Science News reported yesterday, “Pollutants long gone, but disease carries on.” When pregnant rats were exposed to certain pollutants, their offspring — and grandchildren — experienced premature puberty, infertility, premature menopause, and premature death of sperm-forming cells. Read the article here.
Archive | February, 2012
Life After Sippy Cups
When packing our bags the night before vacation, I discovered small tears in the silicone spouts of our Pura Kiki sippy bottles, undoubtedly caused by Sweet William gnawing on them. This seemed like a good time to abandon the sippy, so we left home without it and hoped for the best. Upon arriving in Miami, [...]
That New Car Smell
Last week the Ecology Center released its fourth consumer guide to toxic chemicals in cars. How does your car rank? Check the list at HealthyStuff.org. Toxic chemicals in cars — VOCs that include bromine, chlorine, and lead — off-gas from the seats, dashboard, steering wheel, and other components. Since we Americans spend on average more [...]
How “My Sweet William” Works
I review products that I have researched and purchased for my family. I don’t like to accumulate things I won’t use, so I carefully seek what I think will be the safest and most useful option, and then I report to you. I do not receive free products, services, or samples for review.
Tummy Tub Redux
When Sweet William outgrew his Tummy Tub, we used it for toy storage. William thought it was hilarious to dump out his toys, put the tub over his head, and run around the house yodeling. Now he’s passed the tub to his little brother, Fergus, who likes bathing in it as much as he did. [...]
Our Vacation in the Sun
We’re headed home from Miami. Thanks to some good sunblock and protective clothing, we’re as pale as we were the day we left New York! (I wonder if Sweet William will one day have my freckles.) Before heading out to swim or play, we slathered Sweet William’s legs, arms, and face with Badger [...]
Diapers for Needy Families
Cotton Babies, a wonderful source of cloth diapers and baby gear, has started a program to provide diapers to needy families. Share the Love is a Cotton Babies program created to distribute used cloth diapers to families in need of a little extra support. Shortly before the arrival of their first child, Jenn and Jimmy [...]
Dry Cleaning Chemical Declared a Likely Carcinogen
This news merits a quick post before we board our train for Miami later this morning (our first vacation as a family of four!). The EPA has declared PERC (tetrachloroethylene) a likely human carcinogen. It’s the chemical used by many dry cleaners. Read about it here. If you don’t have access to nontoxic CO2 cleaners, [...]
About Elizabeth
I'm a writer and the mother of William and Fergus. Before dedicating my work to children's environmental health, I earned an MA in Cultural Reporting and Criticism from New York University and was a photography editor at The New Yorker. My family is preparing to move to New Orleans, where my husband, an architect, is building us a non-toxic home.
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