Is your kids’ classroom a safe haven?
School is back into full swing… all the lunch boxes, new clothes and school supplies have been bought, labeled and delivered. You’ve done your part, right? Yes! But… let me ask you, have you ever wondered if their school is a safe haven – safe from chemicals? Schools work really hard to keep our kids safe and their environment healthy. But there are a few simple Norwex solutions that could help your kids reduce the amount of chemicals they come in contact with at school.
Hand Washing
Schools often encourage kids to use hand sanitizers or perfumed, chemical-laden soap for hand washing before snack & lunch times. Of course hand washing is very important and schools work hard to instill this important life habit… but research shows that some antibacterial agents, such as triclosan and parabens, though they fight germs, are toxic to our health. On friday, September 2, 2016, Environmental Working Group (EWG) was pleased to release,
“This decision by the FDA is a huge victory on behalf of human health and the environment,” said Ken Cook, co-founder and president of EWG. “EWG has been conducting research and advocating for this exact federal government action for nearly a decade, and our work, as well as that of other public interest groups and many of our supporters, has finally paid off.”
“EWG research found industry adding this sketchy, endocrine-disrupting germ killer to all kinds of soaps and even to toothpaste. Nine years ago we found it at disturbing levels in San Francisco Bay,” Cook added. “Worse yet, EWG studies detected the stuff in breast milk and in bodies of teenage girls. Clearly this is an industry that needed a good, swift kick in the triclosan. It took far too long, but today the FDA delivered.”
It is obvious that the governments and producers are starting to realize the importance of protecting people from dangerous chemicals. That is great to see! Let me tell you how using Norwex products can help reducing our chemical consumption by with great alternatives. Read the ingredients in those those cute, travel-sized hand sanitizers before you send them to school with your kids. Antibacterial formulas are not all they are cracked up to be and good old-fashioned hand washing with soap is the best way to rid harmful bacteria, while allowing the body to naturally maintain a healthy immune system. But when water and soap are not readily available or there are 25 kids ahead of you in line for the sink, the Norwex Timeless Natural Hand Cleaner is a good alternative. It is made from pure raw organic aloe, lemon fruit extract, rosemary & lavender which all have natural antiseptic qualities to combat bacteria, while providing nourishing moisture to the skin with eucalyptus globules leaf and spearmint extracts. It has been certified by EcoGruppo and NaTrue for its organic properties. Another plus… it only takes a drop or two to clean your entire hands – It’s organic, free from chemicals, only requires a small amount, smells wonderful, leaves hands moisturized – what more could you ask for? (by the way, Norwex also has a wonderful Peppermint Foaming Hand Soap – that is pure soap, not antibacterial, in foam form so it lasts longer – for at home).
School Bag Lunches
The daily task of packing lunches is another part of the school routine and a wonderful opportunity to pick items that will add to the health and nourishment of your kids. As we all know, it is important to choose fresh fruits and veggies… but did you know that some produce is ‘cleaner’ than others? The EWG is a non-profit organization that works to empower people to live healthier lives by researching and educating to raise awareness and help drive consumer choice and civic action. The EWG group has identified which produce is heavily doused in pesticides and which produce is not. They have developed a handy list to help you make the BEST choice for your lunches.
Source: www.ewg.org/enviroblog/2016/08/back-school-season-protect-lunchbox
They recommend that we should pick produce from the Clean 15 list and avoid the Dirty 12 as much as possible when you are unable to buy local organic produce. The Norwex Fresh Produce Wash is perfect for times when organic is not an option, or your kid really loves having strawberries in his lunch (when they are not in season). The Fresh Produce Wash is a plant-based, biodegradable, concentrated wash. It not only removes unwanted residues from fertilizers, wax, dirt, oil & bacteria, it does not require scrubbing, it leaves no aftertaste on your fruit and it even extends the shelf life of the produce. Did you know that you should wash fruit that you peel too…like bananas and oranges? Now your kid’s lunch box is a safe haven!
Clean Work Space
School desks or work spaces are full of germs, that tend to multiply and grow. Instead of using the standard disposable, chemical-laden wipes in the attempt to control these germs, consider tucking a damp Travel Pack Cloth (in a Reusable Wet Wipes Bag) in your kid’s lunchbox. Within seconds your child can wipe down his or her desk and have a perfectly clean surface to eat on, work on, rest on… you get the idea. They could even wash their little hands with it before they dig into their lunch.
School is a great place, with many individuals who work hard to teach, protect, guide and help our kids. As parents, we can do our part too. Norwex has a lot of great solutions for our daily needs that protect our kids when they are at school. Check them out.
Sources:
http://www.ewg.org/enviroblog/2016/08/back-school-season-protect-lunchbox
http://www.ewg.org/release/fda-finally-bans-toxic-triclosan-antibacterial-hand-soaps
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Delores VandenBoogaard is an Independent Norwex Sales Consultant from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada with customers and consultants throughout Canada and the United States including; New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Prince Edward Island, North West Territories and Ontario. She also has customers and team members in; Michigan, Texas, California, Massachusetts, Florida, Arizona, Missouri, Colorado, North Carolina, South Carolina, Idaho, Washington, New Hampshire, Iowa and Maine.
