Don't Support Pink Washing!

Pinkwashing: A term used to describe companies that position themselves as leaders in the fight against breast cancer while engaging in practices that may be contributing to rising rates of the disease.


We’ve all seen personal care products dressed up with pink ribbons to “raise awareness” about breast cancer. Unfortunately, many of the corporations using the pink ribbon continue to use chemicals that are linked to cancer and hormone disruption. We need to shift the conversation toward disease prevention- and we can! We can use our voices, our dollars and our votes to support organizations, companies and elected officials that promise not to allow harmful chemicals in cosmetics and other products in the first place. That is a real commitments to women’s health.

Read more: http://healthychild.org/blog/comments/lets_tweet_twice/#ixzz12kn5MHrT


Greetings!

This blog post from Healthy Child/ Healthy World really struck a nerve with me....It has become really "in"  to be wearing pink ribbons, socks or bands to support cancer awareness.   That is great - if that is not all you are doing.  Did you know many of the products in your home, the same ones that are also sporting "Pink" this month are made of  carcinogens &/or other harmful toxic chemicals.  Toxins that are harming your health and the health of  the planet.  You take a stand with every dollar you spend.  If you purchase products from these manufacturers you are telling them you find this acceptable and they should continue....even if you are wearing the pink pin. 

Educate yourself about what you bring into your home at www.householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/products.htm

If you are looking for alternatives - products that are safe for you, safe for your family and safe for the planet - do like I did and look to a company that has been walking the walk for 54 years - SHAKLEE.   If I can help you find substititutions - let me know.   

Lets stop pinkwashing and lets stop pink hypocricy.

To Your Health,
Lisa

EPA Celebrates Children's Health Month

This news relase is from the EPA website.

To Your Health,
Lisa


Help Protect Children from Environmental Risks: EPA Provides Tips during Children’s Health Month

WASHINGTON - October is Children’s Health Month. To heighten awareness about environmental issues impacting children, EPA is providing parents and caregivers simple tips they can use to help protect children in their homes, schools and communities.

“As both EPA Administrator and a mother, I understand the importance of protecting our children from environmental threats,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “Throughout Children’s Health Month, we will work to help parents and caretakers ensure the safety of our children and build a safer, cleaner, more sustainable world for their future.”

Children eat, drink and breathe more per pound than adults. When food, water or air is polluted, children are more affected by that pollution when compared to adults. These concerns about children’s health are a driving force behind many of EPA’s programs, policies and regulatory activities.

There are simple steps that parents and other caregivers can take to protect children from environmental health hazards in their surrounding daily environment.

Here are some simple steps that can be taken to help keep children safe and healthy:


1. Discover how climate change may affect the health of children, and how reducing energy helps the climate and reduces air pollution.
2. Have a health care provider or local health department test children’s blood lead levels.
3. Wash floors and window sills to remove dust and peeling lead-based paint, especially in older homes, where lead based paint is more likely to be found. Repair peeling or chipping paint in older homes.
4. Reduce asthma attacks by controlling triggers such as pet dander, mold and second-hand smoke.
5. Don’t expose children to cigarette, cigar or pipe smoke at home or in a car.
6. Check the local public water supplier for annual drinking water quality reports. Have private water wells tested annually by a certified laboratory.
7. Store pesticides and other chemicals in a locked cabinet. Never put them in other containers that can be mistaken for food or drink.
8. Replace mercury thermometers with digital or mercury-free thermometers.
9. Homes should be tested for radon, as it is the second leading cause of lung cancer.

More tips: http://yosemite.epa.gov/ochp/ochpweb.nsf/content/calendar.htm