Eliminating Toxic Chemicals from the Child Care Setting

Eliminating Toxic Chemicals from the

Child Care Setting

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.

Health & Environmental Concerns

❖ Persistent

❖ Bioaccumulative

❖ Toxic

❖ Carcinogens

❖ Mutagens

❖ Reproductive

Toxicants

Arctic Peoples at Risk● Long Range Transport: Global transport into the Arctic● Alaskans spend more time spent indoors during long cold winters● We’re also exposed through our reliance on traditional foods ● +700 active and abandoned military sites in Alaska—Many co-located with

Alaska Native villages

Birth Defects in Alaska

▪ Data from the Alaska Birth Defects Registryshows:Birth defects in Alaska are twice as high as inthe United States as a whole

▪ Alaska Native infants have twice the risk ofbirth 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."

Dr. Bradford Gessner, Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology unit

How the Chemicals Enter the Body

● Skin absorption

● Ingestion

● Inhalation

● Skin Contact

● Placenta

● Breast milk

Children Are Not “Little Adults”

Reproductive Health & the Environment

“…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

● Chemicals can harm the reproductive system, pregnancies, and development

● Nursing babies at the top of the food chain● Babies are born pre-polluted (EWG study 2014)● Children’s unique vulnerability and critical

windows

The “Hazardous Handful”

Flame Retardants

VOC’s (including

Formaldehyde)

Fluorinated Stain Treatments

Antimicrobials

PVC

Toxic Substances Control Act

(TSCA)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”

• EPA has regulated only five chemicals

- 2,000 new chemicals enter market each year

• No environmental or health data required

• 85% lack data on chemical health effects

▪Burden of proof on EPA to prove chemical is harmful

Flame Retardants

▪ 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

Where are flame retardants?

▪ 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

Health effects associated with Flame Retardants

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 of cancer and diabetes

AO 2019-15 (Toxic-Free Children Ordinance)

Phases-out four classes of toxic and ineffective flame retardants in children’s products, mattresses, and home furniture

Study of FRs in Child Care Settings

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

Healthier Nap Mat options

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: - Replace torn nap mats with exposed

foam

http://www.ceh.org/safernapmats

/

☺

Look for the “X”

Courtesy of the San Francisco Department of Environment

● Avoid polyurethane foam

● Avoid old TB117 label

Antimicrobials

No evidence that these provide actual benefit over washing with regular soap and warm water:

● Some are linked with hormone problems, reproductive changes and possible increased allergies in kids.

● Can create bacteria resistant to 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)

Fluorinated Compounds (stain and water resistant treatments)

▪ PFAS, i.e.Teflon, nicknamed the ‘Forever Chemicals’

▪ Migrates out of products

Associated Health Issues:- Carcinogen- Liver and kidney damage- Reproductive harm- Lower birth weight and birth defects

Found in:

• Non-stick Cookware, Food packaging, Clothing and fabrics, Certain medical supplies

Avoid: Products that are labeled or marketed as water, grease, and stain proof or resistant

Phthalates

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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 CompoundsVolatile organic compounds (VOCs) are

compounds that easily become vapors or

gases.

Health Effects:

● Irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and respiratory tract

● Headaches, dizziness, Memory problems, nausea, fatigue

● Damage to the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system

● Cancer

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

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)/Vinyl

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:- Avoid products with PVC by looking for the symbol 3 - Buy wood, stainless steel, organic cotton, wool products

Toys

● Children often put toys in their mouths, so it is important to avoid ones containing harmful chemicals:

● Avoid:

○ Toys with #3 symbol

○ Costume jewelry

● Look for:

○ Unpainted wood toys

○ Toys made from

natural materials (i.e. cotton, wool)

○ Safer plastics (#4, #5)

Watch out for advertisements

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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/

Things You Can Do

▪ 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

Reduce Your Exposure

▪ Wash your hands and children’s hands frequently

- esp. before eating or handling dust

▪ 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

Visit Us!

Contact info

Pam Miller, Executive Directorpamela@akaction.orgExt.203

Su Chon, Civic Engagement Coordinator

su.c@akaction.org

Ext.204

Protecting Health, Assuring Justice1225 E. International Airport Rd., suite 220

(907) 222-7714

www.akaction.org

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Mold Cleaning

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

one hour before rinsing.

Soft Scrub recipe

— 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.