Heading Out + Resources

I'm heading out on a one year leave of absence, "relaxing" with new twin babies on the way. Please check back here occasionally, as other Dirt Alert staff may use this blog as a spot for updates, and I might even hop back on myself once in awhile. In the meantime, here are some websites to keep you posted on the Dirt Alert program, and the latest children's environmental health news:

TPCHD's Dirt Alert page

WA Department of Ecology's Dirt Alert page

Z Recommends

Healthy Child, Healthy World

EnviroMom

Take good care. :-)

Sunshine on my Shoulders

There are some hints that summer is on the way, and I was surprised to see I actually had a bit of a tan line around my watch after playing outside for much of last Friday afternoon. If you're getting ready to stock up on this summer's batch of sunscreen, check this out first to be sure you're getting the best protection with the least amount of yucky chemicals, for your kiddos and yourself.

Safer Plastics - Bisphenol A

By now you've likely heard about Bisphenol-A - or BPA. While you may not know what it is, it's hard not to notice all the baby feeding and teething gear touting itself as "BPA Free" these days - which is a good thing! Why? BPA is a chemical that can disrupt hormones in our bodies, and even very small amounts of it might cause health problems for babies down the road. BPA is used to make polycarbonate plastic. Polycarbonate is the hard, clear plastic that many baby bottles and reusable water bottles were made of until a year or two ago. BPA can leach from these bottles into the liquid you or your baby is drinking. If you've got hand-me-down Avent bottles from a friend's three year old, they've got BPA in them (and if they're yellow or scratched up, it's even more prone to leach out). Leaching increases if bottles are heated (including in the dishwasher), and as they age. These problems could include early onset of puberty, early mammary gland development, decreased testosterone and sperm production, changes in immune system function, and behavioral effects including hyperactivity, increased aggressiveness, and impaired learning. To avoid BPA in baby products, don't use polycarbonate bottles or sippy cups, particularly if they are old or scratched. Choose new bottles that are BPA-free, or make sure that your hand-me-down bottles are safe choices. Don't heat foods in any type of plastic. Heat liquids and foods in glass or ceramic and then transfer into plastic when they are cool enough to drink or eat. BPA is also used as a lining in most canned food. To find out which choices are safer, look here or here. To read more about BPA including the latest studies on health effects, check out Our Stolen Future or delve further into the links above.

Farmers' Market Season!

If you're in the Tacoma area, Farmers' Market season has already begun - my favorite time of year! The Proctor Farmers' Market has been going since late March, and other Tacoma markets are opening soon, including the brand new Sunday South Tacoma Market beginning June 20th. If you're not in this area, check Local Harvest to find a farmers' market near you. Get to know your local farmers, find great local and organic produce, meats, cheeses, and baked goods, take home a bouquet of flowers, dawdle over lunch - such a fun time for the kids, too!

Northwest Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit

We are lucky to have a Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit (PEHSU) locally at the University of Washington. The PEHSU offers consultations with pediatricians, toxicologists, and other UW faculty when you need to assess health risks from short and long-term environmental exposures. They also provide education and clinical assistance. Check out their website to learn more about what they do. For consultation and clinical assistance call 1-877-KID-CHEM.