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news bulletins  july
2007 |
- New Report Reveals Links Between Cleaning Products and Health Problems
- Update on California Midwife
- Bringing New Life to the Workplace
- Stunning New Survey Findings
- Unity Spurs Policy Change
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New Report Reveals Links Between Cleaning Products and Health Problems
A recently released report, 'Household Hazards: Potential Hazards of Home Cleaning Products' cites mounting evidence linking exposure to chemicals in cleaning products with a rise in health problems—particularly asthma and reproductive harm. Compiled by a staff scientist with the national women's environmental health group Women's Voices for the Earth (WVE), from over 75 reports and scientific studies, the report highlights the pervasiveness of health concerns associated with household cleaning products, and the need for companies to label their products with a list of currently "hidden ingredients" which pose potential risks to human health.
WVE has sent a letter to 23 major manufacturers of cleaning products (see full list here) requesting that product labels include full disclosure of chemicals of concern to consumers. Thusfar, none have responded with a willingness comply. In the letter WVE states that "individuals affected by conditions such as asthma or allergies often look to avoid substances that may trigger or exacerbate their symptoms. Similarly, women who are pregnant, or trying to get pregnant, take extra precautions to avoid exposures that may impact the development of their child. Individuals with chemical sensitivities or various other diseases are also concerned about controlling their exposures to certain substances."
The report found that the presence of these chemicals in our daily lives is more pervasive than previously thought, and that children are disproportionately impacted by cleaning chemicals—both at home and at school—due to their underdeveloped immune systems. Infants' exposure can be particularly high because they crawl on the ground, frequently putting their hands in their mouths, transferring chemicals from floor and carpet finishes and cleaners directly into their bodies. Women are also receiving more chemical exposure than men, since they are still doing over 70% of the housework in the average home.
To download a copy of the report, please visit www.womenandenvironment.org. To receive a contact list of scientists who have reviewed the report, organizations working to "green" the cleaning products industry, and concerned mothers, housecleaners and others in different states across the country, please contact Alexandra Gorman at Women's Voices for the Earth, 406-396-1639, alex@womenandenvironment.org.
Update on California Midwife By Jill Kuhn
In May, 2007 Mothering told you about California midwife Marcia McCulley, N.P. L.M., and the 43 counts of medical negligence and 'practicing medicine without a license,' brought against her by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) and California Medical Board. On May 31, the Ventura County District Attorney promptly dropped all charges against McCulley even though they had up to three years to make a decision. Moreover, the assistant DA told McCulley that he was surprised that the accusations against her had gone so far and had been handled in such a poor manner. The BRN requested a settlement hearing, which was held on July 7, 2007. The results of this hearing were that McCulley was able to keep her Nurse Practitioner's license. However, she is also on probation for five years and must pay approximately $1,200, out of her own pocket, to a registered or licensed nurse, to supervise her for one year. She must also complete 150 hours of postgraduate education (Jill's note: she is already in a post-graduate program), towards a Master's degree in nursing. She is also required to pay $68,000 of the BRN?s legal fees, incurred in their investigation of her. The Medical Board has also requested a mandatory settlement hearing, scheduled for September 7, 2007. Ms. McCulley's supporters are planning a fundraising silent auction (on August 26, 2007) to help her defray these costs. Donations are also welcome. Contributions can be mailed to this tax-deductible charity organization:
The Midwife Defense Fund
1014 S. Westlake Blvd., Ste. 14-182
Westlake Village, CA 91361
Bringing New Life to the Workplace
Babies in the Workplace is a new website that promotes workplace programs to encourage new parents to return to their jobs with their babies for the first several months of life, and to care for their children while working. Based on nearly two years of research and interviews with dozens of organizations with babies-at-work programs, the site details the extensive benefits that these programs offer for families, businesses, and society.
Babies in the Workplace explains why babies in an office environment tend to be extremely content. This is primarily due to high levels of responsive care, breastfeeding, and physical contact, as well as the social stimulation of the workplace that satisfies babies' strong desire to learn about the world. These baby-friendly offices become communities in which parents and babies feel supported and coworkers feel empowered and invested in helping to nurture the next generation. Executives and managers rave about the benefits these programs provide, which include: lower turnover, increased morale and productivity, enhanced teamwork and collaboration, improved employee recruitment efforts, and higher respect and loyalty from customers and clients. The website offers implementation information for parents and companies and includes a listing of organizations with current babies-at-work programs.
Babies in the Workplace offers compelling evidence that parenting in the workplace may represent the next stage in successfully balancing career and family life.
Babies in the Workplace is owned by Babies In Business (BIB), a Massachusetts-based company providing seminars, coaching, and consulting on issues related to parenting in the workplace. Questions and comments can be directed to the owner of BIB, Carla Moquin, at (801) 897-8702 or carla@babiesatwork.org.
A recently released survey indicates a strong correlation between rates of neurological disorders, such as ADHD and autism, and childhood vaccinations. The survey, commissioned by Generation Rescue compared vaccinated and unvaccinated children in nine counties in Oregon and California. Among more than 9,000 boys age 4-17, the survey found vaccinated boys were two and a half times (155%) more likely to have neurological disorders compared to their unvaccinated peers. Vaccinated boys were 224% more likely to have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and 61% more likely to have autism.
For older vaccinated boys in the 11-17 age bracket, the results were even more pronounced. Vaccinated boys were 158% more likely to have a neurological disorder, 317% more likely to have ADHD, and 112% more likely to have autism. Complete survey results are available at www.GenerationRescue.org. Generation Rescue commissioned the phone survey. Data was gathered by SurveyUSA, a national market research firm, which surveyed parents by phone on more than 17,000 children, ages 4-17, in five counties in California (San Diego, Sonoma, Orange, Sacramento, and Marin) and four counties in Oregon (Multnomah, Marion, Jackson, and Lane).
The survey asked parents whether their child had been vaccinated, and whether that child had one or more of the following diagnoses: Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), ADHD, Asperger's Syndrome, Pervasive Development Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS), or Autism. The phone survey was chosen to mirror the methodology the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) uses to establish national prevalence for neurological disorders in their national phone survey.
J.B. Handley, co-founder of Generation Rescue, whose son was diagnosed with autism says, "The phone survey isn't perfect, but these numbers point to the need for a comprehensive national study to gather this critical information."
In Washington, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) has been advocating for such a survey. Co-sponsored by Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) and Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX), the "Comprehensive Comparative Study of Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Population Act of 2006," or H.R. 2832, was introduced on June 22, and would require the National Institutes of Health to complete this research. From 1983 to 2007, autism rates have climbed from 1 in 10,000 children to 1 in 150 children, a growth rate of 6,000% (boys are significantly more affected by neurological disorders, accounting for approximately 80% of all cases). ADHD currently affects 1 in 13 children. In the same period, the CDC's recommended vaccine schedule more than tripled. The simmering debate over the cause of childhood neurological disorders shows no sign of cooling, but no study had ever been done to look at unvaccinated children.
Lisa Handley, co-founder of Generation Rescue, adds, "Everyone working with autism wants to identify the cause so we can focus on treatment and prevention. A national study like HR 5940 could help end this debate and focus all of our resources on helping our kids. Its time has come, and we hope Congress will choose to put our children first." Visit www.GenerationRescue.org for more information and to see complete survey results.
Unity Spurs Policy Change
By Willow McMahon
"Breast is best; mamas don't hide it! Don't be shy, breastfeed with pride!" These slogans were heard outside the Hilo Public Library in Hilo, Hawaii on May 16th, when breastfeeding mothers and supporters joined together to promote public breastfeeding rights. The nurse-in was held in response to an episode that had occurred at the library several months earlier, in which a nursing mother was asked to breastfeed her baby discreetly by a librarian. According to a local newspaper report the mother then left the library, returning later to file a complaint. In return, library supervisor Claudia Fujii responded with a written apology which stated that the library staff respects women who "...try their best to breastfeed discreetly."
According to nurse-in organizer Molly Mantree, "The problem with asking a mother to breastfeed discreetly is that it associates this natural act with shame, and leads to overall less breastfeeding in our society." Aided by friends and fellow nursing mothers, Mantree began planning a sign-holding march through town ending with a nurse-in at the library. Mantree and Lori Loftin co-wrote a letter to Fujii, detailing their rights as breastfeeding mothers and requesting that the library's policy be changed to allow nursing as openly or discreetly as the mother is comfortable. "The way of nursing should be entirely up to the mothers comfort level." Mantree says.
The nurse-in was comprised by a group of 40 supporters including nursing mothers, fathers and children with handmade signs. Marching from the local farmer's market to the library, they collected signatures for the letter and garnered the attention of the general public and news crews. When they reached the library, the lactavists presented their letter (complete with about 90 signatures) to the head librarian. The nursing mothers then went about breastfeeding their children while utilizing the library's services. The response they received from the public was primarily positive, and the case was a success—the Hilo Public Library's policy has been changed. Nursing mothers are now allowed to nurse anywhere, anytime, anyway that they want to. The following morning the event made headlines in the local newspaper. "It was exciting to see so many nursing mamas and families on the front page. Hopefully we made a step in the right direction toward educating the masses on the importance of breastfeeding without shame" says Loftin. Adds Mantree, "It is time to heal our breast-repressed, breast-obsessed culture."
About the Author:
Willow McMahon is a 16-year old homeschooler and freelance writer living on the Big Island of Hawaii. She and her four siblings have all been breastfed—and mama didn't hide it!
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