Dear Jenn:

Thank you for contacting the Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc. Information Center. It is always important to hear from our consumers, and we appreciate the time you have taken to contact us.

For more than 100 years, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc. has been providing parents with safe and effective products for their babies and young children. We value the trust that parents place in us, and we continually strive to maintain that trust by using high-quality standards to test and evaluate every ingredient that goes into our products.

The trace levels of certain compounds found by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics can result from processes that make our products gentle for babies and safe from bacteria growth. The FDA and other government agencies around the world consider these trace levels safe, and all our products meet or exceed the regulatory requirements in every country where they are sold. Experts such as MDs, toxicologists and clinical scientists regularly review the safety data for all ingredients used in our products. In addition, we test our final baby product formulations for safety. Once our products are in the marketplace, we continually monitor consumer experiences and review evolving scientific data.

We are disappointed that the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics has inaccurately characterized the safety of our products, misrepresented the overwhelming consensus of scientists and government agencies that review the safety of ingredients, and unnecessarily alarmed parents.

We want to reassure parents that JOHNSON’S Baby Shampoo and all our baby and kids products are safe, gentle and mild products that they can trust and use with confidence.

Again, thank you for your interest in our company. Should you have any comments or questions in the future, please contact us via our website or by calling our toll-free number, 1-888-638-5242. Our specialists are available Monday through Friday between 8 AM and 5 PM EST and will be happy to assist you.

So there you have it. What do you think?

In a recent study published in the journal Pediatrics, researchers from the University of Washington, Seattle, measured the levels of nine different phthalate breakdown products in urine from diapers of 163 infants aged 2 to 28 months. Their report found that all of the urine samples contained at least one phthalate at measurable levels; 81% of the samples had measurable amounts of seven or more phthalates.

“We found that reported use of baby lotion, baby shampoo, and baby powder was associated with increased concentrations of monethyl phthalate (MEP), monomethyl phthalate (MMP), and monoisobutyl phthalate (MIBP) in infant urine,” said Dr. Sheela Sathyanarayana, the study’s author.

John Bailey, chief scientist for the Personal Care Products Council, an industry trade group, said diethyl phthalate, or DEP, is used in the fragrances of some baby lotions and other baby products. But Bailey questioned the validity of the study because the researchers did not take into account the phthalates that are found in diapers and other baby products. His point is frighteningly accurate although intentionally misleading. Should I feel better about slathering toxic chemicals on my baby’s skin because those chemicals are also found in her diapers, in her toys, and even in her sippy cup? Um, no. So, thanks for the insight Mr. Bailey, but let’s stick with the facts…

O.K., then. We have a problem. And I for one do not think it’s acceptable to adopt a “let’s wait and see what happens” attitude when it comes to my health or that of my children. For those of you who like to believe that there is some government agency or corporate standards in place to make sure that dangerous substances are not found in the products we use every day, I have just 2 words for you. Tobacco. And. Asbestos. Nothing really happened to regulate these substances until the body count grew so large it was impossible to ignore.

Now lest I be labeled an alarmist and a reactionary….let me please state for the record. I am not against progress. I love technology…and I welcome it with open arms. But when it comes to things that are going to affect my children’s health and future…I want the proof in the pudding.

Why should environmental groups have to prove that these chemicals are dangerous to our kids? Shouldn’t it be the other way around? Shouldn’t the companies that are putting phthaltes into their products be forced to provide proof that these chemicals will NOT affect my child’s health before they are allowed to use them in my baby’s shampoo, diapers, and sippy cups?

Here’s how to avoid bathing your baby in phthalates:

Don’t Buy That Crap: Don’t buy any product that contains phthalates. Two of the most toxic phthalates, DBP and DEHP, have been banned from cosmetics products sold in Europe but remain unregulated in the US. Unfortunately, the real problem is that it is almost impossible to tell if your baby lotion or shampoo contains phthalates because personal care companies are not required to list all of their ingredients on product labels. So at the very least, look for personal care products that are labeled “fragrance-free,” as it is likely that they won’t contain phthalates. Better yet, look for products that are certified “phthalate-free.”

Support the EWG: The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is a small non-profit group sponsored by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics that has taken on the monumental task of testing the safety of the chemicals that we are exposed to on a daily basis. Why? Because NO ONE ELSE IS DOING IT. If it weren’t for groups like this ranting and raving and screaming about phthalates for the last several years, nobody would think twice. They are non-profit, they are independent. And they are the closest thing we have to a watchdog out there when it comes to the safety of the products we use everyday.

Rant and Rave: I make every effort to avoid preaching when it comes to green living. But this one just seriously pisses me off to the point that I can’t help but rant and rave about it…and I think you should too. I mean come on…adding chemicals that have been linked to hormone disruption to baby shampoo? That’s just taking it too far. Enough is enough. If you agree, let’s rant and rave together!

According to Earth 911, Americans tossed 1.5 billion tons of e-waste in 2006, including 44 million computers and televisions. Worldwide, 88 billion tons of e-waste were trashed in 2006.

Each one of these electronic gadgets is chock full of toxic chemicals like mercury and lead that create an environmental mess when they leach into the soil and groundwater. CRT-based computer monitors and televisions (the kinds that have tubes) contain on average 4-8 pounds of lead. Flat panel models contain less lead but more mercury. (Earth 911 site can give details about the nasty stuff that can be found in your TVs, cell phones and computers.) Industry experts estimate even though e-waste currently accounts for only 1 to 4% of municipal waste, it may be responsible for as much as 70% of the heavy metals in landfills, including 40% of all lead.

Landfilling electronics also wastes the otherwise useful materials such as glass, copper, aluminum, plastic and other components that could be extracted and reused. Finally, of the e-waste that is recycled (an admittedly small percentage of the lot) roughly 50-80% is exported to countries such as China and Mexico where it is dismantled without regard to human or environmental safety.

So if you have an old gadget that you want to get rid of, it is extremely important to make sure it is disposed of properly. Here’s how to green your e-waste:

Find It A New Home: Keep your old electronic devices out of the landfill by finding them a new home. Ask around among friends and family, Freecycle, or donate the item.

Send It Back:

Contact the product’s manufacturer to find out if they have a policy for taking back their old gadgets. Some companies, such as Dell, will take back not only their own products but their competitor’s as well.

Recycle It Right: Check out the EPA’s Plug-In to Recycling site for a list of companies that sponsor e-waste take back events and to find an e-cycling event in your community. If you can’t find one nearby, check out the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition’s list of Responsible Recyclers in your area.

]]> http://www.thegreenparent.com/2008/01/15/e-cycling-the-green-parents-guide-to-disposing-of-electronic-gadgets/feed/ 14 http://www.thegreenparent.com/2008/01/09/green-your-dry-cleaning/ http://www.thegreenparent.com/2008/01/09/green-your-dry-cleaning/#comments Wed, 09 Jan 2008 19:34:00 +0000 Jenn Savedge http://www.thegreenparent.com/?p=93
Kids and dry cleaning? You’re joking, right? These two go together like oil and water (literally). But for those of you who are adventurous enough to mix kids and dry cleaning, here’s what you need to know about the toxic chemicals used at traditional dry cleaners and how to find a greener alternative.

Why Go Green?

The standard solvent used in 85% of the dry cleaners in the U.S. is is perchloroethylene (or Perc), a central nervous system depressant known to cause headaches, nausea, and dizziness. It has been linked to reproductive problems, including miscarriage and male infertility and it hasbeen listed as a hazardous air pollutant and a probable human carcinogen under the federal standards. Perc is also rough on the planet, contributing to both air and water pollution.

How To Green Your Dry Cleaning

1. Skip It: It goes without saying (but I’m going to say it anyhow), the most eco-friendly thing you can do is to avoid clothes that require dry cleaning.

2. Get Wet: If you do have clothes that need to be dry cleaned, look for a “wet cleaner” that uses computer-controlled washers and dryers in combination with water and non-toxic, biodegradable detergents to clean delicate fabrics such as wool, silk, linen or rayon. Wet cleaning does not contribute to air or water pollution and it’s safe for the people cleaning your clothes. (Here’s a directory of wet cleaners.)

3. Give It Some Gas: Dry cleaning that uses liquid carbon dioxide is another green alternative. This technology uses CO2 that is captured from existing industrial and agricultural emissions (so it doesn’t contribute to global warming) . Several years ago, Consumer Reports compared eco-friendly dry cleaning methods and gave the edge to liquid CO2 for producing the best results in tests for shrinkage, discoloration, and preservation of texture. However, this method is “less green” than wet-cleaning as it does use detergents that contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

4. Green Earth: GreenEarth dry cleaning utilizes a silicone-based solvent, siloxane, to clean clothes in a process similar to traditional cleaning. It is often billed as “green” because the chemicals it uses are less toxic than Perc. However, there is still concern about the safety of siloxane for both human and environmental health. Siloxane is highly flammable, it is manufactured using chlorine, and its use may release dioxin emissions. And the verdict is still out on whether or not siloxane is a carcinogen.

I’ll admit it…I hate to clean. I am not one of those lucky folks who finds cleaning to be relaxing or therapeutic. Instead, I think it is a chore. Unfortunately, I am one of those folks who really likes to have a clean house. So it is a chore that I tackle regularly. The good news is that since I have been using eco-friendly cleaning products in place of the chemical stuff you find on most store shelves, I find the chore of cleaning to be much more pleasant. No more toxic chemicals (Click here to see a previous post about the cleaning chemicals to stay away from.) Green cleaning leaves you with nothing but a clean, fresh house that’s safe for your family and the environment. Here’s what you need to know to get a green clean:

DIY

You don’t have to have a chemistry degree to save a bundle in $ and make your own cleaning supplies. In fact, it’s so easy, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner. You can use simply vinegar and water to get your windows, floors, and countertops sparkling (at least until the kids come along). And a sprinkle of baking soda is all you’ll need to clean toilets, sinks, and bathtubs. If you really want to get fancy, try out some of the great recipes I have listed in the book for specialized cleaners (disinfectants, stain removers, carpet cleaners, over cleaners, metal cleaners, etc.)

Products To Try

If DIY is not your thing, you can still get a green clean with a product from one of these nifty companies:

• Seaside Naturals: Their All-Purpose Cleaner is my new favorite cleaning product. Not because it smells great and kicks butt on dirt (although it does) but because my HUSBAND loves it and therefore uses it often
• Ecover
• Seventh Generation
• Begley’s Best

Happy Cleaning!!

Brr…Well folks, summer is officially over and the crisp cool air of fall is moving in. Before you know it, winter will be here, and despite the best efforts of global warming, many of us will still have to deal with snow and ice this season. And while the white stuff isn’t falling yet, the temperatures are already dipping into the freezing zone in many regions. So, I wanted to go ahead and post this information about non-toxic anti-freeze solutions that are safer for the environment, your children and your pets.

1. Ice Clear: This solution is a non-toxic, bio-based, food-grade solution that works just as well as conventional anti-freeze for de-icing sidewalks but without the petroleum based, toxic chemicals.

2. Birdseed: Use bird seed on icy sidewalks. It gives you traction, and the birds help to break up the ice while they eat it.

3. Vinegar: Mix up a 50/50 solution of vinegar and water and spray it on your car’s windshield before you go to bed. It will keep the ice from forming on your windshield and save you that early morning scraping.

4. Propylene Glycol: For your car, look for an anti-freeze that uses propylene glycol in place of it’s toxic cousin, ethylene glycol. Propylene glycol is still petroleum based so it is not great for the environment, but it is non-toxic and safe for pets and children.