Tip 3: Avoid fire retardants



Chemical fire retardants have become common in consumer products, particularly in highly flammable synthetic materials. Some of the most toxic are brominated fire retardants (BFRs), which include chemicals known as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs).



EWG suggests that you avoid toxic fire retardants when you can. Choose products made from less flammable natural materials, or made by manufacturers who use safer alternatives. Click here to download our PDF guide to PBDEs.



The nation's chemical laws don't sufficiently protect you from the harmful effects of fire retardants. These chemicals are commonly encountered in our homes and offices.



This is precisely why we chose "Avoiding toxic fire retardants" as this month's tip. You can learn:



* Why you should minimize exposures.

* Which household products contain toxic fire retardants.

* You can reduce your family’s exposures.



WHY YOU SHOULD REDUCE YOUR EXPOSURE TO TOXIC FIRE RETARDANTS.



Scientists have found that exposure to minute doses of toxic fire retardants such as PBDEs at critical points in development can damage reproductive systems and cause deficits in motor skills, learning, memory and hearing, as well as changes in behavior.



The PBDEs in everyday items like furniture, computers, televisions and other electronics migrate into the home environment and could expose children to concentrations exceeding the EPA's recommended safe level. EWG tests found much higher concentrations of these chemicals in young children than in their mothers - because children ingest more PBDEs. The chemicals migrate out of products and stick to kids' hands, toys and other objects they put in their mouths. Read our report on PBDEs in mothers and their toddlers to learn more about children's exposures.



Until all PBDEs are banned from consumer products (including imports) and fire safety regulations are revised to promote safer solutions, American families - especially our children - will continue to be needlessly exposed to harmful chemicals.



WHICH HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS CONTAIN BROMINATED FIRE RETARDANTS.



household products contain brominated fire retardantsPBDEs are most commonly found in polyurethane foam products (like couches and upholstered chairs, mattresses and pads, futons, pillows, children's car seats and carpet padding, among many others), but are also in hundreds of other everyday products, including electronics equipment (like TVs, remotes, and Cell Phone s), lighting, wiring, building materials, textiles, furniture and industrial paints.



Foam products made before 2005 are more likely to contain PBDEs. The type of PBDEs used in foam products has not been manufactured in the U.S. since 2004 and cannot be imported for use in the U.S. (through a loophole, imported foam products may still contain PBDEs since continue to be manufactured and used in other countries). Fire-retardant pajamas are not treated with PBDEs.



YOU CAN REDUCE YOUR FAMILY'S IN-HOME EXPOSURE.



reduce your family’s in-home exposurePBDEs contaminate the bodies of nearly every American and widely contaminate common foods. Some exposure to these toxic fire retardants is unavoidable. But if you take these simple precautions around household foam products and electronics - the two home items where fire retardants are most commonly found - you can minimize your exposures:



1. Avoid PBDEs in foam.



Newer U.S.-made foam items (purchased after 2004) are unlikely to contain PBDEs, because the chemical is no longer made in the U.S. and cannot be imported. But older products and imported foam furniture may contain PBDEs.



If you can't replace older items likely to contain PBDEs, you can still take these simple steps to reduce your family's exposure:

* Inspect foam items. Replace anything with a ripped cover or foam that is misshapen and breaking down. If you can't replace these items, try to keep the covers intact. Beware of older items like car seats and mattress pads whose foam is not completely encased in protective fabric.



* Use a vacuum fitted with a HEPA filter. These vacuums are more efficient at trapping small particles and will likely remove more contaminants and other allergens from your home. High efficiency "HEPA-filter" air cleaners may also reduce particle-bound contaminants in your house. Read more about PBDEs in household dust.



* Don't reupholster foam furniture. Even those items without PBDEs might contain other, poorly studied fire retardants with potentially harmful effects.



* Be careful when removing old carpet. The padding may contain PBDEs. Isolate your work area from the rest of your home. Clean up with a HEPA-filter vacuum and mop to pick up as many of the small particles as possible. Remove all scrap foam from your home and yard immediately.





* When purchasing new products, ask the manufacturers what type of fire retardants they use. Avoid products with brominated fire retardants and be aware that "natural" latex foam will also likely contain fire retardants. Because the replacement chemicals for PBDEs in foam are not fully tested for their health effects, opt for less flammable fabrics and materials, like leather, wool and cotton.





* Support efforts to reform fire safety laws. Toxic fire retardants are often added to consumer items even though there is little evidence that the benefits outweigh the risks. For example, SB 772 in California seeks to exempt 4 items—breastfeeding pillows, strollers, infant carriers and bassinets—from the requirements that they be made fire resistant. Elsewhere activists have pushed for "fire safe cigarettes" which would dramatically reduce fire-related injuries without the use of toxic chemicals.





2. Avoid PBDEs in electronics.



One form of PBDE (known as Deca) is still used in computer and television monitors and other electronic products. It's not subject to any use restrictions on the federal level. Recently, it has been banned in Maine, Washington and Oregon. To reduce exposures, we suggest that you:

* Identify the electronics in your home - they're all likely to contain PBDEs:





o In-home electronics: TV components, mobile phones, fax machines, remote controls, video equipment, printers, photocopiers, toner cartridges, scanners.





o Household items: kitchen appliances, fans, heaters or hair dryers, water heaters, and lamp sockets.





o Transportation: electronic components, automobile fabrics, plastics and electronics.





* Prevent young children from touching and especially mouthing fire-retardant items as much as possible (especially your Cell Phone or remote!), and wash their hands prior to eating.





* Shop PBDE-free. Many companies have committed not to use PBDEs – ask before you buy! See our partial list of PBDE-free electronics companies here.





3. A word about pajamas.



Some parents are concerned that their children will be exposed to chemicals while wearing fire-retardant pajamas. Pajamas are not treated with PBDEs, though synthetic fabrics are often made with a chemical additive to make them fire resistant. Chemicals used in sleepwear labeled "fire resistant" will remain in the fabric for at least 50 washes. To avoid any chemicals in sleepwear and reduce the risk of igniting sleepwear, we suggest you choose natural fibers that are inherently fire resistant and snug-fitting. And, of course, keep kids away from matches, candles and cigarettes.



http://www.ewg.org/Healthy-Home-Tips-03

Tip 2: Go organic and eat fresh foods



Most people prefer their foods free of pesticides and toxic chemicals, for obvious reasons. Pesticides and toxic chemicals are increasingly linked to serious health problems – especially for our children, whose developing bodies are more vulnerable to chemical exposures.



We'd like to believe that our government is policing the safety of our food and the containers it comes in, but it’s not.



Our advice is to limit your family’s exposure to:



1. Pesticides. Buy organic or low-pesticide fruits and veggies

2. Two common toxic chemicals - BPA and PFCs - by avoiding food containers that contaminate

3. Growth hormones by choosing more natural meat and dairy products



1. Why should you avoid pesticides?



avoid pesticidesYears of research have shown different pesticides to be associated with a variety of health problems, including:



* Cancer

* Hormone disruption

* Abnormal brain and nervous system development



Young children and pregnant women are especially at risk. Pesticides are unique among chemicals released into the environment because they are toxic by design. Their sole purpose is to kill living organisms that are considered “pests” - insects, plants and fungi.



How to avoid pesticides on your food



* Buy organic when you can. Organic produce is grown without pesticides, so when you eat it you’re not also eating toxic chemicals. As it should be.

* Don’t use pesticides to grow your own food. More and more Americans have backyard and community gardens. Use natural techniques – not pesticides - to manage pests.

* When you can’t buy organic, buy less-contaminated conventional produce. Every year EWG ranks popular fruits and vegetables based on the amount of pesticide residues found on them. For example, apples and peaches top our “Dirty Dozen” list, so buy those organic, but sweet corn, peas and Watermelon are all in the “Clean 15,” so you can feel better about buying those raised conventionally.

* Download the guide and the handy iPhone app at FoodNews.org. Donate and we'll send you a fridge magnet, too.



2. Avoid containers and packaging that contaminate food with two common toxic chemicals - BPA and PFCs.



Buy fresh to minimize packaging



EWG recommends eating foods that have been processed as little as possible. Processing techniques detract from nutritional value, and chemicals from food packaging can leach into what you’re eating. For food packaging we recommend avoiding bisphenol A (BPA) and the Teflon and Scotchgard family of perfluorochemicals (PFCs).



What is BPA and why should you avoid it?



Bisphenol A, also known as BPA, is a synthetic estrogen used to harden polycarbonate plastics (like some baby and water bottles) and in the epoxy resin used can linings. It was found in the bodies of 93 percent of the Americans tested by the Centers for Disease Control. In laboratory tests trace BPA exposure been shown to disrupt the endocrine system and trigger a wide variety of disorders, including chromosomal and reproductive system abnormalities, cancer, cardiovascular system damage, adult-onset diabetes, obesity and resistance to chemotherapy.



As with many toxic chemicals, infants and young children are at the greatest risk of harm because their bodies are still developing. The National Toxicology Program has expressed concern that children’s exposure to BPA may lead to problems with brain and reproductive system development and behavior.



Limit your exposure to BPA from canned foods and plastic containers



* Canned foods. Almost all canned foods (including canning jars) sold in the U.S. have a BPA-based epoxy liner that can leach BPA into the food inside. Pregnant women and young children, especially, should limit their consumption of canned foods to avoid BPA. Here’s how:

o If you’re feeding your baby infant formula, use powdered formula because it has the least BPA. If you’re set on liquid formula, choose a brand sold in plastic and avoid ready-to-eat formula, which has the highest levels. Read more from EWG on safely feeding your baby.

o Buy fresh or frozen vegetables instead of canned.

o For canned veggies and fruits, choose glass bottles where available; the lids may contain BPA but less than cans.

o For canned beans, consider choosing Eden Foods brand because the cans are BPA-free. Or soak and cook dried beans – it’s a little more work but also less expensive.

o In a pinch, rinsing canned fruit or vegetables may reduce the amount of BPA you ingest.

o Make a special effort to avoid canned prepared foods like pastas and soups. We have found that they tend to have higher levels of BPA.



* Simple precautions can minimize exposure to BPA and other chemicals that leach from plastic containers and water bottles:

o Use glass or a BPA-free plastic baby bottles.

o Avoid polycarbonate containers (marked with a #7 or ‘PC’), especially for children’s food and drinks.

o We recommend the use of glass over plastics, but when you have no choice, plastics marked with a #1, 2, 4, and 5 don’t contain BPA and are generally safer for food.

o Don’t microwave plastics or fill them with hot liquids.

o Wash plastics on the top shelf of the dishwasher, where the water is cooler, or by hand.

o Avoid old, scratched water bottles.

o Use stainless water bottles without plastic linings.



What are PFCs and why should you avoid them?



PFCs, short for perfluorochemicals, belong to the family of chemicals that includes Teflon and Scotchgard. They are used to coat carpets, clothes, furniture, and food packaging, among other things. They persist in the environment and the human body and have been associated with lower birth weight for babies, cancer, infertility, elevated cholesterol and liver problems.



How do PFCs get into your food?



PFCs are used to coat food packaging, particularly those made for greasy foods. Research has shown that the chemicals can leach into what’s inside – your food.



Limit your exposure



* Avoid non-stick pans and kitchen utensils. When overheated, they can release toxic particles and chemicals in gas form. Opt for stainless steel or cast iron instead.

* Cut back on greasy packaged and fast foods. You might find PFC’s in pizza boxes, fast foods wrappings, microwave popcorn bags, muffin and pastry bags, butter boxes, and hash brown and French fry bags.

* Pop popcorn the old-fashioned way - on the stovetop or with an air popper. You can also microwave popcorn in a brown paper lunch bag.



choosing organic meat and dairy products3. Limit your family’s exposure to growth hormones and Antibiotics by choosing organic meat and dairy products



Under federal law, Antibiotics and growth hormones are prohibited in organic meat and dairy products. We recommend organic dairy, meat and other products from Organic Valley Family of Farms, a cooperative of more than 1,300 certified organic farmers in more than 30 states. We're also fans of Stonyfield Farm organic yogurt.



http://www.ewg.org/Healthy-Home-Tips-02

Tip 4: Pick plastics carefully



Our homes are filled with plastics, and most of us don't really know what they're made of -- or whether they're safe. EWG has put together these tips to help you choose better plastics and plastic alternatives for your family:



* Why you should pick plastics carefully.

* How to choose and use safer plastics.

* Finding safer, non-plastic alternatives.



WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE PLASTICS CAREFULLY.



The toxicity of plastics is not fully understood or adequately tested. What we do know is that most plastics contain chemical additives to change the quality of the plastic for its intended use (examples are to make it softer or resistant to UV light). Some of these ingredients or additives we know are harmful, like the plastics chemical bisphenol-A (BPA) and the plastic softeners called phthalates. Others, we just don't know enough about.



We also know that plastics chemicals routinely migrate, or leach, into the food and water they contain. While the amount may be small, it has not been proven safe. As EWG senior scientist Dr. Anila Jacob told Web MD recently,



Although most of the chemicals making the culinary crossing are considered "safe," Jacob tells WebMD that's generally not because they've been proved safe, but rather they haven't been proven to be unsafe.



"There is very little published research on the potential adverse health effects of chemicals that leach from plastic food containers, so it's difficult to say they're safe with any degree of certainty, especially with long-term use," says Jacob.



BPA and phthalates, however, are better understood. They are both potent hormone disruptors that are increasingly linked to health effects like brain and behavior changes, cancer, and reproductive system damages.



Plastics are continually changing and there are unknowns. Use them with caution, especially those that are commonly found in our households and have contact with our food and our bodies.



CHOOSE AND USE SAFER PLASTICS -- WHERE IT MATTERS MOST.



Because plastics are ubiquitous today, choose them carefully to minimize your exposures. Avoiding them altogether isn't practical, so we suggest you focus on those that are likely to come into contact with your mouth -- the most common way chemicals in plastic consumer products enter the body. Plastic chemicals touch your mouth in a number of ways: from your hands and your food and drink. This is especially important for young children, who frequently put hands and objects in their mouths.



Plastics to avoid:



* Stay away from toys marked with a "3" or "PVC" (PVC stands for polyvinyl chloride, commonly called vinyl). PVC is often mixed with phthalates, a toxic additive that makes plastic more flexible. While phthalates were recently banned in new children's toys, they may be in toys made before February 2009 when the ban went into effect, as well as in shower curtains, inflatable beach toys, raincoats and toys for children older than 12.

*



Avoid polycarbonate containers (sometimes marked with a #7 or "PC"), especially for children's food and drinks. These plastics are rigid and transparent, like plastic food storage containers and water bottles, among other things. Trace amounts of BPA can migrate from these containers, particularly if used for hot food or liquids. Soft or cloudy-colored plastic does not contain BPA.



A recent study from Harvard University found that college students drinking their cold drinks from polycarbonate bottles had 93% more BPA in their bodies than during the weeks that they drank liquids from other containers.



We recommend the use of glass over plastics. When you have no choice, plastics marked with a #1, 2, 4, or 5 don’t contain BPA and may be better choices.



How to handle plastics:



When you do use plastics, handle them safely. We suggest that you:



* Don't microwave food or drinks in plastic containers -- even if they claim to be "microwave safe." Heat can break down plastics and release chemical additives into your food and drink. Microwaves heat unevenly, creating hot spots where the plastic is more likely to break down.

* Use plastic containers for cool liquids -- not hot.

* Don't reuse single-use plastics. They can break down and release plastics chemicals when used repeatedly.

* Avoid old, scratched plastic water bottles. Exposures to plastics chemicals may be greater when the surface is worn down.

* Wash plastics on the top rack of the dishwasher, farther from the heating element, or by hand. This will reduce wear and tear.

* Don't allow your baby or young child to handle or chew on plastic electronics (the remote, your Cell Phone ) because they may be treated with fire retardants (learn more about fire retardants and how to reduce your family's exposure in a previous Healthy Home Tip).

* Wash children's hands before they eat.



SOME SAFER ALTERNATIVES:



Where mouth contact is likely, stay away from plastics. There are a wide variety of safer alternatives available to meet your family's needs. Some ideas are:



For the kids



* When bottle feeding infants, choose glass or BPA-free baby bottles with a clear silicone nipple. See our 1-page Guide to Baby-Safe Bottles and Formula for more on safe bottle feeding.

* Give your baby natural teethers like frozen washcloths or natural, uncoated wood. Plastic teethers could have harmful additives that leach when chewed.

* Look for toys made of natural materials, like wool, cotton, and uncoated wood.



In the kitchen



* Ceramic or glass food containers (like Pyrex) are better to store and heat your food and drink.

* When using an electric mixer, choose glass or Pyrex instead of plastic to avoid chipping bits of plastic into your food.

* Carry a glass or stainless steel water bottle without a plastic or "epoxy" lining.

* Lay natural flooring instead of vinyl.

* Use wooden cutting boards -- but care for them properly to minimize bacteria.

* Cover food in the microwave with a paper towel instead of plastic wrap.



In the bathroom



* Pick a cotton shower curtain instead of vinyl.

* In the tub, play with cotton washcloths, finger puppets, wooden toy boats and lightweight aluminum cups instead of soft plastic bath toys and books.



http://www.ewg.org/healthy-home-tips-04

Tip 5: Wash those hands



Washing our hands is something we do many times a day because it's a proven way to kill germs. So why are we highlighting something you already do? Because it's an effective -- but often overlooked -- way to reduce your exposure to toxic chemicals, especially for children. Ironically, some soaps contain chemicals you should avoid, so choosing a safer soap is important and more challenging than it should be.



WASH THOSE HANDS -- IT CAN REDUCE YOUR TOXIC EXPOSURES.



As you know, hand washing with basic soap and water effectively prevents the spread of infection. It also prevents the transfer of toxic chemicals from your hands to your mouth. Scientists have found that children actually ingest more chemicals off their hands than from mouthing toxic products directly, such as arsenic from playing on older wooden swing sets or fire retardants found on some electronics.



Timing is important -- be sure that children wash hands before eating and, for those who put their hands in their mouths frequently, after playing too.



A word about hand sanitizers: These waterless cleansers can be convenient, but are designed to kill bacteria -- not to remove dust and dirt, which is often how chemicals migrate. Washing with soap and water, on the other hand, kills bacteria and more thoroughly removes grime from hands to reducer any toxic exposures.



SKIP THE ANTI-BACTERIAL SOAP -- IT OFFERS NO BENEFITS.



Anti-bacterial soaps do kill bacteria and microbes -- but so do plain soap and water. A U.S. FDA advisory committee found that use of antibacterial soaps provides no benefits over plain soap and water.



The main reason to avoid anti-bacterial soaps is its active ingredient: triclosan (and the related triclocarbon). Triclosan is an anti-bacterial chemical found in many consumer products, and it's nearly ubiquitous in liquid hand soap. It is linked to liver and inhalation toxicity, and even low levels of triclosan may disrupt thyroid function. As a result, we include it on our list of the top 7 chemicals for children to avoid. Further, the American Medical Association recommends that triclosan not be used in the home, as it may encourage bacterial resistance to Antibiotics .



It also affects the natural environment. Wastewater treatment does not remove all of the chemical, which means it ends up in our lakes, rivers and water sources. That's especially unfortunate since triclosan is very toxic to aquatic life.



To learn more about triclosan and how to avoid it, read our short report and download our 1-page guide.



CHOOSE SAFER SOAPS.



Knowing what ingredients to avoid is important, but identifying safer alternatives is an equally important next step. We recommend "plain" soap and water for the most effective and least problematic hand washing.



Always check the ingredient list! When you're at the store, read those labels. Fragrance, triclosan and triclocarbon will be listed, making it easy to leave them on the shelf and find safer soaps.



Liquid and bar soaps



There are liquid and bar soaps and hand sanitizers that don't contain triclosan or fragrance, another ingredient we recommend avoiding.



You can find liquid hand soaps that don't contain triclosan, triclocarbon or fragrance in our Skin Deep database -- as well as triclosan and fragrance-free soaps.



Prefer bar soap? Choose from these that have no triclosan, triclocarbon or fragrance.



Hand sanitizers



If you like the convenience of waterless hand sanitizers, alcohol-based sanitizers are a better bet because they don't contain triclosan or triclocarbon. We suggest you choose one that doesn’t contain fragrance. You can find products without these ingredients in our Skin Deep database.



Remember: Hand sanitizers don't prevent hand-to-mouth chemical transfers as well as soap and water, because their purpose is to kill bacteria, not to remove the dust and dirt that can harbor chemicals. Also, when washing with water, product ingredients are partially washed off, whereas all ingredients in hand sanitizers are left to fully absorb into your skin.



http://ewg.org/healthy-home-tips-05