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.
#LittleFact 5: The Impact of Air Pollution on Children`s Health
Every day, over 90% of children breathe polluted air. Learn more about the impacts of #airpollution on children`s health and development, and what you can do to lower your family`s exposure: littlethingsmatter.ca/air-pollution
📰 In the News 📰⠀
@Ecowatch spotlights a recent ruling from the @epagov that restored a previous statute protecting vulnerable communities from toxic chemicals. 🙌🏽⠀
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Your vote makes a difference when it comes to electing public officials who prioritize health over earnings. ⠀
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Read the story: http://bit.ly/3IuU6SI
#FridaysForFuture 💫⠀
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The Indian state of Sikkim banned import of all pesticides, herbicides, synthetic fertilizers and GMOs in 2003, becoming the world’s first fully certified organic state in 2016. ⠀
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The result? 🧐⠀
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The government says wildlife have returned 🦌, crops are flourishing 🌼 and tourism increased by 70% 🚲. ⠀
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https://bit.ly/3BIbjoa
✋ 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
https://bit.ly/4kr7YOX
🌟 Little Facts 🌟
Over 1 billion children are at high risk for climate change events that can lead to disease and death.
“Children’s health will benefit from reducing and eliminating fossil fuel emissions as rapidly as possible and transition to clean and renewable sources of energy,” says Dr. Frederica Pereira, founder of the @CCCEH_columbia.
Due to their smaller body size, frequent hand to mouth behavior, and rapidly growing cells, children are especially vulnerable to extreme heat, air pollution, disease, and natural disasters caused by climate change.
🤰 Baby’s early years = extra vulnerable to climate change 🔥 and air pollution 🏭
Read the full review here: https://bit.ly/3CaYWTO
Whether we`re talking about toxic chemicals, pollution, or other preventable risks, buffer zones can give families and communities the space they need to thrive.⠀
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At Little Things Matter, we believe prevention is one of the most powerful tools we have. The best harm is the harm that never happens.⠀
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Read this opinion piece to learn how one mother`s experience parenting a toddler and a newborn shaped her understanding of the need for buffer zones in both parenting and public policy—particularly the need for California to protect communities from pollution generated by large shipping and warehousing facilities.⠀
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We`d love to hear your thoughts: What "buffer zones" have made a difference in your family`s life?⠀
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https://bit.ly/4a9iSXa
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.
