BlogHer - toxic chemicals - Comments

re: toxic substances in building products and food

greentalk — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 16:37:54 -0500

I have to agree with everyone. I don't freak out but I am sure my body is full of them. I do feel bad for my kids who I breast feed all of them. Was the toxic substances in my body that caused their learning issues? Was the chemicals in the building materials (ie paints) and furniture we put in their rooms help push their tiny immune systems over the edge?

I think if more people realize what they were eatting or using, they would stop. This would force companies to stop taking our lives and the planet for granted.

Anna www.green-talk.com

I worry about the most vulnerable

Beth Terry — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:24:10 -0500

I don't freak out so much about toxic chemicals that I might come into contact with. I'm sure I've had my share. But I do worry about the most vulnerable and least able to protect themselves: children and other species of life on this planet. We humans created these toxic problems, and then we subject all the other creatures to them. That makes me both sad and angry, and that's why I try my hardest to reduce the amount of chemicals coming into my home and being released into the world through my purchases.

Beth Terry http://www.fakeplasticfish.com

I think knowledge is power...

Mama Bird — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 11:16:27 -0500

So I love to read articles like this giving me practical advice on how to avoid toxins. I am a huge label reader. But it's not all living in fear. I am pretty zen about the fact that I probably have an accumulation of chemicals in my body (like every other human on the planet). I just agree with Diane that, by buying safer products without hazardous chemicals, we can vote with our pocketbooks -- support more sustainable businesses, keep what little we can out of our bodies (but a tiny fraction -- we're still breathing air and showering in municipal water). I did not do the hair or breastmilk samples, altho I was mighty curious. I do think the US should be monitoring POPs in breastmilk, tho, just didn't want to know on a personal level. Great post! Resonates completely with my desire to live consciously, protect my kids from harm, and support safer products.

SurelyYouNest.com

Ask Umbra on those toxin removing foot pads

thesmartmama — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 10:47:06 -0500

Mary Clare - Ask Umbra did an evaluation of those toxin removing foot pads - the foot detox pads - although there wasn't really an answer. Check it out:

http://www.grist.org/advice/ask/2008/08/18/?source=most_popular

Very inspiring, I think I'll get my hair sampled

Mary Clare Hunt — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 10:42:42 -0500

I followed the link and found your additional information very compelling. Like most people, I do nothing unless it's in the OMG pile. I've seen the commercial for foot pads that take the toxins and metals out of your body - it had just enough science and weird to draw me in. (but no, haven't bought it yet)

Today, I'm sitting here waiting to hear on my husband's blood tests. Something is knocking out his liver. I'm wondering if all the weird metals and chemicals he lives around on his job has anything to do with it. A $25 hair test seems like an easy way to learn new info that could put me on the permanent organic path.

Knowledge is power if you use it before it becomes 20/20 hindsight.

Buying toxic-free products sends a clear message to companies.

Diane MacEachern — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 10:22:42 -0500

Diane MacEachern www.biggreenpurse.com Diane@biggreenpurse.com

Reading labels for dangerous ingredients is sometimes the only way consumers can protect themselves from chemicals they want to avoid. But just as importantly, that kind of green consumerism holds a big green carrot in front of manufacturers, sending a signal that if they want your business, they'll have to change the way they do business. Re the biomonitoring testing: I never tested my breast milk, or my hair strands. I just assumed my body contained certain chemicals. I think the human body is pretty resilient, so I'm not freaking out about my body burden overall. But I am doing what I can now to reduce chemical exposures. It seems like the best way to protect myself, while forcing companies to reduce the nasty ingredients they otherwise might use.

Thanks for an enlightening post on this!