The Organic Mommy Weblog

Here is a bill that I think all parents need to support and be informed about.  The Kid-Safe Chemicals Act is trying to overhaul the nations chemical regulatory laws.  The Toxic Substances Control Act, first passed in 1976, has never been amended to date.  This act declared 62,000 chemicals “safe” with little or no data to support this policy.  Since that time another 20,000 chemicals have been put into commerce in the USA, also with little or no data to support their safety. 

The human race is now polluted with hundreds of industrial chemicals with little understanding of the consequences on our bodies.  Babies are born pre-polluted with as many as 300 chemicals already in their bodies when they enter the world!  Its no wonder that in recent years pollution and toxins have been linked to increasing Cancers, Autism, ADHD, Infertility, and Birth Defects just to name a few.  But even with mounting evidence of a link between toxins and diseases on the rise, our government has almost no authority to protect people from these chemicals on the market. 

Here are some things to think about regarding chemicals and our childrens health:

• The USA has the highest cancer rates in the world.  One in every three women and one in every two men will develop cancer in their lifetime. 
• One in six children have a developmental disorder.  The EWG found that 242 chemicals can be linked to brain and nervous system damage.  One in every 150 children is autistic.  One in 15 kids is diagnosed with ADHD.
• Childhood asthma has doubled in past 20 years.  Auto-immune diseases occur in at least 5-8% of the population.  Type 1 diabetes in children is increasing 5% every year.
• One in every 8 babies is premature.  EWG has identified 237 chemicals linked to birth defects.  One in 125 baby boys have reproductive deformities. 
• Infertility is on the rise.  One in ten US couples is infertile.  Girls are entering puberty earlier than ever before.

The campaign to pass the Kid-Safe Chemicals Act will encompass the following items:

• requires that industrial chemicals be safe for infants and children
• requires that new chemicals be safety tested before sold
• requires chemical manufacturers to test and prove that the 62,000 chemicals already on the market be tested for safety in order for them to remain in commerce
• requires EPA to review chemicals that are found in people to be on an expedited schedule
• requires monitoring and regular updates of health and safety data
• provides incentives for manufacturers to further reduce health hazards
• requires EPA to promote alternatives to animal testing
• requires information be publicly available

What is not to love about this bill?  Through the kid-safe chemicals act we can give our children a safer and healthier future.  Thanks to the Environmental Working Group for pushing to pass this bill and all parents should sign the petition at the link below. 

To view Kid Safe House Bill 6100 http://www.ewg.org/files/Kid-Safe-HR6100.pdf

To view Kid Safe Senate Bill 3040  http://www.ewg.org/files/Kid-Safe-S3040.pdf

To send a letter to your congressman asking them to support this bill http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/642/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=24973

www.theorganicmommy.org

As if there werent enough things that have toxic chemicals in them now it seems that high fructose corn syrup is one more to add to the list.  Now I’m sure many of us try to avoid this anyway seeing that we know sugar isnt that healthy for us but you many not even realize how many foods contain this.  Many condiments, salad dressings, cereals, yogurts, lunch meats, and prepared breads and baked goods contain hfcs as well as sodas and sweets that you might expect.  Aside from healthy eating in general it has now been proven that hfcs tests positive for mercury! 

In a study published by Environmental Health, researchers found that almost half the samples of hfcs had detectable levels of mercury.  Another study found that one in three of 55 brand name foods contained mercury where hfcs is the first or second ingredient.  Mercury in all its forms is toxic and considering how much hfcs some children and teens may be ingesting it could be a significant amount to consider.  The average person takes in about 12 teaspoons of hfcs per day but many teens and consumers may ingest up to 80% more than the average person.

Have you seen the new commercials for hfcs now from the corn refiners association?  They are trying to make it seem that hfcs is just the same as sugar and in moderation its just fine because its made from corn.  Funny how there is no mention of mercury in the process!  The use of mercury containing caustic soda in the process to make hfcs is where the contamination occurs.  The refiners association is quick to say that there are now mercury free versions of this process but the truth is that there are four major plants that still use the older technology and produce hfcs with caustic soda. 

Once again it seems that the FDA is no where to be found when it comes to dangers in our foods.  If there are mercury free alternatives shouldnt there be a mandate that hfcs producers must use these methods?  There is no way to tell which version of hfcs is in products so you wont be able to tell if yours is the contaminated version or not so according to this research you have a 50/50 chance of getting mercury in your food. 

We all know that eating alot of sugar and processed food is not a healthy way to eat but now this is just one more reason to watch what your kids are eating and drinking.  So many “juice” drinks contain hfcs so its important to pay attention to what your buying in the grocery store for your family.  If possible cut down on your consumption of prepared and processed foods and opt for natural ingredients that you can put together yourself. 

www.theorganicmommy.org

The EPA has recently reported an increase in calls regarding granite countertops emitting high levels of radiation. American’s love of granite countertops has created a market for granite from all over the world and a surprising number of these can contain uranium and give off radiation and radon. According to the EPA, a normal person is exposed to 360 millirem of radiation per year from both natural and industrial sources. Yet some granite has been found to emit this much radiation in just a few months if you spend just two hours per day in close range to the countertops!

Many say that not all granite is unsafe and for years it has been reported that granite contains low levels of radiation that are insignificant. But I have to say how silly is it that anyone can even claim there is a “SAFE” level of radiation for people? Have we become so complacant with chemicals and toxins in our environment that even our goverment agencies like the EPA try to tell us that there is an acceptable level? And as with many toxins I then would ask what is the risk to our children being exposed to possible radiation levels of this type?

Aside from all this controversy is the issue that granite is not eco-friendly. Its not renewable and cant be easily reused. Many sealers contain VOC’s that are harmful just like in paint. For more eco-friendly alternatives you can take a look at the website www.getwithgreen.com and they have a list of all the countertop materials with pros, cons, and eco-rating.

If you are concerned about granite countertops in your home you can contact the American Association of Radon Scientists and Technicians at aarst.org. If you have young children or are pregnant I would strongly urge you to think about this just in case. You want to make sure that the heart of your home isnt making your family sick from toxins.