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Apr
6
- Fan/Like SafeMama on Facebook (first name, last initial)
- Follow @SafeMama on Twitter (Twitter name)
- Follow @PuddleGear on Twitter (Twitter name)
- Subscribe to SafeMama.com via feedburner email
- Follow me on Google Friend Connect!
- Tweet this giveaway (CAN BE RETWEETED ONCE A DAY – Just leave the link to the tweet itself each day in the comments): Enter to #WIN a pair of PVC Free Jesper Rain Pants by @PuddleGearAlex on @SafeMama! #giveaway ends 4/13 http://tinyurl.com/6y9h4k9
- Air dry bath toys after each use, preferably somewhere away from the family toilet. A closet would be a good spot.
- Periodically run them through the dishwasher or hand wash them with soap and clean water (not bath water)
- Avoid toys with holes in them (like bath squirties) and if you do have bath squirties beware that they can be gross inside. In the past I have held them up to a light to see if anything was growing in there but when in doubt, chuck them or recycle.
- Follow us on Twitter (@safemama)
- Follow PuddleGear on Twitter (@PuddleGear)
- Join our Facebook Group
- Tweet about the giveaway! (Example: Win a @PuddleGear Suit from @safemama – http://tinyurl.com/yjndfb6 )
- Add our button to your website or blog and let us know where to find it!
Alien Kids RainCoat – PVC Free raincoats, cotton lined with a polyurethane shell. You can find these at Hatley Stores on line and retail for about $40 These PVC Free raincoats come in a few different cute designs (I love the spaceships)and come in a range of kids sizes. Find them at HatleyStores.com
LandsEnd Big/Little/Toddler Kids Solid Rain Slicker – Polyester-backed polyurethane shell fabric that’s more flexible than the usual PVC kind. Of course, it’s every bit as waterproof, with sealed seams to prevent leaks., cotton lined with a polyurethane shell. It’s unclear to us as to whether this is totally PVC Free based on what we learned from the folks at PuddleGear. They retail for about $36.
LL Bean Discovery Rain Jacket – For something a little less heavy duty LL Bean’s Rain Jackets might do the trick. These fleece lined jackets are covered with a waterproof nylon shell. They are wind and rain resistant, as well as have reflective safety details. LL Bean assures me that they seal the seams with nylon tape that is Polyurethane coated..jackets retail around $37. Totally PVC Free.
Rugged Bear Kids Pulyurethane Raincoats – These raincoats are polyester/cotton lined with soft polyurethane shell that is waterproof & windproof. They heat seal the seams for additional waterproofing. These are a bit more affordable than some other options retailing at around$20.
It’s rainy season! I’ve covered safer rain gear before and since it is actually raining today, I thought it was appropriate to write about it! Puddlegear is owned and run by a husband and wife team who really stand behind the product. All their rain gear is totally PVC and Phthalate Free and instead coated with ATEK – a Polyurethane-coated stretch fabric. It’s a very light, soft, tear-resistant material and is wind and watertight. When this particular Polyurethane is in its fully expanded state it is an “inert chemical”, meaning that it has no off gassing left to do. Atek is fully expanded- and tested to be free of over 100 harmful chemicals.
My youngest in his Puddlegear after a little rainstorm
Their products are all tested and certified by Oeko-Tex. Oeko-Tex is a certification process that tests for over 100 harmful chemicals. It’s just a raincoat you say? Not so! Many raincoats and rain gear manufactured today is made of toxic vinyl (PVC) which can contain dioxins which cause cancer and harm the immune and reproductive system. Not to mention most PVC uses phthalates to soften the material which is a known hormone disruptor. And let’s not even go in to the other toxins like chlorine or mercury. It’s unnecessary and avoidable.
"I am dry, Mom!" My oldest in his Puddlegear on the way to school
Puddlegear sent my sons their Albin jacket to try out. These jackets fit well with room to grow so your investment will not be for naught. They will be in use for years and handed down. They are very light, which surprised me. I half expected to feel the heavy weight of a vinyl like material (like most raincoats) but its super light and thin so there is no risk of overheating. They have removable hoods and you can also purchase coordinating pants if you live in really wet areas or do a lot of wet activities, or just like to let the kids romp in the rain. There is absolutely no smell and they are soft to the touch, yet durable enough to endure a 5 year old.
The fit is generous so you can actually layer clothing underneath if it’s cold, and light enough to wear on it’s own if it’s warm. This also lends itself to the life of the items… they can be used for years without getting too tight. They pair perfectly with Puddlegear’s Jesper Pants that feature boot straps and adjustable suspenders to ensure the right fit. Your little one can splash in puddles all day in that get up.
Get Puddlegear: You can order any Puddlegear jackets, pants, mittens, hats, etc by phone or email which you can find on Puddlegear.com. They can assist you with sizes too. You can find Puddlegear at these retailers as well.
Win Them!
Puddlegear is giving away a pair of PVC free Jesper Pants to a lucky SafeMama reader!
Here’s How To Enter (Required):
Visit Puddlegear.com and tell me what items appeal to you! This step is required to enter the giveaway.
For Extra Entries:(You must leave a comment for each extra entry for them to count and you must have already completed the required entry method above):
One US winner will be selected at random using Random.org. Entries will be accepted until April 13, 2011 at midnight EST. Good Luck!
Congratulations commenter #89, Debra! Thank you to all who entered and to Puddlegear for the great giveaway.
Nov
11
What’s That Smell? Toxic Toys R Us
Filed Under Take Action, Toy Safety | 7 Comments
Toxic Toys R Us is a project developed by a collection of environmental justice organizations, consumer advocates, public health professionals, parents, children’s health activists, and workers. They are trying to raise awareness regarding toys sold at Toys R Us that still contain toxic PVC. They use the term “contamination” to describe it and I think it’s the best way to say it. Contamination.
Even though Toys R Us and other large chains have made promises to the public in the past to reduce the toxic chemicals in today’s toys, new tests are showing that many toys sold at Toys R Us, including newly released toys prime for the holiday shopping frenzy contain PVC. The toxins off gassed from PVC during it’s lifetime are linked to a bevy of aliments and diseases like childrens asthma, learning disabilities, obesity and even cancer. Come on Toys R Us…
Toxic Toys R Us is going to highlight a Toxic Toy of the Week to demonstrate that the toys that might show up under your tree this year could contain PVC. Toy Story Barbie is the toy of this week and she tested positive for PVC in her hair. Sheesh. This is a great organization to watch and support. Visit ToxicToysRus.com to learn more about what they’re doing to protect our children from PVC in toys.
Take Action: Even better join the campaign and write to your elected officials. Voices in numbers can make a difference.
Mar
3
Hidden Filth & PVC in Bath Toys
Filed Under PVC Free, Toy Safety | 17 Comments
I’ve been watching this weeks series of “expose” reports concerning Hidden Filth on the Today Show this week. Today they discussed the filth lurking in children’s bath toys. My purpose for reporting it is two fold. First, I knew bath toys could harbor mold which is why I try to air dry the kids toys each night. However I was nicely ignorant to just how gross they could possibly be. A group of mothers surrendered their kids bath toys to the Today Show for testing and what they found was frightening. Fecal matter (alarming levels), staph and e. coli bacteria in just about every single toy. The worst offenders were bath squirties or toys with holes that allow water to get trapped inside. If you watch the report, the scientist splits open a toy shark to reveal a hot bed of black bacteria and mold.
How does it get there?
The bath water you bathed the child in has become a “bacteria soup” they called it which the toys marinate in. Additionally, since the tub is usually situated near the toilet, flushing can spread germs, bacterial and fecal matter as far as 20 feet. (I don’t even want to think about what that’s doing to toothbrushes).
What do I do?
About Bath Squirties and Bath Toys
During the report, they showed kids in the tub gnawing on bath squirties and toys that were all clearly made of PVC which is a really toxic type of plastic. It pained me! To me that’s worse than some exposure to e. coli. The reporter also replaced the confiscated bath toys with a big PVC duckie. PVC can and often contains Phthalates (which softens the plastic to make it squishy), and chlorine.. not to mention the incredible strain on the environment it causes to create it. You know that “shower curtain smell”? That’s you inhaling the off gassing plastic and phthalates.
Instead of choosing toxic PVC bath squirties and ducks, I recommend the Boon Bath Toys that are just as good, if not way cooler and more fun:
Boon Odd Ducks
Boon Scrubble Interchangeable Bath Toy Scrub Set
There are other PVC free bath toys but many have holes in them, making cleaning tough to do, or are made from a badly off-gassing foam (think foam letters) so I really prefer the Boon Toys over many others (so do my kids). If you have any PVC free bath toys you love that are not Boon, please let me know about them in the comments!
Note: Boon did not pay me to say this… I purchased all my Boon bath toys from The Soft Landing and genuinely like them!
Oct
23
Earlier this year we did an article on PVC free rain gear thanks to some reader questions and stumbled on PuddleGear. PVC can contain mercury, phthalates and dioxins which al can be harmful to your health and the health of your little ones. Why smother your kids body in PVC when there are great alternatives like PuddleGear? Puddlegear is completely free of PVC and phthalates. Not mention they are certified by Öko-Tex which is a screening system that can detect over 100 toxic chemicals. PuddleGear kindly gave us a rundown of their materials and why they are exceptional compared to most.
PuddleGear has been around for a long time but was more recently taken over by a husband and wife team who really believe in the product. All their rain gear is coated with ATEK – a Polyurethane-coated stretch fabric. It’s a very light, soft, tear-resistant material and is wind and watertight. I had a chance to ask them about their Polyurethane coating, they put me at ease:
“…when this particular Polyurethane is in its fully expanded state it is an “inert chemical” meaning that it has no off gassing left to do. Atek is fully expanded- and tested to be free of over 100 harmful chemicals.
Not all Polyurethane is PVC or Phthalate free- some who don’t heat seal their seams use PVC to make them waterproof…and Phthalates make the PVC soft. Polyurethane is also a controlled application when you make it so its not leached into the ground water like PVC plastics.
PuddleGear products are totally waterproof , tear resistant and machine washable. They are incredibly well made and durable, and they all include reflective accents for safety during darker rainy days or at night. They come in a great selection of colors and fit kids 6 months to 9 years old!
Giveaway!
The great people at PuddleGear have generously offered to giveaway a PuddleGear Suit! That’s a $125 value for one of our lucky readers. Here’s how to enter our giveaway:
To Enter
Leave a comment on this entry after visiting PuddleGear.com letting us know what PuddleGear Suit you think is cool!
For Extra Entries (please leave a comment for each extra task so we can count your extra entries):
One winner will be selected at random. Entries will be accepted until midnight EST on October 30, 2009. Open to US residents. Good luck!
Congratulations to commenter #66 Terra Jones! Thanks everyone for entering! Stay tuned for more awesome giveaways coming this week.
Mar
30
April Showers Bring PVC Free Rain Gear
Filed Under Green Mama, Product Safety, PVC Free | Comments Off
We got an email from a reader last week asking about rain gear. I thought writing something up about it now at the beginning of Spring would be an appropriate time. Traditionally, raincoats and hats are made with a PVC outer shell. We try to avoid PVC for a multitude of reasons.
Dioxins: PVC or polyvinyl chloride (also referred to as vinyl) is one of the most toxic plastics made. When created or burned, it releases dioxins which are some of the most dangerous synthetic chemicals out there. They can cause cancer and harm the immune and reproductive system. It also may never stop off-gassing… ew.
Mercury & Phthalates: We are contaminated with chemicals released during a piece of PVC’s life including mercury, dioxins, and phthalates. PVC is almost always made using phthalates to make it soft and flexible. We avoid phthalates for some of the same reasons (reproductive health risks, potentially carcinogenic & hormone mimicking).
Environmental Bummer: PVC cannot be recycled. In fact if one PVC container gets mixed into a batch of other plastics during recycling, it makes that whole recycled effort a complete waste. Producing PVC in plants has contaminated the air and ground water in surrounding areas with dioxins, which are dangerous to people and animals.
So What To Do?
I’ve looked around and found a few alternatives I think are better choices. It seems to be the normal alternative for companies to use fabric coated with Polyurethane rather than PVC. The reader who wrote in and I looked for the next step above that and came up empty handed.
In some situations, you don’t even need rain gear. I’ve never bought my son a raincoat and we’ve survived on a simple windbreaker. But if you live in really wet areas or need rain gear for a specific reason here are the ones we found that would be a safer choice.
PuddleGear: This company has been around for a long time but was more recently taken over by a husband and wife team who really believe in the product. All their rain gear is totally PVC and Phthalate Free and instead coated with ATEK – a Polyurethane-coated stretch fabric. It’s a very light, soft, tear-resistant material and is wind and watertight. I had a chance to ask them about their Polyurethane coating, they put me at ease:
“…when this particular Polyurethane is in its fully expanded state it is an “inert chemical” meaning that it has no off gassing left to do. Atek is fully expanded- and tested to be free of over 100 harmful chemicals.
Not all Polyurethane is PVC or Phthalate free- some who don’t heat seal their seams use PVC to make them waterproof…and Phthalates make the PVC soft. Polyurethane is also a controlled application when you make it so its not leached into the ground water like PVC plastics.
PuddleGear also gets certified by Öko-Tex – an organization that tests materials for over 100 harmful chemicals. PuddleGear has jackets, pants, mitts and hats in sizes ranging from 6 Months to 9 years. Order from their website PuddleGear.com. Rain Jackets range from $50-$60 but are virtually indestructible and last forever.
What About Boots?
Most of the rain boots I’ve looked are made of rubber, but I have seen some made of PVC so make sure to read the materials before buying. Rugged Bear carries a line of cute kids rain boots by FireChief made of natural rubber with a cotton lining, in bright fun colors for girls and boys. They retail for about $18. Check them out at Rugged Bear.
Healthy Child Healthy World has an article about this now as well, with some other alternatives to pick from. Check out their article on their blog at Healthy Child Healthy World.
Sep
24
Dear SafeMama: Steambags Edition
Filed Under Dear SafeMama, Food Safety | Comments Off
Q: Do you all know if the plastic microwavable bags that frozen veggies come in are safe?
While technically, steamable bags are FDA approved and considered safe, I decided to give a call to Birds Eye to find out exactly what their SteamFresh bags are made of. The representative told me that while they don’t contain BPA or PVC, they are a #7 plastic due to the fact that their Steamfresh bags are comprised of a mixture of plastics. She didn’t have the information on exactly which plastics were used in making these bags, but she did say that it’s multiple resins laminated together and they’re NOT recyclable. Awesome! I totally want to microwave my food in that!
Listen, I know that we’re all busy and we live in a country where we thrive on convenience and instant gratification. Most of us have jobs making it necessary to take shortcuts, but really, it only takes a few extra seconds to dump your frozen veggies into a Pyrex dish and throw it in the microwave. Not to mention, cheaper. Those Steamfresh bags are expensive! Why not save yourself some extra money in these tough economic times?
We here at SafeMama have always recommended to microwave in glass or ceramic. Never ever microwave in any kind of plastic, even if it’s listed as microwave safe. All plastics have leaching capabilities on some level and it took how many years for people to realize that BPA wasn’t safe. Who knows what they’ll find out about other plastics in the coming years. It’s up to you to decide of the risk is worth it, but if you want our opinion, it’s not.
Aug
29
SAF Baby Interviews Mike Schade on PVC and Phthalates in toys
Filed Under Toy Safety | Comments Off
We’re all aware of phthalates and PVC in toys, but how aware are we about just how hazardous these chemicals really are? SAFBaby got a really great (and much needed) interview from one of the experts over at Mike Schade over at Center for Health Environment and Justice (CEHJ). From SAFBaby:
Many parents are concerned about PVC/Vinyl in toys. SafBaby understands these concerns, and we have listened to your questions!
Even though there is a lot of information out there, it can still be confusing about how concerned we as parents really should be.
I don’t think I’ve could have said it better myself. Go and read the full article here.
Jun
16
Shower Curtains Can Make You Sick.
Filed Under Articles, Phthalates Info | Comments Off
Ever open up the package of a shiny new plastic shower curtain, and nearly pass out from the fumes? Ever think to yourself, well, that can’t be good for you.
That’s because it isn’t.
We’ve discussed before, how the Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in vinyl produces off-gassing. And that includes your shower curtain. It was no secret to us before, but now there’s a new study out from the Center for Health, Environment & Justice that proves what we’ve known all along:
The study found that PVC shower curtains contained high concentrations of phthalates, which have been linked to reproductive effects, and varying concentrations of organotins, which are compounds based on tin and hydrocarbons. One of the curtains tested released measurable quantities of as many as 108 volatile organic compounds into the air, some of which persisted for nearly a month.
Seven of these chemicals — toluene, ethylbenzene, phenol, methyl isobutyl ketone, xylene, acetophenone and cumene — have been identified by the Environmental Protection Agency as hazardous air pollutants, said Stephen Lester, the center’s science director and a coauthor of the report.
The smell alone is enough to make you sick, but compound that with being in a bathroom, with the hot water running, and you’re doing yourself more harm, while trying to get yourself clean. Additionally, a similar study was done by the EPA six years ago, with similar findings, yet these chemicals still exist in day to day products, because the American Chemistry Council and the FDA maintain that phthalates are safe.
If you have a vinyl shower curtain, toss (or recycle) it and find one made of alternative materials. Shower curtains aren’t that expensive, and it’s not worth risking your (or your family’s) health.
Source: L.A. Times
Dec
27
Phthalates in Toys: Hidden Dangers
Filed Under Phthalates Info | Comments Off
Many parents find themselves and their kids surrounded by a bevy of new toys as a result of the holiday season. Now is the time, if you haven’t already to do some thorough inspection on unanticipated gifts to make sure they’re safe for your kids. That means more than check the age limit. The surface of many plastic toys designed for little kids contains a harmful chemical called phthalates, which has already been banned from use in children’s toys in California, according to an article in Inside Bay Area.
There of course is still some doubt over whether they are dangerous but the proof is starting to pile up. And the risks sound worthy of a further look into the products and toys in your home:
Phthalates are added to plastic products to make them soft and pliable. They are widely used in products that often wind up young children’s mouths — rubber ducks, teething rings and soft bath books. They are also found in common household items like vinyl shower curtains, paint, and nail polish.
The danger is this: when a child places a plastic toy into his or her mouth, these harmful chemicals leach out of the plastic and into the system — and exposure to phthalates can cause serious long-term health effects, such as reproductive defects.
Europe and Mexico have already banned the use of it in toys and prohibited the import of them. That puts the U.S. at risk of becoming a “dumping ground” for banned toys. What’s a parent to do? Like many other things we worry about, this risk isn’t an easy one to avoid, but can be if you’re diligent.
Check toys against the research at HeathyToys.org for this and other dangers like lead.
Opt for less plastic in your home and more of toys made with wood, cloth or other safer materials. If for teething babies, try to look for safe alternatives such as latex or silicone.
Look for toys with labels on packaging that state they are phthalate-free. More things are popping up on teh shelves that are actually labeled. They will have a No PVC and/or a No Phthalates symbol on the packaging.
Source: Inside bay Area
Dec
13
Sears and Kmart join Wal-mart and Target in No PVC Efforts
Filed Under Phthalates Info, PVC Free | 7 Comments
The Center for Health, Environment and Justice (CHEJ), posted a press release this week announcing that Sears Holdings, which include Sears and Kmart, will be joining Wal-mart and Target in actions to reduce and phase out products and packaging containing the toxic polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic, more commonly known as vinyl. According to CHEJ, as much as 7 billion pounds of PVC are discarded every year in the U.S. PVC disposal is the largest source of dioxin-forming chlorine and phthalates in solid waste, as well as a major source of lead and cadmium which pose serious health threats.
Part of their new efforts, Sears Holding is encouraging product makers to label their PVC-free merchandise as well as research to find safer alternatives. An excerpt from the press release:
Recent reports indicate that the world stock of PVC in use contains 3.2 million tons of lead. Lead can damage the brain and nervous system, cause behavior, learning and developmental disabilities, and decreased IQ. Previous testing has detected lead in a broad range of PVC consumer products including toys, lunch boxes, baby bibs, jewelry, garden hoses, mini blinds, Christmas trees, and electronics.
A report released just last week — http://healthytoys.org/home.php — found that almost one half of all toys tested are made out of PVC, which often contain phthalates. Exposure to phthalates have been linked with premature birth delivery, early puberty in girls, impaired sperm quality and sperm damage in men, genital defects, and reduced testosterone production in boys. Over ninety percent of all phthalates are used in PVC products and are often found in many toys such as rubber duckies and bath books.
Read the entire press release on the CHEJ website. And if you really want the full scary list of the harm PVC does to us and the environment, check out their findings here. I recently found some character plate sets at Target and was surprised to see a No PVC symbol on the box. I hope this trend continues!
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