Archive for the 'News' Category

July 19, 2008 | Bathroom, Health, Cleaning tips, News

 

As if the orangey-pinkish mildew growing on your shower curtain weren’t enough reason to chuck it and get a new one, there’s a new report out about vinyl shower curtains that may give you pause. Apparently that new shower curtain smell is caused by an onslaught of chemicals.

According to the study, over 28 days the vinyl shower curtains tested released 108 volatile organic compounds (VOCs), a single new vinyl shower curtain will release total VOCs that exceed the typical total VOCs residential level for four days. In fact, the total VOCs from a WalMart vinyl shower curtain were so high that testing had to be stopped so as not to destroy the testing equipment. And, the testing did not match the temperature and humidity of a typical household shower, which would likely raise the amount of VOCs released.

Now, having told you all about the nasty VOCs found in vinyl (specifically PVC) shower curtains, what’s the problem with VOCs? After all, they are volatile organic compounds, and we like organic things, right? In this case, not so much. The organic part refers to the fact that the compounds contain carbon, but the worrisome part is that we call them volatile. VOCs include hazardous chemicals like benzene, formaldehyde, and chlorine to name a few. They can cause acute (immediate) symptoms like headache, nausea, dizziness, irritation, and asthma, but they’re also to blame for long-term health damage like cancer, liver and kidney damage, and central nervous system damage.

Basically, if your shower curtain has that new vinyl-y smell to it when you take it out of the bag, you might want to hang it outside on a clothes line to let the chemicals seep from it and be blown into the neighbor’s yard (just kidding!). Or, consider buying a shower curtain that isn’t made of PVC and doesn’t have the smell to begin with.

As for the one you’ve had hanging for years now in the guest bath, it’s probably ok by now. The chemical release happens most actively in the shower curtain’s first few weeks of life. But if it’s covered in salmon-colored sliminess, you might want to think about replacing it anyhow. Let’s face it, shower curtains are no fun to clean. By nature they’re hard to scrub, and if you’re going to get it clean and keep it that way, it’ll need a good scrub. If you’re too attached to get rid of it, or you don’t want to risk a new PVC curtain in your shower, remove it from the curtain rod, take it outside and spray it down well with lemon juice on a sunny day. Leave it in the sun and let the combination of sunlight and lemon juice get rid of the mildew. Give it a good pelting spray with your carwash hose attachment before you bring it back in (the agitation and friction will loosen any leftover mildew spores).

June 17, 2008 | Being Green, Cleaning products, News

A Lincoln, NE home went up in flames because of the cleaning chemicals. The homeowner was mopping the floor when the fumes from the cleaning product ignited the pilot on the furnace and water heater. Third degree burns. (more…)

May 26, 2008 | News

We’d like to take this opportunity to remember those who have gone before, who have sacrificed all to ensure our enduring freedom. (more…)

April 1, 2008 | Cleaning products, News

Recently a report was released by the Organic Consumer Association (OCA) saying that the presence of 1,4 dioxane, a potential carcinogen and definite toxin, was found in two Seventh Generation dishwashing liquids. Although the sampling in the report was rather random in that they compared dishwashing liquids and cleansers with personal care products, which would be like comparing apples to oranges, the fact is that the unwanted substance was still found in a product marketed to be natural and safe. In a world where “green washing” is all too common, we here at Broomhuggers wanted to try to shed some light on this report.

Seventh Generation has risen above the controversy in the best way they knew how - by telling the truth. (more…)

January 24, 2008 | Reviews, Cleaning products, Shopping, News

SC Johnson has come up with a new ‘green’ rating system for their own products. Just days after Clorox rolled out their GreenWorks line, SC Johnson is responding with their “Greenlist.” Some of their products, including Windex, Pledge, Fantastik Orange Action, and Toilet Duck will have the Greenlist label slapped on the front. (more…)

January 20, 2008 | Water, Being Green, Lifestyle, News

Bottled water. Fast Company clued us in last summer as to why it’s just. so. bad. Care for a run-down?

1. The US is one of the top consumers of bottled water, but it also has one of the cleanest tap water supplies in the world (i.e., we don’t need bottled water here, but other countries do - and they don’t have it). One in six people in the world doesn’t have clean drinking water. But for us in the developed world, it’s an indulgence.
2. It takes 3-5 liters of water to produce 1 liter of bottled water. That’s not because they’re filtering out so much ‘gunk’ - it’s because it takes that much water to produce the plastic and actually bottle the water. (more…)
   Posted by mudlark @ 12:18 pm | Comments  

   

   December 12, 2007 | Being Green, Lifestyle, News

   TerraChoice, an environmental marketing firm, has keyed us in to a new trend in the marketplace. They call it “Green-washing,” which by their definition is “the act of misleading consumers regarding the environmental practices of a company or the environmental benefits of a product or service.” They deliver to us the 6 sins of green-washing, which are frighteningly prevalent.

   Without regurgitating their list (you can read it here), I will point out that some of the big points are unsubstantiated claims and blanket, meaningless terms. Certain products cannot be certified organic (most meat, many cleaning supplies, etc.). But that doesn’t stop companies from calling their products or services organic. Another big one is “all-natural.” My high school English teacher would put that in the same category as the word “good” - totally meaningless in that it’s too subjective, overly broad, and not verifiable. In fact, even cocaine is natural, but that doesn’t make it healthy.

   The fact of the matter is, the ‘green’ market has been flooded by people jumping on the band-wagon, but unfortunately the vast majority of companies, products, and services out there are only giving it lip-service. John Makower wrote a great post about TerraChoice’s Six Sins of Greenwashing, and I encourage you to check out what he has to say about it.

   If you, as a consumer, are going to spend the extra energy and money to come over to the greener side, you owe it to yourself to be informed about the market.

   Posted by mudlark @ 2:21 pm | 1 Comment  

   

   News

   Christmas lights have been found to have somewhat alarming amounts of lead. But with so many toys being pulled off the shelves for the same reason, are we really surprised?

   The moral of the story is that parents (and grandparents) should hang the Christmas lights out of reach of children, or leave them off the tree entirely. The problem is in the coating of the wires. Lead is a good insulator and gives the wires a higher level of fire-proofing. But unfortunately 4 of the major brands of Christmas lights tested for surface lead - in other words, you touch the strand and it leaves lead residue on your hands. That lead can be absorbed into the skin, just like anything else, or you can quicken its entry into your body by putting your hand to your face, or eating something.

   Read the full report at CNN.

   Posted by mudlark @ 4:14 am | Comments  

   

   November 20, 2007 | Food & drink, News

   The New Oxford American dictionary has recently announced its new list of words, as well as it’s word of the year for 2007. Drum roll? The new word of the year is locavore, meaning people who eat locally-produced and farmed food. The idea behind it is that locally-produced food supports the economy, is fresher, requires less carbon emission in transport, and often the small, locally-owned farms use fewer pesticides and growth hormones. Healthier food all-around.

   And now, those who have seen the light, locavores, have been given official status by the New Oxford American Dictionary. One small victory for the green side.

   Posted by mudlark @ 4:02 pm | Comments  

   

   November 7, 2007 | Health, Pregnancy, News

   Vogue magazine published an article in their August 2007 issue titled “Infertile Ground” that delves into the potential chemical causes for the alarming rise in infertility rates. In fact, the National Infertility Association quotes that one in eight couples are now infertile, with the rates rising annually. Scary stuff. And for the ladies and gents out there who are trying to have a baby, stats like that are pretty discouraging.

   The article looks at environmental factors that contribute to infertility, including - but not limited to - pesticides, plasticizers (bisphenol A and phthalates), surfectants (alkylphenols), artificial fragrances, and flame retardants (PBDEs). Some of these can stir up trouble at 2,000 times less than the EPA regulated amounts. An estimated 1,500 to 2,000 new chemicals enter product lines each year in this country, many of which without adequate testing and without being listed as active ingredients.

   The cumulative effect is unknown, but rising rates of certain cancers and rising rates of infertility (which has known ties to some of the chemicals names above) can certainly be blamed partly on the reliance we have on inadequately tested and inadequately controlled chemical substances in our plastics, fabrics, food sources, cleaning products and personal care products - to name a few.

   Unfortunately, these chemicals don’t just affect us, they have a devastatingly long term effect on our children. In utero, these chemicals affect the growing baby and cause life-long problems like low sperm count, reproductive failure, and even some mutagenic effects. It’s not pleasant.

   The natural question is what each of us can do to protect our families.  Here are some simple steps you can take:

   • Check out the SkinDeep cosmetic safety database when it’s time to replace your cosmetics, baby care products, and personal care products.
   • Go for the safer plastics when you’re purchasing plastic products - especially when those products will contain food or drink.  Look for the number inside the triangle on the bottom of the container - you want 1, 2, 4, or 5. Avoid 3, 6, and 7.
   • Opt for low-VOC paint when possible, and don’t buy flame-retardant fabrics.
   • By all means, start replacing your household cleaners with natural alternatives. If you don’t trust diluted vinegar (which really will clean up most messes quite well), try Barefoot Home Essentials, Shaklee, Method, Seventh Generation, or Ecover.
   Posted by mudlark @ 3:22 pm | 2 Comments  
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