The Lettuce Inn

Where Lucy discovers the truth about food...and other stuff too!

31 July 2012


WHY ARE OUR BABIES

BEING BORN FULL OF

 CHEMICALS?




I recently watched a talk by the EWG (Environmental Working Group) called The 10 Americans. The EWG tested the umbilical cord blood of 10 newborn babies and found nearly 300 chemicals, including BPA, fire retardants, lead, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and pesticides that were banned more than 30 years ago.

As a mum with two boys, and a baby on the way, this topic is very close to my heart.

I do my best to reduce the amount of chemicals coming into our home and our bodies and am always looking for ways to do more, through the food we eat and the other household products we use, but despite my best efforts, my children and my unborn baby are already full of chemicals. So many kids these days are sick with food allergies and intolerances, cancer, eczema and asthma, learning difficulties and behaviour problems as a result of harmful chemicals.

I used to think that if something was sold in a shop then it would have to be safe. Surely the government wouldn’t allow companies to sell products containing ingredients that could make us sick? I have since discovered that many of the food and household products used and consumed every day are toxic and making us sick. A law that was supposed to protect us, the Toxic Substances Control Act, passed in 1976, failed with no authority to ensure the safety of chemicals before they are added to products. As a result, the chemical industry has continued to add more and more chemicals into our products each year. 
 
Contamination from toxic chemicals is everywhere. On our couches, lotions, household cleaners, toys, building materials, canned foods and more contain chemicals known to harm human health.

Infants and children are more vulnerable to the toxins from pesticide residues and environmental chemicals. This is because of their larger intake of food per kilo of body weight. Also, as their bodies and critical organs are still in developmental stages, they are more susceptible to pesticide toxicity. 
 
If we can reduce the amount of toxic chemicals we use on and in our bodies and our homes, we and our children will be happier and healthier and future generations will thank us for stopping this vicious cycle which is destroying our bodies and our planet.


Take the time to watch this 20 minute talk now:




What can you do:

  • Sign the EWG's petition to demand that Congress take action to make chemicals in consumer products kid-safe


  • The EWG has put together some great resources on how to keep you and your family safe from harmful chemicals


  • Connect with other like minded people and share your tips and ideas for creating a healthy home and your recipes for growing healthy bodies

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