Today I will cover the beginning of the book which gives us an overview of the problems chemical pollution has had on our health.
When it comes to pollution most people think of car exhaust or the smoke stacks of steel plants in my area. I remember going to Buffalo, NY and not being able to see the sky due to the air pollution. The same could be said for Pittsburgh, PA where the steel plants polluted both the air and the water.
The pollution being discussed in Slow Death by Rubber Duck is about the pollution we can't see. Chemical pollution found in everyday objects. The authors, Rick Smith and Bruce Lourie, realized the best way to find out what chemicals are affecting us was to experiment on themselves while having blood samples taken at regular intervals.
In the foreward, I read "We are now into the fourth geneeration of people exposed to toxic chemicals from before conception through to adulthood, and statistics tell us that humankind is under siege."
The science tells us that the chemical soup we are living in is having a detrimental effect on our health. What you may not know is that children are more susceptible to these toxins than adults. While we may live, eat and sleep in the same home they will have higher levels of these chemicals in their bodies.
The scientific research is showing that many of the health problems we are seeing today are a direct result of this toxic environment, both inside the home and outside.
A child born today will face higher odds than previous generations of one or more of the following
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Autism spectrum disorders
- Learning disabilities
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Asthma
- Childhood and pubertal cancers,
- abnormal genitalia development, and infertility
- Breast and prostate cancers,
- Parkinson's disease
- Alzheimer's Disease
The numbers are staggering, the US alone produces, or brings in, 42 billion pounds each day and 4.1 billion pounds are disposed of or released into the atmosphere in one year.
When we think about the amount of chemicals in that light it's pretty hard to know how to protect our families, our children. Did you know there are almost 650 toxic chemicals monitored by the EPA's Toxic Release Inventory? Yet there are some 82,000 chemicals being used. Yes of the 82,000 chemicals being produced and used only 650 are being monitored by the officials who are supposed to be protecting our health. How do we educate ourselves and know what is safe to have in our homes when there is very little information out there to work with?
Where are these chemicals?
- Baby bottles, (more on that later)
- Personal care products
- Upholstered furniture
- Vinyl toys and furnishings
- Any thing with flame retardants
- All items with stain-repellants
- cooking pans
- electronics
- clothing
- building materials
- Carpeting
- Glues used in our buildings and furnishings
"It is estimated that by the time the average woman grabs her morning coffee, she has applied 126 different chemicals in 12 different products to her face, body and hair." I don't know about you but I think we can do better. When it comes to our personal care products the main ingredient to watch for are phthalates but manufacturers don't have to include this on the label. To minimize your exposure look for the word "fragrance" which is a tip-off this product contains the hormone disrupting phthalates. Women aren't the only one exposed, men and even children's shampoos and other lotions are loaded with them.
Suggested actions:
Let's being with our morning routine. Let's ditch the chemical laden personal care products. Yes, my suggestions are inexpensive because we need to live in reality here. We aren't multimillionaires that have unlimited means to make the transition to toxic free products.Shampoo and conditioner: This one isn't too hard, there are plenty of natural, chemical free products out there. I personally use baking soda and vinegar to wash and rinse my hair but you could use any number of products. Just do your homework. For example several years ago I read Kiss My Face products were free from toxins. I bought a hand soap for the bathroom. A few days later I read the label to find chemicals I didn't want in my home in this very soap. Some men who have short hair will even wash their hair with bar soap, same as their body when showering.
Deodorants: Many people use baking soda for a deodorant or a homemade mixture using baking soda. I have yet to find a homemade recipe that works for me. My choice is found on every drug store and most grocery store shelves, Tom's of Maine. The key point here is to accept that people sweat, that's how our bodies release toxins. By using an anti-persperant we are inhibiting our bodies from doing it's job. All we really need is odor control. So ditch the aluminum (and other chemicals) by switching to a natural deodorant.
Shaving: Stop wasting your money on shaving gels which are loaded with toxins. Try using plain soap and water, or maybe a bit of olive oil. I learned to dry shave as a teen and never saw the need to change. After shaving I add a bit of coconut oil to my skin and am good to go.
Make up: Limit the number of products you use and you could afford to buy one or two natural products. Personally I only wear one product for special occasions, mascara. It's much cheaper to buy one higher priced item than several. Again, read labels and see which you are comfortable eliminating or switching.
Other: Say good-bye to regular nail polish and polish removers. Do an experiment. Don't use any nail polish or remover for say a month. Then open the container and see how sensitive you are to this chemical soup. Sure, you are applying it to your nails which are dead tissue, but you are breathing the fumes while you use them. Hair color and perms save your money and your health and consider going natural. A good cut and you should be good to go.
Is there a product you are concerned about?
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