How clean is the air you’re breathing?

Probably not very. The Environmental Protection Agency warns that indoor air could be dirtier than the air that’s outdoors. The new brēth (pronounced “breathe”) natural air purifier gets rid of indoor air pollution with unique technology that has the cleaning power of almost 200 houseplants! brēth uses just three plants, packaged in a cute, easy-to-maintain planter that takes up barely any room, to keep your air fresh and clean.

Read on to learn how to breathe better…with brēth – and how you can get your very own brēth air purifier, available on Kickstarter.

INDOOR AIR CAN BE REALLY ICKY!

Indoors is where we spend about 90% of our time, either at home or at work.

Unfortunately, the inside air we breathe can be contaminated with all kinds of pollutants. Most of those pollutants are chemicals that have been linked to cancer, asthma, itchy eyes, and other health problems. They include formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, and other “volatile organic compounds” (VOCs).

You know that “new furniture smell” or “new paint smell,” the one that gives you a headache or makes you antsy and maybe even nauseous? Or the smell left behind from furniture polish, cleansers, and so-called air fresheners? Those smells and fragrances are made from synthetic chemicals that can make you ill, and they’re the primary source of indoor air pollution.

Here are 16 Surprising Things That Pollute The Air in Your House

HOW DOES THE brēth PLANT AIR PURIFIER HELP?

brēth eliminates these harmful indoor pollutants using just three plants, an LED light, and a fan. Doesn’t that sound simple?

The fan actually captures the pollutants and sends them into a canister that also contains three plants. The pollutants get converted into organic compounds that nourish the plant roots, purifying the air in the process.

The technology works like “a miniature ecosystem,” says Mark Prescott, the company’s co-founder. The proprietary technology “greatly improves a plant’s ability to remove indoor air pollution.”

“This is the most natural purification mechanism that biology provides us to clean indoor environments.”

This video explains exactly how it all happens.

WHY PLANTS?

We already know that trees and forests help purify our outdoor air. NASA (yes, THAT NASA) wondered if houseplants could do the same for indoor air. The agency conducted a Clean Air Study that found that common indoor houseplants provide a natural way to remove toxins from the air.

The NASA study identified more than 50 houseplants, including pathos, spider plants, and dracena, that do a particularly good job cleaning the air. Those are some of the same plants that brēth uses to do the same. Ray Greenstreet at Greenstreet Growers, who co-created brēth and who is an expert at building “living green walls” to help purify the air in bigger office complexes, took NASA’s research and his company’s own expertise and voilá: brēth technology so you can breathe better.

IT WORKS WHETHER YOU ARE GOOD WITH PLANTS…OR KILL THEM!

The beauty of this system is that it works whether you’ve got a green thumb…or whether you’ve killed every plant you’ve ever tried to take care of.

⇒The brēth unit is self-contained.

⇒ It comes with a monitor that tells you when the plants need water, so you won’t forget to water or overwater, either.

⇒ The attached full-spectrum LED light makes sure the plants get enough light, so you can keep them in an office or bedroom or kitchen or dining room or living room or nursery – whether they get direct sunlight or no sunlight at all.

⇒ An app for your mobile device monitors the air and shows you just how clean your air is staying, thanks to brēth.

⇒ The plants only require watering every 10 days, and minimal trimming.

HERE’S WHERE YOU CAN GET ONE

You can order your brēth plant air purifier over on its Kickstarter page, but you’ve only got until October 13 to do so. Buy it now, and you’ll pay just $99 (plus shipping), which is 50% off the retail price.

FULL DISCLOSURE: I occasionally work with some of the backers of brēth. However, I wouldn’t recommend this technology to you if I didn’t think it provided an important health benefit at a reasonable price. Thanks!

The post This New Plant Air Purifier Makes Breathing Better appeared first on Big Green Purse.

Green consumers have scored a major victory! CVS Health, the store where you probably buy many cosmetics and personal care products, has promised to make those products safer by removing chemicals in their products that have been linked to cancer, birth defects, and hormone disruption.

Those chemicals include parabens, phthalates and formaldehyde.

Nearly 600 beauty and personal care products will become safer to use, including the CVS Health store brand, Beauty 360, Essence of Beauty, and Blade product lines. The Promise Organic line of store brand products already does not contain any of these toxic chemicals.

Why Did CVS Health Commit to Safer, Healthier Products?

The company wanted to “provide customers with the safe, efficacious products that they are looking for,” said Cia Tucci, Vice President of Store Brands and Quality Assurance at CVS Health.

“We listened when customers voiced their desire for products that provide the benefits they need with fewer ingredients of concern.”  

“Customer feedback has driven this move to eliminate parabens, phthalates and the most prevalent formaldehyde donors.”

Does It Matter? Yes!!

CVS Caremark Corporation is one of the largest drugstore chains in the U.S. It has over 7,300 stores and 2011 U.S. retail sales of almost $60 million, the 7th highest nationally.

The non-profit organization Safer Chemicals, Health Families’ “Mind the Store” campaign, which Big Green Purse and many other consumer groups endorsed, put pressure on CVS Health to clean up its act.

Safer Chemicals has applauded CVS for its decision to clean up its products but says there is still more work to be done.

CVS Health can use its leverage to work with their suppliers to reduce, eliminate or safely substitute over a hundred questionable chemicals.

Consumers should also continue to carefully read labels and buy products that are free of chemicals that have been linked to health problems.

Get Help Here: The Best 11 Non-Toxic Ways to Get Healthy Skin

CVS Health won’t have its safer products fully available until the end of 2019. Until then, avoid products that contain the following:

√ Parabens

√ Phthalates

√ Formaldehyde

√ Triclosan

Parabens – Parabens are commonly found in cosmetics, sunscreen, shampoo, conditioner, hair styling gel and lotion and deodorant. Studies show parabens mimic estrogen and inhibit testosterone, potentially disrupting hormonal balance in both women and men.

Phthalates – These compounds are often found in fragrances and aerosols like air fresheners, as well as in plastics, solvents and even children’s toys. Of the variety of health impacts linked to exposure to phthalates, damage to male reproductive organs is among the gravest concerns.

Formaldehyde – Formaldehyde is a “volatile organic chemical,” which means that it will “off-gas” or emit its components into the air you breathe over time. It’s found in antiseptics, cosmetics, nail polish, dishwashing liquids, fabric softeners, shoe polish, carpet cleaners, glue, adhesive, paint, and more. It’s also used as a preservative in foods, like some cheeses, dried food, and fish.

Triclosan – Triclosan is actually a pesticide that may be included in toothpaste; it’s also the ingredient formulated into many antibacterial products, like hand wash, body wash and many cleaning compounds.

Increasing members of the medical community oppose using triclosan because they worry that it is actually encouraging the growth of drug-resistant bacteria.

By the way, washing your hands with hot soapy water seems to be just as effective as anti-bacterial soaps for getting rid of germs.

The post Green Consumers Score Big Victory: CVS Health Commits to Safer Beauty Products appeared first on Big Green Purse.

5 Healthy Reasons to Choose a Green Mattress

If you’re in the market for a new mattress, there are at least five good reasons why choosing one that’s green makes sense.

#1 – Conventional Mattresses May Contain Toxic Glues and Chemicals – Conventional or synthetic mattresses are usually made from components that contain toxic chemicals that could affect you or your family to varying degrees.

Three of the most common are:

• VOCs – Petroleum-based polyester, nylon and polyurethane foam all emit VOCs, carbon-based compounds that can increase some people’s risk of health problems. Several studies suggest that exposure to VOCs may make symptoms worse in people who have asthma or are particularly chemically sensitive (as I am). Short-term exposure may irritate the eyes, nose or throat, cause headaches or nausea, and make people dizzy. Long-term exposure could cause cancer, liver or kidney damage, as well as problems with the central nervous system. Mattresses emit the most VOCs when they’re brand new, but they will continue to “off gas” for some time thereafter. If your mattress is 10 or 15 years old, it’s probably not emitting many VOCs at this point. But if you’re buying new, take VOCs into account.

• PBDE flame retardants. Mattresses made with synthetic foams, batting, or fabrics must be treated with flame-retarding chemicals to meet the federal open-flame flammability test. These “polybrominated diphenyl ethers” are “toxic to both humans and the environment,” says the U.S. EPA. While their use has been phased out by U.S. mattress manufacturers, mattresses made in foreign countries still may contain PBDEs. And the alternatives some U.S. companies are using may not be much safer than what they replaced.

• Organophosphate flame retardants. Flame-retardant chemicals in mattresses that contain any amount of polyurethane foam are called organophosphate chemicals. Unlike VOCs, these chemicals do not become gases. You won’t be able to smell them, and their concentration may increase over time, rather than decrease. The levels emitted are usually low. But since you’re spending so much time on your bed, and inhaling deeply when you sleep, it’s definitely an important consideration.

#2 – Conventional Mattresses May Pollute Indoor Air – The synthetic chemicals found in conventional mattresses easily “off gas” into the atmosphere.  Even if you’re not sleeping on a new mattress yourself, you could feel the effects once it’s in your home because you could potentially be inhaling the gasses emitted by your conventional mattress.

#3 – Conventional Mattresses May Get Moldy – All mattresses are prone to mold, since bodies sweat during the night and that sweat can penetrate the mattress. It’s a good idea to use a mattress protector, no matter what kind of mattress you have. Amerisleep says that the “breathability of our foam/cover helps manage moisture by keeping you cool.”

#4 – Conventional Mattresses Could Provide a Breeding Ground for Dust Mites – In the mattresses Amerisleep manufactures, says the company, the dense structure of the foam it uses makes it dust mite “resistant,” meaning that it’s more difficult for dust mites to nest and feed. By the way, beware companies that make claims that their mattresses are “dust mite free.” That is probably not possible.

#5 – Manufacturing and Delivery Make a Difference, too – When buying a mattress, think about it’s entire “life cycle,” in other words, how it was manufactured, what it is manufactured from, and even how it is delivered to a store or directly to you. For example, Amerisleep says it “uses a patented process for creating its foam called VPF (Variable Pressure Foaming). This helps the company avoid using chemicals like CFC/HCFC (which deplete the earth’s ozone layer), methylene chloride, and carbon dioxide,” which contributes to climate change. The company factory recycles essentially 100% of its internal waste. It also packages up the mattress in a roll rather than deliver it flat, which reduces its shipping fuel consumption, an average of 80%.

What To Look For Instead

There are no federal regulations or standards that a company needs to meet in order to claim its mattress is “green,” “eco-friendly,” or “natural.” Your best bet is to look for companies like Amerisleep that back up their green claims with the following information:

• Specific details on what the mattress is actually made of. Plant-based foam, untreated wool, organic cotton and natural latex derived from rubber trees are greener options than synthetic foams.

• Independent certification of its product claims. It’s always reassuring when a company backs up its green claims by showing that it’s met independent and meaningful environmental and health standards. That’s the difference between ‘green’ and ‘greenwashing.’

• Manufacturing location. Look for mattresses manufactured in the U.S. or Europe, where standards regulating use of toxic chemicals in mattresses may be more stringent than those manufactured in Asia or Latin America.

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The post 5 Healthy Reasons to Choose a Green Mattress appeared first on Big Green Purse.

Plus: Not only does buying eco-friendly nail polish save you money, it reduces your exposure to harmful chemicals.  A recent study by The National Healthy Nail Salon Alliance  reports 74% of popular nail care companies no longer use the “toxic trio” of toluene, formaldehyde and dibutyl phthalate, dangerous compounds linked to health problems such as asthma, cancer, and reproductive problems.

The good news is that you will likely find your favorite drug store brand among the 18 options that are “three free.”  L’Oreal, Orly, Revlon, and Sally Hansen all have eliminated these harmful chemicals from their ingredients.  Where does the cost savings come into play?  The safer, widely available brands retail for an average of about $5 per bottle.  The five brands that were not yet “three free” or did not respond to the survey, including Essie and Yves Saint Laurent, average closer to $9 per bottle.

While exposure to toxins in nail polish may vary, it is both safer and more environmentally friendly to avoid products containing these harmful chemicals.  In fact, many companies are already producing organic and phthalate free cosmetics.  If safer options exist AND are more wallet-friendly, why buy the harmful brands?

For those of you who have already joined our One in a Million campaign, add nail polish to your list of products to look for.  Interested in becoming involved?  Sign up today

Don’t stop there – contact Essie  and Creative Nail Design and ask them why in the world they’re still producing toxic nail polishes when they are aware of the harm they’re potentially causing their consumers.

(Thanks to Katie Kelleher for researching and writing this post!)

The post Think you can’t afford ‘green’ nail polish? Wrong! appeared first on Big Green Purse.

But a new report by Environmental Working Group and the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics has made me wonder whether that simple bath actually poses a serious risk.

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics commissioned an independent laboratory to test 48 products for 1,4-dioxane; 28 of those products were also tested for formaldehyde. The lab found:

* 1,4-dioxane in 67 percent of the products.

* Formaldehyde in 82 percent of those tested.

* Seventeen products contaminated with both 1,4-dioxane and formaldehyde.

The full list of products tested is in the Campaign’s report, “No More Toxic Tub.” They include: Johnson & Johnson’s baby shampoo, Baby Magic “Soft Baby Scent” Baby Lotion, and American Girl “Hopes & Dreams” Glistening Shower and Beth Wash.

Why does this matter?

Formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane are known carcinogens; formaldehyde can also trigger skin rashes in some children. Unlike many other countries, the U.S. government does not limit formaldehyde, 1,4-dioxane, or most other hazardous substances in personal care products.

The toxins are not listed on the ingredients label because, the way the law is written, they’re not required to. And manufacturers of products that contain toxins like these often discount their impact, saying they pose no threat because they’re present in such minute amounts.

The National Academy of Sciences disagrees. NAS says several factors contribute to children’s special vulnerability to the harmful effects of chemicals:

•    A child’s chemical exposures are greater pound-for-pound than those of an adult.
•    Children are less able than adults to detoxify and excrete chemicals.
•    Children’s developing organ systems are more vulnerable to damage from chemical exposures.
•    Children have more years of future life in which to develop disease triggered by early exposure.

What can you do?

* Search the Skin Deep data base maintained by Environmental Working Group to find safer alternatives to the products identified in the Campaign’s report.

* Contact Johnson & Johnson, and urge them to clean up their products by removing dangerous ingredients like 1,4 dioxane and formaldehyde.  Here is the e-mail I just sent:

 I have recently learned that J&J baby soaps contain 1,4 dioxane and formaldehyde. These are known carcinogens to which no child should be exposed. Please remove these compounds from all your products immediately. Until you do, I will cease to be a J&J customer.

*Write to Rep. Henry Waxman, Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, with responsibility for legislation and oversight in the areas of public health, consumer protection, food and drug safety, and the environment.Urge Rep. Waxman to convene hearings on toxic ingredients in baby products.

2204 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Telephone (202) 225-3976
Fax (202) 225-4099

* Write your own Senators and Representative and urge them to support the Kid-Safe Chemical Act, legislation that would strengthen laws and regulations to protect kids from toxins in all products – including baby soap and shampoo.

The post Should Soap Bubbles Make Your Baby Sick? Tell J&J No! appeared first on Big Green Purse.