A Child Grows In Brooklyn

How Toxic is your paint?

This is really helpful if you are thinking about painting. This website is run by National Geographic so I totally trust it- and thanks Leo for telling me about it.  Here it is:  http://www.thegreenguide.com/doc/96/paint
To avoid VOCs, look on labels for no-VOC paints or low-VOC paints with limits   set by California's South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD). Natural   milk paints are another no-VOC option, but they must be used quickly once mixed   and are prone to mildew, rendering them unfit for bathrooms or kitchens. Whitewashes   for exterior use on brick or concrete cost less and are generally low-VOC, though   some formulations include formaldehyde. Even paints made from certified organic   plants might give off natural VOCs from citrus or pine-based solvents, which   can cause allergic reactions.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

BRAND	NATURAL	VOCs	PRICE	CONTACT	USE
AFM Safecoat Eggshell Zero VOC by AFM		No	$34.90/gallon	Afmsafecoat.com         800-239-0321	Interior
Air-Care Coronado		No	$21/gallon	Coronadopaint.com       800-883-4193	Interior
BioShield Clay Paint	Yes	No	$40/gallon	Bioshieldpaint.com       800-621-2591	Interior
BioShield Solvent-Free Wall Paint	Yes	No	$34/gallon	Bioshieldpaint.com       800-621-2591	Interior
Ecological Paint by Innovative Formulations Company		No	$20/gallon	Innovativeformulations.com       520-628-1553	Interior/Exterior
EcoSpec by Benjamin Moore		Low	$25 to $30/gallon	Bejaminmoore.com       800-344-0400	Interior
Enviro-Safe Paint by Chem-Safe Products		No	$29.95/gallon	210-657-5321	Interior/Exterior
Genesis Odor-Free Interior Latex Flat Wall Paint by Duron		No	$26.70/gallong	Duron.com       800-72-DURON	Interior
Kelly-Moore Enviro-Coat Enamel		No	$15.10/gallon	Kellymoore.com       650-595-1654	Interior
Lifemaster 2000 Interior Flat Paint by ICI Dulux		No	$25/gallon	Iciduluxpaints.com       216-344-8000	Interior
Safecoat Exterior Satin		Low	$35/gallon	Afmsafecoat.com       800-239-0321	Exterior
Old Fashioned Milk Paint	Yes	No	$43.95/gallon	Milkpaint.com       978-448-6336	Interior

Where to Donate?

Thanks to local mom and professional organizer Amanda Wiss for assembling this much "asked for" list.

Listed below are 4 non-profit organizations that will pick up children’s items in Brooklyn:

Baby Buggy
520 Eighth Avenue, 8th Floor
New York, NY 10018
Phone: 212.736.1777
Website: www.babybuggy.org
*New and gently used infant and toddler clothing,bedding, some furniture, and gear.  See complete list
on their website. Brooklyn pick up process: Call the office to schedule. Pickups are done by courier.  It’s currently $42 for first 5 pieces – bags, boxes or furniture.  Anything additional is $2.35 an item. 

Inwood House
320 E. 82nd St.
New York, NY 10028
Phone: 212.861.4325 x217 (Bianca Baqurizo)
Fax: 212.535.3775
Website: www.inwoodhouse.com
*Accepts toys, baby gear, maternity and baby clothing,men’s professional clothing, home and office
furniture, electronics, and baby furniture.  See complete list on their website. Brooklyn pick up process:  Call the office or log on to get their in-kind donation form.  There is no charge for the pickup.

Room to Grow
54 West 21st Street #401
New York, NY 10010
Phone: 212.620.7800
Fax: 212.620.3021
Website: www.roomtogrow.org
*infant and toddler clothing (up to size 4T) books,toys, equipment, and other items in truly excellent condition. No stuffed animals, cribs, furniture, or car seats.Brooklyn pick up process: Call the office to schedule a pick-up, which can usually be done same day.  It’s through a messenger service, and there is a
tax-deductible fee of $35-$45 depending on the amount to pick up.  They also take drop-offs at Brooklyn Play Spot on Atlantic and Bond.

Young Israel Yeshiva of Brighton Beach
Neptune Ave., Brooklyn
718-385-5002
Accepts adult and children’s clothing in excellent
condition, shoes, handbags, blankets and linens. No
toys or gear. Brooklyn pick up process:  Call during office hours (Monday –Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) to schedule.  Pickups are currently done on Mondays and Thursdays in Brooklyn.   There is no charge for the pickup, but there is a quantity limit of 2 or 3 bags due to space limitations in the van. 

Update on Lead Paint from a Parent

I posted about lead paint and got extensive and researched feedback from a local Brooklyn dad- Leo. Thanks LEO!

I think he has some great info for the rest of us.

Lead Cleaner
According to the EPA and others, most lead poisoning comes from dust, not chips. Dust can come from all sorts of unlikely places, such as from between your walls (gets into the room via unsealed gaps between wall and floor). The most effective solution is to clean dusty areas regularly using TSP (tri-sodium phosphate). TSP is a highly effective cleaner used by professional painters to prep surfaces prior to painting. TSP is the only cleaner, to my knowledge, that is officially listed as an effective lead-reduction cleaner… but it’s recommended as a temporary measure while you figure out your abatement strategy. The downside is that TSP is a nasty chemical – it should not be allowed to pool, must be applied with gloves, and must be rinsed off with water.

Lead Testers
The DIY tests are completely ineffective. They are eschewed by the NLIC and all professional testers. We tested several known lead surfaces and came up with a no-lead result. Lead chip samplings cost about $60/test, as do “wipe tests” which are used to sample dust (search for “ghost wipes” online), generally to test the results post-abatement. If you want to go this route, this lab has been reviewed well by some professionals I’ve spoken to: www.acsenvironmentalinc.com: http://www.acsenvironmentalinc.com. The best test, of course, is an in-home XRF (x-ray based) test, which must be performed by a professional. Runs about $500 to test a typical apartment. More information on NLIC site you cited. (The National Lead Information Center (NLIC) http://www.epa.gov/oppt/lead/)

DIY Lead Abatement
“Bound” doors and windows are the most common source of dust. These can be easily remedied, but doing it yourself may result in more damage (from dust released during the process) than good. Best to have done professionally, or if not, by using the NLIC’s best practices (tarp off area, use booties, use TSP to pre-clean, etc.). I found an awesome website explaining how to test for and remedy bound doors/windows: http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/leadsafetybk.pdf http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/leadsafetybk.pdf

One more thing. There’s a really cool product for DIY abatement. It seals off the paint underneath, and they recommend wet scraping the old paint. We just painted right over the failing lead paint, and it seems to be working, though it will probably fail in several years since the failing paint will undermine the integrity of the new paint. Still, it buys you some time. The product is specifically designed to encapsulate lead paint, and includes an ingredient that makes it taste bitter, should your child try to eat it. www.epaintstore.com/paint/child_guard.htm http://www.epaintstore.com/paint/child_guard.htm. More info here: www.bobvila.com/BVTV/HomeAgain/Video-1224-03-2.html

Lastly,  I’ve had a bitch of a time finding one of those NLIC-certified companies to do abatement. Most of them do abatements to cure official violations, and they seem to be too busy to return calls, or extremely unoprofessional one-man shops. Anyone with a good abatement contractor, please let me know.

Organic Mattresses- more research

I did some more research today on organic mattresses. There are so many manufacturers who claim to be making all "organic mattresses" that is easy to get confused. I certainly was for about 2 hours today until some additional reading and phone calling cleared up some of the messy mind bog I was in.
I went through the recommendations of The Environmental Working Group that I posted yesterday and also one or two from other chat sites.  There is a pretty wide range of prices (from $259 to $475) and a range of materials. Some are manufactured using a combination of wool (a natural fire retardant) and cotton, others are purely cotton, others are foam or rubber.  One of the issues I need to address is that we suspect that Birch is allergic to wool. We don't know this for sure but based on the rashes he got from his wool sweater and hat from Ecuador it is a possibility. The other thing to consider is that latex and wool are both considered possible baby allergens. If you have a history of these allergies you might steer clear of these mattress materials. Although it is considered that an allergy to rubber might be from the proteins of the rubber which wouldn't necessarily affect a child as the rubber is deeply embedded in the core of the crib mattress. The allergy to wool is usually from the harsh chemical treatments used to take the lanolin of the wool out (which the following manufacturers shouldn't do) so perhaps the wool allergy wouldn't affect your decision to go with a cotton/wool combination mattress.

Here are the manufacturers that seemed to have the best prices and selection.
Note that the coil comparison can effect pricing (and of course the reputation which is as follows):
Earthsake has 2 crib mattresses, a cotton/wool one called The Cloud ($337) and a 100% cotton one that has a natural flame retardant (which I am still waiting for a call back from them to explain this) that is called Tranquility ($265). Both are 180 coils. This is a basic coil number- not a really firm mattress, in other words.
Naturepedic has 4 crib mattresses. They do a nice comparison of them for you on their site. The No-Compromise Organic Cotton Classic is the basic model which you can choose in either 150 coils ($259) or 252 coils ($299).  The difference with these mattresses is that they are only cotton, the don't use wool, rubber or latex and they have a flame retardant. The flame retardant is a mixture of silica and baking soda. The problem with this manufacturer is that they wrap the outer surface in polyethylene which is a synthetic material which is made from petroleum and is basically the same material as a ziploc bag. So, I would not recommend this brand.
Ecobaby has a basic organic/wool mattress that is 260 coils ($299) and a natural rubber mattress that is rubber with cotton and wool quilted to the mattress ticking. It also has 260 coils for $399. Ecobaby is on the Green Guide that is put out by National Geographic.
Lifekind sells 2 mattresses. One is made with cotton/wool that is basically a cotton core quilted with wool and then cotton.  The cost is $375 for 280 coils. The other one they sell is a natural core of rubber with cotton and wool, no coils for $425. They can send a sample of the crib material and an allergy kit. (Both are being sent to me). This manufacturer has been in business for a long time and they have 70% of the organic mattress manufacturing market.
Ikea makes a PBDE-free foam mattress with alternative chemicals. Although I thought foam was synthetic so perhaps this is not a truly organic mattress? The prices range from $39.99 to 79.99). I think this is a great, affordable option.

In conclusion, we will either go with Lifekind, Ecobaby or Ikea. Big differences I know, but it makes sense to me to either go for the whole shebang (Lifekind and Ecobaby) or compromise for semi-organic (Ikea.).

Lead Paint- how do you know if you have it?

• I do understand that you can make your own lead cleaner- some concoction from Cascade and water....has anyone used that? Has anyone changed the lead levels in their home from just cleaning? 
  
• 
  
• I see this question on the message boards a lot- where do you find a lead tester?  Here is the scoop......
• If your home was built before 1978, have your home tested for lead. The National Lead Information Center (NLIC) provide a list of EPA-certified labs near you. You may send the labs paint chips from cracks for testing. The NLIC can provide a list of local specialists who can remove or seal the lead. Do-it-yourself tests, available at hardware stores, can detect high levels of lead, but may not clue you into low levels or lead paint that is under many layers of paint.

• If lead is found, but the paint is still intact (not chipping or peeling), then your family is safe from lead poisoning. However, if the lead paint is falling apart or was used on door jambs or window frames, where constant movement and friction cause a dust to escape, you will need to take action.

• If you plan to paint or renovate areas where there is lead paint, you must have the lead paint removed by a lead abatement specialist before starting. If you sand or tear down walls that have lead paint in them, a fine lead-laden dust will disperse throughout your house! Everyone who lives in the house will be exposed to significant risk.

• A lead abatement specialist (see below) must clean up all lead paint. Do not attempt this yourself! The U.S.Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offices or the  American Industrial Hygiene Association can help you locate certified lead removal contractors in your area.

• As a temporary measure, until lead paint is removed, damp mop frequently to clean up lead-laden dust. Wash children's toys and stuffed animals frequently.

• If possible, your family should move out while lead-based paint is being removed by a lead abatement professional.

A Safe Paint Stripper

This question has come up in our house a few times. We want to strip some old furniture but stripping is so toxic that we don't want to do it at home. It looks like that is about to change. There is a new paint stripper out that is a "100% derived from a proprietary blend of U.S. grown corn and soybean esters." It is called "The aMAIZEing™ Biobased Solvent & Stripper". Supposedly you can use it to strip lead paint, adhesives, paint, grafitti and concrete. The grafitti part might be even more useful! (P.S.- I have heard it really works!)
      

No more Chinet paper plates this summer

I admit we used paper plates at our last big shindig for Papa Tree's 40th birthday party. Yes, I felt guilty about it, but I also didn't want to  wash plates for the whole night. As his 41st birthday is soon approaching, I wanted to find an alternative this year.  Well, I think I found it. Bagasse plates, cups and bowls are made from a sugarcane refining process and can be recycled with other paper or put in with your other compost.  They are unbleached and FDA approved for food use.  Believe it or not they can also survive runs in the microwave and freezer. You can buy bagasse utensils too.  Find them at www.branchhome.com. The 9" Plates (pack of 50) are $9.00- which means you are paying $.41 per plate.

Finally, a list of BPA-free products!

There has been a flurry of information about BPA-free products over the last year and a half. In many ways it has been confusing: some bottles are NOT completely BPA free (the bottles themselves may be, but not their other parts), and then the government told us that BPA wasn't linked to certain cancers and now they tell us it most likely is...

Well, there is some clarity now: there is a site called Zrecs that has put out various editions of what companies are selling products that are completely BPA free. If you have a question about a certain product you can text "zrecs" plus a company name and/or a product category to 69866. You'll get a text back (or occasionally two) providing the BPA status of products by that company and/or in that category. Current categories are bottles, sippys, pacifiers, and tableware. What a great service!

They divide companies into categories of Excellent, Good and Fair and Poor.
The following are companies that fall into the Excellent Category.

Adiri (pictured in TOP PHOTO)
Born Free
Combi
Medela
Obentec
thinkbaby

More concern over formula containers

Last week the story broke that the NTP (the National Toxicology Program)- which is part of the NIH (National Institutes of Health) cited concern over the use of BPA (bispehnol A) and its possible link to breast cancer, prostate cancer and early puberty. Well, finally!

This was big news because it overturned an earlier judgment made by another government panel that said that BPA was NOT linked to those health problems. But when the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee investigated, they found that the contractor who had been hired to do the review was corrupt and that the contractor had deliberately given false science!

All major formula companies use BPA to line the metal portions of infant formula containers- both powdered and liquid.  BPA is also found in many plastic baby bottles. BPA is in almost any shatterproof plastic (including water bottles) or any metal lined container (including canned foods).

For the Associated Press stories on the subject, visit the Environmental Working Group.
For BPA free bottles, see my previous post here- there ARE alternatives.

What and Where to Recycle?

If you are looking for good ideas and information on "going green" this Chicago website should top your list: http://www.afreshsqueeze.com/. They sent out some information a few months ago that I wanted to pass on to you all.
According to the Chicago Recycling Coalition website, batteries constitute “88 percent of the mercury and 54 percent of the cadmium deposited into our landfills, which adversely affects the environment, wildlife, and human health.”

Okay, so where do we recycle batteries in Brooklyn? To find the place closest to you, check out this website: http://www.rbrc.org. You just put in your zip and it will tell you the closest locations to you. I couldn't believe how many places recycle cell phone batteries and regular batteries- there were 4 pages alone for my zip code within 10 miles! But here are a couple that I wanted to put down:

3r Living
www.3rliving.com
276 Fifth Ave, between First St and Garfield Pl
Park Slope Brooklyn
718-832-0951

Neerguard Pharmacy
454 5th Ave (btw. 9th and 10th St)
718-768-0600

Pintchik Paints
478 Bergen ST
Brooklyn, NY 11217
718-783-3333

Yet even when recycling is possible, it’s not always preferrable. Kevin Dick points out that although Styrofoam can be recycled, the environmental benefits are negative. So avoid and reuse Styrofoam whenever possible, and return packaging peanuts to a local UPS stores.

Go to the UPS website and put in your zip code to find a store near you.