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By Amy Paturel, M.P.H.
Photography by Victoria Pearson
Could the products you use and the foods you eat be exposing you and your family to health risks? Too much contact with certain chemicals in household cleaners, some plastics and foods can cause harm to a fetus, ranging from developmental defects such as autism to brain and nervous system damage, even cancer. These chemicals cross the placenta and are carried through the umbilical cord, affecting the fragile, developing fetus. Here are some easy, safe alternatives to protect all of you.The dirt on household products
All-purpose, glass and cabinet cleaners
Potential harm These products often contain toxic chemicals such as ammonia. "That's the stuff in smelling salts; it can make an unconscious person conscious," says Mark Woodin, Sc.D., professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at Tufts University School of Medicine and professor of environmental health at Tufts University School of Engineering in Boston. "A chemical that powerful may have the potential to cause birth defects in a fetus."
Alternatives Use nontoxic cleaners such as Vermont Soapworks Liquid Sunshine Spray & Wipe (vermont soap.com), Seventh Generation Free & Clear Natural Glass & Surface Cleaner (seventhgeneration.com), Howard Naturals Kitchen Cabinet Cleaner & Polish (howardnaturals.com) and Sun &Earth Glass Cleaner (sunandearth.com).
Drain and oven cleaners
Potential harm The ingredients (such as lye and sulfuric acid) that unclog drains and banish baked-on grease from your oven emit dangerous fumes that, if misused, can cause burns and blindness. Allowing these powerful chemicals to enter the body through the skin or via inhalation is harmful; swallowing them can be fatal.
Alternatives To unclog sink and tub drains, pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by 1 cup of vinegar. Let the mixture bubble for 15 minutes, then let hot water run for one to two minutes. To clean the oven, apply a paste made from 1 cup baking soda, 1/4 cup washing soda (available in the laundry aisle of most supermarkets) and water (experiment with the amount of water needed to make a paste) and soak overnight. Lift off the mixture the next day and rinse. Or, try Method Grapefruit Mandarin Kitchen Spray (method home.com) or Seventh Generation Natural Citrus Cleaner and Degreaser (seventhgeneration.com).
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