Two recent studies have linked environmental issues to premature and low birth weight babies. First a study of Chinese newborns published in the Journal of Pediatrics suggests that pregnant women exposed to phthalates could have an increased risk of delivering a low birth weight baby. Those plasticizers commonly found in shower curtains, soft plastic toys, cleaning products and even personal care products mimic estrogen and may interfere with fetal development.

Another study conducted by scientists at the University of California found that women exposed to air pollution along highways and congested roads are more likely to deliver prematurely and suffer from preeclampsia. The findings were based on women living in the traffic-heavy area of Long Beach/Orange County, California.

So what can you do if your pregnant or planning to concieve?  Click here to read more

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Most conventional wood floor cleaners contain harsh chemicals linked with a host of adverse health effects. Wood cleaners often contain 2-butoxyethanol, which can depress the central nervous system and can irritate; isopropanol, which can irritate the skin and the upper respiratory tract; and ammonia, which can irritate or damage the lungs. Conventional cleaners also often contain synthetic fragrance, which means that they usually have phthalates to sustain the fragrance. Phthalates are endocrine disruptors (also called hormonally active agents) and have been linked to adverse health effects in rodent studies. Elevated concentrations of phthalates in household have been linked with asthma and allergic symptoms in children.

An option to replace those conventional cleaners that we like is Method’s o-Mop Wood for Good Floor Cleaner in Almond, $8. Wood for Good Floor Cleaner is free of 2-butoxyethanol, isopropanol, and ammonia. Click here to read more

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