A Guide for Pregnant Teachers – Reducing Toxicity in the Classroom

Xylene-free markers are best for your health

Can you imagine finding out that your child’s behavioral problems in school are not behavior-related at all? This has been the case in many situations where a parent realizes that the child is reacting to the effects of smelly, toxic dry-erase markers used on classroom whiteboards.

How about a workshop trainer that just can’t quite think clearly in his own workshops? This was the case when I spoke yesterday with an employer who was ordering our non-toxic dry-erase markers to keep her instructor clear-headed. That’s a fortunate employee! 

I have spoken to a  college student who said that after leaving a class in which dry-erase markers were being used, she often cannot remember where she had parked her car on campus.

These may seem like extreme examples, but it’s the nature of my conversations here at EcoSmart Products. In every one of these cases, AusPen eco-friendly markers has relieved these customers of their symptoms. I believe the slogan: One Small Marker, One Huge Difference! was coined in reference to all the plastic barrels of markers kept out of landfills by choosing a refillable marker. But what a difference it has made in the quality of many people’s daily lives.

Thinking about taking an aspirin for that headache or going for a beer after work?  Here’s an illustration I found in an instruction manual on handling xylene (the solvent often found in regular dry-erase markers).

The duration of xylene’s toxic effects increases with the consumption of alcohol or aspirin.

 

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Source for this image can be found here.

9 ways to kill Valentine’s Day with chemicals

We’re not immune to the toxins in our environment. We already know know that our environment can affect our health and our mood… but our love life too? Today, Rodale.com reported on 11 Surprising Sex-Drive Killers. Here’s a look at a few chemicals out to kill our love lives.

1. Scented candles and room fresheners

While you might be looking to set the mood with low lighting and scented candles, think again. Artificially scented candles unleash sex-drive-killing chemicals into the air. A 2008 South Carolina State University air-quality test found petroleum-derived, artificially scented candles polluted air with benzene and toluene, toxic components found in tailpipe exhaust. Hmmm… the humble beeswax candle sounds good to me.

2. Microwaveable popcorn

Plans to snuggle up to a movie and popcorn? Ever wonder about the hard, plastic-like lining of microwave popcorn bags? The nonstick chemicals found in this product usually contain perfluoroalkyl acids (PFOA or PFOS). Even small doses of these chemicals are linked to testicular tumors, male infertility, and lack of sex drive. The good old-fashioned popcorn popper is more fun anyway. 

3. Sugar

What’s Valentine’s Day without all that chocolate, and a sugar rush? But a 2009 study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found that men with better blood sugar levels enjoyed better sexual health.

4. Chronic Stress

It’s clear that stress doesn’t conduce to a romantic evening, but studies have shown that during high-stress times, the female body actually converts progesterone, the precursor molecule to testosterone, into the body’s “stress hormone,” cortisol, and kills her drive.

5. Toxic dry-erase markers

 After spending a day at the office brainstorming at the whiteboard, or in class writing lessons on the whiteboard, you may be left with less of a clear head than all that knowledge would warrant. Xylene or toluene found in regular dry-erase markers can give headaches, a feeling of brain fog, irritability, and even difficulty breathing. Plan to have a headache-free evening by choosing certified non-toxic markers, like AusPen eco-friendly markers.

Other things that can cramp your love life over the long term:

• Certain types of fish, more than others, contain mercury, antibiotics and PCBs, not to mention the depletion of key fish stocks. These chemicals have showen to lower sex drive in women. Check this list of 12 fish to avoid.
• This past year we read reports about the trace chemicals found on shopping receipts which rub off onto our hands. BPA has been linked to fertility problems and heart disease. Some stores are beginning to email receipts – a great way to avoid handling these chemical-coated pieces of paper, but bad news for your inbox!
• Just when you think you’re being healthy by choosing soy products, a Harvard study links men who eat higher amounts of soy with lower sperm counts, lower sperm quality and higher erectile dysfunction. So it’s down with soy, so to speak.
• Vinyl products are found everywhere due to its versatile and maleable plastic. PVC plastic, also known as ‘the poison plastic’ is in everything from your raincoat, makeup bag, binders, laptop bag, and shower curtains, and can disrupt hormones and lower testosterone, killing sex drive in both men and women.

This Valentine’s Day, and each day forward, it’s worth a look at our environment, the products we expose ourselves to, the food we eat and the stress levels we endure to make sure that toxic chemicals are not working against us. Looks like all you need is love …and a non-toxic environment.

Our customers leave their mark

To our fabulous customer Iana Jones who says:

“Thank you for carrying such great products. I leave a trail of your pens wherever I go.”

I’m sure others appreciate that you make your mark wherever you go!

With thanks,

The EcoSmart Team

Credit for this original image of Carl Offterdinger‘s Hansel und Gretel can be found here.

Go Green for Valentine’s Day 2012 – 5 Tips from EcoSmart Products

Chocolates wrapped in cellophane, flowers sprayed with pesticides, cards made of virgin paper…it’s not hard to see how showing your affection on Valentine’s Day can be hard on Mother Earth. This February 14, spread the love by going green for Valentine’s Day. Here are 5 top tips for an eco-friendly way to spend time with your sweetheart.

Tip 1: Leave messages for your sweetheart with non-toxic dry-erase markers and lipstick on mirrors, tile, glass or other non-porous surfaces. A scavenger hunt of clues left on the bathroom mirror, the fridge, the front door window pane and finally the car window could lead to a gift or plans for a romantic date. Choose non-toxic and refillable markers like AusPen Eco-Friendly Markers, and lead-free lipstick like the ones offered at the Body Shop and MAC.

 Tip 2: Set up an eco-friendly spa experience with natural products and fragrances. Synthetic-based beauty products often contain phthalates, dyes, parabens, and petroleum by-products, so explore some natural products to intrigue the senses. Select a massage oil made from vegetable, seed or nut oils. Give your man a shave with healthier products from Organic Grooming or the Natural Grooming Company. Set the mood with beeswax candles, a renewable, all natural product that burns cleanly without releasing the toxins of regular candles.

 Tip3: If looking for a Valentine’s gift, consider the hidden environmental  or health costs. Chocolate is a classic gift on Valentines, but many practices in the chocolate industry involve intensive, pesticide-heavy production and less than fair labor conditions. Cocoa Camino, Green & Blacks, and President’s Choice chocolates marked with the Transfair logo will make this gift even sweeter.

 A similar caveat can be given for the other time-honored Valentine’s gift. Gold and diamond jewelry can be resource-intensive and cause even bigger societal problems. For example, one gold ring generates 20 tons of waste, and according to the United Nations, diamonds have been critical in fuelling wars. If you are looking for a little bling this holiday, you may want to look for items made of recycled gold, and ensure that the country of origin for your diamonds is not on the UN’s diamond blacklist.  

 Tip4: Have dinner at a restaurant that specializes in organic or locally-grown food. It feels good knowing that you are supporting the local food industry and cutting down on food miles. Alternatively, if you envision staying in from the cold, or if you are the culinary type, making dinner yourself from locally-grown ingredients or items from the local farmer’s market will help to set the mood for a relaxing evening.  

 Tip5: Spend some time in nature as a couple doing something new. Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, exploring the nearby hiking trails, taking a local historical walking tour, tandem bike riding…  a new adventure in the fresh air can send sparks and feel like a natural way to celebrate love and create memories.

 Creating an earth-friendly Valentine’s Day will not only lessen the demands we place on our planet, but it can also be a fun way to establish your own unique traditions in which green is the new red.

February 2012 AusPen Giveaway Draw!

 

AusPen Giveaways

Where it pays to go green

 Welcome to EcoSmart’s giveaway program where your “Green” stories can get you great free eco-friendly products.  Each month we choose a theme, welcome your input, and have an AusPen draw, ranging each month from AusPen starter kits, to marker packs to accessories.

February Theme: A Simple Act of Green   

At EcoSmart Products we believe that every little act of green can make a difference. It’s an attitude, an intention, a simple action. What is your simple act of green? Do share! Your favorite product, habit or secret  just might spark some inspiration in others!

Share your thoughts below, post them on our Facebook page, or email us at info@ecosmartworld.com.  (You will be automatically entered into a draw for AusPen giveaways!)

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You are welcome to share your AusPen experiences, but your story does not have to be limited to AusPen eco-friendly markers. Please note some portion of your submission may be used by EcoSmart Products in promotional material.

Understanding Groundhog Day

I’ve finally embraced winter. I have ski passes, a pair of ice skates and even snow shoes. The 2010 Winter Olympics even piqued my interest in curling, but that was a passing fancy. This year, however, my winter gear has consisted mainly of mud boots and an umbrella. So I say: Climate change, bring back our winter!

It is in this context that I call into question the groundhog’s ability to predict the weather. In attempt to help me better understand Groundhog Day, my theater-teacher-friend sent me the following poster.  

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Year of the Dragon – A Boost for our Economy?

Yesterday marked the start of the Chinese New Year and ushered in the year of the Dragon. It is believed that dragons bring about a change year, and usually from bad to good. In general, in the dragon years, the world economy does a little better, according to Chinese horoscope observers.

Bring it on!

This reminded me of another dragon story I read in this morning’s news. A Vancouver eatery is making headlines for introducing the world’s most expensive hot dog, The Dragon Dog. For $100 you can enjoy a deluxe hot dog infused with cognac, Kobe beef, fresh lobster and truffle oil. Is the economy that much better already?

If you ask me, a better way to spend $100 would be to equip 65 teachers or other whiteboard users with their own non-toxic, refillable marker so they’d never have to throw out another disposable marker again, or breathe in their nasty fumes.

Whether your preferences are more down-to-earth or more Dragon Dog style, here’s to a prosperous Year of the Dragon!

-The EcoSmart Team

Does Your Reality Look Like This?

Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.

Albert Einstein

January 2012 Giveaway Draw!

 

Giveaway  Draw!

Where it pays to go green

 Welcome to EcoSmart’s giveaway program where your “Green” stories can get you great free eco-friendly products.  Each month we choose a theme, welcome your input, and have a draw, ranging each month from AusPen starter kits, to marker packs to accessories.

 

January Theme:  What change do you want to see in 2012? 

At EcoSmart Products, we think every little change adds up.

The burning discussion topic of this month’s AusPen giveaway draw is what change do you want to see in 2012? Think big, think small. 

Leave a comment, pop us an email (info@ecosmartworld.com), or let us know what you are wishing for or working towards on our Facebook page, and you’ll automatically be entered in our draw to win AusPen eco-friendly markers.

 

 

Please note some portion of your submission may be used by EcoSmart Products in promotional material.

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