by Rachel Lincoln Sarnoff
Executive Director & C.E.O
Healthy Child Healthy World

www.healthychild.org

Potential Autism Causes Identified

What causes autism? Dr. Phil Landrigan, professor and chair of preventive medicine at Mount Sinai Medical School in New York and Honorary Board member of Healthy Child Healthy World, recently released a comprehensive list of environmental triggers, published in Environmental Health Perspectives and concisely presented in a slideshow on Rodale News. This powerful research looks at environmental factors—including lead, mercury and pesticides—and connects the dots on early exposures to problems in childhood, with the goal of informing the medical community and changing chemical regulation to better protect kids.

Approval Sought for GE Corn

According to the Just Label It! campaign, of which Healthy Child is a member, the USDA may approve corn that is genetically engineered to withstand 2,4-D, a potent herbicide that may be linked to major health problems including reproductive abnormalities, birth defects, and several forms of cancer. The FDA is currently considering approval of genetically engineered salmon, which is engineered to produce growth hormones year-round to make the fish grow at twice its natural rate, and would be the first genetically engineered animal on supermarket shelves in the United States. If these “foods” are approved, we won’t know they’re on our shelves because GE foods are not required to be labeled in the U.S.—as they are in 40 other countries. 90% of Americans are against unlabeled GE foods. Healthy Child is, too!

House Hearing on Cancer

Information from the House assessment of the “Report on Carcinogens” continues to trickle down. The report, which recently classified formaldehyde as a “known carcinogen” and styrene as a “reasonably anticipated” human carcinogen, was under attack, most notably by Dow Chemical, for being “bad for business,” according to Andy Igrejas of the Safer Chemicals Healthy Families coalition in the Huffington Post.

Honorary Board Kudos

Last week, we told you about the study published in Pedriatrics about Dr. Harvey Karp’s “Happiest Baby” methods to soothe infants experiencing pain.  This week, Scholastic named the doctor the second most important person in American family life —after moms and before Steve Jobs.

Also this week, fellow Healthy Child Healthy World Honorary Board member Olivia Newton-John’s new “Livwise” book shot to the top of the bestseller list.

Congratulations to these amazing visionaries; we are so grateful for their support and thankful as they continue to expand the healthy parenting movement!

May is Pregnancy Awareness Month!

Pregnancy Awareness Month (P.A.M.) is an organization dedicated to inspiring women during pregnancy with educational initiatives spotlighting nutrition, wellness, and all around nurturing.  If you’re in Los Angeles on Sunday May 6, be sure to join P.A.M.’s annual flagship free event at the Skirball Center that features features a variety of brands, specialists and experts in the field of pregnancy, motherhood and kids.  Click here for more information.

P.A.M. was established in 2008 by Healthy Child Healthy World Board Member, author & holistic lifestyle expert Anna Getty and producer & mompreneur Alisa Donner.

Autism and Chemicals, Cancer Report Under Fire, and Kudos! is a post from: Eco Child's Play

by Rachel Sarnoff, Executive Director & CEO

Healthy Child Healthy World
www.healthychild.org

Happiest Babies Are Soothed by 5 S’s

Can simple soothing take the place of sugar? That was the takeaway from a new study published this week in the journal Pediatrics. In a study involving more than 200 infants, researchers found the “5 S’s” baby-calming tactics worked better than the sugar-water supplements traditionally given to infants after experiencing pain, according to ABC News. The 5 S’s tactics were developed by Dr. Harvey Karp, a founding board member of Healthy Child Healthy World and author of “The Happiest Baby on the Block” book and video series. Yet another reason to “shh-shh-shh”!

Carcinogens in the House

On Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives will hold an investigative hearing on the Report on Carcinogens of the National Toxicology Program, a government program that identifies cancer-causing chemicals. The Subcommittee on Science, Space & Technology will meet to assess the impact of the Report on small business jobs. Healthy Child has signed on to a group letter urging the Committee to continue funding the Report; we’ll share more information as it emerges.

The Story’s Not Over on BPA

The FDA’s recent decision not to ban BPA has been criticized by scientists who are concerned that low-dose exposures may be linked to health problems, according to the Washington Post.

Earth Week is for Mothers

Earth Week started Sunday and there’s nothing more powerful than moms doing their part for the Earth. In addition to the awe-inspiring “Mom on a Mission” finalists and all the incredible hosts teeing up for Healthy Child Party Week, we wanted to take a moment to recognize…

Lori Popkewitz Alper of Groovy Green Livin’, who took on P & G with a petition that’s racked up nearly 75,000 signatures encouraging the company to strip carcinogenic 1,4 dioxane from its Free & Gentle detergent.

Jenna Elfman, Kelly Preston and Laila Ali, who kicked off the Healthy Child Party campaign with a bang and showed the world ALL moms fight for children’s health.

And green living leader Sara Snow, who recently launched a petition to get cancer-causing flame retardants out of Graco baby products—for her baby daughter’s health and the health of children everywhere.

Go team!

Earth Week is for Mothers is a post from: Eco Child's Play

by Rachel Lincoln Sarnoff

Executive Director and CEO
Healthy Child Healthy World
www.healthychild.org

On the heels of last week’s CDC report  that found higher rates of autism than ever before—now affecting 1 in 88 children and representing a 78% increase in the last 10 years—a new study published last week in the journal Clinical Epigenetics is especially interesting. The study looked at how substances such as high fructose corn syrup can lead to mineral deficiencies, how deficiencies in minerals such as zinc can reduce the body’s ability to eliminate toxic substances such as mercury and pesticides, which have been linked to autism.

Another study, published in the journal Pediatrics, found that obesity during pregnancy may increase a woman’s chances of giving birth to a child with autism—by about 67 percent. When asked about theories linking obesity and autism, the study’s author told The Washington Post that excess blood sugar and inflammation-related substances in the mother’s blood may damage the fetal brain.

Dioxin Drama Continues

After last month’s 21-year delayed EPA assessment of dioxin as not posing a “significant health risk,” last weeks news that the EPA has withdrawn clean up guidelines for the substance alarmed activists who warn that without guidelines, cleanup levels will vary from state to state.

Nail Polish Labeling Lies

Pregnant moms should be especially conscious of a new Department of Toxic Substances Control reporter published last week that found nail polishes labeled as “big-three free” actually contained high levels of chemicals toluene, formaldehyde and DBP which have been linked to birth defects, asthma and other illnesses, according to the Washington Post. Yet another reason to support the Safe Cosmetics Act, which would finally—finally!—establish regulation for the currently self-regulating $50 billion personal care industry.

Can Carcinogens Be Free & Gentle?

Even after more than 74,000 consumers signed a petition asking Tide to remove the carcinogenic 1,4 dioxane from its’ Free & Gentle line of laundry detergents marketed to newborns, Procter & Gamble still has not responded. We stepped up pressure by working with Women’s Voices for the Earth to organize a Social Media Day of Action on Friday, in which 307 people posted messages on Tide’s Facebook wall with the message to get the cancer-causing chemical out of their detergent; we’ll deliver a letter to the company today, signed by groups including Breast Cancer Fund, Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments, and Health Care Without Harm. Meanwhile, we’re just about 500 signatures away from our goal of 75,000. Have you signed on yet?

Party Week Deadline

This community is inspired! More than 3,000 participants have signed on to be part of National Healthy Child Party Week May 5-12. Today is the LAST day to order a kit in time for the week. But the story’s not over: We’re making more kits so that 5,000 can participate in the month of May. Please join us in hosting a party that will change the world!

Earth Day Expands

Three cheers for Earth Day! The April 22nd celebration that became official in the U.S. in 1970 is now celebrated by 175 countries, according to Hudson Valley Magazine.  How will you celebrate?

April is Autism Month; New Studies Look for Causes is a post from: Eco Child's Play

Those sound like 2 very american reactions to this horrible news.

More on the parasite, Merck, and General Mills

From Grist: Zombie bees! (the article that inspired the cartoon)
From NaturalSociety: Anthony Gucciardi Speaks on Gardasil Dangers, Merck’s Political Corruption
From Cornucopia: The General Mills Cereal Scorecard

Follow the rest of the Hank D and the Bee series at JoeMohrToons.com. For cartoon updates and other green goings-on, follow Joe on Twitter @GreenCartoons.

Hank D and the Bee: 3 Bees Discuss Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) is a post from: Eco Child's Play

More on the would-be treehuggers

From ThinkProgress: Dirty GOP: The Republican Plan To Abolish The EPA
From Grist: Richard Burr introduces bill to abolish the EPA
From Care2: 50% of Americans Regularly Breathe Unhealthy, Polluted Air

Show ur love for green humor. Tweet “@GreenCartoons, I’m a #hankhead!” and share your favorite Hank D and the Bee cartoon with the twitterverse!

Hank D and the Bee: Republican Treehuggers is a post from: Eco Child's Play

More info
From Grist: Obama’s energy gambit: a call for less coal
From EcoSnobberySucks: Did Obama double talk the State of the Union?
From PlanetSave: Obama’s State of the Union Address [VIDEO]
From Popular Science: World’s Largest Underwater Turbine Installed

Follow the rest of the Hank D and the Bee series at JoeMohrToons.com. For cartoon updates and other green goings-on, follow Joe on Twitter @GreenCartoons.

Hank D and the Bee: D-U-M Dumb is a post from: Eco Child's Play

Photo:   Some rights reserved by jphilipg

We are going solo!

After two years with Green Options/Important Media and one year with Simple Earth Media, we have decided to return to our independent roots.  We’ve learned a lot from our experiences in blog networks, and we are thankful for all of the wonderful people we have met; however, ultimately, our readers have inspired us to go solo.

Please bear with use over the next couple of weeks as we work through revamping the site.  Our goal is to rebuild our community and bring back many of the great writers we miss!  We also think it is a priority to maintain our integrity with advertising.

If you have any ideas or suggestions for the new Eco Child’s Play, please feel free to contact jennifer [at] ecochildsplay [dot] com or leave a comment.

We owe Derek Markham of Natural Papa an extra big thanks for helping us with the technical aspects of our move to independence!

Under Construction and Independence is a post from: Eco Child's Play

Follow the rest of the Hank D and the Bee series on JoeMohrToons.com. And follow Mean Joe Green on Twitter @GreenCartoons.

Hank D and the Bee: Hank Stops the Oil Leak! is a post from: Eco Child's Play

Earl Bradley, Accused of Abusing 103 Children

A Delaware pediatrician, Earl Bradley, was indicted this week for 471 counts of rape, assault and child endangerment on over 100 children, one as young as 3 months old.

Makes you gasp, doesn’t it?

And in the aftermath of these abhorrent crimes, there is another horror being perpetrated: Blaming the parents.

I love my sons’ pediatrician. I love everyone in that doctor’s office. But no, I never leave my children alone with anyone there. In fact, I only leave them alone with trusted friends. Much like you do.

But what I’m seeing time and again across stories on this disgusting abuser is, “Where were the parents?”

Stop. Blaming. The.  Parents.

When we blame the parents of this doctor’s victims, we are fooling ourselves. We’re patting ourselves on the back for being “good” parents who would “never let this happen to my child.” And indirectly, we are becoming apologists for the abuser.

This is the truth about abusers: they are called “predators” for a reason. Because they are manipulative. They are conniving. They make an art out of their need to fulfill their sick desires. They know how to take advantage of a moment of uncertainty or a moment unguarded. They don’t wear bells and whistles, no matter how creepy Earl Bradley may look in his mugshot. They don’t glow in the dark. Pedophiles, like all abusers, walk among us. But even worse, they hide among us.

The truth is, vigilance will not prevent abusers from our lives. Vigilance doesn’t keep 1 in 4 women from being raped. Vigilance doesn’t stop people from being robbed. Vigilance does not separate the “good” parents from the “bad”. Abuse happens across all social strata and backgrounds, and often is perpetrated by those we trust.

I would love to think  vigilance could keep us safe. And you, I’m sure, would like to believe the same. But when we turn to vigilance instead of laying blame where it is deserved, we are giving abusers a pass. And then we put more people in danger of predators by simple, willful ignorance.

Perhaps it’s the anonymity of the internet, but I even saw the same when I posted the NPR story on my Facebook page. Quotes like these, from the Huffington Post:

These children will never get over the trauma they have suffered because of some ass, and because of incompetent parents.

-georgiegirl

W…T…F…is wrong with the parents?

…There is a reason chikdrn [sic] have parents: they’re more experienced and that experience helps them to PROTECT their kids. People are creeps. Watch over your kids.

-bloominglater

Really?! “Because of incompetent parents?” The doctor abused the children. The doctor did. At least once, right in front of the mother (see comments), who said she didn’t realize that he was going beyond the bounds of a normal exam until her daughter was questioned by the police.

This victim-blaming is symptomatic of what I saw time and again across the Web. And yes, the parents are victims, too. Would we blame the parent of a teen girl who was raped by her peers? Would we blame the parents of a child molested by a priest or coach? Doubtful. And if you would, perhaps you should look at your capacity for compassion.

This man is a predator. Frankly, he is a sick excuse for a human being. His abuse is his fault, his problem.

Should we hold some people accountable for not stopping him? Certainly. That includes his business partner and fellow pediatrician. His staff, which perhaps noticed his questionable practices. His office manager (and sister), who reported him not for sexual abuse, but for billing discrepancies. The Delaware medical board, which received reports of “strange behavior”. The police and prosecutors, which in 2005 received a report from a 3-year-old that the doctor had kissed her.

All of these people probably gave this creep the hairy eyeball at one time or another. Many were in contact with him daily and probably had suspicions about him.

But the parents? Though perhaps, *perhaps*, they let their guard down, Bradley’s abuse is not their fault.

Let us pray for peace and healing for the victims of this sick man… and their families.

Listen to the story on NPR’s All Things Considered.

I’m on Twitter here.

"Where Were the Parents?" Delaware Pediatrician Victimizes Families is a post from: Eco Child's Play

We hope your transition to 2010 was filled with safety, love, health, and jubilance. It’s been an exciting year for Eco Child’s Play, as we have progressed from Green Options to the Simple Earth Media (SEM) family.

1. World’s Youngest Transsexual: 16-Year-Old Undergoes Sex Change Operation:

A German 16-year-old named Kim (born Tim) has become the youngest person to undergo a sex change operation.

Paid for by the German health service, psychologists stated he/she was “without doubt a girl in a boy’s body“. Since the age of 12, Kim has been undergoing hormone therapy.

2. Midwife Commits Suicide After Baby’s Death

After a colleague went on break, Ms. Naish was left in charge of a birth occurring at King’s College Hospital in South London. While the baby was in utero, a balloon was placed in his throat “to help his lungs develop”. The balloon has to be removed before birth, or he would not be able to breath. Ms. Naish did not pass this critical information on to doctors, and thus blamed herself for the premature infant’s death. Doctors believe the baby’s health was so poor, he would have not survived even if the balloon had been removed. Unfortunately, the midwife was not told she was not to blame, and she took her life as a result.

3. Cooking from Scratch: 5 Must-Have Staples

If you’re a typical Eco Child’s Play reader, you probably don’t need much coaxing on the value of cooking from scratch: it’s generally cheaper, healthier, and provides opportunities for family time and even education about food. It turns out that it’s also more climate-friendly: as Leslie Berliant points out at SolveClimate, the contributions processing and packaging make to greenhouse gas emissions aren’t huge, but they’re definitely significant.

4. Study Finds Cheeseburgers More Nutritious Than Baby Food

If asked which is more nutritious baby food or a cheeseburger, you’d probably guess infant food. Guess again…a study out of Britain has discovered that those little jars of mush aren’t that healthy. In fact, researchers found that cheeseburgers and chocolate biscuits were more nutritious than many leading brands of baby food sold in Great Britain. We aren’t even talking about a homemade cheeseburger but one from a fast food chain.

5. How to Make Homemade Almond Milk

Making almond milk is incredibly easy once you get your system down and my kids think it is incredibly delicious. They will drink it straight, add it to cereal, or use it to make chocolate milk or banana milk smoothies. Since I use raw organic almonds, I get to rest easy knowing that their milk, or “mylk” as many refer to it, is healthier for their little bodies and healthier for the planet. Nuts are an essential fuel for the body too.

I can’t help but feel that several of these posts hint at sensationalism; however, we felt compelled to pass on this information to our readers. We’ve also provided you with a lot of great advice on living healthier lives. We hope you have a wonderful year ahead!

Top 5 Natural Family Living Posts of 2009: From Almond Milk to Baby Food is a post from: Eco Child's Play