Spring cleaning is underway, but did you know that many popular household products contain chemicals linked to childhood cancer? Some examples include carcinogens like formaldehyde in particle boards, flame retardants in furniture foam, PVC, plastic products, paint, cleaning products, plastic products with bisphenol-a (BPA), and non-stick and stain-resistant items that contain perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA).
Why is this exposure so critical? According to the EPA, average Americans spend 93% of time indoors. Furthermore, “Pound for pound, children take in more food, water, air and other environmental substances than adults.” With kids spending more time on floors and lower spaces, they’re in contact with more chemicals in the list above rather than adults in the household; direct exposure to these risks is linked to heightened risk of childhood cancer.
This list may seem long and impossible to avoid, but better options are available! This week, we’re challenging you to take a look at your cleaning and household products, and swapping them out with safe alternatives! Resources like The Ecology Center’s http://HealthyStuff.org project has filled its database since 2007 with ratings of products ranging from fast food and car seats to cleaning products and flooring on a scale based on the types and amounts of toxic materials that it contains. #Preventchildhoodcancer#Mighty4Mikey
