Chemicals, Cosmetics and Congressional Hearings

It's horrifying, but it's happening more and more frequently- chemicals that cause significant harm are being found in our cosmetics. Recent discoveries include the presence of mercury in skin cream, and formaldehyde in hair products. I was relatively unaware of the problem until I was in a meeting at work about a Superfund site (read: historically contaminated) and a male scientist joked that the levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on the site were lower than the levels in Neutrogena's face wash. At first I couldn't believe that there would be toxic ingredients in the brands that I've always trusted, but as I began to to research, I was really upset by what I found.

Checking through my bathroom cabinet with the help of the Environmental Working Group's Cosmetics Safety Database, I was able to find products that contained phthalate (endocrine disruptor, suspected carcinogen), dioxin (bioaccumulant, carcinogen), parabens (suspected carcinogen), and even formaldehyde (carcinogen) in a nail polish that I used very often! I've since found products that I can actually trust, but as a consumer I can't help but be frustrated- how is it that products that aren't safe are being sold so widely? And why was I so accepting? Pictured above is my former favorite lipgloss (the ingredients were not listed on the label).

The good news is that advocacy groups such as The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and The Breast Cancer Fund have been lobbying on our behalf. As a result, today (March 27th) Congress will be holding its first hearing on cosmetics safety in over 30 years. I urge you to let Congress know that you want safer cosmetics and support the Safe Cosmetics Act, which was introduced last year by lawmakers. And, as Forbes Magazine pointed out, the Safe Cosmetics Act could actually launch innovation in the area of green chemistry, which would result in better products for us and the environment.

I'd be interested to hear what you find about your products while using the Environmental Working Group's Cosmetics Safety Database- please let me know what you find! And more importantly, will you keep using these products?

Spruce Up Your Spring Wardrobe

When the flowers start blooming each year, and I pack away my parka, my first order of business is pulling out the flip flops and lots of bright cardigans. Inevitably, while I'm doing this, I'll find a long forgotten Christmas gift in the back of the closet. Maybe it was the wrong shade for me, or an unflattering style, but the bottom line is that this brand new shirt (that I never intend to wear) is still just sitting in my closet. Behind the shirt are some skinny jeans that might be just a tad too skinny, a striped skirt I can't quite pull off, and three purses that don't match a thing I own.

While these items may have irritated you all winter by their mere presence, they could easily be your ticket to sprucing up your spring wardrobe. Great shops like The Buffalo Exchange, Plato's Closet, and Second Time Around offer cash or store credit for reselling your gently used clothing. These stores typically carry higher quality clothing at very reasonable prices, making it easy to replace those unwanted items with styles you prefer and will actually wear!

I used to be skeptical about the idea of secondhand clothing, but the styles sold here are modern, recycled and the perfect non-expensive splurge when you're needing some retail therapy. If I didn't always rave about these places to my friends and colleagues, I'm pretty sure that no one would even know that this is where the majority of my clothes come from. As an added bonus, you rarely feel buyer's remorse at places like these- it's much easier to justify than a shopping spree at Anthropologie or Zara. I get a great amount of satisfaction from knowing that the cowlneck J.Crew sweater that I recently purchased at the Buffalo Exhange was $70 cheaper than I would have paid at the store... it makes me feel stylish AND smart!

The only downside is that if you're looking for a specific item to add to your wardrobe, there are no guarantees that you'll find what you're looking for at these shops. At most places, if they cannot accept your items, they will place them in a "donation bin" that will end up at a Salvation Army, Goodwill, or AIDS Thrift.

If you're serious about making your closet environmentally-friendly, it might also be a good idea to read Patagonia's Common Threads Initiative and make the pledge. This pledge incorporates 5 main ideas:

1. Reduce: buy only what you really need, and make sure that the item is of high quality
2. Repair: don't discard items that can be easily fixed and used again
3. Reuse: find a useful home for items that you are no longer using
4. Recycle: keep your clothes out of landfills whenever possible (gross fact: the average person throws out 68 pounds of clothes per year)
5. Reimagine: work towards a world less focused on consumerism

Companies like Patagonia have high standards of corporate responsibility, and make very well-made products, so if you can afford to invest in their gear, you will probably find it quite worth your while.

What are some of the environmentally conscious brands that you like to support? And are there any secondhand stores that you frequent in your area? I'd love to hear about your experiences!

Greening Your Spring Cleaning

Spring is officially here- the vernal equinox was just yesterday, but let's be honest- we've already had our windows open for weeks! Yes, you've been pushing it off while enjoying the fresh air, but it's officially time for some spring cleaning. So while you're packing up your winter clothes, dusting every surface in sight, and in some cases, putting away those forgotten Christmas decorations (yup, guilty!) here are some tips to keep in mind.

• Put the Febreeze down! We've all used products that "neutralize" odors, like Febreeze, scented candles and dryer sheets , but their strong scents are an indication that they contain very high levels of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Not only can these chemicals cause breathing difficulties, some are also suspected carcinogens (you can read more about them here: http://www.epa.gov/iaq/voc.html). Truly, the best way to protect your indoor air quality is to skip these products and just open the windows to let things air out a little.
• Instead of creating lots of waste using disposal cleaning products like Clorox wipes, or Swiffer pads, you can simply buy a few small microfiber cleaning cloths that can be used again and again. Combining these with a simple homemade cleaning solution can have highly effective results without harming your indoor air quality. My tried and true non-toxic cleaning solution is combining 1/2 cup of vinegar with 1/4 cup of baking soda with a 1/2 gallon of water (with just a little of what my mom calls "elbow grease"). Really, you don't even need to purchase microfiber cloths if you don't want to, you could do just as well with some old rags!
• Don't just throw it all out. Trust me, I know it's tempting, but chances are that if you have things that are still in decent shape (books, furniture, clothing), someone else can put them to good use. It takes a little extra effort, but donating to your local Goodwill or AIDS Thrift or posting items for free on Craigslist truly makes a difference- both for the people receiving the items and the planet.

Do you have any good tips for greening a spring cleaning? I'd love to hear ways that you've incorporated similar ideas into your household and how they've worked for you!

Tomorrow I'll post about easy (and eco-friendly) ways to spruce up your wardrobe for spring... until then, enjoy the nice weather and the gorgeous flowers!!!!