Raising Healthy Children in a Toxic World: 101 Smart Solutions for Every Family

by Philip J. Landrigan, Herbert L. Needleman, Mary M. Landrigan

Reviewed by Melanie Wilson

I will have to admit that on my first glance at this book, written by two doctors and a public health expert, I felt overwhelmed by its checklists and inspection suggestions to use in our home. Did I really want to know if our home was toxic? Did I want to know if my son's school was a safe place for him to be? I wasn't sure at first, but as is typical for me and other moms I know, my parental guilt got the best of me and I sat down to read this amazingly interesting book.

The environmental checklist at the back of the book proved to be more than just another thing to do; it helped me to focus in on areas of our home where we are at risk of being exposed to toxins.

Did you know, for example, that magic markers that contain xylene can cause your child to experience headaches, dizziness, confusion, and balance and breathing problems? Scented markers can be dangerous in addition because they encourage children to taste them.

The book does contain some good news. For example, olive oil can be effective in treating head lice, therefore avoiding the potential dangers of the more caustic over-the-counter head lice treatments.

Forget about creating a germ free kitchen or bathroom - it can't be done. Using antibacterial, germ killing, sterilizing sprays will rarely result in a germ free environment, even if that were something one would wish to do. Using toxic cleaners simply replaces the germs with a synthetic chemical hazard. Overuse of such products can actually increase the potency of germs that can rise up and revolt against the products themselves. For disinfecting, simple "green" products work and are safe, or a homemade solution of ¼ cup of bleach to a gallon of water will suffice.

I was further surprised to learn that commercial peanut butter might be better for your child than the ground peanut version. This is largely because there are government regulations limiting the amount of aflatoxin, a naturally occurring toxin produced by mold that contaminates peanuts. A child who eats a product with high levels of aflatoxin may develop liver failure. Some fresh ground peanut butters tested at natural food stores were found to have levels higher than the government standards of this dangerous substance.

Raising Healthy Children in a Toxic World has now joined the other reference books that sit on my kitchen counter for a quick thumb through when needed. I recommend other parents add it to their bookshelves as well.

--Reviewed by Carol LaLiberte

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