Are Your Fish Safe To Eat?

Fish can be an excellent low fat source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids and other nutrients. It can also be a source of mercury and polycholorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Mercury can damage developing brains and nervous systems. Mercury is stored in our bodies so it is important that women who are even thinking about getting pregnant avoid high-mercury fish. For pregnant women, nursing mothers or young children, the FDA and EPA have advised eating no more than two or three meals, or 12 ounces total, of fish or shellfish a week. High-mercury fish to one serving per week and avoid Shark, Swordfish, King Mackerel or Tilefish. Polycholorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are neurotoxic, hormone-disrupting chemicals that were banned in the United States in 1977. However, PCBs accumulate in animal fats and are still found in fish from polluted bodies of water. One of the best resources we have found is provided by Healthy Child Healthy World. They have a state by state advisory list and you can also find this information on the EPA website. For instance, on the North Carolina page, I learned that high mercury levels have been found in black crappie south and east of Interstate 95 and in blackfish, catfish, jack fish, warmouth and yellow perch south and east of Interstate 85.

Do you have a preschool or elementary age child? Check out this fun, interactive site to teach your children about what fish are safe?

Is Your Baby Mattress Safe?

As many of you know, GreenPea Nursery refuses to carry any crib mattress that contains phthalates or flame retardants knows as PBDEs. As of February 10, 2009, the new Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) requires the removal of certain types of phthalates from crib mattresses. Wow this is great! I can now sell more brands of mattresses. Not so fast. You see the CPSIA requires the removal of three varieties of phthalates (DEHP, DBP, and BBP) for use in baby and children’s mattresses and other baby products. Crib mattress manufacturers are still allowed to use three other types of phthalates known as (DINP, DIDP, and DnOP). These phthalates are only illegal for teethers and other items that are expected to be placed into a child’s mouth. According to Naturepedic, another phthalate chemical known as (DnHP) which has been known to cause cancer has not yet been banned at all. So although three of the bad guys have been removed, other phthalates may be used in vinyl covered crib mattresses.
Naturepedic does not use PVC (vinyl) for the waterproofing of their mattresses. They use a food-grade polyethylene which is naturally soft and does not require a plasticizer additives.

Read more about phthalates and what the CPSIA means to crib mattresses in this article provided by Naturepedic.

Oh That New Car Smell!

How many times have you heard someone say that they love the way a new car smells? They even make a fragrance that you can select when you wash your car that gives you back that new car smell. Have you ever thought about what is creating that recognizable scent? It is a toxic soup of chemicals such as brominated flame retardants, chlorine (pvc and phthalates) and lead to name a few. One of our customers was concerned about the car seat that she had purchased and the new smell that continued to off gas from the product. She told me about a site called HealthyCar.org. This organization is the consumer guide to toxic chemicals in cars. The next time you are going to buy a new vehicle or a new car seat, you have to check this site out. You can compare cars and car seats against each other and see how they rank. If you don't have a lot of time, go to their best/worst list and you can have your shopping list in a matter of minutes. You can even find out if the car seat you already purchased is safe.

Test my car seat now!

Watch these videos by HealthyCar.org to learn more.