sf_bay_area_resourcesFor SF Bay area local resources to help with testing Testing your stuffwww.heavymetalstest.com home kit for heavy metal testing, $10 per test in a ten pack Toxin: Mercury"how to clean up a home mercury spill"Broken mercury thermometers account for 10% of the SF Bay's mercury pollution. http://temp.sfgov.org/sfenvironment/facts/mercury.htm Quick, before you experience a mercury spill - please place any old mercury thermometers or flourescent bulbs (!) that you own into a sealable plastic bags and label them "Mercury - hazardous waste" and dispose of them as explained below. Now you can read the rest of this just in case a neighbor or friend has a home mercury spill :-) If you break a mercury thermometer or flourescent bulb anyway, here's what to do... Evaculate the house (pets and people). Note: if any of the clothing came in contact with the mercury, remove it and place it in a sealable plastic bag labeled hazardous waste. “Lower the temperature by turning down the thermostat to less than 72 degrees F. The cooler the temperature, the less mercury vapors will be released into the air. Mercury vapors are odorless and colorless” Seal off the other rooms if possible and turn off any fans that would take the vapors to other parts of the house. “VENTILATE THE ROOM WITH THE SPILL TO THE OUTDOORS by opening windows and any exterior doors. Place fans, facing out, in open windows or doors to speed up ventilation” Wear gloves, disposable clothing, goggles (if available), and remove any metal jewelry. Pick up the mercury beads using tape, medicine droppers, syringes, cardboard ie index cards. Place all mercury into a sealable plastic bag and label the bag “Mercury – hazardous waste.” Dispose of anything that touches the mercury in a double sealed ziplock bag and label the bag “Mercury – hazardous waste.” Take the hazardous waste to your local hazardous disposal location (in the phone book under waste management or call IDEM 1-800-988-7901 or www.greenlight-recycling.com ). Keep the house evaculated for 48 hours following the spill, this will give the mercury vapors time to disapate. If any mercury spilled on carpeting or other porous surface, remove the surface and dispose of in a bag labeled “Mercury – hazardous waste.” Take a shower and dispose of your clothes. Take the hazardous waste to your local hazardous disposal location. Never ever use a vacumn cleaner or a broom on mercury spills, it will just spread the contamination. “Never use household cleaning products because they may react violently with the mercury, releasing toxic gases.” Sources: http://www.uspharmacist.com/index.asp?show=article&page=8_1235.htm http://www.altcorp.com/DentalInformation/homemenace.htm http://www.deliciousorganics.com/Controversies/mercury.htm http://www.newmoa.org/Newmoa/htdocs/prevention/mercury/smallspills.doc Coal is high in mercury 3M Tartan flooring used widely in the US in public buildings, schools, gymnasia, etc. from approximately 1950 through the early 1970's contains mercury as a stabilizer and with aging and mechanical damage, the mercury can escape as mercury vapor. www.trueart.info/pregnancy.htm Pigments, neon sculpture, lustre glazes, old clock pendulums, old mirror backing, thermometers www.cr.nps.gov/museum/publications/conserveogram/02-10.pdf The mercury compounds used to coat the back of old mirrors can break down to drops of free mercury that can collect in the edges of old mirror frames. This mercury can also off-gas toxic fumes dilation drops used for eye exams may contain mercury (thimerisol)- read the package insert! "SALT LAKE CITY - Mercury-laden clouds from gold mine smokestacks near Elko, Nev., are floating east and could pose a health threat and damage the ecology of the Great Salt Lake. The mines account for as much as 11 percent of total Mercury emissions in the United States." www.fda.gov/cder/fdama/mercury300.htm Mercury in Drug and Biologic Products as of 1998 and updated 2004 includes nasal sprays and Ophthalmic Ointment In some: Aalgaecides, antiseptics, battery manufacturing, body powders, burning newspapers and building materials, calomel lotions, cereals, diuretics, felt, floor waxes, fungicides, germicides, grains, industrial waste, insecticides, laxatives, lumber, manufacture of paper and chlorine, medications, mercurochrome, paper products, photoengraving, polluted water, psoriasis ointment, sewage disposal, soft contact lens solution, suppositories, tanning leather, tatooing, water (contaminated), wood preservatives www.detoxamin.com/index.asp?pgid=88 In some: Adhesives, air conditioner filters, all fish, batteries, calomel body powders, cinnabar (jewelry), cosmetics, dental amalgams, drinking water, external salves, fabric softeners, fertilizer, floor wax, hemorrhoid supplements, laxatives, paints/pigments, pesticides, processed foods. seafood/seawater, skin lightening creams, thimerosal (vaccines and more), wood preservatives (from The power or RNA by Yasko/Gordon) http://www.ehponline.org/press/022806.html Careless replacement of older gas regulators can result in household mercury contamination... units made before 1961 contained an average of 2 teaspoons of elemental mercury and were often installed in basements. When these older units are replaced, the mercury can spill onto the floor, and residents can inhale the mercury vapor http://www.ehponline.org/topic/mercury.html http://www.dienviro.com/s950/images/mercury.pdf Mercury vapor meters are rented by Toxin: LeadLeather couches http://www.berkeleyside.com/2013/03/05/testing-berkeley-homes-for-hazards-what-we-found/ "Surprisingly almost all leather couches and chairs contained high lead levels — around 1,800 ppm. For lead, 90 ppm is the upper limit mandated by Federal law. The painted pine antique collection from one home also showed extreme high levels of lead. This family had already tested these antiques with a lead testing kit purchased from the hardware store, but that test yielded no findings" Lead crystal should also be avoided as even after one hour, a significant of lead may leech into acidic food or drink. Use a lead test kit (from a hardware/home improvement store) to test: Lead test kits have a stated level of sensitivity, some tests are more sensitive than others. Turmeric may be adulterated with lead chromate http://www.ohio.com/mld/beaconjournal/news/state/15089804.htm "...Asian products decorated with lead paint are increasingly being sold in America. In recent years, products ranging from Chinese toys to Indian jewelry have been pulled from U.S. department store shelves because they contained dangerous levels of lead." www.illuminations.com candles with lead-free wicks http://www.naugatuckglass.com/mirror.htm mirrors can have lead in the backing, this site offers lead free mirrors www.trueart.info/pregnancy.htm Don't eat or drink from ceramic ware or lead crystal unless lab tests show that items such as cups, casseroles, and pitchers do not leach lead or any other metal into food. Low-fired ware may leach metals such as lead or boron into your food. in Ceramic glazes, glass, solder, art paint, ink, casting / welding alloys, paint removal www.cr.nps.gov/museum/publications/conserveogram/02-10.pdf Beware of lead in items such as sculptures, stained glass windows, food cans, and old bullets. Lead corrodes rapidly forming a white powder that is easily inhaled, ingested, or trapped in clothing. Ceramics may have been covered with lead glazes. Damaged glazes can break up into flakes or powder that can be inhaled or ingested. http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1997/7/97.07.05.x.html in the U.S., the major sources of lead exposure culpability have shifted from gasoline to paint and water distribution systems and fixtures.Exposure of children can also be the result of lead in household dust while there are obvious sources of lead in homes, such as peeling and other non-intact lead paint, there are also some not so obvious sources as well. Dust in homes can contain lead from lead painted surfaces that rub against each other. Windows and doors are a large source of this type of lead dust. This dust has been danger to children who play in the dust and put things in their mouth. Other lead exposure can result from sources such as toys, furniture, and older linoleum. It may be found in tableware as diverse as: ceramic dishes, bean pots, crystal, pewter, brass and enamel metal-ware. certain types of glazed and pewter dinnerware, and lead paint decorated drinking glasses. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) set strict limits for the lead content on products made or sold in the United States. China and lead crystal can leach dangerous amounts of lead into food....lead can come from foods grown in soils with a high lead content. Lead compounds were also once used as insecticides for certain fruits and vegetables. Lead has also contaminated foods from improper canning procedures, cooking foods in cans with soldered seams, and serving foods in plates or containers that contain lead or have lead containing coatings on their surfaces...Tap water can be contaminated by lead pipes, copper pipes with lead solder or bronze and brass faucets contaminating lead http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0KFZ/is_2_10/ai_102274102 http://www.danasview.net/metals.htm See this site too! "food accounts for 55 to 85 percent of a person's lead exposure. " lead solder in cans banned...some comes from industrial pollution released into soil and water and then enters our food chain...Inorganic lead is used in battery manufacturing and reclaimation, radiator repair, printing, firing ranges, copper smelting, paint manufacture, plastics and rubber industry....Soil as far as 10 ft from a building may be lead contaminated...Lead levels higher in water in morning after water has sat in pipes all night...Natural Detoxification by Krohn & Taylor Some calcium supplements are high in lead , see consumer lab report Lead solder...banned...but still may be used in some plumbing Lead flashing for roofs or bathroom floors, lead headed roof nails, red layer on the bottom of old linoleum tiles, some cast figures, stained glass, older pewter ware, older lead weights, piston engine aviation fuel, some hair colorings - ie grecian formula, lead arsenate was an agricultural pesticide previously esp for apples wine tobacco...Hair Test Interpretation by Cutler plaster, newsprint, ceramic glaze, some herbal sources ie herbs from China, even modern faucets have lead containing joints Health and Nutrition Secrets by Blaylock Cheap "silver" appearance children's jewelry may be lead contaminated. Vinyl blind dust may contain. I noticed at a local store that there was a whole shelf of products with a warning label (state of california....lead warning). They were all red glazed ceramic. One was a container for dish soap, another a container for large cooking utensils, etc. I had bought the matching style blue ceramic dish soap container a week earlier. It tested OK, but I replaced it with an all glass one. I try to test everything now. I am at least glad that the state of California has a labeling law...but some stores just state at the entrance "products in this store may contain lead levels etc" and that rather defeats the purpose! Some door handles, plumbing faucets, plumbing handles, will test high for lead. Ironically it often seems that the more expensive models are more apt to test high. Excellent spread sheet on lead sources and alternatives http://www.turi.org/content/content/download/2716/26616/file/Lead%20use%20prioritization%20matrix%20-%20all%20uses%2010_21_05.xls. Ash,battery manufacturing, coal combustion, colored inks, eating utensils, electroplating, household dust, glass production, hair dyes, industrial emissions, lead pipes, liver, mascara, metal polish, milk, newsprint, organ meats, paint, pencils, pesticides, produce near roads, rain water, refineries, smelters, snow, tobacco, toys (esp if PVC) www.detoxamin.com/index.asp?pgid=88 auto exhaust, bone meal, car batteries/tires/brakes, ceramics, cigarette smoke/filters, cookware/utensils, drinking and rain water, lead shot, mascara, cosmetics (esp marcara), milk, newsprint, colored print, organ meats, paint/solvents, painted glassware, stained glass, pencils, pesticides. plumbing, processed foods, putty, pvc containers, toothpaste, wine, beer (from The power or RNA by Yasko/Gordon) http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/lead/pubs/leadinfo.htm#where http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/docs/2005/113-10/ss.html#lead lead in cocoa ...most contamination occurs during shipping or processing of the beans and in manufacturing. Further research on those stages of the process will help to isolate the source. http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/docs/2004/112-14/forum.html#swee California and FDA officials have also found lead in a common ingredient in many Mexican candies--chili powder. Several potential contamination sources have been suggested: soil residue from fields, air-drying or storage where the chilies can accumulate dust from exhaust emissions, metal particles accumulated during the grinding process, and drying over open petrochemical fires...candies--specifically certain ones made in Mexico--may also be a source of toxic lead http://www.checnet.org/healthehouse/chemicals/chemicals-detail2.asp?Main_ID=373 http://www.checblog.org/2006/09/tip_1_keep_keys_from_kids_1.html many keys, even brass keys, contain lead http://www.ehponline.org/topic/lead.html lead testing in your home with a portable X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) device www.thesmartmama.com http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/pbvitami.html check lead levels in vitamins Toxin: AluminumCookie sheets and muffin tins and pie "tins" are generally aluminum. If you use aluminum (NOT non stick – as non stick can release toxic fumes) then please use parchment paper. Better yet, use stainless steel bakeware or glass or enameled steelWith aluminum cookware, avoid cooking acidic foods (ie anything with fruit, including lemon and tomato) or even flouridated water (ie city Tap water may contain flouride) as these will leech aluminum faster into the food. Note: buy all tomato products fresh or in GLASS jars (not in cans). Some processed foods are cooked in aluminum vats. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?itool=abstractplus&db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=abstractplus&list_uids=9092078 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?itool=abstractplus&db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=abstractplus&list_uids=8249476 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?itool=abstractplus&db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=abstractplus&list_uids=1397396 May be used as a preservative in vaccines. (as Aluminum hydroxide ) Also in aluminum foil and in the lining of some juice boxes. Look for aluminum-free baking powder, too. In most deoderant too. Look for aluminum free baking powder! Aluminum is in many beverage/food cans (esp the cans with rounded edges), tap water may contain, cooking and serving utensils may contain, some cosmetics, some toothpastes. Weston A Price foundation states that soy is high in aluminum www.westonaprice.org/soy/index.html as does the book www.thewholesoystory.com Some teas contain aluminum www.mercola.com/forms/tea_extract.htm Greger, J. L. (1992). Dietary and other sources of aluminium intake. Ciba Found. Symp., 169, 26–35; Discussion 35–49. Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison WI 53706, USA. Aluminium in the food supply comes from natural sources including water, food additives, and contamination by aluminium utensils and containers. Most unprocessed foods, except for certain herbs and tea leaves, contain low (< 5 micrograms Al/g) levels of aluminium. Thus most adults consume 1–10 mg aluminium daily from natural sources. Cooking in aluminium containers often results in statistically significant, but not practically important, increases in the aluminium content of foods. Intake of aluminium from food additives varies greatly (0 to 95 mg Al daily) among residents in North America, with the median intake for adults being about 24 mg daily. Generally, the intake of aluminium from foods is less than 1% of that consumed by individuals using aluminium-containing pharmaceuticals. Currently the real scientific question is not the amount of aluminium in foods but the availability of the aluminium in foods and the sensitivity of some population groups to aluminium. Several dietary factors, including citrate, may affect the absorption of aluminium. Aluminium contamination of soy-based formulae when fed to premature infants with impaired kidney function and aluminium contamination of components of parenteral solutions (i.e. albumin, calcium and phosphorus salts) are of concern. PMID: 1490425, UI: 93145766 2. Koo, W. W., Kaplan, L. A., Krug–Wispe, S. K. (Mar.–Apr. 1988). Aluminum contamination of infant formulas. J. Parenter. Enteral. Nutr. (JPEN), 12 (2), 170–173. Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada. This study aims to determine the extent of aluminum (Al) contamination in whole milk, milk formulas, and other nutrient products commonly used for infants. Similar products from different manufacturers and different lots were measured for Al using electrothermal atomic absorption technique. Aluminum measurements were made directly from the samples or after reconstitution or dilution with Al-free water. Aluminum content was lowest (less than 50 micrograms/liter) in human milk, whole cow milk, and products that appear to require minimal manufacture processing and have few additives such as skim milk, cow milk with 2% fat, bottled glucose water, and sterile water. Highest Al levels (up to 2346 micrograms/liter) were found in highly processed and modified formulas including soy formula, preterm infant formula, and formulas for specific metabolic disorders. Aluminum content of humanized cow milk formula and bottled glucose–electrolyte solution were between the two ranges and usually less than 400 micrograms/liter. There were no significant differences in Al content of similar products from different manufacturers. Liquid formula stored in glass bottles has highest Al content compared to that stored in steel cans or powder preparation of the same product (p less than 0.05). Thus there are marked differences in Al loading depending on the type of formula, whether it is a powder or liquid preparation and the type of storage container. We speculate that raw materials such as soybean, additives such as calcium and phosphorus, manufacturing processes and storage containers are potential sources of contamination of infant formulas. PMID: 3361685, UI: 88200505 Tri-calcium phosphate is made from bone ash; the synthetic (cheaper) version of bone ash is made from aluminum. Salt *may* contain aluminum, read more here http://www.curezone.com/foods/saltcure.asp and http://www.curezone.com/foods/salt/understanding_salt_and_sodium.htm More on aluminum http://www.heavymetalstest.com/aluminium.php Sodium aluminium phosphate is a food emulsifier in processed cheese. Potassium alum is used to whiten flour (bleached flour), and sodium silocoaluminate and/or aluminium calcium silicate are added to common table salt to help it run freely and not cake. Aluminum is in some: antacids, auto exhaust, ceramic, pottery, cigarette smoke, cookware, utensils, dental amalgams, drinking water, external salves, food color additives, kaopectate, milk, nasal sprays, pesticides, toothpaste, vanilla powder (from The power or RNA by Yasko/Gordon) “natural” deodorant, lotions and hair spray, soaps, beverage cans, lipstick, pickles, aluminum foil, baking powder,, aluminum door handles. http://www.causeof.org/salt.htm Table salt sometimes contains additive elements such as aluminum silicate...aluminum silicate, a substance found in non-dairy creamers and nonprescription antidiarrheal medications... Aluminum silicate in common table Salt, water softener http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1594/is_1_16/ai_n8686452 http://www.danasview.net/metals.htm See this site too! Toxin: Antimonywww.trueart.info/pregnancy.htm in Pigments, glass / glaze / enamel ingredient, solder / brazing metals, fire retardantAs a "required by law" flame retardant: in most mattresses (see bedding) , children's sleepwear (use organic cotton long johns instead - from hanna or sleepwear that says: "Wear snug fitting, not flame retardant"), and carpeting antimony is used as a catalyst in the production of plastic bottles. Despite it’s role solely as a facilitator of a chemical reaction, there’s always a minuscule bit of antimony that is left over in the resulting bottle.http://www.fooducate.com/blog/2010/03/08/whats-that-poison-in-your-juice-antimony/ Toxin: ArsenicAlthough residential use of a common arsenic-based wood preservative was phased out in 2003, new research indicates that leaching from products treated with it could impact soils and groundwater for decades to come. http://pubs.acs.org/subscribe/journals/esthag-w/2005/dec/science/kc_arsenic.htmlArsenic treated wood even contaminates the soil/ground near where it used to sit, even after the wood itself is removed. It was commonly used in playgrounds for years. As a "required by law" flame retardant: in most mattresses (see bedding) , children's sleepwear (use organic cotton long johns instead - from hanna or sleepwear that says: "Wear snug fitting, not flame retardant"), and carpeting In some, but not all, rice and rice products. In some, but not all, chicken..because chickens are often fed grain laced with arsenic. Organic chicken is the safest. www.trueart.info/pregnancy.htm in Stained glass and enamel opacifier, old pigments, historic specimen and taxidermy preservative Some seafood contains arsenic (depending on it's source). Some drinking water, depending on where you live, naturally contains arsenic. Some: Burning of arsenate treated building materials, coal combustion “treated” carpets and furniture (for stain resistance), various alloys. www.ewg.org/arsenickit/ test your playground at home or school Toxin: Asbestoshttp://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/ashome.html#3 Furnace insulation, Clothes dryer belt, hair blower, paint on radiators Used also for fireproofing, electrical insulation, building materials, brake linings, and chemical filters
Toxin: Bismuth:In many cosmetics ie blush, foundation, lipstick. Also in ceramic glazes that have a blue or yellow hue.http://www.mii.org/Minerals/photobis.html has replaced toxic lead in many applications such as plumbing, bullets, birdshot, metal alloys, soldering, and other applications. Bismuth compounds are used in stomach-upset medicines (hence the trademarked name Pepto-Bismol), treatment of stomach ulcers, soothing creams, and cosmetics...Bismuth replaces lead in some ceramic glazes and paints Causes gene expression/growth problems in rats Toxin: Boric acid, Borateswww.trueart.info/pregnancy.htm in Wood preservative, glass / glaze / enamel ingredient, solder fluxes, fire retardant, pesticideToxin: CadmiumSee discussion in the Lead section under computers and electrical productsCadmium is also used in many paints, pigments, and inks. So anything painted or printed, especially (I think) with bright yellows and blues. You can ask the manufacturer for their California proposition 65 warning, or their MSDS. NiCd batteries contain cadmium www.trueart.info/pregnancy.htm Middle range and high-fired pottery may leach other metals such as barium and lithium. Colored wares may leach colorant metals such as cadmium, cobalt and manganese. in Paint / ink pigments, stained glaze / enamel / glass ingredient, jewelry solders Airborne industrial contaminants, candy, copper refineries, copper alloys, food from contaminated soil, fungicides, incineration of tires / rubber / plastic, instant coffee, iron roofs, kidney, liver, marijuana, processed meat, evaporated milk, motor oil, oysters, pesticides, galvanized pipes, processed foods, refined grains / flours cereals, rubber, sewage, smelters, soft water, solders (including in food cans), tobacco, tools, vapor lamps, welding metal www.detoxamin.com/index.asp?pgid=88 http://www.ehponline.org/members/2006/9028/9028.html a widespread nephrotoxic pollutant—via food and tobacco smoking http://www.ehponline.org/topic/cadmium.html Cadmium is a toxic and carcinogenic nonessential metal released from mining, smelting, battery manufacturing, and coal burning. Among other routes, humans are exposed to cadmium by smoking cigarettes and eating contaminated seafood or plants grown in contaminated soil. http://www.ehponline.org/docs/2001/109-4/forum.html#food sewage sludge can pick up agricultural, roadway, and industrial contaminants via runoff--contaminants such as cadmium, which can cause major human health problems when it enters the food chain through plants grown in soil treated with the fertilizer... chiefly the application of cadmium-contaminated phosphate fertilizers, certain animal manures, sewage effluents, sewage sludge, and composted biosolids. Cadmium, like other metals, binds strongly to soil particles and persists indefinitely in the environment... http://www.ehponline.org/docs/2006/114-6/ss.html#putt cadmium is retained mainly in the kidneys. Exposure mostly comes from cereals, vegetables, shellfish, and tobacco, all of which absorb cadmium. Some cadmium occurs naturally, and more is released in industrial emissions and vehicle exhaust.... Fruit juices, soft drinks, etc. in contact with cadmium plated vessels or equipment. Cadmium contaminated water and shell-fish http://www.danasview.net/metals.htm See this site too! Cobaltwww.trueart.info/pregnancy.htm Middle range and high-fired pottery may leach other metals such as barium and lithium. Colored wares may leach colorant metals such as cadmium, cobalt and manganese. in Paint / ink pigments, stained glaze / enamel / glass ingredient, jewelry soldershttp://www.thegreenguide.com/doc.mhtml?i=116&s=artsupplies Copperacidic liquids in copper vesselanimal & industrial waste chocolate copper cookware & utensils dental prosthetics drinking water (copper plumbing) hemodialysis ice makers (if copper tubing) milk pesticides copper pumbing (which we all have, so filter your water!) seafood, seawater swimming pools supplements (will list on label) wine, beer (from The power or RNA by Yasko/Gordon) For foods high in copper see http://www.nutritiondata.com use the tool for nutrient search, hi in copper, by 100gram serving synthetic foods dyes. Copper sulfate algaecide in pools & hot tubs may be absorbed through the skin Note: your body needs a certain amount of copper http://www.westonaprice.org/basicnutrition/mineralprimer.html, but many of our kids have a zinc copper imbalance and need more zinc and less copper http://www.imminst.org/forum/index.php?s=&act=Print&client=printer&f=171&t=12573 http://www.raysahelian.com/fluoride.html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=15237954&query_hl=2&itool=pubmed_docsum http://www.thegreenguide.com/doc.mhtml?i=110&s=healthnews Body Ecology Diet's brand new Green Tea Extract contains virtually no fluoride http://www.enviroblog.org/2007/08/ask-ewg-what-can-i-do-about-fl.htm good discussion of fluoride in our water To help your teeth repair and stengthen naturally see this info on Weston A Price and this and also a helpful book is "Cure Tooth Decay" by Ramiel Nagel available from Amazon orwww.curetoothdecay.com this See Water section for filters to remove from drinking supply Hexavalent chromium Toxin: Manganesewww.trueart.info/pregnancy.htm in Glaze / glass / enamel ingredient, clay colorant, welding fume, paint pigmentsPlatinumhttp://www.danasview.net/metals.htm jewelry, fertilizers, high-octane gasoline, explosives, and nitric acidhttp://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/platinum/ http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=2586359 The fact that catalytic converters emit platinum into the environment is well known. Other possible sources such as plastics, fertilizers or tyres are being considered. However, the detectable concentrations of platinum in the environment are higher than those calculated from experiments with isolated engines testing these emissions. Another possible source of platinum is effluents from hospitals which contain platinum from excreted anti-neoplastic drugs, cisplatin and carboplatin. The concentration of platinum in the sewage... http://www.eoearth.org/article/Platinum In the United States, the only mines producing platinum group metals (PGM) are in what geologists call the Stillwater Complex of Montana...Significant amounts of platinum are recovered annually through recycling http://www.whoi.edu/page.do?pid=9779&tid=282&cid=987&ct=162 in recent surface sediments in Boston Harbor up to five times local pre-industrial sediment concentrations. ... The researchers say the most likely source of these enrichments is the use of automobile catalytic converters, as well as some waste from the chemical, jewelry, electrical, medical and dental industries entering the Harbor through the sewage system http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg19426051.200-earths-natural-wealth-an-audit.html grime and litter they sweep up off the streets is laced with traces of platinum, one of the world's rarest and most expensive metals. The catalytic converters that keep exhaust pollutants from cars, trucks and buses down to an acceptable level all use platinum, and over the years it is slowly but steadily lost through these vehicles' exhaust pipes. Prichard, a geologist at the University of Cardiff in the UK, reckons that tonnes of the stuff is being sprayed out onto the world's streets and highways every year, Book: Air Quality Guidelines for Europe By World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe, World Health Organization http://www.articlesbase.com/finance-articles/platinum-and-its-uses-242804.html platinum is also being used in electronic devices like iPods and computer hard discs. Asian manufacturers are using the metal to create flat-panel glass in computer and television screens http://www.nd.edu/~ndmag/w2001-02/grit.html as the converters age, they expel tiny amounts of the very materials that make them work...These catalysts aren't supposed to go out the tailpipe, but as a converters ages, tiny amounts of them do... Biocompatibility of Dental Materials By Gottfried Schmalz in bridges and gold dental materials, foils From "hair test interpretation" by Andrew Hall Cutler: absorption only likely when present as a salt or something special dissolves it. Does not corrode or dissolve in most acids. also used in surgical implants HEPA auto air purifier http://www.foustco.com/airpurifiers.html Toxin: Tungstenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tungsten Tungsten is also in Lamp Filaments, contact in tungsten bar sinteringhttp://www.itia.org.uk/ The main use of tungsten (in the form of tungsten carbide) is in the manufacture of cemented carbide http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/clusters/Fallon/faq-tungsten.htm Tungsten is a naturally occurring steel-gray to tin-white metal or fine powder that comes from more than 20 different tungsten-bearing minerals. It is used primarily to increase the toughness and strength of steel and to make filaments for electric lighting and electron tubes such as TV and radio tubes. People can be exposed to tungsten through both natural processes and human industrial activities. Trace amounts are found in seawater, and very small concentrations are present in the atmosphere. Large amounts of dust can be released into the air from industries that make tungsten. http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts186.html good FAQs, Other tungsten compounds are used in ceramic pigments, as fire retardant coatings for fabrics, and as color-resistant dyes for fabrics...Urban air generally contains more tungsten than rural air. Tungsten metal and metal alloys occur in consumer products such as electronics, light bulb filaments, cemented tungsten carbide grinding wheels, carbide tipped tools...residents of the European Community, beverages significantly contributed to the total dietary intake of tungsten. The average concentration of tungsten in beverages ranged from 0.31 to 7.4 micrograms per liter of water .. http://www.waterquality.crc.org.au/hsarch/HS29a.htm Residents were found to have elevated exposure to both arsenic and tungsten through local drinking water supplies, and possibly other environmental sources. http://encyclopedia.jrank.org/TUM_VAN/TUNGSTEN_symbol_W_atomic_weight.html used as a mordant in dyeing and calico printing, and also for making textiles non-inflammable From "hair test interpretation" by Andrew Hall Cutler: welding fumes, fabric that is fireproofed, filaments and heaters in scientific apparatus, etc http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2003/of03-019/of03-019.pdf military firing ranges are converting to tungsten bullets in response to environmental concerns Other sources; Corroded electric water heater rods, toaster, hair curler, electric frying pans, tea kettles, all electrically heated devices. http://store.yahoo.com/annieappleseedproject/treeschilleu.html cancer clusters http://www.danasview.net/metals.htm See this site too! Toxin: Uraniumhttp://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/24/garden/24granite.html granite can emit radiation at low levels and radon http://wjllope.rice.edu/saxumsubluceo/LLOPE_StoneRadRn.pdf uranium On average, we receive about 360 mrem per year (0.04 mrem/hr) from natural and man-made sources. The natural sources include radon emanating from the soil around our homes and the cosmic rays entering our atmosphere from space. Man-made sources include dental and medical X-rays, and appliances such as television sets and smoke detectors. Flying on a commercial airplane results in approximately 1 mrem per 1000 miles travelled, so every round trip from New York to Los Angeles results in about 6 mrem of additional exposure. Sleeping next to another person for 8 hours per night results in approximately 2 mrem per year due to the natural levels of radioactive potassium in our bodies. People that work in Grand Central Station in New York City are exposed to 120 mrem/year from the high Uranium content in the granite walls. Brazil nuts have 1000 times the radioactivity of most foods due to their radium content. So, we live in a world filled with radiation Toxin: PFOAwww.thegreenguide.com "when heated, the fluoropolymers used in Teflon degrade into several undesirable substances including trifluoroacetate (TFA), a substance highly toxic to plants, and perfluorooctanic acid (PFOA), used in Teflon and Gore-Tex and formerly released from Scotchgard"http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/pfoa/index.htm http://www.townsendletter.com/June2006/healthrisk0606.htm Toxin: Estrogenic chemicals: bisphenol A, Dioxins. PCBs, etcwww.trueart.info/pregnancy.htm (partial source) www.nrdc.org/onearth/06win/chem4.aspBisphenol A, in some epoxy resins, other plastics, and in flame retardants, also in the plastic resin lining of many canned foods, and in baby bottles, plastic water bottles, dental sealants... http://www.enviroblog.org/2008/04/cheatsheet-bisphenol-a-bpa.htm limit canned foods, Ditch your polycarbonate water bottles in favor of a stainless steel bottle phthalate - in plastics, nail polish, perfumes, toothbrushes, pesticides, paint, Plastic shower curtains; vinyl flooring; food packaging and cling wraps; air fresheners, and the coating on time-release pills From Mark Schauss presentation on http://www.carbonbased.com/modules/mydownloads/ at AutismOne 2005 Di-ethyl phthalate: Toothbrushes, auto parts, tools, toys, food packaging, insecticides, mosquito repellents, aspirin and volatile components of cosmetics -- perfumes, nail polishes and hair sprays. Dioxins and PCBs which contaminate some dyes and pigments, in waste oils, in old electric equipment (e.g., transformers and fluorescent light ballasts), or which are used to mount slides in art conservation (Arochlor), Nonyl phenol, octyl phenol and their derivatives, found in epoxy resins, some latex paints, and special detergents and Tung oil, found in many varnishes, coatings and inks http://www.insidebayarea.com/oaklandtribune/localnews/ci_3433899 Plastics (even plastic wrap) contain dioxin that is more easily transferred with heat (ie microwaving) or extended storage. And since it is more easily transfered to fatty foods. So it is best to use glass, Corning Ware or ceramic containers for heating food or long term storage or fatty foods. http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/pcb/ Toxin: PDBEpolybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs).= flame retardantUpholstered furniture, mattresses, carpets, plastic casings around electronics might contain... To avoid dispersing Brominated Flame Retardants: Well ventilated Dust covers Turn off electronics that are not in use. Standby mode maintains temperatures that can result in continuous offgassing http://www.enviroblog.org/2007/09/7-ways-to-reduce-your-exposure.htm Avoid contact with decaying or crumbling foam sold 2005 or earlier, choose PBDE-free electronics. Replace couches, stuffed chairs, automobile seats and the like that have exposed foam Toxin: PVC Toxin: formaldehydein foam rubberhttp://www.epa.gov/iaq/formalde.html Sources of formaldehyde in the home include building materials, smoking, household products, and the use of un-vented, fuel-burning appliances, like gas stoves or kerosene space heaters..., it is used to add permanent-press qualities to clothing and draperies, as a component of glues and adhesives, and as a preservative in some paints and coating products....most significant sources of formaldehyde are likely to be pressed wood products made using adhesives that contain urea-formaldehyde (UF) resins. Pressed wood products made for indoor use include: particleboard (used as sub-flooring and shelving and in cabinetry and furniture); hardwood plywood paneling (used for decorative wall covering and used in cabinets and furniture); and medium density fiberboard (used for drawer fronts, cabinets, and furniture tops). Medium density fiberboard contains a higher resin-to-wood ratio than any other UF pressed wood product and is generally recognized as being the highest formaldehyde-emitting pressed wood product. Other pressed wood products, such as softwood plywood and flake or oriented strandboard, are produced for exterior construction use and contain the dark, or red/black-colored phenol-formaldehyde (PF) resin. Although formaldehyde is present in both types of resins, pressed woods that contain PF resin generally emit formaldehyde at considerably lower rates than those containing UF resin. Clean walls with vodka to remove scents and formadehyde In nail polish remover Toxin: perchttp://departments.oxy.edu/uepi/ppc/cleaner_near_you_north.htm wet cleaning (instead of dry cleaners)http://www.blueskycleaners.com/about.html Toxin: polyurethane when reacting to an agent like sweat http://www.healthychild.com/protect-your-baby-from-toxic-exposures/baby-mattresses/ http://www.gasdetection.com/TECH/hcn.html
Toxin: Combustion byproducts (carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, nitrous oxide) Toxin: xylene http://users.lmi.net/wilworks/ehnlinx/t.htm#Toluene
Toxin: Mold If you have condensation inside of the house (on the inside of the window panes) then consider changing your single pane windows to double pane. If you decide to do this, then be aware that a "retrofit" window installation of double pane windows will likely use your "old" frames (the .25 to .5 inches of metal next to the walls), which may have mildew on them. If the frames have mildew, use a mildew remover such as TBD (not bleach unless area is WELL ventilated. and if the mildew and dirt are stubbornly not coming off (often because the frames have old cracking paint too) then use a wire brush. They sell wire brushes at the hardware store in the cleaning dept or in the barbeque dept. http://www.landofvos.com/articles/NutNutrition.html safe storage of nuts - avoid mold Vent all bathrooms and dryers, cooktops. All vents must be vented to the outside, not into a crawlspace or attic! http://moldrecovery.blogspot.com/p/where-do-i-begin.html I used to buying petrie dishes (mold test kits) and setting those out first. But there are relatively inexpensive dust tests that are much more accurate now. We did air sampling - We sampled air only in my son's bedroom and they measured outside so they could compare. I had suspected the bedroom because of a faint mold smell and also some replaced floor boards and ceiling patching that indicated a past water damage repair. The faint smell left after replacing the windows and also the window sills in three rooms. Then I did the testing which gave us the all clear. So we don't have remediation experience. The importance of mold remediation is talked about in the Old Testament. It is clear in Leviticus 14 that mold is hazardous Add borax and/or white vinegar and/or baking soda to your laundry. These are all excellent anti-fungal agents. Chlorine bleach will not kill the toxins produced by mold. In fact, the chlorine makes the toxins more lipid soluble. The toxins then penetrate the skin more readily. Ventilate your home whenever possible. If you have an opportunity to open a window even for an hour it is healthy. Stagnant air is like stagnant water. In 1999 the Mayo Clinic released a study implicating fungus as the primary cause of chronic sinus infections. 96% of those studied showed high counts of mold spores in their nasal passages. Do not ignore any water intrusion in your home. WHERE DO I BEGIN? You suspect mold in your home. Someone in your family has symptoms that baffle doctors. Where do you start? Here are some suggestions. Treatment options: There are a wide variety of treatment options for mold exposure. Here is an overview to provide a starting point for further research. If I must leave a contaminated environment, what can I take with me? What must I leave behind? What can be cleaned? Some thoughts, based on our experience, here. http://www.concrobium.com/ see this product - looks interesting My son is sensitive to the toxic smell of mold. We had two incidents of turning pale and throwing up. Anyway, now we also run two www.foustco.com air purifiers (with hepa filters). Google "rising damp" www.stopmold.com us nationwide mold detection and remediation, uses dogs that detect the mold, good articles http://www.stopmold.com/don_t_finish_your_basement.php Dens-Armor Plus by Georgia-Pacific, a fiberglass-faced gypsum board with no mold-friendly nutrition source for the mold to grow.....Johns Manville makes a Formaldehyde-Free fiberglass batt insulation that is great for families concerned about indoor air quality. You’ll know you’ve found it because it is white, fluffy and encased in plastic...Ceramic tile is the preferred choice. ... Pergo, as with all laminate flooring, is made by taking fiberboard planks with decorative laminate sheeting around it. The fiberboard inside is a favorite on the menu mold likes to eat from most. If you insist on carpet don’t overspend, seal the slab with an epoxy-based concrete floor sealer, use no carpet padding, and install Dri-Core (www.dricore.com ) or Sub-Flor (www.subflor.com ) raised-floor systems on the slab. http://www.secretofthieves.com/thieves-diffuser.cfm use thieves oil in a "dry" oil dispenser . I have some of this and it is a good blend. Because of the cost, I bought http://www.thegreenguide.com/blog/tow/1772?source=email_gg_20080910&email=gg Undiluted white vinegar kills 82 percent of mold strains...resilient mold colonies, ...two teaspoons of tea tree oil and two cups of water... For SF Bay area local resources to help with mold testing and remediation see SF Bay area resources www.dri-eaz.com see articles on remediation A very interesting idea for mold remediation - used in Katrina http://dld123.com/q&a/index.php?cid=905 CM (cultured molasses), EM (Effective Microorganisms), http://www.gobeyondorganic.com/ http://www.allergybuyersclub.com/solution-mold.html?psysVid=08czz5k7 mold solution products Clean mold off of nonpermeable surfaces using vinegar - the acetic acid will kill mold. For permeable surfaces I have only found that lots of sunshine + hat water washing helps. Do the sunshine first - can take days of sunshine. Do not leave outside at night at the moisture from the morning dew and humidility at night will regenerate the mold. http://www.survivingmold.com/store1/online-screening-test One test to see if mold is affecting someone is the VCS testSee also bedding section. Toxin: ChlorineBefore swimming:oil up (ie coconut oil) - to help protect the skin After swimming: Air purifier and Indoor Air QualityWe use www.foustco.com 's hepa air purifiers ...they are all metal (no plastic) and are recommended for MCS patients (with multiple chemical sensitivities)See also, mold section http://www.aeha.ca/focus-help-with-allergies.htm ideas for cleaner air inside your home, esp use of candles Trane CleanEffects (whole house filter) Proper Ventilation is very important ...see books by John Bower for example Healthy House Building for the new Millennium(many are out of print but worth finding). Here are some articleshttp://www.context.org/ICLIB/IC35/Bower.htm http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/housingandclothing/DK7284.html Walls and flooring that are offgassing may need to be sealed with AMF Safecoat if either has a high VOC finish. Or re-painting? See this article http://www.afmsafecoat.com/Tokyo.html Here are the tips related to best choice of crayons and art supplies http://www.thegreenguide.com/doc.mhtml?i=116&s=artsupplies Any new furniture that has a finish with an odor or that is made of particle board can he placed outside in the sun for several days to help it outgas. The particle board can also be sealed with AMF Safecoat. http://www.ehcd.com/websteen/sealing.htm http://dld123.com/q&a/index.php?cid=674 No chemical pesticides should be used, or chemical weed killers (even Roundup is a problem). This is VERY IMPORTANT. See Pesticides Please don't use aerosol products , especially not air fresheners Anything with any odor at all should (ideally) be stored either in an air tight box and only taken out when needed or it can be stored in a locked shed outside. Any chemicals (chemical based cleaners, solvents, or petroleum products - gas oil etc should be stored in a locked shed outside). A good way to check is to place the item in a tightly sealed container for 48 hours, open and then quickly take a whiff - if it smells chemical - it's outgassing something. Ask people to refrain from using fragrance, including scented hair spray and lotion. You can call it a Fragrance Free zone. Use natural cleaners - this can make a very big difference. Many times things that are new and soft plastic will outgas. Leave these things outside or in your garage for several months if possible to outgas. Even newly dry cleaned clothes will outgas chemicals. Plants can help - see book How to Grow Fresh Air by Woverton http://dld123.com/q&a/index.php?cid=366 If there are soft goods like blankets or pillows around, these can outgas also, occasionally tumble in the dryer on high for 20 min, this will help outgas and also will help chase away dust mites, too. Also, Presoaking washable bedding in a solution of water with eucalyptus oil will eliminate dust mites. Heat treatment can help. For details about how to heat treat see http://www.precisionenv.com/dry_heat.shtml http://www.thermapure.com/geyer_paper.php This is also discussed in Debra Lynn Dadd's excellent book - Home Safe Home, she calls it "Bake out" ...and recommends it for VOCs in both new construction and sick buildings. There is also another air purifier that is special for VOCs called the GC VOC http://www.healthgoods.com/Shopping/Indoor_Air_Quality_Products/IQAir_GC_Series_Air_Cleaner.asp Check that Radon and Carbon Monoxide levels are safe. Also, volcanic rock is sold in net bags and it absorbs toxins from the air. You activate it with occasional doses of sunshine. This is similar to the way that zeolite works in the body. http://dld123.com/debraslist/list.php?topic=Air Very helpful site, and author http://dld123.com/q&a/index.php?cid=674 book: prescriptions for a healthy house, a practical guide for architects, builders, and homeowners If you have a forced air HVAC (heating or air conditioning) be sure that a clean and high quality filter is in place. Often it is possible to use filters in several places: the intake, the furnace, and the individual room vents. Use the highest quality filters available. The activated charcoal filters are good for removing many things (but not formaldehyde) and they are able to work with almost any forced air system http://filters-now.com/. If you need to remove even more VOCs, including Formaldehyde you need a filter with a specially treated carbon, like Activated Alumina, here is one OdorGuard Plus http://www.dmarkinc.com/p4.htm however such a filter would require an HVAC engineer to access the fan motor power requirements. It is also helpful to occasionally open the windows, to change out the air in the building (unless your building already uses a balanced fresh air intake system)). It is best to do this when the air is cleanest outside, for example in the middle of the night. It is also possible to make a safe room - using Dennyfoil to seal the walls www.foustco.com this approach is used in extreme MCS cases. http://www.drrapp.com/products.html helpful books See also on this page Mold , EMF and all of the Toxins discussed in sections above - all can affect indoor air quality Outdoor Air QualityCheck daily air-quality levels at www.epa.gov/airnow/where/ Check ozone levels http://lungaction.org/reports/stateoftheair2005.html MSGhttp://www.msgmyth.com/discus/messages/247/253.htmlCarrageenan is made from seaweed and usually contains enough free glutamate to cause reactions. http://www.notmilk.com/carrageenan.html Xanthan gum is another no-no; and the other gums also likely add some additional glutamate From: http://www.allfoodbusiness.com/food_additives_preservatives.php www.enabling.org/ia/celiac/al/acln9604.html http://www.zoeticzone.com/p/articles/mi_m0876/is_n54/ai_9252151 http://www.mcdonalds.com/app_controller.nutrition.categories.allergens.index.html#1 fries are clear of "added" msg, but meat patty has gluten! Here are fries ingredients (nothing healthy here): Potatoes, partially hydrogenated soybean oil, natural flavor (beef source), dextrose, sodium acid pyrophosphate (to preserve natural color). Cooked in partially hydrogenated vegetable oils (may contain partially hydrogenated soybean oil and/or partially hydrogenated corn oil and/or partially hydrogenated canola oil and/or cottonseed oil and/or sunflower oil and/or corn oil). all the hydrogenated oil is bad news though, and the natural flavor (beef source) is suspect. here is a new site - looks helpful http://www.eklhad.net/manage-amines.html I have been researching/trying to figure out a good strategy for excitotoxins. We need to be aware of what an excitotoxin is and how to avoid triggers with our kids. But we can't avoid all glutamic acid, and aspatic acid. We CAN avoid all MSG proper though -but it's super hard. Making food at home from scratch is the best bet...(no I don't do that, just try as much as possible). Here are some sites to help explain more: http://www.healthfullivingsf.com/Newsletter/Newsletter5.html great article by Julie Matthews http://www.autismanswer.com/articles/yasko/role_of_excitotoxins.html The Role of Excitotoxins in Autistic Type Behavior by Dr. Amy A. Yasko Books: Excitotoxins, the taste that kills and MSG Myth www.nutritiondata.com lists the amounts of glutamic acid and aspartic acid in foods. www.dogtorj.com has a section on recommended food for people who are trying to avoid high levels of glutamate and aspartate Trans-fats vs healthy oilshttp://forums.autism-rxguidebook.com/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=124http://www.mercola.com/2000/jan/16/dangers_canola_oil.htm Can buy Grapeseed oil from some Persian grocery stores in half gallon containers www.tropicaltraditions.com sells sesame oil and coconut oils in larger sizes Carcinogenshttp://www.nutritiondata.com/processing.htmlSee the excellent article on grilling meats at this link, marinade, reduce flareups, cook at a lower heat... SunscreenWe use California Baby SPF 30+ Sunscreen, which relies on titanium dioxide for UV protection, and is benzophenone-free, PABA free, GFCF and salicylate free. But it does leave a bit of "white" on your faceI only put it on him when I think that he'll be in the direct sun for longer than an hour. If he's at the park and spending lots of time in the play structure, etc then I don't apply it. I agree with the idea that more chemicals on your skin can ultimately lead to more cancers. I myself had a squamous cell skin cancer on my face - on a birthmark ...But I fully believe it was because it was a time in my life when I was heavily using one of the original flip phone/cell phones that would become actually hot to touch after you talked for a while. I always held the phone right over the area that developed the cancer. Here are the calif baby ingredients: Active Ingredients: Micronized Titanium Dioxide Inactive Ingredients: Purified Water, Coconut Fatty Acid:alkylbenzoate (moisturizer), Silicone, Cyclomeythicone (water repellant), Vegetable Glycerin, Dipolydycocystearate (works to emulsify), Candelilla Wax (Protects against moisture loss), Vitamin E (Antioxidant), Coconut Oil infused w/Gardenia flowers, Squalane (from olive oil), Proprietary Aromatherapy Essential Oil's(Lavender,Lemongrass&other essen.oils), Japanese Green Tea (anti-oxidant), Epsom Salt (Magnesium Sulfate), Vitamin B Complex Factor, Panthenol, Allantoin, Magnesium Stearate, Ethyl And Propylparaben (food grade preservative, anti-bacterial) It was recommended by the greenguide, that's where I learned about it and other sunscreens. Here is a quote from an article http://thegreenguide.com/doc.mhtml?i=103&s=deodorants: Choose zinc oxide, which is safe. Unlike such chemicals as benzophenone, which easily permeates skin, mineral UVA/UVB blocks such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide lie on top of the skin and are not absorbed. Some better blocks: lists Zinc Oxide Ointment (no parabens), etc.... best active ingredients titanium dioxide or zinc oxide BirchTrees Daily Guard http://www.birchtrees.com "no titanium" www.uvnaturalusa.com zinc based formula with Grapeseed and Green Tea Extract etc. New Beginnings now carries the Sport Version that offers SPF30+ protection plus its waterproof for those that have kids who love the water. Call.... www.nbnus.com note: contains Zinc Oxide NDM which one site says is Zinc Oxide (and) Dimethicone. Skin Deep Cosmetics Report http://www.ewg.org/reports/skindeep2 is very helpful!!! Great article http://www.seventhgeneration.com/making_difference/newsletter_article.php?article=472&issue=72 now we have to worry about nano and microlized zinc oxide and titanium...basically these http://www.thegreenguide.com/doc.mhtml?i=ask&s=sunblock http://1ststopbeautycare.com/Titanium_Dioxide_Toxic_or_Safe.html ''Lavera'' www.lavera-usa.com Latexmay be a problem for some people...in balloons, gloves, etc. I brought 2 dozen latex balloons filled with helium in my car and the odor was VERY strong.http://www.allergybuyersclubshopping.com/latex-foam-pillows.html?psysVid=08czz5k7 good Q&A ...Foam pillows are not recommended for people who have multiple chemical sensitivities. While most of our testers could not detect an odor, a couple said they smelled a slight sweet odor. To eliminate this odor, simply remove the cotton cover and air the pillow out for a few days before using it. ...Latex foam pillows have many inter-connecting air channels for excellent air circulation. Foam rubber is a sterile, hygienic product (which normally does not require washing). The pillow cover can be removed and washed separately. If the latex foam pillow needs washing, use a lukewarm solution of mild soap and water. Dry at room temperature away from heat and light. Never place in mechanical home dryer. Water bottles, containers, and plasticsLook for denser water bottles. Don't reuse a water bottle that was only manufactured for one time use because it is #1 and the plastic particles can leech into the water.Don't put distilled water into plastic, because the distiller water is mineral free and will try to pull more stuff from the plastic into the water? http://www.environmentalobservatory.org/library.cfm?refid=77083 Smart Plastics Guide. http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0NAH/is_4_35/ai_n13592298 alkaline water Plastic and foods http://www.checnet.org/healthehouse/education/articles-detail.asp?Main_ID=188 "klean kanteen" www.greenfeet.com is great because it is #304 electropolished steel, comes with an optional stainless steel cap, is tested to be toxin-free and nonleaching, dishwasher safe, guaranteed for life, read more at www.kleankanteen.com www.reusablebags.com also REI carries small stainless steel "bento" style boxes available at oriental grocery stores and some camping shops amazing article - getting away from plastic http://mindfully.org/Plastic/Alternatives/Alternatives-Plastic-Goettlich3aug05.htm PH of the body - if your body is acidic then Calcium will be released from the bones into your blood. Maintain blood sugar level to stop acid. Ph should shift during the day. Breathing exercise 10x in the morning. Planes flying overhead = Jet fuel solvent exposure flame retardants http://pubs.acs.org/subscribe/journals/esthag-w/2006/jan/science/kb_dechlorane.html U.S. Great Lakes have detected significant quantities of Dechlorane Plus ... persistent, bioaccumulative, and potentially toxic. Dechlorane Plus is used for coating electrical wires and cables and in computer connectors and plastic roofing material
Beddingall mattresses are susceptible to mold and mildew if they become wet and the moisture becomes trapped in the mattress. If your child sweats or wets the bed, it is critical that you use a waterproof mattress cover so that the mattress will not become wet or use an absorbant cover and wash the cover frequently. It is also recommended to air your mattress (all types) in the sun several times a year. According to http://www.consumersearch.com/www/house_and_home/mattresses/fullstory.html , “Some experts even recommend buying a new one every seven years for hygiene sake, which isn't a bad idea considering the average sleeper secretes half a liter of perspiration a night, and up to double that when ill.”. No mater what type of mattress that your child sleeps on, it should be turned regularly, and occasionally aired out (left for a day in a well ventilated area with no covering. Even a futon mattress needs this type of care, according to Australian Consumers' Association: “You need to keep the (futon) fillings well-ventilated and fluffed-up, and they must be turned regularly to avoid mildew…”http://janices.com/ organic cotton pillows and more. Recommended! Here is a site that describes foil or plastic wrap for baby mattresses. http://www.lesstoxicguide.ca/print.asp?fetch=babycare I guess foil is ok to sleep on, but not ok to cover your food with? hmmm maybe it's not great to sleep on...because as moisture/sweat happens then it conducts down to the foil and ...boy this stuff is confounding...someone else needs to chime in here! Also, on the arsenic and antimony yahoo list there is mention often of a "baby safe" barrier cloth that is popular with parents on the list. Rubber mattress from www.lifekind.com are great...several mom's have/recommend, the did get a prescription from their DAN! Doctor to have no fire retardant. For a waterproof shield, one mom bought the Babe Safe plastic cover that they use for cribs to prevent SIDS (it is plastic but is supposed to let off less fumes than regular plastic). It does make a little noise when he moves around but it doesn't seem to bother him. This cover is really to wrap a crib mattress, but I just lay it on top of his twin mattress.http://www.thediaperlady.com/BabeSafe.htm On top of that, add a flannel mattress cover from www.lifekind.com Basic organic sheets from www.gaiam.com (pretty much the cheapest I have found) A really soft organic cotton blanket from www.ecobaby.com or www.gaiam.com A good site to check out for buying is http://dld123.com/debraslist/list.php?topic=Textiles#L00698 ., its a site by Debra Lynn Dodd, the woman who wrote Home Safe Home.http://www.debraslist.com/specialty.php?subtopic=Beds%20and%20Bedding Special foods (with a strong environmental set of recommendations) sells mylar to cover beds etc. Caution, I believe that if you decide to wrap a mattress you should only wrap the sides and the top, leave the bottom to breathe- else the little bit of humidity in the mattress will be trapped and may grow mold. http://www.specialfoods.com/helpful_items.html here is a web page about mylar http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/encyclopedia/M/My/Mylar.htm You can also buy denny foil from www.foustco.com and metal tape too. You can call foustco and ask them about the mattress wrapping idea. If you do want to wrap a mattress, I believe that it should be a brand new mattress and the humidity should be low when you wrap it. Meanwhile, I still like the air mattess (select comfort). When we bought ours I was pregnant and super sensitive to smells - I couldn't even be in an office supply store. Anyway, the select comfort mattress was perfect for me then and still has been good. We use (non organic, water resistent mattress pads). So far so good. See the helpful article here that discusses mattresses (among other things) http://www.insidebayarea.com/bodyburden/ci_2603026 According to this article and according to the greenguide, Ikea foam and latex mattresses are pdbe free...But not all of our kids will sleep well on latex......maybe foam is ok though. As for me, we have a select comfort - but it is an air mattress with a cover. and there are some report of mildew on select comfort mattress..not many reports, but a few. One person who reported went on to become or was a university professor in an environmental area of research. He believes that the mold on his daughter's mattress was because she went to bed with long wet hair every night. and there was a heater vent under her mattress (I hope I'm recalling this faithfully). Anyway, what I like about the select comfort mattress is that you can open it up and check every so often and air it out, etc. I found lots of references on organic cotton sites that explained how easily an organic cotton mattress could mildew also, because we perspire at night (an don't even realize) so the trick is that ALL mattresses benefit from the following: BTW - wool has some concerns related to where the sheep are raised. ie new zealand has lots of volcano's etc. Well it seems that no where is completely clean anymore. You get the idea. Here is some more info (I've been gathering info for our book) http://makura.com buckwheat pillows with organic buckwheat, good Q&A - I want one for me :-) www.allergybuyersclub.com latex pillows, silk towels, Airfree P1000 and Platinum P2000 air sterilizers - NEW TECHNOLOGY! These air sterilizers use heat to incinerate mold spores, bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Totally silent, no ozone and maintenance free! Airfree air sterilizers are suitable for single room use up to 550 sq. feet. Eliminates up to 90% of airborne microorganisms , aquasana water whole house filter, http://www.coyuchi.com/about/storelocator.html#online more bedding stores online www.daxstores.com see Vivetique mattress and the Pacific rim bed frame and see also www.gogreenisland.com www.simplybunkbeds.com hardwood bed frames www.thefutonshop.com/ hardwood bed frames and organic mattresses Kitchen towelshttp://www.dannysorganic.com/dplprod_details.aspx?prodid=10119http://www.ahappyplanet.com/ahpstore/house/organic%20kitchen%20towels.html 8 + http://www.hankettes.com/qs/product/8/149/23407/0/0 10 made in canada http://www.powerbandits.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=94 10 http://www.cottonfieldusa.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=140&category_id=18&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=318 http://www.lifekind.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/9_44/products_id/118 Pesticideswww.foodnews.org in producehttp://www.mercola.com/2000/dec/24/chemicals_pop.htm persistent organic polutants Ants? Use soapy water or citrus oil & water as a spray. www.gardens-alive.com http://www.thebestcontrol.com/ http://aromatherapy4u.wordpress.com/2007/06/30/essential-oils-as-pesticides-insect-repellants/ Termites? Here is a very helpful termite faq site http://dld123.com/q&a/index.php?cid=54 This site says that http://www.pesticidereform.org/article.php?id=140 Prevent termites by creating an eight inch buffer zone between soil or vegetation and all wooden parts of the building, fixing leaks, and eliminating hiding places such as shrubs. Non-chemical treatments include using natural predators and natural termite diseases. Many pest control companies offer heat, cold, electrical and borate treatment alternatives to toxic fumigation beneficial nematodes could work... one person said she used them along a fence with success. http://termites.tamu.edu/publications.html many ideas/publications http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1594/is_5_12/ai_77749315 http://www.getipm.com/articles/letters/terpene_d-limonene.htm Caution, if you sign a company up to come freeze your termites, be sure that you completely understand and document any and all chemicals that they plan to use on site. One family had severve raection to the orange oil based persticide http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/id/QAA333878 good overview http://www.checnet.org/healtheHouse/education/articles-detail.asp?Main_ID=441 Bracelet that keeps flying insects aways - "Bugoff" by Stinger citronella http://www.seventhgeneration.com/learn/news/seventh-generation-guide-safe-pest-control Repair broken screens, holes and cracks in foundations and eaves, and poorly sealed doors and windows BBQ cautionhttp://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0NAH/is_5_35/ai_n13667816Building Remodelwww.buildingforhealth.com |
