The government will keep you safe from toxins...NOT!

What does Europe have that American's don't? A union that is working for the health of its people and the environment. The European Union enforces recycling and safety regulations that are unheard of here in the U.S. Well, maybe not unheard of, but certainly widely ignored.

Did you know that the toxic products we use here in the States have health-friendly and eco-friendly alternatives, that we make here in the U.S. but are exported to countries that apparently care more about their citizens. These safer versions are being sold to Europeans, Japanese and -- are you ready for this -- Mexicans!

From personal care products (that you've heard me rant about before) to toys, automobiles, food and even computers, American companies are producing duplicate versions of each -- one loaded with toxins and environmentally-unfriendly gunk, and the other free of those things. Why? Because those other countries would stop buying our products otherwise. But here in the good ol' U.S. of A., our government continues to allow companies to poison the men, women, children and environment here.

This makes me angry. Unless you've already rid your home of the culprits, most of you will find dozens of things in your cupboards and cabinets that are known carcinogens. Doesn't that make you sick? It does me. But don't take my word for it. Take a virtual stroll over to the website for the Environmental Working Group and type in some of the ten-plus syllable ingredients in some of your personal care items...or disposable diapers, for that matter. We are unwittingly exposing our children to things that cause cancer everyday!!

According to Mark Schapiro, author of EXPOSED, other countries don't even want our stuff anymore...at least not the stuff we consumers are buying in the U.S. The reason? Because they refuse to expose their citizens to the toxins in our Made in America products. Ouch. Recycling and safety regulations are so stringent in other countries, compared to our lacksadasical ones. An example Schapiro cites in the book regards the components in electronic equipment. Travel outside of the U.S. and you'll find these items are lead- and mercury-free and are made of reusable materials.

While Europeans tend to try to avoid injury by eliminating toxins, American policy makers spend their time analyzing the cost/benefit -- i.e. How much will it cost to change over to non-toxic substances vs. What is the potential cost to human health.  Doesn't that just give you the warm fuzzies? So glad our government agencies care so much about us.

The fact is most of the toxins in our personal care products in the United States are banned in other countries. Yes, you read that correctly -- banned!! This news is beyond disturbing.

Proctor & Gamble was mentioned in the book after Schapiro met with one of their executives. He asked why phthalates were still in their nail polishes, despite the known fact that they are endocrine disruptors? Well, because, according to this unnamed executive, that's the way the consumers wanted it. Eventually, the phthalates were eliminated...but it was a hush-hush deal. P&G was afraid of lawsuits if the public knew they dragged their feet on this, despite what they knew for years. Well, we know now...anyone want to start a class action suit? Only kidding...kinda.

If we are honest and realistic, we know why toxic substances continue to pollute our products. It is all about the bottom line. It is always about the bottom line.

So read, read, read your labels. If you don't know what something is, look it up. If you are in the U.S., the government is not going to protect you. Face that fact now, and do all you can to protect yourself and your family. After all, what good is it if you only feed your children organic food, but you lather up their hair with baby shampoos packed full of carcinogens and other toxins?

If you are concerned about the products you use, buy from companies like Leaf & Bud Naturals, Earth Mama Angel Baby or As I Am Naturals. Of course, there are many other natural and safe products out there. Just make sure you do your research before exposing your family to one more unnecessary carcinogen or toxic substance. Their health depends on it!

Keeping it healthy,

Hana