Hi All,

I just finished my interview with Dr. Sally Edwards about the new podcast she started, Persistent and Pervasive: Feminists take on Toxics . Wow, what an inspiring and needed project! The goal of the podcast is to highlight toxic chemicals that are in products that are used predominately by women, first to discuss the problem, and second, to talk about solutions. Most of these chemicals are not regulated, nor is there oversight on their safety. Companies are not required to be transparent. In fact, many times they are protected by intellectual property laws and don’t have to disclose what chemicals or fragrances they are using.

The first podcast was on menstrual products and other products used by women, like douches, and creams. Many of the chemicals used in these products are linked to cancer and are known hormone disruptors. The second podcast was on cleaning products, and how they dis-proportionally impact immigrant communities. She shared examples of women coming together to form Cleaning Coops, where they create their own recipes for safe cleaning products, and build in safety nets for illness or child care.  Totally inspiring!

In addition to the Persistent and Pervasive: Feminists take on Toxics website, you can also listen to the podcasts on Apple, Spotify, Google, Stitcher, etc.

If you want to listen to our interview, you can listen to it here;

Below are a few resources to identify safer cleaning products:

US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Safer Choice:  https://www.epa.gov/saferchoice

US Environmental Protection Agency DFE certified disinfectants:https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-labels/dfe-certified-disinfectants

Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI) List of Safer Disinfectant Products:  https://www.turi.org/Our_Work/Cleaning_Laboratory/COVID-19_Safely_Clean_Disinfect/Safer_Disinfecting_Products/List_of_Safer_Disinfecting_Products

City of San Francisco – SF Approved cleaning products:  https://www.sfapproved.org/cleaners-homes-small-businesses

Green Seal:  https://greenseal.org/

EcoLogo: https://www.ul.com/services/ecologo-certification

Cradle to Cradle Certified Products Registry:  https://www.c2ccertified.org/products/registry

Environmental Working Group (EWG) Verified™:  https://www.ewg.org/ewgverified/cleaning-products.php

Apps:

Detox Me:  https://silentspring.org/detox-me-app-tips-healthier-living

Clearya:  https://www.clearya.com/

Think Dirty:  https://thinkdirtyapp.com/

My Radio Show

iEat Green with Bhavani on the Progressive Radio Network is live, every Thursday, from 10-11 am, EST.  To tune in to the live show, just navigate to PRN.fm and listen in! Or, if you prefer, listen on the phone by calling 712-775-6850.

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