1. PLANNING FOR A HEALTHY HOME, BODY, AND BABY 2016 Program Facilitator Training

2. 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

3.  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.

4. African-American and Latino communities are especially exposed to toxins Reproductive Justice

5. You often cannot see, smell, or taste toxic chemicals

6. Where women live and work impacts their health Women living or working in the most polluted neighborhoods often come in contact with harmful chemicals in the air.

7. Exposure to Toxins at Work and at Home

8. 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

9.  Harmful chemicals may cause problems during pregnancy for women and their babies.  These chemicals can cause problems throughout life: before pregnancy and beyond.

10. 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.

11. Health Concerns  Trouble getting pregnant  Difficulties during pregnancy  Miscarriage  Babies born too early  Birth defects  Early puberty  Learning problems  Cancer Problems for women Problems for their children

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. How can women reduce contact with harmful chemicals?  Reduce use of and exposure to toxic substances  Be aware of their environments  Avoid exposure to toxic chemicals

15. Minimize exposure at home

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

17. 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

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

19. Lead  High exposure to lead may be associated with a higher risk of:  Low birth weight babies  Birth defects  Stillbirth  Death in newborns  Nervous system damage in newborns

20. 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

21. 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

22. Pick foods and products without harmful chemicals

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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)

27. 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

28. 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

29. Read product labels and look out for: Formaldehyde Galaxolide Hydroquinone Lead Thimerosal Toluene Tonalide 1,4-dioxane Oxybenzone Parabens Phthalates Sodium laureth sulfate

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

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

32. Minimize exposure at work

33. Create a healthy workplace  Frequently wash your hands.  Use gloves.  Use protective gear.

34.  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.

35. 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.

36. Do your part in making a healthy community

37. 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.

38. DEVELOPED BY: THE IRIS CANTOR-UCLA WOMEN’S HEALTH EDUCATION & RESEARCH CENTER 911 BROXTON AVE., 1 ST FLOOR LOS ANGELES, CA 90024 WWW.WOMENSHEALTH.UCLA.EDU 310-794-8062