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A NEW PERSPECTIVE ON CHILD SAFETY
by Suzanne Rose Lubkowski
Did you know that each year, poison control centers report more than one million unintentional poisonings among children under six. Teaching children about poisons with a 'Mr. Yuk' sticker is one thing we can do. However, there is more as parents that we can do to insure that very few if any toxic chemicals are even in our homes!
A closer look at the ingredients found in most homes would label these chemicals as unwanted house guests! Let's examine a few of these:
* formaldehyde which is a substance in disinfectants and germicides. This can cause skin irritation and anemia. Higher doses can cause vertigo, coma, and even death.
* sodium hydroxide (lye) which is in drain cleaner and oven cleaner...This is corrosive to all tissues.
* phenol which is a disinfectant which if ingested or inhaled can cause flushing, dizziness, headache, depression, nausea, vomiting and coma.
* ammonia which is a degreasing agent and cleaner. Short exposures can cause irritation to the mucous membranes of nose, throat and lungs. Prolonged exposure causes edema of respiratory tract and suffocation.
Did you know that EPA reports that 5 to 10 million household cleaning poisonings are reported. Many are fatal. Most are children. These household cleaners have been linked to allergies, headaches, depression, skin disorders, hyperactivity, learning disabilities, and cancer; to name a few. Each year, Americans pour 28 million gallons of polluted water down their drains (EPA). More than 60% of groundwater and soil contamination comes from home pollutants.
Children, especially the very young, are more vulnerable to many toxins because of their physiology and their higher metabolic rate; and because they have greater exposure - most of it in the home. Children suffer more respiratory illnesses; their frequently blocked nasal passages make them do more mouth breathing; which doesn't filter out particles the way nose breathing does. In addition, the brain blood barrier that protects the human brain from some toxic chemicals is not completely formed in the infant. Once inside the brain, agents toxic to the nervous tissue can have devastating effects which can lead to learning disabilities.
I would like to encourage you to eliminate all harmful cleaning products from your home. In addition, it is also important to monitor the purchase and use of art materials. Children should have only nontoxic products that carry the AP or CP label from the Art and Craft Materials Institute.
Create a healthier home for your family. Find a company you can trust that will protect your family from toxins and show respect for the environment and future generations by using products that are indeed in harmony with nature. Know that as a parent, you can make choices that will make a difference in the lives of your children and for our children's children!
©2000 Suzanne Rose Lubkowski. Used by permission of author.
Contributed by Suzanne Rose Lubkowski, Wellness Consultant
Integrative Wellness
Contact zannrose@aol.com or visit
http://www.shaklee.net/integrativewellness
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