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The CPSC Loses More Power, and Congress takes a look at BPA (bisphenol-A)--
2008-02-13 04:03:00
The folks over at the Enviroblog have been doing a fantastic job reporting on a variety of environmental health issues. I was pleased to read this post, that explains how the Congress ional Energy and Commerce Committee will be looking over reports from a questionable "scientific" research firm in relation to the chemical BPA (bisphenol-A). Apparently, committee chair Representative Dingell is concerned about the mounting evidence that BPA causes endrocrine disruption in babies and children. Also requested was information from infant formula makers about the BPA usage in their packaging, as was recently reported by the Environmental Working Group. See this post for more information about the problems with BPA in infant formula. It's about time we had lawmakers start paying attention to the unregulated use of chemicals in everyday products.Enviroblog also reports that the Consumer Product Safety Comission is becoming more and more crippled in its ability to help keep our kids saf...
More About: Power

No BPA (bisphenol-A) in the Swellz TapSack--
2008-02-11 04:31:00
Tired of seeing plastic water bottles littering the dugouts from their kids' teams, and reading about the environmental issues surrounding bottled water and the problem of chemicals leeching into their kids' drinks, two families got together to think of a better way for their kids to stay hydrated. And the Swellz Tapsack was born. Based on a Spanish and Greek design used for centuries, the TapSack is a leather pouch used for carrying water. It is similar in design to the old boyscout canteens, but updated and more compact. It is lined with medical grade latex, and the outside is hand crafted from leather in Spain. The very top is made from hard plastic, but it doesn't have to come into contact with the mouth as water can be squirted from the sack itself. The folks at Swellz have seen a change in the kids who use a TapSack. Kids personalize the sack, and take pride in caring for it. They hope the TapSacks will develop more ownership and responsibility in kids for their belo...

Stay Vigilant about Lead in Toys, Jewelry, and Feeding Gear?
2008-02-09 20:39:00
I had the honor to testify last week in support of a bill that would significantly reduce the exposure of Vermont's children to lead. I expressed parents' worries about lead in products, and the fact that there is no one place that lists or even tests the billions of children's products out there. The panel seemed surprised to learn that items that have been recalled in other states are still for sale in Vermont (and many other states). In fact, I was reading in Parents magazine the other day that it is even LEGAL in other states to sell recalled items. I stopped, and read this again. How exactly do recalls help protect our kids when there is no legal "teeth" behind them? I am perplexed. At the hearing I listened to the testimony from two doctors, Dr. Best of the George Washington School of Medicine and Dr. Bruce Lanphear, pediatrics professor at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. They explained how new research shows even low levels of lead (blood levels lower than what is...
More About: Jewelry , Toys , Gear , Feeding , Stay

Dangerous Magnets in Toys a Health Risk for Kids--
2008-02-07 21:09:00
I just watched this video this morning and wanted to share it with Non-Toxic Kids ' readers as soon as possible. I can easily see this happening to one of my girls, or any of our friends.Click here to view this clip from abc news.I started researching magnets in toys and found them readily available on in the toy market, despite the injuries they can cause. See this article from the Centers for Disease Control outlining several cases of injury (and one death) to children from the ingestion of magnets. This made me wonder about all the magnetic letters on my fridge and making sure my 10 month old (who eats everything) stays away from them. One of the magnets could easily be dislodged from the letters. Here is more information about magnets in toys, written in the Consumer Reports blog. It references the annual report by US PIRG called Trouble in Toyland, which identified magnets as a potentially dangerous and fatal toy. My take? Forget any magnetic toys until my kids are much ...
More About: Health , Toys , Magnets , Risk

Bisphenol-A (BPA) Free Sippy Cups, Pacifers, Teethers and other Baby Gear--
2008-02-06 03:43:00
In case you haven't heard about the chemical bisphenol-A (BPA) in baby products, check out this video from ABC news. It's been awhile since I first wrote about my recommendations for BPA free sippy cups. Several more have come in to the market, and you might be wondering about other safe BPA products to use with your baby and kids. Lots of mamas are writing about this on the web, and I provide links to some helpful resources in this post. Thanks to all the great research and work by mamas everywhere to help get the BPA out of our kids! Here is a link roundup of the latest information about BPA free gear for your kids. I found the motherload of a site about BPA! Check out The Soft Landing, an online store featuring BPA free everything and a blog about non-toxic living. Run by a mama and nurse, this site is packed with helpful information about raising kids as "softly" as possible. Safe Mama has a helpful (and brief- good for us sleep deprived parents!) list of safe, non-to...
More About: Baby , Free , Gear , Cups , Sippy

New Study on Phthalates in Baby Shampoo, Lotion, and Powder--
2008-02-04 19:53:00
Here is a link to a new study about chemicals called phthalates found in young babies' blood after they used a shampoo, lotion or powder. Read the MSN article here. What are phthalates? A chemical found in many of our everyday products, including soft plastic toys, any vinyl product (shower curtains, bags, changing pads, or bibs), vinyl flooring, body and hair care products, and cosmetics. Why are phthalates a concern? When administered at high doses to animals, phthalates caused increased cancer rates and damage to the liver, kidneys and other organs. Read more about phthalates in teethers and safer alternatives here. As for baby shampoo, lotions and powder, until more is known about phthalates, I recommend using products that are labeled phthalate free and do not contain DEP and DEHP. California Baby makes a great line of lotion, shampoo and soaps that are phthalate free, as well as preservative and allergen free, that we use and like very much. Badger Balm is also a skin loti...
More About: Study , Lotion , Shampoo

Kai Kids is here (eco-friendly baby and maternity products)--
2008-02-03 04:05:00
Check out this new family owned earth friendly baby, child and mama online store. According to mama and owner Nancy, Kai Kids specializes in "eco-friendly clothing and accessories for babies, toddlers, new moms and moms-to-be. From stainless steel sippy cups to soy onesies, bamboo baby blankets to BPA-free baby bottles, we?ve got everything parents need to raise baby green, and a few treats for mamas too! We carry sexy maternity and nursingwear made from non-toxic soy fibre and lyocell. All of our lines are either Fair Trade or ethically manufactured." Where were these when I needed them? They carry reusable bamboo nursing pads that are thinner and more absorbent then their cotton counterparts. They also carry a line of baby clothes made with a looser fit for accommodating cloth diapers (and they are adorable). I'm especially digging the organic cotton teethers made by Under the Nile for the orally fixated set (my 10 month old being one of them).Enjoy!
More About: Baby , Products , Friendly , Maternity

Sick, Twisted and Cruel, and Putting Your Kids at Risk--
2008-01-31 20:05:00
Meghan Goss over at the Humane Society of the United States shared with me a horrifying undercover video detailing the outrageously cruel treatment of sick and weak cattle in the Hallmark Meat Packing Plant in Chino, CA. These already sick and dying cattle were forced to stand, so they could be "processed" meaning, slaughtered, by torturing them in myriad ways. According to the video (which I could not bear to watch) and Goss, this included "shocking the cows with electric prods, jabbing them in the eyes, shackling and dragging the cattle, ramming them with blades of a forklift, and spraying high pressure water into the cows' mouth and nose" to simulate drowning. Now this is shocking, unethical, appalling and must be stopped. Read the full story from the Humane Society of the United States here. But it doesn't end there--It turns out that this plant is a major supplier of for the National School Lunch Program. That means the meat in your child's school, that is supplied by...
More About: Kids , Salmonella , Cruel , Risk , Putting