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 [email protected]
Su Chon, Civic Engagement Coordinator
Ext.204
Protecting Health, Assuring Justice1225 E. International Airport Rd., suite 220
(907) 222-7714
www.akaction.org
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.