Cover Story: Toxins, Toxins, Everywhere

May 2007
Dear Readers,
As you may know, our homes are loaded with toxins. They are in our personal care products, our cleaners, the epoxy for the glue that holds our furniture together, our bedding, our paint and just about everything else. Each day we are exposed to a veritable "chemical soup."

As I researched the effects of particularly worrisome compounds, I was relieved to find that the individual chemicals we are typically exposed to are, for the most part, deemed safe. However, (you knew that was coming), I was unable to find any information about the combined effect of the dozens of chemicals to which we are exposed, daily. Thinking about it further I realize it would be nearly impossible for scientists to study this "soup," since each individual's serving is different. One person might get exposure from hair dye and dry cleaning, yet eat organic food, while another might gain exposure at the workplace. Furthermore, my daughter has eczema and I am finding it very difficult to isolate which foods in my diet (I'm breastfeeding) as well as hers are causing it. When a person is diagnosed with cancer, how daunting a task it is to connect the illness with a cause.

The good news is our bodies are pretty efficient at getting rid of toxins. We can consume, as many of us do, fatty foods, refined sugars and alcohol, in moderation, and not suffer adverse effects. Each time we do this though, we are asking our livers to work a bit harder. What happens when we add chemicals into the mix? How much can we tax our livers before feeling the effects? I don't think anyone can answer that conclusively.

During cold and flu season, I often stress to my students (I teach elementary school science), the importance of keeping their immune systems strong. Germs are everywhere, I explain, you can wash your hands to protect yourself, but you cannot completely avoid them. When germs enter your body, your immune system(an army of tiny soldiers), identifies the intruder and goes on the attack. Good blood cells surround the intruder and kill it. That is, as long as you've supplied your army with plenty of vitamins and given them enough rest. But what happens when there are more intruders than your immune system can handle? Then you get sick.

In my opinion, it behooves us all to reduce our exposure to any potentially harmful chemical as best we can. Back in March, I discussed alternatives to toxic cleaners. This month I've taken a broader look at our exposure and provided alternatives. I hope you find these posts helpful and that you will share them with others.

Thank you

The Earth-Watchers Plan

Earth-Watchers is not about feeling guilty or passing judgment. Earth-Watchers is about finding your comfort zone, then stretching it until the stretched area begins to feel comfortable. When it does, stretch again.



Each month earth-watchers members choose a more eco-friendly habit.
At the end of the month we discuss our successes and failures as group. We brainstorm how we can make our moves toward sustainability more practical for everyone.

In addition, we take a look at what changes can be done in our community to help others to adapt some eco-friendly habits. For example. it is much easier to eat local when your community has a farmer's market or CSA. It is also much easier to collect compost when your community has a convenient and accessible drop-off location.

Would you like to try the Earth-Watchers action plan? Below you will find a list of eco-friendly actions. Choose one and when it becomes a habit and not a struggle, (only you can determine when that is), choose another. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.

1. Purchase only shade grown, organic fair-trade coffee(August article and guide)
2. Reduce your exposure to toxins(May)
3.Say no to paper and plastic bags at the supermarket.(April)
4.Make one in 10 food items organic and avoid the dirty dozen.(March)
5.Choose sustainably harvested seafood.(March)
6. Stop using chemicals to clean your home.(March)
7. Stop sending conventional flowers. Send plants, or organically grown instead.(February)
8. Commit to choosing vintage and recycled jewelry(February)
9. Choose locally grown fruits and vegetables. To find a CSA visit www.localharvest.org

Editorial-My First Earth Day

I celebrated my first earth day as a freshman on a Pennsylvania college campus. I had recently joined a group, known as GECO, Gettysburg Environmental Concerns Organization, and we were celebrating the success of our most recent project. We, along with many other schools and organizations around the country, organized a letter writing campaign to the big tuna sellers demanding they stop using nets which harmed dolphins. Victory came surprisingly easy. In what seemed like no time at all, perhaps because we were late to join the effort, "dolphin safe" tuna was born.

It was on that same college campus that I first learned about global warming. We were taught it was a definite and real threat requiring immediate attention. We anticipated the environment taking center stage in the next presidential election. Why not...we had an environmentalist (Al Gore) running for VP. We assumed people would embrace the necessary changes and would fore go their gas guzzling over consumptive habits and we could put a stop to the damage a warmer climate would cause. You could say we were green in more ways than one.
That was 17 years ago! This earth day, it seems the environment has finally earned America's attention. Hollywood has at least made an attempt, to go green at this year's Oscars, organic foods are as mainstream as Walmart(for better or worse), and Wall Street is finally recognizing the profits in going green.

While we all might not be as dedicated as noimpactman, this month, in honor of Earth Day I invite you to make one change for the planet. Perhaps you'll join me in taking the "neither paper nor plastic," challenge(see post), or dump(appropriately) your chemical cleaners. If anything, I hope this blog demonstrates that there are many benefits to going green and that each step need not require a major sacrifice.





Please share your story on one positive change for the planet by commenting on this blog. Nothing is more inspiring than learning that others share your commitment to a better world.

Earth Day Events in New York City

For more information on how your family can go green, check out this month's Time Out New York, Kids.

Earth Day weekend at Prospect Park
The park will host a number of activites, such as tree planting and recycling.
Saturday April 21st and Sun. April 22nd

Earth Day at Grand Central
Sponsored by Earth Day NY, more than 60 exhibits and booths that how to be more conscious of the environment. Kids can make cereal-box collages and "spoke flowers" with Recycle-a-bicycle. Be on the lookout for Burt's Bees giveaways.
Earth Fair inside Vanderbilt Hall; Saturday April 14th noon-7:00 and Sunday April 15th 11am-5pm.
Earth Fair outdoors on Vanderbilt avenue: Friday April 20th, noon-7PM and Saturday April 21st 11am-5pm.

New York City Grows Garden Festival
Saturday April 28, 9am
Adult and kid friendly workshops, food demonstrations, a prize drawing and more.
Visit NGA's website for more.

For Teachers : An Earth Day Guide

Participate in the Earth Day Groceries Project. Visit a local grocery store, borrow paper grocery bags, have students decorate them. Then, return them to the grocery store on April 22nd. Students will be proud to see their personalized Earth Day messages being distributed at their local grocery store. For more information, visit; http://www.earthdaybags.org/faqs.htm

Have your students make an earth day pledge. Since it takes 21 days to form a new habit, students can pledge to do something positive for the planet for 21 days. You can have them sign a statement, i.e. "I will bring my lunch in a re-usable container for 21 days," or "I will turn off the lights when I leave a room," or "I will turn off the faucet when I'm brushing my teeth." They can have two witnesses sign their pledge who will hold them accountable. Next month have them report back on how they did. Did their committment inspire others? Did they meet their goal? If not, what went wrong? Do they have any advice for others attempting the same challenge?

Make recycled paper with your students. To learn how visit: talkabouttrees.org. Be sure to demonstrate to your students that recycling paper uses a lot of energy and water. The best thing to do is use as little paper as possible and then recycle what you do use.


Have a "wasteless" competition. During earth week, if student desks are arranged in equal groups, tape a large garbage bag to each group. Explain to students they are to throw their trash in these bags for the week. Food waste and other perishables should not be thrown there. If you're concerned students may cheat, don't disclose your intention until the end of the week. On Friday, weigh each bag on a bathroom scale. The team with the lightest bag wins. Have students brainstorm ways to reduce their waste at school.
For more ideas, visit earth911kids

Start a garden
For advice and available grants on gardening visit nationalgardenmonth.org

April 14th, National Climate Awareness Day

This April 14th has been declared National Climate Awareness Day. People around the nation will gather for a variety of events to demand that Congress..."Cut Carbon emissions 80% by 2050." There are interesting events all over the country, to find one near you visit: http://www.stepitup2007.org/ and punch in your zip code. One particularly interesting event will take place in New York City's Battery Park, where protesters will line up to create a "sea of people." The rally begins at noon in Battery Park, then protesters, dressed in blue, will join hands as they spread out along Manhattan's east and west sides to create a visual representation of what Manhattan will look like under the 10-foot sea level rise scenario. For more on this event visit, www.seaofpeople.org. There are also several other events in New York City which you will find at the step it up website.

Take the Neither Paper nor Plastic Challenge

Inspired by San Francisco's recent ban on plastic bags, I've decided to ban my own use of non-reusable shopping bags over the next 21 days, since that's how long it takes to learn a new habit. By this I mean that I will attempt to refuse all non-re-useable shopping bags, both paper and plastic from all shop clerks. From that last minute stop to the drugstore, to the full on shopping spree for spring clothing, I intend to be bag free! I've actually tried this many times before, unsuccessfully. I've often found myself unexpectedly stopping to make a purchase with no means of carrying the items home without accepting a bag. This time, however, I have a plan and by making my intentions public, I hope I can stick to it.

Here are some tips:

1. Visit reusablebags.com. They sell a bag that folds up to a 2" x 3" x 2" pouch and weighs 1.5 oz. It can easily fit in a pocket or day bag. Then, when you need it, you can unfold it to 19"x16"x6". Pretty cool!

2. Toss a bunch of canvas bags in the trunk of your car. That way, if you make an unexpected stop you'll be prepared.

3. Leave an oversized bag by your front door. Mine hangs on my coat rack.


Please join me in banning grocery bags. Blog your experiences; from mishaps, to successes and advice for struggling environmentalists.

Clean your home naturally, without the use of toxic chemicals

The harsh reality:

That "fresh" smell we have come to associate with "clean," is often a harmful mixture of toxic chemicals we are forced to inhale everyday, increasing asthma rates in children and other respiratory problems.

Aug. 25, 2004 -- "Two new Australian studies show that many common household cleaners and appliances give off fumes, which can potentially increase the risk of developing asthma in children."

Excerpt from: "Common Household Cleaners Can Trigger Asthma," by Miranda Hitti
to read more visit web md., click here.


Recently, the EPA found that indoor air contains 2-5 times more pollution than outdoor air. In fact, the Consumer Product Safety Commission found that of the homes tested, the outdoor air contained less than 10 volatile organic compounds (VOC's) while the indoor air contained one-hundred and fifty VOC's. Many of the VOC's involved were traced to household cleaners.
for more,visit www.epa.gov/iaq/voc.html

For information on the effects of chemicals commonly found in your household cleaning products visit:
http://www.seventhgeneration.com/household_hazards

Practical Solutions

You can clean just about anything in your house using white distilled vinegar, dish soap, baking soda and washing soda(this is sold under the brand name Borax, and Arm and Hammer has recently come out with their own brand. You will find it in the laundry detergent section of most grocery stores.

Scouring powder for bathtubs, sinks and grout(serious grime)

Use washing soda and hot water to scrub clean, just as you would use any scouring powder. When cleaning grout, put the washing soda directly on the scrub brush and add hot water, or you can mix it in a spray bottle. For the tiles, you may need to scrub the grime off with the washing soda, but be sure to rinse it well or it will leave an unsightly residue. Vinegar works well to wipe off any residue.

Toilet Bowl
Pour some washing soda in the toilet and scrub with a toilet brush

Counter tops
You'll want to use straight baking soda here, not washing soda as it is more abrasive and can scratch counter tops.

Window Cleaner
Distilled White Vinegar
Note: You will need to make sure that the vinegar is completely wiped dry, otherwise it will streak.

Furniture Cleaner
Combine 1/4 cup (60 mL) of white vinegar in a bowl with a few drops of vegetable oil.

Soft Scrubber for pots and pans
Mix 1/4 cup of baking soda with enough liquid soap to create a frosting-like consistency.

Drain Cleaner
Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda and 1/2 cup of salt down the drain, add 1 cup of vinegar and follow that with 3 cups of boiling water-repeat as necessary. As a precaution I like to do this once a week whether I have a clog or not, just to keep the drains clear. If the clog is major you may need to use a plunger, but you don't want to use a commercial drain cleaner. They are highly toxic can be harmful if they get on your skin and the fumes they give off are unhealthy to breathe.

Oven Cleaner
Sprinkle 1/4 inch (6mm) of baking soda over the bottom of the oven. Keep the baking soda moist by periodically spraying water on it. Let it sit for six hours or overnight, then scoop the baking soda out and rinse the oven well.

Refrigerators inside and out:
We've found straight vinegar to work best but if you have a stubborn spill, you may need the more abrasive baking soda.

Always rinse all these solutions thoroughly. We recommend using vinegar to rinse any baking soda or washing soda residue.

Any residue will attract dirt quickly

For automatic dishwashers and laundry detergent:
Previously, I had recommended CalBen Soap Co. for dishwashing and laundry detergent, but I need to take back my recommendation since I've learned that their dishwashing detergent contains phosphates. Also, their laundry detergent hasn't been working too well for me. I'm now on the lookout for a better option and will keep you posted.

Something's Fishy, Making Sensible Seafood Choices

If you are confused about the seemingly contradictory information we're hearing about fish, you are not alone. According to the American Heart Association, research has established a link between eating a diet rich in seafood and a decreased risk of death from coronary heart disease. At the same time, we are hearing more and more about the potential risks of eating certain kinds of fish due to toxins in our waterways, including mercury, and pcbs.

Thankfully the Monterrey Bay Aquarium has come up with an easy to follow seafood guide that will help you make the right seafood choices for your health as well as the health of our oceans.

Best Choices
Tilapia, Catfish that is farmed and from the U.S., Halibut, Mahimahi, Wild Salmon and farmed shrimp

Tip: Trader Joe's is a great source for reasonably priced Tilapia and Wild Salmon.
Wild salmon is also available to New York City residents at www.organicdirect.com

Tip: Try some healthy halibut recipes.

Worst Choices:
Swordfish, Shark, Chilean Seabass, Tuna, fresh and canned due to its high mercury content and Farmed Salmon.

Farmed Salmon contains 10X the amount of contaminants, including PCBs and other cancer causing chemicals and the fish are treated with antibiotics. To read the Sierra Club's article, on five reasons not to eat farmed salmon, visit http://www.sierraclub.org/e-files/wild_salmon.asp

For more information on making healthy seafood choices, visit Monterrey Bay Aquariums website:
http://mbayaq.org/default.asp and click on Seafood Watch Guide.

Dolphin Safe?
Fear of a public boycott of tuna, when it became known that tuna fisheries were inadvertently killing thousands of dolphins as bycatch, caused the largest tuna fisheries to switch to dolphin safe nets. These nets, while they are dolphin "safer," are more dangerous for sea turtles and sharks which get caught in the nets. Worldwide, fisheries throw away 25% of what they catch. To learn what is being done to stop bycatch click here

Why are some fish safe for the environment while others are not?
It all has to do with how the fish are caught. Line caught fish and trapped fish have a much smaller impact on the local environment than fish caught by trawling and dragging. Read more

For Teachers:
http://mbayaq.org/cr/cr_seafoodwatch/sfw_hd.asp for information on fish farming and aquaculture

Are all organics worth the expense?

When it comes to choosing between conventionally grown food verses organically grown food we have a situation known as the tragedy of the commons. While the individual may be able to save a few dollars by choosing low cost conventional food, the collective population must bare the burden of that choice. This burden comes in the form of damaged soil, polluted rivers, lakes and streams and a warmer climate. Organic farms help control global warming because they have a greater amount of peat in the soil. This organic material absorbs carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas.
Each dollar spent on organic food is essentially a vote for clean air, water and soil. We, as consumers of organic food, are sending a powerful message that these are important to us and apparently we are finally being heard. While, ten years ago you needed to shop in specialty health food stores to find organic foods they can now be found in just about every supermarket. Therefore, I recommend buying organic, and locally grown, whenever possible. However, when you can't afford to purchase organics exclusively: avoid the dirty dozen.
According to the Sierra Club, if every American switched just 10% of their diet to organic food we could take 6 billion lbs. of carbon out of the air and return it to the soil. A good place to start would be with the dirtiest dozen fruits and vegetables.
The environmental working group has compiled a list to show the varying levels of pesticides on 43 kinds of produce. To request a list and to learn more about how it was compiled visit, www.foodnews.org.

1 (worst)	Peaches	100 (highest pesticide load)
2	Apples	89
3	Sweet Bell Peppers	86
4	Celery	85
5	Nectarines	84
6	Strawberries	82
7	Cherries	75
8	Pears	65
9	Grapes - Imported	65
10	Spinach	60
11	Lettuce	59
12	Potatoes	58
13	Carrots	57
14	Green Beans	53
15	Hot Peppers	53
16	Cucumbers	52
17	Raspberries	47
18	Plums	45
19	Grapes - Domestic	43
20	Oranges	42
21	Grapefruit	40
22	Tangerine	38
23	Mushrooms	37
24	Cantaloupe	34
25	Honeydew Melon	31
26	Tomatoes	30
27	Sweet Potatoes	30
28	Watermelon	28
29	Winter Squash	27
30	Cauliflower	27
31	Blueberries	24
32	Papaya	21
33	Broccoli	18
34	Cabbage	17
35	Bananas	16
36	Kiwi	14
37	Sweet peas - frozen	11
38	Asparagus	11
39	Mango	9
40	Pineapples	7
41	Sweet Corn - frozen	2
42	Avocado	1
43 (best)	Onions	1 (lowest pesticide load)

Where can I find low cost organics?
New York City residents can get low cost organics delivered right to their door through www.organicdirect.com.
Please comment if you have a low cost organic store in your area.