Little Things Matter

latest LTM News

What We Do

Little Things Matter raises awareness of the growing environmental risks we face as a global community by translating science into free, easy-to-understand and actionable materials. Our goal is to spread awareness about the effects of toxic chemicals on the health of our population and planet.

We believe that every child has the right to a healthy environment.

Follow Our Footsteps

One week until CEH Day!

We believe that all children deserve clean air, clean water, safe food and products, and healthy places to live, learn and play. That’s why we work to protect children’s environmental health year-round and why we’re excited for Children`s Environmental Health Day (CEH Day) on October 10th! Join us: cehday.org
...

3 0
New Science

Is your cutting board exposing you to microplastics?

Researchers found that plastic cutting boards are a source of microplastics, particularly in fast food chains where large quantities of food are processed.

Microplastics contain chemicals, like phthalates, that increase the risk of ADHD in children and infertility in men.

Wooden cutting boards inhibit bacterial growth; plastic cutting boards are conducive to bacterial growth (Ak, 1994).

A solid wood cutting board made by a local artisan from hardwood or bamboo is a great gift.

Checkout ways to reduce exposure here: https://bit.ly/3WEtBAx 

Read the full articles: https://bit.ly/3S0Zun7
https://bit.ly/46S19j0 

Photo source: Mr. Luqman Ali (College of Information Technology, UAEU) and Mr. Mubashir Noman (College of Engineering, UAEU) for the 3D-photo of the used cutting board.

New Science

Is your cutting board exposing you to microplastics?

Researchers found that plastic cutting boards are a source of microplastics, particularly in fast food chains where large quantities of food are processed.

Microplastics contain chemicals, like phthalates, that increase the risk of ADHD in children and infertility in men.

Wooden cutting boards inhibit bacterial growth; plastic cutting boards are conducive to bacterial growth (Ak, 1994).

A solid wood cutting board made by a local artisan from hardwood or bamboo is a great gift.

Checkout ways to reduce exposure here: https://bit.ly/3WEtBAx

Read the full articles: https://bit.ly/3S0Zun7
https://bit.ly/46S19j0

Photo source: Mr. Luqman Ali (College of Information Technology, UAEU) and Mr. Mubashir Noman (College of Engineering, UAEU) for the 3D-photo of the used cutting board.
...

15 1
📰 In the News 📰

"Microplastic pollution has been detected in human blood for the first time, with scientists finding the tiny particles in almost 80% of the people tested." @theguardian

https://bit.ly/3uoXg3w 

'“It is certainly reasonable to be concerned,” said Prof Dick Vethaak, an ecotoxicologist at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam in the Netherlands. “The particles are there and are transported throughout the body.” He said previous work had shown that microplastics were 10 times higher in the faeces of babies compared with adults and that babies fed with plastic bottles are swallowing millions of microplastic particles a day.

“We also know in general that babies and young children are more vulnerable to chemical and particle exposure,” he said. “That worries me a lot.”'

Watch our video on #microplastics and impacts on #children, and visit our #LittleFacts page to learn more, including how to reduce your #exposure: https://bit.ly/3WEtBAx

📰 In the News 📰

"Microplastic pollution has been detected in human blood for the first time, with scientists finding the tiny particles in almost 80% of the people tested." @theguardian

https://bit.ly/3uoXg3w

`“It is certainly reasonable to be concerned,” said Prof Dick Vethaak, an ecotoxicologist at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam in the Netherlands. “The particles are there and are transported throughout the body.” He said previous work had shown that microplastics were 10 times higher in the faeces of babies compared with adults and that babies fed with plastic bottles are swallowing millions of microplastic particles a day.

“We also know in general that babies and young children are more vulnerable to chemical and particle exposure,” he said. “That worries me a lot.”`

Watch our video on #microplastics and impacts on #children, and visit our #LittleFacts page to learn more, including how to reduce your #exposure: https://bit.ly/3WEtBAx
...

19 1
💫 #LittleChangesBigImpact

Forests and green spaces improve children’s mental health and cognition.

💫 Promote green spaces in our town

💫 Protect the quality of natural environments

💫 Spend time with children in forests & parks

#Fridaysforfuture

Read and learn more here: https://bit.ly/3dfBZEs

💫 #LittleChangesBigImpact

Forests and green spaces improve children’s mental health and cognition.

💫 Promote green spaces in our town

💫 Protect the quality of natural environments

💫 Spend time with children in forests & parks

#Fridaysforfuture

Read and learn more here: https://bit.ly/3dfBZEs
...

14 0
When chemicals travel through air and water, across nations, and into territories that lack the technology to have created them in the first place, the global community needs to take action. 🤺 The health of our planet demands it. 🌏

When chemicals travel through air and water, across nations, and into territories that lack the technology to have created them in the first place, the global community needs to take action. 🤺 The health of our planet demands it. 🌏 ...

12 0
✋ YOU asked... WE answered! 👇

Q: You asked: "What chemicals are found in breastmilk and should I be concerned?"

A: While toxic chemicals like PFAS and POPs can be found in breastmilk, most women do not have levels in their breastmilk that should cause them to stop breastfeeding (Balk & Etzel, 2020). We feel strongly that women should not bear the brunt of having to worry about chemicals in their breastmilk, and industry should be held accountable.

While we continue advocating for stronger regulations to prevent chemicals from entering breastmilk, women can reduce exposure to chemicals while breastfeeding by:

1. eating fresh/frozen foods and choosing organic when possible;
2. avoiding packaged foods and heavily processed foods;
3. cleaning with a wet-mop and avoiding dust build up;
4. avoiding fragrance and other chemicals in personal-care products;
5. checking home and water for lead hazards and other heavy metals.

Read more about how to prevent exposures here: littlethingsmatter.ca/little-facts

❓ What other questions do you have for us?

Reference: Protecting Your Child's Health: Expert Answers to Urgent Environmental Questions By Sophie J. Balk, MD, FAAP and Dr. Ruth A. Etzel, MD, PhD, FAAP

✋ YOU asked... WE answered! 👇

Q: You asked: "What chemicals are found in breastmilk and should I be concerned?"

A: While toxic chemicals like PFAS and POPs can be found in breastmilk, most women do not have levels in their breastmilk that should cause them to stop breastfeeding (Balk & Etzel, 2020). We feel strongly that women should not bear the brunt of having to worry about chemicals in their breastmilk, and industry should be held accountable.

While we continue advocating for stronger regulations to prevent chemicals from entering breastmilk, women can reduce exposure to chemicals while breastfeeding by:

1. eating fresh/frozen foods and choosing organic when possible;
2. avoiding packaged foods and heavily processed foods;
3. cleaning with a wet-mop and avoiding dust build up;
4. avoiding fragrance and other chemicals in personal-care products;
5. checking home and water for lead hazards and other heavy metals.

Read more about how to prevent exposures here: littlethingsmatter.ca/little-facts

❓ What other questions do you have for us?

Reference: Protecting Your Child`s Health: Expert Answers to Urgent Environmental Questions By Sophie J. Balk, MD, FAAP and Dr. Ruth A. Etzel, MD, PhD, FAAP
...

7 0
It is a fundamental right to have clean air, fresh water, and access to healthy food. Our Governments should not be allowed to prioritize profits over people. 💦🐫🍍

It is a fundamental right to have clean air, fresh water, and access to healthy food. Our Governments should not be allowed to prioritize profits over people. 💦🐫🍍 ...

15 0
⭐️ Recent Research ⭐️

Can babies be harmed by their parents’ contact with chemicals in the workplace?

Investigators at Institute of Environmental Medicine in Sweden @karolinskainstitut found that parents’ workplace exposure to organic solvents – often found in paints, adhesives, and degreasing agents, or engine exhaust – increased children’s risk of developing cancer.

Children whose mothers were exposed to organic solvents around birth were more likely to develop non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Mothers exposure to diesel or gasoline engine exhaust increased their child’s risk of developing astrocytoma, a type of brain cancer.

Fathers’ exposures also matter! The investigators found an increased risk of Hodgkin lymphoma in children whose dads’ were exposed to gasoline engine exhaust.

Organic solvents can be found in occupations such as:
- Laboratory technicians 🥼 🧪
- Firefighters 🚒 🚨
- Steelworkers 🥾 ⛏
- Road tunnel workers 🚧 🚦

Gasoline and diesel engine exhaust fumes are common in jobs such as:
- Agriculture workers 👩‍🌾 🌳
- Mechanics 🔧🪛
- Drivers 🚚 🚛

Protecting workers today protects the next generation, too. How can expectant parents avoid exposure to organic solvents and engine exhaust in the workplace?

Read the full study here: https://bit.ly/3KSGeme 

@who @cdcglobal @johnshopkins

#HealthyLiving #chemicalexposure

⭐️ Recent Research ⭐️

Can babies be harmed by their parents’ contact with chemicals in the workplace?

Investigators at Institute of Environmental Medicine in Sweden @karolinskainstitut found that parents’ workplace exposure to organic solvents – often found in paints, adhesives, and degreasing agents, or engine exhaust – increased children’s risk of developing cancer.

Children whose mothers were exposed to organic solvents around birth were more likely to develop non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Mothers exposure to diesel or gasoline engine exhaust increased their child’s risk of developing astrocytoma, a type of brain cancer.

Fathers’ exposures also matter! The investigators found an increased risk of Hodgkin lymphoma in children whose dads’ were exposed to gasoline engine exhaust.

Organic solvents can be found in occupations such as:
- Laboratory technicians 🥼 🧪
- Firefighters 🚒 🚨
- Steelworkers 🥾 ⛏
- Road tunnel workers 🚧 🚦

Gasoline and diesel engine exhaust fumes are common in jobs such as:
- Agriculture workers 👩‍🌾 🌳
- Mechanics 🔧🪛
- Drivers 🚚 🚛

Protecting workers today protects the next generation, too. How can expectant parents avoid exposure to organic solvents and engine exhaust in the workplace?

Read the full study here: https://bit.ly/3KSGeme

@who @cdcglobal @johnshopkins

#HealthyLiving #chemicalexposure
...

28 0
Um novo estudo descobriu que bebês expostos a baixos níveis de poluição do ar (abaixo do que é considerado aceitável pelos padrões europeus) apresentaram redução na função pulmonar durante a infância e adolescência.

 Ativistas da campanha por ar limpo argumentam que é "errado pensar que está tudo bem enquanto os níveis de poluição estão dentro dos limites legais. Não existe um nível seguro."

Assista ao nosso vídeo do LTM sobre #poluiçãodoar e maneiras de reduzir a #exposição da sua família: https://bit.ly/3yqpTQS 

 Leia mais sobre o estudo aqui//bit.ly/3no03Xv 

 

#QueimadasBrasil #SOSAmazônia #ArLimpoJá #ForaPoluição #MídiaMainstream #G1 #JornalOGlobo #FolhaSP #AmazôniaEmChamas #DesmatamentoZero #ProtejaONossoFuturo #ClimaUrgente #PoluiçãoNãoTemLimite #SaúdeRespiratória #CriançasVulneráveis #MeioAmbiente #SalvarOPlaneta #JustiçaAmbiental #RespirarÉDireito #EmergênciaClimática #SOSClima #AçãoPeloClima #BrasilVerde #MenosPoluiçãoMaisVida #NotíciasBrasil #JornalNacional #Estadão

Um novo estudo descobriu que bebês expostos a baixos níveis de poluição do ar (abaixo do que é considerado aceitável pelos padrões europeus) apresentaram redução na função pulmonar durante a infância e adolescência.

Ativistas da campanha por ar limpo argumentam que é "errado pensar que está tudo bem enquanto os níveis de poluição estão dentro dos limites legais. Não existe um nível seguro."

Assista ao nosso vídeo do LTM sobre #poluiçãodoar e maneiras de reduzir a #exposição da sua família: https://bit.ly/3yqpTQS

Leia mais sobre o estudo aqui//bit.ly/3no03Xv



#QueimadasBrasil #SOSAmazônia #ArLimpoJá #ForaPoluição #MídiaMainstream #G1 #JornalOGlobo #FolhaSP #AmazôniaEmChamas #DesmatamentoZero #ProtejaONossoFuturo #ClimaUrgente #PoluiçãoNãoTemLimite #SaúdeRespiratória #CriançasVulneráveis #MeioAmbiente #SalvarOPlaneta #JustiçaAmbiental #RespirarÉDireito #EmergênciaClimática #SOSClima #AçãoPeloClima #BrasilVerde #MenosPoluiçãoMaisVida #NotíciasBrasil #JornalNacional #Estadão
...

4 0

Meet Teresa Vincente

Teresa Vicente led a historic, grassroots campaign to save the Mar Menor ecosystem—Europe’s largest saltwater lagoon—from collapse, resulting in the passage of a new law in September 2022 granting the lagoon unique legal rights. Considered to be the most important saltwater coastal lagoon in the western Mediterranean, the once pristine waters of the Mar Menor had become polluted due to mining, rampant development of urban and tourist infrastructure, and, in recent years, intensive agriculture and livestock farming.

Worried by the slow death of the Mar Menor, Teresa was moved to action after a mass fish die-off in 2019. She became convinced that the only way to give the lagoon a chance of survival was to grant it legal personhood and recognize its rights. “Rights of nature” has been proposed and debated for years, but the theory did not gain much traction until recently: Ecosystems in Latin America and New Zealand had been granted such legal rights but none in Europe. Despite being told by experts that it was impossible, Teresa pushed ahead.                       Courtesy of the Goldman Environmental Prize

The Toxic Chemicals Line Up

Phthalates

Phthalates

Phthalates are a series of widely used chemicals that demonstrate to be endocrine disruptors and are detrimental to human health. Phthalates can be found in most products that have contact with plastics during producing, packaging, or delivering. Despite the short half-lives in tissues, chronic exposure to phthalates will adversely influence the endocrine system and functioning of multiple organs, which has negative long-term impacts on the success of pregnancy, child growth and development, and reproductive systems in both young children and
Learn More

EDCs

EDCs

Endocrine disruptors are found in many everyday products, including some plastic bottles and containers, liners of metal food cans, detergents, flame retardants, food, toys, cosmetics, and pesticides.
Learn More

Pesticides

Pesticides

Pesticides are designed to kill pests, but they often end up in our water, soil and food. They can disrupt human health, particularly children’s health. Babies can be exposed to pesticides in their mothers’ womb since they cross the placenta. Children can be exposed when they play in parks, around their homes or when consuming non-organic foods. Children can be exposed to pesticides from their parent’s workplace or if they live near agricultural fields.
Learn More

Lead

Lead

Lead-based paint, water service lines and lead-contaminated dust in older buildings are common sources of lead poisoning in children. Even small amounts of lead, especially for children, can cause serious health problems and affect mental and physical development.
Learn More

Air Pollution

Air Pollution

Air pollution is caused by solid and liquid particles and certain gases that are suspended in the air. These particles and gases can come from car and truck exhaust, factories, dust, pollen, mold spores, volcanoes and wildfires.
Learn More

PFAS

PFAS

PFAs, the "forever chemicals" are found in water, air, fish, and soil and also in many consumer and industrial products. Pregnant woman and their babies are particularly susceptible to exposure with potential adverse health impacts including reduced fetal weight, childhood obesity, learning and behavior issues.
Learn More

Fluoride

Fluoride

Over the past 75 years, health authorities have declared that community water fluoridation–a practice that reaches over 400 million worldwide–is safe. There is emerging evidence from Canada, Mexico, and China, suggests that fluoride exposure, specifically during pregnancy or early infancy when the brain is rapidly developing, may be associated with decreased intelligence.
Learn More

Microplastics

Microplastics

Microplastics are microscopic plastic fragments that flake off of plastic materials as they degrade. They are shed from plastic bottles and bags, car tires and synthetic textiles. Microplastics or microbeads are also added to some personal care products, like toothpaste and scrubs. Some of our favorite foods and drinks contain microplastics from packaging, pipes, and equipment used to process food.
Learn More

PFAS

PFAS

PFAs, the "forever chemicals" are found in water, air, fish, and soil and also in many consumer and industrial products. Pregnant woman and their babies are particularly susceptible to exposure with potential adverse health impacts including reduced fetal weight, childhood obesity, learning and behavior issues.
Learn More

little Steps big impact

Sometimes the events that alter history and have enduring impact happen behind the scenes or without much fanfare. Little Steps, Big Impact takes a moment to highlight those significant events and celebrate their contributions.

Shifting to phthalate-free products
can quickly lower toxin levels

A new study shows that young women who use conventional foundation, blush, and mascara have higher levels of phthalates in their blood. Phthalates are hormone-disruptors, and can mimic or block hormones from properly signaling in the body, disrupting important reproductive and neurological systems.
When the young women in the study stopped using
products with phthalates, the level of some chemicals
in their blood lowered up to 45% after three days. To reduce the amount of phthalates in your blood, swap personal care products for those without phthalates, parabens, or PFAS (or just stop using them). Products without these chemicals can be found by searching EWG’s SkinDeep database.

little videos that capture the big picture

Expand your mind and understanding of how environmental toxic chemicals affect all of us with these short educational videos.

Play Video

The Deadly Impact of Airborne Particles: air pollution is all around us, what can we do? 

Play Video

Little Things Matter: The Impact of Toxic Chemicals on the Developing Brain

Play Video

Going Organic
A simple choice that can change the world.

Let’s Stay in Touch!

Registrer deg for å motta vårt månedlige nyhetsbrev og andre Little Things Matter-oppdateringer.

We will never share your information, your privacy is 100% secure.

Skape en sunn fremtid for alle barn

Vamos manter contato!

Inscreva-se para receber nossa newsletter mensal e outras atualizações little things matter.

We will never share your information, your privacy is 100% secure.

Criando um futuro saudável para todas as crianças

¡Mantengámonos en contacto!

Regístrese para recibir nuestro boletín mensual y otras actualizaciones de Little Things Matter.

We will never share your information, your privacy is 100% secure.

Creando un futuro saludable para todos los niños

चलो संपर्क में रहें!

हमारे मासिक न्यूज़लेटर और अन्य लिटिल थिंग्स मैटर अपडेट प्राप्त करने के लिए साइन अप करें।

We will never share your information, your privacy is 100% secure.

सभी बच्चों के लिए एक स्वस्थ भविष्य बनाना

让我们保持联系!

注册以接收我们的每月时事通讯和其他小事事项更新。

We will never share your information, your privacy is 100% secure.

为所有儿童创造健康的未来

Let’s Stay in Touch!

Sign up to recieve our monthly newsletter and other Little Things Matter updates.

We will never share your information, your privacy is 100% secure.

Creating a Healthy Future for All Children