January 2008 Issue

Beyond “Skin Deep”
A closer look at what we’re putting on our skin

Let’s start with this – the FDA does not require companies that manufacture cosmetics and skin care products to test for safety. According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), the federal government cannot “mandate safety studies of cosmetics products or their ingredients, and only 13 percent of the 10,500 ingredients in personal care products have been reviewed for safety by the cosmetic industry’s own review panel.” Source: Environmental Working Group

That means every time you put on makeup, sunscreen or take a bubble bath you’re applying what may be an untested cocktail of chemicals to your skin. Or to your children’s skin.

Enter Skin Deep, from EWG (for more information on EWG, see below). Their database of roughly 27,000 products gives you some measure of control over what you’re using. Here you will find products ranked on a number scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being the lowest hazard. Products are evaluated for known and suspected hazards. You can see a breakdown of ingredients for each product, possible hazards associated with them and the many “data gaps” that exist when extensive industry or government testing has not been done.

I try to visit the Skin Deep database whenever I need to replace something that I’ve been using. For instance, last week I ran out of liquid hand soap. I meant to check the database before shopping, but I didn’t, so I grabbed some produced by Method under the assumption that it would rank relatively low on the hazard scale. It actually comes in at an overall “5”, which is disappointing. In the ingredient list for this particular product I can see that the highest hazard concern is for the fragrance, which scores an “8”. I’ll use this bottle up but try again when it’s time to replace it. I’ve also used this tool to search for deodorant, as well as some cosmetics. But again, it takes some planning. Right now I’m trying Kiss My Face deodorant (which might be more information than anyone wanted to know). It earns a relatively low hazard rating, but I can’t get that at my nearby grocery so I have to stock up on this stuff during visits to our local health food store. But I have seen more commonly available brands, like a CVS branded deodorant and one type of Sure (Sure Invisible Solid) with low hazard ratings as well. So keep looking!

I like this database because it gives me a bit more knowledge about what I’m buying and using. I’ve found that my favorite products have not fared well in the rankings, and that oftentimes the products that rate as the lowest hazards are more expensive or harder to get (mail order/internet, or only available through smaller retail chains). But, it’s still a good exercise in consumer awareness.


Environmental Working Group (EWG)
It seems like I hear representatives from EWG quoted in the news with much more frequency than in the past, but it could be simply because I’m aware of them now. Founded in 1993, EWG is a public interest and advocacy organization. Their stated mission is to use public information to protect public health and the environment. Rated a four star charity by Charity Navigator, they provide resources like Skin Deep and the Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce and work to “replace federal policies…with policies that invest in conservation and sustainable development.” (source: EWG). From the home page, you can access their research and positions on a broad sweep of topics including health and toxins, the Farm Subsidy Database and energy policy. For a really interesting read, spend about 5-7 minutes reviewing Ken Cook’s October 2007 testimony on nuclear waste transportation before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.



Resources and Digging Deeper
· A few places where EWG has been in the news:
Washington Times on farm subsidies (December 2007)
The New York Times on nanoparticles in sunscreen (August 2007)

· Sign up for regular updates from EWG through their monthly newsletter or EWG feeds.
· Read why this matters at the EWG site.
· For a contrarian view, see the site ActivistCash.com for their take on EWG.

One More Time…
Revisiting Past Topics

The blog has been pretty quiet lately, with the holidays and life happening. But one topic from a prior newsletter that keeps resurfacing in local news is, of course, water.
For anyone thinking about ways to get the most out of the wet stuff that used to fall from the sky (also known as rain), the Charlotte Mecklenburg Soil & Water Conservation District has information on rain barrel sales available on their website. Prices range from $85 to $100 and the deadline for orders (for January pickup) is January 14, 2008.
Also, since we talked about a Whole Foods Market opening up in the area in a past newsletter, I’ll pass along this update from the Charlotte Observer: “Whole Foods has abandoned plans for an Elizabeth Store; the SouthPark location is still on track, but there isn’t an opening date.” (Rainey, Amy. “Status Report: A Look at 20 Projects”. Charlotte Observer. 23 December 2007)


About Us:
Green Around The Edges – Charlotte is produced monthly. Co-editors: Kathleen Huddleston and Kimberly Paulk. Contact us at: kpaulk@carolina.rr.com.

Greening Christmas

There seem to be quite a few folks coming out this year with “green gift” ideas. Some of them are pretty interesting, and some are hard to follow through on when your kid has her heart set on the latest made-in-China item. That said, I thought I would share just some of the more interesting web sites and sources that have arrived in my in-box over the past few weeks.

A quick disclaimer – I haven’t shopped at all these sites (my husband would deny this, but it’s true), so I can’t guarantee the quality of their products. Happy Shopping! - k

For Grown Ups

VivaTerra
You’ll find everything from home furnishings to organic gourmet gifts at VivaTerra. Items sold are typically environmentally sensitive in some way, although not always in the way you might expect. For instance, their cashmere sweater scarf is remade from vintage (read: old) sweaters that have been recycled into the scarf. But it’s not as easy to discern the eco-benefit of some of the products. Be forewarned, this stuff is a bit pricey!

Global Girlfriend
I don’t remember how Global Girlfriend first came on my horizon. This is a retail site that sells items made by women’s cooperatives around the world, or provided by non-profit organizations supporting women globally. Everything is fair trade, although not necessarily manufactured from organic or recycled materials. Their philosophy on why women are the focus of their efforts is compelling, and I like the idea of expanding economic opportunities for women in other countries and the potential that might hold. By making a purchase here I was also able to contribute 20% of the proceeds to Women for Women International, an organization that provides direct aid, microcredit loans, vocational skills training and fosters rights awareness in many war-torn countries around the world. Women for Women International also has their own retail “bazaar” online, but with a much more limited product line.

Seventh Generation
Cleaning supplies might be the perfect gift for someone on your list, considering everything in the news recently about toxic chemicals in many household cleaning products. Seventh Generation has a very new, very small online store where you can find three different starter kits: Free and Clear, Living Home and Natural Baby.

REI
REI recently launched a new Eco-Sensitive label for their own gear, and of course they also sell items from other manufacturers like Patagonia. Find all of their eco-friendly gifts in one place on their site and shop online (free shipping is available on some items) or visit a store if you have one nearby.

Charitable Donations
I love to open a card or gift that tells me a charitable contribution has been made in my honor. I also love to open a small blue box marked “Tiffany & Co.”, but charitable donations are also in my Top Five. It seems that there are an unlimited number of ways to give charitably. We have given the gift of planted trees through the Arbor Day Foundation with the Trees in Celebration/Trees in Memory program. Two years ago I bought my husband a gift certificate for a fly fishing lesson that benefitted a local charity. On Christmas he opened an envelope with the tickets, in May he went to the lesson. The Catawba Lands Conservancy is another local charity that accepts gift donations.


Of course, all of these options require a certain amount of energy consumption in production and shipping. Other alternatives are the old favorite standbys:

Locally made
The Matthews Farmers Market has winter hours that begin on December 8th. This is a great place to pick up locally produced gift items like honey, baked goods, beeswax candles and of course food.

This year I also tried my hand at a few sachets (no sew, of course) made from dried lavender from our garden and some nice old(er) linens I picked up at a garage sale last month.


For Kids

I think kids are more difficult, but that might be just me. I think many parents know pretty much what their kids will like – the challenge may be in figuring out what they would like the best. Our main approach at Christmas is moderation. A few gifts for kid friends will also include things made from organic cotton, and things to get them outside and enjoying nature, like birdseed eggs from Smith & Hawken. Books, although not terribly eco-friendly, are also a favorite gift of mine for kids. For older kids, tickets to a production of the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte can be fun.

There has been so much in the news this year about toy safety and recalls, that I’m guessing most of us already have an idea of the products we will and won’t be buying this year. I did, however, find this reference to ingredients in play makeup from EWG and thought it might be good to add to your growing arsenal of things to think about. Consumer Reports is generally a good resource for safety tips, and in November they published “12 Toy Shopping Tips For a Safer Holiday” that you might find helpful when heading out the door with your list for Santa.


Resources and Digging Deeper
· Petrecca, Laura. “Making a Green Sweep Cleans Up: Sales of products that don’t harm the environment rise.” 26 November 2007. USA Today.
· Environmental Working Group (EWG) is a non-profit organization founded in 1993, dedicated to researching and publishing information about potential threats to human health and the environment.

About Us:
Green Around The Edges – Charlotte is produced periodically. Co-editors: Kathleen Huddleston and Kimberly Paulk. To contact Kimberly: kpaulk@carolina.rr.com. To contact Kathleen: khuddleston@insightbb.com. If you would prefer to receive a text-only version of Green Around The Edges – Charlotte, let us know.