TIP TALKS

The e-Newsletter of the

Toxics Information Project (TIP)

June, 2011

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JUNE 2011 TIP TALKS, June 24, 2011
SWIMMING, SWEAT, SUN & BUGS

                                TOPICS
**LIB TALKS:  Swimming, Sweat, Sun & Bugs 
**SUMMER RISKS:  Don't Let Your Baby Swim
(In Chlorinated Pools, Sunscreen And Bug Spray
A Bad Mix,, DEET Mosquito Repellants Linked T
o Brain Damage, Insect Repellents Linked To
Genital Defects In Baby Boys
**TIPS ON HEALTHIER SUMMER ALTERNATIVES:
Deodorant or Anti Perspirants?, The 2011 Environmental
Working Group (EWG) Sunscreen Guide,  Here Comes
the Sunscreen (Blog of the Week), More Suscreen Links,
Some DEET-Free Insect Repellant Options, Some Other
Ideas for Avoiding Bug Bites.
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LIB TALKS:  SWIMMING, SWEAT, SUN & BUGS 
Summer is upon us, the sun beats down on us, we sweat
and bat bugs off.  This issue of TIP TALKS includes Summer
Risks & Healthier Summer Alternatives.  We offer info on
swimming, sunscreens, bug spray and deodorants. 
Note: Products mentioned are not endorsed by TIP, just
provided as samples of what seem to be some likely options. 
Also,  if you decide to buy any, we urge you to use the
GoodSearch/GoodShop link at the bottom of this page to
find the best deals and generate a donation to TIP in the
process!  Here's to a Healthy, Happy Summer!

Blessings, Liberty G

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SUMMER RISKS

DON'T LET YOUR BABY SWIM  (In chlorinated pools)
http://health.asiaone.com/Health/News/Story/A1Story20100127-194703.html
A new study suggests adds to evidence that exposure to chlorinated
poolsmay affect children's respiratory health -- particularly if they
have
a family history of asthma or respiratory allergies like hay fever.
When
the chlorine used to disinfect pools combines with swimmers' sweat,
saliva or urine, irritating chlorine byproducts are formed, and over
time these chemicals may damage the airways.  SOURCE: European
Respiratory Journal, online January 14, 2010. 

SUNSCREEN AND BUG SPRAY A BAD MIX
Using sunscreen & mosquito repellant simultaneously may create trouble.
University of Manitoba pharmaceutical researcher Dr. Xiaochen Gu says
using sunscreen and mosquito repellant together increases their
absorption rates. That could increase the risk of side effects like skin
allergy, hypertension, headaches and seizures, especially in children.
http://preventdisease.com/news/articles/sunscreen_bug_spray_bad_mix.shtml

DEET MOSQUITO REPELLANTS LINKED TO BRAIN DAMAGE
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/deet-mosquito-repellants-linked-to-brain-damage.html
posted by Michelle Schoffro Cook Jun 3, 2011: 
DEET, or diethyl-meta-toluamide, by any other name still stinks. 
The main ingredient in most commercial mosquito repellents has been
linked by Duke University researchers to brain cell damage, harmful
interactions with some medications, and behavioural changes.  The lead
researcher and pharmacologist on the study observed brain cell death and
behavioural changes in animals exposed to DEET after frequent and
prolonged use.

INSECT REPELLENTS LINKED TO GENITAL DEFECTS IN BABY BOYS
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/besttreatments/2009/dec/01/insect-repellents-linked-to-genital-defects-in-baby-boys
The Guardian, United Kingdom, 12-1-09:  Women who use insect repellents
during the first three months of pregnancy are more likely to give birth
to baby boys with a genital defect, according to researchers.
Insecticides used in gardening and agriculture may also be linked to
genital malformations in boys.  SOURCE:  British Medical Journal.
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TIPS ON HEALTHIER SUMMER ALTERNATIVES

DEODORANT OR ANTIPERSPIRANTS?  By Annie Berthold Bond, Care2.com,
Producer, Green Living Channels
http://www.care2.com/channels/solutions/consumer_guides/114
Why choose a natural deodorant over an antiperspirant? 
Home-made formulas, including:  Baking Soda Simple Solution: 
Baking soda works wonders because it neutralizes the odor of
sweat. Just sprinkle a light covering of baking soda onto a
damp washcloth. Pat on. Don’t rinse.

THE 2011 ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING GROUP
(EWG) SUNSCREEN GUIDE
identifies products that are both effective and safe.  EWG analyzed
more than 600 beach and sport sunscreens and found that they could
only recommend one in five sunscreens for this summer! The rest either
don't protect enough or contain hazardous ingredients that don't belong
on your skin.  You can look up your sunscreen or find out the top-rated
sunscreens at: http://breakingnews.ewg.org/2011sunscreen

HERE COMES THE SUNSCREEN:  Blog of the Week, June 15, 2011
http://healthychild.org/blog/comments/here_comes_the_sunscreen
New rules from FDA, potentially risky ingredients, comments
from bloggers.

                    MORE SUNSCREEN LINKS
http://www.greenspotblue.com/lifenestbabytoy/2011/6/9/our-picks-for-kids-sunscreen.html
http://newly-nested.blogspot.com/2011/06/what-are-you-really-putting-on-your.html

        SOME DEET-FREE INSECT REPELLENT OPTIONS

Bite Blocker Herbal Insect Repellent Spray
http://www.herbalhealer.com/biteblocker.html
Ingredients:  Soybean Oil, Purified Water, Coconut Oil, Glycerin,
Geranium Oil, Citric Acid, Lecithin, Sodium Bicarbonate, Vanillin

Crocodile All-Natural Insect Repellant, www.dancingroots.com/spray.html
Ingredients: An oleaginous extract of Rosemary, Peppermint,Thyme, Castor
Oil & Canola Oil.

Eco-Smart Insect Repellent
http://www.ecosmart.com/shop/individual-products/insect-repellent.html

            SOME OTHER IDEAS FOR AVOIDING BUG BITES

1.  DON’T ATTRACT THE BUGS!  THEY LOVE FRAGRANCE! 

2. SHAKLEE BASIC H: There is a great deal of word-of-mouth endorsement
of the off-label use of Shaklee Basic H as a bug repellent - many swear
by it.  However, it is not registered for that purpose (although even a
few Shaklee distributors mention it).  You can get it from a local
Shaklee dealer rather quickly, if inclined.

3. TRY STRAIGHT SOY OIL:  It's an ingredient in a bug repellent
that tested well against DEET. A friend says she uses this, straight
from the food grade soy oil bottle - & it works for several hours. 
Sierra Club of Canada agrees - see:
http://www.sierraclubchinook.org/Pesticides/Print/PrintDEETAlternatives.html4

**************************************************************     
Liberty Goodwin, Director
Toxics Information Project   
P.O. Box 40572,
Providence, RI 02940
Tel. 401-351-9193
Website: www.toxicsinfo.org
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