The numbers vary, but we can safely say that there are at least forty-thousand chemicals used in consumer products in the United States. They are found in everything from food and water to furniture, household and personal care products, clothing, appliances, cars, houses, pretty much in everything! An article in the Guardian online, states that fewer than one percent of those chemicals have been tested for safety, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

At the same time, various cancers, autoimmune diseases, and allergies afflict many people. It seems wise to be alarmed, or at least, cautious.

In this edition of Mothering Earth, guest Amy Ziff talks about the nonprofit organization, MADE SAFE®, which she founded, and which has catalogued reliable scientific studies on multiple chemicals that are commonly found in our everyday lives. Many of these chemicals are toxic, yet companies continue to use them. MADE SAFE® works with companies that want to make products that don’t contain toxins. Their website provides valuable information to consumers on the toxins, and you can find a variety of products that have been certified as free from toxic chemicals.