What a week of catch up this has been around the house after being gone 3 weeks! I don't know where to start at the moment so I'm going to throw out what I want to update in no particular order and whatever pops into my head.
EWG
Confirmed: New shower curtain smell is gross
It may not be news to regular Enviroblog readers, but it's official:
new shower curtain smell is caused by toxic chemicals.A study commissioned by the
Center for Health, Environment, and Justice looked at the chemical composition of PVC shower curtains bought at a variety of retailers (from Sears to Bed Bath & Beyond). They found, unsurprisingly, that shower curtains contain high levels of
phthalates. They also found high level of organotins, and the single shower curtain tested for off-gassing released 108 different
volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Which kinds of VOCs? Not that there's any such thing as a good VOC, but these are some particularly nasty ones. In fact, seven of them are considered hazardous air pollutants by the EPA. All kinds of fun possible health effects too, from asthma attacks to liver toxicity.
But there is good news. Many retailers are offering a greater selection of PVC-free shower curtains, made of other types of plastic or fabrics. Sears (which owns Kmart) and Target both told reporter Tami Abdollah that their companies were phasing out PVC shower curtains altogether.
What's troubling is that it takes health and environmental advocates to get clearly hazardous products off the shelves. Our toxic chemical regulatory system leaves consumers to fend for themselves, without even giving them the information they need to make decisions.
Have I mentioned the Kid-Safe Chemicals Act? Yes? Just making sure.
I knew that "new" smell probably meant bad, and when Christian was chewing on the curtain one day, I knew it probably wasn't good.... at least I can get a liner at target.....
Heather you asked me about Arbonne click here
http://www.cosmeticdatabase.com/wordsearch.php?query=Arbonne this website is in my FYI section and it's my beauty product bible. For lack of a better term. I have researched specific ingredients if the product is not in the database AND some formulations change so double check what you are buying with the info on the site... I have noticed some products are listed with parabens but they have taken it out. It's just a really good reference. Eye opening really. I'm working on making a list on iherb of stuff I'm about to buy again.
Ok what else....my mind is blank, I'm tired... but the good tired from doing so much around here...We had a nice time in KS. I cry every time I leave my parents, it really doesn't get any easier. Christian went around calling Mom, Marsha, he would say Grandma Marsha and Grandma but it was really funny to hear him say " thank you Marsha, and Hi Marsha!! and the whiny.. My Marsha :) I love you Marsha, and he did say I love you papa Bill" unsolicited so that they were eating that up! We discovered that he can count to 14. He can also sing the song that he self titled " rock a by Christian" He got a kick out of showing off and making people laugh.. aw yes and he is very proud of himself for passing gas. He laughs and says " I tooting" then he gets beet red trying to push out another for entertainment. In contrast, Isabelle was so embarrassed for letting one go at the table, that she cried, and she was only 14 months old!!!!
Eventually I will get pics on facebook, but it's slow on dialup and many times the upload will fail and timeout when I've waited a half hr. So we'll see!
Ask EWG: What is "fragrance"?
Question: Is it true that the cosmetics industry can put any chemical into a product’s "fragrance" without showing it on the ingredients list? What do they put in there?
Answer: It's true. When you see "fragrance" on a personal care product's label, read it as "hidden chemicals." A major loophole in FDA's federal law lets manufacturers of products like shampoo, lotion, and body wash include nearly any ingredient in their products under the name "fragrance" without actually listing the chemical.
Companies that manufacture personal care products are required by law to list the ingredients they use, but fragrances and trade-secret formulas are exempt. An analysis of the chemical contents of products reveals that the innocuous-looking “fragrance” often contains chemicals linked to negative health effects. Phthalates, used to make fragrances last longer, are associated damage to the male reproductive system, and artificial musks accumulate in our bodies and can be found in breast milk. Some artificial musks are even linked to cancer. And if you've got asthma, watch out-- fragrance formulas are considered to be among the top 5 known allergens, and can trigger asthma attacks. The same kinds of chemicals are often used for fragrances in cleaning products, scented candles, and air fresheners.
To avoid those unpleasant side effects, choose fragrance-free products, but beware labels that say "unscented." It may only mean that the manufacturer has added yet another fragrance to mask the original odor. Check ingredient labels carefully, or search
Skin Deep to find products that do not list "fragrance" as an ingredient.
The best solution is not to allow cosmetics companies to get through this loophole. They should be required to list all of their ingredients on the label where consumers can find out what they're buying. On top of that, cosmetics manufacturers regularly include ingredients with known or suspected links to cancer, reproductive toxicity and other negative health effects. The federal government must set safety standards for personal care products.
If you're concerned about the chemicals you use on your body every day,
sign EWG's petition at cosmeticsdatabase.com and urge the FDA to make personal care products safe.
Got a question for our researchers?
Send it in! We'll select one (or a few) for next month's edition of Ask EWG.
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Sign up for our monthly bulletin.That's all for now, tried to upload a couple pics 3 times and I give up........
Here are my kids in matching outfits. My aunt gave them these for their birthdays, please note their names are on them as well. And while Mitch questioned the lack of manliness in Christian's outfit I had to put them in these together at least once! Look at Christian, he's so happy saying "cheese" he doesn't care. :) A random funny thing Christian said recently, I was telling Mitch about how I had to spank him one day, and how whenever I do Christian responds very put out and says " you spanked me" like how dare you? Anyway so Christian hears me telling this to Mitch and Christian comes over with a naughty look on his face smiling,
