Hidden Hazards in Air Fresheners

via NRDC.org

Hidden Hazards in Air Fresheners...

"Over the past few years, air fresheners have become a staple in many American homes and offices, marketed with promises of a clean, healthy and sweet-smelling indoor atmosphere. The labels do not mention, however, that many of these products also release potentially hazardous chemicals.

A recent investigation of 14 common air fresheners by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) found hormone-disrupting chemicals known as phthalates in 12 products, including some fresheners marketed as "all-natural" and "unscented." None of the air fresheners listed phthalates on their labels..." (read more)

And via Science Daily:

Many Cleaners, Air Fresheners May Pose Health Risks When Used Indoors

Buying Safe Plastic Toys

From the National Geographic Green Guide:

With mounting concerns over lead in toys, added to worries about hormone-disrupting chemicals in plastic, parents are understandably questioning the seemingly innocent toys they use to educate and entertain their kids...plastics made with vinyl usually have a plasticky smell, similar to that of a new shower curtain... When in doubt, smell it! Toxic softeners in plastics can give them that new smell.

Why It Matters

The worst plastic used in children's toys, including teethers, bath toys and dolls, is polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, which creates dioxins in production and often contains phthalates, chemical softeners used to make the plastic soft and pliable. Considered "hormone disruptors" and linked with asthma and respiratory problems, phthalates can migrate out of toys and onto the hands (and into the mouths) of children. Fortunately, many companies are removing phthalates, and several states, including California and Maine, are initiating legislation that would ban the sale of any children's products containing these problem chemicals.

Another additive to PVC, lead has been cropping up in toys with unrelenting frequency. Hundreds of thousands toys, including Barbie dolls, Fisher-Price locomotives and Thomas the Tank Engines have been recalled due to violations of lead paint standards. Lead is also found in the paint of some old wood and metal toys, especially in imports. Lead is associated with a host of learning disabilities and behavior disorders, and even low exposures can carry lifelong effects.

Lead has also been found in other children's toys. In July 2004, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recalled all metal toy jewelry sold in vending machines—150 million pieces—that was imported by AA Global Industries Inc., Brand Imports, Cardinal Distributing Co. and L.M. Becker and Co. Inc. after it was found to contain lead and one young child was poisoned. In this instance, the toys were recalled before more children were affected, but government can react slowly to protect children, often not moving until after harm has been done.

More:

Europe to Ban PVC Toys

Canada: PVC Toys Pulled From Toys "R" Us Shelves (Greenpeace Archives)

And for a list of safe teething options visit Health Canada.

Drain Catcher

My tub drain gets clogged all the time. I hate draino... its soo toxic to the watersystems, and its really expensive. I did try one brand of 'ecologically friendly' drain cleaner and it did not work at all. So I sucked it up and bought the draino and vowed that I would ensure to do something about the cause of the cloggage. Not about to shave my long hair, I opted instead to plop in a wire mesh drain catcher. It cost under $2 from Canadian Tire. If I had measured the width before hand I wouldn't have had to make two trips... I recommend measuring. If you have one of those swivel/drop stoppers, its a bit of a pain to get out. I used a screwdriver wedged down the drain to hold still the stick-part under there by pushing really hard, while screwing off the top. This was of course after the woman at the store assured me all I needed to do to get it off was spin the top many times. How cruel was she?! I span and span for like, ever. Anyway, its been installed for several months now, my drain's been clear, and there's always the satisfaction of completing a home-improvement project all by yourself. Even just a tiny one.