EcoMoms: August 2008

Doing our part for a healthier planet in Janesville, Wisconsin


Did you know?

Species extinction is occurring right now at a rate of one species every 20 minutes. That pace is a thousand times quicker than the average extinction rate throughout the history of our Earth. So every 20 minutes, an entire species of plant or animal is wiped out, gone, forever. Extinction of our plants and animals is caused by two factors: 1) habitat destruction, and 2) climate change.

What moms can do:

IDEA #1: Give your kids the gift of nature. Explore local wildlife and natural places with your little ones. Kids who are directly exposed to nature are more likely to care about saving it now and in the future. Make unstructured outdoor activities, like hiking, camping, boating, gardening, and fishing a part of your family’s recreation. Visit nature preserves, botanical gardens, and forests and learn about the species that make their home there. For older children, bring along a local field guide to make your outing an educational boon. Teach your kids to “take only photographs and leave only footprints” when you explore.

IDEA #2: Support AZA-accredited Zoos and Aquariums. Zoos are great places to discuss wild animals and the importance of conservation. Institutions belonging to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), such as the Henry Vilas Zoo and the Milwaukee County Zoo, participate in about two thousand conservation projects in about 100 countries each year to protect wildlife. By supporting them monetarily, you give your child a rich experience and help worldwide conservation efforts at the same time. You can also participate in the “Befriend-An-Animal” program at the Henry Vilas Zoo: you receive a certificate, an animal photograph, information about your chosen animal, a window cling, and a stuffed plush animal. A thoughtful and meaningful gift for a preschool or school-aged child! Or adopt an animal through the World Wildlife Fund, who offers symbolic adoptions of 80 animals, like manatees, orangutans, clownfish, and meerkats.


IDEA #3: Reduce your carbon footprint to decrease your family’s impact on climate change. Test your habits with an online quiz to “measure your eco-footprint” at http://www.conservation.org/act/live_green/Pages/ecofootprint.aspx. All the small steps you take to live a little greener will have a positive impact on species conservation. Buy energy efficient technology when you need a new car or appliances; shut down appliances and computers when not in use; switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs; use public transportation, walk, or bike when you can; recycle and use recycled products; plant trees; buy locally-grown food.




Why it’s important:

• Not only does exposure to nature when young result in increased environmental awareness as an adult, but it appears to improve cognition and well-being in children. Research at the University of Illinois found that children with attention-deficit disorder are able to focus more effectively after outdoor activities such as camping and fishing. The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia revealed through their research that young children with regular chances for unstructured play outdoors have improved well-being in three areas: attention, affiliation, and affect. They learn and behave better in the classroom, get along more easily with others, and are happier.

• Biodiversity- short for biological diversity- describes the variety of living things on Earth. All species serve specific roles in the ecosystem of which they are a part. Plants give off oxygen that makes our atmosphere livable, while removing carbon dioxide. Insect pollination is vital for the production of over 40 crops produced in the United States. More than 25% of the medicines we use today are either derived from or modeled on substances in the natural world.

• Some people believe that we have a moral or spiritual obligation to be careful stewards of our planet. Others believe that in trashing our planet, we endanger ourselves. Consider this quote by Chief Seattle: “Whatever befalls the earth befalls the son of the earth. Man did not weave the web of life; he is merely a strand of it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself.”


This EcoMOMs tip was brought to you by Dana Petersen Murphy, mom to Sabriel. You can contact me at dpmurphy@photokiva.com.

EcoMoms: June/July 2008

Doing our part for a healthier planet in Janesville, Wisconsin

Did you know?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has determined that even after washing, certain fruits and vegetables consistently contain significantly higher amounts of pesticides than others.
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has created a list of these pesticide-heavy produce items, which they call the “Dirty Dozen.” (see Table 1) The worst fruits are peaches, apples, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, grapes, and pears. The worst vegetables are sweet bell peppers, celery, lettuce, spinach, and potatoes.

What moms can do:

IDEA #1: When you buy a “dirty dozen” item, buy organic. When the Consumer’s Union studied data from over 26,000 crop samples taken by the USDA, they found that overall 73% of conventionally-grown produce had pesticide residues. For five crops (apples, peaches, pears, strawberries, and celery) over 90% had residues. Organically-grown samples, by contrast, had a much lower rate of pesticide residues, at 23 percent. Not only that, but conventionally-grown produce showed residue from multiple pesticides in 46% of samples. Multiple residues were found in only 7% of organic samples. That residues occur at all in organic food is likely explained by drift, when sprays blow in from nearby non-organic farms, or by lingering pesticides in the soil from previous use.

IDEA #2: If organic choices are unavailable or unaffordable, choose the least contaminated produce items and avoid the most contaminated ones altogether. According to the EWG, you can reduce your pesticide exposure by almost 90 percent just by avoiding the “dirty dozen”.

IDEA #3: Look for local. Locally-grown food is less likely to have been treated with post-harvest pesticides. Shop the Janesville Farmer’s Market to support our local farmers and reduce your family’s exposure. Additionally, it is best to avoid conventional produce imported from other countries, as it is not subject to USDA rules and regulations.


Why it’s important:

• Eating the twelve most contaminated fruits and vegetables will expose the average person to about 14 pesticides per day. Eating the least contaminated options will result in exposure to less than 2 pesticides per day.

• One-year-olds eat three times as many fresh peaches as adults per pound of body weight, and more than four times as many apples and pears. Thus, their exposure to myriad pesticides occurs at a much higher rate.

• Pregnant women should take special care to reduce their pesticide exposure. Many pesticides cross the placenta and expose the developing fetus.


Table 1.
“DIRTY DOZEN”

Peaches
Apples
Sweet bell peppers
Celery
Nectarines
Strawberries
Cherries
Lettuce
Grapes
Pears
Spinach
Potatoes

CLEANEST 12

Onions
Avocado
Sweet Corn
Pineapples
Mango
Sweet Peas
Asparagus
Kiwi
Bananas
Cabbage
Broccoli
Eggplant



This EcoMOMs tip was brought to you by Dana Petersen Murphy, mom to Sabriel. You can contact me at dpmurphy@photokiva.com.

EcoMoms: May 2008

Doing our part for a healthier planet in Janesville, Wisconsin

Did you know?

You’ve probably heard by now about concerns over a widely used chemical called bisphenol-A (BPA), found in food cans, including formula cans, and some hard plastics, including baby bottles and sippy cups. So what’s all the fuss about?
According to an April 2008 assessment by the National Toxicology Program of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), BPA may “pose risks to human development.” It is suspected to cause early puberty, have negative effects on the prostate, lead to breast cancer, and affect behavior, all results from exposure early in life. Pregnant women, infants, and young children are most vulnerable to the harmful effects of BPA.

What moms can do:

IDEA #1: If you feed your baby formula, you can take several steps to decrease exposure to BPA. First, choose a powdered formula. Since it is diluted with water, baby will receive less of the chemical per feeding than with liquid formula. Ready-to-eat formula in metal cans has the highest leaching potential. Secondly, use glass baby bottles or polypropylene bottles. Polypropylene bottles are labeled #5 and are milky white or colored, not clear. Avoid clear, hard plastic bottles marked with a #7 or “PC.” Lastly, do not microwave plastic bottles, as this causes leaching. Instead, warm bottles in a pan of hot, not boiling, water. Boiling water causes bisphenol-A to migrate out of the plastic at a much higher rate.

A side note for pumping mamas: Medela breast pump tubes, shields, and jars are BPA (and phthalate) free!

IDEA #2: Avoid canned foods or select canned foods from makers who don’t use BPA. A better option for soups are those packaged in cardboard “brick” type cartons, which are made with safer layers of aluminum and polyethylene. Look for Eden Foods brand canned foods as a BPA-free choice, available at Basics Cooperative. Trader Joes brand canned foods are also made without BPA, and are available only at Trader Joes in Madison. Whole Foods Market, also in Madison, carries a variety of beans in glass jars.

IDEA #3: Seek a safer sippy. Look for stainless steel sippy cups, like the Safe Sippy and Kleen Kanteen (www.thesafesippy.com, www.kleenkanteen.com). Another good choice are Sigg sippies, which come in a vast array of fun colors and styles and are tested to produce 0% leaching. They can be found at Happy Bambino in Madison (peek at them at www.mysigg.com). Playtex and Nuby make some plastic sippy cups that are BPA-free; check with the company first to be sure the one you’re buying is safe.

Why it’s important:

• Since 1997, the FDA has known that BPA leaches from metal can linings into canned infant formula. At the levels found (between 1 and 13 parts per billion, found in 12 of 14 formula samples taken), many formula-fed infants are exposed to amounts that exceed levels shown to harm development. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) conducted their own study on infant formula in 2007, and found that the FDA’s assessment significantly underestimated infant exposures to BPA.

• Health Canada recently announced that they are classifying BPA, in light of the new assessment by the National Toxicology Program, as “toxic” and are taking several steps to protect their citizens from it. Our own government has yet to take similar steps. The Canadian government says: “Based on the results of our assessment some laboratory studies on animals suggest that bisphenol A at low levels of exposure can affect neural development and behaviour when the animals are exposed in very early life.”

• Product manufacturers, as well as consumers, are taking notice and taking action. Wal-Mart and Toys R Us announced just this month that they will phase out BPA-containing baby bottles. Popular beverage bottle-maker Nalgene and Playtex, maker of baby bottles and cups, are also shifting to BPA-free products. Playtex is offering a free sample of a BPA-free disposable bottle liner to parents, called the Playtex Drop-Ins Original Nurser System. Visit www.playtexbaby.com/bpafree/info.html to fill out a form and try one.



This EcoMOMs tip was brought to you by Dana Petersen Murphy, mom to Sabriel. You can contact me at dpmurphy@photokiva.com.

EcoMoms: April 2008

Doing our part for a healthier planet in Janesville, Wisconsin

Did you know?

A comprehensive review performed in 2007 by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) indicates that 84% of 911 sunscreen products offer inadequate protection from the sun, or contain ingredients with significant health safety concerns. To phrase it another way, a mere 16% of sunscreen products available to us as consumers are both safe and effective.

What moms can do:

IDEA #1: Choose a product that protects from UVA as well as UVB rays. Among high-SPF sunscreens (SPF of at least 30), 13% only protect from sunburn (UVB). UVA radiation is linked to skin damage and aging, immune system problems, and some skin cancers. The FDA does NOT require sunscreens to guard against UVA radiation.

IDEA #2: Select products that contain zinc and titanium as active ingredients. The EWG found that consumers using sunscreens without zinc and titanium are exposed to an average of 20% more UVA radiation, and four times the hazardous ingredients, including substances known or suspected to cause cancer, reproductive harm, disrupt the endocrine system and the immune system.

IDEA #3: Stay abreast of the nanotechnology debate. The science of nanotechnology is fairly new and the jury is still out, according to many, on whether nanoparticles will prove safe for human health. Nanoparticles are widely used in sunscreens, and no labeling is required to notify consumers. When you apply a zinc or titanium sunscreen, if it goes on clear, it is likely nanosized. If it goes on white, it isn’t.

IDEA #4: Before buying sunscreens, do some homework. EWG has a searchable cosmetics database called Skin Deep at www.cosmeticsdatabase.com. You can search by specific product or by a class of products, and view ingredient lists and scores for health hazard and sun hazard for each one.

Why it’s important:

• Sunscreen safety standards do not yet exist. The FDA has been developing standards for nearly 30 years, but currently sunscreen makers can decide for themselves what advertising claims to make and how safe or stable their products are. Some ingredients currently in use actually degrade when exposed to sun!

• Some sunscreen ingredients have estrogen-like effects, and researchers have found these chemicals in test subjects’ blood and urine. We should be concerned about using these products on babies. Babies have about 3 times the relative surface area of an adult, and would thus be exposed at a much greater level than adults.


This EcoMOMs tip was brought to you by Dana Petersen Murphy, mom to Sabriel. You can contact me at dpmurphy@photokiva.com.

EcoMoms: March 2008

Doing our part for a healthier planet in Janesville, Wisconsin

Did you know?

Pollutant levels in indoor air can range from two to more than 100 times higher than outdoors, according to the U.S. EPA. Indoor pollution is primarily caused by volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that evaporate, or “offgas,” from chemical cleaning products.

What moms can do:

IDEA #1: Make your own non-toxic cleaners right at home. Assemble five basic ingredients and you’ll be ready to create an array of safe, healthy cleaning products that are also easy on the wallet. You’ll need: 1) baking soda (cleans, deodorizes, and scours), 2) borax (deodorizes and disinfects), 3) soap (non-toxic and biodegradable cleaner; look for soap without synthetic additives), 4) washing soda (cuts grease and removes stains; look for it in the laundry section of the grocery store) and 5) white vinegar or lemon juice (cuts grease and freshens.)

Recipes for Non-toxic Cleaners:

Household Cleaner
Mix 1 tsp. liquid soap, 1 tsp. borax, squeeze of lemon, and 1 qt. warm water

Window Cleaner
Mix 2 tsp. vinegar and 1 qt. warm water. Wipe with newspaper to avoid streaks.

Drain Cleaner
Pour ½ c. borax in drain followed by 2 c. boiling water

Basin, Tub, and Tile Cleaner
Mix ½ c. baking soda and 2-3 tbsp. liquid soap

Rug Cleaner
Sprinkle corn meal, baking soda, or cornstarch on dry rugs and vacuum.

Furniture Polish
Mix two parts olive oil with one part lemon juice. Rub in and let stand for several hours. Polish with a soft dry cloth.

Fabric Softener
Add 1 c. vinegar or ¼ c. baking soda during the final rinse. (I use a Downy ball to add vinegar.)

For additional recipes, go to www.ecocycle.org/hazwaste/recipes.cfm or www.care2.com/greenliving/make-your-own-non-toxic-cleaning-kit.html.

IDEA #2: When choosing storebought cleaners, think non-toxic, green, and multipurpose. Purchase a mild, nonabrasive, nontoxic cleaning powder like Bon-Ami for cleaning counters, sinks, tubs, even pots and pans. Pair that with a biodegradable soap-based cleaner like Dr. Bronner’s Sals Suds and you should have nearly all your cleaning needs covered. Look for products that list all ingredients on their labels, such as Seventh Generation and Ecover.

Why it’s important:

• The following are health effects listed by the EPA for VOCs:

Eye, nose, and throat irritation; headaches, loss of coordination, nausea; damage to liver, kidney, and central nervous system. Some organics can cause cancer in animals; some are suspected or known to cause cancer in humans. Key signs or symptoms associated with exposure to VOCs include conjunctival irritation, nose and throat discomfort, headache, allergic skin reaction, dyspnea, declines in serum cholinesterase levels, nausea, emesis, epistaxis, fatigue, dizziness.

• Chemical air fresheners may be wreaking havoc on our health. According to a study in New Scientist magazine in 1999, in homes where aerosols and air fresheners were used frequently, mothers experienced 25% more headaches and were 19% more likely to suffer from depression. Infants under 6 months of age had 30% more ear infections and 22% higher incidence of diarrhea. Yikes!

• The fragrances in conventional detergents and fabric softeners can contain phalates, chemicals that have been linked to cancer and reproductive harm in animals.

• Antibacterial soaps are helping to promote growth of resistant bacteria, according to a 2000 World Health Organization report. Hand-washing with plain soap and warm water for about 2 minutes will accomplish the job just as well.



This EcoMOMs tip was brought to you by Dana Petersen Murphy, mom to Sabriel. You can contact me at dpmurphy@photokiva.com.

EcoMoms: February 2008

Doing our part for a healthier planet in Janesville, Wisconsin

Did you know?

In a 2006 report, the United Nations stated that “livestock are one of the most significant contributors to today’s most serious environmental problems.”

What moms can do:

IDEA #1: Go vegetarian! Incredibly, livestock production generates more greenhouse gases than all the motor vehicles in the world. A typical American meat-eater is responsible for nearly 1.5 tons more carbon dioxide per year than a vegan (one who eats no animal products.) So to help the planet, we need to look not only at the cars we drive but what food we put in our bodies! As one blogger cheekily phrased it, “Vegetarians in Hummers do more for the planet than do meat-eaters who cruise around in hybrids.” Shop Woodman’s or Basics Cooperative in Janesville for a great selection of yummy meat-substitutes.

IDEA #2: Adopt “Meatout Mondays.” If cutting out meat altogether isn’t viable for you and your family, choose one or more days of the week to commit to cooking meatless meals. You’ll not only curb your contribution to the climate crisis, but you’ll save money and enhance your health at the same time. For veggie recipes, try www.vegkitchen.com. For an information-packed pamphlet, including recipes and meal suggestions, take a look at the Vegetarian Starter Kit put together by Vegetarian Times magazine: http://www.vegetariantimes.com/2007/pdf/vegetarian_starter_kit.pdf.

Why it’s important:

•The world is being deforested at an alarming rate, and much of the deforestation is happening in order to create grazing land for livestock. Deforestation results in loss of habitat for millions of species. In addition, forests absorb the gases contributing to global warming, so fewer forests means accelerated warming and climate change.

•Al Gore’s attention-getting book, An Inconvenient Truth, tells us that fruits, vegetables, and grains require 95% less raw materials than meat to produce, saving substantial water and other natural resources.


•According to USDA figures, it takes nearly 17 pounds of grain to produce one pound of beef. In a world where 1.2 billion people are underfed and malnourished, this is a wasteful way to grow food. To maximize energy efficiency, we should eat lower on the food chain whenever possible.

•The American appetite for meat is not sustainable. Our country contains only 4 percent of the world’s population, but we consume 23% of the world’s beef.



This EcoMOMs tip was brought to you by Dana Petersen Murphy, mom to Sabriel. You can contact me at dpmurphy@photokiva.com.

EcoMoms: December 2007/ January 2008

Doing our part for a healthier planet during the holidays

Did you know?

If every household reused just two feet of ribbon each year for gift wrapping, the 38,000 miles of ribbon saved would be enough to tie a bow around the Earth. If each family wrapped three gifts in reused materials, it would save enough paper to cover 45,000 football fields.

Each holiday, 2.65 billion holiday cards are sold in the United States. That many cards would fill a football stadium ten stories high.

Real Christmas trees contribute beneficial oxygen to the atmosphere as they grow. Just one acre of Christmas trees produces enough oxygen to support 18 people, and for every tree cut down, two or three seedlings are planted. Tree farms also provide bird and wildlife habitat. Artificial trees, while reusable, are made of polyvinyl chloride- a chemical linked to cancer and birth defects- and 85% of them are made in China, where there are no restrictions against the use of lead in consumer products. The PVC they are made of could contain lead. (For an American-made Christmas tree billed as “100% Lead Free,” go to www.uschristmastree.com.)


What moms can do for a greener holiday:

REDUCE.

IDEA #1: Give gifts or memories that last. Buy fewer gifts this year, and make them count. Look for well-made, sturdy toys and presents that will last for years and can be handed down. Give gifts of your time—perhaps your friend could use your babysitting services, or a relative could use help around the house. Or give loved ones tickets to a play or concert, a state park pass, a dinner out, or gift certificates for massage, yoga, or cooking classes. (A six-class pass for yoga classes at Yoga Essentials Studio in downtown Janesville is $42. They offer a variety of classes, including a Family/Kids class for ages 4-10 and a parent. Visit www.yogaessentialsstudio.com for more information.) A charitable donation is another great gift. Gifts for time or services have no negative environmental impact and are personal and thoughtful.
Are you crafty? Give a homemade gift that shows off your talents at knitting, scrapbooking, or sewing. Or give baked goods packaged in reusable tins or baskets.

IDEA #2: Let your LED lights shine. If you’re in need of new holiday lights this year, consider LED lights. They use a whopping 90% less energy than conventional holiday lights and last 100 times longer. They cost more up front but will pay for themselves quickly.

IDEA #3: Shop early. Do your online and catalog shopping early so that you can request ground shipping. Ground shipping is 6 times more efficient than overnight air shipping, saving fuel and pollution.

REUSE.

IDEA #1: Wrap creatively. Reuse materials you already have on hand for gift wrapping. Save your child’s artwork and use it to wrap gifts for family members. (Grandma will love it!) Or use old maps, sheet music, or comics. Involve the kids in a fun project making recycled paper out of newspaper or other scrap paper, then use it for wrapping or to make holiday cards. Go to www.make-stuff.com/recycling/paper.html for details. Use gift bags, baskets, or tins that can be reused again and again instead of throwaway wrappings. Or wrap a gift in a colorful scarf or festive dishtowel, which then becomes part of the present.

IDEA #2: BYOB—Bring your own bag. Keep a compact bag in your purse for last minute shopping excursions.

RECYCLE.

IDEA #1: Look for gift wrap and cards with recycled content. Every purchase you make of recycled paper saves trees from being cut down.

IDEA #2: Entertain responsibly. Be sure to set out a receptacle for recyclables at your holiday get-togethers and alert guests about it.

IDEA #3: Give your real Christmas tree new life. Move the tree outdoors in its stand to provide shelter for wild birds. Decorate the tree with bird-friendly treats like peanut-butter and birdseed-covered cardboard “ornaments.” Or if you know someone with a deep pond, sink the tree to provide habitat for fish and aquatic insects. The City of Janesville does not have a tree-recycling program at this time. I plan to move my tree outside for the birds, and then in the spring, remove the branches and take them to the compost facility where they will be recycled.

ON ONE FINAL NOTE, A WORD ABOUT TOYS AND SAFETY

Green means healthy for the planet, but what is good for Mother Nature is usually good for people too. In light of the rash of recent recalls due to unsafe lead content in Chinese-made toys, consider having a “Made-in-China-free” holiday. Choose toys made in Europe or the United States. This won’t be an easy task: 85% of toys sold in the U.S. are made in China. But if you decide to go this route, as my family has, here are a few ideas to get you started:

Visit www.oompa.com, a Madison-based internet site selling a wide variety of high-quality toys, including a separate section of European-made toys. This is one of the few sites I’ve found that tells you exactly where each item is made.

Other sites to peruse include www.usmadetoys.com for a range of American-made toys, or www.woodentrain.com for made-in-the-USA train sets with lead-free paint. Of course, you can’t go wrong with wooden wagons from the Wisconsin Wagon Company, home of the Janesville Coaster Wagon. They even offer a small Tag-a-long wagon perfect for a young child to load up with stuffed animals. Visit them at www.wisconsinwagon.com.

Popular brands to look for that are not China-made include Playmobil, a German company whose play sets can be found locally at Building Blocks for Learning, and Lego, whose building bricks are primarily made in Denmark (they also have factories in Mexico and the Czech Republic.)

Have a happy, healthy, green holiday!


This EcoMOMs tip was brought to you by Dana Petersen Murphy, mom to Sabriel. You can contact me at dpmurphy@photokiva.com.