In the last week, three new reports were released regarding our everyday household products and chemical exposure. As a 4 month pregnant mother of a toddler, I am being extra careful right now regarding the food my family eats and the chemicals that come into contact with our bodies, so these studies really grabbed my attention!

The first report was yet another study on Bisphenol A, or BPA.  Several states, including California have tried to ban this proven hormone disruptor from baby bottles and children’s feeding products.  This is an issue I’m particularly passionate about, as there are now hundreds of studies showing that even very low levels of BPA are associated with a wide range of health conditions, particularly for infants and children.

The newly released study may help support the much-needed ban, as research found that BPA (often used in can lining) leaches into in most canned foods – 92 percent of products tested!  While we wait (and fight for!) federal policy reform, check out the Environmental Working Group’s tips to lower your BPA exposure:

Source: Flickr user Chiot's Run

1. Buy your tomato sauce in glass jars. Canned tomato sauce and pasta is more likely to have higher levels of BPA because the high acidity of the tomatoes causes more of the chemical to leak from the lining of the can.

2. Consume frozen or fresh fruits and vegetables instead of canned.

3. Purchase beverages in plastic or glass bottles.

4. Use powdered infant formula instead of ready-to-serve liquid. Studies have found that liquid formulas contain more BPA than powdered brands.

5. Think in terms of moderation. Instead of avoiding all canned foods, eat less of those that are high in BPA.

It’s definitely time to clean out the pantry!

As a mom, I know attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is on the rise and that there is not a clear reason why.  I was really intrigued by a suggestive new study that found a link between the increasing rate of ADHD and the pesticides in (non-organic) produce.

Researchers looked at urine samples from 1,139 kids age 8 to 15. The 119 who were diagnosed with ADHD also tended to have the highest concentrations of malathion (a commonly used pesticide) in their urine.  Children may be especially prone to the health risks of pesticides (and many other toxic chemicals) because they’re still growing and may consume more pesticide residue than adults relative to their body weight.

While the study is not conclusive, it should certainly raise a red flag to parents about chemical exposure in household items!  To lower you and your child’s risk, buy organic fruits and vegetables whenever possible and get rid of bug spray and other pesticides in your house and those you use on your lawn and garden.   If organic produce is not readily available or cost prohibitive, download the EWG’s Dirty Dozen and Clean 15 list of fruits and veggies that you should always buy organic (including celery, strawberries, and apples) and those that traditionally have less pesticide use and residue (onions, avocado, mangos)  Also, remember to always wash produce under running water before eating it.

Source: Flickr User Blackout14design

The third report, conducted by the EWG and the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, tested 17 well-known fragrances, including those represented by Jennifer Lopez, Miley Cyrus, Halle Berry and Britney Spears.  The study found 38 chemicals not listed on the ingredient labels but linked to adverse health effects (like reproductive damage, hormone disruption and allergic reactions), with the average fragrance containing 14 of these ‘secret’ chemicals.

Sadly, the FDA has not assessed the majority of these unlisted or ‘secret’ fragrance chemicals for safety and most have not even been evaluated by the safety review panel of the International Fragrance Association (IFRA) or any other publicly accountable institution.

The Fair Packaging and Labeling Act passed by congress in 1973 requires companies to list cosmetic ingredients on product labels but exempts fragrances.  So as consumers, we have no idea what or how many ingredients are used to create the ‘fragrance’ we see listed on the packaging.  I’ve avoided products with fragrance for the last several years, and I would encourage you to do the same!

When it comes to personal care, stick with natural products that are fragrance free or that utilize essential oils. Raw Natural Skincare Ambiaty Concentrated Serum features an amazing blend of ginger, tangerine, geranium and sage essential oils to give it a light, fresh scent, while the Ambiaty Daily Revitalizing Cream and Eye Treatment are absolutely yummy with anise, lime, vanilla, sweet orange and coconut. Event better scents than synthetic fragrances and all natural!

Reading these reports makes me both frustrated that our regulations are so still lax but also optimistic that the widespread media coverage will result in positive change.  In the meantime, be extra cautious about what you put in and on your body. Stay tuned for new updates!