Category: Chemicals

Beware of PFAS in watchbands

1/3/2025

Many smart and fitness watchbands designed to resist skin oils and sweat contain elevated levels of PFAS “forever chemicals” that may be leaching into skin, according to a study at the University of Notre Dame.

A press release from the American Chemical Society stated that the researchers found especially high amounts of a particular forever chemical, perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), contained in more expensive synthetic rubber wristbands. The discovery stands out because these items are in prolonged contact with our skin.

Read more at Ecowatch.com

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

Remove makeup without disposable wipes

12/13/2024

A pea-sized dollop of coconut oil will remove eye makeup brilliantly. Beware disposable makeup wipes as they are made from plastic fibers which become microplastics.

Warm a pea-sized dollop of coconut oil in your palms and gently massage it in the eye area with your fingertips. Disposable makeup wipes are one of the leading contributors to landfills and generally made with plastic which breaks down into smaller plastic particles that pollute our waterways.

Read more about this issue at thegoodboutique.com and more skin care recipes at Earth911.com.

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

Use the proper amount of laundry and dishwasher detergent

9/20/2024

Using too much laundry and dishwasher detergent can harm the environment and costs you extra money.

Adding too much detergent to the washer for the size of the load can be harmful to the washing machine and leaves soap remaining on the clothes. Using more soap than you need costs you extra money by shortening the life of your machine and uses up your detergent faster. Another factor to consider is the resources used by municipal water treatment facilities to remove soap that is added to the water. Any detergent that leaches into the environment is toxic to aquatic organisms and can lead to algal blooms.

For more details, see this article at earth911.com.

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

Natural acne treatment without antibacterial soap

9/6/2024

For a natural acne remedy that works, spot treat with tea tree essential oil or raw honey and ditch the antibacterial face wash, which only encourages skin to compensate by producing more oil.

You may want to bring out the big guns when a giant pimple appears, but that can easily backfire. Instead, clean your skin gently with a washcloth and warm water and dab tea tree oil on the problem. Or dab raw honey on the area for ten minutes and rinse.

Read more here at Earth911.com

Don't spray broad insecticides for mosquitoes

7/19/2024

Do not spray your yard with insecticides for mosquitoes as these also kill beneficial insects including pollinators and drive away insect predators such as birds.

Spraying or fogging your yard for mosquitoes also kills beneficial insects, including important insect pollinators and dragonflies, which are mosquito predators. Knocking out all insects also destroys the natural food web and food sources for many other animals such as birds that may otherwise have visited your yard. Overspray carries this effect into your neighbors yards as well. Since mosquitoes are weak fliers, eliminating their breeding sites in your own yard will have a great impact on local population levels. Find all sources of standing water and either empty them or use Bti dunks to kill the larvae. Fans and sprays made with essential oils are also effective at keeping adults away. Set out Bti traps to keep populations low by luring females to lay eggs where they won’t survive.

See more ideas from the National Wildlife Federation at nwf.org.

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

Disinfect with non-toxic cleaners

7/5/2024

If you need to use a disinfectant, try hydrogen peroxide or oxygen bleach. Both non-toxic, they break down into oxygen and water and do not need to be wiped off.

Disinfectants commonly use strong ingredients like quaternary ammonium chloride, peroxide, or bleach-based substances, which could have unintended side effects. Try hydrogen peroxide or oxygen bleach instead.

Read more here from Shannon Cowan at eartheasy.com.

Emissions from windshield washer fluid

2/23/2024

Windshield washer fluid accounts for a surprisingly large percentage of toxic vehicle emissions.

A startling new study by the American Chemical Society spotlights an underestimated source of vehicular emissions: windshield washer fluid. The researchers argue that even as more and more drivers switch from gasoline to electric vehicles, the emission levels of these non-fuel-derived gases will likely remain consistent.

Read more here.

Toss dryer balls in with your clothes rather than dryer sheets

12/15/2023

If you’re concerned about the health and safety of your family, you might want to stay away from both conventional dryer sheets and fabric softeners, say the editors of Scientific American. Wool dryer balls are a superb alternative.

Both dryer sheets and fabric softeners contain chemicals known to be toxic to people after sustained exposure. Dryer balls usually come as a set of three or six felted wool balls that you put in the dryer with your laundry. By bouncing around with the drying items, they work to separate layers and create air pockets to help fluff, soften, and reduce drying time.

Read more on this from Scientific American and Treehugger.com.

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

Natural and homemade odor eliminators

11/3/2023

Natural odor eliminators can remove the toughest odors while also being rechargeable, compostible, and toxin-free.

Natural homemade remedies such as lemon juice, vinegar, baking soda, salt, and hydrogen peroxide can work wonders but, if they don’t nix the stink, don’t despair or turn to toxic products. Mineral-filled pouches and other natural solutions can come to the rescue.

Read more here:

https://www.treehugger.com/best-natural-odor-eliminators-5088317

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

Make your own or trade Halloween costumes

10/20/2023

Exchange, make, or buy Halloween costumes of natural materials to avoid store-bought ones that may contain PVC toxins.

The costume swap in Swarthmore Borough Hall, thrift stores, your own closet--these are all great places for costume inspiration.

Read more here:

https://nylcvef.org/citizens-toolkit/green-tips-eco-friendly-halloween/

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