I recently read Seventh Generation’s new guide to keeping kids safe from everyday household chemicals. It is a great starting point, and guide that emcompasses many areas such as pesticides, BPA, vinyl, and flame retardants. If you are wondering how to make your home safer for your babies, this is a valuable resource.

I know I have written here and on Non-Toxic Kids about the radiation emitted from cell phones, and the increased risk to children. The Organic Consumer’s Association shared an article about a new study done in Sweden.

The gist? “Children and teenagers are five times more likely to get brain cancer if they use mobile phones, startling new research indicates.” Yes, I thought that would make you stop and read it again. I sure did. The article goes on to explain the risk is much greater for adults who started using cell phones in their teens, and encouraged parents to limit their children’s use of cell phones to emergencies and the usage of headsets and hands-free devices.

I’m certainly listening!

Would you like rocket fuel with your water? In another scary turn of events, the White House Office of Management and Budget has heavily edited and altered a report on perchlorate (aka: rocket fuel) in tap water. The EPA shares that (according to the Washington Post):

“The document estimates that up to 16.6 million Americans are exposed to perchlorate at a level many scientists consider unsafe; independent researchers, using federal and state data, put the number at 20 million to 40 million. ”

And as in most cases, the most effected are the babies and children. Here’s what one scientist had to say, and apparently the study referenced was edited out the the final report:

“They have distorted the science to such an extent that they can justify not regulating” the chemical, said Robert Zoeller, a University of Massachusetts professor who specializes in thyroid hormone and brain development and has a copy of the EPA proposal. “Infants and children will continue to be damaged, and that damage is significant.”

“Zoeller said scientific studies have shown that a small reduction in thyroid function in infants can translate into a loss of IQ and an increase in behavioral and perception problems. “It’s absolutely irreversible,” he said. “Even small changes in thyroid functions early on have impacts on functioning through high school and even into people’s 20s.” ”

I know, not much uplifting news this week. Here’s one positive thing to celebrate. Born Free, the company who gave us BPA free sippy cups and bottles, just released a line of BPA free pacifiers. No more carrying around lists of BPA free models from particular brands, which I never could keep straight. So if you have a little “sucker”, then that is one worry you can cross off your list with these.

Image: Flikr by 3amfromkyoto under Creative Commons