The President’s Cancer Panel report released in May finds that exposure to certain chemicals contributes to cancer. Steingraber’s radio interview coincides with the release of the documentary Living Downstream based on her book. Healthy Child Healthy World will honor Steingraber next month at their Moms-on-a-Mission event.

These are the points I found interesting in the interview:

• The three contributors to cancer: lifestyle, genetics and environment.

• Often the focus on smoking and lifestyle choices eclipse discussion of links between chemicals and cancer. Steingraber credits advocacy groups like those for breast cancer in leading the President’s Cancer Panel to research environment exposures, a directive started under the Bush administration.

• After great interest in the President Cancer Panel report in May, the government has not moved forward with a program for phasing out dangerous chemicals. The US continues to allow the manufacture and use of chemicals banned in other countries. Many chemicals currently in use have never been tested for public health safety.

• Most chemicals that cause cancer are derived from coal and oil. For example, pesticides and plastics based on petroleum.

• Steingraber notes that our efforts as individuals to use safer products in our homes and for our kids can leave us with little energy to advocate against cancer causing chemicals. Because of the link between these chemicals and coal and oil, she envisions uniting climate change and the anti-toxics movement into an environmental human rights movement.

At times during the interview phasing out toxic chemicals sounded idealistic, and in other moments an absolute necessity. Steingraber uses her personal story to convey cancer’s effect on people’s lives, every year she continues expensive and invasive routine cancer screenings as her doctors recommend. The interview left me with the decision to pay more attention to  legislation and advocacy in this area, and thankful for water filters, organic food and all the non-toxic cleaning and personal care products now available. As demonstrated by the fact consumers choosing these products inspires companies to develop more of them, our awareness does make a difference. For me, recognizing how far we’ve come makes these greater changes part of a continuum, and more possible, they are steps further down the path.

We recycle (Ok, hopefully everyone recycles now, but it counts), plant vegetables, take five minute showers, bring our own grocery bags, let the kids play with a bucket of water instead of a running hose, filter our water and use aluminum water bottles (current favorite for the lightweight kid size: Ecousable), clean with green household products, buy recycled toilet paper and paper towels, set the table with cloth napkins (colored washcloths for the kids) and compost fruits and vegetables in the clippings bin as our garbage collector allows. Whew!

Reminding ourselves of these positive changes makes it easier to continue on our greener path. Instead of feeling inconvenienced, we can consider trading in our paper towels for reusable rags as an experiment. And bringing our own bags to the store leads to toting along cotton sacks for produce too. The best part is our natural progression towards this simpler lifestyle–each step evolves into the next.

We are converts. Not to mention for our kids. Before we know it, they have permanent molars and questions begin about fluoride treatments, sealants (avoid those with BPA) and X-rays.

The Eco-Dentistry Association has created certification standards for eco-dentists and includes a helpful search to find a local EDA member.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends once a year dentist visits begin by the time children are three, while the American Dental Association recommends a visit at age one. Often, pediatricians suggest seeing the dentist when kids are two years old, so we recommend checking with them. They also may have a referral. On our first dentist visit, a dental hygienist gives our kids a tour of the office, including a ride in the dental chair. If the child feels comfortable, the dentist looks in their mouth and brushes their teeth.

We grew up near the ocean and remember our parents working with neighbors to fight the oil companies who wanted to drill by our coasts. Then came Heal the Bay with its California Beach Report Card, and the efforts to protect our seas continue. Researchers are learning more about pollution’s effect on the ocean. The Algalita Marine Research Foundation studies the break down of plastic and other trash in the oceans and the impact on sea life. They work with local communities to prevent polluting waterways leading to the ocean. Simple steps like recycling plastic and shopping with reusable bags make a difference.

We’re also hearing more about trash islands in the Pacific made up mostly of plastic, which breaks into finer and finer pieces rather than decompose. On PBS, the family program Jean-Michel Cousteau Ocean Adventures explains how currents collect debris in a giant mass in the ocean. Algalita maps these islands and collects samples to track the rate of plastic accumulation in the North Pacific.

Over-fishing remains an issue for the health of the oceans as well. To remind ourselves about safe fish choices, we take a look at the NRDC consumer guide to mercury in fish, which identifies which species suffer from over-fishing. We like the EWG Safe Fish List too.

EWG is not suggesting that we give up our cell phones. Instead, they advise using the lower radiation phones, following their safety tips (use a headset, don’t carry the phone close to your body), and advocating for lower radiation levels and better disclosures. Their FAQ includes a summary of the latest health research connecting phone radiation to cancer, and mentions checking with manufacturers about radiation from remote phones and baby monitors we use in our homes (we always keep both at least six feet away from us and the kids, especially when sleeping).

Children, with their thinner skulls and developing brains, are more vulnerable to the effects of cell phone radiation. Many countries now recommend limiting cell phone use for children, such as only for emergencies.

Mama Bite finds eco goods and resources we’re curious about but may not think to search for online–like kids shoes made from recycled materials, crayon recycling, non-toxic kids wallpaper and organic and recycled bibs.

Mama Bite Tips are simple and easy (as in quick) to read–they are truly written for moms!

The law provides that toys designed for children 12 and under and childcare items for children three and younger are prohibited from containing more than .1% of six common phthalates. Childcare items are those designed for feeding, sleeping, sucking and teething. Products for children 12 and under may not have more than 600 parts per million of lead.

A federal judge (in a lawsuit brought by the NRDC and Public Citizen) confirmed the law applies to toys and childcare items manufactured before February 10th. Stores must clear their shelves immediately for the safer toys.

Next year, these children’s products must be tested and certified that they meet the new law requirements. For now, companies can recall their noncomplying items.

While the much needed law strengthens weak oversight, its application has created concerns for neighborhood toy stores, resellers of second hand products, and natural toy makers. Small businesses are fighting to protect themselves from the losses they may suffer to comply. Meanwhile, the Consumer Products and Safety Commission has issued a press release detailing the phthalate regulations and offered some guidance for resale boutiques.

Our hope is the CPSC grants exemptions from the third-party testing process for small businesses and toy makers selling natural toys that are obviously phthalate and lead free, like those made of wood and other organic materials. The Handmade Toy Alliance is working to alert the CPSC to this issue and find a resolution.

One of our favorite natural toy stores has already received notice that a few of their German suppliers are pulling out of the US market. We can help by signing a petition or sending letters to Congress supporting the Handmade Toy Alliance efforts.

The CPSIA is an important law, the CPSC can create a workable enforcement system–and yet we question why phthalates and lead are allowed in toys even in incremental amounts.

We continue using BPA free products–baby bottles, kids cups, kids’ feeding gear, and stainless steel and glass. Safemama also has some good suggestions and products. And, Kelly just had a long talk with Amelia’s dentist about BPA-free dental sealants.

Researchers will be looking at range of environmental factors and illnesses, including asthma, allergies, ADHD and autism. Healthy Child Healthy World has been a supporter of the study as well as other NGOs, physicians and universities which are collaborating with The National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and the EPA.

While the FDA recently issued a draft assessment stating that BPA containing products are safe, a study published this week in the Journal of the American Medical Association links exposure to BPA with heart disease, diabetes and liver-enzyme abnormalities in adults.

Animal studies had related BPA to diabetes and liver damage, the connection to heart disease was unexpected.

Researchers assessed the health conditions of 1,455 adults previously tested for BPA in their urine as part of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study.

The FDA still supports its statement that BPA levels in FDA regulated products are safe, and states the need for more research.

More information: The National Toxicology Progam report on BPA and children’s development, and simple tips on how to avoid BPA.