tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21226485401441994592024-03-13T21:02:22.847-07:00Non-Toxic CupboardNon-toxic or lower-toxic alternatives can replace the hazardous products in our cupboards. The US EPA estimates that every home has over 60 regularly purchased hazardous products. That's a lot of poison in one household!Non-Toxic Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06939135096024728096noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2122648540144199459.post-39299708558248428502013-11-17T18:01:00.001-08:002015-11-17T18:25:25.211-08:00Sharing Your Home with Mice?I know mice and other rodents can be a real pain. They can be kind of cute until you find their droppings in your cutlery drawer--now that's disgusting.<br />
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So, let's think about the options for getting rid of rodents. Maybe you'd like to send them to rodent heaven, but there might be a better and safer alternative.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Why Not Poison Rodents?</b></span><br />
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Well, you could poison them and they might die literally in your woodwork so you get to smell their rotting carcasses for quite some time. Not really pleasant for either you or the rodent.<br />
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If you poison the rodent, and a wild animal eats the poisoned rodent, you could have poisoned the predatory bird or mammal--maybe even your pet, or your neighbor's pet. And potentially, a child could access the poison although the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is working on this.<br />
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If you use a poison containing <a href="http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/05/24/bromethalin.aspx" target="_blank">bromethalin</a>, it has no antidote for pets who ingest toxic amounts. It affects the nervous system and any pet that has significant symptoms has a very low probability of recovery. I didn't make this up, I heard it from two veterinarians. My vet said that pets that eat other rodent bait intended to affect the clotting ability of animals might be saved with Vitamin K.<br />
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She further requested that people not keep bromethalin baits in their homes, barns or property. Read for the active ingredient if you're set on poison.<br />
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has <a href="http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/mice-and-rats/consumer-prod.html" target="_blank">banned several poisons</a>, but unfortunately, this left a <a href="http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/05/24/bromethalin.aspx" target="_blank">loophole</a> for the bromethalin mentioned above. <br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Alternatives to Rodent Poison</span></b><br />
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See Beyond Pesticide's <a href="http://www.beyondpesticides.org/infoservices/pesticidesandyou/Winter%2000-01/Minimizing%20Mouse%20Madness.pdf" target="_blank">Minimizing Mouse Madness</a> and check out information from the Daily Green below.<br />
<ul>
<li>Seal cracks and holes in the house that can allow mice to enter. (You'll also <a href="http://www.thedailygreen.com/green-homes/latest/winterize-home-tips-energy-461008">save energy</a>.)</li>
<li>Remove food sources that may attract them, such as trash, pet food or fallen fruit from trees. And<a href="http://www.thedailygreen.com/healthy-eating/eat-safe/green-your-pantry-44040108#slide-9" target="_blank"> store your food properly</a>.</li>
<li>Housecats are nature's mouse predator. Never use mouse poison because
your cat could easily ingest it along with the mouse.</li>
<li>Capture mice with live traps such as <a href="http://www.havahart.com/" target="_blank">Havahart</a> and move them far from the home. </li>
<li>Use snap traps with sensitive triggers that are more likely to kill
quickly. Use as many as 10 traps near any known mouse hole, and position
them about two feet apart along walls, with the bait-end against the
wall. Use gloves or else your scent on the traps may make them
ineffective.</li>
<li>Glue traps are unlikely to kill mice quickly, but can be effective.
Keep them in place for at least five days so mice become accustomed to
them. But do you really want mice stuck to the glue and suffering until you find them to kill them? or they starve to death? Really not nice.</li>
<li>Repellent sound devices may or may not work, but are designed to annoy mice with a high-frequency sound that humans can't hear. Hmm...wonder what pets will think of this?</li>
<li>Poison bait boxes can be used as a last resort. Look for tamper- and
weather-proof boxes that use first-generation (multiple-dose)
anticoagulants. Place them only in areas that are inaccessible to pets
and children. Remember these are dangerous and can cause unanticipated consequences.</li>
</ul>
If you do an internet search for "natural mouse repellent," you'll get more recipes for non-toxic alternatives to rodent poison. A co-worker swears by peppermint oil on cotton balls scattered about her house.<br />
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At the moment, I don't have any mice, but I do have a kitty. Meow! <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/randomreality/8093539/sizes/m/in/photolist-HtVM-boaaqH-4kdrRr-7WM31F-ec2M-93dhz-7DWNtu-n1MgL-u4YeL-4n1cuW-4qkrm-hcWkbZ-a937kX-dwDFBc-6MxF-9P98oH-9k8H8R-6YVFPh-7ChrbL-dBufg-4cQ9xp-Gcnac-4UPV2w-dKgp8G-9KoaWU-8zs1M8-6qzkbg-7VsiZk-9Rgu7-2cGBK-n9GwQ-8TvCnY-8TwgEq-8TvC6d-8TwgUA-8TAifm-Q2hEK-6cTvKN-95Z894-9fCYJ1-8TtBhQ-bpK6mk-6FFEqZ-8TswxK-8TqAXk-72uSMH-5Ymb1-Ri82X-ch5gjW-aPG1x-83WhTR/" target="_blank">Photo Credit from Flickr</a><br />
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Non-Toxic Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06939135096024728096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2122648540144199459.post-90815061384978331322013-10-22T18:43:00.002-07:002013-10-22T18:43:25.236-07:00Wal-Mart Just Ticks Me OffWill the $82 million fine change Wal-Mart's behavior? Somewhat I expect, but why do they have to get caught doing something bad before they act responsibly. This May, Wal-Mart was fined $82 million for dumping hazardous waste in the trash or down the drain. The <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/29/business/wal-mart-is-fined-82-million-over-mishandling-of-hazardous-wastes.html?_r=0" target="_blank">New York Times</a> reported that Wal-Mart also was taking returned pesticides and having them processed for re-sale without a permit. This company makes big bucks, and they know they can't dump hazardous waste in the trash, down the drain, or repackage pesticides for sale without a permit. If they didn't train their underpaid, under-employed, and under-insured employees to do proper waste management, then that is Wal-Mart's fault. I don't know if the $82 million fine matched the savings of illegally dumping hazardous waste into our water system or selling us re-packaged pesticide, but I hope so.<br />
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I know some might not think this topic is entirely relevant to this blog about your own cupboards--except it is! We need to change our habits of buying toxic products so we're not polluting our bodies, our family members' bodies, our pets, or the environment. And we should be supporting companies that do the same. I don't expect box stores to stop selling Proctor & Gamble toxic products--that's too big to ask of chain stores that rely on cheap goods that we, yes we, demand from the store. <br />
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The only way we can get them to change is to stop buying their crappy products. Can we make a difference? Yes. This September, Wal-Mart agreed to begin reducing it's products with certain toxins. According to <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/09/12/walmart-disclose-phase-out-toxic-chemicals-products-cosmetics/2805567/" target="_blank">USA Today</a>, prodding by health and environmental advocates caused Wal-Mart to act. It's a big deal, but it's just a start. <br />
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We can send a message to retailers by not purchasing items with toxic ingredients. We can start by cleaning our homes with white vinegar, baking soda, and other non-toxic products.<br />
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Really, we can make a difference.Non-Toxic Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06939135096024728096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2122648540144199459.post-17775919761314334482013-10-15T15:47:00.000-07:002013-10-23T07:11:03.399-07:00Clean Non-Toxic Oven<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I finally cleaned my oven after about five years--I am just not that into cleaning. I had help. It was a few weeks ago and I wanted to make a <a href="http://youtu.be/KJKSa2fQnDc" target="_blank">video</a> about cleaning the oven without toxic commercial cleaners. So my co-worker Rachel and I cleaned the oven after finally settling on a recipe to try. There are others that might work as well, but this worked great--so I'm going with it. We mixed about a cup of baking soda with enough white vinegar to make a paste to stick on the ceiling and walls of the oven.<br />
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First, Rachel scraped out the oven with a wooden spatula to get ride of the crusty stuff that had accumulated there. A wooden or plastic tool will not scratch oven surfaces like metal might. Then she mixed a cup of baking soda and about a quarter cup of white vinegar. I thought there might be a lava overflow when she did this on camera, but she chose just the right size bowl.<br />
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I think mixing baking soda (a base chemical) with vinegar (an acid) only makes sense when you use the chemical reaction as part of the cleaning process. These ingredients quickly kind of cancel each other out unless you get them onto the surface as soon as possible so the reaction is still occurring. <br />
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Rachel took a pastry brush and painted the interior of the oven. She had to get back to work, so I cleaned the oven after a couple hours with a green scrubby and water. It worked great. There was all kinds of black goo that came off--cooked on grease. I cleaned the oven racks separately in the sink.<br />
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So after about several years of not cleaning the oven--it was clean, without using the very toxic commercial cleaner.<br />
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Unfortunately, this week I had a hankering for crispy baked chicken wings. The recipe said to dunk the wings into seasoned olive oil and place them on a rack over a pan. They tasted fantastic. They were so crispy and good, but I did not need all that oil that ended up all over my clean oven. It also stunk up my apartment as the stove vent does not send air outside, it just circulates the air through a filter. Everything smelled like baked chicken wings and I was breathing the odor in my sleep.<br />
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So I was back to square one, and I just finished cleaning the oven again. This time I put a pillow on the floor for my poor knees while I slaved away on the oven. While I had my head stuck in the oven, I was thinking that people without the self-cleaning ovens have to do the same thing--only they stick their heads into an enclosed space with toxic fumes.<br />
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<b>What's Wrong with Commercial Oven Cleaners?</b><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">This label reads,
“DANGER: CORROSIVE. CONTAINS SODIUM HYDROXIDE (LYE). WILL BURN EYES
AND SKIN. HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED. Avoid contact with eyes, skin, mucous
membranes and clothing. DO NOT ingest. Use
only with adequate ventilation. Avoid breathing spray mist. Wear long
rubber gloves when using.<span style="color: red;"> <span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;">The U.S. EPA also
recommends wearing an apron and protective goggles when using commercial
oven cleaners. They further recommend having
plenty of fresh air as well as ventilation in the
room. Difficult to do if you have your head in the oven!</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The ingredients are not provided on the label, but on-line they are listed as:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><b><span style="color: red;">2-Ethanol, (2-butoxyethoxy), Petroleum gases, liquefied and sweetened; Sodium hydroxide, and 2-amino-Ethanol </span></b></span><br />
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<b>Why Not Just Use the Self-Cleaning Function on Ovens?</b><br />
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There are pros and cons to buying an oven with the self-cleaning function. They are much more well insulated and the doors have better seals so they may be more energy efficient if you don't use the self-cleaning function too often. However, they can be more expensive to repair (due to hidden elements) and typically, you are not supposed to leave the racks in the oven for cleaning as the high heat (around 900 degrees F) can damage a finish on the metal racks. You also might still have to clean the oven after using the self-cleaning function to at least remove the ash.<br />
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Well, I'm going to be more conscious about what I bake now, and I don't anticipate cleaning the oven again for a very long time. <br />
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<br />Non-Toxic Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06939135096024728096noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2122648540144199459.post-82500924802340337952013-09-13T08:05:00.003-07:002013-12-08T18:45:14.518-08:00Leftover Paint? Who Cares? PaintCareWhat do Oregon, California, Minnesota, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Maine have in common? They have all agreed to participate in the "<a href="http://www.paintcare.org/" target="_blank">PaintCare</a>" program. <a href="http://www.paintcare.org/" target="_blank">PaintCare</a> was developed by the <a href="http://www.paint.org/" target="_blank">American Coatings Association</a>--a voluntary non-profit organization representing the paint industry--so they know about paint!<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12616828@N00/1033293522/in/photolist-2ziUay-cBFnxu-5gXusw-36iAD-6WYctn-czH9yj-jYUjc-98HQvN-4UWgai-7ycjJC-9D91pf-5zBhMM-5zBhMH-9DDTTX-9DGLgm-7UTYcE-9MXFH3-9MUWs8-74hWxL-596wAK-5MXb7A-ocFQC-9pBvUQ-jdeSU-8Lojmj-ef17Hy-4PsW9T-a42df8-6BQbo-awoj5w-4vRZoe-9XcvdX-4PtaPB-4PwPXh-3JTEc-4PsmCB-4PwGtA-4PwVn3-FFvfb-6Yz8td-7EgCFS-bsLfAa-7VCMeM-7W1bwF-7W19wt-7W4rdm-7W4qtC-7W1dtT-7W4tyd-7W172P-7VCLyx" target="_blank">Flickr Photo</a></span></div>
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PaintCare is a stewardship program--that means they take the stuff back that you can no longer use. That's the gist of stewardship--a manufacturer makes it and then they take care of the remaining end product so consumers don't just throw it in the trash. If you live in one of the above states you can already do this with paint or you will soon be able to. <br />
<br />
How it works is when you buy a can of paint, you pay a small additional fee to pay for the program. When you're done with your paint, you can return the unused portion to a collection point (such as a hardware store, your local recycling center or transfer station, or wherever makes sense in your area).<br />
<br />
Currently, most people have no option but to put their paint in the trash. Where I live, there are household hazardous waste collections (I run some of them for my work) where people can bring their oil-based paints and other coatings. We don't take latex paint as it's REALLY expensive to handle hazardous waste, and latex is not considered hazardous because it's water-based. Don't get me wrong, you wouldn't want to drink the stuff, but if it can go in the regular trash (only after it's been dried out-see below), then that's where it will go. It costs about $45 to $60 per household to get rid of hazardous waste at our collections, and at collections held elsewhere it costs much more. So...we don't want to include latex paint as there's a lot of it out there.<br />
<br />
The PaintCare program will take oil-based and latex paint. It's a good thing because more and more paints are latex. <br />
<br />
There are also some local paint collection programs around the country. Some programs are year-round and just collect paint. People can pick up a can there or it gets sent off for re-manufacturing or to a waste-to-energy facility. These are often very informal programs.<br />
<br />
<b>Where Does the Paint Go?</b><br />
<br />
Some of the paint collected by PaintCare will be remanufactured into more paint for consumers like you and me to purchase and use. Some paint will be sent off to be burned as a fuel. The ultimate goal is to remanufacture the paint, but it takes time to set up the structure to allow this to happen. Partners need to be found to perform the remanufacturing and marketing of the paint. PaintCare will work on this structure to provide the optimal use of our paint.<br />
<br />
In Vermont where I live, the Chittenden Solid Waste District (near beautiful Lake Champlain--home of <a href="http://www.lakechamplainregion.com/recreation/outdoors/search-champ" target="_blank">Champ</a>, our very own Loch Ness Monster) produces a remanufactured latex paint called <a href="http://www.cswd.net/recycling/local-color/" target="_blank">Local Color</a>. I have visited this facility, and it's very cool. They filter and reblend unwanted latex paint making unique colors in batches. When they get a bunch of blue paint, they mix it together to make a special shade of blue. If you're going to paint the living room, you'd better make sure you buy enough of that shade as the next batch of blue might be slightly different. If you are picturing people in paint-spattered clothing pouring cans of paint into a large vat, you would be correct. It's a small operation, but it is such a great idea run by some forward thinking folks.<br />
<br />
<b>Keeping Latex Paint for Future Use</b><br />
<br />
Leftover latex paint will last for years if you cover the can opening
with plastic wrap, top with the lid, and make sure the lid (use its original container)
fits securely so the paint doesn’t leak. Then, and here’s the key
step: store the paint can upside down. The paint will create a tight
seal around the lid, keeping the paint fresh until you need it again.
Store the paint where it will not freeze. If stored correctly, paint
stays in good condition for a long time. If it mixes smoothly, it can
still be used. Use leftover paint for touch-up jobs, smaller projects, or
as a primer.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhndkJsejiA3BxPSH-cRL-vkuuoDE8XtE4DwZIrdEyxt0F_hrzXx3KRO6-ZgMZ6xOkMlreETtGUPFdscW9F94b6CqQyfvT9j9Tl82f-fWogtlUVsWWPeJ-pgB72Qa-nLJO4qyXK7hucqPE/s1600/PaintBeauty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhndkJsejiA3BxPSH-cRL-vkuuoDE8XtE4DwZIrdEyxt0F_hrzXx3KRO6-ZgMZ6xOkMlreETtGUPFdscW9F94b6CqQyfvT9j9Tl82f-fWogtlUVsWWPeJ-pgB72Qa-nLJO4qyXK7hucqPE/s400/PaintBeauty.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/60267169@N08/5667898476/in/photolist-9CRsKw-4LhfjQ-9uaPRr-9uaP9Z-9uaN5t-9udN7f-9uaLET-8ypnj7-drZdZS-8ymkUF-8Rwhso-8Rt8wD-7Foij-5KYHGP-8vkomY-8v5dfm-8vkp5L-nT9zF-7ZR7r2-epKs5-4VZanH-87DpH1-bRaZzP-7vGTj7-6k2nUZ-6iVfCb-6iVeGC-bTPWeg-6iVetS-qfAY7-49MeiM-LT1d6-7DiXdX-c1nFpf-8vAoob-8vAdko-8vAnt5-8vkufd-8vxkhk-8LkbwB-8LkgJc-8Lk9ER-8LocwQ-8Lotyo-8Loq3m-8LohQY-8LogpA-8LoMKw-8LkGJx-8LoK1w-8Loei3" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Flickr Photo</span></a></div>
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<b>Drying Out Latex Paint for Disposal</b><br />
<br />
If you can't use your latex paint or donate it, and you don't have a paint collection in your area, just dry out the paint and throw it in the trash. Here's how to do this:<br />
<br />
Let it dry in a safe location away from children and pets. Less than
a half inch of paint will dry out easily when the lid is off. Larger
volumes can be dried with absorbent material such as kitty litter, shredded paper, or sawdust. Once
it’s dry, dispose of the dried out latex paint as garbage. If you end up with empty, dry metal cans, you should be able to recycle these with scrap metal at your local facility--or you might think of an artistic use for them.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB3_JGiJClDglR4IgLuNoCV9rSaDHIENyaM2YiDCXpjwScVxersytV-uS7bsh-tpj61EDukjJzkZZuqj_W2corOUNkfSByENgQdeRaferX8UOX0-2DpGpwgoMp3A_hU9VI14NCHCj2zSo/s1600/PaintCanFlowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB3_JGiJClDglR4IgLuNoCV9rSaDHIENyaM2YiDCXpjwScVxersytV-uS7bsh-tpj61EDukjJzkZZuqj_W2corOUNkfSByENgQdeRaferX8UOX0-2DpGpwgoMp3A_hU9VI14NCHCj2zSo/s400/PaintCanFlowers.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/78208003@N00/827459282/in/photolist-2g7WPm-fjagUw-4yqBkd-2ziUay-cBFnxu-5gXusw-36iAD-6WYctn-czH9yj-jYUjc-98HQvN-4UWgai-7ycjJC-9D91pf-5zBhMM-5zBhMH-9DDTTX-9DGLgm-7UTYcE-9MXFH3-9MUWs8-74hWxL-596wAK-5MXb7A-ocFQC-9pBvUQ-jdeSU-8Lojmj-ef17Hy-4PsW9T-a42df8-6BQbo-awoj5w-4vRZoe-9XcvdX-4PtaPB-4PwPXh-3JTEc-4PsmCB-4PwGtA-4PwVn3-FFvfb-6Yz8td-7EgCFS-bsLfAa-7VCMeM-7W1bwF-7W19wt-7W4rdm-7W4qtC-7W1dtT" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Flickr Photo</span></a></div>
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<i><br /></i>Non-Toxic Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06939135096024728096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2122648540144199459.post-21923031062234853072013-06-29T21:18:00.004-07:002013-07-03T14:59:32.382-07:00The Dang Drain is CloggedI went to a neighborhood picnic tonight. It was great, but when I got home to clean up, the sink backed up--almost up to the level with my clean dishes. Really gross!<br />
<br />
It was late, but who wants to deal with disgustingness in the morning? Not me. I knew my old standby of baking soda and vinegar followed by boiling water was not going to do the trick alone. And there is NO WAY I'm going to use the commercial drain opener that can actually cause blindness if you get it in your eyes.<br />
<br />
So, I remembered my landlord using a trick with a plunger in the sink. (And I googled it to make sure I knew what I was doing. See <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Unclog-a-Kitchen-Sink" target="_blank">WikiHow</a>.) I have a double sink, so I checked which sink seemed to be the problem by poking a wooden skewer down each drain. The one on the right was just fine, but the one on the left was clearly plugged up badly which called for drastic measures.<br />
<br />
I put the drain plug into the right sink (wearing rubber gloves--really nasty water), then I used the plunger on the left sink. The plug in the right sink still let water come up as the seal must not be very tight. It took a couple tries, but I did get the left sink to drain properly. I followed this with a dump of baking soda down the drain, followed by the vinegar to create a lovely volcano effect. I left this for 5-10 minutes and followed up with a boiling water chaser.<br />
<br />
My sink is just fine, thank you very much--without using something toxic and absolutely dangerous off the grocery store shelves.<br />
<br />
NOTE; That is not an electrical cord in the photo, it's for my water filter which is NOT electric. Just didn't want you to think I was playing with electricity in the water as my co-worker pointed out!<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc3ve0REZ87IAwFTZnh0nUCfiXSCO0DfmTD4ouWOoOG81Z4POFZknsi41gsXO0es-Do_lFfhTrg42tOkg9aioLvxuMuc6oYy3zwAEOaof4ZjCYH-qAxpdcJ7HGyl8LEUAHMyZ0ywlWv0A/s1600/Sink1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc3ve0REZ87IAwFTZnh0nUCfiXSCO0DfmTD4ouWOoOG81Z4POFZknsi41gsXO0es-Do_lFfhTrg42tOkg9aioLvxuMuc6oYy3zwAEOaof4ZjCYH-qAxpdcJ7HGyl8LEUAHMyZ0ywlWv0A/s320/Sink1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water back-up in double sinks</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL5AQHz8vEkcXOWT-E-t3vGmn_lDCgA6H4ETicsyfcLWvbc7Ub6FCAXKUf87QWzJYwZJKRH-ZH-kyI2_lB9sMHZznr2rFpqV8mKjIZxeVmDH6cqrbfnhvnUWxjhRj4VGFmRSV7kGUnd5A/s1600/StickTest.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL5AQHz8vEkcXOWT-E-t3vGmn_lDCgA6H4ETicsyfcLWvbc7Ub6FCAXKUf87QWzJYwZJKRH-ZH-kyI2_lB9sMHZznr2rFpqV8mKjIZxeVmDH6cqrbfnhvnUWxjhRj4VGFmRSV7kGUnd5A/s320/StickTest.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stick test to determine which sink is clogged</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfDxaqcDNowGpn_eD6Uuyurx1_vgZlbBxu5HA1ylgXqapOkZUeMrbHgWv_s_jx1Fym1-z3DAprD-rh1un4IZy-ZGz-M-cI0cKGMhvpKgL5OnqBMjueRqshEFL62zgmlesEp7r8gQk_K9k/s1600/Plunger1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfDxaqcDNowGpn_eD6Uuyurx1_vgZlbBxu5HA1ylgXqapOkZUeMrbHgWv_s_jx1Fym1-z3DAprD-rh1un4IZy-ZGz-M-cI0cKGMhvpKgL5OnqBMjueRqshEFL62zgmlesEp7r8gQk_K9k/s320/Plunger1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Using plunger in hot water in left sink</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrbshcRbOimLMv6bKm-nNBhMVZIj3JtPxhhXPVIkTb19reTsyaFJrV00Kfju6-hL4tdoHbqvZhgOOxnFKK196dmi7N_G21DYUsHXqRJnuElTwlfLpCLLigSnCIzwM4Yyb_mskai9bb680/s1600/BakingSoda.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrbshcRbOimLMv6bKm-nNBhMVZIj3JtPxhhXPVIkTb19reTsyaFJrV00Kfju6-hL4tdoHbqvZhgOOxnFKK196dmi7N_G21DYUsHXqRJnuElTwlfLpCLLigSnCIzwM4Yyb_mskai9bb680/s320/BakingSoda.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adding baking soda</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicOs0XvXAdVU8yhLpDVqw4MFnshH7KRAV_Nl56vN2Ef6NfP7On58dojeP6yOmDJy1oacQf0Kov1j8Ss7sIgNKIdnysP6VVPvNkJAfcEzO76WMJtCHgrt0muVk6Z2kJjb8r7WNdRoRAYZo/s1600/Vinegar1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicOs0XvXAdVU8yhLpDVqw4MFnshH7KRAV_Nl56vN2Ef6NfP7On58dojeP6yOmDJy1oacQf0Kov1j8Ss7sIgNKIdnysP6VVPvNkJAfcEzO76WMJtCHgrt0muVk6Z2kJjb8r7WNdRoRAYZo/s320/Vinegar1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adding vinegar after baking soda</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhphqG3saQvRpEsdZP4IQyf4-elVIjxu_oWCOhYehUfRB6Qszk9ZLbZvBMKa0ldLhnpHT42F0kp7CxA_l2TS1XJ6EECK3VEONz6xw_tZGxml8ZGXvxG3_4XroP4j8agQ7xRUqVuGtlIUT4/s1600/Foam.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhphqG3saQvRpEsdZP4IQyf4-elVIjxu_oWCOhYehUfRB6Qszk9ZLbZvBMKa0ldLhnpHT42F0kp7CxA_l2TS1XJ6EECK3VEONz6xw_tZGxml8ZGXvxG3_4XroP4j8agQ7xRUqVuGtlIUT4/s320/Foam.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still foaming after several minutes</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<br />Non-Toxic Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06939135096024728096noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2122648540144199459.post-45653538026237680542013-05-25T10:25:00.002-07:002013-06-01T11:06:17.613-07:00May is Asthma Awareness MonthThere are many irritants and triggers to asthma. And since it is Asthma Awareness Month, I thought I'd point out another reason to switch to non-toxic household cleaners. Below are a list of irritants from the U.S. EPA. <br />
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<ul>
<li>Secondhand Smoke</li>
<li>Dust Mites</li>
<li>Mold</li>
<li>Cockroaches and Pests</li>
<li>Pets</li>
<li>Nitrogen Dioxide (gas cooking stoves, space heaters)</li>
<li>Outdoor Air Pollution</li>
<li>Wood Smoke</li>
<li>Chemicals such as Household Cleaners </li>
</ul>
<h4>
About Chemical Irritants and Asthma from the U.S. EPA</h4>
Chemical irritants are found in some products in your house and may
trigger asthma. Your asthma or your child's asthma may be worse around
products such as cleaners, paints, adhesives, pesticides, cosmetics or
air fresheners. Chemical irritants are also present in schools and can
be found in commonly used cleaning supplies and educational kits.<br />
<br />
Chemical irritants may exacerbate asthma. At sufficient concentrations in the air, many products can trigger a reaction.<br />
<br />
<b>Actions You Can Take</b><br />
<br />
If you find that your asthma or your child's asthma gets worse when
you use a certain product, consider trying different products.<br />
<br />
If you must use a product, then you should:<br />
<ul>
<li>Make sure your child is not around.</li>
<li>Open windows or doors, or use an exhaust fan.</li>
<li>Always follow the instructions on the product label.</li>
<li>Use a nontoxic product from the store or make your own. See the recipes page. </li>
</ul>
Non-Toxic Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06939135096024728096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2122648540144199459.post-56883237916142256052013-03-14T18:50:00.003-07:002013-04-06T12:04:48.101-07:00Money Down the DrainBuying commercial cleaners is not only adding toxins to your home, it's throwing money down the drain.<br />
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The cost of cleaning can be just pennies. Nontoxic ingredients are cheap, cheap, cheap...and they work just as well as the smelly, toxic cleaners in the store. Vinegar, baking soda, and liquid soap do not have frightening labels telling you how to call the poison control center. <br />
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Think about what you're buying when you purchase a commercial cleaner:<br />
<ul>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMhTp85SxJApKxzCxsL1Wvrk_QqU6T87jsoRlGAcRq_fReSDZSjYWJSBwPy2FLh3qpMDOujtw_PjubJWehlmZvsJWOKeCG4J7Mbeph6rsNVO5HguLwe_KO8OPSKe33Wn7VSeXrEFUqno/s1600/P1000882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMhTp85SxJApKxzCxsL1Wvrk_QqU6T87jsoRlGAcRq_fReSDZSjYWJSBwPy2FLh3qpMDOujtw_PjubJWehlmZvsJWOKeCG4J7Mbeph6rsNVO5HguLwe_KO8OPSKe33Wn7VSeXrEFUqno/s400/P1000882.JPG" width="400" /></a>
<li><span style="color: purple;"><i>Advertising and Marketing</i></span> - The companies must convince the masses that the product is essential for a clean home. New, improved, will rev up your sex life, make your neighbors jealous...</li>
<li><span style="color: purple;"><i>Chemical Engineering</i></span> - Someone has to figure out how to make ammonia smell like a tropical rain forest--and make it a lovely green color!</li>
<li><span style="color: purple;"><i>Packaging, Shipping, and Shelf Space</i></span> - OK, the nontoxic ingredients have the same issues, but I don't think the vinegar companies go to quite so much effort as the drain cleaners in their packaging designs.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: large;">What's the Difference in Cost of Typical Cleaning Products Versus Nontoxic <span style="font-size: large;">Cleaners</span>?</span><br />
<br />
Using simple math (the kind I'm best at), I've calculated the comparable costs of nontoxic cleaners versus store-bought toxic cleaners. Check it out! (And hey, those are rounding errors--not my fault!) Want to save some money and have a clean, nontoxic home? Make your own cleaners.... (See the Recipes page)<br />
<br />
<b>Glass Cleaner</b> - Windex Original costs $3.69 for 26 ounces or $0.14/ounce versus a nontoxic homemade cleaner costs $0.52 for 26 ounces or $0.02/ounce. That's 86% cheaper.<br />
<br />
<b>All-Purpose Cleaner</b> - Simple Green (boo, hiss! Greenwashing at its worst) costs $3.79 for 22 ounces or $0.17 an ounce versus a nontoxic homemade cleaner at $0.44 for 22 ounces or $0.02 an ounce. That's 96% cheaper.<br />
<br />
<b>Abrasive Powder</b> - Comet costs $0.75 for 14 ounces or $0.05 an ounce versus baking soda at $1.69 for 14 ounces or $0.12 an ounce. OK, OK, this is one that's cheaper to buy the commercial brand, but you already have baking soda in the cupboard--and if you bought baking soda in bulk it would cost less than what I've calculated. That's 25% more expensive for the box type of baking soda.<br />
<br />
<b>Abrasive Scrub</b> - Soft Scrub costs $3.49 for 24 ounces or $0.15 an ounce versus a nontoxic homemade cleaner at $2.64 for 24 ounces or $0.11 an ounce. That's 15% cheaper.<br />
<br />
<b>Toilet Bowl Cleaner</b> - Lysol Toilet Bowl Cleaner costs $2.69 for 24 ounces or $0.11 an ounce versus $0.48 for 24 ounces of white vinegar or $0.02 an ounce. That's 96% cheaper.<br />
<br />
<b>Drain Opener </b>- Liquid Plumber costs $3.99 for 32 ounces or $0.12 an ounce. A vinegar and baking soda cleanse costs $0.30 for one application to keep your drain clean or $0.04 an ounce. That's 93% cheaper.<br />
<br />
<br />
So, if reading the tiny print on the commercial cleaners doesn't make your palms sweat, then maybe saving some cash will get you to convert to simple, nontoxic cleaning. That can be 100% safer!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />Non-Toxic Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06939135096024728096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2122648540144199459.post-63759882220119027782013-03-06T17:13:00.000-08:002013-03-06T17:14:23.255-08:00Second-Hand Smoke and Pets<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8cdkxGjieP-uLqrxNLaDinDJnbXzQLJiQISTFQdVILZS4D7C3slwDWUlas5-W1wtK2ZV5AiQar_b-iiogKTLI2hVL8Pokof4-ma-gyNI2hwP3HtYO5ugjStbx-PX2zpxOuZJFSftzmjo/s1600/445328642_a268f8bf3b_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8cdkxGjieP-uLqrxNLaDinDJnbXzQLJiQISTFQdVILZS4D7C3slwDWUlas5-W1wtK2ZV5AiQar_b-iiogKTLI2hVL8Pokof4-ma-gyNI2hwP3HtYO5ugjStbx-PX2zpxOuZJFSftzmjo/s320/445328642_a268f8bf3b_z.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I have heard a lot about second-hand smoke and its impact on humans; but I hadn't heard anything about the impact on pets.<br />
<br />
Recently, I went to visit a friend for several days (we'll call her "Lily"). We hadn't seen each other in 20 years so Lily reminded me that she smokes. I thought, "no big deal, she doesn't smoke in the side of the house where I'll sleep." And it wasn't that big of a deal because I was mentally prepared, but it did remind me how much I hate smoking. The smoke travels around the house, and I would wake up with a smoke taste on the roof of my mouth. And I always knew when Lily lit up even if I was at the opposite side of the house.<br />
<br />
Lily isn't just a smoker. She's a million other wonderful things. She's kind-hearted to an extreme, and she rescues animals that otherwise might be put down or die from exposure. She has 10 cats, two dogs, and a rabbit between two homes. The stories about their previous lives make me want to cry, and I'm so grateful for people like Lily. One cat had been shot in the face, and Lily made sure he had all the care he needed to recover as much as possible. He's now a pretty robust cat--loving and playful.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZleYDkyHOIuexUb-0mnciwt4YpGgMF4Dxw8X-jQcUCSktukKqDqXl1u9v0yZsusvHnHLF7X3UNRDsItzvQDYiHHaG-xwzRqC-swXkA1SbJ2jEQ9mcRh4h1EGaDaAonnZ6fLF2_UqJ77Y/s1600/P1000879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZleYDkyHOIuexUb-0mnciwt4YpGgMF4Dxw8X-jQcUCSktukKqDqXl1u9v0yZsusvHnHLF7X3UNRDsItzvQDYiHHaG-xwzRqC-swXkA1SbJ2jEQ9mcRh4h1EGaDaAonnZ6fLF2_UqJ77Y/s400/P1000879.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
There were seven cats in the house where I stayed, and I absolutely fell in love with one cat named Ginger Snap. She's a Siamese kitty with a heart of gold. Unfortunately Ginger Snap has allergies and trouble breathing sometimes. It's heartbreaking when she has a sneezing jag. Ginger Snap was an abandoned or lost kitten that scratched on a motel door when Lily was traveling. She looked for the owner, but no one seemed to know anything about this kitty. Ginger Snap has been with my friend for about 8 years now. This kitty has been on several medications and is now on two--one for allergies and one for high blood pressure. <br />
<br />
Aside from Ginger Snap, a couple other kitties there have more minor wheezing or sneezing. I thought, this can't be a coincidence. The smoking is so irritating to my respiratory system, I wondered what could it be doing to small animals who are subjected to it for several hours a day.<br />
<br />
According to several sources such as <a href="http://www.petside.com/article/how-secondhand-smoke-may-be-killing-your-pet" target="_blank">Petside</a>, <a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/08/070831123420.htm" target="_blank">Science Daily</a>, <a href="http://www.petfinder.com/cats/cat-health/pets-and-second-hand-smoke/" target="_blank">Petfinder</a>, <a href="http://www.aspca.org/News/Animal-Welfare-News/pets-may-be-damaged-by-secondhand-smoke.aspx" target="_blank">ASPCA</a>, and the <a href="http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/content/156/3/268.abstract" target="_blank">American Journal of Epidemiology</a>, there is a definite link between a pet's health and its exposure to secondhand smoke. There are 4,000 chemicals in secondhand smoke, and 43 are known to cause cancer.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.breathenh.org/page.aspx?pid=273" target="_blank">Breathe New Hampshire</a> cites the following impacts of secondhand smoke to pets: <br />
<ul>
<li>Cats exposed to secondhand smoke in the home have a higher rate of
an oral cancer called squamous cell carcinoma, which may be due to the
way cats groom themselves. When cats groom themselves they eat the
poisons from secondhand smoke that have settled on their fur. </li>
<li>Cats exposed to secondhand smoke have a higher rate of feline
lymphoma, a deadly form of cancer, than cats not exposed to secondhand
smoke.</li>
<li>Cats can develop respiratory problems, lung inflammation, and asthma as a result of secondhand smoke.</li>
<li>Dogs that inhale secondhand smoke are three times more likely to develop lung or nasal cancer than dogs living in smoke-free homes. </li>
<li>Dogs can experience allergic reactions to secondhand smoke. Common symptoms of this allergic reaction are the scratching, biting, and chewing of their skin. Owners often confuse this reaction with fleas or food allergies. </li>
<li>Cigarette butts can also be deadly. Two butts, if eaten by a puppy, can cause death in a relatively short period of time. </li>
<li>Birds can react badly to secondhand smoke and may develop eye problems, as well as other respiratory problems like coughing and wheezing. </li>
<li>Birds that sit on a smoker’s hand can experience contact dermatitis from the nicotine that remains on the smoker’s hand. This can cause them to pull out their feathers.</li>
</ul>
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<h3>
What Can You Do If You Smoke and Have Pets?</h3>
<br />
You can quit smoking. I know this is a tall order. I am a nonsmoker so I don't fully comprehend the difficulty of quitting smoking. My Dad quit after a few decades of smoking. He was hypnotized once, but I think he just really wanted to quit. My co-worker quit by using nicotine gum, but he's been chewing this type of gum for years now--a better addiction, I guess. And my niece quit for vanity--she noticed a wrinkle on her face she felt was caused by the cigarette smoke since we know a few women who smoke and their faces look ravaged.<br />
<br />
Well, if you can't quit for your own health, maybe considering your innocent pets as well as the humans that live with you might help you to give quitting a good try. If you fail, don't stop trying. The road to change is not a straight line.<br />
<br />
You could also only smoke out of doors so you're not contaminating the air, furniture, curtains, and carpeting in your home as well as your pet's fur and respiratory system. Your pets will thank you for it--and it will reduce your vet bills.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/la_babi/445328642/sizes/z/in/photostream/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo source for smoker</span></a>Non-Toxic Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06939135096024728096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2122648540144199459.post-26625547871743132172013-01-10T19:37:00.000-08:002013-01-17T16:16:33.502-08:00What's BPA and What's it Doing in My Food?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVB-RuvJALphFZPJ50rwzwrRBn7BiEGwm7j4MSulusahR9vaPJdDTCuUhpnxCa9LjCJt8zhhfkeijgT-8M0GlxoUNlyeg2mvUhPFcW0KzVfLqd0Hq5XhYfeQFcKsEwfaOrOJ6FT2CvlBU/s1600/4876620694_3742373838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVB-RuvJALphFZPJ50rwzwrRBn7BiEGwm7j4MSulusahR9vaPJdDTCuUhpnxCa9LjCJt8zhhfkeijgT-8M0GlxoUNlyeg2mvUhPFcW0KzVfLqd0Hq5XhYfeQFcKsEwfaOrOJ6FT2CvlBU/s320/4876620694_3742373838.jpg" width="214" /></a>Why would we want to eat something called Bisphenol A (BPA)? I don't think we do.<br />
<br />
BPA is an industrial chemical that has been used in plastics and epoxy since the 1960s. There is a lot of controversy about this chemical which is commonly used in food and beverage containers (including the lining in most food cans). Many studies show that BPA can seep into our food and beverages, and then into our bodies.<br />
<br />
In 2008, the <a href="http://www.nrdc.org/media/2012/120330.asp" target="_blank">Natural Resources Defense Council</a> petitioned the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to eliminate BPA from all food
packaging. When the agency failed to respond, NRDC sued in 2011 to make FDA respond. The court made the determination that the FDA must make a final decision on NRDC’s petition by
March 31, 2012. The FDA finally responded that they need to continue evaluating research.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sliceofchic/4876620694/sizes/m/in/photostream/" target="_blank"> Photo sou</a><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sliceofchic/4876620694/sizes/m/in/photostream/" target="_blank">rce</a><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span></span></div>
<br />
According to the NRDC, "the FDA acknowledged in 2010 that it had “some concerns” about the
chemical’s effects on the brain, behavior, and prostate glands in
fetuses, infants, and young children. But the agency has only encouraged
voluntary actions to reduce BPA exposure. Since that time numerous studies have raised additional concerns about
links between BPA and breast cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes
and obesity.<br />
<br />
"Consumer demand for BPA-free products has already led to the withdrawal
of baby bottles, “sippy cups’’ and infant formula containers containing
the chemical from store shelves. Canada, the European Union, China,
and at least five other countries as well as 11 U.S. states, all have
prohibited the use of BPA in children’s products.<br />
<br />
"In addition, some U.S. canned food manufacturers are voluntarily
removing BPA from can linings, but BPA remains legal to use in all food
packaging."<br />
<br />
According to the <a href="http://www.ewg.org/bisphenol-a-info" target="_blank">Environmental Working Group</a> (EWG), "certain plastics called polycarbonates leach low levels of BPA
into food or liquids. Leaching from plastic baby bottles and food
containers appears to happen at a much lower level than found in canned
foods and baby formula. Nevertheless it is good to take simple
precautions.<br />
<br />
"BPA is found in polycarbonate plastic food containers often marked on
the bottom with the letters "PC" recycling label #7. Not all #7 labeled
products are polycarbonate but this is a reasonable guideline for a
category of plastics to avoid. Polycarbonate plastics are rigid and
transparent and used for sippy cups, baby bottles, food storage, and
water bottles. Some polycarbonate water bottles are marketed as
'non-leaching' for minimizing plastic taste or odor, however there is
still a possibility that trace amounts of BPA will migrate from these
containers, particularly if used to heat liquids."<br />
<br />
Is this not enough? BPA is used in making store receipts. The <a href="http://www.ewg.org/bpa-in-store-receipts" target="_blank">EWG</a> reported in 2010 that "two-fifths of the paper receipts tested by a major laboratory
commissioned by EWG were on heat-activated paper
that was between 0.8 to nearly 3 percent pure BPA by weight. Wipe tests
conducted with a damp laboratory paper easily picked up a portion of
the receipts' BPA coating, indicating that the chemical would likely
stick to the skin of anyone who handled them. The receipts came from
major retailers, grocery stores, convenience stores, gas stations,
fast-food restaurants, post offices and automatic teller machines
(ATMs).<br />
<br />
"Major retailers using BPA-containing receipts in at least some
outlets included McDonald's, CVS, KFC, Whole Foods, Walmart, Safeway and
the U.S. Postal Service. Receipts from some major chains, including
Target, Starbucks and Bank of America ATMs, issued receipts that were
BPA-free or contained only trace amounts<br />
<br />
"Scientists have not determined how much of a receipt's BPA coating
can transfer to the skin and from there into the body. Possibilities
being explored include: <br />
<ul>
<li>Oral exposure -- BPA moves from receipts onto fingers and then onto food and into the mouth. </li>
<li>Dermal exposure -- BPA from receipts is directly absorbed through the skin into the body. </li>
</ul>
"A <a href="http://www.springerlink.com/content/d5j507113141120h/">study published July 11 by Swiss scientists</a>
found that BPA transfers readily from receipts to skin and can
penetrate the skin to such a depth that it cannot be washed off
(Biedermann 2010). This raises the possibility that the chemical
infiltrates the skin's lower layers to enter the bloodstream directly.
BPA has also been shown to penetrate skin in laboratory studies (Kaddar
2008)."<br />
<br />
My local food co-ops use the BPA-free paper so I don't mind handling my receipts. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">What Can You Do?</span><br />
<ul>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Rs-7DgIpuR8H-B1BfDqZrcreqG7VYhLBlj5iVy8d4NUjda7pa97g314O7c_sP95TG1YmmNDi6S6WyiBVf4E6mUesDU3g7yOtCPONBPxVz-2KKP3lMFoWQQdLBRsXaF9_9GGkmXT5bys/s1600/103004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Rs-7DgIpuR8H-B1BfDqZrcreqG7VYhLBlj5iVy8d4NUjda7pa97g314O7c_sP95TG1YmmNDi6S6WyiBVf4E6mUesDU3g7yOtCPONBPxVz-2KKP3lMFoWQQdLBRsXaF9_9GGkmXT5bys/s200/103004.jpg" width="200" /></a>
<li>Choose fresh food whenever possible like fresh vegetables and fruit instead of canned or dried beans instead of canned. </li>
<li>Write a letter to the companies you purchase from and tell them you don't want your food packaged in BPA, or your water bottle lined with BPA, or the food containers you use to contain BPA.</li>
<li>Start buying from the companies that use BPA-free packaging. Visit these web sites for a list for <a href="http://guide.thesoftlanding.com/bpa-free-canned-food-options/" target="_blank">canned food</a>, <a href="http://ucts/toddler-products/best-sippy-cups/kid-basix-safe-sippy/" target="_blank">sippy cups</a>, <a href="http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/product-reviews/eco-friendly-products/reusable-water-bottle-reviews/best-reusable-water-bottles#slide-1" target="_blank">reusable water bottles</a>, and <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/BPA-Free-Food-Storage-Containers-7104018" target="_blank">lunch containers</a>. </li>
<li>Start storing your food in glass jars with metal lids. Save those salsa and nut butter jars!</li>
<li>Do not heat food in plastic containers in the microwave--even if it says "microwave safe." </li>
<li>Use stainless steel, porcelain, or glass containers for hot foods. </li>
<li>Watch for bottled beverages with plastic caps--these can contain BPA as well.</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Eden<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> Organics uses BPA-free can<span style="font-size: xx-small;">s</span></span> for beans</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Non-Toxic Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06939135096024728096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2122648540144199459.post-35811981053306676272012-12-29T09:41:00.001-08:002013-03-17T06:08:01.707-07:00All-Purpose Cleaner with Love<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1O0shtCwgpzUa33sM_z9KgZJuwa20XQSi_6q1oMXLSYBFt51z14JEzgqa29bJX8IzeJqRa0SobJe7KwuTU9Ch5_QUJLGhnrRBqoe8JrJpyVnOq1_PNsY_zBL8eyHVoQudB5CQbiWFsHc/s1600/P1000556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1O0shtCwgpzUa33sM_z9KgZJuwa20XQSi_6q1oMXLSYBFt51z14JEzgqa29bJX8IzeJqRa0SobJe7KwuTU9Ch5_QUJLGhnrRBqoe8JrJpyVnOq1_PNsY_zBL8eyHVoQudB5CQbiWFsHc/s320/P1000556.JPG" width="240" /></a>I don't even remember when I started using nontoxic cleaners. I was using them unconsciously as I grew up as my mother used them. She may have been using them to save money. After all, she had five kids to raise, and a gallon of vinegar is a lot cheaper than a manufactured product.<br />
<br />
When you make your own cleaners, you should always start with a clean container. If it's a previously used container, make sure you don't have residue from the previous contents still in the container when you put it to reuse. Clearly mark your container so you don't confuse it with something else. Just take a sharpie, permanent maker and write on the container. <br />
<br />
For my all-purpose disinfecting cleaner, I use a spray bottle that can be purchased in the gardening section of many stores. The nozzle is adjustable to regulate a misting spray to a straight shot. <br />
<br />
I have been cleaning my apartments with a nontoxic, home-made cleaner for many years. It's very simple and the recipe follows:<br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">All-Purpose Disinfecting Cleaner</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">1 tablespoon liquid soap</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">1 cup warm water</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">2/3 cup white vinegar</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">In a spray bottle, mix the soap and water first to prevent clumping. Then add the vinegar and mix gently. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Why Use a Home-Made Cleaner?</span></b> </span></span><br />
<br />
When you make your own cleaner, you really, really know what's in it. When you buy a cleaner, you can't be sure all of the ingredients are listed. <b>The U.S. EPA gives a <a href="http://www.epa.gov/kidshometour/products/apclean2.htm" target="_blank">warning</a> about commercial all-purpose cleaners:</b><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> When using [commercial] all purpose cleaners, follow these
safety steps:</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></i><br />
<ul>
<li><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Wear rubber gloves to protect your skin
</span></i> </li>
<li><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Be sure that there is good air circulation
in the room. Open several windows or keep a fan running. </span></i> </li>
<li><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">NEVER mix two cleaners of different kinds
together, especially if one contains ammonia and the other contains
chlorine. This can produce a gas called chloramine, and breathing its
fumes could be fatal. </span></i> </li>
</ul>
You could buy a commercial cleaner containing bleach to kill germs, but white <a href="http://www.ehow.com/info_8309853_can-vinegar-used-disinfectant.html" target="_blank">vinegar also kills germs.</a> So, why pay more for a cleaner that can harm you? Just make your own.<br />
<br />
<br />Non-Toxic Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06939135096024728096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2122648540144199459.post-83971277646196452602012-11-15T15:44:00.000-08:002012-11-23T08:56:16.805-08:00Just a Few (of the many) Things I Didn't KnowI live on the border of New Hampshire and Vermont where there are several e-mail list serves to connect residents who have lost a dog, want to sell a dresser, or share whatever information they choose. After seeing an e-mail from someone saying, "Dishwasher Now Runs Clean: Want to THANK whoever it was that suggested putting a 1/2 cup of white vinegar sitting on the top shelf in the dishwasher. That has made all the difference in the world! I now buy the vinegar by the gallon."<br />
<br />
I actually never saw the original e-mail and I've never owned a dishwasher, but it was gratifying to read that vinegar once again had saved the day in someone's home. Less money, less toxic output.<br />
<br />
I then decided to see what else people in my area know about nontoxic cleaners, so I put out this notice on three local list serves: "If you have any recipes or experiences with nontoxic cleaning, I'd love to hear them." <br />
<br />
Well, I received many responses. Most were ones that are already addressed on this blog either in the posts or on the Recipes page. But again, it was great to hear that other people are using simple, nontoxic recipes to clean their homes.<br />
<br />
There were a few recipes I had never heard before--and I'm sharing them below.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Weed and Grass Killer</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0YBFgB6VywWCxMQ2BfIxzVqKWRIbMvJTA8en0U19Jxsx3i4R06hInJuldbFHtBa8T9F4vV3HoV-K58WrLRA-8RVDJY4ybHh1Uycp2VYU2o7aQ-clwpySznw7nsK7kQG83bavxhAzqGX4/s1600/4504223954_21aabf81eb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0YBFgB6VywWCxMQ2BfIxzVqKWRIbMvJTA8en0U19Jxsx3i4R06hInJuldbFHtBa8T9F4vV3HoV-K58WrLRA-8RVDJY4ybHh1Uycp2VYU2o7aQ-clwpySznw7nsK7kQG83bavxhAzqGX4/s320/4504223954_21aabf81eb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
"Pour straight white vinegar on the weeds to get to the roots, but don't get it on anything you want to keep."<br />
<br />
I sent out an e-mail to a group in a Household Hazardous Waste Committee and received a confirming response that vinegar actually kills weeds! My friend, Joanne said she had her granddaughter spray a section of weeds growing up in her gravel driveway. They had to do it twice as the weeds were thick and well established, but she lives on a lake so it's great she found a non-toxic way to kill weeds.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/aquariawintersoul/4504223954/lightbox/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo Credit Link</span></a> <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Fruit Fly Trap </span><br />
<br />
"Put about an inch of apple cider vinegar into a small jar with a little water and a drop or two of liquid dish washing liquid. The fruit flies will be attracted and drown
in the liquid...you'll have to dump it out and make a fresh batch every now and
then if you have a lot of fruit flies."<br />
<br />
I'm not sure what the point of the dish washing liquid is, but who can argue with success. Personally, I just use my kitchen compost can and put the lid on it to trap the fruit flies.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">Tub and Sink Cleaner</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">"</span></span>A mixture of Borax and Dr.
Bronner's Sal Suds<span style="font-size: small;"> is v</span>ery effective, good smelling, and makes everything
shine." </span></span></span>Non-Toxic Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06939135096024728096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2122648540144199459.post-83860126859291995162012-10-27T06:02:00.002-07:002012-10-29T18:35:28.564-07:00Ode to Vinegar<span style="font-size: small;">Oh white vinegar, how do I love thee, let me count the ways.... If ever there was a multipurpose nontoxic product, it is white vinegar. It is used in cooking, gardening, health remedies, automotive cleaners, air fresheners, laundry cleaning, and general all-purpose household cleaners. Visit <a href="http://www.vinegartips.com/Scripts/pageViewSec.asp?id=10" target="_blank">Vinegar Tips</a> for a more thorough explanation of the 1001 uses of white vinegar.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />White vinegar
is made by allowing a distilled
alcohol to undergo acid fermentation. The typical store-bought white vinegar is 5% acetic acid which makes it a great cleaner. Michael Mullen of the Heinz Company referred to several studies
to show that vinegar has properties to destroy
80% of viruses, 82% of mold, and 99% of bacteria. Thus, as it should be, vinegar is a common household product used for cleaning bacteria laden surfaces like kitchen stoves, toilets, sinks, and floors. Vinegar is a much better option than the chemical cleaners available in stores as vinegar does not have the harmful health effects of most commercial cleaners (read the tiny print on the labels for a good scare).</span>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeB4NLTkMHu7zkVxSzNd3DxwWs-oX62gybwBoPXwFZQ5ObyLvXgS94Te_vbtOR5bFayZt7O_gfqW3FEfGWTZuieW-nPHh65FhtD1yb0qQ9BqG-W8vKGC-86oLdJGCWBdrVDrEzuJArqCk/s1600/2853361059_284f74daa2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeB4NLTkMHu7zkVxSzNd3DxwWs-oX62gybwBoPXwFZQ5ObyLvXgS94Te_vbtOR5bFayZt7O_gfqW3FEfGWTZuieW-nPHh65FhtD1yb0qQ9BqG-W8vKGC-86oLdJGCWBdrVDrEzuJArqCk/s400/2853361059_284f74daa2.jpg" width="300" /></a></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">Personally, I use vinegar in a homemade all-purpose cleaner made with white vinegar, liquid soap, and water (see the Recipes page of this blog). For an air freshener, I put a bowl of white vinegar on the counter. (I do this with baking soda as well.) I use vinegar as a toilet bowl cleaner by pouring straight vinegar into the toilet bowl, scrub the toilet with a brush, and let is sit until the next use of the toilet. I use simple vinegar and water to mop the linoleum kitchen floor as well as the bathroom floor. Vinegar and water can be sprayed on to windows and mirrors, then wiped off with crumpled newspaper for sparkling glass. Oh, white vinegar, how do I love thee....</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />The last time I bought vinegar at the local grocery store, it cost me less than $3 for a gallon. That's a lot of cleaning power for less than three bucks.</span>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />Give vinegar a try in cleaning your home. It's cost-effective, it works, it kills the microbes you want to kill without causing you and your family harm. The smell is much more appealing to me than commercial cleaners especially realizing when I smell those cleaners, I'm inhaling toxic fumes. Add several drops of your favorite essential oil to your vinegar cleaner if you'd rather smell peppermint or citrus.</span>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />Go forth with the rightly esteemed white vinegar.... </span>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elycefeliz/2853361059/" target="_blank">Photo Credit Link</a><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span>Non-Toxic Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06939135096024728096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2122648540144199459.post-48034910367123613272012-10-19T17:32:00.004-07:002012-10-30T19:42:02.664-07:00Hidden Time Bombs in SchoolsFor over a week, I was at a conference on household hazardous waste in Los Angeles, California. It turns out, I am definitely not an L.A. girl. I arrived back home to Vermont, and I am relishing the chill of the oncoming autumn. The conference was put on by the North American Hazardous Materials Management Association (NAHMMA). It was excellent! They did a fabulous job--especially the discussions about hazardous products in public and private schools. Products are found throughout the schools in chemistry labs, art classrooms, and maintenance closets.<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Chemistry Labs </b></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
I already knew chemicals in labs were a problem (because I'd watched a webinar by NAHMMA). But it absolutely fascinates and horrifies me that outdated and unknown chemicals found in schools can cause
fires, explosions, spills and toxic human exposure. These incidents from poorly
stored chemicals present a risk to children in addition to thousands of
dollars in cleanup costs. </div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
These may be products that are currently in use, but also ones that are languishing behind other bottles of laboratory chemicals--waiting, just waiting for something bad to happen. Those bottles have often been there for decades.<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimmiehomeschoolmom/3423117437/" target="_blank">Photo Credit Link</a> </span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaUszgNYOYNFzpMXzqiyHdENfICgaUyqet2I538FZWaILwqy-nG6SX2Z5oZI-7LrGyMMRSCpDwUaaV_ShYagjHwhvNfbEZ0jQs9cLWHKpY4AoEsafv-vfM9tRc-yojml8s0oMcWTESqpc/s1600/3423116261_0d37c2999c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaUszgNYOYNFzpMXzqiyHdENfICgaUyqet2I538FZWaILwqy-nG6SX2Z5oZI-7LrGyMMRSCpDwUaaV_ShYagjHwhvNfbEZ0jQs9cLWHKpY4AoEsafv-vfM9tRc-yojml8s0oMcWTESqpc/s320/3423116261_0d37c2999c.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/459542/picric-acid" target="_blank">Picric acid</a> really intrigues me because it is sensitive to sudden movement, heat, or friction. So, if someone were to say drop a bottle of picric acid in the high school laboratory, there is potential that it could blow out the room. Here's a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDuOvqphBdE" target="_blank">YouTube</a> video of an detonation of just 14 grams of pitric acid. Imagine if there were a jar of this in the school! (Pitric acid also intrigues me because they used to put it in <a href="http://www.mum.org/patmed5.htm" target="_blank">vaginal suppositories</a>. What were they thinking?)<br />
<br />
An <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XafCSYMG2jg" target="_blank">ethyl ether YouTube</a> video shows a violent explosion of another common chemical found in schools. I guess a good chemistry laboratory may need some dangerous products to teach, but many schools overbuy or hoard dangerous products. And with teachers leaving and new teachers coming in, the toxic load can increase.<br />
<br />
Schools may or may not realize what they have. Some schools go so far
as to do a chemical inventory and obtain a cost estimate to get rid of
these products from the school, but when they find out how expensive it
is (it could be $4,000 for just one bottle of something especially
dangerous), they leave it all where it sits. So it's back to out of
sight, out of mind--and the disposal cost is not going to go down by
pretending those chemicals are not there. <br />
<br />
Schools have budgets like everyone and chemical disposal can be very
expensive. A "triage" might help the schools select the most dangerous
chemicals to get rid of first so they don't bust the annual budget.<br />
<br />
King County, Washington provides a <a href="http://www.lhwmp.org/home/educators/rehabthelab.aspx" target="_blank">Rehab the Lab</a> program to help schools sort out their chemicals and keep the labs safer for kids. They also provide <a href="http://www.lhwmp.org/home/educators/labvideos.aspx" target="_blank">lab safety videos</a>.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Art Classrooms</b></span><br />
<br />
Oil paints, pastels, acrylics, charcoal & graphite dust, markers and
inks, spray adhesives, and clean-up solvents are part of the artistic and sometimes toxic
potpourri in the art classroom. <br />
<br />
Art supplies can be so dangerous that the <a href="http://www.oehha.org/education/art/artguide.html" target="_blank">California</a> and <a href="http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=1022&ChapterID=17" target="_blank">Illinois</a> <b> </b>have legislation to limit toxic art supplies in schools. They recognize that children cannot read the labels of products to see what they should be exposed to or not. Paints and other art supplies can produce some of the most eloquent and thought-provoking art, but they can also be carcinogenic or cause allergic reactions while the artist is making her beautiful creations.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/theartdontstop/3974293019" target="_blank">Photo Credit Link</a> </span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNkHeuaWPsTWv1v2i1V7sTTv_EJ3T6YLMyL0nrtt5WBNUcHHN1rqb03-Z0zl0gGNy3VtAmLAmbRaLGi6S0JwKpkhf0CHk0QRyxV8agVy9dRCQwQF6tezxlQk_khXcsGRynVesdBzIMrOM/s1600/3974293019_8f8cbe6eff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNkHeuaWPsTWv1v2i1V7sTTv_EJ3T6YLMyL0nrtt5WBNUcHHN1rqb03-Z0zl0gGNy3VtAmLAmbRaLGi6S0JwKpkhf0CHk0QRyxV8agVy9dRCQwQF6tezxlQk_khXcsGRynVesdBzIMrOM/s320/3974293019_8f8cbe6eff.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
The <a href="http://www.epa.gov/region02/children/k12/" target="_blank">U.S. Environmental Protection Agency</a> provides guidance in purchasing nontoxic art supplies as does the <a href="http://www.acminet.org/" target="_blank">Art and Creative Materials Institute</a>. <a href="http://www.lhwmp.org/home/chemtoxpesticides/artchemicals.aspx" target="_blank">King County, Washington</a> provides great information on art supplies and selecting less toxic alternatives. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Maintenance</b></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifWU17QOGCVqPfqSrlPYkIUPyEpIayszYtET0XhMdQUOTyP3ebCCkudM-APUnldz4MxpPNkVG3eiTmwJZFXIGA3uV5_bH8XYrgdiWOkk2GAqAf7I1TEPVJ5eVs2VbQt2WeHPEwd3evptM/s1600/5171182068_43a961756f_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifWU17QOGCVqPfqSrlPYkIUPyEpIayszYtET0XhMdQUOTyP3ebCCkudM-APUnldz4MxpPNkVG3eiTmwJZFXIGA3uV5_bH8XYrgdiWOkk2GAqAf7I1TEPVJ5eVs2VbQt2WeHPEwd3evptM/s1600/5171182068_43a961756f_n.jpg" /></a><br />
There are a lot of kids tramping through the school and going in and out
at recess. The cleaners tend to be more "heavy-duty" or toxic than at
home. But these cleaners do not have to be so toxic that they cause
health problems such as aggravating or even causing asthma. <br />
<br />
For maintenance and other cleaning products, schools have resources such as the <a href="http://www.greenschools.net/display.php?modin=54" target="_blank">Green Schools Initiative,</a> <a href="http://www.cleaningforhealthyschools.org/" target="_blank">Cleaning for Healthy Schools</a>, <a href="http://www.healthyschoolscampaign.org/programs/gcs/" target="_blank">Green Clean Schools</a>, and <a href="http://www.ewg.org/schoolcleaningsupplies/schoolsandgreencleaners" target="_blank">The Environmental Working Group</a>. There are many web sites and resources for schools to green up their act and clean with nontoxic cleaning products that are not hazardous to children's health.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/theblacklightstudio/5171182068/" target="_blank">Photo Credit Link</a> </span></span> <br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>General Resources for Change</b></span><br />
<br />
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognizes these problems and has developed the <a href="http://www.epa.gov/schools/toolkit.html" target="_blank">Toolkit for Safe Chemical Management Program</a>. You can also check out the <a href="http://greenschools.net/" target="_blank">Green Schools Initiative</a>. <br />
<br />
We can keep the kids safe while providing a good--and healthy education.<br />
<br />
<br />Non-Toxic Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06939135096024728096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2122648540144199459.post-1107334265939032762012-08-30T18:09:00.001-07:002012-10-20T18:38:40.912-07:00Nontoxic FingernailsToday, I had a message at work from a woman asking if she should put her fingernail polish in with her husband's hazardous waste pile to take to a hazardous waste collection. I called her back and told her that most nail polish is hazardous and that yes, she should add it to the pile.<br />
<br />
I had nail polish on my list of articles to write for this blog, and the call this morning has spurred me on to write about nail polish and nail polish removers.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Nail Polish </b></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFI84jOTRyI3djJgxDmcP1g6KeK7FmDW4_FOMBfM_prBFIxInysQEMt8MdgY0snj-YHul8Dp4KCM34LV7PDC3us3lMW_0L7OdjRwUVNSSxTXZ5wvbNCiPz1r1AQ4mxn8GatZnHfxdY7tE/s1600/P1000673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFI84jOTRyI3djJgxDmcP1g6KeK7FmDW4_FOMBfM_prBFIxInysQEMt8MdgY0snj-YHul8Dp4KCM34LV7PDC3us3lMW_0L7OdjRwUVNSSxTXZ5wvbNCiPz1r1AQ4mxn8GatZnHfxdY7tE/s320/P1000673.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I don't paint my nails very often, but when I do, I try to use a non-toxic polish. I say "try" because in April 2012, the California Environmental Protection Agency published <a href="http://www.blogger.com/%20http://www.webmd.com/healthy-beauty/news/20120411/is-your-nail-polish-toxic" target="_blank">results</a> of testing they did on reportedly "nontoxic" nail polishes to find that many of them are indeed toxic. The story was picked up by <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Health/nail-polish-safety/story?id=16108721#.UD6gKESEOGp" target="_blank">ABC</a>, <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-57412614-10391704/concerned-advocates-companies-respond-to-calif--toxic-nail-polish-report/" target="_blank">CBS</a>, and <a href="http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/health/Nail-Polish-Labels-Toxic--146811035.html" target="_blank">NBC</a> networks.<br />
<br />
The California Agency bought 25 products and sent samples to an independent lab to text for the "toxic trio" often found in nail polishes: <a href="http://www.davidsuzuki.org/issues/health/science/toxics/chemicals-in-your-cosmetics---dibutyl-phthalate/" target="_blank">dibutyl phthalate</a>, <a href="http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/818939-overview" target="_blank">toluene</a>, and <a href="http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/formaldehyde" target="_blank">formaldehyde</a>. Dibutyl phthalate is absorbed through the skin and can cause developmental defects of fetuses, especially males. Toluene can cause occupational asthma. Formaldhyde is a probable carcinogen. No wonder nail polish is so stinky. Imagine painting people's nails for a living. Not a healthy profession, and those paper masks aren't going to help.<br />
<br />
What the Agency found from the tests is that some of the nail polish with labels that claimed the product to be "nontoxic" contained at least one of the toxic trio. And some of the products that did not make any claims to be nontoxic, were actually nontoxic with none of the toxic trio. So, there is no telling what is in the nail polish without accurate labeling requirements. So, once again, we are buying unregulated products that can be harmful. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Nail Polish Remover</b></span><br />
<br />
And then you have to take the polish off at some point. I once had a pedicure and the nail polish lasted for over a month until I got sick of it and removed it. My nails didn't look very good after being deprived of oxygen for so long, and the remover really stunk. I actually used polish remover once to clean a part on a car--I can't remember the details now, but found that it worked quite well.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_ms7vqFRCDP3hwjS7uBvD16TeapCMdU2mtipj35NTwTVc-rqovBEftLtedu6MvRvWdh1PX_A9tOyW-ITi4fGo2jlGB0hsA1E7Ldtpolnlp0qdtBPutdssVGTBommga2SpA8v883CjNs/s1600/P1000675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_ms7vqFRCDP3hwjS7uBvD16TeapCMdU2mtipj35NTwTVc-rqovBEftLtedu6MvRvWdh1PX_A9tOyW-ITi4fGo2jlGB0hsA1E7Ldtpolnlp0qdtBPutdssVGTBommga2SpA8v883CjNs/s320/P1000675.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
Most nail polish removers are highly toxic containing acetone. <a href="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002480.htm" target="_blank">Acetone poisoning</a><br />
symptoms are described in a National Institutes of Health document including lowering blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, sweet taste in the mouth, acting as if drunk, difficulty breathing, among many other symptoms.<br />
<br />
A common alternative, which is also hazardous due to its flammability, is <a href="http://toxipedia.org/display/toxipedia/Ethyl+Acetate" target="_blank">ethyl acetate</a>. The US EPA considers it to be relatively nontoxic even though it can cause vomiting, headaches in large amounts. I suppose vodka could have the same effect. Hmmm...is vodka a hazardous product? That could be another post another time. Choose your poison...preferably vodka to nail polish remover, I think!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Nontoxic Alternatives</b></span><br />
<br />
Check out various nail polish and removers products at the <a href="http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/" target="_blank">Skin Deep</a> cosmetics database. I do know of some supposedly nontoxic nail polish brands that are not on this database. In my bathroom, I have Peacekeeper and Sante polishes and Suncoat nail polish remover. The Sante and Suncoat nail products on not in the database. The Peacekeeper nail polish (2006 formula) does not sound good. I bought this one more recently so, again, I don't know what's in it.<br />
<br />
<div style="color: black;">
On the <a href="http://www.iamapeacekeeper.com/department.aspx?DeptId=2" target="_blank">Peacekeeper</a> web site it says, "<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Rated by the Environmental Working Group as the Safest Paint-Based Natural Nail Polish! Natural Nail Polish at its best! The Environmental Working Group's Cosmetics Safety Database <a href="http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.org/">(www.cosmeticsdatabase.org</a>)</i><i>
has independently rated our Eco-Smooth Nail Paints on a scale of 0.0
(for nontoxics like water) and 10 (for products with the highest
toxicity). Our polishes, at rank 3, are the highest rated paint-based
nail polish. AND they're 100% Vegan! Who could ask for anything more?</i>"</span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Well, I could ask that they update their website because I don't find that information on the Skin Deep cosmetics database. And there are nail polishes in the database that rank at "1" or "2" in toxicity which is lower than Peacekeeper. And the Peacekeeper I do find is rated as a "4."</span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<br /></div>
You could just <a href="http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/style/remove-nail-polish-remover.htm" target="_blank">eliminate</a> nail polish and removers from your life--and go green. Your nails will be healthier and your indoor air quality will improve. Naked nails can be sexy. Check out this <a href="http://beauty.about.com/b/2008/09/07/skip-the-polish-ask-for-a-buffing.htm" target="_blank">article</a> on buffing.<br />
<br />Non-Toxic Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06939135096024728096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2122648540144199459.post-85620643962403289152012-08-13T14:23:00.001-07:002012-11-13T18:13:01.815-08:00Teen Angst & the PharmacyPrescription drug availability is a real problem. We keep our drugs on the counter, in the kitchen cupboard, on the dresser, on the night stand, in the medicine chest.... This may be quite a temptation to someone in your household, especially teens. (Those people that are between childhood and adulthood are going through incredible physical, mental, and emotional change and turmoil.) Would you notice if a few of your pills were missing? Maybe there are old prescriptions you've saved that you're not using anymore. Do you know how many pills are in the bottle? Is there a prescription that you only use when you're in pain and not on a regular basis? Do you know how many pills are in that bottle?<br />
<br />
I think I told you how old I am in the first post, but in case you've forgotten, I'm 54--still. And since I am a dinosaur, I feel comfortable (well, almost) telling you about my teen years which were a very long time ago, but memorably less than stellar.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUmhFokCqOjchC_XmPoGQYsD0h-5beoTH1lgbzVzzwkA1mKYNfn20ko4zwsc25sX8W227Fvz6WzjPN3gKtsiG8yP28VOMCWgRuLaRRm8fJl4jiXo3CZIyc0hunfFGNTl-fqUAmFD8y97w/s1600/generic_drugs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUmhFokCqOjchC_XmPoGQYsD0h-5beoTH1lgbzVzzwkA1mKYNfn20ko4zwsc25sX8W227Fvz6WzjPN3gKtsiG8yP28VOMCWgRuLaRRm8fJl4jiXo3CZIyc0hunfFGNTl-fqUAmFD8y97w/s320/generic_drugs.jpg" width="213" /></a>I used to be incredibly depressed as a teen. There are things about my teen years that I don't fully understand even now, but somehow cutting myself with a razor on my wrists put me in control of all the pain. I was in my mid-teens, maybe around 14 or 15. School was difficult, relationships at school were difficult, there was peer pressure to have a boyfriend and have sex, and there were abundant drugs available. Smoking pot during the school lunch hour was very common, and it was out in the open. Pregnancy looked like a contagious disease, and the adults were not responsive to a request for sex education. I can still think of at least
10 girls who were pregnant during my tenure at high school in northern New
Hampshire. It was a relatively small school. I think there were about
60 kids in my graduating class, so the percentage of pregnant girls seems very high to me--and those were the ones I knew about. <br />
<br />
All the cool kids would go to the high school dances across the river in Vermont. And by "cool," I guess I mean the ones whose parents were clueless or had raised their kids to be more responsible than I was. My parents were clueless. I was not a bad kid, I was unhappy, and I wanted to feel better. I don't remember kids using prescription meds then. We were more into the over-the-counter meds like No-Doze for an upper and liquid cough medicine for the alcohol. How stupid, you say? Well, yes, this is the point. But we didn't care! Pop some over-the-counter pills? Sure, why not. Life is so boring/confusing/traumatic, why the hell not? At the Vermont dances, there was a lot of activity in the restrooms and the parking lots getting high. <br />
<br />
My parents let me go to the dances because my best friends' father would take us and pick us up. What my parents didn't know and I never told them is that Mr. X was usually a bit wasted himself with alcohol. It seemed like everyone was trashed, so why would it feel like a problem?<br />
<br />
I'm telling you some of the gory details of my youth to make a point. And I hope that you, reader, will consider your past and the confusion you may have experienced in growing up. The teenage years are tough! They can be really tough. I'm not a parent, so I can't preach at anyone about parenting, but there seems to be a huge problem about kids and drugs. I'm not even talking about the illegally produced street drugs, but the ones in your medicine chest. <br />
<br />
So conjure up your teenage angst to help you relate to the following.<br />
<br />
<div style="font-size: .9em;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Pharm Parties</b></span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg23mhHdURCMg-tUO2hMAlX_WUXlk5H-IlL6dtcGp8hgxedCRpmoAf-uYpDvsH-DltH6YfUk61gHEhsFQDSfWfVGAUhgyI4c83ot_4bkedcVJQcdTfRvgo6wG3dDyrX04rQzRpaWJIKO_8/s1600/Picture1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg23mhHdURCMg-tUO2hMAlX_WUXlk5H-IlL6dtcGp8hgxedCRpmoAf-uYpDvsH-DltH6YfUk61gHEhsFQDSfWfVGAUhgyI4c83ot_4bkedcVJQcdTfRvgo6wG3dDyrX04rQzRpaWJIKO_8/s400/Picture1.png" width="303" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My nephew being a great sport to pose.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;">How about some trail mix? No, not that kind! OK, how about some Skittles?</span> <span style="font-size: small;">The recipe for either is to steal prescription drugs from someone's medicine cabinet (easiest to get your parents' drugs -- they won't notice), then go to a pharm party where all the other kids have done the same thing, take the drugs out of their labeled containers and dump them into a bowl and mix. Now, grab a handful and wash them down with an alcoholic beverage. </span><span style="font-size: small;">Adderall, Xanax, OxyContin, Vicodin, morphine, whatever.... </span><span style="font-size: small;">Trashed, baby, trashed. Just not the painful normal. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Oh my gosh, now imagine you're the ER doctor who gets one of these kids who is unconscious and foaming at the mouth. If you knew what the kid had taken for a drug, maybe you'd know what to do. But you have no idea--it was a "pharm party" with any prescription drugs they could get hold of. What do you do? Damn! Or maybe you're lucky, and it was a kid who was more savvy about which drugs gave her the high she was looking for and you can find out what she had access to at home or school. Have a look at this clip from <a href="http://www.5min.com/Video/The-Dangers-of-Teen-Pharm-Parties-433301028" target="_blank">The Drs</a>.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">While there has been a marked decrease in the use of some illegal drugs like cocaine, data from the <a href="http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/nhsda.htm">National Survey on Drug Use and Health</a>
show that nearly one-third of people aged 12 and over who used drugs
for the first time in 2009 began by using a prescription drug
non-medically.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> Check out this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmT96T3OIhI&feature=related" target="_blank">ABC News Report</a></span><span style="font-size: small;"> video from 2010 on pharming and prescription drug addiction in teens.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>And This is My Problem How?</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">If you live alone and no one has access to your home and therefore your prescriptions, maybe you're just fine. But if you live with others, in particular those people who are going through hormonal changes, are moody, think you're stupid, and are just generally not having fun, not really, then you should be locking up your medicines and keeping track of how many pills you have. Yeah, you locked them up, but teenagers are tenacious about getting what they want. Do you remember? I remember. Make sure you do a really thorough job of locking them up. </span><i><span style="font-size: small;">You don't leave a loaded gun lying around. Don't leave your drugs lying around either. </span></i><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">And yeah, you should talk to them about this. I wish someone had talked to me, but I think I scared my parents so badly that they just watched my downward spiral from afar wishing they knew what to do and just hoping it would pass. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Dispose of Unwanted, Unused, or Expired Medicines</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">If you have prescriptions that you no longer need or that have expired, dispose of them properly so they're not a temptation. First, find out if there is an unwanted medicines take back program in your area. There have been a few national take-back events in the last couple years. Have a look at the Federal Office of Diversion Control <a href="http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/" target="_blank">web site</a> to see if your town is participating. The next collection is on September 29, 2012 from 10 am to 2 pm. Who knows how many more collections will be provided if any. The feds are trying to figure out a more efficient method of collecting unwanted medicines so we'll see. Also contact your local pharmacy, your town office, your police department, your re<span style="font-size: small;">gion<span style="font-size: small;">al planning commission, </span></span>or your solid waste management district to see if they have information about a collection. Check out <a href="http://www.disposemymeds.org/" target="_blank">Dispose My Meds</a> on-line to see if there is a pharmacy near you that has a meds take back program.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Do <b>not</b> throw meds down the drain or down the toilet. Those drugs end up in our drinking water!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">If there is no collection, mix liquid meds with something dry and throw it in the trash. It's recommended that meds be combined with something disgusting like used kitty litter so no one will want to pull it out of the trash. I don't have the mind-set of a drug addict, but I've read this so many times, I have to assume there is valid purpose to doing this.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="brownish" style="font-size: small;">"What is
happening to our young people? They disrespect
their elders, they disobey their parents.
They ignore the law. They riot in the
streets inflamed with wild notions. Their
morals are decaying. What is to become
of them?"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span class="smallertxt">Plato, 4th
Century BC</span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="smallertxt" style="font-size: small;">Hmm...Guess it is biological. </span><span class="smallertxt" style="font-size: small;">Have pity.</span><b><span class="smallertxt"><br /></span></b>Non-Toxic Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06939135096024728096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2122648540144199459.post-31221219306807692192012-08-10T21:27:00.000-07:002012-10-20T18:39:47.337-07:00Is Your Home Safe for Children?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1uHI-aepi46sRbxoEwam4NIjFOpIe8qe8zzmE0BmHSfTuLA9cptt1PMPBAgz6ifX02ndyYCQ5Jc_AOvvqAvLH-MYRcqsLhjxfkS2V5jE_KKW9yTgEt6jqRE5n_BORWt0cuVoR1qAW54M/s1600/Tyler&Star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1uHI-aepi46sRbxoEwam4NIjFOpIe8qe8zzmE0BmHSfTuLA9cptt1PMPBAgz6ifX02ndyYCQ5Jc_AOvvqAvLH-MYRcqsLhjxfkS2V5jE_KKW9yTgEt6jqRE5n_BORWt0cuVoR1qAW54M/s320/Tyler&Star.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
You want to provide a clean home for your children. You use cleaning products that promise all kinds of benefits like killing 99.9% of all germs while making your home smell like a tropical jungle. All surfaces will sparkle, your kids' clothes will be ultra-clean, spot-free, and fragrant. It sounds great, but is it really? <br />
<br />
Most common household cleaners are harsh. They can cause all kinds of problems: laundry detergents can cause skin irritation; cleaning product fumes can cause indoor air pollution which can cause airway problems and irritate eyes; the chemicals that make the lovely fragrances have possible links to disrupted hormone levels; and some cleaning products can kill you or your child if used improperly.<br />
<br />
Chemical companies are not required to include all ingredients on their cleaning product or air "freshening" labels, and most products have not been thoroughly tested for human health impacts. However, there are words to look for: "Caution," "Warning," "Danger," "Poison," and "Keep away from children and pets."<br />
<br />
In addition to the indirect dangers of cleaners, many children have been poisoned by sampling these products. In 2010, <a href="http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/3/prweb9300911.htm" target="_blank">U.S. poison centers </a>answered nearly 2.4 million calls about human exposures to poisons. In children, about 40% of poisonings involve medicines; the other 60% involve products such as plants, cleaning supplies, cosmetics, pesticides, paints, and solvents. Poisoning is the fourth leading cause of death among children with peak incidences in children between the ages of one and three. About half of all poison exposures occur to children under the age of six.<br />
<br />
According to the <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/safechild/poisoning/index.html" target="_blank">Center for Disease Control</a>, every day, over 300 children in the United States ages 0 to 19 are
treated in an emergency department, and two children die, as a result of
being poisoned. It’s not just chemicals in your home marked with clear
warning labels that can be dangerous to children. It includes the everyday toxic products we purchase and don't think of as hazardous such as cleaning supplies <br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>What Can You Do?</b></span><br />
<br />
Make sure your cleaning products and other poisons are not accessible to your child. REMEMBER, many poisonings occur when a product is in use and the parent is occupied with cleaning or when the parent is cooking a meal.<br />
<br />
Switch your cleaning products to low or nontoxic cleaners. There are many cleaners on the market that are much safer--however, beware of "greenwashing" of products. Some companies use words like "natural" and "nontoxic," but do not prove it on their labels. Make sure the product states that all ingredients are listed, and you understand what those ingredients are.<br />
<br />
These products are pricier, but they may be worth it to a busy parent. You may want to consider making your own, simple cleaning products with white vinegar, baking soda, and liquid soap (see the Recipes page on this blog). They take just minutes to make.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>When You Have Hazardous Products In Your Home</b></span><br />
<br />
The <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/safechild/poisoning/index.html" target="_blank">Center for Disease Control</a> suggests: <br />
<br />
<div align="left">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnIL5Kdx3e1zZ-aC_goZj5dxhz7fzpPUnk0DNNWKRAO7923k0GKKIeVG3YRunapdifeLTX3VBzRIpzIpSe9WkNCO2gfeUb5cXWjuboMxL8l-OVNJQAH6Bz4S1nbt8aO05rle8JO5cKUTY/s1600/PHelp+Logo_color+LoRes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnIL5Kdx3e1zZ-aC_goZj5dxhz7fzpPUnk0DNNWKRAO7923k0GKKIeVG3YRunapdifeLTX3VBzRIpzIpSe9WkNCO2gfeUb5cXWjuboMxL8l-OVNJQAH6Bz4S1nbt8aO05rle8JO5cKUTY/s320/PHelp+Logo_color+LoRes.jpg" width="320" /></a><b>Lock them up.</b> Keep medicines and toxic products, such cleaning solutions, in their original packaging where children can’t see or get them.</div>
<div align="left">
<b>Know the number.</b> Put the nationwide
poison control center phone number, 1-800-222-1222, on or near every
telephone in your home and program it into your cell phone. Call the
poison control center if you think a child has been poisoned but they
are awake and alert; they can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a
week. Call 911 if you have a poison emergency and your child has
collapsed or is not breathing.</div>
<div align="left">
<b>Read the label.</b> Follow label directions and read all warnings when giving medicines to children.</div>
<div align="left">
<b>Don’t keep it if you don’t need it.</b>
Safely dispose of unused, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs and
over the counter drugs, vitamins, and supplements. To dispose of
medicines, mix them with coffee grounds or kitty litter and throw them
away. You can also turn them in at a local take-back program or during
<a href="http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/" target="_blank">National Drug Take-Back events</a>.<br />
<br />
Note, these national programs will probably disappear when the federal government finds a better solution--which I hope will be soon. <i>Never </i>pour medicines down the drain or flush them down the toilet. They end up in our drinking water as treatment facilities and septic systems do not remove them.<br />
<br /></div>
There may also be a household hazardous waste collection in your area for the toxic products you have in your home if you're not going to use them. Call your town or the solid waste management district to find out.<br />
<br />Non-Toxic Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06939135096024728096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2122648540144199459.post-61166358196065779972012-08-08T17:14:00.001-07:002013-03-06T17:42:34.161-08:00The Pristine Toilette<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdziwC2CkgEefFyLon46ASa_7XUpjCTNN6Dn2phk6BuGrrZ68LBQhUMcFWV0bWvepF55gEZ5D3viWobn1aOKc0vEQMw6WIDk6bYSQRksJtHPEA2DELrruN2r0Oa96FS8om3mb6MgZ4U00/s1600/P1000767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdziwC2CkgEefFyLon46ASa_7XUpjCTNN6Dn2phk6BuGrrZ68LBQhUMcFWV0bWvepF55gEZ5D3viWobn1aOKc0vEQMw6WIDk6bYSQRksJtHPEA2DELrruN2r0Oa96FS8om3mb6MgZ4U00/s320/P1000767.JPG" width="179" /></a>We clean our homes to rid it of bacteria, but there are some places where there is constant bacteria, and no amount of cleaning will change that for any significant length of time. I'm talking about our toilets. If you clean the toilet with a harsh chemical to rid it of all bacteria, someone in your household will then use the toilet and you're right back where you started. Is it worth using a hazardous cleaner which threatens your health for the fleeting moments of a pristine toilet.<br />
<br />
The most intimate we get with our toilets is sitting on them (unless we have the flu). It's really not necessary to kill every possible germ. And cleaning with simple and safe ingredients such as vinegar can get rid of most if not all bacteria without jeopardizing your respiratory system.<br />
<br />
If you <b>read the back of a toilet bowl cleaner</b>--really read that tiny print that covers the manufacturer's butt, you might think again about using those products in your tiny, poorly-ventilated bathroom:<br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><b> <span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">DANGER:</span></span></b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> CORROSIVE.</span></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span>
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Causes irreversible eye damage and skin burns. </span>Harmful if</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> swallowed. Do not get in eyes, on skin or on
clothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wear protective eyewear
(safety glasses/goggles), protective gloves and protective clothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wash thoroughly with soap and water after
handling and before eating, drinking, chewing gum, using tobacco, or using the
toilet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remove and wash contaminated
clothing before reuse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do not breathe
vapor or fumes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keep out of reach of
children.</span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It may sound like you're suiting up for a Superfund site, but it's just cleaning your toilet. Do you really think this is necessary? Is the threat of these chemical toilet bowl cleaners worth the hour or so of a bacteria-free toilet? Could you consider using vinegar instead of a toxic brew to keep your family safe and keep your toilet just as clean?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Safe<span style="font-size: large;">r </span>Alternatives </b></span><br />
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If you are a busy person who does not want to bother making your own cleaners, buy a nontoxic brand like <a href="http://www.seventhgeneration.com/Toilet-Bowl-Cleaner" target="_blank">Seventh Generation</a> or <a href="http://www.mrsmeyers.com/products/household_cleaners/lavender_toilet_bowl_cleaner" target="_blank">Mrs. Myers</a>. They're a bit pricier than the chemical variety, but way safer.<br />
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There are many recipes for low cost, safe toilet bowl cleaners. If you do a search on-line, you'll come up with oodles. I simply pour some white vinegar into the toilet bowl (maybe a couple cups--I don't know), scrub the bowl with the toilet brush and let it set until the next use. Close your toilet brush handle under the toilet seat so the brush drips into the toilet bowl before storing the brush. You can also add some vinegar to the tank of your toilet for a clean rinse next time you flush. For an extra flourish, add baking soda to the vinegar--oh that is so much fun!Non-Toxic Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06939135096024728096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2122648540144199459.post-60847094943209262432012-07-26T19:02:00.003-07:002012-10-20T18:41:31.110-07:00Make Your Own Hand Soap<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGf8JBk0fgewfhB67yLEeFG71swbNsB9zOlBrWPQw5edZrrIE-EiBU_Dy4NAQX-g8Dc0qEOOzrRyzqHfoipk1MSnCs60s8zun8TUDLTwqnnCq4fsA6UcOtXc1yWH1Os29tPgTxp2oS088/s1600/P1000563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGf8JBk0fgewfhB67yLEeFG71swbNsB9zOlBrWPQw5edZrrIE-EiBU_Dy4NAQX-g8Dc0qEOOzrRyzqHfoipk1MSnCs60s8zun8TUDLTwqnnCq4fsA6UcOtXc1yWH1Os29tPgTxp2oS088/s320/P1000563.JPG" width="240" /></a>Have you noticed that more and more products are no longer antibacterial, but instead are advertising that their product washes away bacteria instead of killing it? I have, and it kind of irritates me because we never needed the antibacterial chemicals added to our soaps, dishwashing liquid, or what not. The most common additive to make a product "antibacterial" has been triclosan--a pesticide. There are still many products out there that have triclosan or some other pesticide in them.<br />
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I know I should be grateful that fewer products contain triclosan, instead of grouching about it, but I know it's all about people getting suckered into buying something that's touted as "safer," "improved," "better for the baby," and it's not going to stop now. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_hyXDoUJtYZBvQjecS9339Rev_0ntM-FQTy7V-asEUgi4sTP86JVnBws9b2EJcOwc-W-nOIPbJvvcadoQ_sUBK6WSAmYmk2JfDoV3FlMIuEACUSijIk7O9DchaNyyw69FqvB9-0sRvSA/s1600/P1000565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_hyXDoUJtYZBvQjecS9339Rev_0ntM-FQTy7V-asEUgi4sTP86JVnBws9b2EJcOwc-W-nOIPbJvvcadoQ_sUBK6WSAmYmk2JfDoV3FlMIuEACUSijIk7O9DchaNyyw69FqvB9-0sRvSA/s320/P1000565.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
There has been a lot of hoopla about these added chemicals, which I expect is causing the removal of them from products. Some studies claim that the triclosan and similar chemicals can actually make super-bacteria: the bacteria that is not killed off by the pesticide reproduces bacteria that is resistant to pesticide. Other studies say this is probably not true. But either way, why should I expose myself needlessly to a pesticide? Rub my hands in it, for Pete's sake!<br />
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There are good bacteria, neutral bacteria, and bad bacteria (pathogens) that cause illness. But note the good bacteria. It helps build our immune systems. It's everywhere. Stop trying to kill them--they're our own adorable bacteria, and they make us stronger. Don't be a <a href="http://www.livescience.com/685-war-bacteria-wrongheaded.html" target="_blank">bacteria bigot</a>!<br />
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Just washing our hands with plain soap and water gets rid of most bacteria anyway without help from pesticides. <br />
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If you feel the need for an antibacterial soap, put a few drops of Tea Tree oil in your soap. The <a href="http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/journal/10-most-common-aboriginal-bush-medicines.htm" target="_blank">Australian aboriginals</a> have been using it for centuries to heal wounds and clear up infections. I have not heard of Australian aboriginal men growing breasts from using tea tree oil, but there may be a connection between <a href="http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/jan2007/niehs-31.htm" target="_blank">boys growing excess breast tissue</a> and the use tea tree oil or lavender oil products. Good grief! What next? Will we grow tails for eating too many bananas?<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Here's an easy recipe for liquid hand soap:</b></span><br />
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1/3 cup liquid castile soap<br />
2/3 cup water<br />
5 - 10 drops of your favorite essential oil<br />
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If you like foamy soap, put the mixture in a bottle with a foam pump dispenser. It mixes air with your soap to make the foam. It's magic. I bought my bottle at a food cooperative for $2. You could also reuse one that you already have from another product.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoGUpOhszzq2k8g3ARzp7H8oAcR1xBMPXQThChNGm3BBq-5Nn_5cmwg_r9DuAee4t87MG7UXIyJjVl5vUDTnQdcNqwiSk_UafXbG5JH3L47TSm1fmfRjb67VfUas6SKvoeW7aMmcLD7Qw/s1600/P1000568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoGUpOhszzq2k8g3ARzp7H8oAcR1xBMPXQThChNGm3BBq-5Nn_5cmwg_r9DuAee4t87MG7UXIyJjVl5vUDTnQdcNqwiSk_UafXbG5JH3L47TSm1fmfRjb67VfUas6SKvoeW7aMmcLD7Qw/s320/P1000568.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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You can buy liquid castile soap in many stores, especially health food stores and cooperatives. The liquid soap may seem pricey, but it lasts a long time. <a href="http://www.drbronner.com/DBMS/LS.htm" target="_blank">Dr. Bronner's soap</a> is more concentrated than some of the others. <br />
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<br />Non-Toxic Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06939135096024728096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2122648540144199459.post-72029358639686116512012-07-14T19:12:00.001-07:002012-10-20T18:42:12.110-07:00The Scented Room<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihnB7jHn-vnFQcQ4Bvwa0EZehe8BihwWmP4GHwCDRBuEfA84gas4YdCp-VX9SvszN6uIYc4tl2DwLZz6q6CzWq_x9kxhn4T0th1YCMNvOJrfWdsRDEbEnx4uzcOeax_seTZPxyZguI2Oc/s1600/P1000624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihnB7jHn-vnFQcQ4Bvwa0EZehe8BihwWmP4GHwCDRBuEfA84gas4YdCp-VX9SvszN6uIYc4tl2DwLZz6q6CzWq_x9kxhn4T0th1YCMNvOJrfWdsRDEbEnx4uzcOeax_seTZPxyZguI2Oc/s400/P1000624.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
I like many different smells. I love citrus and pine and lavender and any number of scents. I think they're lovely. But sometimes room scents are just too much, or they can smell a bit chemical-like. When you notice that the scent is a bit overwhelming or doesn't quite have a completely natural scent, it probably is not natural.<br />
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When I was a teenager, it was the rage to have scented candles and incense in our bedrooms. I had the little brass incense burners from India and big fat, scented candles. When I was feeling morose (which was most of my adolescence), I would sit in my room becoming saturated with the smells of whatever I'd chosen to burn.<br />
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Today, products to create scent are a hot item for gifts and a little "me" time in the
bathtub. Women are the primary purchasers of these items and all the
accessories such as holders for candles, incense sticks and potpourri. We buy these for aromatherapy,
mood-enhancements, covering up unpleasant smells, sometimes for a
ceremony, a fashion accent, or event for lighting in the case of
candles. The market is so good, there are specialty stores that just sell these items.<br />
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So, I <i>used</i> to like these smelly products--especially the berry-scented ones as I recall, but now that I'm older than dirt and I hope a little wiser, I don't like these strong smells anymore.
I pretty much don't want to smell anything unless I know it's truly natural and harmless. When I go into a home with air
fresheners, burning scented candles or incense or even potpourri, I don't find it
appealing--I just wonder what I'm breathing. I don't consider
myself a paranoid person (though researching for this blog may lead me
in that direction), but I am cautious about my health.<br />
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When you can smell it, you're inhaling it into your body. Something to always keep in mind. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Air Fresheners </b></span><br />
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According to the <a href="http://www.epa.gov/kidshometour/products/airf.htm" target="_blank">U.S. Environmental Protection Agency</a>, air fresheners have four basic ingredients: <a href="http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/hlthef/formalde.html" target="_blank">formaldehyde</a>, <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgd0492.html" target="_blank">petroleum distillates</a>, <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/NIOSH/NPG/npgd0190.html" target="_blank">p-dichlorobenzene</a>, and <a href="http://www.epa.gov/ozone/snap/aerosol/qa.html" target="_blank">aerosol propellents</a>.
They are typically highly flammable and a strong irritant to eyes,
skin, and throat. And they report that the solid versions usually cause
death if eaten by humans or pets. I'm guessing these are young children who are drawn to the pretty colors and smells, and are more susceptible to poisonings.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5S_KvEvyxXau1ZPEoC6t3uLJ03G05Xte4_3_Z5zizLt43G5F0Y5shTLCVqHbLo1OH8-slRiu3aa6_kICWE0AkNwTTq8-IxXwsslR2VLTIMrC4NorvcfagBRVjRF9XUVCd_GFNgJ_MdVY/s1600/1010048302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5S_KvEvyxXau1ZPEoC6t3uLJ03G05Xte4_3_Z5zizLt43G5F0Y5shTLCVqHbLo1OH8-slRiu3aa6_kICWE0AkNwTTq8-IxXwsslR2VLTIMrC4NorvcfagBRVjRF9XUVCd_GFNgJ_MdVY/s200/1010048302.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Prevention magazine reports a <a href="http://www.prevention.com/health/healthy-living/air-fresheners-linked-cardiac-damage" target="_blank">study</a> which has shown that more frequent users of air fresheners have an increased link to reduced heart rate variability--which is linked to heart attack and high blood pressure.<br />
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The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) did a <a href="http://www.nrdc.org/health/home/airfresheners/airfresheners.pdf" target="_blank">study</a> of several air fresheners which uncovered that 12 in 14 of the tested air fresheners contain phthalates--this included the unscented varieties and the ones claiming to be "all natural." <a href="http://www.epa.gov/oppt/existingchemicals/pubs/actionplans/phthalates.html" target="_blank">Phthalates</a> can cause hormonal abnormalities, birth defects, and reproductive problems. A <a href="http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsroom/releases/2006/july27/" target="_blank">study</a> by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences-National Institutes of Health determined that a chemical compound found in many air fresheners, toilet bowl cleaners, and other deodorizing products may be harmful to the lungs.<br />
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Those air fresheners are not sounding that good! So how about a pretty candle?<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Scented Candles</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGH26Nh4rw8OpPDAQ5gct4rZpi8Iacyz_XO68k_xlFurWMGVdXFL_utgemI56_tbROTWjqdj5tlbH5cMz4EtMhSWzIvBy-1FpA0BypFm9-kGYw36YegRYL8e35ApkuI_ZnvZDnCNKPuR0/s1600/scented-candle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGH26Nh4rw8OpPDAQ5gct4rZpi8Iacyz_XO68k_xlFurWMGVdXFL_utgemI56_tbROTWjqdj5tlbH5cMz4EtMhSWzIvBy-1FpA0BypFm9-kGYw36YegRYL8e35ApkuI_ZnvZDnCNKPuR0/s200/scented-candle.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
The U.S. EPA did a <a href="http://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyNET.exe/P1009BZL.txt?ZyActionD=ZyDocument&Client=EPA&Index=2000%20Thru%202005&Docs=&Query=&Time=&EndTime=&SearchMethod=1&TocRestrict=n&Toc=&TocEntry=&QField=&QFieldYear=&QFieldMonth=&QFieldDay=&UseQField=&IntQFieldOp=0&ExtQFieldOp=0&XmlQuery=&File=D%3A%5CZYFILES%5CINDEX%20DATA%5C00THRU05%5CTXT%5C00000026%5CP1009BZL.txt&User=ANONYMOUS&Password=anonymous&SortMethod=h%7C-&MaximumDocuments=1&FuzzyDegree=0&ImageQuality=r75g8/r75g8/x150y150g16/i425&Display=p%7Cf&DefSeekPage=x&SearchBack=ZyActionL&Back=ZyActionS&BackDesc=Results%20page&MaximumPages=1&ZyEntry=39" target="_blank">study</a> on candles in 2001. The conclusion for candles is that many candles used to have lead wicks. Metal wicks were banned several years ago by the U.S. Consumer Product
Safety Commission--but candles with metal wicks can still be found in
stores. Burning lead wicks can generate indoor airborne lead concentrations of "health concern." Check the wick to make sure there is no metal wire in the middle of it. <br />
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Most candles are made from paraffin unless they state otherwise. Paraffin wax is a petroleum by-product created when crude oil is refined
into gasoline. It is a white, odorless solid that is formed into slabs, and it is the most commonly used wax for candle making. Burning paraffin candles causes indoor air pollution. A <a href="http://indoor%20air%20pollution%20candles/" target="_blank">study</a> by the University of South Carolina showed that paraffin candles emit toxic chemicals like benzene and toluene. The study mentioned that soy candles do not emit these nasty by-products, but bees wax was not mentioned. (I could not find the full study on-line for a look.) An associate professor from the New York University School of Medicine advices to use caution burning any candles in enclosed spaces. <br />
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Scents in candles are also mostly made from petroleum. These oils can make the candle burn inefficiently so that black soot results. This soot has particulate matter that can be breathed in to the lungs.<br />
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If you want to set a mood, burn unscented natural candles. My favorite candles are made from bees wax. I love the smell even when they're not lit. I do have some soy-based candles scented with essential oils, but some of them have put soot on my slanted wall--I'm guessing because of the oils.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Incense</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgswCw6XUJl4c8mJH-BB87B3Ul5ATrGKDihs2MAVe-Eh8eOhDnBdQwVJ5ZMp6NwqfFpYg7KHt0JxbLHgDH7JK2HUEOzF9hEbvE3FMeDlKPRp7zjxgS1RnFM1Sldy6pX1Avan-4mOoZZsPU/s1600/burning_incense.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgswCw6XUJl4c8mJH-BB87B3Ul5ATrGKDihs2MAVe-Eh8eOhDnBdQwVJ5ZMp6NwqfFpYg7KHt0JxbLHgDH7JK2HUEOzF9hEbvE3FMeDlKPRp7zjxgS1RnFM1Sldy6pX1Avan-4mOoZZsPU/s200/burning_incense.jpg" width="132" /></a></div>
A <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18359011" target="_blank">study</a> of temple workers in Asia showed that sustained exposure to incense smoke can result in damage to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DNA" target="_blank">DNA</a> and greater susceptibility to cancer.<br />
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A <a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080825092345.htm" target="_blank">respiratory tract cancer study</a> in 2008 showed an association of substantial incense use with respiratory tract cancer including nasal/sinus, tongue, mouth, laryngeal and other cancers, but not lung cancer.<br />
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Most people in North American are not exposed to incense on a frequent basis, but it's something to keep in mind, especially for people who smoke. The combination of the two could cause more irritation to the respiratory tract and increase chances of various cancers.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-gwpU1UL4x89zWMmlO4UpguTkjHCVuHw9gxP9uzN2qctGh7NZ4ZFx2octm_5cDeMaJAqY5nYvqCF7JTzALRwu0tfNKxfmjikgNcA0Q12v_J1mcm0OaQxKZxslFMLO0bCwKQIuRkl4q4/s1600/P1000618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-gwpU1UL4x89zWMmlO4UpguTkjHCVuHw9gxP9uzN2qctGh7NZ4ZFx2octm_5cDeMaJAqY5nYvqCF7JTzALRwu0tfNKxfmjikgNcA0Q12v_J1mcm0OaQxKZxslFMLO0bCwKQIuRkl4q4/s200/P1000618.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bouquet of dried lavender</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Potpourri </b></span><br />
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Potpourri often consists of any decoratively shaped dried plant
material (not necessarily from scented plants) with strong natural and
synthetic perfumes (and often colored dyes)
added. Other vegetative materials with no scent may be added for bulk and a pretty mixture. There are spray scents to use in potpourri--these are typically synthetic.<br />
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If you want to know what is in your potpourri (and thus what you are inhaling), you can make your own. If you dry flowers or buy dried flowers, herbs, and spices and the fragrance is not strong enough, just add a few drops of essential oils. There are many <a href="http://www.comfycountrycreations.com/potpourrirecipes.htm" target="_blank">recipes</a> available on-line if you do a search. Many health food stores sell dried flowers such as roses or lavender in bulk as well as many herbs and spices (including orris root which is used as a scent fixative).<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Safer Alternatives for Freshening the Air </b></span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIsSrLID9Ai7VwYQQody1uyE5eCJxBnizoJPKMIYklq1xmKy4vcpD27ahZDVFDIAcu3ouyAW3jduBZyUlaI3kzK9v8xE_xtZV5tR7JxFnBEkzI2ouExPIJCZGPJjtlauVWlzuNo08-HaU/s1600/P1000608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIsSrLID9Ai7VwYQQody1uyE5eCJxBnizoJPKMIYklq1xmKy4vcpD27ahZDVFDIAcu3ouyAW3jduBZyUlaI3kzK9v8xE_xtZV5tR7JxFnBEkzI2ouExPIJCZGPJjtlauVWlzuNo08-HaU/s200/P1000608.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">soy candle from WayOutWax.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
If you can improve your ventilation for more fresh air when it's reasonable, then that's a start. Instead of covering up a smell, get rid of it, if you can, by cleaning. If you still want some scent in your home, consider the following:<br />
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- Use a natural air freshener that provides all ingredients on the label for you to check and does not have aerosol propellents<br />
- Make an air freshener spritzer with vodka, white vinegar, or just plain water and several drops of essential oils<br />
- Use pure bees wax or soy candles with cotton wicks <br />
- If someone stinks up the bathroom (not you, of course), just light a match and hold it in the air for a few seconds<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcMdrydpExW2rgukLlCZXSAt4o6OzObSxo-OwGv7rYym7thtsQg6YuR9lhsPRAUTrgOJSunE3C5Zsr9tFiLVmtiaSqeF8vfupi36IGElt7726gl-KY9tka9qaVJ19dWYM_Ca-TrnKDH9Y/s1600/P1000616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcMdrydpExW2rgukLlCZXSAt4o6OzObSxo-OwGv7rYym7thtsQg6YuR9lhsPRAUTrgOJSunE3C5Zsr9tFiLVmtiaSqeF8vfupi36IGElt7726gl-KY9tka9qaVJ19dWYM_Ca-TrnKDH9Y/s200/P1000616.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">electric Aroma Stone</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
- Make your own potpourri so you have control of what's in it<br />
- Buy an electric or clay diffuser for essential oils<br />
<br />
Don't let anyone else tell you what smells best. Use your head as well as your nose. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Non-Toxic Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06939135096024728096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2122648540144199459.post-60107749185593102652012-07-04T19:52:00.001-07:002012-10-20T18:42:32.464-07:00The Stinky Shower Curtain<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6dTvhQ4AGhuf9Ga5lwsZv5bSU0si2dhFxVgRzByaiXiDCqjrtwqQxE-sPDhyJ81Lp91quGPPVy0U10079bAzpS72tn72MSrwPclm35N_EkZa8BVjf90970WrDxS32pj2jUoZKVL8_2yM/s1600/P1000587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6dTvhQ4AGhuf9Ga5lwsZv5bSU0si2dhFxVgRzByaiXiDCqjrtwqQxE-sPDhyJ81Lp91quGPPVy0U10079bAzpS72tn72MSrwPclm35N_EkZa8BVjf90970WrDxS32pj2jUoZKVL8_2yM/s400/P1000587.JPG" width="300" /></a>When I moved into my apartment about 12 years ago, I bought a new shower curtain. Since I only have a shower stall, I cut the curtain in half length-wise to save the second half for when the first half wore out. (I am a frugal New Englander, afterall!) The curtain had a strong smell in my bathroom for a long time.<br />
<br />
After eight years, the first half was ripping off the shower curtain rings, so I discarded it, and pulled the second half out of the original plastic packaging. The smell was intense. After all those years, the shower curtain was still outgassing its chemicals because it had been folded up and stored in plastic holding in the toxic fumes--only to be released when I removed it from the package.<br />
<br />
A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency <a href="http://cfpub.epa.gov/si/si_public_record_Report.cfm?dirEntryId=63907&CFID=90352656&CFTOKEN=67757133&jsessionid=86301ec1312f1d87401277312f1b5b616d3d" target="_blank">study in 2002</a> said the toxic fumes could be smelled in a house for over a month. In 2008, the <a href="http://chej.org/2011/09/eww-what%E2%80%99s-that-stench-volatile-vinyl/" target="_blank">Center for Health, Environment, and Justice </a>performed another study which confirmed the approximate length of time the fumes remain in the home.<br />
<br />
Key findings of the Center's report include that PVC shower curtains:<br />
<br />
- release over 100 chemicals into the air<br />
- contain high levels of <a href="http://www.ewg.org/chemindex/term/480" target="_blank">phthalates</a><br />
- contain high levels of <a href="http://www.epa.gov/iaq/voc.html" target="_blank">volatile organic compounds</a> (VOCs)<br />
- contain <a href="http://www.epa.gov/esd/pdf-ecb/432ecb98.pdf" target="_blank">organotins</a><br />
- contain lead, cadmium, and other metals<br />
- release an increase of chemicals with the rise of heat and humidity<br />
- are being phased out by retailers<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Recommendations for consumers:</b></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCsguKYay1p2SIE6eEgb2mATve74iuza1JRWgoQdd8is3mi3gpWSXM5svD3wgRGoMhCb_8AGjGL8jOX1NWPxyL5Kg1wGkryCyuAKAXS-br57OEgAKzjgyBRGKC6V5-nxeffCSas-bDfrA/s1600/365174_f260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCsguKYay1p2SIE6eEgb2mATve74iuza1JRWgoQdd8is3mi3gpWSXM5svD3wgRGoMhCb_8AGjGL8jOX1NWPxyL5Kg1wGkryCyuAKAXS-br57OEgAKzjgyBRGKC6V5-nxeffCSas-bDfrA/s200/365174_f260.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
- Avoid shower
curtains made with PVC, <i>as well as other PVC products, especially those
that are flexible. </i>These products are not always labeled although some
may be labeled as “vinyl” or “PVC.” This includes toys!!<br />
- Do not buy shower curtains that
are not labeled.<br />
- Purchase PVC-free shower curtains made out of safer materials including organic cotton.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdy1rRetqxT5qM1kMxoj-B9j4Ohj6MtgitaeWULAqw4wYm8BX_7JQvWpGjRZD2laUy_BwxNqSnVrG541GoSS-BtgxRGr00Ik8G9cLWzFuvekUOZwqg_X2uOxiGCB6W8jcFldIofOcu5XY/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdy1rRetqxT5qM1kMxoj-B9j4Ohj6MtgitaeWULAqw4wYm8BX_7JQvWpGjRZD2laUy_BwxNqSnVrG541GoSS-BtgxRGr00Ik8G9cLWzFuvekUOZwqg_X2uOxiGCB6W8jcFldIofOcu5XY/s200/images.jpg" width="163" /></a></div>
It can be confusing to know the difference in types of plastics since the name "vinyl" is often used for more than one kind of plastic. The universal recycling symbol for PVC is the number "3." (Note that very little recycling of PVC goes on.) And when you're only given acronyms for plastic materials, it's the "C" for chlorine that should clue you in that it will be outgassing in your home. When is "vinyl" not PVC? The Healthy Building Network provides a quick <a href="http://www.healthybuilding.net/pvc/SortingOutVinyls.html" target="_blank">primer on plastics</a>.<br />
<br />
I know more about this PVC plastic now, and I'd never buy a PVC curtain again! I figure I've got another four years to use the PVC curtain I already have. It's already outgassed into my apartment a few years ago. I like the idea of a fabric option as I could toss it into the wash and then hang it to dry.<br />
<br />
And when my PVC curtain is worn out as a shower curtain, I won't throw it into the trash right away this time, I'll use it as a tarp for something else--like hauling autumn leaves into the woods.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Non-Toxic Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06939135096024728096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2122648540144199459.post-15153611946511653092012-06-25T17:42:00.002-07:002012-10-20T18:43:29.260-07:00Bountiful Button BatteriesAren't those flashing sneakers that kids wear adorable? Every step they take, the sneaker lights up at the heel. And those little stuffed animals, toys, and children's books that make realistic sounds like various birds--hawks, blue jays, robins.... And the greeting cards we can purchase now. You open one up and it sings to you. How cool is that!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiot_RplRQlxKuiquzjtPYvWEy5e0CZN-XUwqCKuFlnJpNmsDDjaJkE05EJKd7LGWCTmtPsTuWgp-e9w_T8ohN_Irc-j1isRrpssb5mmYWbDXuIFH-qw7x9wJSgdoyXfVToZe2KFb-Y8Yw/s1600/1079223301p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiot_RplRQlxKuiquzjtPYvWEy5e0CZN-XUwqCKuFlnJpNmsDDjaJkE05EJKd7LGWCTmtPsTuWgp-e9w_T8ohN_Irc-j1isRrpssb5mmYWbDXuIFH-qw7x9wJSgdoyXfVToZe2KFb-Y8Yw/s200/1079223301p.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Fast forward--the sneakers are no longer blinking, the birds are no longer squawking, and the song from the card is waning--if you keep your cards that long. Now what happens to those products that no longer function properly. The batteries inside have died, so of course you'll just throw out the product, won't you?<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnhodNTTksxT_LLm45s2eOAQvlWnmMv4-1M-DKM5CCVY419ba9fPeswm33l4NmyIaiCOCvdq_W9yPcaCeTJQylbfv6Dap2Axb1jCWJ5c88NQaI1yO29f4urhUgBUI3E6_BCTwwrBEo2S4/s1600/A7ED183CEE775432A30313C1454B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnhodNTTksxT_LLm45s2eOAQvlWnmMv4-1M-DKM5CCVY419ba9fPeswm33l4NmyIaiCOCvdq_W9yPcaCeTJQylbfv6Dap2Axb1jCWJ5c88NQaI1yO29f4urhUgBUI3E6_BCTwwrBEo2S4/s200/A7ED183CEE775432A30313C1454B.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjVbbFbwNTU6pkguRnfqElLXIy_lL_lfFSHCcv-JP_5YN9a9GWVR_2s0U7V-DRZhFfsjOx7kBPTZasD1wIHjQ26pdcIrI8I8GRFkgp3lD0D-r28s5bWD6fngSsNFfV8rBeRWm9tw4CJSo/s1600/buttonbattery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjVbbFbwNTU6pkguRnfqElLXIy_lL_lfFSHCcv-JP_5YN9a9GWVR_2s0U7V-DRZhFfsjOx7kBPTZasD1wIHjQ26pdcIrI8I8GRFkgp3lD0D-r28s5bWD6fngSsNFfV8rBeRWm9tw4CJSo/s200/buttonbattery.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
The tiny, worn out button batteries inside these products are hazardous waste. Does this surprise you? It seems like there should be instructions about what to do with the batteries when they're spent--but there are not instructions or warnings with most of these products.<br />
<br />
Most button cell
batteries contain mercury, silver, cadmium, lithium or other heavy
metals as their main component. Button cell batteries can contain up to
25 ppm (parts per million) of mercury. Mercuric-oxide batteries may contain up to 50%
mercury by weight. Mercury can cause nerve damage and can bioaccumulate
in fish and other aquatic species. Cadmium can damage the lungs and
kidneys.<br />
<br />
<div class="bodytext" style="margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div class="bodytext" style="margin-top: 0px;">
Remember the saying, "Mad as a Hatter"? This is a historic expression going back to the 19th century when mercuric nitrate was used to shape and convert fur into felt hats. In those days, hatters commonly exhibited slurred speech,
tremors, irritability, shyness, depression, and other neurological
symptoms from mercury exposure. And thus was born the expression, “mad as a hatter.” Lewis Carroll used a "mad hatter" character in his story, "Alice in Wonderland."</div>
<div class="bodytext" style="margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="bodytext" style="margin-top: 0px;">
When we throw button batteries into the trash, we are adding to the air pollution from the waste incinerators and contributing to the hazardous concoctions leaving landfills as leachate. The leachate is treated similarly to sewage wastewater and then eventually put back into our water systems. </div>
<div class="bodytext" style="margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="bodytext" style="margin-top: 0px;">
Button batteries are incredibly common these days, they're not just in children's products. We have them in our cameras, penlights, hearing aids, watches, calculators, electronic tea candles, flashing jewelry, remote control devices, fever thermometers, and lots more.</div>
<div class="bodytext" style="margin-top: 0px;">
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>What To Do If Someone Swallows a Button Battery?</b></span><br />
<br />
There are other dangers of button batteries. In the United States, more than 3,500 people of
all ages swallow miniature disc or “button” batteries--every year. A <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=6262111n&tag=related;photovideo" target="_blank">CBS News Report</a>
tells us that the battery may lodge in the throat or esophagus where
body fluids can erode the battery within two hours releasing its toxic
metals which can damage the body's tissue. <br />
<br />
Information about the symptoms after swallowing a button battery are similar to the flu according to the <a href="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002764.htm" target="_blank">MedLine Plus fact sheet</a> from the National Institutes of Health. If someone swallows a battery, immediately call the local 911, the National Button Battery Ingestion Hotline at 202-625-3333 or the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>What Do I Do with Spent Batteries?</b></span><br />
<br />
Keep in mind that when batteries no longer operate a product, it does not mean the battery is completely dead. So, there is a possibility that they could start a fire if stored together. You might consider putting tape on the batteries so they do not short each other to potentially explode or cause a fire. They can also explode when exposed to extreme heat as shown on a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=te3oRB9rv8E" target="_blank">YouTube video</a> (everything's on YouTube). This is an extreme example, but I also found that batteries can explode when in metal containers such as trash cans left in direct sunlight.<br />
<br />
Many recycling sources recommend taping the terminals on batteries prior to storing in preparation for recycling or disposal. In the case of button batteries, you should tape the entire battery. If you have several button batteries, you can also lay out a strip of tape with the sticky side up and place a number of button batteries on the tape so the batteries do not touch each other, and then cover them with another piece of tape--sticky side down to sandwich the batteries between the tape strips. Place taped, spent, button batteries in a child-proof container such as a prescription bottle and store out of reach of children. <br />
<br />
Sometimes, retailers such as pharmacies will accept spent button batteries back. If not, contact your municipal government or solid waste management district to find a household hazardous waste collection for your batteries.<br />
<br />
Maybe we could live without so many button batteries, by choosing products without hazardous parts. Want to give a singing greeting card? Hand-deliver it and sing a tune yourself! <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<br />Non-Toxic Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06939135096024728096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2122648540144199459.post-69641722901872987822012-06-16T21:05:00.001-07:002012-06-18T14:57:01.495-07:00The Family Camp & Greenwashing<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkqDxBl48NNeQmh7zumlJtv4dHiNfwDhdpaJp0_nNE69JZOGQJpAF7ZJi6AsVHjuw4ZfJUOBOUVygwul7gD4dY2binJNxIEtKKzfH9ZN-D_5vGtivHjnGhoYjYNfYjaBG1Mh62C0qGUhI/s1600/IdaFloydNewCamp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkqDxBl48NNeQmh7zumlJtv4dHiNfwDhdpaJp0_nNE69JZOGQJpAF7ZJi6AsVHjuw4ZfJUOBOUVygwul7gD4dY2binJNxIEtKKzfH9ZN-D_5vGtivHjnGhoYjYNfYjaBG1Mh62C0qGUhI/s320/IdaFloydNewCamp.jpg" width="309" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grammy & Grampa taking a break while building our camp</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Today, my family met out at our lakeside camp in New Hampshire. My grandparents built the camp in the 1950s. Some of the lumber used to build the camp was made at my father's sawmill. When my grandparents died, my parents bought the camp and later deeded it to my siblings and me. It's a spectacular place right on the lake with a mountain and lots of conserved land on the other side of the lake. This year there are two baby loons, and we heard the loons calling on and off all day.<br />
<br />
The lake is precious to us, and we want to protect it and keep it clean. But somehow toxic products pop up at our camp every year--potential threats to the cleanliness of the water--not to mention our own bodies. Septic systems (and sewage treatment plants) are not designed to remove all toxins. So these chemicals can end up in our water supplies. Lakefront properties are more likely to pollute as there is a shorter distance from leach fields to water. And old camps are notorious for having archaic septic systems such as holding tanks that can overflow, or even an old car body for the septic tank--really!<br />
<br />
We were gathered on this gorgeous day at the camp to clean it and do repair work before my cousins arrive for a visit. My mother was cleaning with a commercial cleaner that stunk up the camp. She taught me to clean with vinegar and yet there she is with a toxic, pine-perfumed cleaner she'd found under the sink going at all the kitchen cabinets. I acted indignant which did not help (I regress about 30 years in her presence), and I stayed outside weeding until she was finished. There was also white vinegar which I mixed with water and used to clean walls, floors, and windows.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPLFfFD9tGgaRltgUzms1whLPfvarw4gPiXZncPDVpMNq4ERNoICkzaLEIGaiGE2RlJjJUa6ZBPpTgz8rM5hi-o5dnA6y-p9ZeLSoNfm1zP810_y7Ao0uN50tlxOWiUP7PzSTusRTR8vM/s1600/P1000554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPLFfFD9tGgaRltgUzms1whLPfvarw4gPiXZncPDVpMNq4ERNoICkzaLEIGaiGE2RlJjJUa6ZBPpTgz8rM5hi-o5dnA6y-p9ZeLSoNfm1zP810_y7Ao0uN50tlxOWiUP7PzSTusRTR8vM/s320/P1000554.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poster Product for "Greenwashing"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When I looked under the sink, all kinds of toxic products had grown there since last year. This included fabric deodorizers, furniture polish, chlorine, and ammonia. All unnecessary in my opinion since there are nontoxic alternatives (see recipes page). Another product under the sink was "Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner." I think of this product as the poster product for "greenwashing." Doesn't this name sound wonderful? "Simple" implies that there are very few ingredients so it should be good for the environment. And the word "green," well, nuf said. They do not list their ingredients on the label, but it does say, "Non-Toxic" and it has the Good Housekeeping seal which provides a warranty for effectiveness, not safety.<br />
<br />
I looked
up the <a href="http://www.simplegreen.com/pdfs/MSDS_EN-US_AllPurposeCleaner.pdf" target="_blank">MSDS</a>
(materials safety data sheet) for Simple Green and found it is mostly
water with other ingredients of 2-butoxyethanol, ethoxylated alcohol,
tetrapotassium pyrophosphate, sodium citrate, fragrance, colorant.
There's nothing simple or green about this product which is labeled as
"non-toxic." <br />
<br />
I'll just stick to the first ingredient after water--which is plentiful fodder for this discussion as you'll see. The ingredient 2-butoxyethanol has several other names including butyl cellosolve. Many products use this chemical including glass cleaners. The <a href="http://www.osha.gov/dts/chemicalsampling/data/CH_222400.html" target="_blank">U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety & Health Administration</a> states that 2-butoxyethanol exposure can produce a variety of symptoms, health effects, and can affect eyes, skin, respiratory system, the central nervous systems, hematopoietic system (production of blood), blood, kidneys, liver, and lymphoid system. I know there may be a relatively small amount of this chemical in Simple
Green, but I don't know at what point it will affect me. And if I am exposed to a bunch of other cleaners with similar or reactive ingredients, my chances of becoming ill from exposure increase.<br />
<br />
"Greenwashing" is defined as a company spending lots of money on
advertising and trying to convince us that a product is green, while
they spend very few resources on trying to actually be green.<br />
<br />
A 2010 <a href="http://sinsofgreenwashing.org/findings/greenwashing-report-2010/" target="_blank">Greenwashing Report </a>by TerraChoice states that more than 95% of consumer products claiming to be green were found to commit "greenwashing." Products that are tested and certified by a reliable third-party such as <a href="http://www.ecologo.org/en/greenproducts/" target="_blank">EcoLogo</a> and <a href="http://www.greenseal.org/" target="_blank">Green Seal</a>, make it easier to know which products are safe for you. Careful, however, as it is possible to actually buy a "green-sounding seal" on-line for as little as 15 bucks. How about "Green as a Frog" seal, "Pure as the Driven Snow," seal or "Sunshine in a Bottle" seal? We could make up all kinds of catchy names for a seal that sound environmentally friendly, but don't mean a thing! When a reputable seal is not available on a product, note if they provide a list of <b>all</b> ingredients--they'll tell you if it's a complete list if they have nothing to hide. You can also check out the National Institutes of Health <a href="http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/products.htm" target="_blank">Household Products Database</a>. And of course, you can search for the MSDS on line to see for yourself what ingredients are in the product. Can't pronounce an ingredient? Don't buy the product unless it explains what it is and it sounds safe.<br />
<br />
Check out the recipes page on this site to find recipes for nontoxic cleaners made with simple, green ingredients that work and won't kill you. Vinegar, baking soda, and glycerine soap just aren't that scary! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBTk7Z8M37SJSkenFuclm3lAtAHyCSxfZmDhctoys4kMZ3xBtN4QwUH6j0kfT95ltGUTis6Lua5dc7OjJen_rb8Bt3sshaDRv70fQ2L8bq3mkEGtVDyDtRC2uEi4F8Vzngj9IrF2bBVMM/s1600/Boats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBTk7Z8M37SJSkenFuclm3lAtAHyCSxfZmDhctoys4kMZ3xBtN4QwUH6j0kfT95ltGUTis6Lua5dc7OjJen_rb8Bt3sshaDRv70fQ2L8bq3mkEGtVDyDtRC2uEi4F8Vzngj9IrF2bBVMM/s320/Boats.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Next time I go out to camp, I won't be cleaning, I'll be swimming, canoeing, or just sitting on the deck enjoying the sounds and view.<br />
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<br />Non-Toxic Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06939135096024728096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2122648540144199459.post-20497934664594469302012-06-11T19:29:00.001-07:002012-10-20T18:44:05.158-07:00Mothball Madness<style>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz_KiIBrbjmN4H3IoHBHfChT62sZ_YNof8oAEl-e771Exub11MIoHDCFIMXN_FdTPelTTZ8loPuWrGufkzBi4IIoCooKDdHFDmFs22b9MSd72ovi0FO8sXsZx_btWZ94CmG50hfG0nufs/s1600/071007mothballs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz_KiIBrbjmN4H3IoHBHfChT62sZ_YNof8oAEl-e771Exub11MIoHDCFIMXN_FdTPelTTZ8loPuWrGufkzBi4IIoCooKDdHFDmFs22b9MSd72ovi0FO8sXsZx_btWZ94CmG50hfG0nufs/s200/071007mothballs.jpg" width="155" /></a></div>
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I just went out by my landlord’s shed looking for my cat. The stench from mothballs was
incredible. And there lay my kitty next
to the shed inhaling those noxious fumes.
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So, I asked my landlord why he has mothballs in his
shed. He said there were so many mice in
there, he had to do something. Mothballs
for mice? Are they also "miceballs"? I don’t think so, and even if they were,
they’re still nasty, noxious poisons that I don’t want to smell. I don’t want my cat to inhale them, I don’t
want my landlord’s dog to inhale them, I don’t want the foxes that have been
outside doing their weird scream inhaling them.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX_WfGAQ47HLr3JOhkbPR30A7OrVAIAu61-C2eNrR4-MFze7Y0ZRv2uMwcVZZCux-YZXJxk6JnE4k-jUtHfoYwC1Rib3FCUHY_cBhTb3ZyAJISsjQHbS1yqSuY5XWCqX8VnzvIAhLSL0k/s1600/moth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX_WfGAQ47HLr3JOhkbPR30A7OrVAIAu61-C2eNrR4-MFze7Y0ZRv2uMwcVZZCux-YZXJxk6JnE4k-jUtHfoYwC1Rib3FCUHY_cBhTb3ZyAJISsjQHbS1yqSuY5XWCqX8VnzvIAhLSL0k/s200/moth.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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The <a href="http://npic.orst.edu/" target="_blank">National Pesticide Information Center</a> says that
mothballs, flakes, crystals, or bars are all insecticides. (This website very clearly states that
mothballs are not snake repellent—so somewhere out there, people are thinking
that mothballs are actually "snakeballs.")
They are solid, but slowly release a toxic gas to kill moths and other
insects. Mothballs in the U.S. are either primarily naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene. They’re meant to be in enclosed containers to
trap the insecticidal vapors and kill any moths or moth eggs or larvae on
fabric. If mothballs are in the open
(like a drafty shed), they can harm people, pets, and wildlife if they touch
them, breathe the vapors, or eat them. It
is illegal to use mothballs in any way other than those for the intended use of fabric protection. (Would someone please come arrest my landlord! Maybe he’ll lower the rent. Okay, I just called and talked to him, and he was very reasonable about cleaning up the shed. I will take the mothballs to a hazardous waste collection.)</div>
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Naphthalene exposure can cause headache, nausea, dizziness,
and breathing difficulties. Eating just
one mothball containing naphthalene can damage a young child’s red blood
cells. Just the length of the word
“Paradichlorobenzene” should scare you!
In humans, this chemical is distributed in the blood, fat, and breast
milk. While the World Health
Organization considers paradichlorobenzene to be a possible carcinogen, the
Environmental Protection Agency says it is “not likely to be carcinogenic to
humans.” The <a href="http://www.niehs.nih.gov/" target="_blank">National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences</a> has found relationships between mothball use to several other chronic diseases such as
Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. I don't care what the EPA says, insecticide is poison, and it can't be a healthy thing to breathe.</div>
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<i>OK, this is important</i>: if you can smell mothballs, you are inhaling the
insecticide. This can cause long-term
health affects. Place these deadly orbs
in an airproof container like a can with a lid and take them to a hazardous waste collection for
proper disposal.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Alternatives to Mothballs</b></span></div>
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Cedar smells lovely, but it does not keep the moths
away. Cedar chests only keep moths away from your cloths because you close the chest lid to keep the moths out. </div>
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If you're concerned about moths, place your natural fiber clothing
in airtight containers or bags. Moths
don’t go for synthetics. (I don’t
either, by the way.) But they do go for
natural/synthetic blends and stains from animal sources—like blood, gravy,
sweat, so don't store dirty clothes. For existing infestations,
vacuum out drawers, closets, and upholstered furniture with a HEPA (high-efficiency
particulate arresting) air filter vacuum cleaner. Lint and pet or human hair that has been
undisturbed can be breeding areas for moths—a really good reason to keep a
clean home.</div>
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And remember, these are mothballs--they're not "miceballs," "snakeballs," "deerballs," "slugballs"...they're mothballs. Repeat after me...........And stop snickering about all those balls--what are you, 12? </div>
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Non-Toxic Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06939135096024728096noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2122648540144199459.post-75653476900405290722012-06-05T15:28:00.001-07:002012-06-05T20:26:41.069-07:00Carmelized Enamel Pot<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcLtjcuHwewZfQ_tNMHbcy0z6PaTQM1K3S5lHXy0TCYBd-J0RtLg9_x0FzdhRUrEaMajMXQ0mn910cdEIuaDYu-6WS6pzpnUCnxoQ1DY0ifpkT4Q0dnG6KAVeIL6SL5DVGdOVvrrlnlWg/s1600/392188e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcLtjcuHwewZfQ_tNMHbcy0z6PaTQM1K3S5lHXy0TCYBd-J0RtLg9_x0FzdhRUrEaMajMXQ0mn910cdEIuaDYu-6WS6pzpnUCnxoQ1DY0ifpkT4Q0dnG6KAVeIL6SL5DVGdOVvrrlnlWg/s200/392188e.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Have you ever been cooking something and had the urge to multi-task? Maybe you think you could just slip outside for a minute to take out the trash while you have something brewing on the stove. Sometimes, it turns out OK, and other times you might wish you'd hung around the stove for just a minute longer. <br />
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My friend and co-worker Pat was cooking up some hummingbird sugar water on her stove, but she got distracted. The sugar and water burned up into a lovely caramel mess stuck to her pan. The pan is a Le Crueset which is rather expensive. She wondered if she had destroyed her lovely pan, but she did an on-line search and came across several suggestions from <a href="http://www.ehow.com/how_5551975_clean-burnt-enamel-pots.html?ref=Track2&utm_source=ask" target="_blank">e-How</a>. First she tried the denture cleaner method which didn't do much. She then tried the following recipe and it removed almost all of the burnt sugar. She did it a second time to make the pan pristine, and back to its lovely self.<br />
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I personally am a multi-tasker and have destroyed more than one tea kettle. I will remember this recipe for the future.<br />
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<b>Enamel Pot Cleaner Recipe</b></div>
<i>Pour two tablespoons of baking soda into the burnt enamel pot. Add two
tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide, two drops of dish soap, and one cup of
water. Place the pot onto the stove and turn on to low. Gently boil the
solution for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the pot from heat and let it cool
before using the scrub brush to remove burned-on material.</i>Non-Toxic Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06939135096024728096noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2122648540144199459.post-29758816348508870862012-05-30T20:22:00.000-07:002012-10-20T18:45:29.111-07:00Is Your Pet Being Poisoned?<span style="font-size: small;">There is a lot of controversy right now about flea and tick protection products for cats and dogs. I guess it's been going on for a few years, but I have been oblivious until I became the owner of my cat, Heidi. She entered my life about a year ago when my lovely neighbor, Winona passed away.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvakQl3iVUcX8SnBNvNReexiCdJ6ffyrhr6xv56mHsDXvSw6K6IOCnSK3D7irdvAlndhPYYbI4YPKEKEo9wB20fvO54i1T6Vik4HqUv-iVnwVXKtqXlscLVK0t7B0hX_PuDVOWKy9pns/s1600/P1000521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvakQl3iVUcX8SnBNvNReexiCdJ6ffyrhr6xv56mHsDXvSw6K6IOCnSK3D7irdvAlndhPYYbI4YPKEKEo9wB20fvO54i1T6Vik4HqUv-iVnwVXKtqXlscLVK0t7B0hX_PuDVOWKy9pns/s320/P1000521.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heidi P. Rascal</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Heidi is a "special" kitty with lots of emotional and physical issues. When she first arrived, her fearful behavior and lack of fur in places indicated that Heidi must have been abused before she arrived into Nona's capable and loving care. Heidi got her name, not for the little Swiss girl in the Johanna Spyri story, but because she is such a good little hider. She lived in the basement for about three months after arriving at Nona's. It took a long time for Heidi to learn to trust Nona. And longer still for Heidi to trust me, though Nona insisted I get well acquainted with Heidi to take care of her if anything happened to Nona--who died at the age of 80.</span><br />
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So, I took my new neurotic charge to the vet to make sure I was doing everything possible to make her safe and healthy. She's on steroids for irritable bowel (not happy about that, but the alternatives were allowing her to lose weight rapidly), she eats special food, and she has her flea and tick prevention--Frontline Plus--a monthly application. This chemical brew includes fipronil and (5)-methoprene as the active ingredients. The inert ingredients make up over 78% of the content-- wonder what those are! Oh, that's right, I can look at the <a href="http://www.petedge.com/assets/product_files/pdf/ZX391.pdf" target="_blank">Materials Safety Data Sheet</a> (MSDS) available on-line! It says Frontline also contains 58-73% (is the recipe whimsical?) Diluent, Viscosity Modifer/Spreading Agent, and Solvation Aids. My, that was helpful. There's also 10-15% ethanol, so a great fire starter for the wienies.<br />
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At the very end of the MSDS, it states "Final determination of suitability of any materials is the sole responsibility of the user. All materials may present unknown hazards and should be used with caution. although certain hazards are described herein, Merial [the product maker] cannot guarantee that these are the only hazards that exist." Phew, I will sleep much better tonight. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQxYkHMXEDO8XwClZxvE3u3NVUaIbNWPLUIabjgCOsfleYR4j5aehlaC3OgLKkvfBGKUrh5dB4bgkBpOW11qw09ZfXfKLo7kENAQCw-yqvdhWrYQp5lK7EgzAvFjWSd-fM0bmVa9Zj-8/s1600/P1000543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQxYkHMXEDO8XwClZxvE3u3NVUaIbNWPLUIabjgCOsfleYR4j5aehlaC3OgLKkvfBGKUrh5dB4bgkBpOW11qw09ZfXfKLo7kENAQCw-yqvdhWrYQp5lK7EgzAvFjWSd-fM0bmVa9Zj-8/s320/P1000543.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clyde, King of the Neighborhood</td></tr>
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Ironically, I am trying to eliminate chemicals from my home, and I am applying Frontline Plus to my precious Heidi by instruction of our veterinarian. I was told it is a better option than allowing fleas and ticks to make her sick. But then I learned that cats rarely if ever get Lyme Disease from ticks. I confirmed this with my vet!<br />
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I have just begun learning about the pesticides in the flea and tick preparations for pets. It's frightening actually. There are websites devoted to people's pets having succumbed to the poisons in the very products supposedly meant to help these pets. Many of the lethal products are over-the-counter, but it gives me pause to wonder if I should be using one of the "safer" poisons available at the vet's on my precious kitty. A <a href="http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/money/consumer/consumer_specialist/flea-and-tick-products-under-fire-from-pet-owners-vets-say-the-pesticides-are-safe" target="_blank">news report</a> by ABC News Channel 5 is an example of the concern about even the vet-provided products. I don't want fleas and ticks in my home, but neither do I want to poison Heidi or cause her more pain. And I don't want to poison myself either. When we touch our pets, we are transferring the poisons to ourselves--and when our children pet them, they are being exposed to poison as well. <br />
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I am researching other pest control methods, and I found the <a href="http://tinytimmy.org/" target="_blank">Tiny Timmy website</a>. This site began due to a heartbreaking story about a kitten, Timmy, being poisoned by over-the-counter spray and suffering permanent neurological damage. The good news is that Timmy is in a loving home and is well cared for now. The operators of this web site offer a nontoxic pest control bath application, but I can't imagine giving Heidi a bath with any product. Heidi does a "Jekyll and Hyde" thing when confronted by unwanted attention--and I expect a bath would fall into the unwanted category--she changes from Heidi, my precious little muffin to Hell Cat in a flash. (Seriously, she ripped my shirt once when I just wanted to introduce her to someone--in my apartment.) Claudia (Under Secretary for Timmy Affairs, Division of the T.O.Y. Army) wrote that they are working on a nontoxic pest spray for cats. That would be so much appreciated!<br />
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Stay tuned, but beware of the pesticides for your pet. Talk to your vet. Certainly do NOT assume that if a pet spray, powder, or other application is sold in a store that it is safe. It is probably not.<br />
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Check out the product database for pet pesticide products at the Natural Resource Defense Council's Green Alternatives for Flea Control <a href="http://www.greenpaws.org/" target="_blank">web page</a>. Look up your product on their product database to see how safe it is. Also see their <a href="http://www.nrdc.org/living/pets/control-fleas-without-chemicals.asp" target="_blank">How to Control Fleas and Ticks Without Chemicals page</a> for nontoxic alternatives. Hmmm...would Heidi let me sponge her with lemon juice. Well, safer for me than trying to give her a bath! Ticks are rampant here in Vermont this year due to an oddly mild winter--so I'm feeling flummoxed. I really don't want those blood-sucking arachnids in my home! Grrrrr........<br />
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<i>Note dated July 15, 2012: </i>I switched Heidi's vet, and I switched from Frontline to <a href="http://www.revolutionpet.com/revolutionpet.aspx" target="_blank">Revolution</a> as a monthly application. In my state of indecision, I'd let the Frontline lapse for 20 days and the new vet found lots of fleas on Heidi. I hadn't noticed them. My new vet suggested that Revolution is less toxic than Frontline and since Heidi has a lot of problems, it's not a good thing for her to have a flea infestation. I put the Revolution on her, and suddenly I was being bitten by fleas at home. I took all of the bedding and any other fabrics in my bedroom to the laundry and hung them out to dry. I vacuumed the mattress and flipped it over. No more flea bites for Heidi or me! <br />
<br />Non-Toxic Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06939135096024728096noreply@blogger.com0