Big Green Purse

House Cleaning? Use a Fly Swatter, Not a Sledge Hammer

  The way we're being told to clean our homes these days, you'd think we were all living in breeding grounds for small pox, typhoid fever, leprosy, or some other awful disease that practically kills on contact.

We're not.

We ARE living in a world that we share with billions of "germs," most of which are perfectly harmless. In fact, many doctors believe that living with germs keeps us healthier by helping us build up a resistance to their ill effects. 

This perspective seems to be routinely ignored by the cleaning products industry. A report by Women's  Voices for the Earth, a non-profit Montana-based research group, investigates the link between toxic chemicals found in disinfectants and human health. Disinfectant Overkill: How Too Clean May Be Hazardous To Our Health analyzes the impact of "cleansers" that commonly contain chlorine bleach, ammonia, triclosan and other anti-bacterials, ammonium quarternary compounds, and nano-silver. Their conclusion?

"Some of the most common antimicrobial chemicals used in cleaners could have
serious health consequences. This is especially true for cleaning workers, young children and women who, despite progress on gender roles, continue to do 70% of housework in the average home."

Furthermore, "The overuse of antimicrobials contributes to the growing problem of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which some scientists say could leave the public with fewer tools in the fight against infectious diseases."

WVE suggests this analogy to understand the impact today's common cleansers have on us and the environment: 

"Suppose you have a pesky fly in your house. One option is to reach for a flyswatter. Assuming you get a direct hit on the fly, your problem is neatly and efficiently solved. But imagine if all you have handy is a sledgehammer. Again assuming you get a direct hit, you will certainly take care of the problem fly. However, you are likely to put a hole in your wall in the process.

The sledgehammer might be supremely effective at killing flies, but are the side effects (i.e. holes in your wall) worth it?. The same is true for antimicrobial products; they are often too strong for the average daily need. Occasionally they may be warranted, just as a sledgehammer has its place and purpose. But on a daily basis, simple soap and water or other non-toxic cleaners will do the trick without causing potentially harmful side effects."

WVE does not argue we should stop cleaning. On the contrary, "Disinfectant Overkill" makes a convincing, science-based case for using safe solutions to keep germs at bay.

Wondering where to start? These eco-friendly tips will help keep your hands clean.

These DIY recipes for home cleansers are cheap to make and work effectively on any surface in your home.

Protecting the Environment is a Health Care Issue

The current debate about health care seems seriously lacking in one important way: there's no focus on the environmental problems that make so many of us sick.

Just scan the front pages of this week's New York Times if you need to be convinced. "Health Ills Abound as Farm Runoff Fouls Wells," documents instances of children contracting serious ear infections, some requiring surgery, from bathing in polluted water.  "Toxic Waters: Clean Water Laws Are Neglected at a Cost in Suffering" focuses on scabs and rashes being inflicted on children because their tap water contains barium, lead, arsenic and many other toxins that cause cancer and damage the kidneys and nervous system. A Fight Grows Over Labeling on Cleaning Products addresses consumer concerns that the chemicals in common household cleansers are giving people asthma, acne, nervous disorders, and more.

Maybe it's time fror Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sibelius and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson to put their heads together and realize that America could reduce health care costs significantly if we focused on cleaning up the planet. And get some of those polluters to help foot the bill. The cleaning products industry alone is a $14 billion/yr enterprise.

Tampons- The Planet's Most Extreme Case of PMS

If you’re like most women, you'll use as many as 11,000 tampons during your lifetime. Add to that a couple of thousand pads and panty liners, and the ecological impact of your monthly cycle really starts to add up. Particularly egregious are the plastic applicators that come with some tampons. They can escape from any landfill- or wastebasket, for that matter- and plop down in a lake, river, playground, or just about anywhere else you’d rather not see them. The darn things are so indestructible even a car can run over them and not destroy them.

Conventional products may contain a mixture of rayon and cotton. Rayon has been implicated in toxic shock syndrome, particularly for superabsorbent tampons. Cotton is highly pesticide-intensive; 25 percent of pesticides used globally are devoted to growing cotton. To look as white as possible, conventional pads and tampons are usually bleached with chlorine, a process that can create dioxin, a known carcinogen.

Tampons, pads, and panty liners made from organic cotton are becoming increasingly available online and in the marketplace. If you’re going to use conventional products, choose those sold in the simplest packaging.

Options:

Environmental In-Box: Marmoleum, the Eco-Friendly Flooring

When it comes to choosing flooring for your home, you might not even know eco-friendly options exist.  But for over 100 years, Forbo has been manufacturing Marmoleum, an all natural linoleum. Katie Kelleher reports:

What is it? Marmoleum is made into flooring sheets or tiles from a compound of linseed oil, rosins, cork flour, limestone and wood flour that’s adhered to a nontoxic jute backing.  These ingredients create a tough environmentally-friendly product that becomes harder and more durable over time.  Naturally occurring anti-bacteria and anti-static properties are added to the mix to help the flooring resist dust and inhibit the growth of germs that cause disease.  You can buy it online or find a local distributor by entering your location information into the website.

What I like:  Forbo sought to minimize its environmental impact long before it was trendy, and has the third-party certifications to prove it.  Marmoelum has received a Platinum certification from the SMART Sustainable Products Standard.  It has also been certified under the ISO 14001, a global environmental management standard for sustainable practices.  Additionally, Marmoleum’s health and wellness claims have been certified by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. No greenwashing here.

 Plus, Marmoleum is a cinch to clean. Stains do not penetrate Marmoleum due to its Topshield protective layer; it is best cleaned by vacuuming, sweeping, or using a mop and the company cleaning solution.

Marmoleum Click offers consumers design flexibility, additional health benefits, and money-saving benefits, too: the flooring “clicks” together in a fit that requires no adhesives that can emit nasty fumes   With its 24 color choices and many design possibilities, Marmoleum is equally appropriate for residential or corporate settings.(It was installed in our company kitchen when the offices were renovated.) The website's Marmoleum Click Floorplanner lets you create a virtual room, including furniture, to test out your favorite floor design. 

Also, the flooring is comfortable to walk on, thanks to the softening effect of the natural jute fiber backing.  Marmoleum Click can last upwards of 30 years without being replaced. 

What could be improved? Because Marmoleum is made from natural ingredients, the color of the floor may vary from the sample or could change over time.  Also, the flooring cannot currently be recycled once it's been used. On the plus side, it will decompose in a landfill without releasing harmful chemicals into the ground, water or air. Also, the company strives to maximize materials recycling during manufacturing to minimize waste.

Stinky or Sweet? Dealing With the Pits

Guys worry just as much as women do about B.O. Surprisingly, far less attention has been paid to “green” and healthy deodorants for the men in our lives than for ourselves. Safe deodorants are important regardless of gender. Parabens, a preservative used to keep some deodorants fresh, increasingly are showing up in breast tumor tissue. Synthetic fragrances, especially those in spray-on deodorants, can increase the incidence of acne, headaches, and respiratory problems. Aluminum, another ingredient common in conventional anti-perspirants, has been linked to Alzheimer’s Disease and painful swelling (per an interview with senior analyst Sean Gray at Environmental Working Group. Conventional deodorants may also contain phthalates, which are considered a reproductive toxin in the state of California.

Safer products for women have been around for years, primarily in response to their strong consumer demand. Guys can have a similar impact on manufacturers, by choosing the safest products available. These deodorant options, all of which are highly rated for health and safety by Environmental Working Group, are a good place to start:

Crystal deodorant:   This clear, rock-like product uses mineral salts to reduce the bacteria that cause body odor.   Just moisten the crystal and rub it under your arm; it dries immediately.  The line has a product specifically for men. Added  Benefit: the Crystal company is the top rated natural or conventional deodorant according to the analysis of Environmental Working Group. The company also supports "The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics" and pledges that any products it makes will "meet the standards and deadlines set by the European Union Directive 76/768/eeC to be free of chemicals that are known or strongly suspected of causing cancer, mutation or birth defects." Here’s some additional useful background on crystal deodorants.

Tom’s of Maine Unscented Deodorant stick: makes four different deodorants from ingredients like hops, chamomile, and lemongrass.  You can purchase the deodorant fragrance-free, or scented with calendula, woodspice, or honeysuckle rose.  Tom’s is  available at most grocery and drug stores, including  Rite Aid and Walgreens, but can also be purchased online.

Aubrey Organics uses herbal extracts and vitamin E in their Men’s Stock Natural Dry Herbal Pine deodorant.   The deodorant comes in spray form (but not an aerosol can) and can be purchased directly from the company's website as well as in natural foods and Whole Foods stores.

Want more information on safe personal care products? Here you go.

(Research by Katie Kelleher)

"Green" Shampoos and Lotions for Guys

When it comes to shampoos and lotions, guys need to pay attention to the same health, safety and environmental issues as we girls do.  Personal care products often contain synthetic fragrances, phthalates, parabens, and antibacterial agents. All have been linked to health problems ranging from increased respiratory illness and reproductive failure to breast cancer and antibiotic resistance. Additionally, many name brand soaps and shampoos contain sodium laureth sulfate (SLS) or sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES), concoctions that can increase the frequency of canker sores and irritate the skin. Scientists are concerned that both  SLS and SLES  have been found to harbor very low levels of 1,4-dioxane, a human carcinogen. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration encourages manufacturers to remove 1,4-dioxane, but it is not required by law.

The way you spend your money is your first line of defense against products like these that could pose a threat. Using your consumer clout also sends a clear message to manufacturers to clean up the ingredients they want you to buy. The following lotions, soaps and shampoos give you some greener, safer options to choose from – and dangle a bright green “carrot” in front of businesses to encourage them to be better:

 LOTIONS

Anthony Logistics for Men Glycerin Hand & Body Lotion:  This fragrance-free lotion is made with sea kelp, shea butter, aloe vera, glycerin, chamomile, and vitamins A, B5, C, and E.  It is available at Nordstrom, Bath & Body Works, and Sephora or via the Anthony Logistics website. $10. 

WildWays Studio Hand Balm Just for Men: This sandalwood-scented hand and body lotion contains water, cold-pressed oils (hazelnut, coconut, avocado, and wheat germ), shea butter, aloe vera, vitamin E, verbena, beeswax, and sandalwood essential oil.  Available through the WildWays website for $10.

Aubrey Organics Ultimate Moist Unscented Hand & Body Lotion: Coconut, macadamia nut, and sunflower oils give this lotion its moisturizing oomph. Their “Men’s Stock” Daily Moisturizer mixes aloe vera and calendula oil with other plant-based ingredients to moisturize. Aubrey Organics has signed the Compact for Safe Cosmetics.

SOAPS

Tom’s of Maine: Several of Tom's “body” bars do double duty as moisturizers and deodorizers. A moisturizing body wash does the job in the shower. Tom’s of Maine is widely available in conventional grocery and drug stores.

Zum Soaps: You might be inclined to eat this soap rather than wash with it, once you get a load of the delicious ingredients it's made with (hint: olive oil, goat’s milk, honey, rosemary…). If your store doesn’t stock it (see left), ask for it. 

Vermont Soap Works:  These full-bodied soap bars are infused with organic oils like palm, coconut, olive, and orange, then scented with peppermint, hemp and woodspice.

SHAMPOO

Aubrey Organics: Aubrey’s Men’s Stock Ginseng Biotin shampoo consists primarily of certified organic plant-based compounds that are not tested on animals. Available online, in natural foods stores, at Whole Foods markets, at the Vitamin Shoppe, and General Nutrition Centers.

Ahava Mineral Shampoo for Men:  This Isreali company utilizes the
mineral salts of the Dead Sea in its cosmetic line.  Oil free, alcohol free, hypoallergenic, and not tested on animals, the mineral compound are mixed with gingko and ginseng.  The shampoo is also said to have anti-dandruff properties.  It is available at Bath & Body Works or through Ahava’s website.

Gaia Made for Men Shampoo:  This shampoo is low-foaming, vegan, cruelty -ree and made without soap, sulfates, mineral oils, petrochemicals, parabens, propylene glycol, or artificial fragrances.  It is scented with a blend of certified organic orange, certified organic chamomile, certified organic spearmint, and certified organic aloe vera.

NOTE: Whole Foods Market is working with the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and Teens for Safe Cosmetics to create a “Whole Body Premium Standard” to ensure the safety of personal care products. To date, Whole Foods has identified more than 300 ingredients unacceptable for Premium Body Care. These include parabens, polypropylene and polyethylene glycols, and sodium lauryl and laureth sulfates. Look for the Whole Foods Premium Body Care Logo when you shop.

Research by Katie Kelleher

Environmental In-Box: Planet Matters Water Filtration Bottle

What's stopping you from using a reusable water bottle? Worries that tap water isn't safe to drink? The inconvenience of carrying around a clumsy bottle that doesn't fit in your purse, briefcase, or cup holder? Concerns about BPA in plastic water bottles?

Planet Matters claims it tackles all three issues head on with its water filtration bottle. Big Green Purse intern Rachel Haas took at look at the product claims, compared it to similar bottles, and wrote this review.

What Is It? Planet Matters uses a unique water filtration system to provide clean water that is affordable, convenient, and safe to drink.  In addition to reuseable water bottles, the company produces canteens, water pitchers, water pumps, water bags, emergency packs, in-line filters, and replacement filters.The reuseable products are designed to replace throwaway plastic water bottles. Throwaway plastic bottles have become the bane of the environment as well as our pocket books, given that they are made from scarce petroleum, do not biodegrade, and cost many times more than tap water.  

The Product:  Planet Matters uses an Ionic Absorption Micron Filter to remove up to 99.99% of the contaminants and pollutants found in fresh water—including giardia, cryptosporidium, DDT, and heavy metals like cadmium and lead. One 18-oz water filtrtion bottle can clean up to 50 gallons of water before the filter needs to be replaced. The bottle itself is BPA-free and made of #4 low density polyethylene, so it will not leach Bisphenol-A into your drink. 

What I like:  The bottle easily fits in your hand or in the cup holders in your car. If you are on the go, the hand strap is convenient to wear on your wrist or tie on your big green purse. The water flows through the cap easily and tastes great. Because it is so portable, I can drink filtered water anywhere at anytime. I also love the design—the green insulator sleeve on the bottle is attractive and makes it easy to grip. 

What could improve: A cap on the bottle protects the items in my purse or bag from getting wet and keeps the bottle free of dirt and other contaminants. However, the bottle spout closes too easily—I had trouble consistently keeping it open when I was drinking water. A minor design improvement could fix this with no impact on performance, I'm sure. Also, it's not clear that Planet Matters has set up a system to recycle its filters. Thanks to consumer demand led by Beth Terry at FakePlasticFish.com, consumers can recycle the filters they use in Brita water pitchers with Preserve, a company that turns them into toothbrushes, table ware, and kitchen appliances. Contact Planet Matters to encourage them to set up a similar filter recycling program.

Think you can't afford 'green' nail polish? Wrong!

Put another nail in the coffin of the ‘green costs too much money’ myth. At least when it comes to nail polish (the kind on your fingers and toes, not in your tool box), buying the most eco-friendly brands costs you far less than the conventional  -- and more polluting -- options.

Plus: Not only does buying eco-friendly nail polish save you money, it reduces your exposure to harmful chemicals.  A recent study by The National Healthy Nail Salon Alliance  reports 74% of popular nail care companies no longer use the “toxic trio” of toluene, formaldehyde and dibutyl phthalate, dangerous compounds linked to health problems such as asthma, cancer, and reproductive problems. 

The good news is that you will likely find your favorite drug store brand among the 18 options that are “three free.”  L’Oreal, Orly, Revlon, and Sally Hansen all have eliminated these harmful chemicals from their ingredients.  Where does the cost savings come into play?  The safer, widely available brands retail for an average of about $5 per bottle.  The five brands that were not yet “three free” or did not respond to the survey, including Essie and Yves Saint Laurent, average closer to $9 per bottle. 

While exposure to toxins in nail polish may vary, it is both safer and more environmentally friendly to avoid products containing these harmful chemicals.  In fact, many companies are already producing organic and phthalate free cosmetics.  If safer options exist AND are more wallet-friendly, why buy the harmful brands?  

For those of you who have already joined our One in a Million campaign, add nail polish to your list of products to look for.  Interested in becoming involved?  Sign up today

Don’t stop there - contact Essie  and Creative Nail Design and ask them why in the world they’re still producing toxic nail polishes when they are aware of the harm they're potentially causing their consumers.

(Thanks to Katie Kelleher for researching and writing this post!)

What's the best way to keep your hands clean?

   Note: I said "clean," not "disinfected."

What's the diff? The mechanical action of handwashing - rubbing your hands together with soap and water - is what's important because that's what breaks down the tiny bits of grease, fat and dirt on your hands that germs cling to. Soap doesn't actually kill the bad germs. It's the combination of soap, rubbing, rinsing and drying that helps these bugs slide off your hands.

"Disinfected" implies you're going to try to kill germs outright to try to stay safe - a losing proposition since there are so many germs in so many places, you'll never be able to win out.

Besides, "Germs are essential for human life. Bacteria in our mouths and intestines help us to digest the food we eat and bacteria on our skin protect us from invading viruses and bad bacteria," explains Dr. Edith Blondel-Hill, and an infectious diseases specialist at British Columbia Children's Hospital.

What about bacteria and viruses, like the one that is causing swine flu? It turns out that bacteria and viruses are examples of two different types of germs. Bacteria exist virtually everywhere in our environment and make up 60 per cent of the living matter on earth. Of the billions of types of bacteria, only about 50 are known to cause infection.

Viruses cause far more illnesses than bad bacteria because they spread more easily. If more than one person in your family has the same sickness, says the Health Agency, odds are it is a viral infection. 

Especially in response to concerns like the swine flu epidemic, consumers have a tendency to rush to buy antibacterial soaps and cleaning products. Yet there is no medical research to prove that antibacterial soaps offer any benefit over regular soaps in preventing common illnesses. In fact, many doctors worry that the widespread use of antibacterials is causing antibiotic resistance. In other words, the more antibacterial products you use, the more susceptible to disease you may become.

Plus, antibacterials like triclosan are believed to be causing deformities in frogs and other wildlife, since they get washed down the drain and out into rivers, lakes and streams where they impact the animals living there.

In a March 2004 study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, researchers studied 238 households in New York City. Half were given regular hand soap and cleaners and half were given antibacterial soaps and cleaning products. At the end of 48 weeks, there was essentially no difference between the two groups in reported infectious disease symptoms, including runny nose, cough, sore throat, vomiting and diarrhea.

Make no mistake: if you want to stay healthy, you must wash your hands. Just skip the "disinfecting" products. Here are the Health Agency of Canada's recommendations for effective washing.

1) Remove all rings and wet your hands with warm running water.

2) Put a small amount of liquid soap in the palm of one hand. Bar soaps are not as hygienic as liquid soaps because they stay moist and attract germs. If a bar soap is the only option it should be stored on a rack so that the bar doesn't sit in water.

3) Rub your hands together for 20 seconds so you produce lather. Make sure you scrub between your fingers, under your fingernails and the backs of your hands.

4) Rinse your hands well with clean running water for at least 10 seconds. Try not to handle the faucets once your hands are clean. Use a clean towel to turn off the water.

5) Dry your hands with a clean towel. During cold and flu season you may want to give each family member his or her own hand towel.

6) Use hand lotion to put moisture back into your skin if your hands are dry.

7) Model good handwashing technique to your children. Have them sing a song like "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" while rubbing their hands together to teach them the amount of time it takes to clean their hands properly.

8) Wash your hands regularly.

9) Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth if you haven't washed them recently.

10) At work, when shopping or in transit, use alcohol-based wipes rather than antibacterial wipes if you don't have access to water. But use sparingly, since alcohol kills good and bad germs.

What's in YOUR body, Mom?

In 1974, an environmental scandal rocked my world. I and millions of other people living in the state of Michigan were informed that the milk we’d been drinking had come from cows that had accidentally been fed fire retardant instead of cow feed.

I don’t remember how much milk we’d all drunk before the mistake was discovered. I do remember watching the television news reports of the incident. Over 500 contaminated Michigan farms were quarantined. Approximately 30,000 cattle, 4,500 swine, 1,500 sheep, and 1.5 million chickens were destroyed, along with over 800 tons of animal feed, 18,000 pounds of cheese, 2,500 pounds of butter, 5 million eggs, and 34,000 pounds of dried milk products.

I’ll never forget the feeling I had watching millions of gallons of milk being destroyed. But what I also came to realize was that it was far easier to get rid of that tainted milk than it was to eliminate the fire retardants that had accumulated in my body as a result of drinking it. Fire retardants – also known as PBBs – cause cancer in lab animals and are thought to be endocrine disruptors – chemicals that interfere with hormones.

How many of you are mothers? How many people have or had a mother? That’s where so many environmental concerns begin, don’t they? After all, a mother's body is the first environment any of us experience. I remember thinking back in 1974, even though I wouldn’t have children for another 14 years, that perhaps my ability to have healthy babies had been compromised by drinking the most harmless thing in the world, a glass of milk.

Between then and now, I've had two children. I never had my breast milk tested for fire retardants. I never subjected my hair to analysis for heavy metals. I have not had my blood and urine examined to determine how many unnatural chemicals they contain.

But if I did, in all likelihood I'd discover a toxic soup of contaminants that I've been unwillingly exposed to and that now wait to surface in some kind of disease or cancer. Even worse, I would probably also discover a whole host of toxins - my personal "body burden" - that I have unwittingly passed on to my kids.

I started Big Green Purse as a way to protect ourselves from exposure to the toxins that cause our kids harm.  Given the enormity of the challenges facing government, it may be years or decades before we significantly reign in the pollution that makes us sick. We must continue to press for stronger environmental health and safety laws and regulations. But let us not forget: The way we spend our money is our first line of defense. 

As we observe this Mother's Day, let's renew our commitment to shifting our spending to products and services that offer the greatest health and safety benefits, not just for the planet, but for us and our children as well.