September 2008 Vol. 3 , No. 3
Dear Friends,
As this summer of record gas prices and stay-cations draws to a close, many of us have rediscovered interesting, fun and creative things to do right in our own neighborhoods. Whether your summer took you near or far, we look forward to bringing you back-to-school (and work) with information that will inform and inspire.
This issue, Rosemary Rossetti, Ph.D., writes about universal design, and how it contributes to healthy, accessible, green homes that everyone can enjoy. Our Medical Advisor, Dr. Lawrence Rosen, discusses hand sanitizers, which have become commonplace in many schools, hospitals and homes. While they do keep germs at bay, we need to be aware of the chemicals lurking in everyday products and simple steps that can lessen our exposures.
To that end, we feature a University of Washington study on fragrances in air fresheners, laundry detergents and other household products which promises to redefine what we think of as “clean-smelling.” Similarly, a “new car smell” is one indicator of the toxins in vehicles, which include bromine, chlorine and lead. Discover how to choose a healthier car in this issue’s “Did You Know: Greener Cars.”
As we also celebrate back-to-school, our "Greening Your School" program begins its second year. We thank all of the parents, teachers and administrators who have contacted us to learn about this program. We invite you learn more about Greening Your School.
Wishing you and yours a happy and healthy school year,
Deirdre Imus
Greening Our Schools: Reach for All-Natural Hand Sanitizers
By Dr. Lawrence Rosen
It’s back-to-school time, and many schools are undertaking green initiatives to support the environment and children’s health. My children's elementary school has a club called the "Planet Protectors” which toured the Deirdre Imus Environmental Center last spring as part of our “Greening Your School” initiative. As a follow-up for Earth Day, I was asked to teach the fourth graders (of which my son is one) about environmental health issues. But what was I going to do for 35 minutes with groups of 9 and 10 year olds? I thought about what would be important and meaningful to them, something they could take away with them to impact their lives.
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Universal Design Living Laboratory:
A National Demonstration Home
for Universal Design and Greener Living
By Rosemarie Rossetti
It has been 10 years since my spinal cord injury. I can clearly remember so much of the trauma of being crushed by a 7,000 pound falling tree when my husband, Mark Leder, and I were riding bicycles on June 13, 1998. When we built our two story house 13 years ago, we thought it would last our lifetimes. We could never have anticipated how our home could further create limitations, thus enhancing my disability.
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Toxic Chemicals Found in Laundry Detergents, Air Fresheners
By Hannah Hickey
A University of Washington study of top-selling laundry products and air fresheners found the products emitted dozens of different chemicals. All six products tested gave off at least one chemical regulated as toxic or hazardous under federal laws, but none of those chemicals was listed on the product labels.
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Did You Know?
Healthier, 'Greener' Cars Leave 'New Car Smell' in the Dust
By Erin Speiser Ihde
Many of us gauge a car’s “green” factor by its gas mileage, the percentage of the vehicle that can be recycled, or the efficiency of the company factory. But what about that “new car smell”?
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Important Legislation:
Support the Kid Safe Chemical Act
Passage of The Kid Safe Chemical Act may be
one of the most important legislative actions this year
and is a major priority for the Center.
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Dr. Rosen Opens One of the First
"Green" Pediatric Offices in the U.S.
Dr. Lawrence M. Rosen, Medical Advisor to the Deirdre Imus Environmental Center for Pediatric Oncology®, opens The Whole Child Center (wholechildcenter.org), one of the first green pediatric offices in the United States.
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The Deirdre Imus Environmental Center
Teams Up with Organic Bouquet
The Deirdre Imus Environmental Center for Pediatric Oncology® is honored to partner with
Organic Bouquet to educate consumers about the benefits of purchasing sustainably grown and certified organic flowers. Organic Bouquet supports The Deirdre Imus Environmental Center for Pediatric Oncology's mission of identifying, controlling and ultimately preventing exposures to environmental factors that may cause adult, and especially pediatric cancer, as well as other health problems with our children.
Thanks for your support!
Recipe: Cheesy Cheddar Biscuits
Send then back to school with a great breakfast...Like these mouth-watering cheesy cheddar biscuits from Deirdre Imus' best-selling cookbook, The Imus Ranch, Cooking for Kids and Cowboys. Just follow the recipe..
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