What women, choices & breast cancer have in common - BPA

Sadly there is little media attention and up roar about this chemical here in Australia. Given we have a smaller population than the USA we also generally speaking have less funding available for chemical studies. So here in Australia we often follow, watch, sit and wait for alarm bells to ring in other countries ....and then maybe we will begin to seriously look at an issue.  If I can impart any message along with these videos it is that even if you live in a country other than the USA, it is very likely the same type of foods are packaged using BPA. This certainly is the case here in Australia !


It was great to see a recent report stating the following by CHOICE (Australia) which stated :
"Choice spokesman Christopher Zinn said laboratory samples on 38 tinned products - including baby food, baked beans, coconut milk, corn kernels, soups and fish - revealed 29 contained "potentially harmful" levels. Choice found the highest levels of BPA (300-420 parts per billion) in samples of Edgell corn kernels, John West tuna olive oil blend, and Heinz smooth custard with banana." To read the complete story refer to :
http://www.news.com.au/business/strip-danger-drug-from-food-tins-says-choice/story-e6frfm1i-1225913100587

What can we do to avoid BPA   - 

- Choose fresh food whenever possible
- Consider alternatives to canned food, beverages and juices
- Use glass or ceramic containers when heating food.
- Avoid handling receipts as the paper is coated in BPA
- Avoid buying product in plastic bottles/packaging marked plastic code #7


As the number of people diagnosed with cancer rises I keep asking myself  "How are our lives different to that of our grandparents ?"  We have so many new chemicals being approved for use each year without the precautionary principle to protect human health, I am not a scientist but surely this reality should be raising some red flags as to a possible causes for some of the rising serious illnesses !   


Take care ....

Mercury in the home and @ the dentist  ...

Although this topic strays a little from toxins within the home environment I felt this was something worth mentioning ...

I have heard many times that it is not healthy to be exposed to mercury. I had listened and taken note of  mercury found in certain fish products, immunisations and from broken lamps. I have been focused on a healthy lifestyle and what confronts me in my environment and have not given a great deal of thought to my past.

Like many of you, I try not to give too much thought to the past as I am often reminded what has gone before can not be changed. Although, I have recently learnt more about mercury dental fillings. I am not a fan of visiting the dentist but after watching the video below I have been inspired to investigate promptly having my mercury fillings taken out of my teeth, it seems this is one thing done in the past that I can change ...

My mother had no idea that the dentist was implanting toxic fillings into my teeth so many years ago. I am so grateful that this information is now out there so we can take steps to protect ourselves and our children. It seems industry and government has again let us down by not applying the precautionary principle to products that could potentially effect human health. With so much negative press about fluoride bubbling to the surface will fluoride will be the next dental industry health blunder ...

I am thinking I will look into having mine safely removed !

What are your cosmetics made from ?

The saying we are what we eat takes on a whole new meaning when we consider our skin absorbs the cosmetics that we place on our skin.


Human skin is highly absorbent and a doorway to our internal system, the engine room of our health and well being. This presentation is a reminder that when we seek out the latest in anti wrinkle cream, the latest brand of exclusive perfume and lipstick that will add volume and retain longer lasting colour that we consider what these products are made from.......

Are your cosmetics made from ingredients that are individually considered unsafe and not healthy ? We can not assume that because a product exists that it is safe and made from safe ingredients.......sadly the push for profits is the reason for a product being developed in many cases, not improvement to human health.

Do you know your plastics ?

  

I read labels and now I turn it upside down before I make a decision as to the products I place in my trolley !

You will have noticed a number stamped into the bottom of products that you have purchased off the supermarket shelf and accompanying consumable packaging. These numbers represent a plastics identification code. A healthy home helper …

“The Plastics Identification Code continues to be one of the most successful and enduring Product Stewardship programs run by industry. The simple, effective "1 to 7" numbering system identifies the resin composition of plastic containers (and other items intended for recycling). This voluntary coding system has been a key element in the successful collection, recovery and management of used plastics in Australia.” (PACIA)

The plastics coding scheme used and administered by PACIA is a voluntary initiative and although it assists consumers to effectively recycle plastic consumables it also allows us to identify the type of plastic materials that our products are made from or packaged in. These identification codes can assist us to avoid plastics that may contain ingredients that have been linked with health concerns.

AVOID :

Code 3 – PPVC or UPVC (polyvinyl chloride – plasticised and un-plasticised)

Commonly used for food storage bottles such as cooking oil, cordials, shampoo and detergents, including some food wrappings.

TIP : Considered the most damaging to the environment of all plastics and can leach phthalate chemicals that have been linked to many health concerns. Avoid PVC items.

Code 6 – PS or UPS (polystyrene and expanded polystyrene)

Commonly a ridged plastic used for take away containers, white ridged coffee cups, meat trays, plastic utensils.

TIP : Polystyrene can leach styrene a possible human carcinogen

Code 7 – PLA or polylactic acid -  Used for “Other” incorporating new plastics. Items may include baby bottles..

TIP :  Code 7 represents items that are not recyclable and given the unknown better to avoid.

ALTERNATIVE:

Code 1 – PET or PETE (polyethylene terephthalate)

Commonly used for soft drink & fruit juice bottles & medicine containers.

TIP : repeated use of the same plastic could cause leaching of DEHP a chemical that has been linked to endocrine (hormonal) disruption.

Code 2 – HDPE (high density polyethylene)

Commonly used for detergent bottles, juice, milk , sports bottles.

TIP : This plastic is a better alternative to number 7 that may also be used for the same products.

Code 4 – LDPE (low density polypropylene)

Commonly soft flexible plastic such as used for garbage bags, wrapping films, thin plastic carry bags.

TIP : Considered reasonably safe but avoid heating

Code 5 – PP (polypropylene)

Commonly a hard but flexible plastic that is used for food packaging such as ice cream and dairy/dessert containers, drinking straws.

TIP : Considered reasonable safe but avoid heating

Plastics contain phthalate chemicals (softeners) and other ingredients that have been linked to health concerns. Bisphenol A (BPA) is one ingredient that has been linked to disruptive hormonal concerns, early puberty in girls, developmental toxicity for fetuses and children. There are many reports that raise concerns over the cumulative effects of chemicals that can leach or off gass from plastic products.

Many argue that our lives have been enhanced and made much easier with the use of plastics. There is much to be said for the lack of testing on chemical migration from plastic to humans and the perpetual impact these products have on our environment and human health.

BEST OPTION :

Opt for natural products and fibres where possible, choose glass, ceramic and stainless steel as alternatives for food storage. Support manufacturers and suppliers who consciously support plastic alternatives as they are looking after you and the planet for your children. Your purchasing decisions, daily practices and habits in the home with plastics may be impacting on your health. Creating a healthy home supports good health and the health of the environment.

Inhale Inspiring Colour

I have recently spent some time with professionals in the paint industry educating myself on the healthier products available to consumers. I have been truly inspired by the efforts of some companies to improve paints and interested to see some green washing of some products in the market place. Green washing being products that have been talked up, or presented as eco friendly when perhaps they truly do not meet this criteria when examined closely.

Most paints in the past have been cocktails of chemicals that leach fumes into the environment which can take a toll of human health, detrimental to painters, residents and the environemnt. According to the World Health Organisation paints that are manufactured using petrochemical refinement processes have been found to cause cancer, respiratory allergic reactions and a list of associated health affects. Studies have found that exposure to paint fumes has been linked to respiratory infections, headaches, dizziness, allergy reactions etc. I had once thought that someone, somewhere was watching and protecting consumers from health hazards sold in the form of products - I was sooooo wrong.

I am inspired by the work of Jo Immig an Australian Environmental Scientist who has dedicated her time to try and educate people on dangerous chemicals in our environment and in particular our homes. The National Toxics Network & Total Environment Centre issued a paper by Jo Immig called "How the chemical cocktail inside our homes is poisoning our children - working together to clear the air ". This paper highlights that it is now well documented that children are uniquely vulnerable to the effects of chemical pollution and that their exposure to it is partly responsible for increasing rates of chronic childhood diseases such as asthma, allergies, cancers and birth defects.

The "Working to clear the air" report lists the potentially harmful chemicals in paints :

Acrylic (water based paints )- Glycols (ethylene and propylene), glcol ethers, alcohols, formeldehyde, preservatives, amines (ammonium hydroxide, amino-2-methyl propanol), monomers, volatile plasticisers, fungicides such as aromatic mercury compounds.

Enamel (pertroleum solvent-based) - Aliphatic & aromatic hydrocarbons (toulene, xylene),ketones (acetone, methyl ethyl ketone), alcohols (butanol, ethanol), esters (n-propyl acetate, butyl acetate) free monomers, volatile plasticisers, fungicides such as aromatic mercury compounds.

The Australian Government is lacking in legislation to protect consumers from many harmful chemicals that are indoor air pollutants. The Australian Government does offer a National Chemical Information Gateway for those who have the time to question products on the shelves of our stores. If you want to educate yourself on what people are exposing themselves and their children to in everyday life through the products bought for homes go to www.deh.gov.au/chemicals-gateway.

Although this information may seen overwhelming please don't retreat, there are non toxic paints on the market and as I have found out they are now getting very competitive with the major brands. When buying paint choose the product with the lowest VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) percentage you can find and that would be a great start to helping the health of your family, the painter and the environment !

If its all too hard call an environmentally passionate interior decorator who can help you create a healthy home.

With every breath you take

The recent storms in Brisbane provided an opportunity for schools and Government to give some thought as to the materials replacement eg carpet, furniture etc at local schools. It was interesting and very disappointing to observe that low toxic materials and environmentally responsible materials are not mandatory in the procurement policy for Australia Government schools.

I have been advised that there is a sustainable policy however the relevant purchasing people on projects do not have to select sustainable products or more importantly non/low toxic products for installations in Australian schools. With indoor air quality a known health hazard as documented by large organisations such as the World Health Organisation, The Environmental Protection Agency, the CSIRO, many health scientists and even on the Australian Government website - why is this not a consideration when selecting materials and finishes for our school classrooms ? Children are more vulnerable to chemical exposure than adults. There are Green commercial initiatives to improve indoor air quality of office spaces but this is not mandatory for our schools.

Building materials and finishes and particularly products installed to the interior of a building contribute to indoor air quality and inadvertently the health of the occupants. There are many chemicals found in all types of products that are used within the home, these are found in paints, adhesives, varnishes, soft furnishings, wall linings, some timbers and furniture, to name a few. At room temperature and higher chemical fumes off-gas (release into the air) creating a cocktail of chemicals into the indoor environment. These products can continue off gassing for years depending on their composition. The gas that is produced is often referred to as a VOC (Volatile Organic Compound). There are growing numbers of product on the market that offer low VOC alternatives for materials and finishes.

The Government has initiated environmental studies within school curriculum where issues such as indoor air pollution and sustainability are taught to encourage change. However it appears that contrary to Government social initiatives that the Government does not have existing strict purchasing legislation in relation to these issues for Government spending, with particular concern for our schools and environments that accommodate children.

The National health system is witnessing so many children with allergies, asthma / respiratory complaints and chemical sensitivities. With the Brisbane storm last November, Nth Qld floods, Victorian bush fires and the national educational refurbishment funds pending many construction decisions Nationally will be made that will impact on Australians health for many years to come.

We are all told to think about consuming healthy food, but before we eat we breathe ! I love this photo by tanakawho, for me it represents time indoors.
Healthy carpets, paints, timbers, soft furnishings and furniture are available. Just because you can not smell a chemical in the air does not mean it isn't there.
Looking forward to innovative change ......