Jun
29
Control Pests Safely with EcoSMART (Giveaway!)
Filed Under Giveaways Coupons, Product Safety | 67 Comments
One of the questions we get often around here is “What is a safe way to control bugs?” and up until now I only had home remedies and natural tricks to share. I discovered EcoSMART online and ordered myself a few products to try out. They carry a full line of pesticides that are based solely on essential oils and the natural oils plants use to defend themselves against pests. I admit to being skeptical. So far my home remedies were, at best, mediocre in preventing or controlling pests in my house and in my garden.
My real first test came when we had a lovely patio put in with tumbled pavers. This patio changed my life… we spend hours out there playing and eating, especially during our Florida winters. But with that came small weeds that wedged in between and ruined my patio chi. My husband of course wanted to go on a rampage with a bottle of weed killer. Instead I tried EcoSMART’s Weed and Grass Killer. In a day all those pesky weeds were shriveled brown nothings that were swept away with a broom. I felt so victorious! When the box arrived I was immediately aware of the strong scent these products have but since thats the only “drawback” I’ll take that over chemical pesticides any day.
EcoSMART has a ton of products utilizing organic plant oils to control and tame pests and weeds, safe for use around kids and pets, which put me at ease. I’ve since used the ant and roach killer with perfect success as well. Totally impressed with EcoSMART!
Win It!
EcoSMART is giving away a can of EcoSMART Organic Ant Killer, a great product to kill ants and all types of household bugs, to TWO lucky winners. To enter:
- Visit EcoSmart.com and tell us which product you would love to try in a comment on this post.
- For an extra entry, follow us on Twitter.com and tweet our giveaway “Win EcoSMART Organic Ant Killer on SafeMama.com @safemama” (or something of that nature). Leave a comment here so your extra entry will get counted!
Giveaway open to US residents. 2 Winners will be chosen at random. Entries accepted until Midnight on Friday July 3rd 2009! Good luck!
Jun
22
Review: The New Britax Advocate CS
Filed Under Car Safety, Product Reviews, Product Safety | Comments Off
When I had my first son and It was time to graduate him to a larger car seat I did what any parent does and scoured the Internet for the best seat possible. Reading Consumer Reports and comparing the safety features of the seats available. I even tried with all my might to get the sales rep to point me in the direction of the best seat, which they aren’t allowed to do. I ended up purchasing a Britax Marathon at the time.
One of the things I love and trust about the Britax company is their intense commitment to safety and the fact that they are continuously working on improving the seats they have to include features that make parent misuse less of an issue. Did you know that 90% of car seats are not installed properly? That’s worrisome, and I know that the new safety features Britax keeps coming out with are helping to reduce the errors we can sometimes make.
Last time we reviewed their Britax Boulevard CS they had included their new Click Safe feature that lets you know the child is buckled in properly. When strapping in your child and pulling the tightening strap to make the shoulders and lap restraints snug, there is an audible “CLICK” to let you know they are truly snug and safe. My first Britax didn’t have this feature and having that feature now is a huge help, and I feel better knowing my son is in there correctly.
Their new Britax Advocate CS has this wonderful feature as well as a bevy of safety features that we feel make this seat one of the more superior brands of car seats. The Advocate allows you to keep your child rear-facing up to 35lbs, making it easier to keep your child rear facing for a longer period of time. Despite the AAP recommendations still remain that the child remain rear facing until 1 years old at at least 20 lbs, there is evidence to suggest that the longer a child can stay rear facing the safer they may be in an accident… they are now recommending age 2.
The new Advocate CS also has new patented Side Impact Cushion Technology that greatly lessen the danger to your child as well as the passengers riding along side them in the event of a side impact accident… it reduces the impact crash energy by 50% which is important due to side impact crashes being some of the most dangerous. According to Dr. Laura Jana, a pediatrician and mom of three, cars are not designed to protect children in side impact crashes, so the seat you select should have the best protection available.
On top of all the safety features the Advocate CS has a load of other features that make this seat one of the best in my opinion. We had a chance to check out a sample and were greatly impressed with the ease of use. You are able to manually adjust the strap height and head restraint protection without completely dismantling the seat (like some others I’ve used). I know, because I tried it. I am the worst when it comes to adjusting features like this and I was able to adjust the harness height without any trouble. I sincerely think that all that “un-doing” to adjust seats is dangerous.. the less you have to fiddle with the better. I also never have to untangle the 5-point harness thanks to their Tangle-Free harness.
It’s no secret that we love Britax and when it comes to your child’s safety, this is one place that buying the best is a critical purchase. As with any car seat, I think it’s vital to have your seat checked by a Certified Child Safety Seat Inspector for ultimate safety (and peace of mind). Many cities have a at your local fire department. They may have monthly events where you can visit and have your seats checked or you can sometimes schedule appointments.
Look for your local Child Safety Seat Inspector on SeatCheck.org or at USA.SafeKids.org.
Jun
19
Guest Post: Stephanie of Bubble & Bee Tells Us About Dimethicone
Filed Under Chemicals, Product Safety, Skin Care | Leave a Comment
Stephanie from one of our favorite companies Bubble & Bee, where she creates awesome products from lip balm to deodorant to lotion sticks (her Geranium Lime Pit Putty is a SafeMama Fave) has so graciously offered her chemical expertise to us when we’ve needed it. In true Stephanie form, she came through for us when we asked her about the “real deal” on Dimethicone. I see it pop up everywhere from sunscreen, moisturizer to make up. I asked her about it when a reader wrote in to us from Lovely SafeMama inquiring about the safety of Jane Iredale’s Cosmetics. Dimethicone was one of the ingredients I saw pop up in almost every formulation so I thought it best to ask Steph about it. Here’s Stephanie’s breakdown!
EWG Risk Score: 3
What is it: Dimethicone is a silicone product that’s used as a skin conditioning agent, hair conditioning agent, and emollient (skin softener). Depending on how it’s made, it can also be used as an industrial lubricant and caulk. It’s also a main ingredient of Silly Putty. According to EWG, “Dimethicone is a mixture of fully methylated linear siloxane polymers end blocked with trimethylsiloxy units.” In other words, it’s a highly industrialized, highly synthesized non-natural ingredient. It’s also known at “polydimethylsiloxane”
Why is it a risk: According to the Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List, dimethicone is bioaccumulative in humans and wildlife. Basically it pollutes our bodies and environments and accumulates in our organs. It’s not a known carcinogen or anything like that, but why add to the toxic load of environmental toxins that we add to our bodies on a daily basis? In addition, poisonous hydrochloric gas is emitted during the chemical production of this ingredient.
What type of products it is in:
- Sunscreen
- Moisturizer
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Makeup
- Personal Lubricant
A few companies that use this chemical:
- Almay
- Jason Naturals
- KY
- Shikai
- Avalon Organics
- EO
- Revlon
- Aveeno
Steph’s Opinion: There are definitely worse chemicals than dimethicone, but there are definitely healthier, more natural options. Why use a silicon-based polymer when you can use a natural oil or butter as an emollient or skin conditioner? It’s used in shampoos and conditioners to make your hair feel soft and silky, however, it’s not really making your hair softer–it’s just coating the hair so it feels this way. It’s one of those ingredients that’s used in lotions to trick us in to thinking it’s healing our skin because it makes the skin feel soft. In reality it’s only covering problems and not fostering actual healing.
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polydimethylsiloxane
More Info: Stephanie recently launched an awesome resource called Chemical of the Day where she highlights a ew chemical each day. She has a weath of knowledge and information to share so I suggest you check it out. Also check out her great products on her site Bubble & Bee! Thanks Stephanie!!!
May
18
FAQ: What’s The Deal With Play Sand?
Filed Under Product Safety, Toy Safety | Comments Off
It’s warmer out now and outdoor play is coming to the forefront. Nothing like a good romp in the sand box right? Well, maybe not. Now before you shoot me… I’ve been chewing on this answer for sometime and actually, our friend Katy from Non Toxic Kids did a great article about play sand last year. My son loves to play with sand… he’s one of those boys who loves to make roads and use his construction vehicles and creates parking lots in it. Of course when I started reading more about it after noticing dust coming from the sand, I decided to pitch it (dust from anything can’t be good right?) and make sure I had something safe.
Many times, play sand is made of crushed rock instead of beach or river sand. This crushed rock or crystalline silica is already a known carcinogen according to the EPA and OSHA. In California companies are required by law to label products (thanks to California’s Prop 65) that contain carcinogens. So many times you’ll even see it on the bag stating its carcinogenic. But that’s not the case everywhere, unfortunately. (Which really baffles me as to why they’d sell something carcinogenic as a kids play toy). Some brands of sand even contain asbestos tremloite which can put you and kids at risk of lung cancer.
What Do I Do?
Avoid play sand that creates airborne dust that can be easily breathed by kids. That ultra fine “clean” play sand that kicks up all that dust isn’t good to be breathing. Many times those are the sands made of crushed rock. You’ll want sand made from actual beach or river sand if possible. The granules are larger so the dust factor is less of an issue. Here’s a few better options in stores or for purchase online:
Sandtastik Classic Play Sand: Sandtastik is a safer non-toxic sand that contains no silica or quartz. I haven’t tried it out but it looks like basic white sand. You can purchase it online on Amazon.com
SafeSand: This company provides safe play sand that contains no crytalline silica or quartz. It’s a safe white sand prefect for sand boxes or playgrounds. They have a weath of information on their website about the dangers of silica and quartz dust. The only problem with SafeSand is you can only buy a 50 pound box for $60 (without shipping). So consider chipping in with a couple of moms. (or if you live in San Fransisco you can pick it up locally to save yourself the shipping costs)
*Sakrete Natural Play Sand: I went on a hunt to find replacement sand for my son’s sand box and found that Home Depot now sells a more natural brand of sand made by Sakrete. It’s “natural sand”, not manufactured and has the consistency of real beach sand rather than that ultra fine stuff we’re used to. NO DUST with this brand – I have it and it is more like beach sand than that ultra fine dusty stuff. Sakrete screens and washes the sand for use on playgrounds so it’s a safer option. I have an email into the company to confirm it’s free of silica and quartz which I have not yet received a response. I’ll update as soon as I hear back.
UPDATE on Sakrete: I just got word from a reader who was nice enough to call the company and ask. They confirmed theor natural play sand does contain silica and that it says so on the bag. Well, I am looking at a bag as I type this and that isn’t the case. I got an email from an exec who promised me an email by the end of this week to clarify. We’ll see but it’s not looking good. Back to the drawing board! (Or back to the beach to swipe a bagful there)
May
4
Review: Green Screen Organic Sunscreen
Filed Under Product Reviews, Product Safety, Skin Care | Comments Off
A reader tipped us off to Kabana Skin Care’s Green Screen not too long ago when we first republished our Sunscreen Cheat Sheet this year. I quickly ordered a tube of their SPF 20 Green Screen to try out because I was so impressed with the ingredients list.
Green Screen has only 8 ingredients. That’s pretty impressive considering most products have a list long enough to require a fold out insert. Green Screen uses 25% Zinc Oxide as the active sunscreen ingredient and you can get protection in SPF 20 or SPF 15. Another thing about this product is that due to the natural ingredients and organic nature, the company says it is safe to use on babies under 6 months of age. As you may know, most sunscreens don’t recommend using sunscreens on babies under 6 months, even natural ones – possibly due to citrus oils or other ingredients that may cause allergies. Plus its very wise to keep babies and their tender skin out of the sun completely anyway.
This sunscreen applies, as I’ve said, like other natural physical sunscreens and has a white look to it. This is a lot less thick/greasy than most I’ve tried, and easier to apply. It does leave a slight chalky whiteness to skin, but not enough to make you look weird. It held up it’s end of the bargain by protecting my skin from a day in the sun.
Update: After writing this review we got in our first guest post over at Lovely SafeMama by the lovely Stephanie of Bubble & Bee. She is the beauty and brains behind the company Bubble & Bee (who we LOVE) and is extremely knowledgeable about ingredients. Her first guest post is about an ingredient called Vegetable Emulsifying Wax. Which happens to be one of the 8 ingredients in Green Screen. See what she has to say about it over on Lovely SafeMama™ before you decide to buy!
Get It: You can order Kabana Skin Care’s Green Screen Organic Sunscreen on their website.
Apr
23
Dear SafeMama: Shower Etiquette, Reader Feedback
Filed Under Dear SafeMama, Phthalates Info, Product Safety | 29 Comments
I’m pregnant and have baby showers coming up and I’m pretty frustrated and worried with the baby gift shopping.
Here is what I don’t want:
1) People supporting companies that use BPA and other harmful chemicals to buy gifts for me. It feel like they’d be doing a very unhelpful thing in my name, and I don’t want these companies to be encouraged or benefit from what they are doing.
2) The waste. I try to be as green as possible and either use or donate everything. I ethically can’t donate a product that I wouldn’t use on my OWN baby to anyone. So what then – all these products I won’t use will end up in a landfill somewhere? It would be easier if I could just return the items I don’t want, but I noticed that a lot of these people coming to showers like to take products out of their original packaging or don’t include gift receipts.
How can I convey this information in my shower invitations? I don’t want to offend everyone, and I don’t want to come across as unappreciative. Do you think I should include an insert about what BPA is and why it is harmful? Should I go into some kind of explanation as to why I hope people will buy from different companies? Is there any way for me to do this with a little class without making some kind of horrendous etiquette faux pas?
Good morning SafeParents! No judgements here… this is a legitimate concern for many women now that things like BPA and Phthalates in baby skin care are on the forefront. What’s the best way to handle it? We received this question from a reader and while we have our own thoughts on handling baby gifts we thought we’d turn this one over to you. We’re interested in seeing what other parents would do or what advice you’ll have for her. We can imagine she isn’t alone in this scenario and we’d love your feedback. Comments are open on this entry for you to share your advice. We defer to you…
Apr
9
SafeMama Play Dough Showdown
Filed Under Product Reviews, Product Safety, Toy Safety | Comments Off
With the rainy days of spring upon us, along with school breaks finding kids at home saying “I’m booooored!” I thought doing a play dough comparison would be fun. I don’t really know the specifics of what traditional Play Doh is made of, I believe its a proprietary recipe but the day glow colors make me wonder just what the heck my kid is playing with. Not to mention might possibly be eating. You know they all taste it once right?
So I went on a hunt for all the retail versions of natural alternatives that disclose their ingredients and possibly use safer ones. And we have a home recipe too for those that want to save a few pennies. When possible I had my 3 year old son play with each brand for a week or so to give each one a fair test. We rated them on things like pliability, texture, smell, color, price and fun factor… so now on to the showdown:
Mary’s Soft Dough
We tested Mary’s first and had a good time with it. Mary’s Soft Dough most closely resembles the texture and feel of traditional Play Doh. The colors are bright and rich, yet not day glow. She has a wide variety of colors available in 1 ounce tubs or a larger rainbow tub (my fav), which we had that includes the traditional colors, red, yellow, blue, green and purple. Most of the traditional dough is unscented but has a doughy salty smell that isn’t overpowering or weird. They also carry scented dough as well ranging from lavender to bubble gum.
This dough lasts a long time with proper storage and was durable with repeated play time. The dough didn’t dry out unless left out too long. The plastic tubs keep the dough sealed air tight to help keep them preserved. They have play sets that include a wooden rolling pin and small “cookie cutters” that made this a bit more fun.
Mary’s Soft Dough uses a basic recipe and while some of their products use regular food coloring and synthetic scents (bubble gum isn’t from nature is it?) They do have naturally scented doughs available as well which include lavender, Lemon, Orange, Peppermint, Rose and Vanilla. But overall this dough had one of the best performances during our playtime than the others.
Prices: Large Single color tubs (1lb 2oz) and Rainbow Tubs are $9.95. Small Single color Tubs (4oz) are $3.35
Get It: TerrapinToys.com
Clementine Organic Play Dough
I was excited to try Clementine Organic Play Dough because of it’s organic nature. We got a full play kit that includes 6 1 ounce jars of yummy scented dough and a few tools to play with including a bumpy rolling pin and some shape hammers all made of wood. The tools make things fun and stray from the normal cookie cutter alternative.
The kit provides you with 6 4ounce jars of naturally tinted dough ranging from a lime green to a deeper pink/red color. All the dough is made from natural ingredients and contains organic flour. The tints are made from natural vegetable extracts. My favorite part? The scents! Each color is scented with natural extracts and include lime, orange, strawberry, grape and lemon. And they all smell divine.
We loved playing with the Clementine Dough and the longer you use it the better it gets. The first few plays are a little sticky and the dough does get stuck on the table which makes the colors get mixed up a little, but it does improve when it dries out a bit. It’s crucial to keep these doughs in their containers right after use or they will dry out (like all doughs).
Prices: Play Dough Kit $38, includes 6 colors and wooden tools
Get It: Available on their website ClementineArt.com
Side Note: Clementine has a whole line of natural art supplies that are all environmentally friendly and totally non-toxic.
Over The Rain Dough Organic Play Dough
Over The Rain Dough was started by a home school mom who’s son had severe allergies. Playing with traditional Play Doh wasn’t an option for him due to the contents causing reactions so she started experimenting with dough at home. Over The Rain Dough is made from all natural organic ingredients, 100% plant based coloring and essential oils for the scents.
It comes in a “rainbow” of six 6oz colors/scents including Lemony Yellow, Cinnamony Brown, Peachy Peach, Vanilly White, Berry Pink, and Purply Grape. We had high hopes for this brand because of it’s conscious nature and organic recipe. The colors are much more subdued and “natural” looking as opposed to day-glow of traditional Play Doh and they keep in their recyclable plastic containers.
These have a really grainy texture from the salt so it’s a different feel than the other dough’s we tried. I have a problem with brown Dough in that my kid almost always says it looks like “poop” (ahhh boys) but he had fun with it anyway. This dough dries out pretty quickly so it’s crucial to keep it in their containers when you’re done. You can add a few drops of vegetable oil to revive it.
Prices: Play Dough Kit $19, includes 6 colors.
Get It: Available on RainDough.com
For My Kids Play Dough
I’ve been a fan of For My Kids, LLC for some time. We use their All Natural Hand Wash when out and about at the playground. They specialize in natural alternatives for everything from cleaning supplies and now, Play Dough! For My Kids just released their Happy Fun Dough made from a few simple ingredients and uses only natural colors from plant extracts. The dough comes in 4 ounce tins or a Super Fun Pack of all 6 colors (Natural, Brown, Green, Orange, Pink, and Yellow).
For My Kids sent us a Fun pack to give a go and we had a blast with it. I love that this dough comes in metal tins rather than plastic like the others. All the tins come in a cute little canvas baggie for storing. The colors are subtle and the dough is soft and pliable without being gritty. This dough holds up really well and I think would withstand some rougher play if you have boys into play dough. The colors weren’t as vibrant as I expected but they are soft pretty tints (And I love the natural one…very cool!) – either way no one seemed to mind. We had fun playing anyway. They use minimal ingredients and that’s what matters to us… not that my kid eats it (yet) but who knows what’ll happen if I turn my back on him.
They have a Gluten-free option made with white rice flour for those with allergies too! How nice! I trust For My Kids, LLC and am 100% confident in their attention to natural safety.
Prices: 4 0z. tins $4.99 and the Super Fun Pack (6 colors and a wood rolling pin) is $29.99
Get It: Available on their website ForMyKidsOnline.com
SafeMama Play Dough Recipe
- 1 cup flour
- 1/2 cup salt
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 2 tablespoons cream of tartar
- beet, spinach, and carrot juice (or food coloring)
Instructions: Mix flour, salt and oil, and slowly add water. Cook over medium heat, stirring until dough becomes stiff. Put onto wax paper and let cool. Knead the dough with your hands until it feels right. Start playing as is, or divide into balls and add a few drops of the vegetable juices to make green, pink, and orange. You can also use a few drops of traditional food coloring.
No Cook Play Dough Recipe
- 1 C Flour
- 1/4 C Salt
- 1/3 C Water
- 1 tsp Vegetable Oil
- Food Coloring (optional)
Instructions: Combine flour, salt and oil in a bowl. Gently mix together.If you want colored play dough, add 2 to 3 drops of food coloring to 1/3 cup of water, otherwise use plain water. Gradually add water to dry ingredients, mixing with your fingers until smooth. Knead the dough with your hands until smooth and pliable (about 3 to 5 minutes). Return to step one and start over to make another color! Be sure to store the dough in an air tight container. (from eHow.com)
Price: Just the cost of supplies!
Also check out Z Recommends Travel Dough tips… dough on the go!
Apr
7
Spring Cleaning with Better Life (Exclusive Deal!)
Filed Under Eco-Mama, Giveaways Coupons, Product Safety, cleaning products | Comments Off
Spring cleaning is never my favorite thing, but in light of the fact that I am pregnant and having severe nesting urges I’ve been dumping out closets left and right and detailing my bathroom floor more times than I care to share. But all that cleaning doesn’t worry me (unless I go into early labor from hunching over) thanks to Better Life’s cleaning products. I’ve been using their stuff since last year and we’ve reviewed them here on SafeMama. They are also recipients of the SafeMama Excellence in Safety Award.
I really can’t say enough about Better Life’s products… All their products are free of sulfates, ethoxylates, fragrances, dyes, petroleum-based ingredients, parabens, or volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as glycol ethers and alcohols. VOCs vaporize, entering the air we breathe and trigger respiratory problems, nausea, headaches, and skin irritation, and contribute to many more ailments. Not to mention that stuff is all bad for our environment, our waterways and marine life.
Being the mother of a messy 3 year old boy, the what-EVER All Purpose Cleaner is my constant companion. It’s prefect for everything and anything. Even The Kitchen Sink is great for sinks, toilets, … anything grimy. It’s gentle enough to not scratch while doing the job. What I love is there is nothing harmful and no awful fumes. I can mop my kitchen floor with Simply Floored and not stress out about airing out the house.
GET IT CHEAPER!
We have a special treat for our readers. Better Life is offering SafeMama readers a special introductory price on a Better Life Starter Kit. The kit include:
- (1) what-EVER Clary Sage & Citrus all-purpose cleaner
- (1) I Can See Clearly, WOW! glass cleaner
- (1) Simply Floored! ready-to-use floor cleaner
- (1) Even the Kitchen Sink gentle scrubber
- (1) Collapsible six-compartment cleaning caddy
- (1) Euro Sponge
- (1) Loofah Sponge (2 – pack)
Better Life Starter Kit retails for $39.99 but for SafeMama readers they are extending a special price of $29.99! Aren’t they the coolest? They have a limited supply and it’s first come first serve so order your kit as soon as possible to get the great discount. I’ll be taking advantage even though my supply still hasn’t run out from the first batch I received. This stuff lasts forever.
How to Order: Go to the Better Life Website at this link and when you checkout use the code “safemama” for $10 OFF! Remember to hurry because this won’t last forever. Happy Cleaning!
SafeMama Cleaning Tip: Even The Kitchen Sink and an old toothbrush makes grout sparkle!
Apr
1
Kids Safe Chemical Act Needs More Support: Here’s Why
Filed Under Product Safety, Skin Care | Comments Off
We wrote a little while back about the new report that came out from the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics regarding formaldehyde and 1,4 dioxane contamination in baby care products. Many name brands that are abundant on every superstore and grocery store shelf in the U.S. Brands like Johnson & Johnson, Baby Magic, Gerber, and L’Oreal (400 ppm!!!). Their test results for Johnson’s Baby Shampoo, conducted by an independent lab for their “No More Toxic Tub” report, found levels of formaldehyde (200 and 210 ppm) that may be enough to trigger skin reactions in sensitive people, like babies. (Let’s not forget they are also known carcinogens) The formaldehyde in Johnson’s Baby Shampoo is likely a byproduct from the preservative Quaternium-15, which is used in many bath products. All the products tested in their report that contain Quaternium-15 had at least 200 ppm of formaldehyde.
Fun huh? Advocates argue that the levels in question aren’t harmful. Personally, I don’t care if they aren’t harmful to a flea… I still don’t want that garbage on my children. If there is trace amounts of feces in my drinking water do I still want to drink it? Not really.
Let’s not even get started on the fact that a vast majority of these products, whether they are labeled or tested or contaminated with formaldehyde or not, contain phthalates – hormone disrupting chemicals that are more dangerous to developing children.
Imagine then, learning that information and then finding out that Johnson & Johnson is running a big contest/campaign called The Big Bubblin’ Stars Campaign that preys on parents who haven’t learned this information, using the state of the economy and a $10,000 prize to push their chemically laden products. Complete with celebrity sponsors and participation from bloggers like the Walmart Elevenmoms. If they knew this would they still back up J&J’s contest?
This type of campaign reminds me that there are still so many parents out there who aren’t armed with the information necessary to chose the right products. Not only do parents need to be informed of what is in the products they are putting on their babies and kids, but the industry definitely needs to adhere to some stricter laws, more rigorous testing, and thorough product labeling that discloses ALL the ingredients. Period. Right now, there is no rules governing any kind of requirement that a chemical be proven safe for babies and kids before it enters the market. That needs to change.
We as consumers need to demand and refuse to tolerate it. We need to support the companies that DO care about our babies and kids and what goes on them. Rather than companies that whip up a chemical cocktail, mark it as “safe and gentle” and hope consumers don’t ever look up what “Cocamidopropyl betaine” actually is and what it does. Read up on The Smart Mama’s analysis of the ingredients in everyone’s favorite Johnson & Johnson’s Head-to-Toe baby wash. After reading that you won’t even want to wash your car with it.
But What Can I Do?? TAKE ACTION!
These companies need to be held responsible for their actions. The Kids Safe Chemical Act is where we need to focus our energy and get behind it 100%. This Act will overhaul our nation’s chemical regulatory law requiring industrial chemicals to be safe for babies and kids, make safety testing a requirement prior to hitting the market and will require testing of the already 62,000 chemicals in our products be re-evaluated for safety. Just to name a few. We’re talking to YOU PHTHALATES!
Sign the Declaration and join us in demanding safer products for our families. Otherwise, we might have to start suiting up for bathtime… hehe!
Who else is outraged? Not just us…
Mar
30
April Showers Bring PVC Free Rain Gear
Filed Under Green Mama, PVC Free, Product Safety | 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.
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.
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.
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