Planning for a Healthy Home, Body, and Baby - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Planning for a Healthy Home, Body, and Baby

2016

Program Facilitator Training

Slide2

Reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that nearly all pregnant women in the U.S.

have some harmful chemicals in their bodies. Chemicals in the environment can harm health

Slide3

Everyone is exposed to harmful chemicals every day – at home, at work…anywhere.

Some of these chemicals can build up in our bodies and affect our health and future pregnancies long after we have been exposed.

Slide4

African-American and Latino communities are especially exposed to toxins

Reproductive Justice

Slide5

You often cannot see, smell, or taste toxic chemicals

Slide6

Where women

live and work impacts their healthWomen living or working in the most polluted neighborhoods often come in contact with harmful chemicals in the air.

Slide7

Exposure to Toxins at Work and at Home

Slide8

Exposure to Toxins at Work and at Home

If you are exposed to chemicals at work or at home, the tenants’ and workers’ rights advocacy groups below may help you talk with landlord and/or employer about your concerns:Esperanza Community Housing Corporation Housing Rights CenterUCLA Labor Center

Slide9

Harmful chemicals may cause problems during pregnancy for women and their babies.

These chemicals can cause problems throughout life: before pregnancy and beyond.

Slide10

Chemicals may act as endocrine disruptors

Endocrine Disruptors: Substances that interfere with the function of hormones in the body. Hormones help parts of the body to communicate with each other to maintain health. Endocrine disruptors can negatively affect the normal functions of tissues and organs.Have been linked with health problems in wildlife and laboratory animals.

Slide11

Health Concerns

Trouble getting pregnantDifficulties during pregnancyMiscarriage Babies born too earlyBirth defectsEarly puberty Learning problemsCancerProblems for women

Problems for their children

Slide12

Better Safe Than Sorry

Precautionary Principle: If something in the environment could possibly threaten human health, precautions should be taken – even before there is complete scientific proof that the activity is harmful.

Slide13

Better Safe Than Sorry

There isn’t always proof from research about what chemicals are harmful and what health problems can develop due to exposure.Even then, there are often enough connections to believe that certain chemicals should be avoided.Research has proven that many chemicals are harmful. However, not all chemicals have been tested.

Slide14

How can women reduce contact with harmful chemicals?

Reduce use of and exposure to toxic substancesBe aware of their environmentsAvoid exposure to toxic chemicals

Slide15

Minimize exposure at home

Slide16

Take shoes off at the door to avoid carrying chemicals from the outdoors or from work into the home.

Take off your shoes

Slide17

Pesticides like sprays, dusts, and bombs are toxic

chemicals for killing insects, rodents, weeds, bacteria, and mold. Use pesticide free alternatives to keep bugs away.Don’t spray bugs

Slide18

Lead may be found in house paints, dust, and garden soil. Use water-based paints, glues, and materials for home improvements.

Avoid lead exposure

Slide19

Lead

High exposure to lead may be associated with a higher risk of:Low birth weight babiesBirth defectsStillbirth Death in newbornsNervous system damage in newborns

Slide20

Use a wet mop or cloth to get rid of dust instead of spreading dust around with a dry cloth. Toxic substances like lead, pesticides, and flame retardants are found in dust.

Get out your mop

Slide21

Some chemicals in strong cleaning products can affect the respiratory, nervous, and hormonal systems in humans. Long term exposure to these chemicals may impact reproductive health and fertility.

Clean with non-toxic products

Slide22

Pick foods and products without harmful chemicals

Slide23

Coal burning and industrial activities release mercury into bodies of water.Fish ingest this mercury – the older and larger fish get, the more mercury collects in them (shark, swordfish, tilefish)

Watch out for mercury in fish

Slide24

Buy produce with low pesticide levels

- eat fresh and frozen produce. Eat fruits and vegetables with thick skin that can be peeled.Avoid canned goods.Limit foods with animal fat.Avoid pesticides and toxins in food

Slide25

Use glass or stainless steel containers for hot foods and drinks. Heating increases the chances of harmful chemicals leaching out of plastic.

If using plastic, use those with BPA-free or labeled on the bottom. Pick glass over plastics

Slide26

Plastics to avoid

Linked to infertility, cancer, obesity, diabetes, early puberty, and behavioral changes in children.Used in lining of some canned foods. Found to affect reproduction, sexual development, and the developing immune system in laboratory animals.Most often used in piping and hard plastics. Can be found in some cling wrap, plastic squeeze bottles, and plastic jars.Bisphenol A (BPA)Polyvinylchloride (PVC)

Slide27

As furniture and other products get old and slowly break down, flame retardants can get into the surrounding environment, where they may remain for many years – especially indoors.Flame retardants can affect children’s brain development.

Select products without flame retardants

Slide28

Don’t use tick-and-flea control collars, flea baths, shampoos, and sprays on pets. These items contain pesticides that can be harmful to humans.

Don’t use chemicals on your pets

Slide29

Read product labels and look out for:

Formaldehyde

GalaxolideHydroquinoneLead

Thimerosal

Toluene

Tonalide

1,4-dioxane

Oxybenzone

Parabens

Phthalates

Sodium

laureth

sulfate

Slide30

Harmful chemicals may also be in shampoo, nail polish, and skin lotions

Slide31

Wash work clothes that may be exposed to toxins separately from other clothes

Slide32

Minimize exposure at work

Slide33

Create a healthy workplace

Frequently wash your hands. Use gloves.Use protective gear.

Slide34

Ask about substitutes for toxic substances.

If safer alternatives are not available…Use as little of the chemical as possible.Follow guidelines for ventilation.Keep containers closed to prevent spills and minimize the release of chemicals into the air.

Slide35

You have a right to a safe & healthy work environment

Identify and limit harmful chemical exposures.Check labels.Get information and training – follow health and safety procedures.Worksites are required by law to make sure exposures do not harm your health.Speak to a healthcare provider about your exposures.

Slide36

Do your part in making a healthy community

Slide37

Create a better environment for your family

Don’t use pesticides.Walk, ride a bike, use public transportation, or carpool – drive less.Recycle.Fill up reusable water bottles.

Slide38

Developed by:

The Iris Cantor-UCLA Women’s Health Education & Research Center911 Broxton Ave., 1st floorLos Angeles, CA 90024www.womenshealth.ucla.edu310-794-8062