Toxic Reduction Tips for Your School, Childcare or Home
Want to know more about how to be “Eco-Healthy?” Here you will find useful information and tips on everything from pesticide-free pest control to avoiding toxic flame retardants.
Here you can download helpful, kid-oriented tips you can download in .pdf format...
Eco-Healthy Tip: Furniture and Carpets
Eco-Healthy Tip: Household Chemicals
Eco-Healthy Tip: Plastics and Plastic Toys
Eco-Healthy Tip: Recycling and Garbage
Eco-Healthy Tip: Treated Playground Equipment
... or click on any of these topics to find out more:
Pest Prevention
Pesticides are toxic chemicals designed to kill living organisms. Some pesticides are associated with cancer, birth defects, hormone disruption and nervous system problems. The use of pesticides indoors is particularly risky.
Fortunately, there are many alternative ways to control insects and weeds without the use of pesticides. Toxic Free Homes [PDF] provides information on indoor pest control without pesticides.
For information on lawn care without pesticides, see the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s Healthy Lawns website.
Asbestos
Asbestos-containing products, such as floor or ceiling tiles and insulation, may be found in older buildings nationwide, including school buildings. If these materials are disturbed or damaged, asbestos fibers can be released into the air, putting students and teachers at risk of inhalation. If inhaled, students are at great risk of developing respiratory ailments, such as asthma, and may one day develop mesothelioma, a fatal form of cancer. Mesothelioma has a latency period of between 20 and 50 years, so exposure to asbestos in young children is a very serious issue, as they may be well into adulthood when they develop an asbestos-related illness.
Air Quality
Moisture can lead to mold and mildew, which can be harmful to our health. See the Oregon Department of Health Services website for more information on mold and mold prevention.
Indoor air quality is especially important for children with asthma. This checklist, provided by the National Institutes of Health, can help you evaluate how asthma friendly your child care facility is.
Scented candles and air fresheners often contain harmful chemicals. Click here for information about air fresheners.
Household Chemicals
Cleaning chemicals can be toxic to children and contribute to poor indoor air quality. Check out this link for help finding safer cleaners and other household chemicals. For practical and easy-to-use recipes for cleaning without toxic cleaners, click here.
On the question of whether its okay to use bleach, keep in mind that there are effective alternatives to bleach. For example, Seventh Generation makes a set of cleaners with hydrogen peroxide, a safer, yet effective alternative to chlorine bleach. Click here for more information on disinfectants and bleach alternatives.
Lead
Lead poisoning can cause irreversible brain damage, lower intelligence and behavior and learning problems. For more information on protecting children from lead poisoning, see the Oregon Department of Health Services website. For more information or to attend a free workshop, that will equip you with a free lead testing kit, visit the Community Energy Project.
Mercury
Mercury is an element that was used for decades in fever thermometers. However, mercury is a known neurotoxin, so the less we use it in our homes and childcare centers, the better. Fortunately, there are plenty of good alternatives to mercury thermometers such as digital thermometers.
Furniture and Carpets
Some foams used in furniture contain toxic flame retardants, so it is important to make sure none of the foam is exposed. Check out this site for more information on how to avoid these toxic flame retardants.
Wall-to-wall carpets usually require toxic glues and adhesives to affix them. Also, more carpet space means more opportunity for allergens to hide and cause problems.
Art Supplies
Some art supplies can contain toxic ingredients. For more information on non-toxic art supplies.
Plastics and Plastic Toys
Even when plastic containers say “microwave safe,” using them in the microwave can cause the chemicals in the plastic to leach out into the food. Therefore, when microwaving food or beverages, always use a glass or ceramic container.
Click on the links below for more information on
- which plastics to look for and avoid
- different types of plastics
- the detailed science about plastics and health effects
- PVC
- plastic water bottles
Playground Equipment
Arsenic, a toxic metal, can leach into soil from treated wood used for play equipment, where children can be exposed. Learn more about how to avoid treated wood.
