Archive for the ‘Green Living’ Category

The Toxins That Threaten Our Brains

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Dear Friends,

Today I want to share with you an important article from The Atlantic. ”The Toxins that Threaten Our Brain” features recent research by two experts in the fields of pediatric medicine and toxicology – Dr. Philippe Grandjean from Harvard Medical School and Dr. Philip Landrigan from Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in Manhattan.

In late February, Grandjean and Landrigan published a paper arguing that exposure of children to industrial chemicals was responsible for a wide array of neurodevelopmental defects. They further argued that these defects are occurring with such massive, worldwide scale as to merit the label of “silent pandemic.”

The Atlantic article highlights several interesting points about the issue of environmental toxins that we find very relevant to pregnant and new moms: 1) chemicals are omnipresent, 2) pregnancy is the most vulnerable time for exposure, and 3) the regulatory process meant to govern these chemicals is very broken.

Omnipresent Chemicals
Grandjean and Landrigan’s research names twelve chemicals we encounter in our everyday lives, a so-called “dirty dozen”. These include some you’ve probably heard of, like lead, methylmercury and ethanol, and others that might surprise you. These substances pop up pretty much everywhere: in our couches, our cars and in our beauty products. For instance, toluene made the list, and, until recently, it was widely used to make nail polish.

Vulnerability during Pregnancy
The concern arises from the growing body of evidence that these chemicals affect neurological development at levels far below the “safe” limits set by the EPA. This exposure has been linked to loss of IQ points as well as a number of behavioral disorders.

Neurological development is a delicate process; billions of cells must orchestrate themselves in space to ultimately create the most complex organ in the body - the brain. Any disturbance of the developing brain generally has permanent consequences because, physically speaking, the brain reaches its finished form by the age of two. This is why exposure to neurotoxins is so much more pernicious during pregnancy and for newborns.

As for what you can do to reduce risk, Dr. Grandjean recommends eating organic during pregnancy when possible. This will at least minimize pesticide exposure, which is a main area of concern. However, this is not a viable long-term solution for our society.

A Regulatory Process in Need of Reform
The point of all this isn’t to make you panic, but rather to draw attention to the glaring faults of our regulatory process in the United States. As with any toxin “the dose makes the poison.” However, the vast majority of the 80,000 chemicals approved for use are untested, and thus we have no idea what the dangerous dose actually is.

The EPA is almost powerless to fully ban a substance – it’s happened just 5 times out of 20,000 cases since the current legislation was put in place. This is why large-scale reform is needed. Dr. Grandjean suggests requiring at least basic testing of new products in order to identify those that need more involved safety research. He also points to the European system that requires more testing for substances that are more widely used as a very reasonable solution. But all of this will require action, and thus far we have failed to keep up with the science. Until we do, it’s critical that expecting mothers do what they can to minimize exposure.

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At Nine Naturals our mission is to make beauty safe and simple for moms-to-be. We feel that education is the first step in this process and that research like this must be shared. This information empowers us to protect ourselves, our families and our futures. (The Atlantic).

Please share this article with your friends!


Grace
CEO, Founder Nine Naturals

Green Spring Cleaning: 9 Diy Recipes For Natural Cleaners

DIY_cleaning

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conventional cleaning products may be loaded with unsafe chemicals (no telling which ones as their formulas are protected as trade secrets…), but fortunately they’re not the only spring cleaning option. Green cleaners made with common natural, non-toxic ingredients are safer and cheaper to use, and they clean just as well. Here are some recipes for green and healthier housekeeping in any season:

1. ALL-PURPOSE CLEANER.
Mix 1/2 teaspoon of washing soda (sodium carbonate), 2 teaspoons of borax**, 1/2 teaspoon of plant-based liquid soap, and two cups of hot water in a spray bottle. Shake well. (**Note that although washing soda and borax are natural minerals, they’re also caustic, and borax is toxic if swallowed. Keep them out of reach of children! If you prefer not to use them, try swapping them out for other natural ingredients. Or just omit.)

2. DISINFECTING CLEANER.
Mix 2 teaspoons **borax, 1/4 teaspoon liquid soap, 4 tablespoons white vinegar, and 3 cups hot water in a spray bottle. If you want to skip the borax, look up a recipe for a hydrogen peroxide-based DIY cleaner.

3. OVEN CLEANER.
Combine 1 cup baking soda and 1/4 cup of **washing soda with enough water to make a paste. Apply to oven surfaces and let sit overnight. Wipe and rinse. If you’d prefer not to use washing soda, try making a paste with only baking soda.

4. TUB & TILE CLEANER
Mix 1 2/3 cups baking soda, 1/2 cup liquid soap and 1/2 cup water. Mix thoroughly then add 2 tablespoons white vinegar. Apply immediately, scrub, and wipe. For a mildly abrasive scouring scrub, just blend baking soda and plant-based liquid soap to your preferred consistency.

5. TOILET BOWL CLEANER.
Dump 1 cup of **borax and 1/4 cup of white vinegar into the bowl. Let sit overnight. In the morning, scrub and flush.

6. FURNITURE POLISH.
Apply a 1:1 blend of olive oil and white vinegar, and polish with a soft cloth.

7. GLASS & WINDOW CLEANER.
Combine a 1:1 mixture of water and white vinegar in a spray bottle. (To remove the waxy build-up left behind by conventional glass cleaners, add 1/2 teaspoon of liquid soap to 1 cup each of water and white vinegar.)

8. MOLD & MILDEW CLEANER.
Mix two cups of water and two teaspoons of tea tree oil in a spray bottle, shake well, spray, and let stand for a few hours before wiping. Hydrogen peroxide will also work.

9. FLOOR CLEANER.
Use 1/4 cup washing soda, 1 tablespoon of liquid soap, 6 tablespoons of cornstarch, 1/4 cup white vinegar, and two gallons of hot water on linoleum and no-wax floors. For wood floors, use 1 cup of vinegar in a bucket of hot water.

This article is courtesy of Healthy Child Healthy World. For the past 20 years, our friends at Healthy Child Healthy World have provided access to critical information that encourages smarter lifestyle choices to reduce toxic chemical exposure in homes and communities to become a trusted resource for parents. Healthy Child’s vision is a world where every child has the opportunity to grow-up in a healthy and safe environment.

Keep Formaldehyde Out Of Indoor Air

Formaldehyde out of Indoor Air

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Formaldehyde has been classified as a known human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and as a probable human carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It also happens to be a common indoor air pollutant emitted by many of the following: plywood, particleboard, fiberboard; and other pressed-wood products; carpet and carpet glues; paint and floor finish; foam insulation; fiberglass; permanent press clothing and draperies; air fresheners; and even fingernail polish and hardener.

The levels of formaldehyde typically found in indoor air are too low to be smelled but often high enough to cause toxic effects for both children and adults, especially if exposure is ongoing. Short-term exposures can cause allergic skin and mucous membrane reactions, flu-like symptoms, and asthma and other respiratory problems. Formaldehyde has also been linked to nose and throat cancers, and leukemia.

Keeping formaldehyde out of your home’s and your children’s environment is largely a matter of avoiding products that emit it. This can be difficult where construction materials are concerned—it’s often not feasible, for example, to remove existing insulation, carpet or plywood. Formaldehyde emissions from products that contain it, however, generally diminish to negligible or nonexistent levels over time and so are usually only problematic when new.

Here’s how to protect your children and keep your home’s air clear of formaldehyde:

  • Buy only solid-wood products not those made of pressed woods, which can be identified by looking at an unfinished or cut end, or under upholstery. Pressed-woods will look like wood chips, sawdust, or layers glued together.
  • Seal newer unfinished pressed-wood items with formaldehyde-free paint, varnish, or water-based polyurethane sealant.
  • When installing carpet, insist on mechanical methods like tacks instead of glues.
  • Don’t use synthetic air freshening products, especially around your children.
  • Skip the nail polishes and hardeners. (Even formaldehyde-free versions frequently contain other potentially toxic hazards.)
  • Read labels on building products, cleaners, and cosmetics. Look for formaldehyde, urea formaldehyde, or phenol formaldehyde. Be aware that not all products containing formaldehyde will list it on their labels. Consult the manufacturer and use natural alternatives whenever possible as a precaution.
  • Ventilate! Open windows and use fans and air conditioning to reduce formaldehyde concentrations.
  • Wash new clothing and bedding before use to remove fabric finishes. Don’t purchase permanent press or other treated fabrics. Air out new textiles you suspect may be treated for a week before installation in a garage or another covered outdoor spot.

This article is courtesy of Healthy Child Healthy World. For the past 20 years, our friends at Healthy Child Healthy World have provided access to critical information that encourages smarter lifestyle choices to reduce toxic chemical exposure in homes and communities to become a trusted resource for parents. Healthy Child’s vision is a world where every child has the opportunity to grow-up in a healthy and safe environment.

Nine Naturals Featured in the HCHW “Shop Healthy” Pocket Guide!

Our partner Healthy Child Healthy World has put together a “Shop Healthy” pocket guide featuring trusted brands (including Nine Naturals!) that cover everything from personal care, baby gear to household cleaning. It’s easy, simple, and fits right in your pocket or wallet!

Download it here: http://bit.ly/1eQGob8

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Avoid Overly-Chlorinated Drinking Water

Keep Chlorine out of Water

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chlorine is added to most water supplies to kill bacteria. However, when it reacts with organic matter (like leaves), it produces harmful trihalomethanes or THMs. THMs are chemicals that studies have shown to be linked to an increased risk of miscarriage, bladder and rectal cancers, and birth defects in people who have been exposed to it. High levels of THMs may increase the risk of miscarriage.

Filtration is one way of avoiding chlorine and THMs. Carbon-activated water filters place on showerheads and faucets remove THMs – distillers do not removed THMs. You can also dissipate THMs from tap water by leaving it in an open container in the refrigerator for a few hours, or boiling it for one minute. (Warning: If you have lead contaminated water, boiling will increase the contamination levels.) Installing a water filter is a cheap and effective way to obtain clean water even compared to bottled water that is less regulated than tap water.

According to National Sanitation Federation, NSF Standard 42 is used on filters that can remove contaminants that reduce aesthetic quality (taste, smell, color), such as aluminum, chlorine, iron and sediment. NSF Standard 53 is the most comprehensive and used for filters that remove most pesticides, VOCs, cysts, fluoride, most heavy metals and THMs.

This article is courtesy of Healthy Child Healthy World. For the past 20 years, our friends at Healthy Child Healthy World have provided access to critical information that encourages smarter lifestyle choices to reduce toxic chemical exposure in homes and communities to become a trusted resource for parents. Healthy Child’s vision is a world where every child has the opportunity to grow-up in a healthy and safe environment.

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