Johnson&Johnson: More Bad Press!

I wish I was aware of this when Anthony was a baby! I have 


known about Johnson & Johnson using harmful chemicals in 


their products for about a year now and refuse to use it on 


Gianna! So thankful I was introduced to products that are not


only safe and non-toxic but also better for the environment! 


No more Johnson & Johnson in this household!

• TOP STORIES

HEALTH

BY MARGARET HARTMANN

NOV 1, 2011 11:25 AM

86,105  342

Johnson & Johnson Gently Poisons Babies With Its Shampoo

Moms who buy special shampoo for their babies probably assume that they aren't rubbing carcinogens into their precious child's head during every bath. If they live in the U.S., there's a good chance they're wrong. Health and environmental groups have been pressuring Johnson & Johnson to remove two potentially cancer-causing chemicals from its popular baby shampoo, and for some unfathomable reason, they're dragging their feet.

The company is definitely well aware of the problem. According to the Associated Press, since 2009 The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics has met with Johnson & Johnson representatives three times about making its baby products safer by removing two chemicals. Dioxane, which is considered a likely carcinogen, is found in Johnson & Johnson's Baby Shampoo, Oatmeal Baby Wash, Moisture Care Baby Wash and Aveeno Baby Soothing Relief Creamy Wash. The shampoo also contains quaternium-15, which releases formaldehyde. Over the summer, the U.S. government officiallyadded formaldehyde, which is used as a disinfectant and embalming fluid, to its list of known carcinogens. It's also a skin, eye and respiratory irritant.

Yesterday, the campaign sent Johnson & Johnson a letter signed by 25 environmental and medical groups, including the Breast Cancer Fund, Environmental Working Group, Friends of the Earth, American Nurses Association, Physicians for Social Responsibility and Green America. It's demanding that the company commit to removing the chemicals from all of its products by November 15, and calling for a boycott until it does so.

Johnson & Johnson responded by saying that while formaldehyde is considered a carcinogen, regulators have found that formaldehyde-releasing preservatives are safe. However, it's working on reformulating its baby products and gradually phasing the chemicals. That may sound like a reasonable response, but but the company doesn't need time to create new formula, because it's already selling a carcinogen-free version of its baby shampoo in various other countries. Johnson & Johnson's Baby Shampoo sold in the U.S., Canada, China, Indonesia and Australia still contains quaternium-15, but according to the product labels, it isn't in versions of the products sold in eight other countries: Denmark, Finland, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, South Africa, Sweden and the U.K. And it's not like the company removed an essential ingredient to meet environmental restrictions in these countries. While some have banned the use of quaternium-15, it's unclear why some of these countries are being treated to the carcinogen-free shampoo.

In the U.S. moms can buy a Johnson & Johnson baby shampoo that doesn't contain these chemicals: Johnson's Naturals. However, that product costs about twice as much as the regular baby shampoo. There are only small amounts of the carcinogens in Johnson & Johnson personal care products, but Tracey J. Woodruff, director of the Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment at University of California-San Francisco, says, "Even though the chemicals may be low-level, why risk it?" The long list of harmful chemicals found in everyday items intended for adults is pretty alarming, and we're talking about little people whose skulls haven't completely fused together yet. Wodruff points out that infants using the shampoo are being exposed to these chemicals at "a very vulnerable period of development." For years Johnson & Johnson has promoted the product by saying it has a "no more tears" formula, but we'd happily take a bit of crying if it meant not exposing babies to carcinogens during every bath.

RoundUp: More Than Just A Weed Killer?

I always knew RoundUp wasn't "good" for us but given its popularity, availability, and convenience it was one of the last toxic chemicals to be removed from our household. It was one that was dear to my husband as he loathes weeds, especially those that find their home in the cracks of our cement. Since I couldn't offer a safer alternative at the time, off to OSH he would go. My husband would wear gloves during application and we wouldn't go outside for several hours after he sprayed. Even with careful application, several places along our hedges were inadvertently impacted as RoundUp doesn't distinguish between the good and bad plants. I knew I had to come up with an alternative. I heard boiling water works but me carrying boiling water is a hazard in itself.

I then methodically sprayed my various safe and non-toxic cleaners to determine which, if any, would be as effective as RoundUp. Tough & Tender (Melaleuca's Multi-Purpose Cleaner) won hands down. After 24 hours, the weeds were brown and just crumbled as I took my shoe back and forth against them. RoundUp found its match and I am so glad it did. Here's Why:

RoundUp is MORE than just a weed killer. Scarily, it is the most widely used herbicide in the world yet has showed negative health impacts on humans and animals, and fatal impacts on amphibians. And not only is the active ingredient Glyphosate dangerous, other ingredients found in RoundUp such as Polyoxyethylene Amine (POEA) increases Glyphosate's toxic effects.

Scientists at the University of Caen in France in December 2008 found that Glyphosate in low doses can kill embryonic cells. Placental and umbilical cord cells are vulnerable as well. Not surprisingly they found high rates of premature births and miscarriages in farm women who were frequently exposed to POEA. In addition, tests in Finland and Canada showed RoundUp remaining in the soil for up to 350 days after application.

There ARE SAFER yet EFFECTIVE alternatives to RoundUp! Let me know if you would like more information!

Johnson&Johnson: More Recalls!

Johnson& Johnson is recalling even more of their products. According to the Washington Post, they are having to recall 60,000 bottles of Tylenol Extra Strength Caplets. (See Lot # Below)

There were complaints of musty and moldy odors which have been linked to trace amounts of a chemical preservative called TBA. Although the risk of serious side effects is small, there is a chance of temporary and mild GI symptoms. 

Product Name	Lot Number	UPC Code
TYLENOL®, Extra Strength Caplets, 225 count	ABA619	300450444271

This chemical was also found in Tylenol 8 Hour Extended Release Caplets (See Lot # Below)

Product Name Lot Number UPC Code TYLENOL® 8 HOUR EXTENDED RELEASE CAPLET 150 count ADM074 300450297181 This follows the recall of tens of millions of bottles of infant's,  children's, and adult Tylenol and Motrin that occurred in 2009. I grew up on Johnson&Johnson products and thought my children  would do the same. However, given their recalls over the past  couple of years and the accusation that their Tearless  Shampoo and Body Wash contains methylene chloride, an  ingredient banned by the FDA in cosmetics because it’s linked to  cancer,I completely eliminated Johnson&Johnson products from  my house.  Thankfully for Melaleuca, I have replaced my children's body  wash and shampoo with non-toxic and natural alternatives. Since  they are also a registered pharmaceutical company I also  replaced my Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, Allergy, Sinus & Cold,  and my son's Acetaminophen as well.  Melaleuca has become the name brand my children will SAFELY  grow up on and I can watch them do so with peace of mind!

Choking: A Hazard For All Ages

Unfortunately, this is one that my husband and I have experienced twice in the past year, specifically with our son. Both times he required intervention and without it, well I don't even want to think about it. Each choking incident involved food, one was a small meatball and the other a chip. 

From these two incidents, I am a firm believer that supervision while eating is critical! If my husband and I were not able to witness my son's choking we would have never known he was in trouble. He was unable to call out for help as his airway was completely occluded.  I will never forget the terror in his eyes while he grabbed at his throat with drool dripping out of his mouth. The velocity in which the meatball flew out of his mouth as my husband performed the Heimlich Maneuver was remarkable. Then came his beautiful cry and I say beautiful because it signified his airway was clear and that he was going to be ok. He was scared to death and it took a long time to console him. To this day, he refuses to eat meatballs.

Food isn't the only culprit when it comes to choking. In just one month, I saw two children under the age of 5 in the OR for swallowed coins. One was able to be removed quite easily and the patient's recovery was quick and uneventful. The other was far more difficult which resulted with time spent in the ICU.

I constantly remind my son about the dangers of choking. I remind him to chew thoroughly, to pay attention while eating, and the dangers of putting non-food items in his AND his sister's mouth. My 9 month old daughter is at double the risk due to her natural inclination to putting everything in her mouth, the increased amount of choking hazards from my son's toys, and my son's curiosity and fascination with cause and effect (especially when it comes to his sister).

Not every choking story has a happy ending. Read below for common items that are associated with choking and what you can do to prevent it. I also cannot stress enough the importance of learning CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver. The Heimlich maneuver saved my son's life, TWICE.

Choking Hazards

That may be why choking continues to be one of the leading causes of death for children under age four or five. This includes choking on food and non-food items, such as:

• whole grapes
• peanuts and other nuts
• popcorn
• hard candy and chewing gum
• hard foods, including raw vegetables
• soft foods, such as large cubes of cheese, caramels, etc.
• chewy foods, such as thick spoonfuls of peanut butter
• uncut hot dogs
• coins
• marbles and small balls
• small magnets
• small batteries
• balloons, which can be a choking hazard to kids under age eight when they put broken balloon pieces in their mouths or when they inhale intact balloons when trying to blow them up
• safety pins, pen caps, and tacks
• small toy parts that can fit inside a choke test cylinder or no-choke testing tube, which measures 1 1/4 inches wide by 2 1/4 inches long and simulates the size and shape of a young child's throat, such as Lego building blocks, dice, beads, etc.
• dry pet food

Parents often know to cut up hot dogs and to avoid peanuts and whole grapes, but may forget that popcorn, chewing gum, and hard candy are choking hazards too.

Choking Prevention

Young children put almost everything in their mouth, which makes the main goal of choking prevention to keep any small items that your child might choke on out of his mouth. This may mean occasionally getting on all fours and checking under the kitchen table and other furniture and behind coach cushions.

In addition to regularly checking the floor, your car, and other areas where your child crawls, walks, and plays, other steps to keep kids safe from choking include that you:

• learn CPR and keep emergency numbers by the phone
  
• learn the Heimlich maneuver
  
• keep medications and vitamins out of reach in child resistant containers
  
• childproof cabinets and drawers so that your kids can't get to small items inside them
  
• supervise kids when they are eating
  
• cut foods, like grapes and hot dogs, into small, one-half inch pieces
  
• avoid foods that are not age appropriate for toddlers and preschoolers, like chewing gum, hard candy, and nuts until they are at least four years old
  
• don't let your kids play with toys that are not recommended for their age, since they may have small parts and could be a choking hazard
  
• keep your older kids toys out of reach of younger siblings
  
• regularly inspect toys to make sure that parts aren't going to break off and throw out any broken toys
  
• supervise kids under age eight if they are playing with a balloon, keep uninflated balloons out of reach, and throw away balloons once they deflate or break
  
• see your pediatrician if your child seems to have an episode of choking, recovers, but then develops a chronic cough, since that can be a sign that your child aspirated the item and it is still in his lung

Helicopter Mom at the Playground

• As a Pediatric OR Nurse, I cannot help but turn into a "helicopter mom" when I take my 4 year old son to the playground. For those who never have heard of that term, it is a mother who hovers closely over their child. A little overkill? Probably! BUT I also cannot ignore my professional experience and the injuries I commonly see from playground accidents.

  According to the National Safety Council, more than 200,000 children visit hospital emergency rooms each year due to playground injuries. 79 percent are caused by falls to the ground while 40 percent of all playground injuries are directly related to some type of climbing equipment. 

  Broken elbows are injuries I often see in the OR and the majority occur in association with a particular piece of playground equipment. Any guesses which playground equipment I am referring to?

  
  

  A)Swings

  B)Slide

  C)Monkey Bars

  D)Play Structure

  
  

  The answer is Monkey Bars!

  
  

  Broken elbows are so commonplace, the OR isn't the only place I hear about them. Just yesterday, while getting a pedicure, a woman shared that her school-age niece broke her elbow. I asked if I could guess how it happened. She was amazed when my first guess was correct. Unfortunately, she too fell victim to the Monkey Bars.

  
  

  So given the fact that playgrounds ARE dangerous and accidents DO happen, here are a few things we can do as parents to keep our children as safe as possible.

  
  

  Supervise!
  

  
  

  My son is often so engaged in play that he lacks awareness of what is going on around him. The "Helicopter Mom" that I am, cannot help but remind him to slow down, pay attention when he is climbing up and down things, not to run in front of the swings, etc. His response back to me is, "I know Mom, Safety First!" Although he knows safety as a concept, once he is engaged in play, he reacts, not thinks.

  
  

  Teach!
  
  
  

  It is never too early to teach playground etiquette/rules. Just like the rules of the road, when people abide by them, the risk of accidents lessen significantly! A few that I have to remind my son of frequently are:

  -Don't play tag or run around the swings. That is just asking for trouble. 

  -Make sure before going down the slide that no one is still at the bottom. On the same note, once he goes down the slide, he gets off as soon as possible.

  -Of course no climbing up the slide. 

  -Climb one ladder rung or step at a time

  
  

  Reinforce the Rules! 
  

  If my son doesn't follow the playground rules, I am not afraid to reinforce them. Sometimes it takes just a simple reminder other times it requires a Time Out. I do not believe it is fair for my son to jeopardize the safety and well-being of the other children because he is not listening. 

  
  

  Embrace Learning Opportunities!

  
  

  
  

  Luckily, I have only seen minor accidents at the park. When my son witnesses a child fall or get hurt he is very curious and concerned, He often will come and ask if the child is going to be ok, It is during that conversation, we discuss how it happened and what could have been done to prevent it from happening.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

Orajel: More Harm than Good!

My 4 year old son gets the award for being the worst teether EVER! When he teethed, the whole world teethed with him! We tried EVERYTHING, even remedies derived from old wives tales that people shake their head at now a days. But we were desperate and were willing to try anything. We tried using Orajel once but it was an epic fail. He ended up being angry from its horrible taste AND still in pain. It was a no brainer to never try that again.

However, given this new information I will not even think about trying it on my 7 1/2 month old daughter. The risks are far too great. There are other options out there both homeopathic and medicinal. Teething toys and distraction help as well. My son loved Elmo and we learned to love him too, especially at 2 in the morning. 

Read below for more information about the health concerns related to the use of Benzocaine, the main ingredient found in Orajel.

Main Ingredient Benzocaine Linked to Rare, Serious Disease

By Bill Hendrick
WebMD Health News

Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD

May 5, 2011 -- The FDA has issued a warning to consumers about the use of benzocaine, the main ingredient in over-the-counter liquids and gels used to reduce teething pain in very young children.

Benzocaine is associated with a rare but serious condition called methemoglobinemia, which greatly reduces the amount of oxygen carried through the bloodstream. In the most severe cases, the condition can be life-threatening.

Benzocaine by Various Names

Benzocaine gels and liquids are sold under numerous brand names, including Anbesol, Hurricaine, Orajel, Baby Orajel, and Orabase, as well as store brands. It also is sold as lozenges and in spray solutions.

The products are used to treat pain caused by teething, canker sores, and irritation of the mouth and gums.

The FDA says methemoglobinemia has been reported with all strengths of benzocaine gels and liquids, including concentrations as low as 7.5%. The federal agency says most cases occur in children aged 2 or younger who were treated with a gel for teething discomfort.

The FDA says people who develop the condition may become pale or gray, become short of breath, feel fatigued, confused, and lightheaded. It also may cause a rapidheart rate.

Immediately Seek Medical Help for Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of a reaction to benzocaine usually appear within minutes to hours of using it. The FDA says adults should seek immediate medical attention if symptoms show up after using benzocaine.

The FDA says benzocaine products should not be given to children younger than age 2 unless under the supervision of a health care professional. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends giving children with teething problems a teething ring that has been chilled in a refrigerator, or gently rubbing the child’s gums with a finger.

Adults who use benzocaine gels or liquids in the mouth should follow recommendations on the label of the product, which should be stored where it can’t be reached by children, the FDA says.

However, the FDA says labels of marketed benzocaine products do not, as of yet, contain warnings about the risks of methemoglobinemia.

The FDA offers these tips for parents:

• If benzocaine products are used, watch carefully for signs and symptoms of methemoglobinemia, including pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, and nail beds. Also, shortness of breath, fatigue, confusion, headache, lightheadedness, and rapid heart rate are symptoms of a reaction. If any symptoms occur, seek medical attention immediately.
• Keep in mind that problems caused by benzocaine can show up after a single administration of the product.
• Use benzocaine gels and liquids sparingly, and only when needed, and not more than four times a day.
• Side effects should be reported immediately to the FDA Medwatch program.

Furniture Tip-Overs: A Threat Revealed!

When my son became a preschooler, I took a sigh of relief and thought to myself, "Phew, we made it through the climbing stage unscathed!" I felt so blessed that my son was never "a climber" and assumed he never would be. Well, my confidence was shattered not to long ago when I witnessed him opening my dresser drawers. When I asked what he was doing, he nonchalantly explained that he wanted to reach a movie that my husband or I left on top of the dresser.

 I immediately sat him down and explained the consequences of what could have happened had he proceeded with his plan. I couldn't help myself as a Pediatric OR Nurse from telling him the injuries he would have sustained and the time he would have had to spend in the hospital (meaning No Preschool, No Swim Lessons, No Summer Vacations, No Playing Baseball etc). Of course I refrained from sharing my professional experiences of those children who ended up with permanent brain damage or those who died from their extensive injuries. 

How much he absorbed, not so sure. Do I trust that my words were enough to deter him from doing it again? Not at all! Words are never enough when in competition with a child's desire, determination, and curiosity.

Read the article below for useful information and safety tips to prevent this tragedy from happening in your home!

The hidden home hazard…

Posted on February 22, 2011 by safekids

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that between 2000 and 2006 there were at least 180 deaths related to tip-overs of furniture, televisions or appliances.  Most of theses deaths, 80 percent of them, involved children younger than 10.  In 2007, the CPSC identified this issue as one of the top five hidden home hazards.  Children can be seriously injured or killed as result of climbing onto, falling against or pulling themselves up on shelves, bookcases, dressers, TV tables and other furniture. 

Whether you have a baby learning to stand, an unsteady toddler trying to climb, or a fearless preschooler who still doesn’t quite understand balance, furniture tip-overs are a real and hidden danger for children. 

Regardless of your child’s abilities and limitations, top-heavy furniture, TVs and appliances can tip over and seriously injure young children. There are many easy-to-install devices that anchor furniture to the wall, making furniture more stable and tip-over resistant. These devices are designed for dressers, wall units, and anything your child might try to climb.

Top safety tips to help prevent tip-overs:

• If a piece of furniture is unstable or top-heavy, secure it to a stud in the wall using brackets, braces, anchors, or wall straps. Large items such as TVs, microwaves, fish tanks, bookcases, heavy furniture, and appliances can topple off stands and fall on children. 
• If you have a newer flat screen TV, make sure it’s properly anchored to the wall.
• Read the manufacturer’s instructions for tips or warnings regarding placement of your TV or furniture.
• Keep heavier items on lower shelves or in lower drawers.
• Don’t keep remote controls, candy, toys, or other items that attract children on top of furniture, as your child might be enticed to reach for these items.
• Supervise young children at all times. Nothing can take the place of active supervision.         

Don’t underestimate the possibility of a small child being crushed by unsteady furniture.

For more information regarding furniture tip-overs and entrapment, or other information on injury prevention, log on to www.safekidsgf.com or send us an e-mail at safekids@altru.org.