Kids Go Global
You may not have heard of the dangers of phthalates in soft plastic containers, but over 1 billion pounds are produced worldwide each year. Daily you surely have used a product that contains them. They may be hazardous to your loved ones especially unborn and the young boys.
Where are they found Phthalates are chemicals widely found everywhere and in too many things. It is used as a softener in hair sprays, perfumes, cosmetics, toys, shower curtains, wood finishers, lubricants, certain medical devices, plastic wrap, plastic storage containers . If children put these plastic toys contain phthalates in their mouths the plastic can be released and ingested. When food is warmed or liquids are kept for extended periods in these soft plastic containers the phthalates are released into or liquid kept in the container and into the air.
Cosmetics and personal care products, including nail polish, mascara, fragrances, shampoos and conditioners, lotions, hair growth formulations, antiperspirants, and sunscreen, are a large exposure source. Gum, candy and oral pharmaceuticals may also contain them.. Even “new car smell” is partly due to phthalates used in car manufacturing. People have often have high levels of certain phthalates in their systems. Exposure can come through ingestion, inhalation, direct injection and skin contact.
Dangers to reproductive health
Perhaps most concerning are these chemicals’ effects on reproductive health. In a study published in the May 2005 Environmental Health Perspectives, it was found that pregnant women exposed to common levels of phthalates might have baby boys with smaller genitals and incomplete testicular descent.
If pregnant moms have high levels of phthalates in their systems their infant boys have a 10-times greater chance of suffering reproductive damage.
Adult men can develop sperm damage if exposed to phthalates {DEP Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) or Diethyl phthalate (DEP)or Butylbenzyl phthalate (BBP)}. This can lead to DNA damage to the sperm, and infertility and may also be linked to miscarriages, and birth defects, infertility and cancer in offspring … This is a risk to public health.”
Solution
- Educate.
- Go natural and read labels to avoid phthalates.
- Use glass, stainless steel or the new nagelene to store liquids or solid food in.
- Never store hot foods or drinks in plastic containers.
- Use stainless steel or nagelene water bottles.
Pregnant women or women of child-bearing age should avoid using plastic when storing your food and drinks, and diligently read the back of cosmetic labels.
Author: M. Wolken, PhD is Dr. Stress-Less a specialist in helping you and your planet get healthier and stress-less.
For more helpful tips to saving yourself and the environment visit us at http://www.naturescrusaders.wordpress.com
Dr. Mary invites you and your kids to join us in building a healthy body and planet. Let’s work together with our kids to save the planet. Join us at http://www.naturescrusaders.wordpress.com
what is global warming for kids?
can anyone describe what exactly global warming is for kids, very simplified
my brother is 11 years old and he has a speech about it
ALSO any speech ideas and info about this topic is greatly appreciated!
The Planet Earth goes through natural warming and cooling cycles that take tens of thousands of years. Our last cooling cycle covered most of the land with deadly glaciers, crushing the forests and destroying land needed by animals.
Then, ten thousand years ago, the deadly ice age ended and the Earth started warming again. As the glaciers were melted, forests grew and animals had new places to live. We now have cities built in places that were once crushed under a mile of ice.
Thanks to global warming, caused by the Sun’s warming rays, we now have lots of places to live and grow food.
The sun is also warming other planets in our solar system. We don’t live there, so it doesn’t matter to us much. But some day it might.
This post was written by: Joe Nolan
Tags: global kids, nyc, world issues