The Environmental Working Group just finished the first investigation of toxic fire retardants (called Deca) in parents and their children, and "found toddlers had 3 times the levels of Deca in their blood as their mothers. That means young children in the U.S. bear the heaviest burden of flame retardant pollution in the world. Deca is a neurological and hormone distrupter, and children are more susceptible to its effects than adults." Read the report here.
What's a parent to do? Take these steps to protect your family:
- Inspect foam items and replace any with ripped covers or mishapen/breaking down foam.
- Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter.
- Don't reupholster foam furniture.
- Carefully remove old carpet because the padding may contain PBDEs.
- Have small children wash their hands frequently so they put clean hands in their mouths!
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3 comments:
I don't understand the part about not re-upholstering things with foam?
Since you're getting into this chemical stuff, you should check out Bill Moyers report on chemicals... about 8 years ago? But still an awesome primer on some of the issues around the toxicity of the everyday products that we use. I'll try to find a link to it...
Hi Erin! My name is Jocelynn and you don't know me, but we were the Punches old next door neighboors :) We visit their site frequently and my mom found a link to your blog. We found the recipe for the Sweet Potato & Black Bean Burritos. They sounded not too appetizing, but we decided to give them a shot....We LOVED THEM!! We love sweet ptoatoes so they were very good. Thanks for the recipe!!
Jocelynn and family
This is our blog site : www.teamajsbwright.blogspot.net
Speaking of foam/sponge things ... Magic erasers are awesome - but a must keep out of kids reach item too! The chemicals can be harmful as well as the foam/sponge.
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