What’s Living Inside Your Vacuum Cleaner?
October 30, 2009 | 3 Comments
Most of us are set on auto-pilot when we’re vacuuming our home. We run through the motions without thinking about what we’re cleaning up or where its going.
Plug in, switch on, use. Simple right? But what about after we’ve used our vacuums? What happens to all the stuff we just picked up off the floor – or better yet, what did we pick up off the floor?
Many of us go further still with this bad habit – not only are we unaware of what we’re cleaning, we’re unaware that we’ve left a pile of dirt sitting and festering in our vacuum, and in our home. If we consider the fact that vacuums don’t have an air tight seal preventing picked up particles from floating back out, we begin to start seeing the importance of realizing what’s living inside our vacuums.
To find out what’s living inside your vacuums, you have to start by looking at what’s on the surface. And if you start thinking back to people and pet traffic, food spills, and odors – we start seeing what a scary picture this really is.
What’s Living in Your Carpet?
Your carpet is not as clean as you’d like to think. Even on an otherwise clean and healthy looking carpet, a close up microscopic view of the surface would show legions of bacteria and micro-organisms scouring your carpet. If you start thinking about all the ways you use your carpet, you start seeing how troubling this can be.
We enjoy our carpets by lying on it, our children play on it, your belongings fall or rest on it. Nearly everything in your home touches (or will touch) the carpet at some point. Now we begin to see the importance of a clean carpet.
Scientists observe that even in carpets without any reported damage, there is the very real possibility of indoor fungal growth. They determine this by the amount of carbon dioxide released into the air by micro-organisms living in your furnishings. Simply, they breathe, they release carbon dioxide, and high amounts of repeated releases can result in indoor fungus.
So how can scientists figure out the respiration rate of tiny microscopic beings? Quite simply actually. Scientists can extract dust from the carpet surface and test it to arrive at a pretty accurate estimate of the number of micro-organisms based on the respiration rate evident in the dust.
In one study, scientists analyzed these organisms by sprinkling dust samples on a special filter. The result of this test “revealed 18 species were living in the carpets.” Their findings also showed a frightening similarity between what’s crawling around in your carpet and what’s crawling around in soil samples.
Additionally, “the rate of respiration showed that the fungal species detected were living in the furnishings, and were highly metabolically active.”
What does this mean? This means that fungal micro-organisms can grow in your home even if your home has no moisture damage, has average indoor air moisture, and has no other traditional problem-causing situations.
So now you know – bacteria, fleas, mold, and other microscopic organisms can all thrive in your carpet. But the number one thing that every home has is dust…and with dust come the notorious dust mites.
What is Dust?
Even the cleanest home has dust. The National Institute of Standards and Technology has even come up with a very scientific term for this: “standard house dust”. And yet, even with this basic element in every home, scientists stress the importance of home dwellers to realize that even this ‘standard house dust’ can be host to harmful chemicals.
In collaboration with the E.P.A, scientists collected dust from vacuum cleaner bags in home, hotels/motels and at cleaning services. With a sample of collection from several states, scientists then filtered and analyzed the samples with test results confirming a minimum of 33 harmful toxins. Another test into this matter revealed over 80 harmful chemicals.
Clearly, tests are showing that there are harmful contaminants living in your carpets and then transferred to your vacuum cleaner – where many of us leave them to thrive multiply and escape back into the air. So what exactly is in dust that is a living breathing invader? Dust mites.
What are dust mites?
The dust mites are microorganisms living on the dust particles. They eat mainly dead human skin cells. And considering that dead human skin cells comprises about 70% of all household dust, we quickly begin to see how we’re creating an environment in which dust mites can thrive freely.
If we take in the respiratory rate, and the fact that in our vacuum we’ve clumped both mites and food supply in lock stock barrel, we begin to realize the hazards of not cleaning out our vacuums.
How dust mites make you sick
Many people believe they have an allergic reaction to dust. However, the truth of the matter is that it isn’t so much the dust or dust mites you’re allergic to. The thing your sinuses are rattling in response to are dust mite excrements. Dust mites produce ridiculous amount of droppings. Considering they live up to 15 weeks, dust mites can produce up to 300 their weight in bodily waste.
Their by products are so small, that these excrements end up being part of the in-house air. It is this dust-mite excrement air that you’re then breathing into your lungs and having strong allergic reactions to.
Most Environmentally-friendly Vacuums
October 30, 2009 | 2 Comments
With studies constantly being pumped out on how we’re negatively impacting our environment, more and more people are looking for ways to ‘go green’. While everyone can’t necessarily switch from cars to bikes or electricity to solar power, there are some small ways we can incorporate eco-friendly habits in our lives. One way is simply being more energy efficient. Being energy efficient simply means using less energy to provide the same level of energy service
When most people think of energy efficiency, they think of turning of the lights when you’re not using them, or they think of automobiles with a high mpg ratio. But what about the appliances we do use when we use them? How much energy are they consuming and how effective are they? And perhaps the most important question is: Can I get an environmentally-friendly vacuum that still is powerful enough to get the job done?
The answer is “Yes!”. You can have the metaphorical cake and eat it too, and with so many ‘green’ vacuums being stylishly designed, not only will you be doing your part, but you’ll look good doing it.
Green Vacuums
When getting a ‘green vacuum’, there are a few things you want to consider, such as what are the amps? An “amp” is simply an abbreviation for “ampere”, which is a standard unit of electrical current. A good figure for a green vacuum is 12 amps. If you decide to go with a green vacuum, you’ll find plenty with low amp rating. Ideally, you should be looking for a range of between 4 and 12. Once that’s done, the next thing you want to do is start comparing additional features. The additional features will really See the guide below to get an idea for what kind of features you can get with your next vacuum.
4 Amps with HEPA – The Royal MRY6500 upright vacuum cleaner is great for someone looking to go below the 12 Amp benchmark. The HEPA filter removes up to 99.07% of dust and allergens 0.3 microns or larger, making this vacuum perfect for allergy or asthma sufferers. It’s high-impact plastic body, Gore-Tex outer bag, and ergonomically-designed metal handle, makes this commercial upright vacuum extremely durable. Weighing less than 10 lbs, it’s large capacity disposable paper bag makes maintenance a breeze. A double row ball-bearing brush makes this 4 amp wonder not only efficient but effective.
5 Amps with CRI Green Label Certification – The Sanitaire SC678 Commercial Upright Vacuum is a heavy-duty, lightweight vacuum with an allergen filtration. Having received a Green Label Certification, the Sanitaire features Arm & Hammer dust bags that are ideal for high frequency use. In addition to catching fine particles of dust and other microbes, Arm & Hammer dust bags help eliminate odors caused by bacteria and mold. The Sanitaire also comes with a 1 year warranty.
7 Amps with CRI Green Label Certification – As a Green Label Certified Vacuum, the Sanitaire SC888 provides a premium filtration level and an allergen filtration. It should be noted that this more of a commercial vacuum cleaner. Commercial vacuums need more strength and durability to clean places like hotels, schools, restaurants, offices, etc. These types of vacuums are also able to withstand more punishment than a standard residential vacuum cleaner. Other than that, it has the same basic traits as the Sanitaire SC678 as far as featuring Arm & Hammer dust bags. But if you’re looking for a vacuum for contractor sites, then consider the Sanitaire SC883.
12 Amps with HEPA Filtration – The Bissel 82G7-1 Momentum Cyclonic upright vacuum cleaner provides continuous suction with seven surface settings. In addition to being energy efficient, it has a TurboBrush feature so you can clean multiple surfaces, such as carpet, bare floors, upholstery, auto and stairs. It also boasts a single cyclone separation system and an air flow indicator filtration system with a HEPA media Filter.
12 Amps with Airetight® HEPA System – The Bissell 5770 includes Multi-Cyclonic Technology and Microban Antibacterial Protection that make sure bacteria, mold and mildew do not grow in the vacuum. The Airetight HEPA Filtration System of the Bissell 5770 makes sure you’re protected from 99.9% of pet dander and 100% from dust mites, pollen, ragweed and mold spores.
12 Amps with Full Bag Sensor – Hoover’s U5140900 Tempo wide-path upright vacuum cleaner makes it easy to get rid of all that dust, hair and debris. Many people prefer vacuums with bags over bagless ones, since the latter often release that debris into the air when you try and empty them out. While bagless vacuums make it easier to know when the bag’s filled, the Temp has a “full bag” sensor that takes care of this for you – and, unlike bagless vacuums, there are no filters to constantly be cleaning. Hoover’s Tempo also has a filter that traps 99.9% of dust mites, ragweed and common grass pollens.
In addition to these, there are at least 20 more ‘Green Vacuums’ that range in use, price, amps, and features. Hopefully this introduction to eco-friendly vacuums will get you started off on the right foot and well on your way to doing your part for energy conservation.
Natural Moms Podcast #130
October 29, 2009 | Leave a Comment
My guest this week is Dr. Perry Wolk-Weiss, D.C. of Get Well Center
Dr. Wolk-Weiss is a Chiropractor and author of Ten Commandments for a Healthy Lifestyle.
We’re talking about NAET (Allergy Elimination Technique).
Let’s face it, allergies are a pain.
Avoiding foods and other substances that cause reactions is time consuming and frustrating.
NAET utilizes acupressure to retrain the brain to not overreact to allergens.
NAET is not painful and can be done even on babies. While it’s impossible to say exactly how many treatment sessions a patient will need, typical scenario is 6-12 sessions, making NAET less expensive than a life of allergy suffering!
Dr. Perry shares stories of individuals whose lifestyles have dramatically changed because of their allergies resolving thanks to NAET.
Read about NAET and its founder: Naet: Say Good-Bye to Your Allergies
WW: Good Dads Are Hot
October 28, 2009 | 1 Comment
FIREPLACE
October 27, 2009 | 2 Comments
September 22nd, 2009 marks the autumnal equinox – the official first day of autumn. The morning was marked with a heavy blanket of fog over the city streets and a crisp thin veil of ice on the windows.
Fall is officially here, and not a moment too soon after an incredibly scorching summer. Shifting gears, any eco-savvy person knows that a whole new set of rules come into play once the season begins its cold long descent into winter.
While normally aware of Mother Nature inspired do’s and don’ts, I have to admit my guilty winter pleasure has to be the fireplace. Fireplaces are a terrible eco-gremlin, not only using burning natural resources, but release smoke and fumes into your home and atmosphere. Fortunately, there are a few things we can do to make sure our fireplace use is as green as possible.
Understanding Your Fireplace:
Many people think that there are ways to use a conventional fireplace so that it’s as eco-friendly as possible. Some of these so-called “green” choice include using woods such as birch, hickory, sugar maple, and red oak to produce more heat and less smoke.
But the truth is, switching out one type of wood for another is still use of a natural resource that otherwise could have been spared. The act of switching out one type of wood for another does nothing to reduce deforestation.
The use of a conventional fireplace still leads to harmful smoke, fumes and other indoor air pollutants – definitely something to consider if you have pets or children. Traditional open fireplaces burn very inefficiently and produce hundreds of chemical compounds, including carbon monoxide, organic gases, particulates, and some of the same cancer-causing agents found in tobacco smoke.
Minor spillage of these pollutants occurs regularly, primarily when starting or stoking the fire. However, the larger concern is when the fire smolders late at night, producing high levels of CO and a weak draft that is dangerous and sometimes even fatal. 1
The Smart Fireplace:
Whether or not you have a fireplace, you can still create the same effect with faux fireplace that doubles as an energy-efficient heater. A fireplace heater lets you fill your home with a mesmerizing, soft glow without the hassle of burning ash and buying wood.
Conventional fireplace are often limited to a large home that can accommodate the space and chimney necessary to install a traditional fireplace. With an electric fireplace heater, it’s possible to have a fireplace no matter what size or type of home you’re in.
Electric fireplace heaters are perfect if you live in a small home or apartment and prefer the stylish addition of a fireplace. Fireplace heaters make it possible for these types of spaces to still enjoy the warm glow of a fireplace.
The look of an electric fireplace heater is surprisingly realistic since it includes light bulbs to simulate the gentle smoldering of a fire down to the glowing embers. With portable fireplace heaters, you can get the coveted architectural element of a fireplace, without the cost – plus its portability allows you to move it whenever you decide to rearrange your décor.
Green Fireplaces is brought to you by Shireen Qudosi. For additional eco winter ideas, visit http://www.air-n-water.com
1 Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction, by Steven Bliss. John Wiley & Sons, 2006. ISBN-10: 0471648361, ISBN-13: 978-0471648369, Hardcover: 320 pages
Images 1: iStockphoto.com
Image 2: http://blogs.worldbank.org
Image 3: http://www.casasugar.com
Benefits of Home Births
October 26, 2009 | 3 Comments
As many of you know, I had 3 wonderful home births (kids 2-4), and if I were to get pregnant again I would certainly plan another home birth.
Many people automatically feel tense when the topic of home birth is brought up. This is due in part to the fact that so many people in our culture believe that the only “safe” place to birth is in the hospital.
The truth is that for healthy women having normal, uncomplicated pregnancies, home birth is safer for mom and baby.
Home births are becoming more mainstream in the States for a number of reasons. Some celebrities are known for their choice to birth at home, which is great because it leads to more publicity. Home birth is not an extreme, “out there” choice. It’s a choice that women from all walks of life are making as the best choice for themselves and their babies.
Let’s take a look at 13 benefits of home birth.
1. Safety. I already mentioned this earlier, but much of the research on home births has found that infant and mortality rates are a little bit better in a home birth. There’s less chance of c-sections, induced labor or the use of forceps, as well as other interventions that often have unintended negative consequences.
Another safety issue is that of baby being separated from mom. While we don’t hear about these cases often, babies do get switched at birth when they go to hospital nurseries. They also sometimes get bottles and pacifiers (sabotaging early breastfeeding efforts) or have their cries ignored when they are separated from mom and dad.
2. Stress. It’s widely accepted that a home birth is significantly less stressful for the mother. Instead of having to ride (horribly uncomfortable when you’re in labor!) to a hospital, you get to seamlessly labor then birth in the comfort of home. This effect is not to be quickly disregarded.
Stress makes labor more difficult and births more dangerous. Adrenaline inhibits labor. This is why so many women find that their contractions level off when they go to the hospital – the body feels stressed out and decides it’s not the right time to labor.
Also stressful is having to leave the hospital and drive home with a new baby. With home birth, you are free to relax in your own bed for as long as you feel comfortable. No nail-biting drive home from the hospital, secretly cursing every other car on the road!
3. Family. A home birth means you can have whomever you want in the room with you. Hospitals usually have strict policies about the number of people you can have around.
My children (as well as parents and two midwives) were in the home during my home births. My parents were able to share in the experience of welcoming their new grandchild into the world and were extremely helpful with my other children while I labored.
My children who observed a younger sibling being born have a very normal, healthy concept of what birth is really like. Unlike popular media images, they didn’t see a woman out of control with her legs up in the air, screaming and verbally abusing her husband and the people around her.
They saw me working very hard to do something… and then there was a baby.
4. Choices. A home birth means you can walk around, make a sandwich, listen to music, watch television, cook, do housework, etc…. or do whatever you feel like doing while you’re in early labor. (Once you’re in heavy labor you usually can’t focus on anything else but what you’re doing!) Hospital rooms are much more restrictive.
Yet this activity helps move the baby along in the birth canal and keeps you from feeling overwhelmed and tired out by hours of laboring. It distracts you and takes your mind off of the early pains that don’t really need much attention. It passes the time. During my last birth, I bounced on a medicine ball listening to Patsy Cline croon at me. Both of these things felt extremely comfortable. Later I crawled around on the floor like a crab. This also helped me deal with labor pains. Not to mention the “liquid epidural” that is the birth pool!
5. Comfort. A home birth allows you to give birth in whatever position you feel most comfortable in. The old “on your back with your feet in the stirrups” is horribly uncomfortable and does nothing to help a woman birth comfortably.
For my 3 home births, I was sitting up and squatting on a birthing stool. It was far more comfortable than my hospital birth, which had me semi-reclined in a hospital bed (no coincidence, this was the only birth that resulted in a perineal tear!).
6. Nourishment. A home birth means you can eat and drink whatever you desire. Hospitals generally restrict you from eating. Not only is there little evidence to support this practice, but it can also lead to hypoglycemia in mom and baby, both of whom are working extremely hard to birth, often for several hours.
7. Control. A home birth means no intervention – for you or baby – without your permission. Hospitals often tell you what they’re doing about halfway through the procedure when it’s too late to tell them you don’t want pitocin and you don’t want that IV stuck into the back of your hand.
Hospitals, due to litigation, often make rules that do not serve individuals, just to protect themselves. (“CYA”) No woman would choose to have a fetal heart monitor continually strapped to her body, inhibiting her movement, during labor. And there is no evidence to prove that such constant monitoring leads to better outcomes for moms and babies! It’s just CYA.
8. Bonding. A home birth means you can bond with your baby immediately without them being whisked away to be washed (unnecessary) and swaddled (also unnecessary). You can count baby toes and fingers, kiss and hold and fall in love with your baby. This is also an ideal time for the first breastfeeding.
9. Breastfeeding. Home birth and breastfeeding are a match made in heaven. Childbirth and breastfeeding are more intimately connected than many realize. The early days of breastfeeding are easier and far more cozy when a mom has given birth and recuperated at home.
10. Midwives. A home birth means you will likely use a midwife and that experience alone is enough for many women to choose home birth. Midwives tend to have a more personal approach to childbirth and their patients. They take far more time with their clients than Doctors and Certified Nurse Midwives do (the average appointment time is an hour, not 7 minutes!). Midwives stay with you during your entire intense labor experience, and for several hours afterward, to help you establish breastfeeding, clean up your home, make sure you’ve showered and eaten (if that’s what you choose), and perform the newborn’s first exam.
11. Home. Finally, a home birth allows you to recover from childbirth in the comfort of your own home. If you’ve ever been in the hospital, even if it’s for a wonderful reason like childbirth, then you know first hand that it’s not a fun place to be. Home is much better, surrounded by familiar things and familiar people.
12. Dad. Home birth makes Dad a more prominent figure in the birth. Dads are often perceived as a nuisance or something to tolerate in the birthing room at a hospital, but his presence is very important at home. He may be rubbing mom’s back, keeping her birth tub full of warm water, fetching water/juice/snacks, mopping sweat from her brow, etc.
They also are more in control of what their baby experiences in its first moments and hours of life. Dads sometimes feel misplaced by the “alpha” person in the room – the Doctor or CNM. During a home birth, a midwife doesn’t feel this way about the father of the baby. In fact, his skills may be employed to help the baby out – the same activities that put the baby in may be needed to naturally augment labor (I’ll let you use your imagination here!).
13. Pride. Home birthing moms tend to be a proud bunch. Having natural childbirth makes you feel amazing about yourself as a woman. “I did that“…while the midwife is there to make helpful suggestions and in case of emergencies (midwifes are trained as well as equipped to deal with many of these at home and recognize the signs of trouble early enough for mom to transport to the hospital safely), with home birth it’s the “you, you and you” show. Many times mothers are the first ones to touch their newborn, it’s often their own hands that guide baby out of the womb and into the world.
For those of you who have experienced the benefits of home birth, did I leave anything out? What did you see as some of the greatest benefits?
Personalized Coloring Books
October 26, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Several months ago I got a personalized story book for my then 7 year old son.
He loved it, so I was tickled when the folks at Frecklebox offered me a personalized coloring book for my 6 year old daughter.
Ilana loves coloring books and devours them regularly, so I knew she would be stoked to have one that has her name on every page!
She’s in First grade and is learning to read more and more each day, and seeing her name in print is fun for her. It seems that every kid’s favorite word to write, spell and read is their name. The coloring book immediately captured her attention and she hasn’t lost interest in reading it again and again.
I’ve also noticed that kids love to put their names on things they own. If you have kids with uncommon names and/or unusual spellings like I do, you can rarely find them little trinkets with their names on them.
Frecklebox also offers personalized lunch boxes, stickers, journals, puzzles, and a lot more stuff.
Neat huh?
Natural Moms Podcast #129
October 23, 2009 | 7 Comments
Hysterectomy Risks and Alternatives
My guest this week is Nora Coffey, president of the HERS Foundation.
Nora was a guest on the show about a year ago. You can listen to that interview here. Now she joins us again to talk about her new book (co-authored with Rick Schweikert).
The H Word: The diagnostic studies to evaluate symptoms, alternatives in treatment, and coping with the aftereffects of hysterectomy.
If you think you don’t need to listen to this interview because noone is telling you to get a hysterectomy (castration) right now, I respectfully disagree.
Every woman should inform herself NOW before she’s faced with the decision.
photo credit: cliff1066™
After talking with Nora these two times, reading her book and from my own life hearing stories of women and their experience with hysterectomy (castration), I am convinced that there is a dreadful LACK of appreciation and understanding of the purpose of the female organs – on the part of medical professionals and we women ourselves.
The H Word tells you why hysterectomy is so commonly recommended, the diagnostic studies that should be performed first to evaluate suspect diagnoses, the treatment alternatives that exist, the benefits and risks of those treatments, and probably most importantly – the lifelong functions of the uterus and ovaries, and the lifelong consequences of their removal (castration).
I urge you to listen to this interview and spread the word amongst women you care about!
Infant Formula Contains Fluoride at Tooth-Discoloring Levels
October 22, 2009 | 2 Comments
Another reason to breastfeed your baby. While breastmilk does contain some fluoride, infant formula contains far more, and apparently, in amounts that are likely to cause damage to developing teeth.
All Infant Formula Contains Fluoride at Tooth-Discoloring Levels
New York – October 21, 2009 – All infant formulas, whether ready-to-feed, concentrated or organic, contain fluoride at levels which can discolor developing teeth, reports the October 2009 Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) (1).
Fluoride, added to some bottled and public water supplies ostensibly to prevent cavities, is also in many foods and beverages, including infant formula. Excessive fluoride discolors and/or weakens permanent teeth (moderate fluorosis).
Researchers measured fluoride content of 49 infant formulas. See:
http://www.freewebs.com/fluoridation/infantformulafluoride.htm
The research team concludes, “Most infants from birth to age 12
months who consume predominantly powdered and liquid concentrate formula are likely to exceed the upper tolerable limit [of fluoride] if the formula is reconstituted with optimally fluoridated water (0.7 – 1.2 ppm).”
Surprisingly, the study reveals that all 6-month-olds and younger will also exceed the lower “adequate intake” (0.01 mg/day) from all formulas concentrated or not) risking moderate dental fluorosis from formula, alone. (2)
Breast milk contains about 250 times less fluoride than “optimally”uoridated water and isn’t linked to fluorosis.
“Babies don’t need fluoride and fluoride ingestion doesn’t reduce tooth decay,” says attorney Paul Beeber, President, New York State Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation, Inc. “So why are US babies still exposed to unnecessary fluoride chemicals via the water and food supplies and why aren’t parents informed of the consequences?” asks Beeber.
Up to 48% of school children have fluorosed teeth – 4% severe, reports the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) (3).
Both the CDC and the American Dental Association’s web sites advise parents to avoid mixing fluoridated water into concentrated infant formula, but they have never effectively broadcast this information to parents or the media (4,5).
A review of human studies by different researchers published in JADA (July 2009) concluded, “Our systematic review indicated that the consumption of infant formula [concentrated and ready-to-feed] is, on average, associated with an increased risk of developing at least some detectable level of enamel fluorosis.” (6)
“Parents, protect your children since dental and government agencies won’t. Petition local and state legislators to stop adding unnecessary and harmful fluoride chemicals into public water supplies and, thereby, into our food supply,” says Beeber. “Further, demand that the fluoride content of all food products be required on labels.”
Researchers agree that infant formula levels should be lowered.
“One interpretation of the available evidence would be that public health officials should create guidelines for infant formula consumption ensuring that the upper intake level established by the Institute of Medicine… is not
exceeded. Another approach would be to strive for ‘biological normality’ and to strive for fluoride levels observed in breast milk,” write Hujoel et al. in “Infant Formula and Enamel Fluorosis: A Systematic Review. (6)
A recent investigation by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) found that over-exposure to fluoride among infants is a widespread problem in most major American cities. EWG’s study found that, on any given day, up to 60% of formula-fed babies in US cities were exceeding the Institute of Medicine’s “upper tolerable” limit for fluoride. (6a)
In 2004, fluoride researcher Dr. Teresa A. Marshall told Reuters Health, “Very young infants are unlikely to benefit from the caries-prevention effects of fluoride…They may be at increased risk of dental fluorosis.” (7) Marshall co-authored “Associations between Intakes of Fluoride from Beverages during Infancy and Dental Fluorosis of Primary Teeth,” in the Journal of American Clinical Nutrition. (b)
In 2000, researcher A K Mascarenhas evaluating only well-conducted studies from the 1980s through the 1990s concluded in Pediatric Dentistry that infant formula was a major risk factor for dental fluorosis. (8)
As part of the on-going Iowa Fluoride Study, Levy and his team measured the fluoride content of infant formula and found from 0.15 to 0.30 ppm in ready-to-feed infant formula. (9)
Common household water filters (e.g. carbon filters) do not remove fluoride and unlike chlorine, which dissipates upon boiling, fluoride becomes more concentrated when water is boiled.
USDA: Fluoride-content of common foods: http://www.ars.usda.gov/Services/docs.htm?docid=6312
Pictures of fluorosis
http://www.fluoridealert.org/health/teeth/fluorosis/moderate-severe.html
Contact: Paul Beeber, Esq 516-433-8882 nyscof@aol.com
SOURCE: New York State Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation, Inc.
http://www.orgsites.com/ny/nyscof
http://www.FluorideAction.Net
References:
1) “Assessing a potential risk factor for enamel fluorosis: a
preliminary evaluation of fluoride content in infant formulas,”
Journal of the American Dental Association October 2009
2) http://fluoridation.webs.com/intakefromformula.htm
3) http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/figures/s403a1t23.gif
4) http://www.cdc.gov/fluoridation/safety/infant_formula.htm
5) http://www.ada.org/prof/resources/pubs/adanews/adanewsarticle.asp?art…
6) “Infant Formula and Enamel Fluorosis: A Systematic Review,”
Journal of the American Dental Association by Hujoel, et al, July 2009
6a) “National Academy Calls for Lowering Fluoride Limits in Tap
Water,” EWG News Release, March 2006 http://www.ewg.org/node/21000
7) “Too Much Fluoride May Harm Babies’ Teeth,” Reuters Health, May 5,
2004
http://www.fluoridealert.org/media/2004c.html
Pediatric Dentistry. July-August 2000. “Risk factors for dental
fluorosis: a review of the recent literature,” by Mascarenhas AK
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10969430?dopt=Abstract
9) Dental Clinics of North America 47(2003), “Current and future role
of fluoride in nutrition,” by Warren & Levy, 225-243
More evidence that infant formula is linked to dental fluorosis:
http://tinyurl.com/AllFormulaContainsFluoride
More: Carrie’s Interview with Bill Osmunson DDS, MPH, and Fluoride Action Network Spokesperson on the risks of fluoride.
A Giveaway for Your Belli
October 21, 2009 | 8 Comments
Pregnant and nursing moms will especially be interested in this giveaway from Belli skincare.
I got a chance to try out some of the Belli skin care here and published a review.
This time I got my hands (and legs!) on the All Day Moisture Body Lotion.
And as I wrote previously,
“The nice thing about these products is that they are free of synthetic dyes, phthalates and paraben preservatives, and the Belli Motherhood line is LactMed screened to avoid ingredients that may be questionable during breastfeeding.”
The All Day Moisture Lotion has lemon oil and so smells like a slice of lemon cream pie heaven.
The folks at Belli are letting me give away a gift set to a reader!
This one is called the Motherhood Essentials Kit.
It includes: Pure Comfort Nursing Cream, Eye Brightening Cream, Body Firming Serum and Moisturizing Hand Sanitizer.
To win, simply leave your name, a valid email and a comment below.
A winner will be randomly chosen on Wednesday, October 28 at Noon (Eastern).
