Kids on the coast

There is mounting evidence that this ‘extreme clean’ mindset is not only unnecessary and expensive, but may be harmful to our health.

Prominent US research facility The Mount Sinai Children’s Health Centre says there is “strong and growing evidence that exposure to toxic chemicals in the environment contributes to many diseases in children, among them asthma, learning disabilities, certain birth defects and childhood cancer”.
But surely products that we buy in our local supermarkets must be safe?

Australian environmental scientist Jo Immig thinks not. In her book How the chemical cocktail inside our homes is poisoning our children Jo says that government authorities and industry claim that chemicals are rigorously assessed and residues are kept at safe levels. However, she says, the assessment methods and criteria are inadequate to protect children’s health. In a parallel to the tobacco industry, it is not surprising that Jo says some chemical companies “have been withholding information about the dangers their chemicals pose to our health and the environment”.

Children are particularly vulnerable as chemicals increasingly pollute the air they breathe, the surfaces they touch, things they put in their mouths and the food and water they ingest. Significantly, their ability to detoxify chemicals is limited because their bodies and immune systems are still developing.
Coast Chiropractic Kawana chiropractor Alison Archer notes that children also have “a high surface area to volume ratio, which means the chemicals they absorb into their bodies via the skin have a greater impact on them, as compared with adults”.

Alison says chemicals can impact on the nerve system. “My goal as a chiro is to improve the health of children’s bodies by healing from the inside out, so that chemicals have a lesser impact on the body, however, it is always sensible to minimise the amount of chemical contact,” she says.
 
Marcia Rodgers is part of the family business, Tensens Cleaning Supplies, based in Kunda Park. Her company makes Citrus Resources products which Marcia says are “manufactured from renewable resources and have little impact on the environment or on the user”. Marcia describes them as “an effective alternative to many petroleum and chlorine based products”.

The products are highly concentrated, extremely economical and versatile in application. Cathy Galbraith (below) also sells a range of products to help alleviate your chemical dependency. Her lofty goal is to “reduce household toxins by 10% over the next two years”.

Products used on the garden, like lawn feed and pest sprays are also quite toxic. Just reading the labels can be scary. ABC Gardening Australia presenter and organic gardening expert, Jerry Coleby-Williams, says prevention is the key to controlling pests and diseases in the garden .

He says “healthy, compost-rich, well-nourished soil and growing plants in the right spot will halve gardening problems”. He recommends a combination of home-made remedies, organic products and new approaches to gardening. Jerry suggests cleaning regularly, keeping pests out with screens and door seals and using simple traps. Consider biological controls such as companion planting (planting things together that act as a pest repellent like marigolds, rosemary, garlic and lavender) and if you do use chemical controls as a last resort, read and follow directions, target the pest, wear protective clothing and use only as much as you need.

Green cleaning recipes

The five basic ingredients for many home cleaning recipes are borax, baking soda, pure soap, washing soda and white vinegar. Lavender or other essential oils can add a fresh, natural perfume.

All-Purpose cleaner
½ cup (125 ml) pure soap
4L hot water
For a clean scent and to help cut grease add ¼ cup (60 ml) of lemon juice.
This solution is safe for all surfaces, should be rinsed with water, and is very effective for most jobs. For a stronger cleaner, double the amounts of soap and lemon juice.

Recipe from www.greenpeace.org

Chemical culprits

Antibacterials and antimicrobials - Excessive use may increase the likelihood of auto-immune diseases like asthma and other allergic responses.

Bleach and ammonium compounds - Contact will burn the skin, swallowing will cause vomiting and when mixed with acids, as in some toilet cleaners, highly toxic gas can be generated.

Detergents - All synthetic detergents are extremely dangerous if ingested or splashed in the eyes, especially dishwashing machine detergent.

Fragrances in products - Once made from plant and animal-based essential oils, but now from cheaper petro-chemicals, some of these ingredients are linked to cancer, birth defects, central nervous system disorders, asthma and allergic reactions.

Solvents - occur in many household cleaners and personal care products. Can cause short and long term health problems.
 
Insecticides, fungicides and fertilisers - Applied topically or added to soil, the chemical residue can cause short and long-term health problems.
 
Chemicals used in building materials, furnishings and appliances - Maintenance and renovations can introduce many hazardous chemicals into the air.
 
Benzene - Petrol exhaust fumes have been linked to childhood leukemia.

For more information:

www.safersolutions.org.au

www.livingthing.net.au
www.abc.net.au/gardening/factsheets/recipes.htm

www.ecocycle.org/hazwaste/recipes.cfm

www.care2.com

www.safersolutions.com.au

www.womenandenvironment.org