Eco Friendly Fridays

It's been a while since I have done an Eco Friendly Friday.

Today, I am going to talk about "One Million Acts of Green", a project by the CBC, the Hour and Cisco. I think it's great when large corporations, media and famous people get involved in promoting green living.

Now for those of us that are already living an extra-green lifestyle, we don't learn much from this kind of press.  However, there are millions of people out there that still need to be convinced that our planet needs to be saved. Yes, there are actually people out there who do not recycle.

The idea behind the campaign is that one small act can make a big difference.

It’s not about overhauling your life; it’s about one act from each individual, amassing to a million. It can be as simple as switching to compact fluorescent lightbulbs, starting a recycling program, or walking to work. You can do one act – or you can do all one million! It’s up to you.

The way I look at this is if CBC and The Hour can convince even just half of Canada to commit to one act of Green we will be better off then we were yesterday.

Check out the acts of Green Completed by Me.

H&M breastfeeding coverup sparks human rights protest

I know I decided to participate in Wordless Wednesdays, but when there is news I must report.

As reported on the CBC: "Manuela Valle decided to nurse her two-month-old daughter while her husband tried on clothes at the H&M store in downtown Vancouver, she said on Tuesday.

When she attempted to start feeding her daughter, two sales clerks and a manager told her she had to go into one of the dressing rooms that they had assigned for breastfeeding, Valle told CBC News. "

There will be a nurse-in at the Vancouver HMV for more information check out there facebook group.

To read the full article go to CBC website.

Water what should I drink?

With all the new studies about BPA and it's effect on children we decided to stop purchasing water jugs for our water cooler and start drinking tap water. We do filter the tap water with a Brita filter; however I now question my decision. Witch is safer BPA water or fluoride water.

According to an article on CBC:

"he panel does acknowledge that excess fluoride intake, which constitutes 10 mg/day after 10 or more years of exposure, can lead to skeletal fluorosis, which is caused by too much accumulation of fluoride in the bones and leads to brittle and deformed bones.

However, "the current maximum acceptable concentration of 1.5 mg/L of fluoride in drinking water is unlikely to cause adverse health effects," reads the report.

The report does caution however, that infants are particularly vulnerable if they ingest powdered infant formula reconstituted with fluoridated water. "The risk of excessive intake of fluoride is higher for infants consuming larger quantities of infant formulas," reads the report."

To read the full article go to the CBC site.

I still think tap water is better then bottle water how about you?

Plastic shower curtain smell may be toxic: study

Can your shower curtain kill you? According to a recent article on cbc.ca perhaps.

"Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) shower curtains may release into the air 108 toxic chemicals, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), phthalates and organotins, accounting for a smell that can cause adverse health problems affecting the lungs, central nervous system, liver and kidneys, suggests the study by the U.S.-based Centre for Health, Environment and Justice."

To read the full article click here.

ADHD drug linked to suicide attempts: Health Canada

CBC.ca recently reported that ADHD drugs have been linked to Suicide attempts in children as young as 6 years old.

"Among the 55 suicide attempts reported in connection with the drug, 43 were among children between the ages of 6 and 17. Twelve were among adults ranging in age from 18 to 45."

To read the full article click here.

Zeroing in on brain chemical's link to SIDS: scientists

Acording to an article recently published on cbc.ca:

"An imbalance in a brain chemical linked to depression may also have something to do with sudden infant death syndrome, say Italian scientists who have uncovered new evidence that may pinpoint how it happens."

"The findings in the mouse study show that deficits in serotonin signalling in the brainstem can cause sudden death and strongly support the idea that a serotonin birth defect could play a critical role in SIDS.

The work also suggests it might one day be possible to test newborns for their risk of SIDS."

Click here to read the rest of the article.

Phthalates

I already knew I was not going to use your typical baby products bought at the Pharmacy or Grocery store now with the new information released on phthalates it just reinforces my decision. Our reason at the beginning to chose products that are more natural then the typical ones found in your pharmacy our drug store were as follows: both Geoff and I have sensitive skin which probably means baby will have sensitive skin; mass manufacturing companies tend to put to perfume and dies in there products; I don't believe in purchasing a product knowing it was tested on animals; buying organic is better for the environment. Now we add to that list phthalates free.

Phthalates are derived from phthalic acid and are used in many ways: the dominant plasticizer in PVC; as a solvent in perfumes and pesticides; as a finishing lure in nail polish, adhesives, caulk and paint; in the production of low end sex toys (if you own a rubber sex toy that did not say phthalates-free always use a condom to protect yourself from your toy); modern electronics such as computers, cell phones and MP3 players; and in beauty products to stabilize fragrances.

According to the interview I was listing to on CBC radio last night there is no law in Canada or the US at this time that forces manufacturers to disclose if they are using Phthalates in beauty products including those for children and babies. CBC also reported regarding phthalates: "In the study, they were found in elevated levels in the urine of babies who'd been recently shampooed, powdered or lotioned with baby products"

Now why should we as parents be concerned; well in laboratory testing it was proven that phthalates cause damage to the reproductive system. I know I would like my son one day to be able to give me grand kids.

So the moral of this story is read labels make sure everything you buy is phthalates free; don't trust labels because they don't need to disclose if they use phthalates; don't buy PVC toys especially ones that will end up in the little ones mouth.

If you want to read up more on this subject here are a few interesting articles I found:

Wikipedia Definition

Phthalates found in Baby Care Products Linked to Infant Deformity

How to avoid Phthalates

CBC news article re Phthalates and baby products

CBC news article re Phthalates and obesity

CBC news article