Eco Remedi Blogs » Schools

Triclosan in consumer products leads to widespread pollution in people and the environment

admin — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 16:21:55 +0000

According to a new study from the Environmental Working Group (EWG.ORG), Triclosan, a harmful chemical is in many more everyday products that I thought. I have been telling my clients, children’s school, friends and family about this for many years and now with more scientific research, the proof is in the pudding (hopefully without Triclosan in it).

There is a handy guide from the Environmental Working Group on How to avoid Triclosan, the unsafe ingredient used as an anti-bacterial property. Pass it on and help inform those you care about and your children’s school. Make the switch to regular, healthy soap, like castile. Cleanwell is a great alternative for anti-bacterial properites using Thyme oil. Seventh Generation is using CleanWell’s formula in their new wipes.

Here is a list of what products that don’t carry Triclosan.

What is Triclosan?
Triclosan, a chemical used for its antibacterial properties, is an ingredient in many detergents, dish-washing liquids, soaps (Anti Bacterial DIAL AND SOFT SOAP), deodorants, cosmetics, lotions, anti-microbial creams, various toothpastes, and an additive in various plastics and textiles. The safety of triclosan has been questioned in regard to environmental and human health. While the companies that manufacture products containing this chemical claim that it is safe, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has registered it as a pesticide. Triclosan is also known as Irgasan and Microban.

1. Health risks
Researchers have raised concerns about triclosan and its link to dioxins, which are highly carcinogenic chemicals that can cause severe health problems such as damaged liver, kidneys, heart and lungs, suppress the immune system, and cause hormonal disruption, paralysis, cancer, sterility and brain hemorrhages.

2. Resistant to Antibiotics
Scientists worry that because triclosan kills bacteria in a similar way as antibiotics, bacteria that become resistant to triclosan will also be resistant to antibiotics.

3. Same class as Toxic Pesticides (Dioxin)
The chemical formulation and molecular structure of this compound are similar to some of the most toxic chemicals on earth, relating it to dioxins and PCBs. The EPA gives triclosan high scores both as a human health risk and as an environmental risk. Triclosan has not been completely tested and analyzed for all health and environmental risks, but since it occurs in the category of the chemicals which are known to have the detrimental effects described here, do you want it added to products you use every day

4. Environmental Effects
Triclosan is highly toxic to algae. Because algae are the first-step producers in aquatic ecosystems, researchers believe that high levels of triclosan discharged into the environment may destroy the balance of aquatic ecosystems. The risks are especially high immediately downstream from waste water treatment plants.

5. Triclosan and Allergies
Overuse of triclosan (and other antibacterials) is also linked to allergies. This is based on the “hygiene hypothesis,” which theorizes that there is a correlation between “too much hygiene” and increased allergies and asthma. The concept is that children who are raised in an overly clean environment have immune systems that are not challenged and thus do not develop and mature properly. This hypothesis is based on studies that have found an increase in the frequency of allergies, asthma, and eczema in persons who have been raised in more sterile and hygienic environments.

According to the American Medical Association, “Despite their recent proliferation in consumer products, the use of antimicrobial agents such as triclosan in consumer products has not been studied extensively. No data exist to support their efficacy when used in such products or any need for them … It may be prudent to avoid the use of antimicrobial agents in consumer products ….”

Products Containing Triclosan

Soaps:

* Dial® Liquid Soap
* Softsoap® Antibacterial Liquid Hand Soap
* Tea Tree Therapy™ Liquid Soap
* Provon® Soap
* Clearasil® Daily Face Wash
* Dermatologica® Skin Purifying Wipes
* Clean & Clear Foaming Facial Cleanser
* DermaKleen™ Antibacterial Lotion Soap
* Naturade Aloe Vera 80® Antibacterial Soap
* CVS Antibacterial Soap
* pHisoderm Antibacterial Skin Cleanser

Dental Care:

* Colgate Total®; Breeze™ Triclosan Mouthwash
* Reach® Antibacterial Toothbrush
* Janina Diamond Whitening Toothpaste

Cosmetics:

* Supre® Café Bronzer™
* TotalSkinCare Makeup Kit
* Garden Botanika® Powder Foundation
* Mavala Lip Base
* Jason Natural Cosmetics
* Blemish Cover Stick
* Movate® Skin Litening Cream HQ
* Paul Mitchell Detangler Comb
* Revlon ColorStay LipSHINE Lipcolor Plus Gloss
* Dazzl

Deodorant:
* Old Spice High Endurance Stick Deodorant
* Right Guard Sport Deodorant
* Queen Helene® Tea Trea Oil Deodorant and Aloe Deodorant
* Nature De France Le Stick Natural Stick Deodorant
* DeCleor Deodorant Stick
* Epoch® Deodorant with Citrisome
* X Air Maximum Strength Deodorant

Other Personal Care Products:
* Gillette® Complete Skin Care MultiGel Aerosol Shave Gel
* Murad Acne Complex® Kit®
* Diabet-x™ Cream
* T.Taio™ sponges and wipes
* Aveeno Therapeutic Shave Gel

First Aid:

* SyDERMA® Skin Protectant plus First Aid Antiseptic
* Solarcaine®
* First Aid Medicated Spray;
* Nexcare™ First Aid
* Skin Crack Care
* First Aid/Burn Cream
* HealWell® Night Splint
* 11-1X1: Universal Cervical Collar with Microban

Kitchenware:
* Farberware® Microban Steakknife Set and Cutting Boards
* Franklin Machine Products FMP Ice Cream Scoop SZ 20 Microban
* Hobart Semi-Automatic Slicer
* Chix® Food Service Wipes with Microban
* Compact Web Foot® Wet Mop Heads

Computer Equipment:

* Fellowes Cordless Microban Keyboard and Microban Mouse Pad

Clothes:
* Teva® Sandals
* Merrell Shoes
* Sabatier Chef’s Apron
* Dickies Socks
* Fruit of the Loom Socks
* Biofresh® Socks

Childrens Toys:
* Playskool® :
o Stack ‘n Scoop Whale
o Rockin’ Radio
o Hourglass
o Sounds Around Driver
o Roll ‘n’ Rattle Ball
o Animal Sounds Phone
o Busy Beads Pal
o Pop ‘n’ Spin Top
o Lights ‘n’ Surprise Laptop

Other:

* Bionare® Cool Mist Humidifier

* Microban® All Weather Reinforced Hose

* Thomasville® Furniture

* Deciguard AB Ear Plugs

* Bauer® 5000 Helmet

* Aquatic Whirlpools

* Miller Paint Interior Paint

* QVC® Collapsible 40-Can Cooler

* Holmes Foot Buddy™ Foot Warmer

* Blue Mountain Wall Coverings

* California Paints®

* EHC AMRail Escalator Handrails

* Dupont™ Air Filters

* Durelle™ Carpet Cushions

* Advanta One Laminate Floors

* San Luis Blankets

* J Cloth® towels

* JERMEX mops

Here are some guidelines on how to stay protected from bacteria without antimicrobials:

* Wash hands frequently and thoroughly. Regular soap lowers the surface tension of water, helping it attach to and wash away unwanted bacteria. Lather your hands for at least 10 to 15 seconds and then rinse them off in warm water. It is important to wash your hands often, especially when handling food, before eating, after going to the bathroom, and when someone in your house is sick.

* picture of boy with hands to face Take time to teach children the correct way to wash their hands.

* Dry hands with a clean towel to help brush off any germs that did not get washed down the drain.

* Wash surfaces that come in contact with food with a detergent and water.

* Wash children’s hands and toys regularly to prevent infection.

Because triclosan has become so common in soaps and toiletries, be sure to carefully read all ingredients when buying these products. Triclosan is also known as Irgasan and Microban.

Schools:

Check with your school to see if it uses triclosan-containing products in its classrooms and bathrooms. If you feel like you need antibacterial protection, there are some essential oils that have antimicrobial properties, such as Australian tea tree oil and grapefruit seed extract, which are sometimes included in natural soaps. Alcohol-based antibacterial soaps, such as Purell, do not carry the same risks of antibiotic resistance and dioxin contamination as triclosan-containing products. Cleanwell is a good solution!

Action:
Beyond Pesticides (formerly known as the National Coalition Against the Misuse of Pesticides) works with allies in protecting public health and the environment to lead the transition to a world free of toxic pesticides. Be sure to check out their very informative pesticide fact sheets. You can call Beyond Pesticides in Washington D.C. at 202-543-5450.

TIP: If you are out and about and find that the restaurant or store you are at has soap in the bathroom from the list above, bring your own small castile liquid soap and wash your hands without chemicals.

Thank you for reading this important information and for encouraging your school to MAKE THE SWITCH TO REGULAR SOAP.

Environmentally Healthy Schools

admin — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 03:39:47 +0000

by Michelle Bexelius – founder of Eco Remedi

Eco Healthy School

How Eco Healthy is your school? From cafeteria meals to energy use to recycling efforts, your school can have a major environmental impact – and provide opportunities to teach students about healthier, more sustainable practices.

Fostering a healthy environment is crucial given that many of the nation’s schoolchildren are vulnerable to pollution: According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 50 percent of U.S. schools have indoor air-quality problems, exposing those inside to lead, asbestos, chemical fumes, pesticides, molds and other toxic substances. And researchers at the University of Cincinnati found that more than 30 percent of U.S. public schools are in “air-pollution danger zones” because of their proximity to major thoroughfares. Despite these problems, parents can work with school officials to implement policies that protect children – and the planet.

On the Road

If you live close to your school, have your child take the bus, carpool, bike or walk as often as she can to cut down on greenhouse-gas emissions from cars.

If you walk or bike with your child, you’ll improve your health while helping the environment. Get other families involved by organizing “Walk-or-Bike-to-School Days” once a month.

If you do drive, don’t idle.

Turn off your engine while waiting for your child. Encourage others to do the same by putting up a “Turn your engine off” or “Don’t idle” sign at your school’s pickup spot. The exhaust pollutes the air near your child’s school and can trigger asthma attacks, so any effort to cut down on fumes will help improve students’ health and you’ll save gas – and money.

In the Cafeteria

Healthy lunches build healthy minds.

Encourage your school to scrap the corn dogs, chicken nuggets and french fries in the cafeteria and buy from local, organic farmers. Urge your school to switch to reusable trays, flatware and recycled paper napkins.

If you’re packing your child’s lunch, opt for organic foods when possible and put filtered water in a stainless steel container. Use a lunch box that is not made with PVC. Pack waste-free meals by using reusable containers.

On the School Grounds

Create a learning garden at your school so that kids can see firsthand where healthy food comes from.

It doesn’t have to be big – a small area will do – and kids can be involved in planting, harvesting and eating the produce. Encourage your teachers to plan lessons around it.

Organize a composting committee.

This will help your school reduce its waste and provide fertilizer for the learning gardens at the same time.

Start a campaign for clean water.

Urge your school to put water filters on every drinking fountain to cut the risk of exposure to lead, arsenic and bacteria often found in water supplies.

Use environmentally friendly lighting and cleaning products.

Encourage your school to replace its incandescent lightbulbs with energy-saving compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). These bulbs use about 75% less power than incandescents and last up to 10 times longer. Since CFLs contain small amounts of mercury, make sure your school knows how to properly dispose of them. Encourage your school to turn off lights when they aren’t being used. Use natural daylight as much as possible.

Encourage your school to use castile soap, which is cheaper and gets rid of germs just as effectively as soaps with antibacterial properties do. Antibacterial soaps can be harmful because they contain a dioxin chemical called triclosan, which has been known to cause liver damage and cause resistance to antibiotics.

Urge your school to use healthy cleaning products. Ask your custodians what products they use and encourage them to look into green alternatives.

Ask the grounds crew to use natural herbicides and pesticides. Children are highly susceptible to toxic pesticides sprayed on playgrounds and athletic fields because of their high metabolisms and low body weights. There are many safer pest-control alternatives.

Start a recycling program.

Place paper, plastic and aluminum recycling bins near every trash can. Encourage recycling through drives and by enrolling your school in a program that collects computer printer cartridges and used cell phones. Request that the school use 100 percent recycled paper.

At the Store

Go green when shopping for school supplies.

When purchasing backpacks, rain jackets and binders, make sure they don’t contain harmful PVC materials or fire retardants. See Green Dorms for more options.

Use recycled paper goods.

Ask your school to purchase 100% recycled paper and print lessons on both sides of the paper. Also ask for 100% recycled toilet paper, paper towels and tissues.

Michelle Bexelius is also the founder and director of Eco Kido, a nonprofit that helps schools get healthy and go green.

Green your Dorm – Shopping for Eco Healthy School Supplies

admin — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 17:31:37 +0000

Shopping for EcoHealthy supplies for school

by Michelle Bexelius – founder of Eco Remedi

Going to college is an exciting event, a milestone that you have earned, congratulations! Here is a helpful list to make sure your four year stay is a pleasant, healthy, eco friendly one!

Reduce your carbon footprint by: -Taking shorter showers -Walking/Biking - Using Compact Fluorescent Lighting - - Print on both sides of the paper -Solar charger for your ipod and computer

Moving When packing up your belongings they can use recycled boxes that are used vs. new ones. Used boxes can be found in your own zip code on craigslist.org. Gather your friends and hire a moving company like MoveGreen.

Supplies and Backpacks Use a backpack made from recycled materials and not from PVC. REI has several to choose from and so does greenofficesupply.com, lands end, hempsisters.com, www.timbuk2.com, www.vulcanabags.com, www.seallinegear.com, and www.targus.com. Recycled paper/notebooks – greenofficesupply.com.

Computers Laptop vs. desktop – laptops use less energy. http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=find_a_product.showProductGroup&pgw_code=LT

Linens Look for organic cotton or bamboo towels and sheets. Natural fibers are the healthiest choice. Gaiam has sales all the time for sheets as well as Bed Bath and Beyond for pillows. If you can’t bring your own natural latex mattress, opt for an organic cotton or wool mattress cover; it will cut down on off gassing from chemicals like formaldehyde.

Air Quality The air in dorm rooms can be compromised. Choose a quality air purifier that will keep the fresh air coming and illnesses at bay. Here are some affordable ones that you don’t have to change the filter, just clean and they even get rid of pungent smells!

Clothing There are many choices for stylish and comfortable clothing. Target has a new line of organic cotton t-shirts from Mossimo. Shop second hand stores like Buffalo Exchange, they are excellent for trendy clothes to classics. Buy wooden clothes hangers from Ikea, they will last a long time and won’t off gass like plastic ones. Look at bgreenhangers.com or hangernetwork.com as well.

Skin care: Choose skin care and cosmetics without the dirty dozen ingredients. Go to http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com to see if your products are safe. See these guides for safer sun care and which ingredients to avoid, pass it on!

Hair care: Choose eco-friendly dyes when coloring your hair, I remember coloring my hair every other week when I was in college, why not make it safe.

Bath/Shower: Avoid anti bacterial soaps, they harm your liver and make you resistant to antibiotics. Use castile soaps and ones without sodium laurel sulfate and parbens. Same goes for shampoo and conditioner.

Lighting: Use Compact Fluorescent light bulbs for desk lamps. Dispose of them in the hazardous waste facility and when they break, leave the room for 20 minutes then clean up immediately. LED lights are preferable but are on the pricey side. Look for sales.

Laundry: Baskets/Bags – choose a basket that is made from natural fibers or a cotton, Cost Plus have an array to choose from. Use a rack to dry your clothes on and minimize using the dryer.

Detergents: We like Trader Joes, Seventh Generation, Method or BioKleen for your detergents. They are more eco-friendly than conventional ones and the bleach alternatives they offer are terrific for keeping clothes looking good. Just look for phosphate free. Available at trader joes and target.

Food/Storage: Bring your own bags/totes for lunch and to the market – Make sure those snacks or leftovers are stored in glass or stainless steel not plastic containers. Include a stainless steel water bottle.

Refrigerator: If keeping a refrigerator in your room, stock it with healthy fresh organic snacks and drinks. Choose an energy star model when looking!

Décor: For posting important information in your dorm room look for natural ones made from cork. – umbra.com

Create a sachet with fresh herbs like lavender or rosemary. Stay away from plug ins or air fresheners, they harm the air and the plug ins cause fires.

Rugs and Curtains Make sure you choose products with natural ingredients and avoid products with fire retardant spray. Rugs, curtains, comforters

Cleaning Products: Look for natural, non-toxic all-purpose cleaners to keep your room looking and smelling fresh. Trader Joes, BioKleen, Seventh Generation and Begley’s are terrific choices. Stay away from bleach, it is harmful for your lungs and the watershed if disposed down the drain.

Easy Tips: Take your shoes off and leave the toxins at the door and shut the lights off when you aren’t in the room.

For more tips on incorporating green into your school, contact michelle@ecoremedi.com to set up an consultation with the school staff.