FAQ
1) What is Estrogenic Activity (EA)?
In recent years many common household products, including plastics, have been reported to contain or release chemicals that negatively affect hormonal functions, most alarmingly in babies and children. The most common form of such endocrine disruptor activity is estrogenic activity which can cause significant adverse effects on growth rates, sexual maturity, learning abilities, reproductive functions, and even the reduction of male sperm count.
Scientists have recently developed a plastic resin that is not only free of harmful chemicals including Bisphenol A and phthalates, but now free of any estrogenic activity.
2) What sort of scientific research is available to help explain the effects of endocrine disruptors?
The Associated Press recently reported a study by Dr. Sheela Sathyanarayana, a University of Washington pediatrician. Dr. Sathyanarayana said, “The bottom line is that these chemicals likely do exist in products that we’re commonly using on our children and they potentially could cause health effects.” (AP, 2/04/08) The new study was published in the Feb. issue of Pediatrics. Additional scientific studies on the effects of endocrine disruptors suggest similar findings. Additionally, in a recent USA Today article (‘Everywhere Chemicals’ in plastics alarm parents, 10/07/07) “The American Medical Association urged the Food and Drug Administration last month to require labeling of all medical products containing one phthalate to protect newborns in hospitals. More than 100 hospitals have begun to remove such products from their neonatal nurseries out of concern they could damage baby boys… Whether these chemicals should be banned or curtailed pits scientists against chemical companies, consumers against manufacturers, the EU against the United States and the state of California against toy makers around the globe.†A quick search of news and studies on the effects of endocrine disruptors makes it impossible to ignore the potential health dangers that these chemicals pose to families.
3)Â How else do plastics containing EA potentially harm mothers and infants?
No one knows definitively how EA affects mothers and babies. However, scientific research and industry analyst speculation continually provides information which supports reducing the level of toxic chemicals pregnant women, fetuses and newborns are exposed to. It will be many years before we fully understand the overall impact daily exposure to plastics really has on both the environment and people. Until then, eliminating estrogenic activity is a bold new step in creating “worry free†products for families.
4) Is EAFree packaging a widespread and widely used technology?
Not yet. Lafe’s Natural Bodycare is launching the first fully certified EA Free baby products line on the market in April 2008. EA Free packaging is new, groundbreaking technology that will change the way consumers ask questions about the safety of products and packaging. But, more importantly, it will empower parents to make “worry free†choices about the products they use for their babies.
5) How can consumers begin to take control of the level of endocrine disruptors and EA they are exposed to?
Now more than ever before consumers are asking important questions about the overall effects of daily use products and foods—not only for their own benefit, but especially for the benefit of babies and children. Reading labels, keeping abreast of product news, and being an engaged and educated consumer are great ways to become aware of what you are being exposed to. Now, consumers should not only ask “what’s in this?†but they should take it a step further and ask “are these products being packaged in materials that are safe and do not leech harmful chemicals?†If products or packaging contain parabens, glycols, artificial preservatives, synthetic fragrances, Bisphenol A, phthalates or are not identified as EA Free, be aware that you may be exposing yourself or your family to harmful chemicals which might have longterm, adverse health affects.
6) Why did Lafe’s Natural Bodycare decide to launch EAFree Baby? Why now?
We are very concerned about the amount of toxic chemicals found in plastics– especially baby products. For years we’ve been hearing that the increased use of plastics are simply not good for children. Not until recently has mainstream media and scientific research caught up with what the natural products industry has suspected for decades—there is an undeniable connection to how the plastics we use in packaging affects everyday people. This issue hit home to me personally when my daughter and her husband decided to start their family. They shared several stories about how many of their friends were having fertility problems. These were couples in the early to mid 30s, otherwise young and healthy. The common denominator was that most of them many spent years trying to get pregnant. What shocked me even further was the number of couples that were participating in expensive and complicated fertility treatments. In my generation, fertility treatments were extremely rare. Now it’s more common than ever before. As a result of this new (to us) information, we began extensive research trying to isolate the possible causes of this new phenomenon. Ultimately, we found that the extensive use of plastics—and the endocrine disruptors therein- may be contributing to the problem.
7) What products with EAFree packaging will be available and when?And do you plan to launch additional EAFree products in 2008?
We’re overjoyed to be able to announce our first wave of EAFree Baby products! Our initial line will include a baby shampoo and gentle wash, a mother and baby gentle massage oil, bug repellant and a moisturizing massage lotion. Our second launch coming this Spring includes a diaper cream, baby sunscreen and baby natural wipes. And later this year we plan to launch a kids line of products so that parents will have worry free options as their children get older. We will continue our commitment to keeping mothers and babies safe from harmful chemicals by launching EAFree Deodorant Sprays for mothers-to-be in late March. This one-of-a-kind product will give mothers a head start in protecting their babies from harmful BPA and phthalates as they develop in the womb.