Green Answers
What is BPA and Should I Worry About It?
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical produced in large quantities that is used primarily in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. It is found …
in a wide variety of common products including CDs and DVDs, electronic equipment, cars, bottles and in protective liners of food containers. In recent studies, it has been shown to be harmful to animals and that humans are most often exposed to it through bottles and food containers. It is recommended that you choose BPA-free bottles for your infants, select plastic or glass containers for food products, and avoid microwaving food in containers marked with the recycling number #7. For more, click here
How Do I know if My Home Contains Lead Paint?
Homes built prior to 1978 may contain lead-based paint. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),
87 percent of homes built before 1940 have some lead-based paint, while 24 percent of homes built between 1960 and 1978 have some lead-based paint. So what can you do? You can hire a certified professional to check for lead-based paint. To find a certified inspector, call the National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD (5323). You may also test using a lead test kit. Test kits should be recognized by EPA (see http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/kits.htm) and are available at hardware stores.
Can I Get Mercury Poisoning from Eating Fish?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advises that for most people, the risk from mercury by eating fish and shellfish is not a health concern. Yet, some fish may contain higher levels that may harm a child or fetus.
The EPA provides these guidelines:
By following these three recommendations for selecting and eating fish or shellfish, women and young children will receive the benefits of eating fish and shellfish, and be confident that they have reduced their exposure to the harmful effects of mercury.
- Do not eat shark, swordfish, king mackerel or tilefish because they contain high levels of mercury.
- Eat up to 12 ounces (two average meals) a week of a variety of fish and shellfish that are lower in mercury.
- Five of the most commonly eaten fish that are low in mercury are shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, pollock and catfish.
- Another commonly eaten fish, albacore (“white”) tuna has more mercury than canned light tuna. So, when choosing your two meals of fish and shellfish, you may eat up to six ounces (one average meal) of albacore tuna per week.
- Check local advisories about the safety of fish caught by family and friends in your local lakes, rivers, and coastal areas. If no advice is available, eat up to six ounces (one average meal) per week of fish you catch from local waters, but don’t consume any other fish during that week.
Follow these same recommendations when feeding fish and shellfish to your young child, but serve smaller portions. Source: Environmental Protection Agency
Is There an Environmentally Safer Paint for Our Nursery?
Yes. Non-VOC (volatile organic compound) paint will reduce exposure to fumes that cause headaches, nausea and respiratory problems.
Many paint manufacturers…
now make this kind of paint, and it is getting more readily available at your local paint or hardware store. Be sure to check if the tint is also VOC-free, as many tints are not.
Should I Worry About Putting Tap Water into My Baby’s Bottle?
In general, local drinking water is safe. Despite many of the myths and horror stories about tap water safety, the EPA’s regulation…
To view more information about the current water quality in your municipality, visit the EPA’s web site.
Can I Protect My Child from Lead Poisoning in Toys?
Yes. Lead most often enters the human body through dust or other forms of ingestion. Antique or older painted toys should be avoided…
- Headaches
- Irritability
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting
- Anemia
- Weight loss
- Poor attention span
- Noticeable learning difficulty
- Slowed speech development
- Hyperactivity
If you suspect lead poisoning, contact your doctor immediately.
What Kinds of Environmental Claims can UL Validate?
A partial (and growing) list of the claims that UL currently validates includes:
- Recycled content
- Rapidly-renewable materials
- Regional materials
- Volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions
- VOC content
- Energy efficiency
- Water efficiency
- Hazardous of toxic substances
- Reclamation programs
- Mold resistance
- Manufacturing energy audits
- Degradability
- Compostability
What Are Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) and Do They Really Save Energy?
Compact fluorescent lamps are a fluorescent light bulb designed to emit as much light as traditional light bulbs while using less energy…
Does Recycling My Christmas Tree Really Make a Difference?
Between 30 and 35 million Christmas trees are bought each year and luckily approximately 93 percent of them are being recycled. Treecycling is a simple way…
What Are Some Good Ways to Recycle Wrapping Paper?
Even those without a crafty side can find ways to reuse decorative ribbons and paper. The easiest is simply to smooth out the paper pieces and use them again. You could also…
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