from the Child Care Setting Dena'inaq enen'aq' gheshtnu ch'q'u - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Eliminating Toxic Chemicals from the Child Care Setting Dena'inaq enen'aq' gheshtnu ch'q'u yeshdu. (Dena'ina) I live and work on the land of the Denaina. (English) Our mission: To assure justice by advocating for environmental and
Dena'inaq ełnen'aq' gheshtnu ch'q'u yeshdu. (Dena'ina) I live and work on the land of the Dena’ina. (English)
Our mission:
To assure justice by advocating for environmental and community health. We believe everyone has a right to clean air, clean water, and toxic-free food.
❖ Persistent
❖ Bioaccumulative
❖ Toxic ❖ Carcinogens ❖ Mutagens ❖ Reproductive
Alaska Native villages
▪ Data from the Alaska Birth Defects Registry shows: Birth defects in Alaska are twice as high as in the United States as a whole ▪ Alaska Native infants have twice the risk of birth defects as white infants born in Alaska Some of these effects can be passed onto future generations “…even independent of differences in cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and maternal age—which is a well-known risk factor for birth defects—Alaska Natives still have an increased risk ... that we don't really know how to explain."
“…exposure to low-level contaminants may be subtly undermining our ability to reproduce.”
Environmental Health Perspectives, journal of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences 2006
pregnancies, and development
windows
Flame Retardants VOC’s (including
Formaldehyde) Fluorinated Stain Treatments
Antimicrobials
PVC
2016 Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act updates TSCA:
▪ Enforceable deadlines and chemical review schedules ▪ Dedicated funding from fees paid by the industry ▪ Decisions to regulate must reflect health and environmental safety ▪ Populations that are disproportionately impacted must be protected ▪ Removes barriers for EPA to investigate and regulate chemicals ▪ Most Chemicals in the U.S. are Not Regulated ▪ 62,000 chemicals in commerce “grandfathered”
enter market each year
health data required
chemical health effects
▪Burden of proof on EPA to
prove chemical is harmful
▪
Flame retardants are chemicals that are designed to resist or inhibit the spread of fire.
▪
No fire safety benefit shown in furniture or children’s products
http://media.apps.chicagotribune.com/flames/results.html
▪ Kid’s foam products (nap mats, car seats, crib mattresses, gym mats, changing pads, etc.) ▪ Infant walkers, crib wedges, rockers ▪ Building insulation and carpet padding ▪ Foam furniture and draperies ▪ Toys ▪ Fatty foods ▪ Household dust and dryer lint
Neurodevelopmental Effects
Decreased memory and learning Reduced IQ Hyperactivity
Hormone Disruption
Alters Hormone levels Increased risk of obesity Early onset of puberty
Reproductive Toxicant
Decreased fertility (in women and men) Decreased birth weight
Increased risk
diabetes
Phases-out four classes of toxic and ineffective flame retardants in children’s products, mattresses, and home furniture
W.A.Stubbings, et al. 2018
This peer-reviewed study found that removing a single source of flame retardants—nap mats—from childcares lowers levels of the chemicals in dust by up to 90%.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0 269749118302690
Avoid Brands w/ FRs ☹
SCR 4 Kids, Safety 1st (made by Venture Products LLC)
Chemicals/Materials to Avoid ▪ Vinyl ▪ Flame retardants ▪ Antimicrobial & water resistant treatments ▪ Phthalates Tip:
foam http://www.ceh.org/safernapmats /
☺
Courtesy of the San Francisco Department of Environment
polyurethane foam
label
No evidence that these provide actual benefit over washing with regular soap and warm water:
problems, reproductive changes and possible increased allergies in kids.
antibiotics Avoid: products with added or built-in antimicrobial chemicals. Example: triclosan and triclocarban
Ted Schettler, MD, MPH (Case- Western Reserve University, Harvard School of Public Health)
▪ PFAS, i.e.Teflon, nicknamed the ‘Forever Chemicals’ ▪ Migrates out of products
Associated Health Issues:
Found in:
fabrics, Certain medical supplies Avoid: Products that are labeled or marketed as water, grease, and stain proof or resistant
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▪ A family of industrial chemicals that soften and add flexibility to plastics ▪ “Fragrance” products Health Effects: ▪ Endocrine system disruption ▪ Altered development of genitals and fertility ▪ Linked with obesity ▪ May raise risk of miscarriage, gestational diabetes, preterm birth and low birthweight ▪ Worsening of allergy and asthma symptoms ▪ Altered toddler behavior Avoid: Fragrance and soft plastics
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are compounds that easily become vapors or gases. Health Effects:
respiratory tract
problems, nausea, fatigue
central nervous system
To reduce exposure:
Have good ventilation, avoid cigarette smoke, avoid pesticides and solvents, use low-VOC paints and furnishings when available.
Photo courtesy of Perkins+Will
Also known as vinyl, used in plastics ▪ Problematic throughout life cycle: manufacture, use and end-of-life ▪ Often includes other toxic chemicals, i.e. Pthalates Associated Health Issues:
▪ Neurodevelopmental harm ▪ Endocrine system disruption ▪ Birth defects ▪ Cancer ▪ Asthma, lung problems To reduce exposure:
important to avoid ones containing harmful chemicals:
○ Toys with #3 symbol ○ Costume jewelry
○ Unpainted wood toys ○ Toys made from natural materials (i.e. cotton, wool) ○ Safer plastics (#4, #5)
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— Even cleaners advertised as “natural,” “green”, or “organic”
does not mean they’re safe--may be hazardous.
— Companies are not required to list ingredients on product
labels.
—
You can trust products that are green seal certified Check out: http://www.healthyschools.org/
▪
Purchasing Matters: Avoid purchasing products with chemicals of concern
▪
Use Product Inventory tool ▪ Make your own cleaning products
▪
Follow Tips to Reduce Exposure
▪
Share this information with staff and families
▪
Call or email ACAT with further questions
▪ Wash your hands and children’s hands frequently
▪ Vacuum with a HEPA filter and wet mop to minimize dust ▪ Replace torn foam products and scratched non-stick pans ▪ Open a window regularly for fresh air ▪ Avoid greasy packaged food ▪ Don’t microwave food in plastic containers
Contact info
Pam Miller, Executive Director pamela@akaction.org Ext.203 Su Chon, Civic Engagement Coordinator su.c@akaction.org Ext.204
Protecting Health, Assuring Justice
1225 E. International Airport Rd., suite 220 (907) 222-7714 www.akaction.org
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Wear protective gloves and a dust mask. Ventilate the area: open windows and turn on ceiling and exhaust fans. Vinegar option Clean affected areas with soap and water, then apply a solution of one part vinegar and one part water, and wipe clean. Hydrogen peroxide option Mix one part hydrogen peroxide (3%) with two parts water in a spray bottle and spray on areas with mold. Wait at least
— 3/4 cup baking soda — ¼ cup liquid castile soap — 2 teaspoons vegetable glycerin (preservative) — 2 – 4 drops lavender or tea tree essential oil
Mix together and store in a sealed glass jar for up to 2 years. For exceptionally tough jobs, spray with vinegar first. Let sit and follow with scrub.