Goal For The Green

Did you know that 2 out of 3 Americans Are Concerned With Toxins Found in Common Household Products?
Seventh Generation and Breast Cancer Fund Joined Together recently, to Discuss the Importance of Removing Toxins From Our Lives. This post, is a continuation of the recent study and it’s findings.

Seventh Generation INC (Photo credit: stan)

Education Needed and Transparency Demanded on Ingredients in Common Products

The study indicates that half of all Americans (50%) are unaware that many personal care, household cleaning, laundry and baby care products contain petroleum-based ingredients otherwise known as petro-chemicals. When provided with a list of chemicals in these products, 61% reported that they are “likely” or “very likely” to seek bio-based products the next time they shop.

In addition, 58% of respondents indicated that they “feel personally responsible to change their daily habits and purchase practices to positively impact the environment.” In fact, 58% of the respondents reported that they are “actively searching for greener (more energy-efficient, natural, and sustainable, etc.) products these days.”

“It’s time that the consumer products companies lift the veil that has shrouded most ingredients in mystery, allaying unwarranted concern for some, and providing a sound basis for stronger consumer action on others,” said Seventh Generation CEO John Replogle. “There’s no reason they can’t. Seventh Generation has been providing products that supply peace of mind for 25 years.”

Focus on ingredients in everyday household cleaners and personal care products, has increased significantly in recent years. In fact, just last month (September), Johnson and Johnson announced plans to remove carcinogens and other toxic chemicals from its personal care products by 2015.

Just recently, the American Cleaning Institute(R) launched a Cleaning Product Ingredient Inventory, that catalogs 900+ ingredients used in the U.S. cleaning products market (including soaps, detergents, and general cleaning products used in household, commercial, industrial and institutional settings).

The study has a margin of error of 3%.

On September 19th,  Green-living guru Sara Snow, moderated a session on Livestream with Deepak Chopra, Seventh Generation and Breast Cancer Fund Individuals interested in learning more about this topic.

These experts  discussed the findings of the new study, and explored the significance of the USDA Certified Bio-based label, as a credible way for consumers to make conscious choices about the products they bring into their homes.

About Seventh Generation

Seventh Generation, is committed to being the most trusted brand of household and personal care products for your living home. Our products are healthy solutions for the air, surfaces, fabrics, pets and people within your home — and for the community and environment outside of it. Seventh Generation, also offers baby products that are safe for your children and the planet. The company derives its name from the Great Law of the Iroquois Confederacy that states, “In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations.” Every time you use a Seventh Generation product, you are making a difference by saving natural resources, reducing pollution, and making the world a better place for this and the next seven generations.

For information on Seventh Generation cleaning, paper, baby and feminine personal care products,  or to find store locations that carry their products, and explore the company’s website visit www.seventhgeneration.com.

Did you know that 2 out of 3 Americans Are Concerned With Toxins Found in Common Household Products?
Seventh Generation and Breast Cancer Fund Joined Together to Discuss the Importance of Removing Toxins From Our Lives.  I want to share this news in light of the fact that October is Brest Cancer Awareness Month, and this is news you should know.

I'm getting plants - yah to less toxins and bad EMF! (Photo credit: Tricia Wang 王圣捷)

According to a recent study, with findings released in BURLINGTON, VT by Marketwire – on September 19, 2012 – Nearly two-thirds of all Americans (64%) say they are “concerned” or “very concerned” about potentially harmful chemicals and petroleum-based ingredients found in everyday personal care, household cleaning, laundry and baby care products, according to the study.

Top concerns of petroleum-based products are “long term health effects” (75%) and “absorption through the skin” (71%). Concerns were similar across age, gender and other demographic categories.
Commissioned by Seventh Generation, a leading maker of renewable household and personal  care products, the study questioned 1,000 Americans to gauge awareness, attitudes and concerns about ingredients found in products they use daily, for themselves and for children.

“The level of concern voiced by the American public represents a mandate for immediate, sweeping systemic change,” said Seventh Generation CEO John Replogle. “It’s a big issue with consumers. And, it’s getting bigger.”

Full results of the study were unveiled recently during a news conference and panel discussion featuring Deepak Chopra, Seventh Generation CEO John Replogle, and Breast Cancer Fund CEO, Jeanne Rizzo.

According to Deepak Chopra, M.D., a recognized expert in the field of wellness and sustainability, the study suggests Americans are undermining their wellness through daily exposure to toxins, found in products that we use daily. “The elimination of toxins awakens the capacity for renewal,” said Chopra.

So, how do we go about eliminating toxins from our lives?

Study Findings Show Toxic Concerns are High,and Biobased Awareness is Low.
The Study questioned respondents on an array of issues, including awareness of “biobased” products. These products are defined as “products made with renewable agricultural content such as plant, animal, marine or forestry materials.” The respondents were questioned about their attitudes toward the use of petroleum-based products, and petro-chemicals, found in many common consumer products.

According to the study, Americans are concerned about potentially harmful chemicals in their household cleaning (66%) and personal care products (65%), as well as laundry (63%) and baby care products (60%).  In this study, it is noted that percentages combine “concerned” and “very concerned” responses. Notice by the percentages, that more than half of the people questioned are quite concerned.

When asked specifically about petro-chemicals in personal care, home cleaning, laundry and baby care products, top concerns of “long-term health risks” (75%) and “absorption through the skin” (71%) were followed by “potential skin irritation” (69%), “inhaling toxins” and “negative impact on the environment” (both 60%). This also poses  health concerns that can no longer be overlooked.

In fact, more than half (54%) went so far as to agree that “brands should be required to post warning labels on their packages if their products contain petro-chemicals.” Nearly two-thirds (60%) reported that they are “likely” or “very likely” to seek bio-based products the next time they shop.

“This study shows that people understand what science is telling us — that exposure to toxic chemicals in our everyday products increases risk for many diseases, including breast cancer,” said Jeanne Rizzo, president and CEO, The Breast Cancer Fund. “As more and more people begin to connect the dots between toxic exposures and disease, they say, ‘Enough! No more toxic trespass! We want safer products!'”

This has become a critical issue, that many of us have not been aware of.  So, begin reading the labels on your soaps, shampoos and laundry detergents. It’s a matter of our health, our children’s health, and the health of our environment, for generations to come. Together we are working toward a better, safer and “greener” future for us all.

Guest post by Amanda Green

Keeping well hydrated is essential for good health. Plain water, rather than carbonated beverages, tea, coffee or juice, is the best choice for staying hydrated, because it hydrates and nourishes your entire body, with no side effects. In most areas of the western world, water directly from the tap has to meet certain standards. However, this does not mean it is truly safe to drink.

Tap water can contain traces of lead from old pipes, chlorine from water treatment, as well as, traces of other potentially dangerous substances. This is the reason why many people use unfiltered tap water only for washing clothes, dishes, and bathing. They use bottled water, or water that has gone through a filtering process for drinking.

English: My humorous rendition of Nikki Grahame and her infamous Bottled Water Tantrum. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Bottled Water

Bottled water is convenient. It is easy to store in the refrigerator to have cold water available to grab and take with you on a hot day, or anytime. When bought in bulk, bottled water can run as low as twenty cents, versus the typical individual bottle price of over $1. You also have a choice of spring water, purified water or distilled water for purchasing. However, distilled water is not recommended for drinking.
Bottled water has several drawbacks. No matter how cheap you find a case of bottled water, it is still more expensive than tap water. Furthermore, many studies on various brands have detected impurities, similar to the impurities found in water straight out of the faucet. When you drink bottled water, you do not know exactly what you are getting, no matter what the label says. In addition, unless you recycle each bottle, it adds to the growing problem of consumer waste, and way too many plastic bottles in landfills.

Filtration Systems
Home water filtration products and systems are another option, to having fresh clean drinking water. The least expensive route you can take, is to purchase a water-filtering pitcher. Many companies sell these. After filling the pitcher, you can use the water for drinking, making coffee or tea and cooking. The only downside to the pitchers are you must replace the filters periodically, and the pitchers do not hold enough water for large families.

Now, many of the newer refrigerators have water filtering systems in the door, where you can always have a fresh glass of water, and even add ice. These options, also require a filter change once or twice a year, depending on how much they are used. This option can also save you money by giving you the option to fill your own glass bottle, or Thermos, for taking with you.

Other filtering alternatives include faucet filters, or undersink filters. A faucet filter attaches directly to the faucet. When you turn the tap on, the tap water goes through this carbon filter, which removes many of the impurities in the water. Undersink filters, are systems that are more complex and are attached to the pipes beneath the sink, rather than the faucet. Installation requires more time, effort and skill than a faucet filter. The main downside to faucet or sink filtration systems, is if you want filtered water for other sinks in the house, you must buy a separate filter for each.
Whole house water filtering systems, benefit homeowners who not only want filtered water for drinking and cooking, but for bathing and laundry as well. LifeSource Water Filters, for example, filter water for the entire home. This is especially helpful in areas where hard water is a problem or overall water quality is suspect.

Whether you want clean water simply for drinking, or also for other needs, you do have many options for avoiding the chemicals and other impurities found straight out of the tap.