Most doctors don’t warn pregnant patients about environmental risks (Environmental Health News, 10/10/12)
“A new nationwide survey of 2,600 obstetricians and gynecologists found that most do not warn their pregnant patients about chemicals in food, consumer products or the environment that could endanger their fetuses. More than half said they don’t warn about mercury, and hardly any of them give advice about lead, pesticides, air pollution or chemicals in plastics or cosmetics. Many doctors say their priority is to protect pregnant women from more immediate dangers, and that warning them about environmental risks may create undue anxiety. Some say they don’t feel confident in their ability to discuss the topics….”
Tag Archives | pollution
In the News
In the News
BPA From Cans Messes With Your Ovaries (Mother Jones, 9/27/12) New evidence that BPA can disrupt women’s reproductive systems, causing chromosome damage, miscarriages, and birth defects.
New triggers found for weight gain (Chicago Tribune, 9/30/12) A burgeoning area of research suggests that air pollution, sleep deprivation, and other factors might lead humans to gain weight.
Pets share our environment and our diseases; doctors and vets investigating risks (Environmental Health News, 9/25/12) Dogs and cats suffer from obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and asthma, just like humans. Doctors and veterinarians are investigating common risk factors, such as pesticides, air pollutants, cigarette smoke, and household chemicals.
Toilet Paper
Sweet William decided he’s happy to play with toilet paper without unrolling it. I call that progress. Purchasing toilet paper that is whitened with hydrogen peroxide is a great way to vote against the use of chlorine bleach. Chlorine is a potent irritant to the eyes, the respiratory tract, and the lungs. It’s also extremely [...]
Fresh Air
It’s been warm in New York and we’ve had the windows open the last two nights. Soon I’ll have to dress the boys in the short sleeved versions of our favorite Hanna Andersson pajamas, which happen to be on sale now. I love the stripes and the soft, Oeko-Tex certified organic cotton. [...]
The Clean Air Controversy
Moms Rising, Mocha Moms, and Moms Clean Air Force are hosting an Internet radio discussion with Lisa Jackson, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, about air quality and asthma. Click here to register a question or comment for Lisa Jackson. Click here to learn how to tune in. INTERNET RADIO PROGRAM: Mom to Mom – [...]
Vetiver Absorbs Lead
I love the idea of treating toxic contamination with plants. Click here for a story about vetiver, a subtropical grass with long roots that absorb lead from the soil. Researchers are looking into planting it in New Jersey to reduce lead exposure for children.
Young Asthmatics on Capitol Hill
Check this out. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbrNZjRqfmQ] If lobbyists for polluters were suddenly replaced by severely asthmatic children, then maybe Congress wouldn’t keep trying to gut clean air standards. The Natural Resources Defense Council and Sierra Club unveiled this powerful new ad to build public awareness of and support for tough, new safeguards against industrial carbon pollution [...]
Science Lessons: PCBs
A report yesterday from Environmental Health News explores the link between prenatal PCB exposure and attention problems in Massachusetts children. Here’s a refresher on Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB). PCBs are man-made chemicals. They were produced in the US from 1929 until their manufacture was banned in 1979. Because of their chemical stability, non-flammability, and electrical insulating [...]
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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