Ever felt overwhelmed at all the warnings of dangerous chemicals that are lurking in mundane household items?  This list can help sort through the problem products and provide you with safe alternatives.  Vinyl shower curtains, for instance, might not be something you’ve thought twice about.  But they may contain PVC, which is made in part with phthalates.  Phthalates have been linked to birth defects and reproductive problems in animal studies, and hot water in a shower can activate these chemicals.  Look for PVC-free or cloth curtains instead.

For more information on more household products, read the article here.

Gillette brand razors have won a DuPont award for not only reducing the amount of plastic they use to package their razors, but changing the kind of plastic they use from PVC, a notoriously difficult to recycle plastic, to PET.  These kinds of changes can make everyday shopping a little easier on the environment.

Read the story here.

A newly released study shows garden hoses have high levels of chemicals that are so dangerous they’ve been banned in children’s toys.  “Drinking water from a hose is one of the pleasures of summer. You shouldn’t need to worry that the water contains chemicals of concern from your garden hose”, said Jeff Gearhart, a lead researcher at HealthyStuff.org.  Thankfully, if you avoid using or buying a hose made of PVC, you avoid these toxins.

To find out more about safer water hoses, read the full article.

It’s easy to be green and healthful when making lunch for the kids or packing a meal for the office.  From avoiding prepackaged foods to putting cut up fruit and crunchy veggies in reusable lunch boxes or containers (make sure they’re lead, vinyl, and PVC free), just a few simple changes can make your lunch routine healthier for you and the planet.

For more lunchtime tips and suggestions on where to purchase eco-friendly, toxin free products, check out the full article.

According to the Environmental Working Group, vinyl chloride, a known carcinogen used in the production of PVC plastic, can leach from PVC pipes and contaminate previously safe drinking water.  Since 2004, unhealthy amounts of vinyl chloride have been detected in the tap water of 27 states.  Tap water in 11 of these states found levels of vinyl chloride above the legal limit, putting more than 225,000 people at risk.

Learn more about your possible exposure to this toxin here.