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Wall Street Journal front-pages chemical dangers

Page One of the July 25 Wall Street Journal carries the story Common Industrial Chemicals In Tiny Doses Raise Health Issue [subscription only]. Household cleaning products are not singled out, but the story does highlight the research -- both academic and industry-sponsored -- into the effects of the thousands of chemicals found in everyday products, or used in their manufacture, including the hormone-mimicking substances detailed in Green Clean:

"For years, scientists have struggled to explain rising rates of some cancers and childhood brain disorders.... One suspect is now drawing intense scrutiny: the prevalence in the environment of certain industrial chemicals at extremely low levels....

"Environmental chemicals don't exist in isolation.... So scientists at the University of London ... tested the hormonal strength of a blend of 11 common chemicals that can mimic estrogen. Alone, each was very weak. But when scientists mixed low doses of all 11 in a solution with natural estrogen ... they found the hormonal strength of natural estrogen was doubled. Such an effect inside the body could disrupt hormonal action."

Posted by GreenClean at 02:29 PM

New EWG Study: Body Burden - The Pollution in Newborns

The Environmental Working Group's latest report, "Body Burden - The Pollution in Newborns," details one of the first tests of chemical pollutants in newborns' blood. "[R]researchers at two major laboratories found an average of 200 industrial chemicals and pollutants in umbilical cord blood from 10 babies born in August and September of 2004 in U.S. hospitals. Tests revealed a total of 287 chemicals in the group. The umbilical cord blood of these 10 children, collected by Red Cross after the cord was cut, harbored pesticides, consumer product ingredients, and wastes from burning coal, gasoline, and garbage."

Posted by GreenClean at 01:10 PM

The Latest Study on Phthalates

A new study details the risks of products containing phthalates -- listed in Green Clean as "Chemicals of Very High Concern" -- and their effects on male infants. According to USA Today, "The paper, published Friday in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, found that the more a mother was exposed to the chemicals, called phthalates (THAL-ates), the greater the chance her boy's reproductive development would be harmed." Read the full article for more information.

Posted by GreenClean at 12:44 PM

Out With the Old

The first step in green cleaning is to take a hard look at the cleaning products you use, then rid your house of the most toxic things in your cleaning cabinet. Some people will start with the products that are easiest to replace, like dishwashing liquid and all-purpose cleaner. Others will first focus on the most dangerous products, such as drain and oven cleaners. A simple rule of thumb for your cabinet clean-up: If something makes your eyes tear, your nose crinkle, or your skin itch, get rid of it. Almost every cleaning product can be replaced with a nontoxic, environmentally friendly alternative available at local stores or on the Web. It’s also easy to make your own cleaning solutions from basic, safe ingredients. A combination of these approaches works great.

Posted by GreenClean at 04:31 PM