Autism and Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals
by Tiffany
With my introduction to the wolrd of autism a few years back came a slurry of rather disturbing information. First is the extreme rise over the past 30 years, then the attempt to find causation and treatments. From 1993 to 2003 autism diagnoses increased 800%. The million, make that billion, dollar question: “what is causing this increase?”. While much is disagreed upon in the autism community one theory leads the way and that is that autism is like cancer. That is a genetic predisposition component and environmental triggers that can result in something along the pervasive developmental disorder continuum.
What are these environmental triggers? With cancer we know of many carcinogens, with autism it seems fitting to look at known neurotoxins: mercury, lead, various pesticides, endocrine disruptors, and the like. The science and research is still very young (and underfunded) which leaves many unknowns.
If you spend enough time in the research and looking at the numbers it can be a really frightening scenario especially for those about to start a family. The choices that a parent has to make seem to be getting more and more difficult maneuvering through baby bottles, crib mattresses, vaccines, food, personal care products, toys, and even the clothes we bring them home in. While it can be a little startling at first, we as a society have left things unchecked for too long and a little forethought is worth a lifetime of health.
About a month ago I ran into this article on endocrine disrupting chemicals (e.,g. BPA) by Dr. Harvey Karp which draws some conclusions as to their possible roles in autism.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/harvey-karp/cracking-the-autism-riddl_b_221202.html
Posted in Autism, BPA (bisphenol-A), Health and Product Safety, Phthalates, Pre-Conception, Toy Safety | No Comments »
Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act Update
by Tiffany
The saga that has taken priority around Lundeby’s is the fallout from defining the CPSIA. Which has great intentions that I highly applaud, but the scramble that has followed its passing is nothing short of CRAZY. So crazy that I know it will turn out okay because too many people will be effected for the government to sit idly by during a time when we cannot afford to lose any more jobs. The Consumer Product Safety Commission voted earlier this week to tentatively exempt:
- Items that contain lead that are inaccessible to children (talking bears?)
- clothing, toys and other products that are made from natural materials (wood, cotton, beeswax, vegetable dyes…)
- electronics that are impossible to make without lead
The vote to exempt the above products now opens up a 30 day comment period that is accessible by signing up for Consumer Product Safety Commision emails.
I am not sure about you, but this is a roller coaster for me. I mean fantastic exempt the natural products, but electronics, what? So if it impossible to make without lead ever think maybe you should not be making it for young children? I mean I know there would be an even bigger loss to the electronics industry, so maybe they should just be required to label each item with the lead and the amount of lead. As I am typing right now I realize that my computer contains lead, but I am not 3 years old. I am also aware that every dust swipe taken from a computer keyboard contains lead, but again I am not 3 and I put my hands in my mouth far less than a 3 year old (at least I hope I do). Okay now that I have that initial shock out of my system lets make sure to comment on this one. Yeah for the natural products! But at least label those products that actually contain lead so that parents can make informed decisions. As I move through my to-do-list I am hoping to be able to blog about the continuation of the BPA saga; hooray for the FDA’s scientific advisory board! Oh and by the way it is that time of the year and we are having a HUGE sale 25% to 75% off most of our organic cotton, fair-trade clothing. If you are looking for the Eco Baby Newsletter it will be coming soon, a bit reduced in content due to the blog but it does live on. I hope you have a wonderful evening and make sure to comment on these exemptions!!!!!!!
Posted in Health and Product Safety, Toy Safety | No Comments »
The Consumer Product Safety Information Act: Terrible Unintended Consequences
by Tiffany
Camden Rose Rattle
I am all for safety and boosting standards and regulations (especially when it comes to products for children) and celebrated the passing of this legislation. However, I failed to read it in its entirety — actually I just stopped at the headlines ( ban phthalates and reduce the amount of allowable lead in products intended for children under 12). It turns out that the way the act is currently written will have a tremendous impact on natural and organic toys and clothing too. It will make it next to impossible for small family owned toy manufacturers here in the US to keep operating and forget your dreams of crafting children’s products at home for resale. The problem lies in the act’s testing procedures which requires the submission of several of each toy (or garment) manufactured and a fee for the testing which runs manufacturers about $4000 for each item. When I first caught wind of this, I wanted to verify the validity so I called some of my US vendors to see what kind of impact this legislation would have on them. Most startling to me was that Camden Rose said that they will have to reduce their product offerings to 1/3 of the current selection to be able to stay in business. Camden Rose is an amazing US toy manufacturer located in Ann Arbor, Michigan that finishes their wooden toys and baby products in organic beeswax… and that’s it. Instead of testing several copies of each product style, the raw materials should be tested and the manufacturer of the paints, finishes, and plastics should be responsible for the testing not the toy companies and crafters making things from the materials or test the raw materials and keep a file of those that pass and those that do not. I also spoke with someone at HealthyToys.org who said that what they are really wanting is an overhaul in the Toxic Substances Control Act that has not been updated since the 1970’s. Upon reviewing the matter further, I can’t say I disagree. On top of it all, Selecta a well made and non-toxic German line, that we carry at Lundeby’s, pulled out of the US market. So we have few days to stick together and put forth some action to try to change the wording of this act. The Handmade Toy Alliance has started a petition click here to sign. And check out the Handmade Toy Alliance website for further information on the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act and actions you can take to help. Let’s help save Handmade Toys!
Posted in Toy Safety | No Comments »
Toxic Toys Still on the Shelves
by Tiffany
The 2008 HeatlyToys.org report from the Ecology Center was released yesterday and while there has been progress many toys still contain chemicals of concern. Most disappointing to me is that no one escaped without a product or two falling into the medium or high category. I am, however, especially pleased to see that they have antimony on the radar. Antimony is a catalyst for polyester and #1 plastic. There have been studies that show antimony to leach in to water, but the focus has not yet gone to polyester toys which are chewed and sucked on by infants. Antimony is a known to cause eye, skin, and lung irritation, lung disease, heart problems, diarrhea, liver and kidney damage, and fertility problems; the verdict is still out as to whether it is a carcinogen or if it causes birth defects. The Department of Health and Human Services Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry (ASTDR).
And to complicate things even further is the Consumer Product Safety Commission Reform Act which is a much needed upgrade; however, it does not start to go into effect until February 2009. So many products that will not meet the more stringent standards will be on the shelves through this holiday season. Additionally, it bans several phthalates from use in products for children under 12 but there are many products that are not intended for children under 12 but to which they are exposed. Even more crazy is that that phthalates are not required to be listed in the ingredients and are often in the ubiquitous “fragrance” listed on everything from air freshener to shampoo to face powder to laundry detergent. The most common places in which you will find phthalates are air fresheners, perfume, skin care products, cosmetics, dryer sheets, and anything that lists “fragrance”.
We will make sure to keep you informed so that you can make safe purchases for your children. Below you will find some additional resources to keep you more connected.
Trouble in Toyland 23rd Annual Report
Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Database
Consumer Product Safety Commission Recall Email Sign Up
Posted in Antimony, Phthalates, Toy Safety | No Comments »
