Protecting Our Family From Environmental Toxins
The recent report of the President’s Cancer Panel Report on environmental cancer risks indicated that the role of environmental pollutants in cancer development has been previously been underestimated. Some experts disagreed with the conclusions of the report but everybody seems to agree that we should take precautions. Kids, particularly, are highly vulnerable to the carcinogens in the environment. It is thus important that we minimize our family’s exposure.
How To Reduce Potential Carcinogenic Environmental Risks:
- Protecting the unborn child. Contact with carcinogens can start in the womb. The MD Anderson Cancer Center is urging moms-to-be to avoid exposure to toxins – even before conception. The healthier mom is, the healthier the baby is.
- Protect the family. Experts recommend taking on eco-friendly lifestyle options – in the household, garden, body care, toys for our children and the food that we eat – to minimize our family’s exposure.
- The Dirty Dozen. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) evaluated the fresh produce in US supermarkets and identified the “dirty dozen“, fruit and vegetables with the highest levels of pesticides. The Dirty Dozen Guide is also available as an iPhone app updated for 2010 – for free.
- Household products. Take a closer look at the household chemicals you are using. How safe are they? Are there less toxic alternatives? Check out the recommendations and recipes of the Organic Consumers Association.
- Children’s stuff. Are your baby bottles BPA-free? How much lead is in your kids’ toys? Recently, I bought a Sigg bottle and on its packaging was written “BPA- and phthalate-free.” It’s good to see that we are finally going somewhere. The EWG has also issued the Parent’s Buying Guide to safe body care products for kids
- Radiation in your phone? Although the link between brain tumors and cell phone use is still a subject of debate, it is prudent to minimize exposure. The MD Anderson Cancer Center recommends:
- wearing a headset when using a cell phone.
- sending text instead of calling.
- keeping calls short.
Also check out EWG’s Cell Phone Radiation Report and find out which phones have the highest/least radiation emission.
- Personal care products. Toxins may be found in your soap and shampoo, and yes, even in the sunscreen that is supposed to protect you from skin cancer. The EWG recently launched their Shopper’s Guide to Safer Sunscreens, which evaluated and rated more than 1400 sun protection products for safety. The guide is also available as a free iPhone app.Even your cosmetics are not toxin-free!
Joan says...
A new study has shown an increase in breast cancer for women who regularly use household cleaners and air fresheners.
“Women who reported the highest combined cleaning product use had a doubled risk of breast cancer compared to those with the lowest reported use,” said Dr Julia Brody, from the Silent Spring Institute in the United States, ”
While this is just one study, it does point out the possible dangers of commercial products. Perhaps grandma was right in using vinegar to clean almost everything.
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