Here is a great new way to test your child’s toys:

Spring is here finally at HealthyToys.org and we have new test results!  We tested 13 of the most popular toys as voted on by HealthyToys.org supporters and over 500 other popular toys over the last few months.  Unfortunately, these test show that far too many toys still have elevated levels of toxic chemical in them. However, for the first time, HealthyToys.org has also screened 250 organic and natural children’s products for harmful chemicals. These tests confirm that natural and organic toys are substantially cleaner then other toys.

Visit HealthyToys.org to see the results today!

Chemicals in Children’s Furniture:

Here is an article on the dangers of children’s furniture. Be sure to check out Ecotots safe furniture on www.healthybodyhappyearth.com

A high percentage of California furniture contains toxic chemicals that have been linked to cancer, birth defects, hormone disruption, and reproductive and neurological dysfunction, a study finds. These toxins are particularly dangerous to infants and children.

The study, “Killer Couches,” was conducted by Friends of the Earth, an environmental group.

It tested a sample of 350 pieces of household furniture in stores and domestic residences and found that most of the furniture had high levels of toxic halogenated fire retardants. This analysis suggests that product contamination is widespread in California, exposing the state’s population to a significant and unnecessary risk.

Friends of the Earth is co-sponsoring a bill in California’s General Assembly (AB706-Leno) that will mandate the phase-out of halogenated fire retardants in all residential furniture products, while promoting the use of less toxic, but equally effective, fire retardant methods.

“Virtually all Americans have toxic fire retardants in their bodies, and this study suggests that one of the main causes is furniture in our homes and offices. Fortunately, safer alternatives are already used by some manufacturers. But a little-known regulation in California is penalizing those companies trying to do the right thing. If it passes, AB 706 will fix that problem,” said Russell Long, Ph.D., Vice President of Friends of the Earth.

Earlier this month, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission proposed new furniture flammability rules, but said companies would not have to use chemicals to comply with the proposed regulation.

Studies have shown that most Americans who undergo testing have halogenated fire retardants stored in their bodies, with babies and children showing the highest levels. Infants and children are the most vulnerable to the effects of halogenated fire retardant chemicals, which travel through the placenta and breast milk. Levels of these chemicals in breast milk have increased 40-fold since the 1970’s.

“The ‘Killer Couches’ report confirms that the most toxic, bioaccumulative, cancer-causing, hormone-disrupting fire retardants are being used to meet an outdated California fire safety standard,” said Assemblyman Mark Leno (D-San Francisco). “Firefighters, burn victims’ advocates, and furniture manufacturers are all supporting AB 706 because they know we can achieve equivalent fire safety without the use of toxic halogenated chemicals.”

Halogenated fire retardants are widely used to meet California’s strict flammability regulation, Technical Bulletin 117 (TB 117). The Polyurethane Association estimates that tens of millions of pounds of halogenated fire retardants have been used to meet TB 117 since the 1970s.

Groundwater, drinking water, ambient air, oceans and ecosystems have been contaminated by these compounds so that halogenated fire retardants are now detected in wildlife throughout the world — as far away as the Arctic Circle. Some of the highest levels have been found in harbor seals and aquatic life in the San Francisco Bay. These compounds have also been found in dairy products, meat, poultry, and fish.

Palm Springs officials urged residents Wednesday to help combat global warming by turning off their lights for 60 minutes on March 28 as part of the 2009 Earth Hour.

Palm Springs will join 750 cities around the world for the event, which is organized by the World Wildlife Fund.

‘‘Climate change is already impacting life on our planet,” Mayor Steve Pougnet said. ‘‘One person committed to reducing energy consumption can make a difference, but millions working together can change the world.”

About 25 merchants have also joined Earth Hour and will promote the event during the March 27 ‘‘Green Friday,” which features special deals and sustainable eco-friendly products the last Friday of every month in downtown Palm Springs.

The Desert Sun

‘‘We’ll hang posters and remind shoppers, tourists and residents alike to turn off their lights during Earth Hour,” said Joy Meredith, president of Main Street Palm Springs.

Organizers said only nonessential lights should be turned off.

Here is a great article from “The Green Blog“- it helps me remember why I chose organic, eco-friendly products- for the health of my child and yours.

Dozens of children’s bath products sold across New England are tainted with chemicals the federal government say are likely carcinogens, a new report by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and the Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow say.

Despite label claims like “gentle” and “pure”, the bath products can contain formaldehyde and 1,4 dioxane that the federal government say “may reasonably be anticipated to be a carcinogen.” Formaldehyde can also cause skin rashes in children. Lax label laws do not require the chemicals to be listed on product labels. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says that “the presence of 1,4-dioxane, even as a trace contaminant, is cause for concern.”

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics commissioned an independent laboratory to test 48 products for 1,4-dioxane; 28 of those products were also tested for formaldehyde. The lab found that:
• 17 out of 28 products tested - 61 percent - contained both formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane; these included Johnson’s Baby Shampoo, Sesame Street Bubble Bath, Grins & Giggles Milk & Honey Baby Wash and Huggies Naturally Refreshing Cucumber & Green Tea Baby Wash.
• 23 out of 28 products - 82 - percent contained formaldehyde at levels ranging from 79 parts per million (ppm) to 610 ppm. Baby Magic Baby Lotion had the highest levels of formaldehyde.
• 32 out of 48 products - 67 - percent contained 1,4-dioxane at levels ranging from 0.27 ppm to 35 ppm. American Girl shower products had the highest levels of 1,4-dioxane.

The study is the first to document the widespread presence of both formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane in bath products for children.

A spokeswoman for Johnson & Johnson, Iris Grossman, told USA Today that the company’s products are safe and meet or exceed all regulations.

Formaldehyde is banned from personal care products in Japan and Sweden. The European Union bans 1,4-dioxane from personal care products and has recalled products found to contain the chemical. But unlike many other countries, the U.S. government does not limit formaldehyde, 1,4-dioxane, or most other hazardous substances in personal care products.

“The reality of today’s world is that we, humans, have contaminated our environment and poisoned ourselves. Not intentionally, but due to our industrial ingenuity, our carelessness, and our unwillingness to study and regulate what we expose ourselves and our environment to,” said Dr. Sean Palfrey, a pediatrician at Boston Medical Center and former president of the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Many products tested by the Campaign, including baby shampoo, bubble bath and baby lotion, contained both formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane, as well as other toxic chemicals.

UPDATE: Here is info from Campaign for Safe Cosmetics:

Contrary to industry statements, there are no regulatory standards that limit formaldehyde, 1,4-dioxane or most other toxic chemicals in personal care products sold in the United States. There are signs the U.S. is gearing to catch up, but for now it’s up to consumers to consider carefully before they buy. Here’s some suggestions for safeguarding your family’s health:
Simplify: Select products with fewer ingredients and no synthetic fragrance or dyes, and use fewer products overall.
Choose safety: Search Environmental Working Group’s cosmetic safety database, Skin Deep, to learn more about the products you use and find safer alternatives. Also check out EWG’s Safety Guide to Children’s Personal Care Products.
Read labels: Select products for baby and yourself that don’t contain the ingredients listed above, which are commonly contaminated with formaldehyde or 1,4-dioxane. (see below)
Take action! Can’t memorize these lists? Nobody can. If harmful contaminants and ingredients weren’t allowed in products, you wouldn’t have to. Tell Congress you want safe cosmetics for babies, adults and everyone in between.
Spread the word: Send an e-card letting friends and family know about this report.

Where These Chemicals Come From
Formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane were not disclosed on product labels because they’re contaminants, not ingredients, and therefore are exempt from labeling laws.

Formaldehyde contaminates personal care products when common preservatives release formaldehyde over time in the container. Common ingredients likely to contaminate products with formaldehyde include quaternium-15, DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea and diazolidinyl urea.

1,4-dioxane is a byproduct of a chemical processing technique called ethoxylation, in which cosmetic ingredients are processed with ethylene oxide. Manufacturers can easily remove the toxic byproduct, but are not required by law to do so. Common ingredients likely to be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane include PEG-100 stearate, sodium laureth sulfate, polyethylene and ceteareth-20.

Time to try some of my safe bath items, such as Little Twig and Erbaorganics.

Keeping it Green:

The Green Education Foundation is urging more schools to sign up for National Green Week and to complete their activities anytime before Earth Day on April 22. Here are some tips for going green:

* Seek out “energy vampires”, such as electronic s and appliances that waste energy when not being used.
* Reduce the amount of junk mail.
* Start a composting program to recycle food scraps and other organic matter. Compost could be sold to a garden center to given to a community garden.
* Sponsor a green even, such as a writing, art of video contest.

PRIMO’s new EURO SPA Bath and Changing Center offers the convenience of a 2 position baby bath on a stand and portable changing table center in one! No more bending down to bathe or diaper change your 0-24 month old baby because your baby is at the mother’s waist height.

The baby bath is designed with 2 positions to comfortably allow an infant to lay down or a toddler to sit up while bathing. A long drain tube allows the bath to be easily drained without lifting the bath. All of your bathing supplies are within easy access in the side compartment accessory tray.

The soft non-toxic vinyl cushion covering the changing pad has contoured sides and a restraining strap to help keep your baby safe when changing diapers. It is easily cleaned with soap and clean water. The changing pad has a locking mechanism to hold the pad open when the bath is being used.

The stylish portable stand with 2 locking wheels allows the Euro Spa to be easily moved from the bathroom, kitchen, bedroom or any room in the house. Two large trays below the bath and changing pad keep plenty of diapers, clothes, towels and everyday necessities for your baby close at hand.

The bath and trays are made of non-toxic Polypropylene plastic which is easy to clean with soap and clean water. Eco-friendly means easy on baby and the environment!

What is Organically Grown Cotton?

Organic farming means working with, rather than against, nature. Organic farmers use biologically-based rather than chemically dependent growing systems to raise crops. This guarantees your 100% organic children’s clothing to be chemical-free. The Environmental Protection Agency considers seven of the top 15 pesticides used on conventional cotton in 2000 in the United States as “possible,” “likely,” “probable,” or “known” human carcinogens (acephate, dichloropropene, diuron, fluometuron, pendimethalin, tribufos, and trifluralin). (EPA) Organic cotton is free of these pesticides.

The benefit to your child is clear. Chemical-free organic cotton clothing provides the softness and quality that only organic cotton can provide, it is truly unmatched and one of the top reasons people choose organic cotton for their delicate baby’s skin. The cotton that is grown in conventional ways is compromised and weakened by the chemicals used in growing, processing and dying of the cotton. All these factors break the fiber down and create a weaker, inferior cotton garment, that is why you get a softer, stronger, better cotton using organic cotton. Affordable organic clothing is a great choice for you and an important choice for our environment.

There are many reasons why parents go green when bringing up their babies. Those parents who have adopted greener lifestyles for example have also end up raising their kids the green way. Parents have likewise discovered the many positive and healthy benefits of these eco friendly products for their baby.

The list of eco friendly baby products increases by the day and it includes organic clothing, organic shampoos, organic baby receiving blankets, along with organic baby mattress, ethically produced toys, organic bamboo absorbent bib, and the list just goes on and on. Since there are an increasing number of parents who are showing great interest in green baby products, a lot of manufacturers listen and respond. Green product producers continue to come up with various green products to meet the growing demand.

Want something different this year for your little girl?  Try the hemp snowman hat.  Adorable sequin snowman sits atop a white poof! They are too cute to miss! Stretches to fit girls ages 6 months through about 10 years old.

Color: Obsidian (black)
Size: One size fits most little rock stars and big rock stars.

“Some companies roll their vitamins in sugar, We put “bling” on organic hemp.” Hilary, daughter of founder.
“Frosty the snowman was a jolly happy soul, With a corncob pipe and a button nose And two eyes made out of coal. Frosty the snowman is a fairy tale, they say, He was made of snow but the children Know how he came to life one day. There must have been some magic in that Old silk hat they found. For when they placed it on his head He began to dance around. O, Frosty the snowman Was alive as he could be, And the children say he could laugh And play just the same as you and me. Thumpetty thump thump, Thumpety thump thump, Look at Frosty go. Thumpetty thump thump, Thumpety thump thump, Over the hills of snow.”

Why We Chose Organic Hemp?

-Hemp fabric is hypo-allergenic and non-irritating to the skin.

-Hemp is resistant to molds and bacteria;

-Hemp is stronger and more durable than cotton.

-Hemp flourishes without the the use of pesticides. About 23 percent of the world’s insecticides are used on conventional cotton. These synthetic fertilizers and chemicals contaminate soil and ground water.

-Hemp fiber is also more environmentally sound because plant fibers are totally biodegradable

-Hemp fabric provides the garment wearer better protection to UV radiation than any other natural fiber.

-George Washington grew hemp. Source: Ecolution
To clean: Use a damp cloth and spot clean by gently rubbing soiled area. Do not put through washing machine.

Look cool this winter, choose organic, help the environment.