Healthy Actions

As we discussed a couple of weeks ago, arsenic and lead contaminate the dirt in many areas of Pierce County. If you’re not a local reader, stick with us – the simple steps I’m going to suggest are good for protecting your kids and yourself from a host of other chemicals – the pesticides on your neighbor’s lawn, for example, and bacteria from pet waste. We call them Healthy Actions – simple things you and your family can do to reduce contact with arsenic and lead (and other chemicals) in dirt. Even relatively small changes can help everyone to reduce their risk of contact with harmful chemicals. This week let’s cover three:

* Take off your shoes Dust, dirt, and chemicals are tracked into your home on shoes. Leave your shoes at the door to greatly reduce levels of chemicals in your home. Provide a shoe rack, basket, or designated area for shoes near your door. If your guests see a pile of shoes by the door they are likely to take off their shoes too! If you aren’t ready to move to a shoes-off policy, use a sturdy “wipe-off” mat at the door, and really use it. The Dirt Alert program has two styles of door hangers that remind your family and encourage your guests to remove shoes. If you’re in the Soil Safety Project Area and you’d like one, send me an email at dirtalert@tpchd.org.

* Wash hands with plenty of soap and water It is never too early to get your kids into the habit of washing hands with plenty of soap and water. Always wash hands well before eating and after playing or working outside. Use a scrub brush to clean dirt out from under your fingernails. Hand sanitizer DOES NOT remove arsenic, lead, and other chemicals from hands, and should only be used to kill germs when soap and water is not available. In addition to washing dirt off hands, wash children’s toys, bedding, and pacifiers frequently, and wash heavily soiled clothing separately from other laundry.

* Eat a healthy diet Iron, calcium, and vitamin C help to decrease the amount of lead our bodies absorb. Your family should eat foods rich with these nutrients, like broccoli, spinach, potatoes, dairy products and citrus fruits.

Even these small, simple changes (okay, maybe simple except for getting your kids to eat spinach ;-) can make a big difference in protecting your family from chemicals. More Healthy Actions next week!