Frequently Asked Questions
Teflon:
Question: Is Teflon and other non-stick cookware safe?
Answer: At high temperatures cookware coated with Teflon and other non-stick surfaces can break apart and emits toxic particles and gases. The fumes can sick people, but pet birds are even more sensitive. In cases of "Teflon toxicosis," as the bird poisonings are called, the lungs of exposed birds hemorrhage and fill with blood, leading to suffocation. DuPont studies show that the fumes can also sicken people, a condition called "polymer fume fever." The government has not assessed human health risks or the incidence of polymer fume fever from kitchen exposures to these particles and gases when pans are overheated.
Non-stick coatings can contain residues of PFOA (perfluorooctanoate), a chemical used to make Teflon and a breakdown product of stain- and grease-proof coatings on carpet, clothing and food packaging. PFOA is found in the bodies of nearly all Americans. It is a likely human carcinogen; it also has a variety of metabolic developmental, reproductive, endocrine, and neurobiological health effects. Many manufacturers of non-stick cookware have committed to eliminating PFOA residues from non-stick coatings. Available data suggest that non-stick pans are not a major source of PFOA in people’s bodies. These exposures are more likely to come from stain- and grease-proof coatings on furniture, clothing, and food packaging.
Studies also show that most of the potential health risks from non-stick pans, such as polymer fume fever, come not from PFOA but from other particles and fumes that can come off the pan when it is overheated. While EWG continues to track the changes in manufacturing practices for non-stick cookware, we highly recommend stainless steel and cast iron as great alternatives to non-stick cooking surface.
Fluoride:
Question: Is it safe to give my infant formula made with fluoridated water?
Answer: No. Both the Centers for Disease control and the American Dental Association now recommend that children under 6 months not consume fluoridated water. This is because infants are at increased risk for tooth damage (dental fluorosis) when they consume fluoridated water (especially when formula made with such water is their only source of nutrition), and because there is little evidence that ingesting fluoride before teeth erupt provides any benefit.
Question: My tap water doesn’t have fluoride in it, and my pediatrician/dentist told me that I need to buy bottled water with added fluoride or my children will get cavities. Is this a good idea?
Answer: Not if they’re brushing. The value of fluoride-containing toothpaste to dental health is clear: fluoride is a potent chemical that kills microbes on the teeth and strengthens teeth’s resistance against cavities. On the other hand, a substantial and growing body of peer-reviewed science strongly suggests that ingesting fluoride in tap water does not provide the same dental benefits as applying it directly to the teeth, and may present serious health risks. EWG believes the evidence is clear that fluoride exposure should be limited to toothpaste, where it provides the greatest dental benefit and presents the lowest overall health risk.
Question: What kinds of adverse health effects can fluoride cause?
Answer: Children who drink fluoridated water are at increased risk of developing fluorosis, a defect of the permanent teeth resulting in staining and, in severe cases, substantial corrosion of the enamel. According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 30 percent of children who drink fluoridated water have some degree of fluorosis. The National Academy of Sciences has also raised concerns about fluoride exposure and bone fractures in the elderly, skeletal fluorosis, thyroid hormone disruption, and neurotoxicity (including effects on IQ). In addition, there is evidence that fluoridated water is linked to osteosarcoma, an often fatal form of bone cancer, in boys.
Question: What kinds of water filters remove fluoride from tap water?
Answer: Only those filters that use reverse osmosis or activated alumina are effective at removing fluoride from tap water. “Brita” filters do not remove fluoride.
Question: How can I stop my water supplier from adding fluoride to my tap water? How can I get my water supplier to pay for a home water purification system that will remove the fluoride from my water? Is there some kind of legal action that can be taken to accomplish either one?
Answer: The Fluoride Action Network (http://fluoridealert.org/) is a good source of information on local actions and the status of legal cases nationwide. You may also find EWG’s extensive research on fluoride helpful. Please visit: http://www.ewg.org/featured/222.
Arsenic:
Question: Does my wooden deck or playset contain arsenic, and how much of a risk does it pose?
Answer: For 30 years an arsenic-based pesticide called CCA (chromated copper arsenate) was injected into nearly all wood used to make decks, picnic tables, and playsets. It has been banned for all these uses since 2004, as a result of considerable pressure from EWG and other organizations concerned about health risks from the arsenic residues on wood surfaces.
Based on tests of the amount of arsenic that can be easily rubbed on from an area of CCA-treated wood the size of a four-year old’s hand, EWG estimates that one in every 500 children who regularly play on swing sets and decks made from arsenic treated wood could develop lung or bladder cancer later in life as a result of these exposures.
Question: How do I know for sure if my deck is made of arsenic-treated wood?
Answer: There is no way to know whether a piece of wood was treated with arsenic just by looking at it. But if your deck was built before 2004, chances are that it is contaminated with arsenic. Before the EPA forced it off the market in 2004, arsenic-treated wood was the industry standard in outdoor lumber for 30 years. And the Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 70 percent of homes nationwide have arsenic-treated decks and porches. If you want to know for sure, you can use a simple test kit available on our website at: http://archive.ewg.org/reports/poisonwoodrivals/orderform.php
Question: How can I reduce the risks associated with arsenic-treated wood?
Answer: If your wood contains arsenic, consider rebuilding your deck with materials naturally resistant to rot and insects, or wood treated with arsenic-free preservatives. If that’s not in your budget right now there are other ways to minimize your family’s risk of exposure:
- Seal the wood at least every six months with standard penetrating deck treatments.
- Replace sections of potential high exposure like handrails, steps, or deck boards with non-arsenic materials.
- Wash your hands and your children’s hands after every exposure to arsenic-treated wood, especially before eating.
- Keep children and pets away from the soil beneath and immediately surrounding arsenic-treated wood structures.
- Cover arsenic-treated picnic tables with a tablecloth before using.
- Do not pressure wash to clean the surface of arsenic-treated wood. Instead use a soap and water solution, with disposable cleaning supplies. Pressurized water will blast off the upper surface of the wood and spray arsenic-contaminated particles over your yard.
- Do not allow children to play on rough wood surfaces. Arsenic-treated wood splinters can be dangerous.
- Never sand arsenic-treated lumber. If wood is smooth enough that splinters are not a risk, avoid sanding a deck to prepare the surface for sealing—use a simple soap and water wash instead. Wood dust formed by sanding contains arsenic that is easily ingested by a child, or can wash off the surface to contaminate the soil below.
- Do not store toys or tools under the deck. Arsenic leaches from the wood when it rains and may coat things left there.
- Do not use commercial “deck washing” solutions. These solutions can convert chemicals on the wood to a more toxic form.
- Never burn arsenic-treated wood, as the smoke and ash can be very hazardous.
Question: What about the soil under my deck/playstructure? Might that be contaminated too?
Answer: Yes. Scientific studies have found that the soil under CCA-treated decks typically contain significantly higher levels of arsenic than surrounding soil. And sometimes these levels can be quite high. If you are concerned, you can use a test kit to find out how much arsenic is in your soil; they are available on our website at: http://archive.ewg.org/reports/poisonwoodrivals/orderform.php To reduce risks, you have several options. You can cover the area with mulch, grass, or a couple of inches of new soil. Or, if it is a deck, you could put a barrier around the structure to keep out pets and kids from going underneath.
Specific questions about the arsenic test kits:
- Wood wipes can be used on dry or wet wood The plastic template for the wipe test is wrapped around the vial, so is often overlooked. Results come in a UNC – Asheville (University of North Carolina) envelope, many people throw them out without realizing it. If you order a detailed soil kit and hot spot soil kit, it DOES NOT come with wood wipes. Wood wipes should be ordered separately. Kits can only be ordered online through our website. It takes 2-3 weeks to receive the kits, and 1-2 weeks to receive the results.
Perchlorate:
Question: Where is perchlorate contamination found?
Answer: Perchlorate, the active ingredient in rocket fuel, contaminates water supplies near defense industry sites, and also occurs naturally in some areas of the country. Perchlorate contaminates drinking water in at least 28 states, and is also widely found in the food supply. A January 2008 study conducted by the Food and Drug Administration found perchlorate contamination in more than three-quarters of the almost 300 different types of food tested. To find out if your drinking water has perchlorate in it, contact your local water supplier.
Question: How does perchlorate affect human health? And who is most at risk?
Answer: Perchlorate acts by inhibiting the thyroid gland's ability to take up the nutrient iodide, a key building block for thyroid hormone that the body uses to maintain proper growth and development. Infants are at greater risk for thyroid disruption by perchlorate than adults for several reasons. Unlike adults, infants have minimal stores of thyroid hormones and must rely instead on their own daily production (breast milk does not contain significant quantities of thyroid hormone). Therefore, while adults may be able to use hormone stores to make up for temporary shortages that could be caused by perchlorate, infants can only do this to a very small degree. While thyroid hormones regulate metabolism in adults and long-term deficiencies can lead to chronic health problems, the consequences for thyroid disruption in infants are much more serious. Normal thyroid hormone levels are critical for normal brain and organ development, and recent research has shown that infants can suffer permanent neurological deficits from even short-term thyroid hormone insufficiency.
Question: I’ve read that perchlorate has been found in women’s breast milk and I am concerned. Should I feed my baby formula instead?
Answer :While the perchlorate levels found in studies of breast milk are of concern, and government action needs to be taken to reduce people’s exposure to this chemical, breast milk is still by far the healthiest food for infants. EWG also recommends that pregnant and nursing women make sure they are getting enough iodine in their diet, since not getting enough iodine can exacerbate the effects of perchlorate.
Question: Can I buy a water filter that will remove perchlorate from my tap water?
Answer: Most home water filters (including common pitcher filters and carbon filters) will not remove perchlorate. Filters that use reverse osmosis, which are expensive and need regular maintenance, should remove perchlorate. For a list of filters that have been certified to reduce perchlorate concentrations, see http://www.nsf.org/certified/dwtu/.
Question: What level of perchlorate is safe in drinking water? And is it regulated?
Answer: There are no federal regulations for perchlorate in tapwater. Some states such as California and Massachussetts, have their own standards (6 parts per billion (ppb) and 2 ppb, respectively). Given that recent research from the Centers for Disease Control shows that perchlorate in the low parts per billion in tap water can affect women’s thyroid hormone levels, it is clear that drinking water standards need to be below 1 ppb to be adequately protective of public health.
Antibacterial Products:
Question: I’ve heard that antibacterial products are bad for me and for the environment. How do I avoid these products while staying clean and healthy?
Answer: Several antibacterial agents commonly used in antibacterial consumer products are linked to health effects in people or animals. For example, the antibacterial agent triclosan can cause skin irritation and may disrupt the thyroid hormone system. Triclosan is a typical component of antibacterial liquid hand soap, and found in a wide variety of consumer products labeled antibacterial, including detergents and cleaning products, toothpaste and hair products, pesticides, and plastic and foam products like cutting boards and shoe insoles.
The evolving interaction between microbes and antibacterial agents has led to concern that use of specific antibacterial ingredients may provoke the development of strains of bacteria that are resistant to disinfection. The American Medical Association has advanced an official recommendation against using antibacterial products in the home due to concern about antimicrobial resistance.
A Food and Drug Administration panel reviewed the existing research and found no evidence that households that use “antibacterial” products are healthier than households that use soap and water and other typical cleansing products.
Because the latest science does not indicate a benefit to health associated with use of antibacterial consumer products, we recommend that you avoid using products labeled this way. Instead, select personal care products, household cleaners and detergents, and any other everyday items that do not claim to have antibacterial properties. If you need to use an antibacterial skin disinfectant, use an alcohol hand rub or rinse product that does not list triclosan in the ingredients.
BPA:
Question: is there BPA in your drink container?
Answer: While we do not have information of specific bottles used by various manufacturers, BPA is found in polycarbonate plastic containers often marked on the bottom with the recycling label #7. Not all #7 labeled products are polycarbonate but this is a reasonable guideline for a category of plastics to avoid.
When possible it is best to avoid #7 plastics, especially for children's use. Plastics with the recycling labels #1, #2 and #4 on the bottom are safer choices and do not contain BPA.
Question: do #7 or polycarbonate plastics leach BPA?
Answer: A recent study shows that low levels of BPA leach out of polycarbonate bottles (like Nalgene and other hard, colored water bottles) at room temperature. More BPA leaches when the bottles are filled with hot liquid. Generally these bottles will be marked with recycling number seven. Polycarbonate is hard, translucent or clear plastic. These bottles may be marked with the number 7. If you're going to use a polycarbonate bottle, be aware that it's likely that higher amounts of BPA leach out of older and damaged bottles. Although we recommend that you avoid drinking from polycarbonate bottles, it's important to note that your potential exposure to BPA through canned food is considerably higher.
Question: What type of plastic is used in Camelbak hydration systems?
Answer: Camelbaks's inner bladder is made from flexible polyurethane, which contains no BPA or phthalates. They have an antimicrobial silver lining. There's no risk of BPA exposure, but some scientists have raised concerns about antimicrobial silver.
Question: What is the story with canned foods and BPA?
Answer: No matter what brand you use or where you buy your canned food, the cans are almost certainly lined with an epoxy resin that contains BPA. Without the lining, the cans might rust, or you might end up with metal residues in your food. Because of the high temperatures used in the canning process, your potential exposure to BPA from canned food is much higher than your potential exposure from plastic water bottles. We only have confirmation from one manufacturer, Eden Foods that they use a non-BPA lining on some of their food cans.
Question: Can BPA from canned foods such as tuna and beans be rinsed off? I realize this is not possible with many of the other canned foods listed.
Answer: As a precaution, you may want to rinse beans, tuna or vegetables to reduce levels of BPA in the food. We have not seen any research on this, but it certainly cannot hurt.
Question: Is there BPA in reusable food containers?
Answer: If the food container is marked with a #7, it’s polycarbonate plastic that can leach BPA into the food. If there is no marking, ask the manufacturer. Polycarbonate plastics rigid and either clear or translucent (not cloudy or flexible like yogurt containers). As an extra precaution, avoid putting hot liquids in these or microwaving them. In general it's best to use safe ceramics or glass containers for microwaving whenever possible.
Question: What types of chemicals are used in plastic wrap?
Answer: In 1998, it was revealed that some plastic wraps contained chemical plasticizers called phthalates, which can migrate into food. In 2006, the industry group American Chemistry Council reported that phthalates are no longer used in any US plastic wraps. Most plastic wraps are made of LDPE, which has fewer contaminant concerns, but may contain DEHA, a potential endocrine disruptor, or a variety of other additives. Companies aren't required to list what's in their plastic wrap, though, so your best bet is to be cautious: Avoid microwaving plastic wrap (use a paper towel instead), and if you must, make sure it's a microwaveable version. That much, at least, will be listed on the box.
Baby products:
Question: What infant formula brands do not use BPA?
Answer: BPA is commonly used in formula containers. Every brand we surveyed in 2007 reported using BPA in at least one of their products. The best way to limit your baby’s contact to this chemical is to use powdered formula.
As a side note, make sure you mix powdered formula with non-fluoridated water. The American Dental Association recommends avoiding reconstituting baby formula (ADA 2006) with fluoridated water. If your tap water is fluoridated, you can use a reverse osmosis filter to remove the fluoride. If your water is not fluoridated, use a carbon filter, either a pitcher-style or one that attaches to your tap. If you choose bottled water make sure it's fluoride-free. Be aware that the cost of bottled water may add up to more money than a home reverse osmosis system.
Questions about bottles:
Choose bottles made from glass or BPA-free plastic. Use a clear silicone nipple, and if you're feeding formula use a powdered version mixed with unfluoridated water.
Questions about pacifiers:
In the U.S. pacifier nipples are made of silicon or latex rubber. We prefer silicon because it is more durable and inert than latex. While the hard plastic part may be made of polycarbonate plastic, that part doesn't go in baby's mouth.
Question: Would you consider babies most at risk from BPA, if so why? Also what are the possible harmful effects on pregnant women with BPA exposure?
Answer: Infants are most at risk due to pre-natal exposure, a time in development when their developing brains and reproductive systems are undergoing such massive development, and little disruptions at key points can have lifelong impacts. Pregnant women face risks, too, since their exposures during pregnancy result in the pre-natal exposures for the developing fetus, the time in life when BPA exposures pose the greatest risks.
Breastfeeding:
Question: I am concerned to hear about chemicals like pesticides, fire retardants, perchlorate and PCBs in breast milk. Should I breastfeed my child?
Answer: We at EWG strongly recommend breastfeeding whenever possible. Breast milk is widely recognized as the best source of nutrition for babies, and contains essential fatty acids that help bolster babies' bodies against the impacts of toxic chemicals. Dozens of studies show that babies benefit from breastfeeding, even when considering their moms exposures to harmful chemicals.
Question: What is the safest way to express, store and feed my child breast milk?
Answer: Congratulations on your commitment to breastfeeding. Pumping and storing breast milk takes an effort. In addition to paying attention to spoilage concerns, take a minute to consider the other factors. Try storing expressed milk in glass jars. One of our staff used wide mouth canning jars, which are the right size, freeze and thaw well and are easily cleaned in the dishwasher.
If you store milk in plastic bags or bottles, make sure to thaw and heat it gently in a container of warm water. Wash your pump parts with warm and soapy water where possible instead of using the microwave or steam to sterilize it. Ask your pump manufacturer if the pump parts that have contact with your milk contain BPA or phthalates. Some companies like Medela make this claim for their products.
Body Burden:
Question: How can I get tested for my body burden of industrial chemicals?
Answer: Unfortunately, with just a few exceptions, commercial laboratories do not offer body burden testing for individuals. Your physician may be able to help you get tested for lead and a few other common pollutants, but the kind of tests we run for our BodyBurden reports require that people who are tested be part of a scientific study.
You can take steps to reduce your exposures to hazardous chemicals (see our "Everyday Pollution Solutions" tips for some examples), but chemicals are so ubiquitous that it is impossible to completely shop your way out of body burden pollution. We advocate for policy solutions that would require companies to provide their products are safe before they are sold, especially for children and others who are most vulnerable to health impacts.
We encourage lead testing for young children. Ask your pediatrician about the proper ages to test children and how to interpret the test results.
Chelation for mercury or other metals:
Question: What do you think about chelation?
Answer: EWG does not provide medical advice on chelation as a test or treatment for heavy metals exposure. In general, chelation has not been properly studied as a way to avoid the harmful effects of metals exposure, and its use outside of some very high-level exposures (typically workplace exposures) is not endorsed by most medical professionals. Please consult your doctor for more information.
PBDEs:
Question: Where are PBDEs found and how can I avoid exposure to them?
Answer: The type used in furniture was withdrawn from commerce by the only U.S. manufacturer in 2005. However another type continues to be used in televisions, computer monitors and other electronics. Here are some basic tips about avoiding exposure to them:
- Whenever possible choose PBDE-free electronics and furniture. PBDEs should not be in mattresses, couches and other foam products sold in 2005 or later. However they are still put in some new televisions and computer monitors. Our 2006 PBDE-free manufacturer and product list is a good place to start looking for electronics with out them.
- Avoid contact with decaying or crumbling foam that might contain fire retardants. This includes older vehicle seats, upholstered furniture, foam mattress pads, carpet padding, and kid’s products made of foam.
- Use a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter vacuum cleaner. While not specifically proven to reduce PBDEs in your house, these vacuums capture the widest range of particles and are good for reducing lead or allergens in house dust too.
- Replace couches, stuffed chairs, automobile seats and the like that have exposed foam. If you can't afford to replace them, cover them with sturdy cover and vacuum around them frequently.
- Do not reupholster your older foam furniture, especially in homes where children or pregnant women live.
- Be careful when removing or replacing old carpet, since PBDEs are found in the foam padding beneath carpets. Isolate the work area with plastics and avoid tracking construction dust into the rest of your house. Pull out a HEPA vacuum to clean up when you're finished.
The replacement chemicals for PBDEs in foam are not fully tested for their health effects. Buy products made with natural fibers (like cotton and wool) that are naturally fire resistant and may contain fewer chemicals.
Foodnews.org (Shopper’s Guide to Pesticide):
Question: Is there any information about levels of pesticides in different nuts? I am particularly interested in walnuts, almonds and hazelnuts. Is it especially important to buy organic nuts or are the levels such that non-organic would be reasonable?
Answer: The Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce ranks pesticide contamination for 44 popular fruits and vegetables based on an analysis of nearly 51,000 tests for pesticides on these foods, conducted from 2000 and 2005 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration. While we understand that many consumers are interested in various nuts, nuts are not among those 44 most popular. Hopefully information on nuts may be included in future editions.
EWG believes that consumers should always choose organic foods over the conventionally grown counterparts when possible.
Question: Did you test only for pesticides "on" these fruits and veggies, or also for pesticides "in" them?
Question: Will Washing and Peeling Help reduce pesticide levels?
Nearly all of the data used to create these lists already considers how people typically wash and prepare produce (for example, apples are washed before testing, bananas are peeled). While washing and rinsing fresh produce may reduce levels of some pesticides, it does not eliminate them. Peeling also reduces exposures, but valuable nutrients often go down the drain with the peel. The best option is to eat a varied diet, wash all produce, and choose organic when possible to reduce exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.
Question: Does your list apply to imported produce?
Answer: Yes, some of the items were grown internationally, while others were produced domestically. The common element is that all the produce tested was sold in the United States.
Mercury in fish:
Question: the information I read about mercury seems to focus on pregnant women, but isn’t mercury bad for everybody?
Answer: You are right - while the developing fetus is most sensitive to mercury, it poses risks to others as well. Children younger than 5 years old should follow the same dietary restrictions as women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning to get pregnant soon. In adults, mercury has been linked to heart disease and neurological symptoms. EWG recommends that everyone choose fish that are low in mercury.
Question: But doesn’t fish have a lot of good fats too?
Answer: Fatty, cold-water fish, such as salmon, Pollock, mackerel, and herring have high levels of Omega-3 fatty acids which appear to decrease the risk of heart disease and provide other health benefits. The trouble is that some of these species also have high mercury levels, which may offset some of the benefits. Wild salmon is a clear winner with relatively high levels of good fats and low mercury concentrations. The American Heart Association webpage lists information for many commonly eaten fish. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3013797 EWG’s tuna calculator tells you how many servings of tuna you can safely eat: http://www.ewg.org/tunacalculator
Question: I am breast-feeding my infant. If I eat high mercury fish, would the mercury pass through my milk to her?
Answer: Mercury exposures are the greatest concern during pregnancy, as mercury is actively transported through the placenta to the developing fetus. Mercury is also passed into breast milk, so it is still very important to avoid consuming fish containing high levels of mercury while nursing.
Tap water:
Question: Does it help to use water filters?
Answer: Water filters vary widely in their price and filtration capacity. We cannot recommend specific products, but urge you to learn more about your tap water quality when considering what system will serve you best.
Water purification device that uses the reverse osmosis or distillation filtration system can eliminate almost all water toxins. However reverse osmosis wastes a lot of water, so please keep this in mind if you live in a drought zone or region with where water is scarce. Pitcher and tap type filters are typically made of activated carbon. Check out the manufacturers claims and product certifications to see which types of contaminants each filter will reduce.
EWG recommends that caregivers use unfluoridated water to mix baby formulas. The American Dental Association recommends this to keep babies from receiving too much fluoride. If your tap water is fluoridated, you might consider purchasing unfluoridated bottled water, or using a reverse osmosis system for bottles.
Question: How do I know what is in my tap water?
Answer: EWG’s tap water report analyzes more than 22 million tap water quality tests from XX public drinking water systems. You can read the report: http://www.ewg.org/sites/tapwater/
Or find results from your water system: http://www.ewg.org/tapwater/yourwater/index.php
For the most recent information you should contact your local water suppliers and ask for the results of recent water sampling