top ten toxic products that we don't need - last of 2 parts

after reading this from yahoo! news, how safe can we be?

(contents are all from yahoo! news, summarized and edited to fit my blog)

the top 10 toxic products you don’t need

5. dry-cleaning - the chemical used to do it, perchloroethylene, has been linked to cancer as well as nervous system, kidney, liver and reproductive disorders. EPA studies have found that people who reported visiting a dry-cleaning shop twice as much perc (OR TETRACHLOROETHYLENE OR CHLOROCARBON) in their breath, on average, as other people. EPA also found that levels of perc remained elevated in a home for as long as one week after placing newly dry-cleaned clothes in a closet.

alternative: try wet-clearning, co2 technology or even handwashing.

(OR BUY CLOTHES THAT ARE WASHINE WASHABLE OR THOSE THAT DO NOT REQUIRE DRY CLEANING. TSK, I JUST SENT 5 GOWNS FOR DRY CLEANING AND THEY ARE ALL NOW IN OUR CLOSET)

6. bottled water - bottled water can be just as, or even more, contaminated than tap water. in fact, some bottled water IS tap water - just packaged (in plastic that can leach chemicals into the water) and over-priced. also, from manufacture to disposal, bottled water creates an enormous amount of pollution - making our water even less drinkable.

alternative: Do yourself and the world a favor and invest in a reusable stainless steel water bottle and a water filter.

7. rubber duckies - when it's made from PVC - the poison plastic. banned in over 14 countries and the european union, PVC, also known as vinyl, is still legally sold by U.S. retailers although it threatens environmental and consumer health at every stage of its product life cycle, according to the center for health, environment, and justice (CHEJ). when it's in your home, PVC can leach phthalates (linked to hormone disruption) and lead (a potent neurotoxicant) - contaminating air, dust, and eventually you. Go PVC-free by reading packages and avoiding the #3 in the chasing arrows symbol (usually found on the bottom of a product).

(I JUST BOUGHT A BAG MADE OF PVC! WAH!)

8. couch cushions - avoid cushions, pillows, and anything with foam labeled as meeting California TB 117, as it is likely to contain toxic fire retardants. these chemicals migrate from the foam to dust to people. in animal research, these chemicals are associated with cancer, birth defects, thyroid disruption, reproductive and neurological disorders such as hyperactivity and mental retardation.

alternative: look for foam and cushions made with polyester, down, wool, or cotton as they are unlikely to contain toxic fire retardants.

9. perfume and cologne - perfumes and fragrances can consist of hundreds of chemicals. among the chemicals of concern is diethyl phthalate (DEP) that is absorbed through the skin and can accumulate in human fat tissue. Phthalates are suspected carcinogens and hormone disruptors that are increasingly being linked to reproductive disorders. phthalates are claimed as a part of trade secret formulas, and are exempt from federal labeling requirements. find out if products you currently use contain phthalates and find safer ones on Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Searchable Product Guide website.

10. oil-based paints and finishes - there are 300 toxic chemicals and 150 carcinogens potentially present in oil-based paint, according to a John Hopkins University study.

alternative: look for water-based options - ideally those that are low- or no-VOC. You could also explore natural finishes like milk paint and vegetable or wax based wood finishes.

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