Being an Informed Consumer for My BABY

In today's world it is important to be an informed consumer of anything that you are thinking of purchasing. Many people spend time searching the internet or paper ads for the best prices, or looking up reviews, or asking friends and family about a certain product, or even signing up for those consumer reports online. These things happen more frequently with those big ticket items-like a fridge, or tv, or furniture. But it should be happening with the little things too. Yesterday my husband and I heard that a few certain baby brands (Johnson and Johnson and Aveeno was included) were causing false positives in terms of marijuana. WHAT?! And people put this stuff on their children without any knowledge of it whatsoever. A study that I read a long time ago that got me into being a concerned person about what is being used on our youths was this article. http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/dec2005/toxi-d07.shtml.

The study said that "of the more than 400 chemicals tested for, 287 were detected in umbilical cord blood. Of these, 180 cause cancer in humans or animals, 217 are toxic to the brain or nervous system, and 208 cause birth defects or abnormal development in animals".
"Among those substances found to be polluting the blood supply for the newborn babies were eight perfluorochemicals used as stain and oil repellants in fast-food packaging, clothes and textiles, including the Teflon chemical PFQA, a carcinogen; dozens of widely used bromated flame retardants and their toxic byproducts; and many pesticides." 
This chart was very helpful.

Chemicals and pollutants found in human umbilical cord blood (Source: EWG study)
Mercury (Hg) Tested for 1, found 1	Pollutant from coal-fired power plants, mercury-containing products, and certain industrial processes. Accumulates in seafood. Hurts brain development and function.
Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) Tested for 18, found 9	Pollutants from burning gasoline and garbage. Linked to cancer. Accumulate in food chain.
Polybrominated dibenzodioxins and furans (PBDD/F) Tested for 12, found 7	Contaminants in brominated flame retardants. Pollutants and byproducts from plastic production and incineration. Accumulate in food chain. Toxic to developing endocrine (hormone) system.
Perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) Tested for 12, found 9	Active ingredients or breakdown products of Teflon, Scotchgard, fabric and carpet protectors, food packaging. Global contaminants. Accumulate in the environment and the food chain, in meat, dairy, fish and eggs. Linked to cancer, birth defects, and more.
Polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and furans (PBCD/F) Tested for 17, found 11	Pollutants, by-products of PVC production, industrial bleaching, and incineration. Cause cancer in humans. Persist for decades in the environment. Very toxic to developing endocrine (hormone) system.
Organochlorine pesticides (OCs) Tested for 28, found 21	DDT, chlordane and other pesticides. Largely banned in the U.S. Persist for decades in the environment. Accumulate up the food chain to man. Cause cancer and numerous reproductive effects.
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) Tested for 46, found 32	Flame retardant in furniture foam, computers, and televisions. Accumulates in the food chain and human tissues. Adversely affects brain development and the thyroid.
Polychlorinated napthalenes (PCNs) Tested for 70, found 50	Wood preservatives, varnishes, machine-lubricating oils, waste incineration. Formed during chlorination of drinking water. Common PCB contaminant. Contaminate the food chain. Cause liver and kidney damage.
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) Tested for 209, found 147	Industrial insulators and lubricants. Banned in the U.S. in 1976. Persist for decades in the environment. Accumulate up the food chain; in meat, dairy and seafood. Cause cancer and nervous system problems.

Bath products?
https://www.honest.com/whats-inside/baby-bath-products

Even now more and more is out about things like the chemicals in the products that adults use that could affect their unborn child and even themselves.

BPA and Phthalates

http://www.webmd.com/parenting/news/20111023/study-bpa-exposure-in-womb-linked-to-kids-behavior-problems
http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/consumer-alert-bpa-free-goods-still-contain-toxic-bisphenol
http://abcnews.go.com/topics/lifestyle/health/phthalates.htm
http://www.naturalnews.com/027514_phthalates_feminization.html
http://www.drsteelsmith.com/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=103
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/newscience/phthalates-in-moms-and-babies


What about those disposable diapers?
http://www.livestrong.com/article/111348-chemicals-disposable-diapers/
https://www.honest.com/whats-inside/diapers


Or check out this website:

http://prebabyblog.com/category/best-for-baby/#

Most perfumes have parabens in them even if they are not listed (FDA allows manufacturers to not disclose the ingredients of the fragrance of their products due to trade law, so the listing that has “fragrance/perfum” as an ingredient can very well contain some of the worst chemicals). Look in your lotions, shampoos, etc...you will see the offending ingredient.

Diaper Rash Cream

Destin has PARABENS! 

http://safecosmetics.org/article.php?id=291

"Parabens are used to prevent the growth of microbes in cosmetic products and can be absorbed through the skin, blood and digestive system (i)".

A&D ointment is better than Destin; however, it still contains many questionable chemicals. 

"With the advance in manufacturing (and subsequently the amount of money to be made on mass produced cheap clothing), companies are doing all they can to cut costs and make things cheaper and more efficient. That results in clothing that is full of pesticides, chemicals, flame retardants, ammonia, metals, formaldehyde and artificial dyes. Aside from all these harmful substances leeching into the baby’s system, there’s also a big possibility of them being a big allergen for small babies, especially those born to parents with sensitivities. The skin of a baby is much thinner and less oily than an adult’s, which makes it more porous and their immune system isn’t strong enough yet to handle the toxins, even in small amounts."

"The problem with cotton is that it’s very susceptible to pests and insects, so in order to increase production and profits, companies have to  spray the crops with an unreal amount of pesticides and insecticides. According to Organic Consumers Association, “just 2.4% of the world’s arable land is planted with cotton, yet it accounts for 24% of the world’s insecticide market and 11% of sale of global pesticides, making it the most pesticide-intensive crop grown on the planet.”  And think about this: five out of top 9 pesticides being used on cotton are known cancer causing chemicals.  1/3 Pound of chemicals are typically used in the production of one cotton T-shirt.  And this is the stuff that sits on your baby for days, your baby sleeps on it, breathes it, touches it – quite disconcerting."