91% of the world’s population breathes polluted air! Yet over one-third of countries have no laws protecting outdoor air quality! The World Health Organization (WHO) released updated air quality guidelines and targets for common air pollutants. WHO’s new guidelines aim to push governments to reduce pollution levels, protect the health of children and adults, and prevent climate change.
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.
⭐New Science⭐
🔬Researchers found microplastics in every placenta they tested.
Microplastics were found in all 62 placentas sampled in a new study from the University of New Mexico.
Children inhale microplastics from the air and ingest microplastics from household and roadway dust, packaged foods, and numerous foods and drinks including water.
Different toxicants - like phthalates, heavy metals and flame retardants - can leach from plastic products and enter our bodies. These compounds are linked to serious health issues such as weight gain, insulin resistance, infertility, and cancer.
Make your voice heard! Contact your representatives and ask for stronger regulations against plastics and chemicals in the new Global Plastic Treaty!
Tips to prevent exposure? Check out Little Things Matter website: https://bit.ly/3WEtBAx
#inc4 #plasticfree #bpa #recycling #childrenshealth
Plastic poses significant threats to both humans and the environment. Let’s uncover the dark side of plastic…
Did you know that plastics are made from oil and gas refining by-products? And some of the chemicals used, like benzene and vinyl chloride, are known to cause cancer! 😱 As plastics break down, the chemicals used in their production can leak out and create new compounds. These compounds might be even more harmful than the original ones!
The excessive use of plastic, compounded by its unique difficulty to recycle, is causing a major problem; plastic is ending up in our babies, oceans, beaches, and wildlife! 🐬🌳👶
Matt Simon, a science journalist at Wired, writes, “So long as we’re churning out single-use plastic . . . we’re trying to drain the tub without turning off the tap. We’ve got to cut [plastics] out.”
So what can we do?
-Stop using plastic not labeled No. 1 or No. 2.
-Properly recycle No. 1 and No. 2 plastics.
-Bring and use reusable bags while shopping
-Package your food in glass containers rather than plastic.
-Support companies that use biodegradable packaging
To read the whole article: https://bit.ly/3DA1IBp
To learn more about microplastics:
https://bit.ly/3WEtBAx
Over 200 schools, parks, and neighborhoods are now free from toxic pesticides thanks to @NonToxicNeighborhoods, which champions removing harmful chemicals from the spaces where children live, work and play. 🌳🤾🌱
Pesticides can cause childhood leukemia, impair children’s learning abilities, and decrease fertility.
Scientists have found pesticides in humans, including their:
• Blood, urine and hair
• Breast milk
• Cord blood of newborns
• Placenta
Reduce your family’s exposure to pesticides by:
• If possible, choose organic produce 🍓
• Advocate for policies that support organic farmers 🧑🌾
• If your children’s schools and recreational facilities are using pesticides, ask them to stop 🛑
Start a community coalition to remove pesticides from your neighborhoods with the support of @nontoxicneighborhoods 💪
#nontoxicliving 🌳
#healthychildren 🍎
📰inthenews📰
Help keep your kids safe by choosing a backpack without toxic chemicals🎒
In a new study, 13 out of 18 brands of backpacks were found to contain PFAS, or "forever chemicals". PFAS exposure has been related to thyroid disruption and decreased vaccination efficacy.
Levels in six of the backpacks were greater than 100 ppm, indicating that the chemicals were purposely applied to the fabric. PFAS chemicals are frequently used to waterproof garments and outdoor equipment.
Read the article here: https://bit.ly/3Eic6yc
Check out which backpacks are PFAS free here: https://bit.ly/3EhKYiE
#PFAS #healthyliving
Nalleli Cobo led a coalition to permanently shut down a toxic oil-drilling site in her community in March 2020, at the age of 19—an oil site that caused serious health issues for her and others. Her continued organizing against urban oil extraction has now yielded major policy movement within both the Los Angeles City Council and Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, which voted unanimously to ban new oil exploration and phase out of existing sites.
Together with her mother, Nalleli began walking door-to-door in 2011, distributing fliers about the dangers of oil extraction and documenting the rampant illnesses in the community caused by oil pollution. She mobilized her neighbors to report the foul chemical smells to officials and share their own stories at town halls and city council meetings. Her organizing resulted in the formation of People not Pozos, for which she became the spokesperson—despite being the group’s youngest member. As the community’s voice against oil pollution, she began speaking publicly at community events and rallies, testified at government meetings, and garnered press coverage and support from elected officials. Courtesy of the Goldman Prize
Nalleli Cobo led a coalition to permanently shut down a toxic oil-drilling site in her community in March 2020, at the age of 19—an oil site that caused serious health issues for her and others. Her continued organizing against urban oil extraction has now yielded major policy movement within both the Los Angeles City Council and Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, which voted unanimously to ban new oil exploration and phase out of existing sites. Read more…
Courtesy: Goldman Environmental Prize
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.
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.
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.
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.
Expand your mind and understanding of how environmental toxic chemicals affect all of us with these short educational videos.
Cause or Cure? Should we continue to spend billions of dollars on elusive cures?
The Impact of FLUORIDE, a proven neurotoxin, on brain development, especially during prenancy.
Crime of the Century: The failure to prevent the pandemic of lead poisoning over the last 100 years.
The Deadly Impact of Airborne Particles: air pollution is all around us, what can we do?
A growing compilation of brief videos illustrating often unseen environmental hazards that linger in plain sight.
PBDEs are toxic chemicals found in common household products and can have significant impact fetal brain development.
Microplastics result from plastic breaking down into fine particles often containing hazardous toxins. They exist throughout the environment.
PFAS chemicals are known as “forever chemicals” because they never completely break down, leaving them in our soils, our water and our bodies.
Air pollution is a major risk factor for heart disease, the leading cause of death worldwide. We can’t escape it, it’s all around us.
Pesticides can cause short-term adverse health effects as well as chronic adverse effects that can occur months or years after exposure.
Allergic disorders have risen dramatically over the last 30-40 years as has our understanding of what causes them and the toxic chemicals that have the greatest impact.
Endocrine disrupting chemicals are found in many common household products and can increase the risk of many diseases.
Allergic disorders have risen dramatically over the last 30-40 years as has our understanding of what causes them and the toxic chemicals that have the greatest impact.
Over a billion children live at extremely high risk for climate change events that can lead to disease and death.
