Green Parent Chicago

"Class Dismissed" documentary back in Chicago this Sunday by popular demand

As parent backlash grows in response to unnecessary standardized testing and excessive homework, more and more families in the U.S. are turning to alternative methods of instruction to ensure that their children receive a well rounded education, free of a high stakes, pressurized environment focused on test scores over individual achievement.

One of these growing alternative educational movements is homeschooling, often still seen as controversial to some, and the even more poorly misunderstood related method known as unschooling. 

No formal numbers exist to illustrate the number of families homeschooling or unschooling in Illinois, but a quick glance at the growing number of offerings and partnerships that Chicago area arts organizations and cultural institutions continue to make available to homeschoolers speaks volumes.

Wisely, these organizations and many private businesses are realizing the advantage of working with a growing population of eager learners whose schedule may make them available at off hours of the day, while school children may be unavailable. 

A new film highlighting this growing trend of education is Class  Dismissed, a documentary directed by Jeremy Stuart and co-produced by Stuart and Dustin Woodard. Having made its debut in October of this past year, the film has screened in theaters to several sold out audiences in over 20 cities in the U.S. and internationally, most recently coming off a 3 screening run in New Zealand. A large number of private screenings have also taken place throughout the nation. 

The film had its first showing in the Chicago area in January of this year. It returns to Chicago with a single screening this Sunday at noon at the historic Patio Theater.

Tickets must be purchased in advance. Adults are $10. Kids 17 and under are $5

For more information or to purchase tickets: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/1273824

View a trailer of the film here:

 

 

 

 

 

"Class Dismissed", New Indie Documentary on Home Education Receiving Amazing Audience Response

A new independent film about homeschooling, now showing in select theaters on the West Coast and making its way to the Midwest and East Coast in November, is currently screening to sold out audiences. "Class Dismissed" explores the fast growing movement in the U.S. toward home education and learning outside of the traditional confines of a classroom. Produced by 3StoryFilms, the movie follows a homeschooling family from LA who decide to take their two children out of school to pursue learning in a completely different way.

I recently spoke to the film's director and co-producer Jeremy Stuart. Stuart, who produced the film with Dustin Woodard, is himself a homeschooling dad. He talked about the surprising response to the film and what he hopes audiences, viewers, and critics will take away from seeing it:

How did you arrive at the decision to create a documentary about learning outside the classroom?

As my own family began our journey into the world of home education, it became clear to me from the response we got from friends and strangers alike, that many people, despite being dissatisfied with the current educational model, felt they had no choice about their children’s education. They weren’t aware that they had options and if they did, they had no idea how to begin. Also at that time, there were a couple of documentaries about education that were making the rounds, "Waiting for Superman", and "Race to Nowhere", both of which I’d seen and both of which I’d been disappointed in for their failure to present alternatives to conventional schooling.

Why was nobody talking about alternatives? Why were people so willing to just go with convention despite it being so clearly broken?  I felt also that there was much misunderstanding in the general public about home education, so I decided to make a documentary about it to challenge their assumptions and to highlight the fact that children who learn outside the classroom can be successful.

You’ve sold out the last 3 screenings of Class Dismissed in California, including the premiere in LA. Did you expect this kind of enthusiastic response to the film?

The response to the film so far has been overwhelming and has far exceeded our expectations. We had done a few test screenings early on in the process of editing the film and had received good feedback, but I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect from a larger audience. The subject of education in general can be a contentious one and opinions can be polarizing, but the film seems to have hit a nerve among homeschoolers and non-homeschoolers alike and we’re thrilled that the conversation is happening.

What are some of the comments you’ve received from audience members, questions you’ve been asked during the post show discussions?

The comments so far have been very positive. If they are already homeschooling many people have commented about how the film offers validation and encouragement to their own journey and experiences. And there have been a number of non-homeschoolers in the audiences who have shared that after seeing the film they are inspired to make the leap. I think the film addresses and answers many of the typical questions that people have about homeschooling and the comments we’ve been getting seem to reflect that.

You have screenings in Portland and Washington, with a screening in the Chicago area in mid-November. What are your hopes for this film looking into the next few months?

We’re going to do as many independent theater screenings as we can logistically and financially manage, but with no big distributor behind us and very limited resources (there’s only 2 of us on the team) we’re only going to be able to sustain that method for so long, which is why we have put together a Screener Pack that anyone can buy. The Screener Pack contains a DVD of the film, a guide to hosting a screening in your community, homeschool group, church or even your own home and a Homeschool Resource Guide packed full of information, links and useful resources for those who want to know more about homeschooling options.

We’re encouraging people to purchase the Screener Pack, organize their own event and invite friends, relatives and neighbors, especially those who are "homeschool curious". Afterwards they can engage in conversation, answer questions, share their own experiences, and hand out information for those new to home education. The Screener Pack is available for purchase now and will ship in early November.

For those who prefer a big-screen theater experience, they can contact their local theater and arrange a screening providing they can gather enough people to make it profitable. There’s nothing like seeing the film on a big screen with a group of people. Here’s the link with information about these options: http://classdismissedmovie.com/see-the-film/guide-to-hosting-a-screening/

Additionally we are submitting the film to festivals around the country. We’ve submitted to 5 so far and will continue to do so as they become available and if they are an appropriate venue for the film. And finally, the film will be widely available on DVD and as a digital download sometime early next year.

Your documentary features educators, activists and writers who emphasize the unlimited learning potential of education outside the classroom. Do you think that “Class Dismissed” will help viewers to finally realize that home schooling can be everything but isolating?

Yes, absolutely. I think the film does a good job of dispelling the myths that surround homeschooling and sheds light on various ways to make it viable as an educational and social model. I want the film to stir up dialogue around the topic of home education, persuade people to re-think their notions of what homeschooling is about and to consider other possibilities for learning outside the classroom. I envision Class Dismissed as a wake up call that education has been in crisis for a long time and it’s time to confront long-standing assumptions about what it means to be educated in the 21st Century.

After watching the film, I want the audience to feel moved to do something, to find out more about the information presented in the film, and to walk away with their hearts and minds opened to the prospect of new possibilities for themselves and their families.

Here’s my favorite quote from one of our recent screening attendees:

“Watch out parents of America; this film gives any bullied, unchallenged, misrepresented, creative students all the information to advocate an alternative to a week where they are required to spend 40 hours in desks with an additional 20 dedicated to homework.”

Purchase tickets for the Chicago screening of "Class Dismissed" here: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/907613

View the trailer for the film here:

- Christine

Selfie Boom: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Competing with our children’s digital world can be a challenge, especially when you would like them to experience the environment and the many ways they can sustain it. It’s hard enough to get them to look up from their device but when they are taking selfies, this might be the right time to capture their attention. With the ‘selfie boom’ in full swing (the word was added to the Oxford Dictionary in 2013), what more reason to entice your child to take as many as possible while camping, recycling, hiking, composting, fishing and basically enjoying all nature has to offer.

An Opportunity

It’s easy to shun the onslaught of technology that seems to have turned our society into the ‘heads down tribe.’ Gone are the days when children would hop on their bikes early Saturday morning and not be seen until lunch and then again at dinner. Now it’s all about expensive digital devices to entertain, communicate and solve everyday challenges.

However, when you step back from such electronic confusion there may very well be rare opportunities to be had. Embracing technology rather than pushing it away could allow you to show your child how our environment is faring through it all. Using a wide variety of available tools, online and off, you may be able to incorporate tips and advice to teach your kid how important environmentalism really is.

The Selfie and You

Believe it or not selfies have been around for a long time. The first one was taken in 1839 by an amateur chemist and photographer named Robert Cornelius. Then, about 166 years later, MySpace became the first platform popularly used for displaying selfies. Finally, in 2010 Apple rolled out the iPhone 4 with a front facing camera and people have been mugging into the lens ever since.

Maybe you have no interest in photographing yourself, or tried stepping into the selfie craze with little excitement--or maybe you do it all the time--but the cold hard fact is that selfies are here to stay and today’s kids are at the top of the selfie food chain. Therefore, it may be time to explore selfies as a way to connect or reconnect with your digitally savvy child.

An Environmental Connection

If you watch the news you will most likely be bombarded with a slew of negative, depressing stories involving almost everything including the environment. Yet, some things are improving throughout our planet. The ozone layer has a better outlook; electric carmaker Tesla has announced a new factory in Nevada offering jobs and a future of clean energy infrastructure change; and more corporations are bringing green choices to demanding consumers.

So by using your available digital tools to embrace this positive change it can be an excellent way to bring your child on board. Facebook (48% of selfies are reported to be shared here), Twitter, Instagram and a laundry list of other social media and/or photo sharing and storing sites offer a variety of ways to lure your child into your love for the environment.

Tune In and Turn On

If you aren’t on any social media (or the like) platforms chances are you are continually spiraling further away from an extremely important part of your child’s world. Whether they are plugged in to the gills, roll on one device or do not have any home digital connection whatsoever it is nearly impossible for them to ignore what’s out there.

Practically every aspect of electronic communication will inevitably demand their attention, either in the home or outside the home such as school, friends, gaming, extracurricular activities, commerce and eventually their career. By joining social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and getting their permission to friend, follow or be followed by them has the potential for a whole new relationship to emerge. Add in the sharing of selfies and the environment and it could be a real win-win.

Post the Most

Once you get yourself plugged in alongside your kid then the real fun will begin. Rather than hear them grumble that you want to go on another hike or volunteer for a highway cleanup, present it as a selfie opportunity and encourage them to bring their device.

Take a bunch of selfies alone and especially with them for posting. You can navigate how selfies become a major part of your environmental passion which will hopefully spark a similar love in your child.

Get clever and find ways to share selfies with each other and the world, if you’re so inclined. Take NASA for instance: back in April of 2014 the space organization celebrated Earth Day with a ‘Global Selfie Event’. Check out your favorite environmentalist organizations and see if they too accept selfie posts. Before long your kid will hopefully look forward to your excursions as well as all to be seen and commented on afterward.

As long as your child is safe, selfies can be a positive bonding experience. Making the selfie a positive thing will show your child that you are not only with the times but interested in something that makes them happy.

-Amy Williams is a freelance writer and mother of two in Southern California. She hopes to use her experience as a mother to help other parents understand their teens.

KidSnips: The Fun, Family Salon

Editor's note: This is a featured sponsored post. However all opinions are the author's own.

Leave it to moms to create an easy, effective method of getting an uncooperative child to do something necessary. A child's first haircut ranks pretty high up on the list of parenting milestones. Whether your baby was born with a full head of hair (like mine or bald and beautiful, at some point, they will need a haircut. What's worse to babies and toddlers than a stranger wielding a strange object near them? Not much else.

Enter KidSnips: one of the pioneering kid friendly salons in the Chicagoland area with 9 locations in the city and suburbs. KidSnips, the creation of two local moms, debuted in 1997. Their stylist make haircuts for kids painless and actually quite fun. For the little ones they have car and train-shaped stylist chairs to sit in and children get to pick a video game or a DVD to watch while getting their snips. The pièce de résistance is getting to pick out a little toy treat from the treasure box at the end.

My first experience with KidSnips was 13 years ago with my eldest. Having a full head of thick hair as a one year old was cute on him until it started growing to adult proportions. I had tried a couple of times to cut it myself with him watching one of his favorite shows and plying him with strategically offered "M&M's" timed at intervals. It was all very scientific, ....and it took forever.

Our visit to KidSnips made this experience so much quicker and easier. My son still complained but it was over in a jiffy and he was back to his handsome self and not a little shaggy pup anymore.

The stylists at KidSnips are trained to cut the latest styles. Most importantly, they know how to work with cautious children. During my recent visit with my daughter, a toddler boy was, shall we say, not excited to be getting his haircut. The stylists let him sit in his mom's lap, spoke to him soothingly and another stylist who was without a client for the moment, came over to help blow bubbles in the air to distract him. All this while getting the job done really quickly!

In addition to kids cuts and styles, KidSnips also offers services for teens and adults. Their selection of hair accessories and hair grooming products is quite vast and they are also a toy store featuring unique and creative toys, games, puzzles and gifts.

During our latest visit to KidSnips, I brought my girl in for a trim, she's 8. Although, she's worn mostly long hair with bangs since she was a toddler, now that she's getting to be a more style-conscious big girl, she's been asking for a short, pixie haircut. I think she's tiring of winter static and brushing daily, too.

Our KidSnips stylist was very knowledgeable and friendly to my girl, who happily opted to watch "The Lady and The Tramp" from the salon's large DVD collection while getting her haircut. As you can see, my girl and I were very pleased with the cute and carefree result. 

To find a Kidsnips in your area, view this map. 

-Christine 

 

 

 

Creative Eco Gift Ideas for Everyone On Your List

Still have a few specials things to buy on your holiday gift list? Concerned about making your purchases count toward helping the planet? Not looking to spend on something unnecessary or impractical? Here are my favorite picks to help you check off those last few "to do's" on your list, while being a more mindful consumer.

My favorite cleaning and disinfecting products are those that are safe for children and the environment. Cleanwell products are made from natural ingredients for those times when you really want to do away with the nasties in a non-nasty way. How about a green cleaning basket full? With 30% off it's a great time to try CleanWell cleaning products!  

For the green bookworm, one of my favorite independent publishers is Chelsea Green Publishing - the leading publisher of sustainable living books since 1985. For sustainable living, eco advocacy, environmental politics, homesteading, urban homesteading, gardening and simple living, look no further. For 35% off their entire selection, simply use the code CGS13 at checkout from now until the end of the year.

Chronicle Books is an independent publisher specializing in lifestyle, children's, art, pop culture, and food books. Their selection is so playful, with great titles highlighting the newest trends and showcasing amazing artwork. Whether you're shopping for yourself or others, these books inspire creativity and are just simply fun. These are definitely not just coffee table books! (I especially love their collection of journals for different tastes and interests, like "My Museum" a journal for sketching and collecting your experiences at your favorite museums.) 30% off + FREE shipping at ChronicleBooks.com! Use promo code GETBOOKS

Prefer a one-stop shop for natural and organic products for you and the family? At Abe’s Market, you'll find yummy treats, natural beauty products, gifts for children, gifts for pets, home wares, and fashion. They have a great selection of natural and organic items continually curated by their discerning staff, so you are sure to find something special you might not find anywhere else. Free Shipping on All Purchases over $49 at Abe's Market!

Art supplies you can eat? Yes. Wee Can Too Art Supply makes art products so natural, they're actually edible. What a great idea especially for toddlers! They make paints, crayons, sidewalk chalk, veggie egg paint and more. How cool is that?

How about a little something for yourself or a mama friend? You know being creative is a great way to relieve stress and renew your sense of accomplishment coming into the new year. Craftsy is like a crafty mom's dream: you select a class (cake decorating, knitting, crochet, quilting, digital photography skills, etc.) and you can watch the class whenever you please (hint: when the littles are asleep or occupied) and ask questions of the instructors whenever you need. It truly takes the fear out of beginning new projects and skills.  To get you started with supplies for your next project, check out the Craftsy 80% Off Yarn Flash Sale through 12/16 or the Craftsy 65% Off Fabric Flash Sale through 12/16

Green Kid Crafts makes eco art projects and science discovery projects for kids a breeze with award-winning activity boxes you select for monthly delivery, short term delivery or to purchase individually. Each Discovery Box contains 3 to 4 Creativity Kits, fun extras, extension activities and a 20 plus page themed Green Kid Activity Guide. Shipping is free!

Magic Cabin toys foster imagination and play through drama, art, crafts, outdoor activity and nature. I've been very pleased with the toys we've purchased through them. I have a little nature lover at home, and they have such a great assortment of nature themed items that promote open-ended play. In addition, they have a huge variety of exclusive items for non-plugged in, back to basics, good old-fashioned play. Holiday Savings! $4.99 Shipping on Orders $49+ Use Code: LSMC499

After all the gift giving and receiving is done, let's not forget thank you cards. If you're like me, you sometimes don't manage to send out Christmas or holiday cards on time. But wouldn't it be nice to send an updated photo of the family or kids to say hello and Thank you or Happy New Year to family and friends? I think so.

I've really enjoyed using Simply To Impress for our personalized holiday cards. They offer excellent customer service and their designs are super affordable. So, why not flip through those great candid shots you took this year of the kids and select a few choice ones to show off.  Buy Holiday Cards and Holiday Photo Cards- Save 20% From SimplyToImpress.com!

-Christine

 -This post contains affiliate links for companies that I have partnered with who offer great products that are both useful and ethical. All opinions are my own and I only offer an opinion on products I believe are good for our planet and for people. If you purchase through these links, I receive a small percentage of the sale and this helps me get compensated for my work to bring you Green Parent Chicago on a regular basis. Thank you.

The Top Ten Hands Down Best Birth and Breastfeeding Book Classics

There have been a number of excellent parenting books written and published over the past 13 years since I first became a mom. There's no doubt many future classics are being written and published today.

But this is my personal list of top ten favorite mindful parenting books. What makes these classics to me? Despite having been originally published some 10, 20 or even 30+ years ago, they are still widely read by new generations of moms and dads and their no-nonsense, logical wisdom and focus on instinctive parenting makes them timeless.

1. The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding

2. The Baby Book

3. Ina May's Guide to Childbirth

4. Natural Family Living

5. Becoming the Parent You Want to Be

6. Nightime Parenting

7. The Birth Partner

8. The Birth Book

9. Mothering Your Nursing Toddler

10.Birthing From Within

I'd love to hear from you? What would be on your top ten list? Are there books that you've recommended to friends or family that you couldn't live without as a new parent? Tell us in the comments below:

-Christine

-photo credit:DioBurto, flickr

EarthTalk: Rise in Early Puberty May Have Environmental Roots

Dear EarthTalk: Is it true that American kids are going through puberty earlier today than in previous generations, and are there any environmental causes for this? -- Paul Chase, Troy, NY

Research indicates that indeed Americans girls and boys are going through puberty earlier than ever, though the reasons are unclear. Many believe our widespread exposure to synthetic chemicals is at least partly to blame, but it’s hard to pinpoint exactly why our bodies react in certain ways to various environmental stimuli.

Researchers first noticed the earlier onset of puberty in the late 1990s, and recent studies confirm the mysterious public health trend. A 2012 analysis by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that American girls exposed to high levels of common household chemicals had their first periods seven months earlier than those with lower exposures. “This study adds to the growing body of scientific research that exposure to environmental chemicals may be associated with early puberty,” says Danielle Buttke, a researcher at CDC and lead author on the study. Buttke found that the age when a girl has her first period (menarche) has fallen over the past century from an average of age 16-17 to age 12-13.

Earlier puberty isn’t just for girls. In 2012 researchers from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) surveyed data on 4,100 boys from 144 pediatric practices in 41 states and found a similar trend: American boys are reaching puberty six months to two years earlier than just a few decades ago. African-American boys are starting the earliest, at around age nine, while Caucasian and Hispanics start on average at age 10.

One culprit could be rising obesity rates. Researchers believe that puberty (at least for girls) may be triggered in part by the body building up sufficient reserves of fat tissue, signaling fitness for reproductive capabilities. Clinical pediatrician Robert Lustig of Benioff Children’s Hospital in San Francisco reports that obese girls have higher levels of the hormone leptin which in and of itself can lead to early puberty while setting off a domino effect of more weight gain and faster overall physical maturation.

Some evidence suggests that “hormone disrupting” chemicals may also trigger changes prematurely. Public health advocates have been concerned, for example, about the omnipresence of Bisphenol A (BPA), a synthetic chemical in some plastics, because it is thought to “mimic” estrogen in the body and in some cases contribute to or cause health problems. BPA is being phased out of many consumer items, but hundreds of other potentially hormone disrupting chemicals are still in widespread use.

Dichlorobenzene, used in some mothballs and in solid blocks of toilet bowl and air deodorizers, is also a key suspect in triggering early puberty. It is already classified as a possible human carcinogen, and studies have linked prenatal exposure to it with low birth weight in boys. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently made screening Dichlorobenzene for hormonal effects a priority.

Parents can take steps to reduce our kids’ so-called “toxic burden”: Buy organic produce, hormone- and antibiotic-free meat and dairy and all-natural household cleaners. And keep the dialogue going about healthy food and lifestyle habits so kids learn how to make responsible, healthy choices for themselves.

CONTACTS: CDC, www.cdc.gov; AAP, www.aap.org.

EarthTalk® is written and edited by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss and is a registered trademark of E - The Environmental Magazine (www.emagazine.com). Send questions to: earthtalk@emagazine.com. Subscribe: www.emagazine.com/subscribe. Free Trial Issue: www.emagazine.com/trial.

-photo credit: Christiana Care, Flickr

 

Book Review: "What Makes a Baby?" A Book For Every Kind of Family and Every Kind of Kid

Cory Silverberg, a sexuality educator, author, and public speaker based in Toronto, has written a new book just for kids "What Makes A Baby" (Seven Stories Press: Triangle Square) that introduces children to the many ways babies can arrive into a family biologically.

Billed as "a book for every kind of family and every kind of kid" and colorfully illustrated by Fiona Smyth, "What Makes A Baby" helps families discuss modern relationships, love, parenting, and our shared humanity with children on their own terms.

With questions like: "Who helped bring together the sperm and the egg that made you?" and "Who was happy that it was YOU who grew?", this book is a great starting point for families who may choose to later discuss other details with their child, such as sex, donor insemination, fertility treatments, surrogacy or adoption. 

Silverberg has included a free reader's guide for parents to download to assist with family discussion:

http://www.what-makes-a-baby.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/WMAB-Readers-Guide-opt.pdf

Smyth's bright, rainbow colored art is reminiscent of Todd Parr, but with images that can appeal to an older audience of children as well. When I asked my 8 year old what she thought of the book she explained, "I liked it. I especially liked when the egg and sperm were smiling and holding hands."

"What Makes A Baby" presents factual information on conception on a kid's level. With text that is open to personal embellishment, this book is sure to cater to many families and birth experiences.

-Christine

 

Book Review: Homemade Baby Food The Effortless Way

Parents of infants have an excellent opportunity to introduce healthy eating habits at an early age. By making your own baby food, instead of relying on jarred or boxed varieties, you don't have to doubt that what goes into your baby's tiny tummy is good, wholesome nutrition. 

"Real Smart Baby Food" (ReadFood Doctor Press 2013) is a new book by Lisa Barrangou Ph.D that features a simple method for making homemade baby food using a 3-step process.

Barrangou, a personal chef, has an extensive background in food science and nutrition. Her detailed writing style conveys this experience well. With brilliant full color high definition photographs and over 70 recipes for unique flavor combinations, the book's logical layout makes it an easy read.

The book is divided into 3 sections:

Section 1 provides recommended guidelines for when to begin feeding baby solid food and special consideration of safe food preparation for infants.

Section 2 introduces the "The Real Smart Strategy", which is the core method of making 3 months of homemade baby food in 3 one-hour blocks of time. This section also contains a handy "Flavor Compatibility Chart" with ideas for which fruits and vegetables compliment one another best. 

Section 3 lists recipes and ideas for combining puree recipes, as well as advice on shopping for and storing whole foods.

Bonus chapters include detailed information on nutrients and a handy conversion chart.

"Real Smart Baby Food" is a parent-friendly guide to making a 3 month supply of fresh, homemade baby food in 3 one-hour blocks of time.

Available in print and Kindle edition: http://realsmartbabyfood.com/

-Christine

-photo credit: Lisa Barrangou

 

EarthTalk: Chemicals in Babies' Cord Blood?

Dear EarthTalk: A few years back a study found over 200 chemicals in the umbilical cords of newborns, particularly African American, Asian and Hispanic babies. What are the causes of this phenomenon and what can be done about it? -- Bettina Olsen, New York, NY

The study referenced found traces of some 232 synthetic chemicals in cord blood samples from 10 different babies of African American, Asian and Hispanic descent born in 2009 in different parts of the U.S. Study sponsors Environmental Working Group (EWG) and Rachel’s Network were looking to find out if the hormone-disrupting chemical Bisphenol A (BPA), a plasticizer widely used in food and drink storage containers, is present in the cord blood of minority babies in the U.S. Sadly and not surprisingly, BPA turned up in nine of the 10 cord blood samples tested. But perhaps even worse is the study’s detection of whole new raft of chemicals showing up in babies’ cord blood for the first time. Some of these newer offenders include tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) from computer circuit boards, synthetic fragrances used in common cosmetics and detergents and Teflon-relative perfluorobutanoic acid.

The 2009 study was a follow-up to an earlier analysis of chemicals in cord blood in the mainstream U.S. population during 2004 births. That earlier study found some 287 different industrial chemicals and pollutants in babies’ cord blood, although BPA was not yet on EWG’s watch list at the time. The more recent study focused on minority babies because minority communities in the U.S. tend to bear a disproportionate pollution burden given their closer proximity to busy roads, industrial sites and older housing. But EWG points out that they tested for chemicals that are likely found in virtually every American household, so none of us are immune to exposure. EWG hopes that by continuing to monitor the chemicals we are born with it can hold corporate polluters’ and government regulators’ feet to the fire in regard to waste outputs and pollution mitigation.

EWG did not look for chemicals associated with smoking or alcohol consumption on the part of mothers, instead focusing on contaminants from exposures to consumer products and commercial chemicals omnipresent on supermarket shelves. To EWG, the presence of these chemicals in umbilical cord blood represents “a significant failure on the part of the Congress and government agencies” charged with protecting human health. “Our results strongly suggest that the health of all children is threatened by trace amounts of hundreds of synthetic chemicals coursing through their bodies from the earliest stages of life.”

Part of the problem is outdated laws governing the handling and use of toxic chemicals. Currently 1976’s Toxic Substances Control Act is the law of the land in regard to controlling the distribution, use and disposal of toxic chemicals nationwide. But EWG and other groups complain that hundreds of thousands of new chemical formulations are unleashed on an unwitting public every year via America’s store shelves because the federal government assumes new products and ingredients to be innocent until proven guilty. These critics would like to see the federal government take a more proactive role in approving new substances for use in consumer products, not to mention residential and workplace environments.

On the legislative front, green groups are pinning their hopes for a reformed Toxic Substances Control Act on New Jersey Democratic Senator Frank Lautenberg’s Safe Chemicals Act (S. 847), introduced last fall. The bill is currently spinning its wheels in committee hearings, but its 17 bi-partisan co-sponsors are optimistic that it will come up for a floor vote before the 112th Congress wraps up the end of this year.

CONTACT: EWG’s “Pollution in Minority Newborns,” www.ewg.org/minoritycordblood.

EarthTalk® is written and edited by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss and is a registered trademark of E - The Environmental Magazine (www.emagazine.com). Send questions to: earthtalk@emagazine.com. Subscribe: www.emagazine.com/subscribe. Free Trial Issue: www.emagazine.com/trial.