UCSF National Center of Excellence in Women's Health

Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment

Toxic Matters: Links

The following are links from the PRHE brochure

Toxic Matters.

More Toxic Matters Resources

Below is a list of links that will provide practical tips for avoiding exposure to toxic substances.

Over time, websites change and some links may become broken. If you click on a link that doesn't work, please send an email to harlessj@obgyn.ucsf.edu.

To Learn More

American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Environmental Health

Physicians for Social Responsibility Pediatric Environmental Health Toolkit

UCSF/CHE Shaping Our Legacy

United States Environmental Protection Agency

Live, Learn, Play - Tune Into Your Health and Environment

CA Dept Public Health Hazard Evaluation System and Information Service (HESIS)

Prevent Exposure at Home

Do Not Smoke

Talk with an National Cancer Institute smoking cessation counselor for help quitting and answers to smoking-related questions in English or Spanish - call toll free within the United States, Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. local time. Go to: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/smoking

Smoke Free Women

1-800- QUITNOW

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

The National Cancer Institute's "Harms of Smoking and Health Benefits of Quitting"

American Lung Association's "Stop Smoking"

"Smoking and How to Quit" by womenshealth.gov

Use non-toxic personal care products. Personal care products may contain many ingredients, such as phthalates, that can harm reproductive health.

Skin Deep

United States Department of Health and Human Services: Household Products Database

The California Department of Public Health has launched a new database that will allow people to find out if personal care products they use contain harmful chemicals. The product of a 2005 law championed by the Breast Cancer Fund, the California Safe Cosmetics Program requires cosmetics manufacturers to report to the state any ingredient in products sold in California that causes cancer or reproductive harm such as birth defects. Manufacturers have until December 15 to report toxic ingredients to the state, and consumers will be able to view the data online in a few months. For more information, go to www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/cosmetics.

Do not spray bugs. Do not use pesticides, which are toxic chemicals made to kill unwanted insects, rodents, weeds, bacteria and mold.

Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides

Natural Resources Defense Council: How to Control Fleas Without Chemicals

For information on controlling head lice without pesticides see: USEPA Integrated Pest Management for Schools, Chapter 11.

Clean your home with non-toxic cleaning products.

Women’s Health and the Environment

United States Dept of Health and Human Services: Household Products Database

Pick your plastics carefully. Some plastics release toxic chemicals such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), pthalates and bisphenol A (BPA).

Women’s Health and the Environment

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recently voted to approve new third party testing requirements for phthalates, through a notice of requirements, to ensure that children's toys and child care articles meet the federal phthalates limits.

Learn more here.

Choose safer home improvements. Many paints, glues and flooring materials can release toxic chemicals long after the project is complete.

Healthy Building Network

Renovate Right. Important Lead Hazard Information for Families, Child Care Providers and Schools.

Keep mercury out of your diet, home and garbage.

U.S. EPA Fish Advisories

Natural Resources Defense Council. Mercury Contamination in Fish. A Guide to Staying Healthy and Fighting Back

Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch

Avoid pesticides and other toxic substances in food and water.

Environmental Working Group: Shoppers Guide to Pesticides

United States Dept of Agriculture: Community Supported Agriculture

Local Harvest

Public Health Institute: Eight Steps to Get More Fruits and Vegetables Into Your Neighborhood

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water (OGWDW) oversees implementation of the Safe Drinking Water Act, which is the national law safeguarding tap water in America.

Pesticide Action Network - What’s In My Food? iPhone App and Database

Test your home for radon, a radioactive gas found in many basements and ground floors.

USEPA A Citizen’s Guide to Radon: Protecting Yourself and Your Family From Radon

Prevent Exposure at Work

By law, you have the right to a safe and healthy work environment.

United States Department of Labor (DOL) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): Directory of Regional Offices

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Worker Protection Standard for Agricultural Pesticides

Prevent Exposure in Your Community

Help create a better environment for your family and everyone around you.

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Citizen's Guide to Pest Control and Pesticide Safety

Reduce your exposure to pollution in outdoor air.

AIRNow: Local Air Quality Conditions and Forecasts

Become a Smart Consumer

Consumer Guide

Healthy Stuff.org

Skin Deep

United States Department of Health and Human Services: Household Products Database

Good Guide

National Geographic: Green Guide

Natural Resources Defense Council: Baby Steps

Watch Magee-Womens Hospital at UPMC's video series called "UPMC's Guide to Green Parenting" on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/upmc#g/c/03646D128774A6BB

Make the Government Work for You

You can influence public policy.

USA.gov: Contact Elected Officials

Environmental Health Legistlation Database

The Environmental Health Legislation Database is provided by the National Council for State Legislatures tracks state legislation addressing environmental factors that may adversely impact human health or the ecological balances essential to long-term human health and environmental quality, whether in the natural or man-made environment.