Recommendations from

Slow Death by Rubber DuckThe Secret Danger of Everyday Things by Rick Smith & Bruce Lourie

Cheryl Weiden

On the cover of Slow Death by Rubber Duck is a picture of a cute rubber duck – the one that many of us have given to our children to play with in the bathtub.  If you look closely, however, you see that labels showing the various toxic chemicals in the rubber duck surround the picture:

• Bromine
• Chromium 
• Chlorine
• Lead
• Phthalates: Di-isodecyl +Di-isononyl

Is this what you want your baby chewing on?  The authors study the toxics substances in every day items to which we are exposed.  They come up with two basic take-home messages:

• Our choices as consumers really do have a profound and very rapid effect on the pollution levels in our bodies.
• No matter how hard we try, we cannot succeed completely to eliminate toxic chemicals from our bodies because they are so widespread.

The authors present research on the history of the growth of toxics in our every day world and the problems they can cause with our health.  They make a number of recommendations to alleviate some of the pollution in your and your family’s bodies:

• Pthalates – these are chemicals that help aromas last longer
  • Avoid personal care products with heavy artificial fragrance
  • Take down the smelly PVC shower curtain and replace with one made of natural fibers
  • Don’t use air fresheners.  Baking soda can absorb  odors.
  • Check out safe toys on Healthytoys.org
  • Reduce consumption of fatty food
  • Help lobby for non-toxic toys

• Perflourochemicals   (PFCs)– these are chemicals that provide non-stick surfaces
  • Dump old non-stick frying pans, especially if scratched.  Use stainless steal or cast iron
  • Avoid fabrics made with Teflon, Stainmaster, Scotchguard.  This includes Gore-Tex
  • Go easy on grease.  Fast food and microwave popcorn often come in packages coated with PFC’s.
  • Read labels and avoid consumer products with PFC’s
  • Encourage legislatures to phase out PFC’s from food wrappers and consumer products

• Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethehrs (PBDEs) – used as flame retardants
  • Use naturally fibred products – wool, hemp, cotton, which are chemically free and naturally flame retardant.
  • Buy newer, PBDE-free furniture and replace old PBDE upholstery (with proper ventilation)
  • Dust and vacuum often
  • Buy electronics free of PBDE
  • Dispose of electronics via green disposal
  • Help lobby for eliminating PBDE’s

• Mercury – much of the mercury in the environment comes from industrial waste.  Mercury can damage the brain, lungs and kidneys.  The consumption of fish is by far the primary cause of mercury poisoning.
  • Eat fewer big fish and more small fish.
  • Return used or discarded mercury properly.
  • Check out the Natural Resources Defense Council mercury calculator to see the extent of your mercury exposure by the amount of tuna you are eating. http://www.nrdc.org/health/effects/mercury/calculator/calc.asp
  • Check ot SeaChoice database http://www.seachoice.org/profile/search

and at the US Environmental Defense Fund seafood selector

http://www.edf.org/sites/default/files/1980_pocket_seafood_selector...

• Avoid white albacore tuna.  If you must eat tuna, eat light (skipjack) tuna
• Wild fish, especially salmon, are better choices in general.

Triclosan – used as antibacterial agent.  However FDA has not found it has any benefit to consumer, and it’s safety is under review by FDA.

• Avoid products labeled “antibacterial” that contain triclosan, i.e., Microban, Biofresh, Lexol 300.  Wash your hands the “old fashioned way,” 30 seconds with soap and water.
• Check out Campain for Safe Cosmetics database to find out what’s in your cosmetics.
• Check out Lesstoxicguide.ca and read labels to avoid hazardous household cleaners.
• Use baking soda, borax, or other natural household cleaners around the house.
• Avoid products with nanosilver and be wary of nanoparticles like nanozinc (in sunscreen).

Pesticides – Go natural with chemical free lawns

Plastics – Regarding the recycling numbers, 4, 5, 1 and 2; all the rest are bad for you

• Avoid plastic baby bottles
• Eat fresh or frozen food or food stored in glass bottles instead of canned
• Avoid putting plastic containers in the microwave
• Use cloth bags instead of plastic bags for shopping