In the Community

November 20, 2008

Kaiser Permanente Executive Shares 'Green' Nursery Tips on 'The View from the Bay'

Setting up a "green" nursery is easier than one might think, Kaiser Permanente Environmental Stewardship Officer Kathy Gerwig shared recently on ABC Channel 7 in San Francisco.

Appearing on "The View from the Bay," Gerwig noted that an environmentally friendly nursery is critically important because a baby's ability to detoxify industrial chemicals is much less than that of an adult. Further, babies eat more, drink more, and breathe more per pound of body weight than adults, and thus have higher levels of exposure to substances.

"One of the things about kids is that they could be exposed to contaminants early in life but then you don't see the health affects until later in life," Gerwig said.

Among the tips she shared were:

• To reduce harmful fumes and chemicals in the nursery, use paints that are lead-free and low-volatile organic compounds, and use flooring that's free of polyvinyl chloride, or PVC.
• Make and use household cleaners out of safe substances such as vinegar and water.
• If you choose to use baby body care products, use products without synthetic fragrances, preservatives, or triclosan (the active ingredient in most antibacterial soaps).
• Never heat milk or formula in plastic bottles, which can leach chemicals when exposed to heat.

For more tips, view Gerwig's interview on "The View from the Bay."