Recent studies from Mount Sinai Center have linked phthalates to OBESITY, especially in young children.
Phthalates, a type of endocrine disruptor, are untested, unregulated chemical additives that are used to intensify chemical fragrances in cosmetics and personal care products. Additional research links phthalate exposure to ASTHMA, CANCER, and REPRODUCTIVE DYSFUNCTION.
Most personal care products contain chemical fragrances.
Even some so-called “fragrance-free” brands use a chemical masking fragrance to cover up the original fragrance.
Be wary of the ingredient FRAGRANCE. It is used to denote a combination of toxic compounds, including phthalates. Phthalates and other chemical additives are difficult to avoid, because manufacturers are not required to list them on the label. Under current law, they can be simply be listed as “fragrance”.
Avoid chemical fragrance by:
- Buying chemical-free detergents, like Ecover, Seventh Generation or Soap Nuts.
- Avoiding chemically-laden detergents and fabric softeners, like Tide and Downy.
- Purchasing products that say “phthalate-free” and do not list “fragrance.”
- Looking up your products on CosmeticsDatabase.com to see the toxicity ratings.
- Identifying phthalates by their chemical names, or abbreviations: DBP (di-n-butyl phthalate), DEP (diethyl phthalate), DEHP (di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate or Bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate), BzBP (benzylbutyl phthalate), DMP (dimethyl phthalate)
- Choosing perfumes made from organic essential oils.
Learn More
Find out more about Phthalates under the Get Informed section of this site.
When you use a plastic bag to hold your lettuce or buy a bag of noodles encased in plastic packaging, take a moment to think about where that plastic will end up.
Photo: National GeographicPlastic does not biodegrade and less than 2% of all plastic produced for disposable consumables is actually recycled. Every piece of plastic ever made is still in existence, floating in oceans or collecting in landfill sites, killing wildlife and leaching toxic chemicals into our water and soil.
On your next shopping trip, review the items in your cart and ask this question:
Will this item return to the earth to nourish new life and new growth?
If not, consider making a Plastic-Free Pledge and:
- Use re-usable muslin bags instead of plastic for your produce.
- Choose biodegradable or compostable products and packaging over plastic.
- Buy bulk instead of plastic-packaged convenience items.
- Bring your own canvas bags to carry your groceries home.
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Learn more about your plastic waste from Capt. Charles Moore or watch this excerpt from the documentary Message in the Waves to see where your plastic waste ends up.
Save Alfalfa
The USDA is taking steps to approve Monsanto’s genetically engineered alfalfa, stating that not enough consumers care about organic foods for the USDA to block the approval.
Roundup Ready Alfalfa can contaminate organic alfalfa through the natural pollination process and further decrease organic farmers’ feed options.
Studies have shown that genetically modified pollen can contaminate fields up to nearly two miles away. Since other feed supplies, like corn and soy, have already been contaminated by the genetically modified trait, alfalfa has become a primary food source for organically-raised animals.
Tell the USDA you DO care about the safety of your food, your health, and your environment. Open comment period on the environmental impact statement of nonregulated status for Roundup Ready alfalfa ends February 16, 2010.
LEARN MORE / ACT NOW:
