Friday, June 11, 2010

Against All Odds ....

What’s wrong with this picture? Do we have a show of hands??? In unison now, “Rubber ducks do not belong in our homes because rubber ducks contain phthalates!”

From a recent issue of Time Magazine: “Chemicals like bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates — key ingredients in modern plastics — may disrupt the delicate endocrine system, leading to developmental problems. A host of modern ills that have been rising unchecked for a generation — obesity, diabetes, autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder — could have chemical connections.” Obesity is an issue my friend Jennifer Margulis tackled yesterday at Mothering Outside the Lines. If enough of us go outside the lines, those in power may notice. Look at the way my daughter-in-law holds her sun hat, providing shade for Juliette, instead of herself. It’s the maternal instinct in moms that make them seek to protect their kids, against all odds. That’s why moms are rising up across the land, expressing outrage at the toxic chemicals, which pollute modern life. Toxic chemicals are not good for any of us, but they are far worse for young children whose “immature bodies lack certain detoxification mechanisms and are more prone to the damaging effects of substances like phthalates,” page 39, Slow Death by Rubber Duck.

Fighting the chemical industry will not be an easy battle but grab your keyboard and get at it, all you blogging moms of cyberspace. This month Congress considers legislation to overhaul the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976. Watch this video, support the Safe Chemicals Act, and join the coalition of moms today!



<a href="http://www.linkedtube.com/ETBES8HCP8s3b3e0e9bbf73dfb6eeb633f4c8c5376c.htm">LinkedTube</a>

Comments (15)

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This is so important, I'm glad you (and others!) are writing about it.
Jennifer Margulis's avatar

Jennifer Margulis · 771 weeks ago

I'm right there with you about this Sandy. We are trying as hard as we can to get rid of all the plastic in our house but it's the SYSTEM that needs to be changed. We absolutely have to take on the plastics industry and the chemical industry. WHY AREN'T THESE PEOPLE THINKING? If humans pollute themselves out of existence, there will be no one to sell products to.
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I can't think of anyone better to get the word out than you, Alexandra. Reading your blog has really heightened my awareness about environmental dangers.
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Interesting post. Thanks for keeping us informed--can you explain more about the Toxic Control Substances Act?
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1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago
Welcome, Kristen! The TCSA was drawn up in 1976 but does not regulate most of the chemicals in use today. For a detailed look at the act, you will find one on the EPA site: http://www.epa.gov/lawsregs/laws/tsca.html.

Find out why the TCSA is seriously flawed and does not protect us at all from many toxic chemicals :http://www.saferchemicals.org/resources/tsca.html
SO important. The chemicals that our kids are ingesting/breathing on a daily basis really concerns me.
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Absolutely. YES YES YES. Beautifully said. xo
Since reading your blog, I'm so much more attuned to the environment. Thanks for bringing another important issue to the forefront.
I'm slowly getting rid of plastics in my house. It is definitely a process, unless you have heaps of money to replace every plastic thing in your kitchen at a go. Sadly, NZ is lagging behind in BPA legislation as well.
This is a very important issue....I remember when I wrote about environmental contaminants, phthalates were just getting attention as potentially problematic chemicals. Which means that there are yet many other dangerous chemicals out there that we simply don't yet know about.
thanks for brining this to my attention and sticking with it. today's news cycle is designed for stories to fade away. the corporate media reports stories, sure, but then it all disappears into the business of our lives. we need voices, alternative media too, to continue to beat the drums about this issue and others.
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Adorable photo of your mother-in-law and her child (your grandchild, I assume?). I need to read more about this issue so I'll be better informed.
1 reply · active 771 weeks ago
Daughter-in-law, yes, and that is my grandchild, Juliette. Yes, do read up on this issue and watch the video. We all need to know these things and figure out ways to influence policy.
Also, like most people above, I'm working hard to eliminate the plastic in the house. As it turns out, my youngest has a great love of rubber ducks. I mean, she LOVES them. All sorts of ducks. She has the ones which are dressed up in different colors, outfits, etc. She lines them up on the floor and has them talk to each other. Taking them from her.. ugh.. I need another duck option!!
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A super important topic. I'll help spread the word!

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