The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide

Tell makers of household cleaners you want to know what’s in the cleaners you use

Household cleaner manufacturing giants want to keep secret the chemical ingredients in their products and the health risks they pose.

But you can take action to let these corporations know you want the truth.

Tell them consumers need a full list of ingredients and disclosure of their impacts to health. Armed with this information, consumers can make safe choices about what products to bring into their homes.

Tell Procter & Gamble, Colgate-Palmolive, Church and Dwight, and Reckitt-Benckiser to follow the law requiring them to disclose the chemical ingredients in their products and the health problems they cause.

Earthjustice, a public interest law firm that works to protect the environment, offers an Action Alert you can use to send an e-mail to these corporations to let them know you want action on cleaning ingredient labeling.

Take action on this important issue today.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Pesticides are harmful to you, your children, grandchildren, pets, and the environment

Since I was a child, I’ve been concerned about pesticide exposure.

Growing up in Central Washington, I was sprayed with pesticide drift from airplanes when I was walking down the road. I also thinned apples as a teen in trees that were dripping with pesticides.

My dad, Minor H. Slingsby, died in 1990 at age 80 from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a lymphatic system cancer. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is linked to pesticide exposure. My dad was an apple farmer.

I learned about this link from a story on National Public Radio a few months after my dad had been diagnosed. A story reported increasing numbers of farm worker children, who were in the fields with their parents, were developing the disease.

If you’re currently using pesticides on your yard, you need to be aware of the possible harmful effects. In this article, the term pesticide also refers to herbicides and fungicides.

Pesticides are harmful to humans

In addition to causing short-term health effects, long-term effects of pesticides that are known are cancers, birth defects, reproductive harm, neurological and developmental toxicity, immunotoxicity, and disruption of the endocrine system, according to the article “Pesticides and Human Health” on Californians for Pesticide Reform.com.

Some people are more susceptible than others to pesticide impacts. For example, farm workers and pesticide applicators are more vulnerable because they receive greater exposures. Infants and young children are known to be more susceptible than adults to the toxic effects of pesticides.

For example, a recent study found that children who live in homes where their parents use pesticides are twice as likely to develop brain cancer versus those that live in residences in which no pesticides are used, reports Environmental Health News in the article “Pesticides Blamed for Some Childhood Brain Cancers.”

It’s well established that many pesticides cause cancer in animals, the article states.
 
People think that because the brightly colored boxes of pesticides are allowed to be sold in stores that they’re safe. Only a minimum amount of tests have been conducted on pesticides since they came into use after World War II.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the first time will require pesticide manufacturers to test 67 chemicals contained in their products to determine whether they disrupt the endocrine system, which regulates animals' and humans' growth, metabolism, and reproduction, The Washington Post reports in the article “EPA Will Mandate Tests on Pesticide Chemicals.”

Pesticides are harmful to lawns and gardens

Treating plants or controlling garden pests with chemicals often makes the situation worse because the chemicals damage the soil's natural defense system by killing off good organisms and bacteria along with the bad, reports the King County article “Chemical Use: Get Your Yard Off Drugs!”

Healthy soil is full of beneficial bacteria, fungi, and other organisms that work together to keep disease and pests under control and protect the health of plants.

Building healthy soil by using compost, growing plants that resist plant diseases in your area, and planting a variety of plants, especially plants native to your area, will help you have healthy gardens and lawns.

Pesticides are harmful to the environment

Pesticides drain into streams and injure and kill fish and wildlife. Through these environmental exposures, pesticides accumulate in the food chain.

Pesticides also damage forests, farmlands, deserts, and beaches.

These are three good reasons to stop using pesticides. They’re harmful to (1) your health and the health of those in your household, (2) your lawns and gardens, and (3) the environment.

To find out about the health effects of the pesticides you’ve used, see the Pesticide Action Network’s Pesticide Info Database.

Here are other resources to help get your yard off pesticides:

“Using Native Plants in Your Gardens Saves Time, Water, Money” – The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide

“A New Way to Think about Lawns” – The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide

“Green Gardening, Lawn Care Promotes Good Health” – The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide

“Lawn Care: For Truly Green Turf” – Sierra Club.com

“What Does Pesticide Poisoning Feel Like” – Vegan Reader

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Top 10 Earth Day top 10 lists

For Earth Day, I thought I’d review Earth Day top 10 lists and see which ones I thought were tops.

1. “Top 10 Earth Day Campaigns You Can’t Miss” – Takepart.com.

I liked this list best because it describes actions and activities from a wide variety of organizations – from Greenpeace to National Geographic to the U.S. Environmental Agency.

2. “Top 10 Cities to Celebrate Earth Day” – NBC.com.

This list is fun. Seattle is described as “Where the folks are green and the plastic bags are taxed.” Among the other cities included are Austin, Texas; Boston; Ashville, N.C.; Portland, Ore.; and San Francisco.

3. “Top 10 Earth Day Songs” – Y! Music.

Robert the Radish picked these songs, but many of those leaving comment thought “Earth Song” by Michael Jackson should have been included.

4. “Top 10 Things You Can Do to Reduce Global Warming” – Earth Day Network.

This is a standard to do list for Earth Day. I selected it because it includes “Plant a tree.”

5. “Top 10 KBB Green Stories of 2009 – Early Edition” – Kelley Blue Book.

It was encouraging to see this list of green stories about cars.

6. “World’s Top 10 Eco-hostels” – Travelbite.co.uk.

This list made me dream – Ireland, Hawaii, Singapore, England, Iceland. I’d love to spend Earth Day at any of these hostels.

7. “Earth Day 2009: Top 10 TV Shows on Planet Green” – Examiner.com.

These TV shows looked interesting and may be worth a look after Turnoff Week is over.

8. “Happy Earth Day – 10 Environmental Films You Can Watch Online for Free” – Urlesque.com.

The films highlight the impact people have on the environment, and the responsibilities they share for the planet's future.

9. “Top 10 Greenest Celebs” – Metromix/Detroit.

Here’s what 10 stars are doing for the Green Movement.

10. “10 Environmental Disasters to Remember on Earth Day” – AlterNet.com.

I put this one last because it’s discouraging to think about events such as species extinction, mountaintop removal, Love Canal, the Exxon Valdez oil spill, Hurricane Katrina, and the Great Dust Bowl of the 1930s.

But that’s what Earth Day is about – to recognize all the environmental destruction that has occurred and to develop policies and projects to develop a greener world.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide Recall of the Week: Girls’ shoes from Nordstrom

About 31,000 girls’ shoes imported by Nordstrom, of Seattle, Wash., are being recalled because surface paint on the outer sole of the shoes contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Six styles are involved in the recall:

“Clarice-Fab” flats – bone colored with a bow.

“Eva-Fab” – bone colored T-strap sandals.

“Fern-Fab” – ankle strap sandals sold in bone, pink, white, blue polka-dot, or pink polka-dot.

 

“Lilly-Fab” – fuchsia gingham ballerina flats with a bow.

“Rita-Fab” – ankle strap dress shoes sold in ivory linen, pink linen, white linen, cafe satin, silver satin, or white satin.

 

“Vivi-Fab” – open-toe dress shoes in bone, white, green polka-dot, lavender polka-dot, or yellow polka-dot.

Manufactured in China, the shoes were sold in girls’ sizes 10 through big-kids 7. All shoes have an embossed “NORDSTROM” printed on the insole. Only the colors identified above are subject to the recall.
 
Nordstrom stores nationwide sold the shoes from September 2006 through February 2009 for about $35 to $45.

Consumers should take the recalled shoes away from children immediately and return them to any Nordstrom store for a full refund or exchange, the commission advises.

For additional information, call Nordstrom at 800-804-0806 between 7 a.m. and 1 a.m. ET, e-mail Nordstrom at contact@nordstrom.com, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.nordstrom.com.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Baby boomer alert: Watch out for household products that could injure or kill your child or grandchild

Each year, poisonings from consumer products found in the home kill about 30 children and result in more than two million calls to poison control centers across the nation.

More than 90 percent of the calls involve poisonings in the home. Every year an estimated 80,000 children are treated in hospital emergency rooms for unintentional poisonings.

March 15 to 21 is National Poison Prevention Week, which aims to help prevent childhood poisonings.

Children younger than age 5 account for the majority of the non-fatal poisonings. A recent review conducted by U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission found that 70 percent of poisonings involve children 1 to 2 years of age.

Oral prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs, and supplements were involved in more than half of the incidents.

“Awareness and action are the keys to preventing unintentional poisonings,” said Nancy Nord, acting chairman of the commission. “Children act fast. So do poisons. That’s why we urge parents, grandparents, and caregivers to have layers of poison prevention protection in the home.”

The commission recommends that parents, grandparents, and caregivers immediately take these three steps.

1. Keep medicines and household chemicals in their original, child-resistant containers.
2. Store the potentially hazardous substances up and out of a child’s sight and reach
3. Keep the national toll-free poison control center telephone number, 800-222-1222, handy in case of a poison emergency.

Additional poison prevention tips to check during National Poison Prevention Week are:

• When hazardous products are in use, never let young children out of your sight, even if you must take them along when answering the phone or doorbell.

• Keep items closed and in their original containers.

• Leave the original labels on all products, and read the label before using.

• Always leave the light on when giving or taking medicine so that you can see what you’re dispensing or taking. Check the dosage every time.

• Avoid taking medicine in front of children. Refer to medicine as "medicine," not "candy."

• Clean out the medicine cabinet periodically and safely dispose of unneeded and outdated medicines.

• Don’t put decorative lamps and candles that contain lamp oil where children can reach them. Lamp oil can be very toxic if ingested by young children.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

A cleaning tip for baby boomers

You can be kind to the planet and to your wallet at the same time by using homemade cleaning products.

In a recent article, Consumer Reports offers seven environmentally friendly and less toxic products in the article “Seven Ways to Green Clean – and Cut Costs.”

The recommendations are:

• Make your own air freshener using baking soda, vinegar or lemon juice, and hot water.

• Reduce the amount of laundry detergent you need to use by adding baking soda or washing soda.

• Put vinegar and water in a spray bottle for a safe, eco-friendly window cleaner.

• Use cream of tartar to lifts stains from sinks and tubs and removes spots from aluminum pans.

• Use baking soda to clean up in the kitchen.

• Try borax, water softener and sanitizer, in the bathroom.

• Avoid splashing household cleaners on your skin or in your face, and check labels to see if respiratory masks, rubber gloves, goggles, or other protective measures are recommended.

See the article for the recipes for these homemade cleaners.

For more information on homemade cleaning products, see the Green Buying Guide on www.GreenerChoices.org, and see Consumer Reports’ new report on glass cleaner warnings.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Replace smoke and CO alarm batteries today

How long has it been since you changed the batteries in your smoke alarm? In your carbon monoxide alarm?
 
Or, is your smoke alarm not working, like the one in the photo, and awaiting your attention.

As you turn your clocks ahead for Daylight Saving Time, it’s a good time to replace the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. And, certainly, if your alarms aren’t working, it’s time to take action and replace them.

From 2003 through 2005, an annual average of 378,700 fires, 2,740 deaths, 13,090 injuries, and $5.6 billion in property losses associated with residential fires were reported by fire departments.

“Properly working smoke and CO alarms can alert you to a fire or poisonous carbon monoxide in your home and give you valuable escape time,” said Nancy Nord, acting chairwoman of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, poisonous gas that consumers can’t see or smell. From 2003 through 2005, an annual average of 171 unintentional, non-fire CO poisoning deaths associated with consumer products occurred.

The commission recommends consumers replace the batteries in their smoke and CO alarms annually and test the alarms monthly.

Smoke alarms should be on every level of the home, outside sleeping areas, and inside each bedroom.

CO alarms should be installed on each level of the home and outside sleeping areas. CO alarms shouldn’t be installed in attics or basements unless they include a sleeping area.

Combination smoke and CO alarms are available.

The commission recommends consumers follow these safety tips:

• Never leave cooking equipment unattended.

• Have a professional inspect home heating, cooling, and water appliances annually.

• Use caution with candles, lighters, matches, and smoking materials near upholstered furniture, mattresses, and bedding. Keep matches and lighters out of reach of young children.

• Have a fire escape plan and practice it so members of the household know what to do and where to meet if there’s a fire in the home. Children and the elderly may sleep through or not react to the sound of the smoke alarm, so parents and caregivers should adjust their fire escape plan to help them escape from the house if a fire occurs.

• Never ignore an alarming CO alarm. It’s warning you of a potentially deadly hazard. If the alarm signal sounds, don’t try to find the source of the CO. Immediately move outside to fresh air. Call your emergency services, fire department, or 911.

• Never use a portable generator indoors – including garages, basements, crawlspaces, and sheds. Opening doors and windows or using fans won’t prevent CO buildup in the home.

• Keep portable generators outdoors and far away from open doors, windows, and vents when they’re in use so that CO doesn’t build up indoors.

• Get to fresh air right away if you start to feel sick, dizzy, or weak while using a generator. The CO from generators can readily lead to full incapacitation and death.

• Never use charcoal indoors. Burning charcoal in an enclosed space can produce lethal levels of carbon monoxide. 

For more information, visit www.FireSafety.gov for fire safety information from commission and other federal agencies.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide Recall of the Week: Children's flip flops by Alpargatas

About 210,000 children's flip flops are being recalled due to a violation of the lead in paint standard.

Manufactured by Alpargatas USA Inc. of New York, N.Y., the flip flops have decorative paint on the sole that can contain lead levels in excess of the federal standard, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Flip flops of the Havaianas brand containing decorative paint were sold under the following model names: Baby Estampas, Baby Pets, Kids Apple, Kids Fairy, Kids Flores, Kids Lighthouse, Kids Monsters, Kids Surf, Baby Letrinhas, Kids Sports, Kids Candies, Kids Fun, Kids Love, Kids Sereias, Kids Speed, Kids Lucky Bug, Kids Pets, Kids Rock, Kids Slim, Kids Wonder Woman, Kids Small Flowers, and Kids Tropical w/Kit.
 
Havaianas flip flops without decorative paint aren’t being recalled, according to the commission.

 Manufactured in Brazil, the flip flops were sold by department and specialty stores nationwide from November 2006 through February 2009 for about $15 to $24 a pair.

Consumers should immediately take the recalled flip flops away from children and return them to Alpargatas USA Inc. to receive a replacement. Call 888-289-5306 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the company’s Web site at www.havaianasus.com. You’ll find the recall at the bottom of the home page.

For more information on recent recalls, see www.recalls.gov.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Toxins still found in many toys

This week, I had the opportunity to attend a free toxic toy testing in Seattle, Wash., sponsored by the Washington Toxics Coalition. Members of the coalition were invited to attend.

Since my grandchildren live far away, I borrowed some toys from a friend who has a five-month-old grandchild.

The tests on the toys were conducted with a portable X-Ray Fluorescene analyzer. The device identifies the elemental composition of materials on or near the surface of the products.

All of the three toys I brought contained polyvinyl chloride. The coalition is concerned about children playing with and chewing on toys made from PVC. Harmful chemicals, such as lead and cadmium, often are used as additives when PVC is manufactured.

The coalition recommends parents and grandparents:

• Avoid buying toys that list vinyl or PVC as ingredients.

• Choose plastic-free toys such as fabric teethers, unpainted wooden toys, and cloth and plush toys.

• Check whether any toys already at home have been recalled. See www.cpsc.gov.

See the coalition’s Safe Start for Kids for more information.

In December, the coalition and the Toxic-Free Legacy Coalition tested more than 1,500 popular children’s toys for lead, cadmium, arsenic, PVC, and other harmful chemicals to inform parents and grandparents before they began their holiday shopping.

Lead was detected in 20 percent of the boys tested. The lead levels in some of the products were well above the 600 parts per million federal recall standard used for lead in paint, which is the federal legal limit for toys that went into effect in February under a new law.

Levels of lead in many toys tested were significantly above the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended ceiling of 40 ppm of lead in children's products. Children's jewelry remains the most contaminated product category.

For details, see "One in Three Children's Toys Tested Found to Have Significant Levels of Toxic Chemicals."

In the photo, Josh Schramm, spokesman for the coalition, tests a toy with a portable X-Ray Fluorescence analyzer.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Is drywall from China making people sick?

Drywall manufactured in China and installed in Florida is the subject of a class action lawsuit.

The drywall may be emitting sulfuric odors, possibly exposing people to respiratory health problems, according to the article “Chinese Drywall a Threat to Homeowners?” on Consumer Affairs.com. The emissions can also corrode air conditioning coils and wiring, posing a potential risk of electric fire.

Nearly 100 complaints have been submitted by Florida residents to the state Department of Health about problems with drywall.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is conducting an investigation.

The suit accuses Knauf Plasterboard Tianjin Co. Ltd., a China-based producer, of using fly ash, a waste material from Chinese power plants, in manufacturing the drywall, according to the article.

For details on the lawsuit, see Defective Chinese Drywall Lawsuit.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist