I live in Bernal Heights in San Francisco, a neighborhood known as ‘maternal heights’ for its stroller rush hours and toddler-filled sidewalks. There is a listserv of more than 500 families in Bernal, with posting ranging from ‘Anyone pick up a pink stuffed bunny at Holly Park on Saturday?’ to ‘Please send suggestions for empowering films for young girls.’ A frequent subject though is how to find safe baby bottles, flame-retardant-free crib mattresses, and eco-friendly gear.

Last week I sent a poll out to the Bernal parents listserv to find out how my neighbors felt about environmental health and our children. The findings are below:

More than 90% of those responding consider themselves environmentally minded – they buy organic food, though don’t have to ‘talk themselves off the ledge’ when feeding their children conventionally grown food.
They buy bisphenol-free baby bottles, and 10% are upset that they didn’t have that choice when their child was using bottles.

71% have products in their houses that they have concerns about (in terms of environmental health.) Here’s what they’re concerned about: 

• Cleaning supplies (10 people mentioned this)
• Plastic toys, gear, feeding supplies, pacifiers (7 people mentioned this)
• Flame retardants in furniture, carpets and mattresses -(4 people mentioned this)
• Sunscreen, lotions (3 people mentioned this)
• Paint, cups, sofa set, etc.

They had a lot to say about their feelings around all of the information we’re receiving about the potential contaminates we’re exposed to. Here are some of their responses; 

• ‹ Everyday Differences
• Out of Control ›