Summer is a Great Time to Update Travel ID

Did you know you can get an official copy of your birth certificate (if you were born in Washington State) right at the Public Health and Social Services office on Lilly Road? It's true! And with changes coming to the ID required to fly, you may want to take time this summer to learn more. Here's a great place to start: 

http://www.thurstontalk.com/2018/07/02/have-id-will-travel-thurston-county-publih-health-and-social-services-talk-about-new-ids/

Healthy Homes Program Vendor List

A great new resource is coming to Thurston County! It's the Healthy Homes Program Vendor List. There are some great training opportunities coming up for vendors who provide home repair and home improvement services. Learn more here. 

Get your business on the new Healthy Homes Vendor List!

Thurston County Healthy Homes Program is creating a new Healthy Homes Vendor List that Thurston County Public Health & Social Services will make available to the public. The list will include home repair and home improvement services like general contracting, pest control, roofing, home inspection, home renovation, weatherization, mold remediation, electrical, and heating, ventilation, & cooling.

To qualify for the list, the company’s staff member(s) in charge of training must take the Healthy Homes Class and professionals must be licensed/registered, bonded, and insured.

Register for one of the upcoming classes!

·         Saturday June 16 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

·         Friday June 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Lunch is included!

Class Location: Thurston County Public Health 412 Lilly Rd. NE Olympia, WA.

To register call (360) 867-2674 or email HealthyHomes@co.thurston.wa.us. For more information, view the flyer.

Spring Cleaning: To Bleach or not to Bleach?

In general, bleach isn’t needed for regular cleaning at home. A combination of regular cleaning with soap and water and washing hands six or more times per day with soap (and a good 30 seconds of scrubbing) will do a great job of preventing the spread of illness. Sanitizing, decreases the number of germs on a surface and helps to prevent illness. Sanitizing can be done occasionally in the kitchen and common areas with a bleach solution. Disinfecting, or killing germs, is only necessary when someone in your household has a highly contagious illness and when a mess includes blood, urine, feces, or vomit.

When using any household cleaning product, read the label completely before use. Most products that contain bleach will instruct you to clean a surface with soap and water before applying and let the surface air dry. These steps are necessary for the product to be effective. Be sure to follow the safety precautions included on the label to reduce risks of harmful exposures.

When using plain bleach for cleaning, there are four important steps. If you’re not using bleach correctly you won’t get the sanitizing or disinfection results that you want (and paid for!) and you are needlessly exposing yourself and your household to a hazardous substance.

1.  Identify bleach concentration

·  Find the percentage of sodium hypochlorate. The concentration has become stronger over the years. Choose 8.25% or lower if available. Avoid scented and splash-less bleach. Scented bleach has added chemicals that can make the bleach more allergenic. Splash-less bleach is a thicker consistency, but a lower percentage of sodium hypochlorate – it’s not strong enough to sanitize and disinfect. 

2. Mix

·  Mix a small amount on the day you plan to use it. Pour the correct ratio of cool water first and then add the bleach.

Never mix bleach with other cleaning products, disinfectants, or ammonia. Mixing these may release poisonous gases into the air.

3. Clean

·  Clean surfaces with soap and water and rinse. It’s important to remove visible dirt and grime before using a bleach solution.

4. Sanitize or Disinfect

Choose a sanitizing solution for kitchens and toys children might put in their mouths and disinfecting solution for surfaces that can be contaminated with human waste like in bathrooms and diaper changing surfaces. To prevent foodborne illness, use soap and water to clean kitchen surfaces and follow food safety guidelines.

· 

   Wet the entire surface with the bleach solution and let air dry. If the area is needed sooner, wait at least two minutes before wiping dry.

You can find a bottle of bleach and bleach-containing cleaning products in most homes. For many people, it’s not really clean unless there is bleach involved. Green cleaning methods work great for most messes, bleach is useful for the next time you have to clean up a mess that includes blood, urine, feces, or vomit. Sorry to end this blog post with the word “vomit”.

The Myth of "Black Mold" and How to Clean Mold

Living in the Northwest means living with lots of rain and wet conditions. Mold can be one of the unfortunate results. Elisa Sparkman, Healthy Homes Program Coordinator for the Thurston County Public Health and Social Services Department discusses the myths of mold, and what you can do to safely reduce it in your home.

 http://www.thurstontalk.com/2018/02/23/myth-black-mold/

Healthy Homes Tips

Healthy Holidays: A New Year, New Healthy Home

Here are ten simple ways to make your home a healthier and happier place to live in 2017, and beyond!

1.      It is never too early to do some spring cleaning. Make three piles: Keep, donate, and recycle/toss. Set aside a weekend to get rid of items you and your family no longer use. Reducing clutter can reduce stress and create a safer home. Clutter can be a tripping hazard.  

2.      Did you discover some household hazardous waste while doing your spring cleaning? Take your unwanted cleaning supplies, motor oil, light bulbs and more to HazoHouse! Replace these items with green cleaners.

3.      Reduce the risk of mold and moisture damage by running your bathroom fan when you take a shower. Leave the fan on for at least thirty to forty-five minutes after you shower. If your fan is broken, have it fixed or replaced.

4.      Open windows daily to let fresh air in and improve ventilation. Try a “fresh air blast” by going through your home opening each window and then going right back through closing each one. This quick exchange of air can make a big difference in your indoor air quality!

5.      You never know when a fire, stormy weather, or earthquake could impact you and your family. Create a disaster supplies kit for you, your family, and your pets. Keep the kit in an accessible location that everyone living at your home could find during an emergency.

6.      Take your shoes off at the door. Shoes can bring in dirt, dust and other allergens. Don’t want cold feet? Have a designated pair of house slippers or shoes you can wear around the house.

7.      Vacuum at least once a week and damp dust hard surfaces regularly. This can reduce allergy triggers in the home.

8.      Get your septic tank inspected. Get your septic system inspected. You can hire someone or learn how to do it yourself. Inspecting your system every year can help identify issues before they turn into large, costly problems.

9.      Read our Common Sense Gardening guides so you can begin to plan your garden.  Our free gardening guides can help you create a beautiful landscape without the

use of toxic bug and weed killers.

10.  Want to learn more about ways you can keep your home healthy? Schedule a free, confidential Healthy Homes visit. Call the Healthy Homes Program to learn more or schedule a visit (360) 867-2674.

Healthy Holidays: Where do I take my?

Out with the old and in with the new?

If you have some things you need to get rid of, perhaps due to some newly acquired items over the holidays… there is a wonderful resource to help you. It is called www.WhereDoITakeMy.org.

“Where do I take my” lists out just about any item you can think of and provides information on where you can dispose of it safely. It also recommends places where you can donate and recycle things. And it provides information on where to dispose of a hazardous item safely.

Disposing of unwanted items responsibly is good for the environment and can help others who are in need. The choices you make when tossing out your old stuff can have a big impact! Your choice makes a difference.

If you’re not able to find information on disposal for something, you can always call our Environmental Health Education Phone Line. Our staff will do their best to find an option that works for you! (360) 867-2674.

Healthy Holidays: 8 ways to an environmentally-friendly holiday season!

Healthy Holidays: Holiday lighting safety tips

Does your family break out holiday lights and decorations after the turkey and pumpkin pie have been gobbled up? Many people begin putting up their holiday lights and decorations starting Thanksgiving Day through December. Putting up holiday lights is a tradition for many people and it can create a festive atmosphere. We encourage you to understand the health and safety risks of decorating your home with holiday lights before hanging them in and outside your home.

1.        Is there lead hiding in your lights? Believe it or not, most holiday lights in the United States contain lead. One study found that four ordinary brands of holiday lights have high enough lead levels to harm children. Lead is found in PVC (polyvinyl chloride), which is used to insulate the holiday lights to prevent water exposure. Over time, the PVC breaks down from sunlight exposure and heat, releasing lead as a form of dust. If you choose to hang holiday lights, hang them at a high enough level so children will not be tempted to play with them. Wear gloves when you put up the lights and wash your hands after you’re done decorating. If you hang holiday lights inside, damp dust frequently to reduce lead exposure in your home.

2.        Replace damaged bulbs and outdated lights. If you have any damaged bulbs on your holiday lights, replace them if possible. Broken bulbs can be a safety hazard for children and pets. You will also save energy by replacing damaged bulbs. Unplug your lights before you replace damaged bulbs. If your lights are beyond repair, purchase LED holiday lights. They are made with epoxy lenses which are much more durable than glass bulbs and are the more energy efficient option.  

3.       Hang lights carefully and conscientiously. Avoid piercing holiday lights with nails or staples because that damages the cords and can create a potential hazard. Try wrapping holiday lights around hooks or nails, or purchase plastic clips to hang the lights up. Avoid wrapping lights around hot electric sources such as home theaters, stereos and water heaters. Keep holiday lights away from heat vents and electric heaters. The additional heat may damage and even melt your holiday lights. Keep indoor holiday lights away from drapes, furniture or carpeting. Place cords in low-traffic areas where they won’t be a tripping hazard or be worn out due to being stepped on. 

4.       Use extension cord(s) safely. Do not overload an extension cord. Find out the wattage rating of your extension cord and holiday lights before plugging the two together.  

5.       Hang only weather resistant lights outside. If you are hanging holiday lights outside, make sure they are rated for outdoor use or are marked waterproof. Do not use indoor holiday lights outside, that can be an easy way to blow fuses or start a fire.

6.       Use ladders safely. If you plan on using a ladder to hang your holiday lights outside, there are several ladder safety measures you can take. Pay attention to the weather forecast; pick a dry day with calm winds. Choose a ladder size that is appropriate for the job and inspect it before using it. While you are up on your ladder, make careful moves as sudden movements may cause you to lose balance, and have a second person available to spot you.  

7.       Turn off your lights. Before you go to bed or leave your house, turn off your holiday lights. You will save electricity by turning your lights off and reduce the risk of a fire.

The risks of injury and fire are reduced when you practice safe handling of holiday lights. Take the time to celebrate the holidays safely to have the best holiday season yet!

Seven Keys to a Healthy Home

By Sonya Rombough, Healthy Homes AmeriCorps Member

I am the first to shout that autumn is my favorite season. I love how the weather changes, the vibrancy of the leaves and the crispness of cool air. I like to brew up a hot beverage and settle in to watch the wind and rain come through. I find that I am a prime example of the average American who, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, spends about 87% of their time indoors, especially in the fall and winter. But while home is cozy and familiar, it can also present a whole host of challenges to our immune systems and well-being.

Here in the Pacific Northwest problems with excessive moisture and mold are very common, and while these issues are of significant concern, there are other potential dangers lurking in your home. Homes built prior to 1978 may contain lead and asbestos, and a quick peek under your sink might just reveal a whole slew of hazardous chemicals. The good news is, with a few small adjustments to your cleaning routine you make your home a healthier haven.

There are seven basic ways, also known as the “Seven Keys to a Healthy Home” to improve the health of your home for you and your family.

• Keep it clean!  Keeping your home clean and clutter-free will help prevent pests by eliminating access to food, water and hiding places. It may also help with your family’s stress levels and comfort. Check out this post on green cleaning alternatives!

• Keep it contaminant free! There are many products that seem safe, but can cause harm to your family including fertilizers, harsh chemical cleaning products and scented aerosols. If possible stick to green cleaners, and when they aren’t an option, always select the product with the lowest risk, avoid anything that says “Danger” or “Poison” as these are the highest hazard words.

• Keep it ventilated! Always use fans in the kitchen and bathroom. Make sure these fans are vented all the way outside. Use your fans while cooking and bathing and run them for 30-45 minutes afterwards. Additionally, it can be beneficial to make a habit of using fans and opening windows when using cleaning products or other chemicals. Opening windows daily can help exchange air and allow moisture to escape, even on stormy days.

• Keep it dry! Mold cannot grow without moisture so it’s important to clean up all spills immediately. It’s a good idea to check under sinks and around plumbing regularly to ensure nothing is leaking. If you find a leak, repair it quickly and dry out the affected area within 24-48 hours. Help the area to dry by leaving the cupboard open, cleaning up any standing water and running a fan in the affected area to create airflow.

• Keep it maintained! Not only does this refer to pipes and plumbing, but to all the features of your home. Combustion appliances, such as natural gas water heaters or propane furnaces, need to be maintained by professionals regularly to ensure that no carbon monoxide back drafts into the home. Similarly, septic systems need routine checks and maintenance to prevent back-flowing and contamination of the groundwater. Even small things like peeling paint, which may contain lead, can represent a danger in your home and loose floors can be a trip hazard. Keep a checklist of all things in your home you need to keep an eye on and make repairs as soon as possible.

• Keep it safe! Keep your family safe by storing chemicals out of reach, putting child locks on upper level windows, and installing smoke detectors and carbon monoxide monitors and outside of every sleeping area in your home. Check your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide monitors regularly to make sure they are functioning properly.

• Keep it pest free! Prevent pests by keeping your home free of clutter, keeping pet food off of the floor and in airtight containers, and filling any cracks, holes or gaps in the exterior walls. If you do end up with a pest problem avoid bringing poison into your home at all costs and implement a strategy of integrated pest management including these preventative measures. 

Our Healthy Homes Program offers free, confidential Healthy Homes Visit to residents in Thurston County. Visits occur in the comfort of your home with expert volunteers who can teach you about the hazards in your home and how to address them. Call (360)867-2674 to schedule a free and confidential healthy homes visit today! 

Five Easy Ways to Make Your Yard Bee-Friendly

Bees play an important role in all ecosystems and are key allies for gardeners and farmers. They are responsible for pollination, which is the transfer of pollen to other flowering plants. Once pollination takes place, seeds begin to develop. Bees are responsible for pollinating most of our food.  In fact, 30 to 35 percent of the world’s food crops, including almost all of the nuts, fruits and vegetables that we typically eat are dependent on bees for pollination. Bees provide anywhere from 16 to 29 billion dollars worth of agricultural services each year, free of charge!

Unfortunately, bee communities have been declining over the last century. Air pollution, habitat destruction, and the overuse of chemical pesticides on farms, gardens, and even front lawns are affecting the recent decline in bee populations across the country. 

But, you can help make a difference for local bee populations by making your yard bee-friendly! Follow the tips listed below, and you'll help ensure the long-term survival of bees in our region, the productivity of our farmland, and the security of our food system.

1.     Feed your bees the good stuff. Bees need food, which in their case means pollen and nectar. To provide them with a steady and varied food source from spring through fall, you can plant an assortment of different plants that thrive in different seasons. The Washington Native Plant Society has a list of plants native to our county. They have also compiled a list of local nurseries that sell plants native to Thurston County.

2.      Create a natural habitat. Commit to leaving a portion of your yard “wild,” allowing weeds and native plants to grow on their own. Just as one person’s trash is another’s treasure, in the case of weeds, many times a plant that is considered a pest to people is a great source of food or shelter for a bee.

3.      Keep your bees hydrated. Bees need access to water. If your yard has a birdbath, you can place a small piece of wood in the bath that will float and provide nearby bees with a safe landing spot to drink from. Replace the water regularly so the water stays clean and fresh for bees and other critters that visit the birdbath.

4.    Make your bees feel at home. Different bee species need different types of shelter. There are several ways to accommodate their needs. Leaving small patches of ground bare will attract ground-nesting bees that build their nests in the soil. Wood-nesting and cavity-nesting bees nest in the hollow cavities of plant stems will benefit from having access to plants such as bamboo, elderberry, or sumac. You can also hang bundles of dried, hollow sunflower stems, which cavity-nesting bees will happily nest in. Bumblebees will shelter in bunched grasses. If you are feeling crafty, you can even build a nest box to attract bumblebees.

5.   Say, ‘no thanks’ to toxic chemicals. Avoid chemical bug and weed killers, especially the group of chemicals called neonicotinoids. Clothianidin, Dinotefuran, Imidacloprid, and Thiamethoxam are the four types of neonicotinoids that are most toxic to bees and should not be used in bee-friendly landscapes.

Thank you for doing your part to conserve our native bees and pollinators! To learn more about native bees and pollinator conservation, check out the Xerces Society, the Washington Native Plant Society and Washington State University - Extension. 

Safe Handling of Pesticides

Whether you have a small herb garden on your apartment balcony, raised beds in your front yard, or a spacious backyard garden, you may have uninvited and unwanted pests visiting your garden. Most critters that pass through or live in your garden are beneficial or do little to no harm to you or your plants. However, there are some pests that can be harmful to your garden. There are many ways to combat pests without using harmful pesticides (visit our Common Sense Gardening page!), but if you choose to use them, there are steps you can take to safely handle pesticides.

Pesticides are natural or synthetic chemicals that kill, attract, repel, or control the growth of pest plants (like weeds), animals and microorganisms. Most people use pesticides with the purpose to kill bugs and weeds protruding their lawn or garden. Pesticides are all toxic to some degree, however the amount needed to cause an effect varies greatly. Some are toxic to people, pets or wildlife in amounts as small a tablespoon! But some may take gallons to have the same level of toxicity. Concentrated products that are designed to be mixed with water before application are usually more toxic than ready-to-use products that are applied without any mixing.

So, how do you use these products safely?

1. Do your homework! Research what method will solve your pest problem. A helpful resource to assist in the selection of pesticide products is the Grow Smart Grow Safe guide. This guide rates pesticides from the lowest-to-highest hazard. There are many low hazard options for a variety of pest problems.
2. Read the directions before you buy! Before you purchase a pesticide, read the directions and precautionary statements. Be confident that you are willing, able, and comfortable handling and using the product. Purchase only the amount you need. The less hazardous products you have stored in your home, the less likely your family and pets will be exposed to them. When transporting pesticides home from the store, be sure to bag pesticides separately from groceries and place in the trunk of your car, away from people and groceries.
   
3. Follow the directions. All pesticide products contain directions that describe how they should be applied along with the precautions you should take while applying them. If a hazard is stated, be sure to take necessary precaution to avoid the hazard. For example, corrosive liquids may require you to avoid skin contact by wearing gloves, additional clothing to cover skin, glasses and/or goggles.
1. Example of a precautionary statement:

CAUTION: Harmful if swallowed or absorbed through skin or inhaled. Causes moderate eye irritation. Avoid contact with eyes, skin, or clothing. Avoid breathing spray mist. Prolonged or frequently repeated skin contact may cause allergic reaction in some individuals.
The next label warns to avoid contact with eyes, skin or clothing, but it does not specifically tell the user how to avoid contact (such as the use of gloves, goggles or waterproof clothing).
General Precaution and Restrictions: Do not allow people or pets to enter treated areas until sprays have dried. Do not apply this product in a way that will contact other persons or pets, either directly or through drift.


4. Dispose properly. You safely applied a pesticide product and are free of slugs eating your precious plants, success! But, you have some leftover pesticide product. It is important to safely dispose of pesticide. Leaving unused pesticides in your home is dangerous, especially if you have small children or pets that could be harmfully exposed. It also reduces pesticides from polluting our water ways.

Lucky for you, we have the HazoHouse in Thurston County!

HazoHouse is a household hazardous waste disposal location that is a free resource for Thurston County residents. It is located at the Thurston County Waste and Recovery Center in Lacey, WA. They accept pesticides, along with motor oil, cleaning supplies, products containing mercury and more.

If you have additional questions about pesticide use and common sense gardening, please visit our website or call (360) 867-2674.

Mold 101

Planning 2016: 10 tasks for a healthier new year

1.  Dispose of household hazardous products safely and for free by taking them to HazoHouse.
2. Switch to green cleaning methods by using vinegar, baking soda, and liquid Castile soap. This saves money too!
3. Remove shoes at the door. This helps reduce dust in the home.
4. Run the bathroom fan while showering or bathing and for 30-45 minutes after. This helps keep mold from growing in the bathroom and improves indoor air quality. If your fan doesn’t work well, have it fixed or replaced.
5. Open windows daily to let fresh air in and improve ventilation. Try a “fresh air blast” by going through your home opening each window and then going right back through closing each one. This quick exchange of air can make a big difference in your indoor air quality!
6. Request a free, confidential Healthy Homes Visit.
   
7. Get a kitchen thermometer and use it to help prevent foodborne illness.
8. Use Common Sense Gardening for your yard and garden. Our free gardening guides can help you create a beautiful landscape without the
   use of toxic bug and weed killers.
9. Get your septic system inspected. You can hire someone or learn how to do it yourself. Inspecting your system every year can help identify issues before they turn into large, costly
   problems.
10.  Take steps to prevent rodents and other pests from entering your home.

Healthy Holiday Cleaning

The holidays can mean having a lot of people over to the house which means a lot of cleaning. But instead of reaching for the bleach or drain cleaner, take the time to read the labels and follow the directions. Many of the cleaning products available in stores today are hazardous. You can tell by reading the signal word and precautionary statements. The signal words are: Warning, Caution, or Danger on the label.

Sure, we see these words on labels all the time, but what do those labels actually mean?

According to the the Federal Hazardous Substances Act (FHSA) household hazardous products must be labeled accordingly. It was decided that there should be three levels of labeling.

Warning or Caution:

These labels indicate that a product may be “moderately toxic, corrosive, reactive, or flammable”.

Danger:

This is the second ‘level’ of toxicity and means that a product is highly toxic, flammable, or corrosive. It can cause injury to you through ingestion or skin exposure.

Poison:

This is the highest level of toxicity that can be listed and means that the product can cause injury or even death if ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin.

Choosing safer products

The best way to reduce hazardous exposures to you and your family is to use green cleaning methods or by choosing the least hazardous product available when shopping. There are many cleaning products available with hazards low enough to not require one of the signal words. There are also several recipes to create your own green cleaners that are easy and mainly use common household products such as baking soda and vinegar. If you must use a hazardous product, make sure you read the label, use the safety precautions described, and follow the directions. Simply using the product as directed with the best possible safety precautions can reduce exposures.

So the next time your drain is clogged or there’s a stain on your bathroom wall reach for a safer alternative. And you won’t have to worry about toxic exposures for you, your household, your guests and pets.

You can find more tips on how to reduce your family’s exposure to toxins through our Healthy Home Companion.

                        

How to have a ‘Green,’ Healthy and Safe Holiday

If you’re like a lot of people around the holidays, you like to decorate! And this can mean strings and strings of colored lights wrapped around a tree or your house. While these lights are beautiful and help bring about holiday cheer, they also can be costly and, sometimes, hazardous. LED string lights are becoming more common and not only reduce your energy bills around the holidays, but also don’t burn or break as easily as conventional string lights. Nothing like saving ‘green’ while being green! Many holiday lights contain lead, which is toxic to the brain and especially toxic for children whose brains are still developing. Keep small children from touching holiday lights when possible and have everyone wash hands thoroughly after touching holiday lights.

Burning candles releases volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into your indoor air. These VOCs are tiny chemical particles can irritate lungs and cause symptoms in people with asthma or allergies. Candles also present fire and burn hazards especially if there will be small children and pets present in your home. Instead of using real candles, consider using LED candles which give the same warm glow, without all of the fine particulate matter. They also last much longer than conventional candles and can save you money! If you burn candles for a warm holiday scent, try simmering cinnamon sticks in water on the stove instead.

And finally, a holiday tree can be a center point to the holidays. It can be a tradition from some to go cut one down and bring it inside without realizing what they’re hauling in with it. Trees, being plants, carry pollen with them which can cause seasonal allergic rhinitis, more commonly known as ‘hay fever’. If anyone in your home has allergies and asthma it may benefit your whole family to go with an artificial tree this year!

Microbeads: Small Size, Huge Impact

There is an emerging public health threat in the form of tiny plastic particles that are often too small to see with the naked eye. These tiny troublemakers are known as microbeads, and they’re mainly used as abrasives in face scrubs and body washes, but are also found in makeup, lip gloss, nail polish, and even toothpaste. Being made of plastic, they don’t biodegrade easily, and their small size (almost always 1 millimeter or less) makes it nearly impossible for water treatment plants to filter them out before discharging treated water into lakes, rivers, and in our case, Puget Sound. Individually, microbeads may not seem threatening, but consider that a recent report by the New York Attorney General’s office estimates that 19 tons of microbeads end up in the state’s waters every year, and that’s just one state!

Making matters worse, microbeads are also highly absorbent, meaning that they easily soak up toxic chemicals such as those found in flame retardants, pesticides, and motor oil that have also found their way into our waterways. One study shows that microbeads can be up to one million times as toxic as the water around them! Soaking up toxics might sound great, until you realize that these toxic sponges wind up in the food chain. Algae, at the bottom of the chain, are quick to absorb the smallest microbeads, and algae often become food for fish. Fish will also eat the larger microbeads on their own, mistaking them for food. This is where the problems begin. Fish that eat too many microbeads can die of starvation, as these tiny particles accumulate in their digestive systems, clogging them and preventing absorption of nutrients. If a microbead-eating fish manages to avoid that fate and instead ends up on someone’s dinner table, the soaked-up toxics become a serious human health issue. As much as we love seafood in the Pacific Northwest, human health here in our area could be particularly at risk.

This growing threat has prompted microbead restrictions and bans in six states, with many more state legislatures in the process of doing the same. The Netherlands is leading the charge in Europe to ban microbeads, and Canada announced a nationwide ban on the manufacture, importation, and sale of microbeads in August 2015. Here in Washington, an attempt to ban microbeads has stalled because of concern over a loophole that would allow manufacturers to sell products with supposedly “biodegradable” microbeads. However, the only biodegradable microbeads currently available will not break down in cold waters, including Puget Sound, meaning that they will be almost as dangerous to people and marine life as the microbeads being used today.

The public reaction against microbeads has been strong. Two of the largest personal care products corporations, Colgate-Palmolive and Unilever, claim to have already phased-out microbeads in their products. Two others, Procter & Gamble and Johnson & Johnson, have committed to stopping the use of microbeads over the next few years.

What can you do?

Alternatives to microbeads for exfoliating work as well or better. Look for products (or make your own) that use:

• Walnut shells
• Rice
• Apricot pits
• Bamboo
• Coffee beans
• Jojoba beans

You can always use an exfoliating facial sponge with your favorite cleanser or moisturizer instead of a product that contains an exfoliant.

With precious ecosystems and human health at risk, consumers can use their purchasing power to buy products that leave out harmful ingredients. Through consumer demand and public policy the personal care product industry is changing. By purchasing safer and healthier products, consumers show the industry what they want. Being a smart shopper can make a huge difference.