We just celebrated Earth Day last weekend, but it seems a little underwhelming when you consider the size of the planet and the size of the environmental problems we face.

And, if you follow health news like we do, you can’t help but see the interconnectedness of the plant’s health and your health. The same toxins and pollutants that harm the planet are hurting—and killing us too.

Health Hazards

In this space we’ve covered many examples of the health consequences of a tainted environment:

• The Many Hazardous Chemicals Hiding in Your Perfume/Cologne
• How Many Toxic Chemicals Are In Your Pregnant Body?
• Toxic Chemicals Linked to Clogged Arteries
• Heavy Traffic, Exhaust Fumes May Trigger Heart Attack
• The Weed Killer Hiding in Your Drinking Water
• Household Cleaners: What You Don’t Know May Be Harming You
• Toxins May Be Hiding in Your Floor, Wallpaper
• Mercury in Fish Raises New Health Concerns
• Toxic Mercury Taints EVERY Fish
• Traces of Lead May Be Poisoning Your Kids' Cosmetics, Jewelry
• Why is Cadmium Showing Up Everywhere?
• How Does the EPA Regulate the Toxic Chemicals You Know Nothing About?

What You Can Do

In addition to highlighting the impact of chemicals and toxins on our bodies and the environment, we’ve also passed on expert advice on what you can do about it:

• “Green” Your Indoor Air: Freshen Your Home Without Harming Your Health
• 10 Reasons to Think “Green” Spring Cleaning
• An Easy Lifestyle Change: Limit Your Exposure to BPA, DEHP
• Avoid the “Dirty Dozen” at the Farmer’s Market
• Seven More Non-Organic Foods to Avoid
• Getting in Touch with the Earth May Reduce Chronic Pain, Aid Sleep
• Want to Avoid GMO Foods? Just Label It!
• Spring Cleaning: Don’t Forget Your Liver

Affecting Change

Yet, despite these realities, we only have one day set aside to ponder our impact on the planet. Of course many people strive to live green year-round, but are we moving the needle on repairing decades of environmental damage or preventing future problems?

We hope you’ll stay tuned to our blog for future posts on these important issues. To be sure you don’t miss a post, consider subscribing to our blog and get it delivered to you via email, XML or your favorite news reader.

You may have gotten rid of all those toxic toys and cosmetic products that may be harming the health of your son or daughter, but don't believe for a second that you're home-free.

Fact is, your home may be the real problem, according to a new report from the Ecology Group that tested some 2,300 kinds of wallpaper and more than 1,000 samples of flooring for chemicals known for their toxicity or ability to build in the environment and humans. Among the harmful chemicals detected in these products: Lead, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), cadmium, phthalates, tin, arsenic and mercury.

By the scary numbers:

* Almost all wallpaper samples that were tested contained PVC, and more than half contained at least one harmful chemical at levels above 40 ppm, including antimony, lead, tin, chromium or cadmium.

* Thirteen percent of the wallpaper samples analyzed had cadmium levels greater than 100 ppm.

* A host of phthalates made up nearly 13 percent of the weight of tested flooring samples. Also, many vinyl flooring samples contained four phthalate plasticizers, chemicals that have been banned recently in children's products.

To the good, HealthyStuff.org listed some safer alternatives, but only on the flooring side. Hardwood, bamboo, linoleum and cork flooring were free of hazardous metals including mercury, lead and cadmium, and non-vinyl flooring was 50 percent less likely to contain harmful chemical additives.

Image source: HealthyStuff.org

HealthyStuff.org/Ecology Group October 19, 2010

MSNBC October 19, 2010

Bloomberg.com October 18, 2010

When you heard about the latest product recall from a big-box retailer -- this time, it's 12 million drinking glasses used to market the "final" Shrek film sold at McDonald's -- you probably weren't surprised, especially if you're a parent or grandparent. The culprit is a familiar one…

Trace amounts of cadmium, the 48th element of the Periodic Table and a known carcinogen, have been showing up lately, not only coating Shrek glasses, but in Chinese-made children's products that have found their way to the shelves of big-box retailers in America, according to the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC). One bit of good news: Cadmium levels measured in those Shrek glasses were much lower than those detected in some children's jewelry -- think trinkets promoting Hannah Montana's alter-ego Miley Cyrus and The Princess and the Frog movie.

In fact, much of this recent attention paid by the CPSC was likely triggered by an Associated Press investigation that discovered 12 percent of the children's pendants and bracelets scientists tested contained at least 10 percent cadmium. And, the most contaminated piece was composed of 91 percent cadmium by weight.

So, if cadmium is a carcinogen used primarily in the making of batteries, why is it being found in other places? Chinese manufacturers may be substituting harmful heavy metals like cadmium, barium and antimony in place of lead, to achieve specific pigments, according to CPSC.

More recently, we warned you about excessive amounts of lead and cadmium also showing up in the darndest places, like St. John's wort, just another reason for you to do your homework when it concerns taking a supplement.

Image source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

The Christian Science Monitor June 10, 2010

Huffington Post June 4, 2010

New York Times June 9, 2010

The list of contaminants that can potentially harm young folks has grown exponentially with this latest study that found exposure to endocrine disruptors -- common chemicals used to make shampoos, nail polish and other consumer products -- can upset the timing of puberty in young girls, and set the stage for further health problems, among them breast cancer, down the road.

Scientists analyzed urine samples collected from 1,151 young girls (ages 4-9) living in New York, metro Cincinnati and northern California to study the impact of their exposure of phenols, phytoestrogens and phthalates, substances that were very obvious and widely detectable. Some chemicals were linked to later puberty (one subset of phthalates detected in patient samples is used to make plastic tubing), while others used in the production of lotions and shampoos were responsible for earlier physical maturation.

The really serious health problem may not show up until adulthood, however, says Dr, Mary Wolff, a professor of preventative medicine and oncological sciences at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. "We believe that there are certain periods of vulnerability in the development of the mammary gland, and exposure to these chemicals may influence breast cancer risk in adulthood." Larger BMIs may contribute to puberty problems too.

An interesting sidenote: Some endocrine disruptors are used by manufacturers to coat supplements and medications in order to trigger a timed-release mechanism.

Environmental Health Perspectives April 2010 Free Full Text Study

healthfinder.gov April 8, 2010

Mount Sinai School of Medicine April 5, 2010