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| Drink low-fat or non-fat milk, soy milk or other products; breastfeed infants. |
Two-thirds
of our average exposure to dioxin occurs via eating high-fat dairy
& meat products from cows that have grazed on pastures contaminated
by dioxin. |
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| Use metal, wood, glass or other non-plastic products. |
Bottles & other plastic items with a "3" recycling symbol might contain phthalates & also
emit dioxin when burned; those with a "7" might contain bisphenol-a
(BPA). |
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| Consider mattresses with wool (a natural flame retardant) fill. |
Most mattresses with synthetic fill are likely to include certain toxic flame retardants (PBDEs). |
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| Use digital, mercury-free models; programmable thermostats can also help save energy. |
Many older thermostats & thermometers contain mercury. Recycle them properly with your older household hazardous waste. |
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| Create a tobacco smoke free environment. |
Don't allow smokers to smoke inside. |
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| Use Epson, IBM, Dell & Apple products; HP printers; Panasonic phones & fax machines. |
Some other brands may contain PBDE flame retardants; be sure to ask if you are not sure. |
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|
| Buy
solid wood, organic cotton toys. For plastic toys pick those that are
PVC- and phthalate free. Phthalate free toys are available from Early
Start Guidecraft; Lamaze & The Natural Baby Catalogue. |
Try to avoid toys made out of soft plastic vinyl that often contains phthalates & can emit dioxins if burned as trash. |
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| Recycle as much as possible. |
Don't burn trash, especially PVC plastics, which when burned emit dioxins. |
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| Use pet combs, frequent vacuuming & other non-toxic controls of fleas. |
Many flea collars, sprays & dips contain dangerous pesticides.
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| Limit lawn areas & grow native plants adapted to the Northwest. |
Pesticides such as weed killers & insecticides should be used as a last resort, if at all. |
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| Use diatomaceous earth & other less toxic controls. |
Most commercial ant & roach killers contain toxic pesticides. |
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