We try to walk the talk here at Moms Clean Air Force. Which means we’re living with the environment, air pollution, and kids’ health in mind. If you have a question about reducing plastic or, say, swapping toxic cleaners for kid-safe options, chances are at least one of us has a detailed answer. Two of us just shared answers to these exact questions in SheKnows’ latest sustainability issue.
Isabel González Whitaker, our Associate Vice President for Public Engagement, details the steps she has taken to reduce plastic in her household, including taking no new plastic bags from grocery stores and using zero plastic for food leftovers and lunch.
“All the plastic in our lives, homes and bodies can be dangerous and toxic as I’ve learned. In fact, the hundreds of facilities making plastic are sickening local neighborhoods and heating the planet with their emissions. Something so bad for people and our planet is no longer in our house,” she shares with SheKnows.
Tell Congress: Support the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act
In the same issue, our Mom Detective, Alexandra Zissu, answers a question from a member of SheKnows’ parent audience on the most important cleaning product swaps to make for babies and kids. Switching cleaners to safer versions is one of the best things any parent or caregiver can do to improve indoor air quality at home. Conventional cleaners can contain any number of potentially harmful chemical ingredients meant to kill germs and bust up filth, and these stay behind in the air we breathe and linger as residue on surfaces, including high chairs and toys.
Knowing this, it’s tempting to swap everything all at once, but Alexandra suggests a slower pace. “Making lasting change is specific to the individual. You’ll need to set realistic goals that work for your family. Start with the items that are impacting your baby and kids daily, and build up from there.” She offers thoughts on germs and what needs to be cleaned in general, all-purpose cleaners, bathroom scrubs, and even the importance of adopting a no-shoes policy at home.
These are the sort of questions we research and answer in our Mom Detective column several times a month. Recent investigations have addressed if plastic toys are harmful and offered science-based advice on locating the safest couch. If you have a question for our Mom Detective, you can submit it here.
We’re thrilled to be included in SheKnows. You can read the full issue here.
Tell Congress: Support the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act