  June 2006 See the article on teens and indoor air below (LA Times) It has been shown that the various polishes and sprays currently in use for household cleaning can be eliminated at no loss to the beauty of your home. In fact, most of the products commercially available are toxic to you and your family. A 1980-1985 study by EPA confirmed that the indoor toxic chemical levels can be higher than those outdoors, even in cities! People like Ann who are chemically sensitive can attest to this. New carpeting, paint, vinyl wallpaper, glues, formaldehyde and more contribute this dangerous and unhealthy atmosphere. Substitutes for household cleansers include lemon juice, vinegar, borax or baking soda, nut oils for detergents-biodegradables that are available at the health food store. Or encourage your local supermarket to carry these products. Chlorine-free bleach products can help too. Some swimming pools have switched to other methods that can keep a pool clean. Ann Fonfa (founder and president) used boric acid all around an ant infestation and it cleared out within moments. Keep this away from children and pets. From Laura W., an environmental activist on Long Island, NY: Seal cracks with caulking material to prevent entry of insects, check for leaks that may attract some insects and remove all food sources that attract them. Her outdoor advice: use horticultural oils to smother bugs, use insecticide soaps that are drying agents, prune out infestations, establish a bird feeder as they eat bugs, use a 'weeder' to remove weeds (not chemicals), solutions of vinegar and lemon can kill weeds or you can use boiling water or weeds that grwo between bricks or tiles. Take dry cleaning out of plastic bags and air before placing in your closet. Do not heat food in plastic containers in the microwave-use glass or ceramic. NOTE: It is a good idea to limit use of microwave anyway. Use wax paper instead of plastic bags and metal tools rather than plastic. The smell we used to identify as clean, is as chemical as could be. We have to retrain ourselves, it is difficult as commercials are constantly driving the "clean with their products' message home to us". Ignore it. Books to read include: "Everyday Cancer Risks" by Mary K. Levenstein. "Living Downstream" by Sandra Steingrabber. Contact: Mothers and Others for information on alternative sources for household products. Some states' environmental protection agencies offer information on integrated pest managment. A good resource is the Cancer Awareness Coalition whose founder, Rose Marie Williams, MA writes a column for the Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients on environmental issues. The organization has a video "Health Risks and the Environment" which is useful for any group or individual. "A candid discussion about how environmental risk factors affect health MORE than inherited genes, with suggestions about reducing toxic exposure in and around the home." (our emphasis) $20. (free postage in US) Check or money order accepted. Sales support this organization's mission "raising awareness about health risks associated with pesticides and other pollutants - encouraging use of safer practices - protecting public health." Cancer Awareness Coalition, PB Box 533, New Paltz, NY 12561 |
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| LINK to guidelines to do just this | | | LINK Health & Safety Info on Household Products | ||
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| Suggestions to live by Contamination & Plastic Pkging Non-Toxic Alternatives For Plastic Products FDA & Phthalates (Medical Devices) Bisphenol A (BPA) Brass Water Containers Actually Kill Bacteria | | | From Seventh Generation newsletter http://www.greenpeace.ca/tissue | ||
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| A study in mice DEHP in Plastic Medical Tubes:Boys' Fertility Bisphenol A (BPA) Harms Mouse Eggs | | | Dr.Joseph Mercola's advice and Ann's Pesticide Applicators & Prostate Ca Risk "Medical centers, pesticides a bad combination" Mass Spraying for Mosquito Control-Great Experiment Message from Children's Health Environmental Coalition | ||
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| LINK, advice on medical waste and plastics | | | Rose Marie Williams, MA Townsend Letter, 7/00 Buzz Off-Essential Oil Bug Spray CedarCide-Alternative to DEET (per USDA) Pesticide Residue on Washed Skin | ||
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| Report US Academy of Sciences, 12/00 | | | Intelihealth News, 1/02 Am Dental Assoc Oral Cancer Campaign Antimicrobial Compounds Hurt Algae | ||
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| Thanks to Alternative Medicine magazine and DW (patient and advocate) Creating Non Toxic Cleaning Prods | | | LINK to article on Healthy Houseplants | ||
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| LINK to article on anti-pest HERBS | | | Seventh Generation Non-Toxic Times: Newsletter 1/02 Excerpts from Part II-What to do to make it safer Source for Radiation-free Smoke Detector Flame Retardants:Indoor Environment-VOC's Silent Spring Inst: Indoor Environment Plants Clean Indoor Air Air 'Fresheners' Natural Furniture Polish (Homemade) Household Exposure to Pesticides and Risk of Childhd Hematopoietic Malignancies: ESCALE Study (SFCE) Cleaning Products & Air Fresherners: Emissions | ||
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| UPI | | | AACR, 2002 Safer Dye Product Discussed Breast Cancer & Hair Coloring Products Hair Dye & Adult Acute Leukemia Smoking/Drinking & Hair Dye: Adult Leukemia Hair Dye Use & RISK Adult Acute Leukemia M.H.'s Experience with para-phenylenadiamine (PPD). | ||
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| Red Flags Weekly | | | The Observer,4/02 Press Release on Cosmetics, 6/17/02 L'Oreal & Nestle Make Nutritional Cosmetic Products Parabens in Human Breast Tumors Revlon and L'Oreal Comply with EU Directives Removing Toxins Non Toxic Products for the Home/Body | ||
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| Midwestern Univ, Curtin Univ of Tech, Australia & Illinois State Univ Triclosan, Banned From UK Supermarkets IMPORTANT NEWS ABOUT SOAP | | | Environmental Working Group Infants/Toddlers 10X Risk of Cancer Chemical Flame Retardants FOUND in Foods Bio-monitoring by CDC | ||
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| LINK to Minimize Exposure to POPs | | | LINK to site for MCS chemically sensitive people | ||
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| LINK to mattresses, sheets, etc. ORGANIC | | | Leo Galland, MD, FACN author | ||
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| The Lancet, 9/97 | | | LINK to info on ALTERNATIVES to toxic products and Household Hazardous Waste | ||
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| LINK to site for chemically-sensitive | | | National Environmental Trust, 9/04 | ||
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| LINK to brochures available on many topics | | | LINK to site with papers, information and other links Environmental Illneses | ||
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| Food Additives & Contaminants, 6/05 | | | LA Times article, June 22, 2006 | ||
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| variety of LINKS | | | LINK to book source Author: Connie Pitts | ||
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| LINK Las mujeres, cumplimos muchas funciones. Somos amigas, hermanas, hijas, novias, compañeras, esposas, trabajadoras y madres. Nos ocupamos del cuidado y de la manutención de otras personas. Abogamos por nuestras familias, nuestros niños, nuestros padres ancianos y nuestras comunidades. | | | LINK: "...Green & Clean Mom can inspire you to try a little harder, be a catalyst for change and to offer you some new tips and news..." | ||
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| LINK to site with very pure liquid soaps Fragrance-free, baby, tea tree oil, lavender, almond, etc. Use for all types of cleaning. | | | Company provides "100% natural Hair, Skin and Body Care | ||
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| Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM. |