The Story of Cosmetics

"The Story of Cosmetics", Toxins In, Toxins Out, from the folks that brought us The Story of Stuff.

Support the Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010 here.

The toxics reform bill, H.R. 5820, the Toxic Chemicals Safety Act, has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Chairmen Waxman (CA-30) and Rush (IL-01). If you haven't signed the petition, you can do it here. Sign to help encourage our legislators in Washington to support the bill!

Can a Town Free Themselves of Bottled Water

Here's an inspiring piece on the successful efforts of  the people of Kingston, Australia, who became the first town to give up bottled water. Hear how it came together as they share their experience with the people of Concord, Massachusetts, US, who are considering a similar feat. The bottles aren't banned, they simply aren't for sale.  Instead, there are multiple opportunities to purchase refillable bottles - and places to refill.

Cancer Prevention Tips

First a particular article or report about cancer causing food or chemicals catches your ear. Then you start to seek them out to learn more. Then you get totally overwhelmed at all the things you need to avoid! Here's a nice succinct list of things you can do to cut your risk.

Children's Sun Safety is More Than Sunscreen

5 Important Considerations for Sun Safety

1.      Sunglasses– Children who spend a lot of time in the sun, especially children who are blue-eyed, should wear sunglasses, or shade their eyes with a hat. Sun exposure in the early years can lead to cataracts and age related glaucoma in later years.

2.      Sunscreen-Get a good low toxin sunscreen that blocks both UVB and UVA rays. This is critical, as it’s the UVA rays, the ones that don’t actually burn, that cause the most dangerous skin damage according to the latest Environmental Working Group report. Avoid oxybenzone and retinylpalmitate. Re-apply every 20 minutes or as recommended by your pediatrician. Consider purchasing a  UV monitoring wristband UV Monitoring Wristband, which will prompt you when to re-apply.

3.      Vitamin D-It’s been discovered  some adults and children are developing low Vitamin D stores in their bodies as a result of conscientious sunscreen use. Others report the problem is not that great because we don't tend to use sunscreen properly in the first place. Vitamin D supplements are helpful, but unless you have a medical reason to stay out of the sun altogether, 20-30 minutes of indirect sunlight a few times a week is recommended. This is reportedly enough to enable your body to absorb the rays necessary to synthesize Vitamin. This applies in the winter too. And no, you can’t get adequate Vitamin D from sunlight through a window.

4.      After Sun-If your child gets a little too much sun, suggested soothers are aloe, tea (make a brew to release the tannins and soak a washcloth in it, then apply), or apple cider vinegar. I’ve seen vinegar reduce redness in a mild pink burn; the smell does go away. Of course, if a burn is significant, consult your doctor right away.

5.      Sun Blocking Clothing-For those who are extremely fair or want to ensure they limit their

      future exposure, there are clothes made with high sun resistance such as the Coolibar line

      that you may want to consider.

New information is becoming available regularly about sun safety. An updated sunscreen report has just been issued by the Environmental Working Group. Pay attention to the news and have even more fun in the sun knowing you’re taking the necessary precautions to protect yourself and the children in your life.

Common Pesticides May Increase Likelihood of ADHD

Children are very susceptible to the dangers of pesticides and toxic chemicals due to their small size and the fact that their bodies and organs are still developing. More and more evidence is piling up that we are all reaching our limits on exposure. We need to avoid exposure to these dangerous contaminants as much as possible. 

The latest is a study that has been published in  Pediatrics, that implicates organophosphate pesticides in the development of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. In the 1139 children between the ages of 8-15 tested, these pesticides were found in levels twice as high in the children with ADHD. Children with high levels of one of the pesticides, dimethyl thiophosphate, were found to be as much as 93 percent more likely to have ADHD.

The study didn't include a mechanism to determine the kids diets or determine the source of the pesticides. Since these pesticides are commonly used on fruit and vegetables, avoiding the most pesticide laden produce and buying organic would be a logical first step to avoid the high exposure.