Environmental Defence’s Post

As cute as they are, jelly shoes are made from PVC, a type of plastic made flexible through phthalates–which are known endocrine disruptors. While some brands may limit the amount of phthalates they allow in their products, there is no safe amount of exposure to endocrine disruptors. As bad as that is, it doesn’t stop there. In recent testing conducted by Klick and Crann Organic, jelly shoes were the most toxic item out of all the children’s fashion pieces tested. In addition to containing lead (at levels below the federal limit, though there is no safe level of lead exposure, especially in children) the jellies also contained organotins, which have been linked to health issues such as hormone disruption and immune system damage. On top of that, sweat draws toxins out even faster, so sweaty and blistered feet further increase the risk of exposure. Thankfully, there are lots of alternatives to PVC jelly shoes for kids and adults! Here they are.

3 ways you are consuming microplastics and the last one might shock you. The first is cosmetics. Cosmetics that are not natural often have plastic components built into them. Anything you put on your skin will absorb right into your body. The 2nd is water bottles. Plastic water bottles. Of course, that plastic, especially when heated, will leach into the water. And as you consume that, those microplastics come into your body. And the third one, potentially shocking, is your clothing. If you’ve ever looked at your clothing tag and really anything other than cotton, all of the nylon and rayon and all of those synthetic fibers actually come from plastic derivatives. And as you wear them, they can rub off on your skin and get into your body as well. . . . #Microplastics #EnvironmentalAwareness #PlasticPollution

Are silicone milk bottles toxic when heated? Silicone bottles are not toxic and have the following characteristics Safe and harmless Traditional bottles are made of plastic, and plastic must add a large number of antioxidants, plasticizers, stabilizers, etc., which are harmful to the human body, and plastics will make environmental hormones leaking out and accumulating in the human body's fatty tissues under high temperature conditions. Silicone, on the other hand, does not contain environmental hormones and is made of medical grade silicone, which is safe and healthy for babies. Silicone is also a material that breathes, so breastmilk is not easily spoiled even when placed at room temperature, and can be kept fresher when refrigerated or frozen. Because silicone is a harmless, colorless and odorless material, we can use it with peace of mind. Soft Bottle Silicone material, due to its own characteristics, has a very soft texture, patting the hand to give the baby a feeling like mother's skin. Washing and sterilizing Sterilizing in boiling water or in the microwave will not lead to deformation. Silicone bottles are more heat-resistant than normal plastic bottles and will not be a problem when sterilized for a long time. After removing the plastic part, only put the silicone bottle and nipple in water to sterilize (Sterilization: once or twice a week) No odor Silicone is a colorless, odorless, and non-toxic raw material, food or liquids will not produce the kind of smell of plastic or rubber containers when left for a long time, and can keep freshness. Maggie Phone/Whatsapp: +8619154990982 Email: sale5@siliconesupplier.com

How much do you know about the chemicals in your clothing or what to ensure your specifying when sourcing fabrics? Do you know how easily they are absorbed into the skin? Unfortunately, the presence of toxic chemicals in clothing is a prevalent issue that poses risks to our health and the environment. Here are some of the most common toxic substances found in clothes: - **Formaldehyde**: Known for the "chemical smell" in new clothes, it is linked to health problems like asthma, cancer, and dermatitis. - **Pesticides**: Glyphosate in conventional cotton can lead to health issues including cancer and respiratory problems. - **PFAS**: These "forever chemicals" take thousands of years to break down, causing health concerns such as cancer and infertility. - **Azo Dye**: Used in fabric dyeing, it is carcinogenic and can cause skin and eye irritation. - **Nonylphenol Ethoxylates (NPEs)**: Found in clothing items and detergents, they can impact the reproductive system and development. - **Heavy Metals**: Lead in clothing dyes can result in brain, kidney, and reproductive damage. - **Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)**: Mostly in printed textiles, they pose risks like developmental and reproductive damage, and are harmful to textile workers. Being aware of these chemicals is crucial to make informed choices and advocate for safer practices in the clothing industry. #ToxicChemicals #ClothingIndustry #HealthAwareness #Uniforms

𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐂𝐎𝐒𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐒 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐁𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐘 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐍 𝐌𝐈𝐂𝐑𝐎𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐂 And it's not easy to spot 😥 A study by Plastic Soup Foundation found that a shocking 87% of cosmetic products contains microplastics. Unfortunately, they are not easy to recognise, as they are often hidden in incomprehensible words. As illustrated in the example below, the widely-used Nivea Soft body cream contains two ingredients that contain microplastics. Did you spot it? 𝐒𝐨, 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮: 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐥! You can find microplastics in cosmetic products through common ingredients such as: 🚩 Butylene 🚩 Dimethicone 🚩 Acrylates Copolymer 🚩 Carbomer And many more (unfortunately)! Luckily, more and more cosmetics brands are producing 100% microplastic-free products. Examples of these brands are HappySoaps, Seepje, Nature Bar and more. At Uncovered. Cosmetics we aim to make this information available to you. We believe in a cosmetics industry where transparency is the norm. Follow this page to join the journey towards honest cosmetics! 🤩 #Cosmetics #SustainableCosmetics #Greenwashing #CleanBeauty #Microplastic

As a social scientist, I am often struck by the reflexive power of the slow and sustainable fashion community, an awareness that borders on anthropological. From the The American University of Paris's Symposium on Fashion Communication for Sociological Transformation to Fashion Revolution's many global events for this year's #FashionRevolutionWeek and beyond, I keep hearing more and more about the power of narratives, discourse, and "stories" in these engaged spaces. Current dominant discourse has been instrumental in both creating and driving mass-production and mass-consumption. But how can we turn this hegemonic power on its head to create the cultural change we so urgently require? It's clear that storytelling holds so much promise for conveying not only the perils and pitfalls of business as usual, but also the keys to broadening our imaginations and enacting new ways of being. Yesterday was, coincidentally, the final day of my class at the Sorbonne focusing on legal storytelling. I chose to feature texts deconstructing hegemony and social structure, exposing the interconnectedness of the legal world, culture, and politics. I tried to initiate reflexions among my students around the stories we tell -- good and bad, accurate and inaccurate -- and how they shape our collective future. These stories, these transmissions, I think of them like discursive seeds taking unforeseen paths in the wind, spreading wider than we dare dream, or roots that penetrate the deepest levels of conscious and subconscious reflexions... So how can we use this power responsibly? How can we make sure that these stories we tell are accurate AND devoid of epistemological violence? I feel it is important to take the utmost care to avoid eclipsing or violating the sanctity of agency and self-determination of global workers, the very same groups on the front lines of the climate crisis. We also must intentionally craft narratives that emphasize the structural nature of many of these issues, and, hence, the need for structural solutions. Consumer-focused, pre and post-purchase awareness campaigns all too often put the onus on individuals to right the wrongs of global industry and toxic supply chains. Keeping in mind the neoliberal logic of the carbon footprint narrative, created, as we all now know, by the fossil fuel industry, how can we ensure that these new, inclusive narratives are not co-opted by hegemony? That they are truly aligned with systems change? I don't have the answers to all of these questions. But what IS crystal clear to me is that we all have to work together to create these new stories in order to break the cycle of extractive knowledge creation and neoliberal discourse centered on individual awareness and action... Stories, that help us, as Orsola de Castro urges, look towards the sunrise. But most of all, stories that make sure we can all see new day break, together.

The Center for Environmental Health (CEH) has identified dangerously high levels of bisphenol A (BPA) in certain types of clothing, including socks, sports bras, and athletic shirts. BPA, a well-known hormone-disrupting chemical, poses significant health risks in children and young adults, including developmental harm, delayed puberty, anxiety, depression, and hyperactivity. This is particularly concerning because BPA can be absorbed through the skin. CEH's tests revealed that some socks contained BPA levels up to 31 times the legal limit in California, prompting legal notices to over 100 sock brands, including prominent names like Adidas and Hanes. The organization also addresses similar issues with sports bras and athletic shirts, finding BPA levels up to 22 times the safe limit. CEH actively pushes companies to reformulate their products or warn consumers about BPA. They advise consumers to avoid polyester/spandex blends and choose natural fiber clothing to reduce BPA exposure. For those concerned, CEH provides petitions for public support and recommends removing activewear and socks promptly after use to limit BPA contact. Source: Center For Environmental Health

Reduce your exposure to endocrine disruptors can be as easy as: - Swapping plastic bottles for glass or stainless steel - Avoiding receipts when possible - Switching to stainless steel cookware - Using unscented skincare

Great overview from Chemistry World on the scope of PFAS in products. Electronics, automotive components, and medical devices rely heavily on PFAS, as suitable alternatives are difficult to find, especially in circuit boards, fuel systems, and medical coatings. Clothing, cookware, and food packaging often use PFAS alternatives, with brands like Patagonia and L’Oreal pledging to phase out PFAS in favor of other materials. For some products, such as cosmetics and firefighting foams, alternatives exist, but manufacturers face challenges in ensuring these replacements match the performance. Transparency around new substitutes remains a concern in many sectors.

You could have silicone baking cups, spoons, or ice trays in your kitchen, silicone in your hair product or lotion, silicone baby toys and pacifiers, and a silicone menstrual cup. It’s often used in “eco-friendly” or zero-waste reusable products. But I’ve been hearing some concerns about silicone. After all, it looks and feels and acts similar to plastic. And it’s being proposed as a safe replacement for toxic, PFAS-based, stain-resistant textile coatings. With plastic’s many hazardous properties being increasingly documented, it’s fair to question whether this synthetic material gets a special pass to be on your body and touching your food. https://lnkd.in/eU7kwkd6