Legal Toxins Affecting Male Sexual Development
Oct 30th, 2007 at 10:00 am by Susie
Not tonight, honey, I have a headache.
Unless you like having a low sperm count and a dead libido, this is a pretty scary story and we really should start paying attention. (You know, even though the head of the Consumer Product Safety Commission thinks it’s all just fine the way it is!)
Clearly, the place to start is with Congress. A lot of this stuff is banned in Europe but allowed here. It’s time to put the heat on.
In the meantime, I’ve been trying to wean myself off toxic toiletries and if you can, I strongly urge you to do the same. I like convenience and bargains as much as the next person, so I look for equivalent products elsewhere. (Trader Joe’s is good for that.) I’ve been buying handmade soap for ages (except when I’m unemployed) and toxin-free lotions. Next on the list: find a good organic shampoo.
With kids, well, I was never big on plastic toys for my kids and when I did buy them, I usually got them used. Sounds like most of the phalates would have already leached out by the time I bought them. Look for handmade toys instead - wooden trains and blocks are always nice. And as for the lady who found out her grandchild was chewing on a toxic bib: Honey, that’s why God invented the sewing machine! Make some nice oilcloth bibs yourself, you don’t have to be a genius.
I was just talking to someone about this last night - my New Year’s resolution is to replace one toxic cleaning product a month with something harmless. Not only is it better for me, it’s better for the environment - and I’ll have a lot less crap under the sink.
Anyone else have any tips they want to share?
Giant’s has an organic aisle with a selection of organic shampoos. I like the Jason brand (the one with biotin). I have a sensitive scalp and this is one of the few shampoos that doesn’t seem to irritate me.
http://www.jason-natural.com/products/everyday_hair_care.php
white vinegar is great for cleaning copper.
Trader Joe’s does a clone of Tom’s of Maine toothpaste, for about half the price.
I’m doing a lot of the same, but specifically to eliminate plastic. Just about anything can be cleaned with vinegar or baking soda (or both). As for hair products, I like Avalon Organics a lot & they’re one of the cheaper brands. Though I’m also looking into making my own so I don’t have to buy the plastic bottles.
Well, as my chemistry professor said, wrapping up lectures on detergents and how they work- “So you see, it’s all about ions- and water is highly ionic- thats why water is one of the best detergents.”
My wife had to go to incredible lengths to find baby bottles that don’t contain that plastic. Half the time, “manufacturers” are so far removed from the actual chain of manufacture that they don’t even know what’s in their products. Another side effect of outsourcing everything to China.
Organic Housekeeping, by Ellen Sandbeck, is a useful start. It’s amazing what can be cleaned with white vinegar and baking soda. Also, check out Mrs. Meyer’s Cleanday line of products, if you want something a little snazzier than good old Simple Green.
Don’t forget about Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps. Organic free-trade ingredients in 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles. Nothing like a pepermint shower to wake you up in the morning. They also produce an organic surface cleaner now. I haven’t tried the cleaner yet, but I’ve been using the soap since my original DFH days.