesity, which influences the infant’s immune system and its response to allergies.

Good Reads (or vids):

Lily’s Disneyland Surprise from YouTube - I guarantee this will make you cry.

10 Stubborn Food Myths That Just Won’t Die, Debunked by Science from Lifehacker - I was surprised by a few items on this list. Perhaps you will be too.

Recalls, October 4 – October 10:

CPSC Child Product Recalls

Child Safety Seat Recalls
No child safety seat recall announcements this week.

USDA/FDA Recalls

If there’s anything you see and think we should feature, please send it our way to jasmine@purebebe.com. We hope your week is off to a great start! XOXO, Jasmine & Heather

10 Americans, 287 Chemicals

Published on August 17, 2011 in News. 2 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

In 2004, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) tested the blood of 10 Americans for 413 different toxic chemical pollutants. The tests revealed 287 of these chemicals present, an average of 200 in each individual. These chemicals included 28 waste byproducts (i.e. PCBs), 47 consumer product ingredients (i.e. flame retardants), and 212 industrial chemicals and pesticides banned over 30 years ago.

Of the 287 chemicals identified, they have some alarming characteristics:

  • 134 of these chemicals have been shown to cause cancer in laboratory studies or people
  • 151 chemicals have been associated with birth defects
  • 154 chemicals have been associated with hormone disruption
  • 186 chemicals have been associated with infertility
  • 130 chemicals have been associated with immune system toxicity
  • 158 chemicals have been identified as neurotoxins (i.e. lead, mercury)

Did you know that the average women uses about 12 personal care products a day? And in doing so, we encounter more than 160 chemical ingredients. Not that all chemicals are bad, but when chemicals in the U.S. market are considered safe until proven guilty, how are we to know? Manufacturers are not required to disclose the results of any safety testing (nor are they actually required to complete safety testing), and the average chemical is approved by the EPA in 3 weeks time before going to market.

So the big question is how did the 10 Americans in EWG’s study come into contact with the 287 chemicals found in their blood? That’s the crazy part. Yes, 10 Americans sounds like a pretty small sample, but these 10 individuals are not just anyone. They’re newborns barely a moment old - the blood was taken from their umbilical cords. These newborns encountered these chemicals in the womb. Our children are exposed before they even enter this world.

And do you know what their chances of getting cancer in their lifetime are? 1 in 2 for males, and 1 in 3 for females. That is staggering. gut-wrenching. unacceptable. Our children deserve better. We can reduce these odds, but it’s going to require some serious change. We can make changes at home, but ultimately we need chemical reform.

These statistics are just some of the highlights from the video presentation below prepared by Ken Cook, president and co-founder of EWG. Ken has testified numerous times in front of Congress regarding chemical and other reform. His presentation is eye-opening, to say the least. It’s a little long at 20 minutes, but it is incredibly informative and an easy view.

I’d encourage you to watch at least the first 12 minutes. Then, if you haven’t already, contact your local senator and urge them to support the Safe Chemicals Act of 2011. The bill will be up for a vote in the fall, and our politicians need to hear our voices. Share this video with friends, and get the word out. It is time for change.

If you want to know more about the Safe Chemicals Act of 2011 and our currently ineffective chemical policy, read our earlier post about it here: Pediatricians Call for Change: Protect Children from Toxic Chemicals.

Other Resources:
Body Burden - The Pollution in Newborns

Flame Retardants on my Baby’s Changing Pad?

Published on June 15, 2011 in Baby Gear. 5 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , .

{Photo source}

Guest post by Joni Clifford

Motherhood has continually inspired or propelled me to investigate and research topics that I never even thought of before I became a parent. The safety of my children seemed like it would be “easy” for me, something that my natural instincts and experience would guide me in and that my internal alarms would go off as soon as danger was near. I truly thought that I would instinctually know when something wasn’t safe or healthy for my child.

Most of the topics that I have researched have been food, toy or care related. Is the food I am feeding my child free of additives, healthy, nutritious and good for the Earth? Are the toys I am buying developmentally appropriate and physically safe? What daycare environment is best for our family? You know…..normal stuff.

But I have to say that I never thought, in a million years, that I would be researching whether hormones and antibiotics were in our milk or virus genes spliced into plant seeds of our food. An article recently published in USA Today added another incredible item to the list: flame retardants on my baby’s changing pad.

A study by researchers at Duke University, published on May 18th, found flame retardants in the foam of 80% (80 of 101 products) of the baby products tested. They tested car seats, changing table pads, infant sleep positioners, portable crib mattresses, and nursing pillows. A few additional samples were collected from high chairs, nursery rocking chairs/gliders, baby walkers, baby carriers, and miscellaneous bathroom items. The researchers did not reveal the brands used in the study.

Why are there flame retardants on baby products?

Several sources have indicated that most manufacturers use foam treated with flame retardants to comply with California’s Technical Bulletin 117. Although the standard does not actually require the use of flame-retardant chemicals, polyurethane foam manufacturers will use chemical retardants as an efficient means of meeting the safety standard, which requires the foam in upholstered furniture be able to withstand a small open flame for 12 seconds without catching fire. Since California is such a large portion of the consumer market and have the most stringent safety requirements, most manufacturers build their products to satisfy CA’s requirements and then sell them nationally.

What chemicals did they find?

The most common flame retardant found was tris(1,3-dichloroisopropyl) phosphate (TDCPP).  But the researchers also found tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) as an impurity and PBDE substances commonly associated with PentaBDE.

TDCPP is currently approved for use as a flame retardant in these types of products. Recent articles have confused TDCPP with a chemical that was banned in children’s clothes in the 1970′s (TRIS (2,3,-dibromopropyl) phosphate); however, it is not the same chemical. In 2006, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) released a Risk Assessment of Flame Retardant Chemicals in Upholstered Furniture Foam, which included TDCPP. This CPSC report states that (emphasis added) “…upholstered furniture manufactured with TDCPP treated foam might present a hazard to consumers, based on both cancer and non-cancer end points”.  And it is currently being evaluated by the state of California as a possible carcinogen.

TCEP, on the other hand, has already been labeled as a human carcinogen by the state of California. And PentaBDE was voluntarily phased out by manufacturers back in 2004 because nine states (including California) and the European Union (EU) passed laws to ban it.

According to Linda Birnbaum of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, of the retardants in the tested products, only pentaBDE is known to impact people.

I looked into the five products in which pentaBDE was detected, and all but one were purchased before 2004. The study notes indicated that a portable crib mattress was purchased in 2007 at a second hand store, so the year of manufacture was not able to be determined. Since the voluntary phase out started in 2004, and it was bought second-hand, there is no evidence provided that the crib mattress was manufactured after the phase out of the chemical.

What does all of this mean?

I have never seen flame retardant cautionary statements listed on the packaging of anything that I have bought for my children. What I have recently found out is that manufacturers are not required to label items that have been treated with flame retardants. Without the publication of this study, I would not have known that flame retardants were even used on these products. I now know to look for the TB 117 statement on the tag. I found this one my high chair:

However, this tag does not necessarily mean that the item has chemical flame retardants, since there are other ways to meet the flammability standards, but using them is one of the least expensive. So I assume that is the method that most manufacturers will use.

I have seen labels on pajamas that proclaim that they are flame resistant– giving me the impression that having flame retardants were a good thing. In fact, children’s pajamas are required to meet federal flammability standards and the American Academy of Pediatrics endorses the use of flame retardants on clothing to reduce the number of injuries and deaths from fires. They also instruct pediatricians to endorse legislation and regulations which promote that as well.

The American Chemistry Council tell us flame retardants “provide important fire safety benefits“, that they are “safe for use in consumer products”, and that the new study does not show harm to infants because it “does not address exposure or risk.”

So is it safe?

Based on a lot of the information I’ve read, the chemicals they found in the baby products are questionable at best. As stated, the study did not address exposure – like how much is absorbed through the skin, breathed in or consumed in dust via hand to mouth contact?

I feel that exposing my children to flame retardants (or any unnecessary chemical), even if it causes no harm, should be my choice as a parent and as a consumer. So while I will be looking to remove the products that contain them I will also be looking to support legislation or other campaigns which call for full disclosure of a product’s “ingredients” and contents. I’ve already replaced my changing table pads.

How can you reduce your family’s exposure to flame retardants?

The Safe Kids Buyer’s Guide, published by the Green Science Policy Institute in conjunction with the study, and the Environmental Working Group provide these tips:

  • Consider buying products that are less likely to contain flame retardants – those that contain polyester, down, wool or cotton (not polyurethane foam). For children’s pajamas, get 100% cotton that are labeled “wear snug fitting”. They should be labeled as such.
  • Use caution with products that contain the TB 117 label. Call the manufacturer to confirm they don’t use flame retardants.
  • Reduce the dust in your home, where these harmful chemical collect: vacuum frequently using a vacuum with a HEPA filter and wet-mop.
  • Wash hands often and especially before eating. For crawling babies, clean more frequently as their hands are in constant contact with dust and residue on the floor where the chemicals collect
  • Replace upholstery with rips that exposes the inner foam.
  • Advocate for safer products by supporting legislation to reform California’s TB 117 and the national Toxic Substances Control Act, and contact manufacturers to express your preference for flame retardant-free products. The Buyer’s Guide contains sample letters and contact information for voicing your concerns.

Products to buy:
According to the Buyer’s Guide referenced above, BabyLuxe Organic, Baby Bjorn, Orbit Baby and Boppy each have products which meet the TB 117 standards without chemical flame retardants.

For more information:
Identification of Flame Retardants in Polyurethane Foam Collected From Baby Products
California Technical Bulletin 117
National Toxicology Program 2011 Report on Carcinogens
American Academy of Pediatrics Policy Statement on Accident Prevention
Green Science Policy Institute

Joni is a happy, working mother of 2 beautiful and energetic little boys, 3.5 and almost 1! She enjoys all things healthy, natural and good for the Earth (and a few things that are not). At work, she is a Senior Business Analyst for a software development company. Outside of work, she enjoys running (even 1/2 marathons!), tending her garden, and keeping up with the latest on purebebe.com.

You Might Also Like:
Pediatricians Call for Change: Protect Children from Toxic Chemicals
CPSC Launches New Consumer Product Safety Information Database
Rest Easy with an Organic Mattress

Is Our Food Making Us Sick? The “Unhealthy Truth” About the U.S. Food Industry

Published on August 1, 2010 in Food, Health & Safety and Organic. 6 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Fruits and Vegetables - Courtesy of Carol Moshier, Flickr

I have never thought too much about the safety of the food that our family consumes, except that I like to buy organic whenever possible to avoid pesticides. And I have to say that I’ve enjoyed being “in the dark.” It’s much easier to say “I don’t want to know” the dangers and to continue believing that we have enough regulatory agencies in the U.S. to protect us from any dangers in our food supply.

I vow to stay in the dark no longer. I have two babies whose lives are in my hands to nurture and make sure that I’m giving them the healthiest and safest start in life. And let’s face it, I’d like for my husband and me to be around when they graduate from college some day.

In the video below, author and researcher Robyn O’Brien reveals that “in 1994, in order to drive profitability for the food industry, we began to engineer foreign proteins into our (U.S.) food supply.” Yet, she notes that no studies have been done to study these foreign substances in our food supply and their long-term effects on people!

Robyn further explains that “according to the CDC, there’s been a 265% increase in the rate of (U.S.) ER hospitalizations related to food allergic reactions.” On top of that, the rates of cancer, diabetes, autism and other serious medical conditions have been steadily increasing in the past few years – in the United States.

The video is long (1 hour), but please watch at least the first 25 minutes. I promise you, it’s worth it.

Alex Bogusky (whom Bloomberg BusinessWeek has recently dubbed ‘the Bill Gates of the Advertising world’) interviews Robyn O’Brien, author of The Unhealthy Truth. You can buy her book here.

I would love to hear what you think of the video and your thoughts regarding the genetic mutation of our food – please leave us a comment above!

-Heather

Related Articles:
Prevent Cancer Now: Eliminate 9+ Toxins From Your Life
Are You What You Eat?
Is Your Baby A Veggie Baby?

A Letter to Luke

Published on June 30, 2010 in Health & Safety. 3 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , .

Dear Luke,

Today is a big day for you. You have been on my mind since I woke up and I’ll still be thinking of you when I go to sleep tonight. Although we’ve never met, I already know a lot about you.

I know that you’re the same age as one of my daughters, you live in my neighborhood, and you used to attend my friend Jasmine’s daughter’s daycare class.

I also know that you are a very strong and brave little boy – I know that today you will be undergoing major surgery to remove a tumor in your abdomen that used to be the size of a tennis ball.

I know that you have been diagnosed with Stage IV neuroblastoma.

I know that you have undergone FIVE rounds of chemotherapy in order to shrink that tumor to the size of a golf ball so that doctors can remove it. I know that after surgery, you’ll have to endure a SIXTH round of chemo, a stem cell transplant, and radiation therapy.

As a mommy, my heart pours out to you and your mommy and daddy. I want you to know that I’ll be thinking of you and praying for you all day today.

So when I heard that your daddy was asking for faith and prayers for you today, I wanted to help:

“I’m not sure of everyone’s faith within Team Luke, but please pray for God, or whomever your faith lies with, to guide Dr. Soutter’s hands Wednesday morning to make this miracle happen.”

Hang in there little man, because today is the beginning of a new day – a day that brings you one step closer to ridding your little body of cancer.

Xoxo,
Heather

To find out more, including ways you can help Luke and his family, visit Lotsa Helping Hands and complete the request to join the Team Luke community, or visit the Team Luke page on Facebook.

Prevent Cancer Now: Eliminate 9+ Toxins from Your Life

Published on June 24, 2010 in Health & Safety and Organic. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , .

1.5 million Americans are diagnosed with cancer every year. In fact, 20% of us (1 in 5) will one day die of cancer.

A new report out by the EWG and the President’s Cancer Panel covers how environmental toxins play a significant role in causing cancer and what you can do to minimize your exposure to cancer-causing agents.

In fact, the article states that the “EWG’s own research has found that children are born ‘pre-polluted’ with nearly 300 industrial chemicals, pesticides and contaminants that have been found to cause cancer in lab studies or in people.”

I have listed the high-level items from the article below, but please refer to the EWG’s article, “Tip 13: EWG’s Cancer Prevention Tips” for more details on each numbered item below:

1. Filter your tap water.

2. Seal outdoor wooden decks and play sets.

3. Cut down on stain- and grease-proofing chemicals.

4. Stay safe in the sun. [See PureBebe's recent post on "Don't get Burned by Unsafe Sunscreens"]

5. Cut down on fatty meat and high-fat dairy products.

6. Eat EWG’s Clean 15 fruits and veggies. [See PureBebe's recent post "Are You What You Eat" for Clean 15 & the Dirty Dozen details]

7. Cut your exposures to BPA. [See PureBebe's recent post "Just Say No to BPA"]

8. Avoid carcinogens in cosmetics.

9. Read Product warnings.

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