In June of 1995, E Magazine, the online home of The Environmental Magazine, featured Colette Chuda on the cover with the provocative title, "What Killed Colette Chuda?". 

E Magazine provided in-depth coverage of the toxin-cancer link, and drew awareness to the danger toxins pose to children's health. Today, as part of a retrospective of the magazine's coverage of environmental topics during the past 20 years, Colette's face once again graced the publication as a reminder of how toxins in the environment affect children's health. 

Its been more than 17 years since Healthy Child Healthy World was founded and set out on its mission to protect children from chemical exposure.  Re-reading this issue, I was struck by how far we've come and how much has been accomplished - the needle really has been moved so far forward.  And yet, it was a renewing reminder of how much remains to be accomplished.  As the article points out, then and now:  "with autism rates rising at unprecedented rates, researchers are looking for environmental clues again, and parents continue to search for ways that they can get chemicals out of their lives, from kitchen cabinets, to yards, to toy boxes."

Here's to where 2010 will take Healthy Child's work! 

 

 

 

My e-mail inbox was flooded on April 10, 2009 with copies of a New York Times op-ed arguing that pigs running around outside have “higher rates” of Salmonella, toxoplasma, and, most alarming, trichina than pigs raised in factory farms. The writer, James McWilliams, is a prize-winning historian at Texas State San Marcos whose forthcoming book is about the dangers of the locavore movement to the future of food.

I put “higher rates” in quotation marks because that is not what the study measured. The study on which McWilliams based his op-ed is published in Foodborne Pathogens and Disease. The investigators actually measured “seropositivity” (antibodies) in the pigs’ blood. But the presence of antibodies does not necessarily mean that the animals – or their meat – are infected. It means that the free-range pigs were exposed to the organisms at some point and developed immunity to them. The industrial pigs were not exposed and did not develop immunity to these microorganisms. But you would never know that from reading the op-ed. How come?

Guess who paid for the study? The National Pork Board, of course.

The Center for a Livable Future at Johns Hopkins has much to say about all this. My point, as always, is that sponsored studies are invariably designed in ways that produce results favorable to the sponsor. In this case, the sponsor represents industrial pork producers.

April 14 update: the editors of the New York Times have added a note to the electronic version of Professor McWilliams’ op-ed pointing out the National Pork Board sponsorship of the study on which he based his piece. And McWilliams rebuts arguments against his piece on the Atlantic Food Channel, while conceding that he may have gotten the science wrong.

Marion Nestle is Paulette Goddard Professor in the Department of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health (the department she chaired from 1988-2003) and Professor of Sociology at New York University. Her degrees include a Ph.D. in molecular biology and an M.P.H. in public health nutrition, both from the University of California, Berkeley.

This was originally posted on Marion's blog, Food Politics.

Image Courtesy Of fotoosvanrobin / CC BY-SA 2.0

The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and not necessarily those of Healthy Child Healthy World.

 

Reversing a decade-old decision, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Tuesday that it plans to require pesticide manufacturers to disclose to the public the inert ingredients in their products.

An inert ingredient is anything added to a pesticide that does not kill or control a pest.  In some cases, those ingredients are toxic compounds, but companies do not identify them on pesticide labels.

Nearly 4,000 inerts - including several hundred that are considered hazardous under other federal rules - are used in agricultural and residential pesticides.

The EPA’s announcement that it will initiate the rulemaking comes 11 years after it had first been petitioned by environmental groups and state officials seeking public disclosure of the ingredients. In 2001, the agency denied those petitions filed by ten state attorney generals and an environmental coalition, and its decision was upheld by a federal judge in 2004.

Now, under a new administration, the EPA decided that drafting a new regulation will “increase transparency” and help protect public health.

“EPA believes disclosure of inert ingredients on product labels is important to consumers who want to be aware of all potentially toxic chemicals, both active and inert ingredients, in pesticide products,” according to the agency’s website.

Formaldehyde, bisphenol A, sulfuric acid, toluene, benzene and styrene are among the ingredients that are allowed in pesticides but are not identified on labels. Some are carcinogens, while some may cause reproductive or respiratory problems if people are exposed. Other inerts seem benign, such as coffee grounds, sunflower oil and licorice extract.

One goal of the planned rule is that pesticide companies would be more likely to replace toxic chemicals if they must identify all ingredients on their labels.

“By embarking on such rulemaking, EPA intends to effect a sea change in how inert ingredient information is made available to the public,” Debra Edwards, the EPA’s director of pesticide programs, said in a September letter to the Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides, California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown, Jr. and other petitioners.

Edwards wrote that the EPA will seek “a significant amount of input” from stakeholders – the pesticide industry, environmentalists and other experts – as they craft the new rule “because of the magnitude of the change and the difficult issues facing the agency.”

Under current law, pesticide companies already disclose all ingredients to the EPA. The new rule would make them public.

Jay Vroom, chief executive officer of CropLife America, which represents pesticide manufacturers, said Tuesday that the companies are concerned they will be revealing confidential business information, or trade secrets, about their formulas.

Vroom said it was “just baffling” that EPA will draft a rule when the pesticide products already undergo risk assessments and are approved for use. He said EPA officials are using “unbridled rhetoric” when addressing the issue of inerts.

“We believe these products already have been regulated to protect public health,” he said. “What is confusing is why the agency has been out talking about these products as hazardous inert ingredients. To me, that’s an oxymoron."

Vroom said the industry will work with the EPA but that no details or timetable for the stakeholder meetings have emerged yet.

Lawyers in the California Attorney General's Office consider the decision a victory but they are eager to see the details of the EPA's proposed rule, which is at least several months away.

"It's impossible to predict the outcome of this, except to say we'll have more disclosure than we have today," said Deputy Attorney General Claudia Polsky.

Options the EPA said it will consider include disclosure of all inert ingredients regardless of hazard or only those that are considered potentially hazardous. Some of the requirements may be voluntary.

“EPA is not committing and indeed legally cannot commit, to any particular outcome for rulemaking,” Edwards wrote in her letter to the petitioners. The agency's advance notice of a rule was published Tuesday, but the draft rule outlining the details will take months.

In 2006, the Northwest Coalition and 15 state attorney generals sent their latest petitions to the EPA, specifically seeking the listing of 374 chemicals on labels. Those chemicals already are considered hazardous under other environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act.

In September, the EPA denied that part of the petition, preferring to enact a new rule and saying that the chemical-by-chemical approach was not practical and “would potentially result in numerous challenges regarding individual products.”

Pesticide manufacturers are allowed to use nearly 4,000 inert compounds in their insecticides, herbicides and other pest-killing products. Since 1987, they have been required to list on labels only about 50, including asbestos and cadmium. Nearly all of those have disappeared from pesticides since then.

Under federal law, only the EPA has authority to require information on pesticide labels, so state officials cannot act on their own.
Some scientists have been concerned about the toxic effects of inert ingredients. A recent study found that one, called polyethoxylated tallowamine, or POEA, used in the popular herbicide Roundup is more deadly to human embryonic, placental and umbilical cord cells than the herbicide itself.

 

The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and not necessarily those of Healthy Child Healthy World.

 

 

I will openly admit I love cheese puffs, cheese curls, pretty much any kind of baked cheese snack - the more neon in color, the better. I also really love artisanal cheeses – and, oddly, cheese puffs, cheese curls, and their brightly colored cousins really taste nothing like any type of real cheese. How do we come to crave these fake flavors? (I know I’m not the only one). More importantly, when did food become so un-natural?

And, our food hasn’t simply become more synthetic than ever before, it’s also laced with ingredients and contaminants that pose distressing health risks. They aren’t like salmonella, e-coli, or other pathogenic pollutants that can cause immediate illness or even death. These toxic impurities are more insidious – subtly causing harm over time.

Reduce your exposure to unwanted ingredients by following these 10 tips to detoxify your diet.

1. Ease up on animal fats. Animal products can contain synthetic hormones, antibiotics and organochlorine chemicals, such as dioxin, DDT and other pesticides, which concentrate in animal fat. The same chemicals that accumulate in animal fats are transferred to our own when we eat them. Then they linger there for years quietly causing damage. When you buy meat, poultry or dairy, look for low fat options (get the unsaturated fats your body needs from plant sources like walnuts, flax seeds, and avocadoes). Trim all fats and skins and broil meats and fish so that the fats drain away. Avoid frying, which will lock in the contaminants. You can also do your body a favor by reducing how much meat you eat. Making even one vegetarian meal a week can make a big difference.

2. Select safer seafood. Eating seafood is the primary way we are exposed to methylmercury, a potent neurotoxin. Fish can also be contaminated with PCBs, which the International Agency for Research on Cancer and the Environmental Protection Agency have declared a probable carcinogen. Use the Environmental Defense Fund’s Safe Seafood Selector to find species that are lowest in chemical and heavy metal contamination and that are fished in ways that are not harmful to our Oceans. Or access the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch, one of the more popular seafood guide’s online, who have now made it possible to get their website information with ease when you’re standing in front of the seafood case by using their free iPhone app.

3. Go organic. According to the Environmental Working Group, you can lower your pesticide exposure by 90 per cent simply by avoiding the most contaminated conventionally grown produce: peaches, apples, sweet bell peppers, celery, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, lettuce, imported grapes, carrots, and pears. If you’re really craving one of these foods, opt for organic. Conventionally grown fruits and vegetables that have the lowest levels of pesticide residue include: onion, avocado, sweet corn, pineapple, mango, asparagus, sweet peas, kiwi, cabbage, eggplant, papaya, watermelon, broccoli, tomato, and sweet potato. You can download the EWG pocket guide that lists these and the dirty dozen from Foodnews.com.

4. Prep your produce. Wash all fruits and vegetables well to remove surface chemicals (and pathogens). It’s easiest and most efficient to wash everything right when you bring it home. You should even wash foods with inedible peels – like melons, bananas, and oranges. If there’s a contaminant on the surface, you can get it on the knife you use to cut it or on your hand, and then spread it to the part you eat.

5. Ban the can. Canned foods and beverages are lined with a resin that contains bisphenol-A, a hormone-disrupting chemical that’s building up in our environment and our bodies. Most manufacturers are beginning to explore safer alternatives, but in the meantime you should choose foods that are fresh, dried or frozen or packaged in glass jars or tetra packs.

6. Bulk up. Bulk foods are often less processed so you reduce your exposure to questionable food additives. Buying it bulk can also save you up to $500 a year! Bulk cook staples like beans and other legumes and store them in your freezer in serving sizes that are appropriate for your family size. You can also buy dried pasta, nuts, seeds, and many other staples in bulk.

7. Cook your cuisine safely. If you enjoy grilling or well-done meat, be advised – you are adding to your cancer risk. Grilling creates smoke laden with carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs, which end up on the surface of whatever you’re cooking. When meat, chicken and fish are cooked at high temperatures for a long time (aka “well-done”), it creates carcinogenic heterocyclic amines, or HCAs.

8. Read a food label – for real. Ever stop to read the ingredients label on packaged, processed foods? It's usually a mouthful of words most of us have a hard time pronouncing, so what exactly are you eating? You can learn which food additives are safe and which are not by visiting The Center for Science in the Public Interest's food safety guide, but it's even easier to simply choose whole foods. Whole foods are not processed, so they have all their natural nutritional gifts. Look for foods made from whole grains (think whole wheat bread, oatmeal and brown rice) - and it should say "whole" on the label. Make more foods from scratch (it’s easier than you think). You'll end up saving money, eating healthier and reducing all the waste created from packaging and processing foods.

9. Wet your whistle with water. Americans drink an overwhelming amount of sodas, sports drinks, energy boosters, juices (that often contain little juice), and other bottled beverages. The first problem with this is that most of these drinks are loaded with sweeteners and artificial flavors and colors. The second is that they’re bottled in plastic, which can leach additional chemicals into the drink.  Your body is 70-75% water, so hydrate it with water! And, skip the single-use bottled water. Again, it can be contaminated by the plastic bottle. Also, it’s less regulated than tap water. Make an investment in a water filter and reusable stainless steel water bottles. They quickly pay for themselves.

10. Eat-in more often. When you eat at a restaurant or pick something up from a deli you have very little control over what you’re getting. Save money and protect your health by making food at home. When you do go out, make healthier choices.

Get your diet off to the right start with recipes from Eat Healthy:

Potato Horseradish-Crusted Mahi Mahi

Soba Noodle Salad with Peanut Dressing

 

 

 

 

 

QUESTION:
I have a bed wetter who sleeps in a twin size bed. I know you've discussed this before, but I can't afford a wool mattress pad. I can't find anything else that doesn't have some kind of polyester in it anyway, so I'm tempted to just save my money and get another polylaminate/cotton/polyester one at Walmart for $12. (I bought one already because it was urgent, and it works well.) The "safest" ones with polyethylene or polyurethane still contain 20% polyester (80% cotton) fill and supposedly don't hold up that well in the wash. What is polylaminate, and is relatively safe?

ANSWER:
Here's a mattress pad with no polyester--only polyethylene and natural fibers. I don't know if it's in your price range, but they do exist. If you can't afford this, you can get polyethylene sheeting (like a "poly" tarp sold at outdoor stores for camping) and put it on the bed to protect the mattress. Polylaminate is a sheet of polyethylene film laminated between two sheets of aluminium foil.

Debra :-)


This answer was provided by our friend, Debra Lynn Dadd. Hailed as "The Queen of Green" by the New York Times, Debra Lynn Dadd has been a pioneering consumer advocate since 1982, specializing in products and lifestyle choices that are safer for human health and the environment. She is the author of Home Safe Home.

The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and not necessarily those of Healthy Child Healthy World.

Image Courtesy Of Torsten Mangner / CC BY 2.0

 

 

Top Tips

• Ever wonder how to re-use or recycle the overwhelming amount of stuff we all seem to accumulate?  Wonder no more.  Check out How Can I Recycle This, an amazingly informative blog that discusses how to reuse or recycle almost anything.  Seriously, they cover everything from potato peelings and broken teapots to damaged car seats and old keys. Waste not, want not!
• There’s an app for that. Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch is one of the more popular seafood guides online, and now they’ve made it possible to get their website information with ease when you’re standing in front of the seafood case by using their  free iPhone app.

Recent Research

• Is dirty electricity making you sick? New findings on a particular kind of electromagnetic field called transients are causing some scientists to rethink that part of the EMF debate pertaining to the hazards of power lines. Could they have been focusing on the wrong part of the EMF spectrum?
• Wearing hundreds of chemicals without knowing it?  The heavy use of personal care products may deliver significant daily chemical exposure. The deodorant company, Bionsen, funded a survey of 2000 women that discovered the “average” British woman wears 515 chemicals on her body daily.

Other News

• Following a hearing in November, the US National Toxicology Program (NTP) has recommended that the hazard status of formaldehyde should be upgraded from its current listing as "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen" to "known to be a human carcinogen" in the next (12th) edition of its Report on Cancer (RoC).
• Cell phone-cancer link remains unclear, but some scientists urge caution.  U.S. cell phone use has quadrupled over the last decade.  Meanwhile, brain cancer remains as rare as ever. Nevertheless, nagging worries that cell phones cause brain cancer continue to gain traction.

 

 

“You have a lot to live up to” said Paul Barth, one of my friends from the Sierra Club/ECOS holiday party late this December. He was preparing to announce my Mom on a Mission award from Healthy Child Healthy World to the audience and was jotting down the milestones I’d accomplished since our first meeting when I was in desperate need of help to organize my community to protect ourselves from another year of toxic fumes from hot asphalt roofing tar.  He was jotting down “People Magazine, Sacramento News & Review, and Lifetime’s Remarkable Women Series” and that’s when it hit me! I do have a lot to live up to.

Let’s face it:  Most activists never get credit for their accomplishments. They work until the wee hours of the night because no one else will. They fight for social and environmental justice with no promise of a reward other than, hopefully, the successful outcome on issues they care about.

After the dinner, many people came up to me to thank me for my work. I thanked them too because I know they’ve worked just as hard as I have on issues that are important to them.

One woman told me, “I read about you. You’re that woman that was so brave when your neighbors were scared of retaliation.”  She continued, “ I grew up in the ‘60’s when people really thought we could make a difference—back then we did. People are just so scared now to stand up for what’s right…they’re like sheep”.  She said “you give me hope for the future of humanity”.

As she’s saying this to me I’m feeling so guilty. The other day, a friend of mine was telling me that when her kids are asleep, she and her husband smoke inside the house. As my friend was telling me this I stood there nodding at her as I imagined cigarette smoke lurking in her house stalking her innocent children snuggled in their beds.

I really wanted to say something but fear kicked in. What if she gets upset? If I recite factual evidence then she’ll think I’m preachy. I wondered if it’s even any of my business. After that, part of me wanted to stop talking to her since she’s too different than me in her beliefs and that makes me uncomfortable.

I’d always thought it would be some monster that doesn’t care about her children who would smoke around them, especially inside the house; but I know she loves them. I’ve see this woman scream bloody murder as her child nearly ran in front of a moving car.

But that’s just it. A car causes immediate damage you can see, and hear, and feel. Chemicals in our homes and in the environment are hidden dangers with half-hazard consequences that happen years after exposure. Not every child who lives with a smoker is going to get asthma and die of lung cancer. Not every person living on a Superfund hazardous waste site is going to develop tumors. But people like us, who pay attention to possible dangers in our homes and in our lives, know that it’s better to be safe than to be sorry.

So, what should I do about my friend? I think being her friend gives me the opportunity to teach by example. In fact, I think a simple, “I don’t allow cigarettes anywhere near my daughter” would have sufficed.

I mean, we won’t put ourselves in harm’s way by visiting her house due to the residue caused by third hand smoke. We probably won’t attend outdoor activities with her and her family since they probably won’t see a problem smoking near us. But I can keep sharing facts with her. I can keep standing up for what’s right with grace and dignity because by doing these things and by demonstrating positive actions we can all inspire others.

This is what we do to protect children because this is what gives us all hope for the future of humanity.

Read more about our 2009 Mom on a Mission, Shelby Rodriquez. 

 

The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and not necessarily those of Healthy Child Healthy World.

 

 

Like most moms, I love a good pampering session. I spend so much time caring for my family that the brief (and far too few) moments I take to indulge in my own well-being are relished mini-vacations. Previously, I’d pop over to Target and pick up products that had just the right scent. Or, sometimes my husband would buy me a gift certificate for a spa day. Now I know too much about risks of chemicals in products – and, like many others, we simply don’t have the cash for conscious coddling.

But, I’m not going to go without. Taking care of yourself is extremely important (despite what my Midwestern Lutheran upbringing taught me). You know how you’re instructed to place the air mask on yourself before anyone else in the event of an airplane crash? That’s because you’re better equipped to care for others if you’ve taken care of you. Taking care of you should be a top priority (though, just like any other mom, I know how quickly it drops on the to-do list).

Right now, schedule yourself an at-home spa day. The holidays are a perfect time to do so because you may have some time off of work (or someone else who can watch the kids for a few hours does). And, the holidays are stressful, so you deserve a moment of release.

You don’t need to break the bank.  And, you don’t need to expose yourself to questionable chemicals. Here are some DIY recipes to get your gorgeous self glowing again.  (Hint, hint – some of these make great gifts, too!)

Refreshing Orange Scrub
This recipe is courtesy of Noreen Finneran "Incredible Edible Spa"

1/2 of an Orange
4 T Cornmeal

Squeeze orange juice and pulp into a bowl and add the cornmeal. Mix into a paste.  Apply onto freshly washed face and body. Scrub gently for 2-3 minutes. Rinse, tone, moisturize.

 

 

Chocolate Facial Mask
This recipe is courtesy of Practically Green by Micaela Preston

2 T unsweetened cocoa powder
2 T plain yogurt
1 T honey

Mix all ingredients in a small bowl. Apply to face and neck, avoiding eye area. Kick back, relax and enjoy the delicious aroma for about 15 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.

 

 

 

 

Lavender-Honey Milk Bath
This recipe is courtesy of The National Honey Board

3 Tablespoons dried lavender flowers*
1-1/2 cups whole milk, cream or combination
1/3 cup honey

Process lavender flowers in a blender until they become a powder, turning off the blender and scraping down the sides as necessary. Whisk together lavender powder, milk and honey in a glass bowl, then pour into a jar. Before each use, shake the jar and pour half of the mixture into the bath. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Makes enough for 2 baths.

*Dried lavender flowers can be found in the spice section of gourmet and specialty stores.

Smoothing Skin Lotion
This recipe is courtesy of The National Honey Board

1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1/4 teaspoon lemon juice

Mix together honey, vegetable oil and lemon juice. Rub into hands, elbows, heels and anywhere that feels dry. Leave on 10 minutes. Rinse off with water.

Avocado Foot Softener

2 T cornmeal
2 T mashed avocado or avocado oil

Mix ingredients in a small bowl until they form a paste. Apply to feet, working the gritty paste into calluses and rough spots, and up and around the toes. Rinse with warm water and dry feet thoroughly. For maximum softening, repeat once or twice a week.

Lemon Facial Toner

1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
grated zest of one lemon
1 cup distilled water (any water should do)
2/3 cup witch hazel (you can get this at any drugstore)

Shake well before use, apply with cotton balls until face is clean. Keeps one month.

 

 

Banana Hair Mask

1 banana
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil

Mash ingredients until creamy. Apply to hair, cover head with plastic wrap, let sit for 15-30 minutes - in the sun if possible. Rinse completely and shampoo as usual.

 

 

Do you have any DIY recipes for personal care products? Share them with us in the comments!

 

Image Courtesy of matluckin's / CC BY-SA 2.0

 

 

 

Maybe I’m really late to the game on this DIY, but I was so proud of myself a few nights ago when I made my own bread crumbs. It seems so obvious – bread is naturally crumby and the dryer is gets, the crumbier it gets. Voila! Bread crumbs. Still, I had always bought the little canisters of bread crumbs. I even bought different kinds – plain bread crumbs for some recipes, “Italian” bread crumbs for others. They just had such a nice consistency.

Well, a few nights ago, I decided I wanted to make Chicken Parmigiana, but, alas, I had no bread crumbs. I did have an old baguette. A rock hard bat of bread that had “compost” written all over it. I gave that baguette a second life; and here’s how.

DIY Bread Crumbs

What you need:  Clearly, you need bread. Old, dry bread works best, but if you only have fresh bread, you can toast or bake it a bit to dry it out. As for what kind of bread, it depends on what you’re using the crumbs for. I used an old baguette for breading my chicken, but if you’re breading eggplant, for example, a heartier whole grain might add some interesting contrasting flavors.

What to do:  I used a box grater – the slender side with the super-fine grating surface. Again, you may want more substantial crumbs, based on your recipe or preference.

To make them “Italian” bread crumbs, I simply added some basil, oregano and fresh parmesan.

That’s it. It’s that easy. And, I’ll never buy one of those silly containers of bread crumbs again. How about you?


Note: This is part of an on-going series of tips for eating healthier by doing things yourself. Whether it’s canning or making a pantry staple, when you make something yourself from whole ingredients, you avoid chemical exposures from things like synthetic additives and contaminants from packaging, as well as reduce your impact on the environment. Also, it should come as no surprise, but homemade is much tastier than factory made!

 

Image Courtesy of acidpix / CC BY-SA 2.0

 

 

 

Homes are filled with so many wonderful things – memories, cherished possessions and cozy furnishings, just to name a few. But appearances aren’t always what they seem. Behind all the trappings of a happy home can lurk a health threat that can make a home anything but sweet. It is indoor air pollution and it can leave children and adults alike afflicted with illnesses that can last a lifetime.

Indoor air pollution is caused by many of the products found in an average household, including furniture, building products and cleaning supplies. These items negatively affect indoor air quality because they release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. These compounds pollute indoor environments so much that the air inside our homes and other buildings is generally two to five times more polluted than the air outside. This is especially important for parents to consider, as children spend up to 85% of their time indoors.

While the chemicals released by household products have the potential to affect everyone, children are at especially high risk of suffering the effects of airborne chemical emissions. Children’s organs and respiratory, immune and neurological systems are still developing and they have a lower body weight. This means that relative to their size, they breathe in a greater volume of air than adults. Also, newborns and many older children breathe through their mouths, which may increase their pulmonary exposure to particulates and fibers, which might otherwise be filtered out by the nose. In addition, a baby’s breathing zone is much closer to the ground than an adult’s, and as a result, heavier airborne chemicals pose more of a risk to children than to adults. When combined, these factors create a higher body burden of air pollutants for the same amount of exposure.

There are several ways to improve indoor air quality within a home, but before a solution can be devised, it helps to understand the major sources of indoor air pollution:

• Furniture – Components in furniture such as wood, plastics and fabric may contain and release formaldehyde and other toxic substances used to resist wear and protect against stains.
• Walls and Ceilings – Ceiling tiles, caulks and sealants, gypsum board, wallpaper and paint may off-gas VOCs.
• Textiles – Fabrics can contain formaldehyde, fire retardants and anti-microbial substances, all of which can compromise IAQ within a home.
• Flooring – Carpets, wood and tiles can all release high amounts of VOCs.
• Cleaning Products – Household cleaning products contain a variety of toxic chemicals that can harm people of all ages.

The order in which products are used can also impact indoor air quality. When planning a home remodeling or redecorating project such as a child’s room, be sure introduce building elements such as paint, carpet and furnishings in the proper order to avoid the sink effect. The sink effect is when chemicals from wet products such as paints and stains are absorbed by porous materials like carpet, furniture, ceiling tiles and fabrics. These absorbed chemicals are then often re-emitted into the home for an extended period of time.
Now that some of the sources of VOCs have been identified, here are some ways to improve indoor air quality.

• When buying paints and stains, look for labels that describe a "low-emitting formula." It is important to note that many products are labeled for VOC content (e.g. "Formaldehyde-Free" or "Low-VOC"). Content is not an appropriate indicator of what actually emits off of the product. Be sure to always have adequate ventilation when using “wet” construction products.
• Select products that have been tested and verified (ideally by a third-party) for low emissions of formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds. Resources include GREENGUARD Certification and CRI Green Label Plus certification for carpets and rugs.
• Odors are bad! Avoid products with strong and long-lasting odors as this typically indicates high chemical levels (this includes all “natural” odors or fragrances like pine, lemon, etc.). For new products, unpack and air them out for a minimum of two weeks or until the odors have dissipated prior to placing them in the home. If strong odors remain you may want to contact the manufacturer.
• Open the windows! Unless you live downwind from a smokestack, outdoor air is generally less polluted than indoor air. Air out your home on a daily basis to flush out any airborne pollutants. Newly renovated or furnished areas should be aired out with outdoor air for a minimum of one week or until the new odors dissipate.

To help consumers select products that help minimize indoor air pollution, the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute has developed indoor air quality standards for a variety of products that are based upon allowable chemical emissions criteria. GREENGUARD measures the chemical “off-gassing” of a product during recommended use and application, and then compares that data to known short-term and long-term risk exposure levels. Products that meet or fall below these established risk levels can be certified by GREENGUARD as low-emitting. Consumers can check out the most comprehensive and current list of low-emitting cleaning products by consulting the GREENGUARD Product Guide.

Even when there’s a home health threat that you can’t see, there’s still plenty that can be done to eliminate it. For more information on indoor air quality, please visit the American Lung Association (ALA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), California Air Resources Board (CARB) or Aerias.

The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and not necessarily those of Healthy Child Healthy World.