By Margie Kelly, Communications Manager, Healthy Child Healthy World
Pregnancy is the perfect time to commit to eliminating toxic chemicals from you and your family’s food, home, and personal care products.
Making your daily routines as healthy as possible during pregnancy will make you feel better and will go a long way toward protecting your unborn child from toxic chemicals like BPA, mercury, phthalates and more, all of which have been found in the bodies of pregnant women. Clearing out chemicals from your daily routines now is good practice for creating a healthy home environment for your newborn baby, who will be particularly vulnerable to harmful chemicals found in everyday products.
Over the years, Healthy Child has gathered some excellent pregnancy advice from our experts and friends. Consider these tips for a greener, healthier pregnancy:
Avoid pesticides
A recent scientific study showed a pregnant woman’s exposure to pesticides posed risks to a developing fetus similar to those associated with smoking tobacco. Learn all about the Dirty Dozen and Clean 15 before heading to the grocery stores. Navigate the aisles for the cleanest, greenest fruits and vegetables grown without toxic chemicals.
Watch your intake of animal fats
Toxic chemicals like dioxin PCBs, and pesticides accumulate in fat, which means that when you eat certain fish or meat, you transfer those chemicals into your body. Look for low-fat options, trim the fat from fish and meats, and eat organic meat and wild seafood whenever possible.
Be smart about plastics
Plastics seem benign but they can harm health, especially the health of developing fetuses. Vinyl plastic is everywhere despite its composition of a carcinogenic core and dangerous additives, like phthalates, to make it soft. Avoiding vinyl is a good rule of thumb, whether it means ditching the plastic shower curtain and cling wraps or choosing non-vinyl building materials for your home.
Another plastic to avoid is the hormone-disrupting chemical Bisphenol A (BPA), which is found in some water bottles, cash register receipts, and canned foods. To limit your exposure to BPA, say “no” to receipts, carry glass or stainless steel bottles, and eat fresh or frozen foods.
Ditch the toxic cleaners
Bombarding your counters, tubs, and floors with toxic chemicals doesn’t make them cleaner, but it does cover them with nasty chemicals. Why do that? Stay away from products with warnings: “hazardous” “poison” “danger.” Instead, choose cleaners made without harmful chemicals that come certified as eco-friendly. It’s also easy to make your own cleaners, which will save you money and a trip to the store. Continue reading
