You know how much I love Cheat Sheets! Thanks for posting this... great info.

I just got back from a great meditation retreat and had to write a letter to the retreat center about this very topic. Too bad I didn't see your article before I wrote it, but I think I covered the main points. Plus, I'm sending them a copy of EWG's "Down The Drain" report.

I posted the letter on my blog tonight.

I've read that there are a lot of phthalates in dryer sheets. Is this a big source of phthalate exposure? Whats a good alternative to dryer sheets to reduce static cling?

Jessica, that is a great question, which I don't know the answer to off the top of my head -- let me do a little research and I'll give it it's own post. Thanks!

My gut says everything in your article is good advice, but do you have some specific studies you could cite or know of a resource where these types of scares could be verified?

I've been reading "Eat, Drink & Be Healthy" and the author describes the problem with people over-reacting to one time or small-sample group studies instead of focusing on good, general eating habits. It's really made me think about how I react to "new research" warnings.

Try dryer balls: they are great at fluffing things, facilitate lint release and leave no residue. Of course, check the material they are made of, before purchasing. They are basically bumpy tennis-ball type things that tumble around with your clothes.

So I have been trying to find alternatives to "vinyl" shower curtains (I live in Vancouver, BC). You can buy some hemp or bamboo stuff online - but expensive, and issues with water-resistance and mold.

The only other curtains I have found locally so far are made of "polyester", which I assume is PET, which I believe is just another form of phthalate.

Can anybody provide more insight? Thanx!

Does anyone know if there are phthalates in Tupperware products, especially the microwavable containers? Thanks.

So, are ALL plastic toys bad? Are all vinyls bad? Are ALL shower curtains bad? If I were to throw away all plastic, vinyl and things with fragrance in them, I would throw away everything including my vehicle.

I don't know the validity of this site, but it gives an alternative to dryer sheets. I've never noticed a problem with static. I hang my laundry on a drying rack in the house year round.

http://shop.sixwise.com/index.asp?PageAction=Custom&ID=92

By the way, great work, EWG! You rock, as always. Practically every environmental personal care article or book I glance at (and a lot of those have come out recently) mention the Skin Deep Database.

Thank you soo much! I have been preaching to my family about this very thing, and now I have an article that I can send them. Thanks!

Do majority of childrens toys have this or is it just the super soft ones, like teethers
?

For PVC free shower curtains you can check out simplememoryart.com. The curtains are about $32 each.

I bought a Green Star juicer with the slow roll compression type of action of 2 stainless steel rollers at low temperatures. But I don't know if the plastic is pthalate in composition nor if it is would this be an still unhealthy?

I noticed that Hypromellose Phthalate is an ingredient in the enteric coating on a supplement I take. I couldn't really find any info on this particular phthalate. Is it dangerous (or not advisable) to ingest?

Thanks!

Great info! As a skincare formulator with a focus on green and all natural, I use only essential oils or natural organic flavorings to scent my skincare products.

It's fantastic to see consumers paying attention to ingredients on products we use on our skin every day.

Robin Feltner
Supernatural Botanicals