B00AFU6252 EBOK (52 page)
Authors: Jessica Alba
BE AWARE THAT THIS STUFF:
Nail polish, adhesives, painting supplies, ink, fuel
COULD CONTAIN THIS TOXIN . . .
Toluene
(a clear, odorless solvent)
WHY IT’S SKETCHY?
At high levels of exposure, toluene is toxic to your kidneys and liver and may also damage reproductive health, so pregnant women need to avoid it.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT?
Skip the mani-pedis or DIY at home with three-free polish.
Don’t do any remodeling or craft projects involving heavy use of adhesives or paint.
Don’t pump your own gas if you’re pregnant—always pull up to the full-service pump. (Toluene is just the beginning of the list of toxins in gasoline that aren’t fetus friendly!)
BE AWARE THAT THIS STUFF:
Antibacterial soap, hand sanitizer, toothpaste, deodorants, plus some special “mold-resistant” or “antibacterial” fabrics and plastics
COULD CONTAIN THIS TOXIN . . .
Triclosan
and
triclocarba
both antimicrobial agents
WHY IT’S SKETCHY?
This stuff gets absorbed and piles up in our bodies, where it may disrupt our hormones. And because we use so damn much of it, it’s also helping create dangerous bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics.
In 2005, the FDA found no evidence that antibacterial soaps are in any way superior to good old soap and water. So stick with that.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT?
Check product labels.
Use regular soap and water to wash your hands.
Use alcohol-based sanitizers when necessary.
BE AWARE THAT THIS STUFF:
Paints, cleaning supplies, pesticides, building materials, furnishings—you name it!
COULD CONTAIN THIS TOXIN . . .
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs):
a general umbrella term for a wide variety of chemicals that release fumes and gases from household supplies and building materials
WHY IT’S SKETCHY?
Some VOCs can cause serious health issues ranging from respiratory illness to cancer, while others have no affect on our health whatsoever. Unfortunately, the US Environmental Protection Agency doesn’t know much yet about what health effects occur from the levels of VOCs usually found in homes—although they do know that indoor levels are typically much higher than outdoor.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT?
Don’t do any painting or home renovation projects yourself during your pregnancy—and make sure whoever is doing the work only uses no-VOC paint and other products.
Only use nontoxic cleaning supplies (see
Chapter 5
).
Invest in nontoxic carpets and other furnishings whenever you’re buying new (see
this page
), or buy used—older pieces will have had more time to finish off-gassing.
BOY, YOU REALLY
DO
WANT TO KNOW THE DETAILS! HERE’S HOW I RESEARCHED THIS BOOK, CHAPTER BY CHAPTER.
ON THE TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT
SAFER CHEMICALS, HEALTHY FAMILIES
A national effort to protect families from toxic chemicals. I’ve testified on their behalf in Washington, DC, and find their Web site to be an indispensable source of information.
www.saferchemicals.org/resources/tsca.html
CAMPAIGN FOR SAFE COSMETICS
A coalition of environmental health and women’s issue nonprofits working to make personal care products and cosmetics safer.
ON DIETHYLENE GLYCOL AND FANCY BABY DETERGENT
ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING GROUP’S SKIN DEEP DATABASE
www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/701959/DIETHYLENE_GLYCOL/
ON GOVERNMENT RECALL POWER
CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION
FOOD & DRUG ADMINISTRATION (FDA)
www.safecosmetics.org/downloads/FDA-regulatory-shortcomings_Cosmetics_Jul2010.pdf
ON BABIES’ VULNERABILITY TO TOXIC CHEMICALS
PHILIP J. LANDRIGAN, MD
(phone interviews)
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA)
www.rodale.com/chemical-regulation
www.epa.gov/opptintr/existingchemicals/pubs/sect6.html
ON BANNED CHEMICALS
FDA VS. EU
http://safecosmetics.org/article.php?id=346
ON TSCA REFORM
SAFER CHEMICALS, HEALTHY FAMILIES
HONEST food
ON PINK SLIME IN BEEF
PER THE MAYO CLINIC
www.mayoclinic.com/health/meat-news/MY02058
USDA DEFENSE OF PINK SLIME
http://blogs.usda.gov/2012/03/22/setting-the-record-straight-on-beef/
PINK SLIME LAWSUIT
