Blog

Before moving here, I shared the romantic vision that Alaska was a remote and pristine place. It was surprising to learn that Alaska--and the Arctic region--is actually the home of some of the most contaminated people on the planet.

I met a Montana mom as part of our “Stroller Brigade.” Like many people she came to this issue by facing health problems of her own. She stopped using conventional cleaners and avoids eating processed food. She’s done a lot, but we know that due to our weak federal laws, she can’t control every toxic chemical exposure in her home and community.

I joined the Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families Stroller Brigade in DC to advocate for safer chemicals in honor of my twin boys, Micah and Zachary. After three years of struggling with infertility, my husband and I were ecstatic to have twins on the way. Unfortunately, our boys were born three months early and weighed less than 3 pounds at birth.

It’s been decades since the Flashdance legwarmer craze, and thousands of new chemicals have been created since the 80s for products we use every day, most of them untested for long-term safety.

Did you get a chance to see Jennifer Beals and Andy Igrejas on the The Big Picture? Check it out and let us know what you think!

As a pediatrician, I recognize this issue is vast. We’re exposed to chemicals in our products, homes, places of work and in our communities and we need a strong federal system that takes into account all of these exposures and adequately protects our children.

For years, I have tried to only buy products labeled as “green” and “natural”. I thought I was doing enough to make sure I wasn’t exposed to toxic chemicals. But I was wrong.

In the coming weeks we'll share some of the stories of the 200 Stroller Brigade participants. In the meantime, I wanted to share some of the highlights from the day.

I am tired of having chemical companies' untested concoctions run through my veins uninvited. Monsanto, Dow, DuPont, Exxon Mobil, etc. you are NOT invited to take up residence in my DNA.

Parents join actor Jennifer Beals in calling for increased regulation