How exposed to chemicals are you? Do you need a hazardous warning label?

What chemicals are you exposed to daily? Are you curious? Would you need a hazardous chemical warning label?

Biomonitoring, or testing your body for chemical exposure, is expensive. But you might want to know what your potential exposures are to toxic chemicals so that you can take some preventive measures to reduce the exposure. Of course, just because you are exposed to a toxic chemical doesn't mean that you will get sick. And, the exposure might not even be a problem. There is a lot of uncertainty in what is and what isn't safe, how we are exposed, whether our bodies can metabolize various chemicalse, etc.

Nonetheless, many people would like to do what they can to reduce their exposure to chemicals, particularly if it is as easy. For example, despite the fact that the science and regulatory agencies have not yet agreed on whether bisphenol A (BPA) is a concern, people are still skipping polycarbonate plastic bottles to reduce exposure to BPA. If you haven't paid attention to the debate, BPA may leach from polycarbonate plastic into any food stuff, so getting rid of polycarbonate plastic bottles can reduce your exposure to BPA. And that's a very easy switch to make with so many alternates available.

Knowledge is power. So, if you are curious, check out Do You Need a Hazardous Chemical Warning Label at 5 Minutes for Going Green.

Jennifer Taggart, Smart Mamas Do It All Naturally

Submitted by thesmartmama (view blog

) on Thu, 08/28/2008 - 10:07

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Buying toxic-free products sends a clear
message to companies.

Diane MacEachern www.biggreenpurse.com Diane@biggreenpurse.com

Reading labels for dangerous ingredients is sometimes the only way consumers can protect themselves from chemicals they want to avoid. But just as importantly, that kind of green consumerism holds a big green carrot in front of manufacturers, sending a signal that if they want your business, they'll have to change the way they do business. Re the biomonitoring testing: I never tested my breast milk, or my hair strands. I just assumed my body contained certain chemicals. I think the human body is pretty resilient, so I'm not freaking out about my body burden overall. But I am doing what I can now to reduce chemical exposures. It seems like the best way to protect myself, while forcing companies to reduce the nasty ingredients they otherwise might use.

Thanks for an enlightening post on this!

Submitted by Diane MacEachern on Thu, 08/28/2008 - 07:22

Very inspiring, I think I'll get my hair
sampled

I followed the link and found your additional information very compelling. Like most people, I do nothing unless it's in the OMG pile. I've seen the commercial for foot pads that take the toxins and metals out of your body - it had just enough science and weird to draw me in. (but no, haven't bought it yet)

Today, I'm sitting here waiting to hear on my husband's blood tests. Something is knocking out his liver. I'm wondering if all the weird metals and chemicals he lives around on his job has anything to do with it. A $25 hair test seems like an easy way to learn new info that could put me on the permanent organic path.

Knowledge is power if you use it before it becomes 20/20 hindsight.

Submitted by Mary Clare Hunt on Thu, 08/28/2008 - 07:42

Ask Umbra on those toxin removing foot pads

Mary Clare - Ask Umbra did an evaluation of those toxin removing foot pads - the foot detox pads - although there wasn't really an answer. Check it out:

http://www.grist.org/advice/ask/2008/08/18/?source=most_popular

Submitted by thesmartmama on Thu, 08/28/2008 - 07:47

I think knowledge is power...

So I love to read articles like this giving me practical advice on how to avoid toxins. I am a huge label reader. But it's not all living in fear. I am pretty zen about the fact that I probably have an accumulation of chemicals in my body (like every other human on the planet). I just agree with Diane that, by buying safer products without hazardous chemicals, we can vote with our pocketbooks -- support more sustainable businesses, keep what little we can out of our bodies (but a tiny fraction -- we're still breathing air and showering in municipal water). I did not do the hair or breastmilk samples, altho I was mighty curious. I do think the US should be monitoring POPs in breastmilk, tho, just didn't want to know on a personal level. Great post! Resonates completely with my desire to live consciously, protect my kids from harm, and support safer products.

SurelyYouNest.com

Submitted by Mama Bird on Thu, 08/28/2008 - 08:16

I worry about the most vulnerable

I don't freak out so much about toxic chemicals that I might come into contact with. I'm sure I've had my share. But I do worry about the most vulnerable and least able to protect themselves: children and other species of life on this planet. We humans created these toxic problems, and then we subject all the other creatures to them. That makes me both sad and angry, and that's why I try my hardest to reduce the amount of chemicals coming into my home and being released into the world through my purchases.

Beth Terry http://www.fakeplasticfish.com

Submitted by bethfly on Thu, 08/28/2008 - 11:24

re: toxic substances in building products and
food

I have to agree with everyone. I don't freak out but I am sure my body is full of them. I do feel bad for my kids who I breast feed all of them. Was the toxic substances in my body that caused their learning issues? Was the chemicals in the building materials (ie paints) and furniture we put in their rooms help push their tiny immune systems over the edge?

I think if more people realize what they were eatting or using, they would stop. This would force companies to stop taking our lives and the planet for granted.

Anna www.green-talk.com

Submitted by greentalk on Sun, 09/14/2008 - 13:37