Iris Cantor-UCLA Women’s Health Education & Resource Center

Most pregnant women have some harmful chemicals in their bodies. This may cause problems during pregnancy for you and your baby. HARMFUL CHEMICALS ARE TOXIC.

HEALTH CONCERNS Trouble getting pregnant Difficulties during pregnancy Miscarriage Babies born too early Birth defects Early puberty Learning problems Cancer PROBLEMS FOR YOU PROBLEMS FOR YOUR CHILD

African-American and Latino communities are especially exposed to toxins REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE

YOU OFTEN CANNOT SEE, SMELL, OR TASTE TOXIC CHEMICALS

Women living or working in the most polluted neighborhoods often come in contact with harmful chemicals in the air. WHERE YOU LIVE AND WORK AND YOUR HEALTH

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 Center UCLA Labor Center

How can you reduce contact with toxic chemicals?

Take shoes off at the door to avoid carrying chemicals into your home. TAKE OFF YOUR SHOES

Seal cracks, clean up crumbs, and use traps to keep bugs away instead of sprays, dusts, and bombs. DON’T SPRAY BUGS

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

Use a wet mop or cloth to get rid of dust instead of spreading dust around with a dry cloth. GET OUT YOUR MOP

Make non-toxic cleaning products – it’s cheap and easy! Try making an all-purpose cleaner by mixing 1 cup of white distilled vinegar with 1 cup of water. CLEAN WITH NON-TOXIC PRODUCTS

Eat salmon, tilapia, pollock, catfish, king crab, shrimp, and light canned tuna as they have low mercury levels. Avoid shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish. WATCH OUT FOR MERCURY IN FISH

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

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

Best to use glass or stainless steel containers for hot foods and drinks. Use plastics with BPA-free or labeled on the bottom. PICK GLASS OVER PLASTICS

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)

Avoid crib mattresses, nap mats, and other upholstered products with flame retardants. Buy products labeled “flame retardant free.” SELECT FLAME RETARDANT-FREE PRODUCTS

Don’t use tick-and-flea control collars, flea baths, shampoos, and sprays on pets. LIMIT BUYING CHEMICAL PEST CONTROL FOR PETS

READ PRODUCT LABELS AND LOOK OUT FOR: Formaldehyde Galaxolide Hydroquinone Lead Thimerosal Toluene Tonalide 1,4-dioxane Oxybenzone Parabens Phthalates Sodium laureth sulfate

HARMFUL CHEMICALS MAY ALSO BE IN SHAMPOO, NAIL POLISH, AND SKIN LOTIONS

WASH WORK CLOTHES THAT MAY BE EXPOSED TO TOXINS SEPARATELY FROM OTHER CLOTHES

MINIMIZE EXPOSURE AT WORK Frequently wash your hands. Use gloves. Use protective gear.

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.

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.

DEVELOPED BY: THE IRIS CANTOR-UCLA WOMEN’S HEALTH EDUCATION & RESEARCH CENTER 911 BROXTON AVE., 1 ST FLOOR LOS ANGELES, CA CONTACT: JULIE FRIEDMAN, MPH DIRECTOR