Monday, January 23, 2012

Avoiding flame retardants ... not as easy as it should be!

I caught a great article on Healthy Child Healthy World about the chemical Tris, which was voluntarily removed from kids' pajamas in the 1970s because it was found to cause cancer. Guess what? It's still around. A recent study found that 16 out of 20 new baby and children's products tested positive for chlorinated Tris (TDCPP).

These findings echoed a 2011 Berkeley study which found Tris in 36% of 101 products tested. Need more convincing?  "According to the Berkeley study, Americans have 20 times higher blood levels of PBDEs than in Europe [sic]; these chemicals are linked to cancer, thyroid disruption, lower testosterone in men, neurological disorders in children and reduced fertility in women." Very disturbing.

Want to do something about it? 
Get tips from the Washington Toxics Coalition on reducing the burden on your family. 

Pressure your state representatives to consider chemical reform legislation, like that making its way through the Washington State Congress: The Toxic-Free Kids Act would ban the use of Tris in children’s products beginning in 2014 and discourage manufacturers from replacing one toxic flame retardant with another by requiring them to conduct thorough health and safety assessment of potential alternatives.

Friday, January 13, 2012

Videos Not To Be Missed

A Wake-Up Story by Healthy Child Healthy World


The Secret Lives of our Clothes by Greennovate.org, a China-based sustainability advocacy group. Yes, it's in English.

300 Years of Fossil Fuels in 300 Seconds from the Post Carbon Institute.

The Story of Stuff by Annie Leonard of Annie's Naturals. An oldie but goodie.

Dylan's Hard-to-Argue-With Political Rant on The Dylan Radigan Show on MSNBC.

What else have you seen lately that's worth sharing? Do tell...