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Author |
Published |
Section |
Bristler's Mother
A family-friendly review of six eco-toothpastes |
Katharine Wroth |
11 Mar 2008 |
The Bottom Line |
| Aiming for greener whites. Photo: iStockphoto When it came time to test out eco-toothpastes for this column, I knew just whom to call: my sister, her husband, and their two boys. As a rule, their household purchasing -- and philosophy -- tends to straddle the eco/non-eco line, and toothpaste is no exception: two of them use a mainstream brand, and two use "green" pastes. I figured all those ... |
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| Topics: green living, green products, health, shopping (all these topics) |
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It's a Wash
A review of six green laundry detergents |
Sarah van Schagen |
26 Feb 2008 |
The Bottom Line |
| Let's get down and dirty ... about your laundry habits. You may think you're in the clear, but every time you use your conventional, chemical-filled detergent, you could be affecting your health -- as well as the health of waterways downstream. That doesn't sound so fresh (and so clean, clean), so I decided to seek out green laundry detergents and find out which one performs best. Lean, green, cleaning mac ... |
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| Topics: advice, green cleaning, green living, green products, health, shopping, The Bottom Line (all these topics) |
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A hunk, a hunk of burnin' love
Why burning a vinyl album is a bad idea |
Sarah van Schagen |
16 Feb 2008 |
Gristmill |
| Thursday night, a group of us Grist gals headed out to The Stranger's Valentine's Day Bash -- a yearly purge for Seattle's lovelorn wherein the wronged bring in mementos of their failed relationship and host Dan Savage destroys them on stage in some sick and twisted but totally satisfying way. (Fret not, old boyfriends, I didn't destroy anything of yours ...) Weapons of choice include a sledgehammer, a power saw, liquid nitrogen, men's urinals, a high-powered blend ... |
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| Topics: toxics, health, advice, green living, music (all these topics) |
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Polyvinyl Want an Attacker?
PVC is latest target of folks concerned about toxic toys |
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13 Feb 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 11:57 AM on 13 Feb 2008 Photo: iStockphoto Lead-toy furor is so last year; the source du jour of parental outrage is plastic polyvinyl chloride in toys. Numerous playthings -- balls, dolls, rubber duckies, tea sets, you name it -- contain PVC, which is made with carcinogen vinyl chloride, often softened with phthalates, and frequently contains lead and other heavy metals. While the Toy Industry Associa ... |
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| Topics: green living, health, news, parenting, toxics (all these topics) |
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My Three Sins
On avoiding vinyl |
Umbra Fisk |
13 Feb 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Hi Umbra! I've been in denial about vinyl. Blue Vinyl, the movie, got me thinking, but unfortunately I space out and lie to myself. I even have bought those recently popular adult toys that advertise as being vinyl in large unavoidable proclamations on the front of the box and I still managed somehow to think, "It is probably a different process for toys." After reading your article about the LPs, I realized just how bad I have ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, health, shopping, toxics (all these topics) |
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Unhappy Campers
Fewer folks are regularly getting out in nature, says study |
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05 Feb 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 11:44 AM on 05 Feb 2008 Kids -- and adults -- these days are "videophiliacs" who prefer their nature through the TV screen rather than personally experienced, says a new study estimating that U.S. folks' participation in outdoor recreation has dropped as much as 25 percent over the past 20 years. Researchers looked at four metrics: visitation to public lands, number of fishing and hunting licenses iss ... |
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| Topics: green living, health, Nature Conservancy, news, scientific research (all these topics) |
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Toxic as a Baby's Bottom
Lotioned-up babies have high phthalate levels, says study |
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04 Feb 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 9:58 AM on 04 Feb 2008 Photo: iStockphoto Ways to poison your kids: It's not just bottles, car seats, and toys anymore! Tots exposed to baby cosmetics -- lotions, shampoos, powders, and the like -- have high levels of toxic phthalates in their wee bodies, according to a new study published in the journal Pediatrics. Lotion exposure led to the highest phthalate concentrations in infant urine; use of baby ... |
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| Topics: green living, health, news, parenting, toxics (all these topics) |
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Clorox + Wal-Mart = deeelight
The latest green partnership |
Katharine Wroth |
14 Jan 2008 |
Gristmill |
| Dave posted earlier about the new green cleaning line from Clorox and his combined reaction of happy feelings and 'how will greens spin this into suckage.' But wait, it gets better: Wal-Mart is investing big time in the Clorox product line. Check this quote from a Wal-Mart press release: 'Wal-Mart's support of Green Works has significantly influenced the scale of our launch,' said Ed Huber, vice president of sales, Wal-Mart team at Clorox. 'Along with their size a ... |
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| Topics: business, consumerism, green living, health, shopping, toxics, Wal-Mart (all these topics) |
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Do They Suck?
On Camelbaks |
Umbra Fisk |
07 Jan 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, Recently, I've started to try to avoid plastics (especially plastic water bottles). For Christmas, my brother gave me a Camelbak-type water bottle. How safe is this? I assume it's as bad as most plastic water bottles. Timothy Kearney Issaquah, Wash. Dearest Timothy, Gifting quandary alert. But does it suck? Photo: iStockphoto Not all plastic water bottles are equal. In a larger context of avoiding plastic, we may occasionally ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, health, toxics (all these topics) |
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Don't Go Toward the Light
Compact fluorescents can cause health problems, say groups |
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04 Jan 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 10:22 AM on 04 Jan 2008 As Australia, Britain, and the good ol' U.S. of A make plans to phase out traditional energy-sucking light bulbs, health concerns are being raised about compact fluorescents, the most popular alternative. The British Association of Dermatologists says CFLs can cause rashes on folks with photosensitive skin, the U.K. Migraine Action Association suggests that the bulbs can trigger ... |
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| Topics: energy, energy at home, energy efficiency, green living, health, news (all these topics) |
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Chem Again
On bleach |
Umbra Fisk |
10 Dec 2007 |
Ask Umbra |
| Greetings, I recently was infected with MRSA. It got better. As part of my treatment I'm supposed to use bleach in my laundry and around the house to help kill the bacteria. While I'm brunette, I feel like the stereotypical blonde about bleach. What are the environmental impacts of this chemical? Thanks, Emily Indiana Editor's Note: Oh, how Umbra would love to answer this question -- but she's been kidnapped! Please donate to Grist by 11:59 p.m. P ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, health, toxics (all these topics) |
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Take a Hike
Exercise can combat both obesity and global warming, says CDC |
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12 Nov 2007 |
News |
| Posted at 9:54 AM on 12 Nov 2007 Americans facing the triple threat of climate change, obesity, and what-can-I-do-ness can tackle all three by walking or biking instead of driving -- even if just for a half-hour per day -- and eating less red meat. So says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which is considering public promotion of everyday exercise as a way to mitigate the challenges of our time. source: Ass ... |
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| Topics: food, green living, health, messaging, news, vegetarianism and veganism (all these topics) |
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Toxics 'R' Us
Everyday folk found to be contaminated with toxic chemicals |
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09 Nov 2007 |
News |
| Posted at 9:16 AM on 09 Nov 2007 Volunteers across the U.S. were found to have toxic bisphenol-A, PBDEs, and phthalates in their blood and urine, says a small study sponsored by a coalition of environmental health groups. The "Is It in Us?" study analyzed 35 people from seven states; while the sample size was too small to be representative of the larger population, the results were quite similar to those of a hu ... |
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| Topics: Centers on Disease Control and Prevention, green living, health, news, scientific research, toxics (all these topics) |
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Dropping (Fatty) Acid
Organic food healthier than non-organic, research finds |
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29 Oct 2007 |
News |
| Posted at 5:16 PM on 29 Oct 2007 Who woulda thunk: Organic food is healthier than pesticide-ridden food, according to preliminary results of a four-year study funded by the European Union. Researchers found that organic nosh contained more antioxidants (yum!) and less fatty acids (ew!) than non-organic. Organic milk was found to have up to 80 percent more antioxidants than conventional cow juice, as well as higher amo ... |
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| Topics: agriculture, food, green living, health, news, organic food, scientific research (all these topics) |
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Ghoul, Interrupted
On Halloween |
Umbra Fisk |
22 Oct 2007 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, We really enjoy the community aspect of trick-or-treating but we don't want to give out candy to the little ones, or toxic plastic Chinese toys. Two hundred kids come to our house every Halloween. How do we keep it green, safe, and economical? Jodi McMillian Charleston, W.Va. Dearest Jodi, Two hundred children? How did you keep it economical last year? Let's see, if you were to buy a bag of mini Snickers with 70 in the bag, a ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, health, holiday, parenting (all these topics) |
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All's well that ends sick
My brush with medical reality, on a bike |
Katharine Wroth |
11 Oct 2007 |
Gristmill |
| My fella and I have been living a one-car life for the last year, and overall it's going pretty well. Helps that I'm a telecommuter, and helps that we have made the choice to live near a commuter rail and a small but semi-useful downtown. I also succeeded in finding a doctor and a dentist within (loosely defined) walking distance. Which worked really well, on a sunny day, when I was in good health. But this morning, I had to go see my doctor. And it's cold and rai ... |
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| Topics: bikes, green living, health (all these topics) |
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Sow What?
A Grist special series on food and farming |
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09 Oct 2007 |
Grist Feature |
| You know where babies come from, sure -- but do you know where Tater Tots come from? In this two-week series, we'll take you on a behind-the-scenes tour of your very own diet. Everybody eats, every day, but we tend to gloss over the details. Things like the work that really goes into putting food on our plates, the environmental impacts of food production, and how we can make the best choices -- for our bodies and the planet -- ... |
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| Topics: agriculture, food, green living, health (all these topics) |
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The Age of Ban
Senate passes asbestos ban, Democrats want to rid toys of lead |
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05 Oct 2007 |
News |
| Posted at 5:38 PM on 05 Oct 2007 Hey, you with the asbestos-contaminated attic: The Senate has unanimously passed a measure to ban importation, manufacture, processing, and distribution of products containing asbestos. Forty other nations have already banned the cancer-causing mineral, which is found in more than 3,000 consumer products in the U.S. Speaking of things that should have happened a long time ago, Democrat ... |
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| Topics: green living, health, legislation, news, parenting, politics, toxics, US Senate (all these topics) |
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Everything's Just Fin
Research funded by seafood industry concludes that moms should eat fish |
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05 Oct 2007 |
News |
| Posted at 2:40 PM on 05 Oct 2007 A group of scientists affiliated with the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition (HMHB) announced conclusions yesterday that new moms and moms-to-be should eat at least 12 ounces of seafood per week to encourage wee ones' brain development. Federal agencies, which advise moms to consume no more than 12 ounces of seafood per week to reduce babies' exposure to ... |
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| Topics: Department of Health and Human Services, food, Food and Drug Administration, green living, health, mercury, news, parenting, scientific research (all these topics) |
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Vermiculite Reading
EPA refuses to warn homeowners about asbestos exposure from insulation |
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05 Oct 2007 |
News |
| Posted at 10:19 AM on 05 Oct 2007 If you happen to be reading through the U.S. EPA website -- which you no doubt do every day -- you might come across a warning that some 35 million homes nationwide contain insulation processed with asbestos-contaminated vermiculite from infamous Libby, Mont. If you ask the agency about it, they'd be happy to send you a pamphlet -- but they're sure not going to come right ... |
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| Topics: Government Accountability Office, green living, health, insanity, news, politics, US EPA (all these topics) |
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Into the Drink
California may require labels on bottled water, EPA strengthens lead-in-water regulations |
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27 Sep 2007 |
News |
| Posted at 5:08 PM on 27 Sep 2007 Bottled-water companies would have to disclose the source of their H2O under a bill that has passed through the California legislature and awaits the pen of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. The bill would require companies to list the minerals, chemicals, and bacteria present in bottled water, as well as whether it came originally from a well, aquifer, spring, or ... |
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| Topics: California, food, green living, health, news, regulation, toxics, US EPA (all these topics) |
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No Surrender
This family is sticking with eco-alternatives |
Christine Gardner |
27 Sep 2007 |
Grist Feature |
| This summer, my family and I took an overnight trip to Chicago that started out pleasant enough. We were well packed and tidy. Just before boarding our train, my husband took a few pictures of us, joking that this would begin our slow descent into madness. Consider the alternatives. Photo: iStockphoto Descent into madness. That turned out to be pretty accurate. We have a long and storied history of not ... |
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| Topics: green living, health, parenting, special series (all these topics) |
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Adolescent Appetites
The road to disodium inosinate is paved with good intentions |
Amy Linn |
27 Sep 2007 |
Grist Feature |
| Mea culpa. That's the only way I can honestly write anything about getting older kids to eat healthy foods. Because I've been a sucker for the look my 11-year-old gets on her face if I plop down a bowl of nuclear-orange SpongeBob mac-and-cheese in front of her. Sheer joy: that's the only way to describe it. Ditto for the times she eats (can I admit this?) Cookie Crisp cereal, high-fructose c ... |
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| Topics: food, green living, health, parenting, special series (all these topics) |
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Elmo Has Left the Giggle Box
An illustration and explanation of today's tainted toys |
Keri Rosebraugh, Katharine Wroth |
25 Sep 2007 |
Grist Feature |
| By Keri Rosebraugh and Katharine Wroth 25 Sep 2007 Seems you can't turn around these days without hearing about some trusted toy being yanked from the shelves. (Dora, we hardly knew ya!) If you want to keep on top of the latest recalls, check out the Consumer Product Safety Commission database or BabyCenter's product recall finder. Meanwhile, we offer a graphic cheat sheet below, followed by explanations of s ... |
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| Topics: green living, health, parenting, shopping, special series (all these topics) |
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Alterna-Toys
Where to turn when you're sick of disposable doodads |
Katy Balatero |
25 Sep 2007 |
Grist Feature |
| Block to basics. Photo: iStockphoto Keeping up with Ken and Barbie got you down? Check out these companies invested in making eco-friendlier playthings for your little ones. (And read about one mother's no-crap crusade.) Dwelling These soft, handmade toys are created by a women's knitting collective in Kenya, under the guidance of a nonprofit that helps connect artisans to international markets. All of ... |
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| Topics: consumerism, green living, health, parenting, shopping, special series (all these topics) |
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