Posts Tagged ‘Healthy Child Healthy World’

Skip The Triclosan And Other Antibacterial Products

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

America is in the midst of a serious antibacterial craze. From soap and toothpaste to playing cards and kitchenware, it’s a challenge to find a product that isn’t currently available in an antibacterial version. The majority of these products rely on an antibacterial agent called triclosan to make them hyper-hygienic.

Though it may seem wise to abolish germs at every turn, according to experts, surrounding your family with antibacterial everything is not actually a good idea. For one thing, living in an ultra-sanitized environment may ironically be quite unhealthy. A theory called the Hygiene Hypothesis says that when our bodies cease encountering a lot of bacteria and viruses in daily life, our immune systems stop getting the workout they need to stay in proper shape. When that happens we face an increased risk of allergies, asthma, and other illnesses.

There’s also the issue of triclosan itself. Exposure to this synthetic pesticide, which is currently found in the urine of 75 percent of all people tested, has been linked to cancer, hormone disruption, liver damage, and other health problems. Triclosan is also a serious pollutant that breaks down in the environment into extremely toxic chemicals including a form of dioxin and carcinogenic chloroform. And there’s evidence it may be contributing to the creation of new antibiotic-resistant “super germs.”

Clearly triclosan is not a pesticide we want in our homes, around our children, or in our bodies. It’s also not one anyone needs in order to practice good hygiene. Studies have shown that simple handwashing with ordinary soap is just as effective at removing bacteria as using an antibacterial soap. Many groups, including the American Medical Association and Physicians for Social Responsibility, have come out against the use of triclosan.

To keep triclosan out of your home, avoid the use of anything labeled antibacterial. Read claims on everything from socks to personal care products to toddler training potties to cleaning products. Skip any that contain triclosan or claim that they are antibacterial or odor fighting.

Still concerned about germs? Teach your kids to frequently and properly wash their hands. After soaping up with warm water, they should rub enthusiastically for 20 seconds, paying attention to their fingernails, wrists, and spaces between fingers. That will keep them healthier at school, day care, and other places where germs congregate. One study found that frequent handwashing results in 45 percent fewer cases of respiratory ailments, no pesticide needed.

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.

Cleaners: Try Alternatives To Conventional Dry Cleaning

Alternatives to Dry Cleaning

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you dry clean in your household? It’s time to rethink this. The most widely used chemical in traditional dry cleaning, perchlorethylene (perc), causes cancer in lab animals, and is a likely human carcinogen that impacts brain, liver, and kidney function, according to the EPA. 85 percent of American dry cleaners use perc. Needless to say perc isn’t good for the environment, either.

The fluid remains in the clothing after it is cleaned. If you take the plastic off your cleaned items and hang them outside, the perc residue can air out some. But most of us put the plastic-enshrouded “clean” clothes in our bedroom closets, where the perc evaporates into the air we breathe. Chances are you aren’t dry cleaning your baby’s clothes. But you might be dry cleaning their blankets or the curtains in their room. And you might be holding them while wearing a dry cleaned shirt they then suck on. Neither is a good idea.

You can replace your conventional dry cleaner in several ways. For items that truly must be dry cleaned, you can start going to a so-called organic or eco-friendly dry cleaner. There, it’s crucial to ask questions about what is used instead of perc. Many cleaners use chemicals that aren’t much better than perc, including petroleum-based solvents called hydrocarbons. A better option is to find a “wet” cleaner that uses water and biodegradable detergents. There are also C02 cleaners, which are a good option. Unfortunately these are few and far between as the equipment needed to C02 clean is not cheap.

Or you can ditch the dry cleaners entirely and wash your clothes (in plant-based eco- and kid-friendly detergent). As it turns out much of what is labeled “dry clean only” can be washed in cold and air-dried. Meanwhile, the next time you’re shopping, stop the cycle at the beginning by buying clothing that doesn’t need to be dry cleaned.

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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