As a children's environmental health advocate and an environmental attorney specializing in environmental law and consumer product labeling, I do my best to raise my kids, ages 3 and 5, in a non-toxic environment. I focus on simple, practical steps to reduce or eliminate toxic chemical exposures in the home. I am also the author of the forthcoming Smart Mama's Green Guide: Simple Steps to Reduce Your Child's Toxic Chemical Exposure, due out in June (reserve your copy now!).Prior to practing law, I was an environmental engineer for 5 years. I've been practing environmental and consumer law for more than 14 years. I am the founder of TheSmartMama, an eco consulting firm providing healthy home consults and XRF testing for lead and other elements in consumer products. I served as a Commissioner for the Los Angeles City Environmental Affairs Commission for 9 years. I am an Educational Programs Specialist for Healthy Child Healthy World.

Back to green living expert

Mama SC 3/31/2009
5:41 pm

What do I bathe my children with??

Hello! With all the recent buzz and concern about J&J baby wash products, I am unsure what to use in the bathtub with my kids. What products or brands do you recommend? Is there anything I can buy at my regular grocery store that is safe and "green"? Thanks for your advice...

TheSmartMama 4/23/2009
5:15 am

Re: What do I bathe my children with??

The concern over chemicals in bath products for baby and kids stems from a couple of chemicals. One is 1,4 dioxane, a carcinogen. 1,4 dioxane is a by product of the ethoxylation process - used to make certain chemicals more mild - so it isn't identified on the ingredient list. But, if you see ethoxylated compounds - identified by "eth" such as myreth, oleth, laureth or ceteareth, or PEG, polyethylene glycol or oxynol - in the ingredients, there is a good chance the product has 1,4-dioxane as a contaminant.

Another problem with conventional baby products is that they tend to have synthetic fragrance. And with synthetic fragrance there is a high probability that the product contains phthalates. Certain phthalates are used to sustain fragrance. Unfortunately, phthalates have been associated with hormone disruption.

Another issue with many conventional baby bath products is that they contain compounds.... Read More

Back to green living expert

Important Note: All the information provided by our experts should be confirmed and consulted with by your healthcare provider. Realsavvymoms.com takes no responsibility nor does it make any me dical claims against your current health. Realsavvymoms.com does not claim to be an authority on medical information. The information you receive on this website should not be used as 'advice' and you should always consult your healthcare provider before making any changes or taking any action regarding your health.

Click here to Sign Off