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When you're a parent, you're always trying to do right by your child-you kiss boo boos better, banish the monsters under the bed, and you make sure tiny fingers don't stick themselves in sockets. But then there are the invisible, more insidious threats: Air pollution, heavy metals, and toxic chemicals lurking in every corner, waiting in ambush.
The numbers do nothing to ease parental fears. Childhood cancer is up about 25 percent in the last generation. In recent years, the number of children suffering from asthma has skyrocketed to a staggering six million. Meanwhile, one in six kids deals with at least one developmental disorder, such as autism and Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder. Up to 600,000 children born each year in the United States suffer mild to moderate loss of IQ points because of methylmercury exposure during fetal development, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
You're not superhuman, you can't do everything. But you can control what goes in and out of your home. Healthy Child, Healthy World: Creating a Cleaner, Greener, Safer Home (2008, Dutton) by Christopher Gavigan, CEO of the organization bearing the same name, addresses the issues you might face in all stages of parenting, starting from pregnancy.
With a foreword by award-winning actress Meryl Streep, as well as essay contributions from celebrities and personalities such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Tobey Maguire, Tom Hanks, Gayle King, Erin Brockovich, Vanessa Williams,, Amy Brenneman, Laura Dern, Keri Russel, Michelle Obama, Sheryl Crow, Brooke Shields, and Kate Hudson, Healthy Child, Healthy World is a comprehensive, easy-to-read guide to managing every facet of your home environment, whether it's preparing a nontoxic nursery, minimizing allergens in your home, or choosing safer toys and art supplies.
From cleaning supplies to home renovations, Gavigan manages to break things down into manageable, easy-to-follow solutions, so you can always do the right thing-for your child and your planet.
Difficulty level: Easy to advanced
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