| In the early 1970s I walked into a grocery store in a | | | | of Pediatrics (PEDIATRICS Vol. 121 No. 2 February |
| large metropolitan city and asked for organic eggs. To | | | | 2008, pp. e260-e268) the authors concluded "that |
| my dismay, I was literally laughed out of the store. My, | | | | reported use of infant lotion, infant powder, and infant |
| how times have changed! In today's market, being | | | | shampoo were associated with increased infant urine |
| green is more than accepted--it's recommended. It's an | | | | concentrations of MEP, MMP, and MiBP (monoethyl |
| age of awakening and a new way of life. Educated | | | | phthalate, monomethyl phthalate, and monoisobutyl |
| consumers are demanding a more eco-conscious | | | | phthalate) and this association is strongest in younger |
| lifestyle--from the foods we eat to the clothes we | | | | infants. These findings suggest that dermal exposures |
| wear and now even the products we use on our skin. | | | | may contribute significantly to phthalate body burden in |
| The latest market to emerge from this lifestyle into the | | | | this population. Young infants are more vulnerable to |
| mainstream is that of baby care products. | | | | the potential adverse effects of phthalates given their |
| Unfortunately, as green living becomes more of a part | | | | increased dosage per unit body surface area, |
| of daily life, so do the businesses that want to jump on | | | | metabolic capabilities, and developing endocrine and |
| the bandwagon of the budding industry. These | | | | reproductive systems." |
| companies package and sell products to green | | | | Many consumers do not realize that it can take up to |
| consumers without truly being green. New consumers | | | | 200 different chemicals to formulate what is listed in |
| to the movement who are uninformed buy these | | | | the ingredients as a fragrance. The FDA does not |
| products thinking they are healthy, when in reality they | | | | require companies to list each of those individual |
| are no different than the harmful ones that have been | | | | chemicals on their labels. If a child has an allergic |
| on the market for years. Speaking with one | | | | reaction to a product, it is most likely in response to |
| storeowner regarding a natural and organic line of | | | | one of those chemicals. |
| baby products, I was disappointed to learn that sales | | | | In contrast, many natural and organic personal care |
| of the product were less than stellar. | | | | products carry "The Truth in Labeling" logo. With this |
| Upon reading the label, I noticed the products contained | | | | label consumers are assured there are no hidden |
| parabens and fragrance. To the informed green | | | | ingredients. What you read is what you get. Essential |
| consumer, these ingredients are both allergens and | | | | oils replace synthetic and chemically infused |
| potentially harmful. The stor eowner admittedly | | | | fragrances. These green products are often more |
| purchased the products based on the wholesale price | | | | expensive than the alternative simply because it costs |
| and not the ingredient list. Rightfully so, parents are | | | | more to produce natural ingredients than to |
| becoming increasingly more concerned when it comes | | | | mass-produce synthetic ones. It's true that green |
| to protecting their children from these harmful | | | | consumers are spending billions each year to ensure |
| chemicals. During the first years of a child's life, it is | | | | their little ones are protected from a bombardment of |
| extremely important to lower a baby's exposure to | | | | chemicals--from organic cotton diapers and clothing to |
| chemicals and products that may include harmful | | | | organic baby food and personal care products. Green |
| insecticides, pesticides and herbicides that are not only | | | | parents realize the bigger picture in all of this is |
| harmful in the long run, but unnecessary ingredients. By | | | | sustainability. Not only are we protecting our children, |
| using organic baby products, parents can help lower | | | | but we are protecting their future and planet as well. |
| their child's exposure to these hazards. | | | | It's safe to say that my eco-conscious 1960s |
| Green consumers may often be touted as overly | | | | generation is no longer the only one propelling this |
| conscientious but the negative health effects these | | | | movement. It is our children and grandchildren who are |
| unnecessary chemicals have are very real. The proof | | | | carrying it into the future. Going green is no longer a |
| is in the science. In a recent article published by the | | | | trend; it's a way of life. |
| Pediatrics - Official Journal of the American Academy | | | | |