eco lifestyle2

							Eco-Lifestyle
Awareness:

Toxins in the Home
Shopping Green
Intro to Composting
    By Keith and Tracy Fortin
What are toxins and why
 should they worry us?
Toxins
 The human body is a sponge!
 Environmental Defense of Canada testing of
  Canadians blood shows we are polluted with
  chemicals that have been linked to cancer,
  reproductive problems, birth defects, respiratory
  illnesses and neurological defects
 It is estimated the average woman applies 126
  different chemicals on herself every morning
  through beauty and self-care products
 Non-existent labeling requirements in North
  America
Toxins – Main Culprits
Phthalates (pronounced thal-ates)
Teflon
Bromine
Mercury
Tri-closan
Bisphenol-A (BPA)
Toxins - Phthalates

   Different types of phthalates include DEHP, DIDP,
   DINP and many others.
  Commonly used as “plasticizers” – keeping materials
   such as vinyl soft and rubbery
  Also commonly used to lubricate and help fragrance last
   longer in beauty products or cleaning products
  Linked to premature and low birth weight births, genetic
   defects, ADHD and Autism
  “Fragrance” and “Parfum” often indicate phthalates
Toxins - Teflon
Used to line frying pans, in pizza boxes,
 windshield wipers, cosmetics, clothing and
 more (look for non-stick label)
Similar products include Gore-tex,
 Scotchgard and STAINMASTER
Found in the blood of 98% of Americans
A persistent, bioaccumulating toxic
 chemical found in our bodies, air and
 water all over the world
Toxins - Teflon
Causes birth defects, developmental
 problems, hormone disruption, high
 cholesterol and is a likely carcinogen
Nothing gets rid of it!
Toxins - Bromine
Used as a fire retardant
Seen often in furniture, rugs, television
 sets
Persistent and Bioaccumulative
Waft out of our household products into
 the air and land as dust
Causing real health problems for humans
 and wildlife
Toxins - Mercury
One of the oldest poisons known to
 humans and a naturally occurring
 chemical
Exposure to high levels can cause
 permanent brain damage, central nervous
 system disorders, memory loss, heart
 disease, kidney failure, liver damage,
 cancer, loss of vision, loss of sensation
 and tremors
Toxins - Mercury
Is a suspected endocrine disruptor which
 do damage to the reproductive system
Linked to multiple sclerosis, ADHD,
 Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's
Found in many consumer products, by-
 product of coal burning, waters and fish
Video of mercury’s effect on brain neurons
  Mercury Video
Toxins – Tri-closan
 The active ingredient in most “anti-bacterial”
  products (also known as Microban)
 Environmental Working group has found Tri-
  closan in over 140 kinds of consumer products
  ranging from liquid hand soap, toothpaste,
  underwear, towels, mattresses, sponges,
  shower curtains, phones, flooring, cutting
  boards, fabrics, toys and so on…..
Toxins – Bisphenol A (BPA)
Main ingredient in baby bottles (before
 recent ban)
Used to make CD’s, DVD’s, water bottles,
 drinking glasses, kitchen appliances,
 utensils, eyeglass lenses, water carboys,
 medical supplies, laptops, cars, interiors of
 tin cans and more….
Green Resources
Local
  Farmers Market
  Carbon Environmental Boutique
  Earth’s General Store
  Health Food Stores
  Save-On Foods
  The Organic Box
  Planet Organic
Shopping
 Smart
  Understand the Labels-third party certifications




  Read the Ingredients
      When in doubt research your product first
Shopping
Smart
 Consider the embodied energy
   Where was it made?
   How is it packaged?
   Does this companies values align with my own?
   Am I supporting my local economy?
 Ask questions
 Expect more!
Shopping
Online Resources
  EWG’s – Skin Deep Database
  Life without Plastics
  EccoAmmo
  S.A.G.E.
  Raisingspaces.com
  Reducedimpactfamily.wordpress.com
Composting
Myths
 Takes a lot of time/effort
 Smells, attracts bugs, pests
 Need the room/space to put it, seasonal
 Its hard work!
All WRONG!
 It is easy, fun and enlightening!
 It can be done year round
Composting
Why?
 Discarded organic matter  nutrient rich
  natural fertilizer – FREE
 Household trash is 1/3 to ½ organic matter
How?
 3 methods
   Worm composting
   Backyard composting
   Grass-cycling
Composting
Composting
How?
 Outdoor composting is simply layering/mixing
   4 major ingredients
      •   Brown – dried out grass, leaves, twigs, paper
      •   Wet – keep pile moist
      •   Green – leaves, grass clippings, green kitchen scraps
      •   Soil – add a little black dirt or compost (micro-organisms)
 Continue adding, mixing
 Creates heat as it breaks down
 Compost within 1 season, great for
  lawns/gardens
Do’s and Don'ts
 Do’s
                           Don’ts
  Grass clippings
  Kitchen peelings          Herbicide/pesticide
  Egg shells
                              grass clippings
  Newspaper (sparingly)     Dandelions
  Sawdust                   Oily foods
  Bread                     Dairy products
  Cooked pasta              Meat
  Weeds (before seed)
                             Pet feces
Thank You for Coming!