itsyournature

In case you're anxiously awaiting the release of Britney Spear's next perfume, you might want to do some research on fragance and phthalates. Check out the response below from NRDC Senior Scientist Dr. Gina Solomon and learn how to better protect yourself while shopping for beauty products.

Ask Dr. Gina
Are the phthalates in perfumes bad?

I have heard that there are good phthalates and bad ones, and that a lot of the perfume industry uses the good one, but the public thinks they use the bad ones. What is right?

You're right to be concerned about phthalates. Many phthalates (pronounced thal-ates) interfere with hormones (especially testosterone), and have been shown to alter normal reproductive development. Phthalates are found in a wide array of consumer products, including cosmetics and fragrances, pharmaceuticals and vinyl products. A number of different phthalates have been found in perfume products in the past but a recent report published by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics found that many perfume manufacturers had lowered the levels of phthalates in perfume and were primarily using one phthalate, DEP or di-ethyl phthalate. DEP is also used in air fresheners as revealed in a NRDC report.

DEP has been reported to be a "safe" phthalate because there is no evidence from animal studies that it causes hormone disruption or interference with the development of the male reproductive tract as other phthalates have been shown to do. However, in human studies, DEP has been associated with numerous impacts on male reproductive health including changes in hormone levels and genital development in baby boys. There is scientific debate about why these differences in the animal and human studies exist and in the meantime, the widespread exposure to DEP continues. CDC studies have shown that every single person in their sample of over 2,500 Americans from ages 6 to greater than 65 years carried residues of DEP in their bodies. It is possible to make perfume and air fresheners without DEP or other phthalates, so I’d recommend avoiding exposure where possible by avoiding synthetic fragrances or choosing brands that have removed phthalates from their formulation. Learn more about phthalates in cosmetics and personal care products and what you can do to avoid them.

Got a question for Dr. Gina? Ask her!

GINA SOLOMON is a senior scientist and physician in NRDC's health program. Gina specializes in internal medicine and occupational/environmental medicine. She is also an associate clinical professor of medicine at the University of California at San Francisco where she is a teaching physician at the pediatric environmental health specialty unit. She received her medical degree from Yale University and her specialty training at Harvard. She is a co-author of Generations at Risk: Reproductive Health and the Environment.

Many eyes may be on Ireland today, but quite a few are on Washington D.C. where the 4th Annual End Mountaintop Removal Week is taking place. Citizens from across Appalachia and the rest of the country are lobbying Congress to put an end to mountaintop removal coal mining and pass the Clean Water Protection Act(H.R. 1310). The bill would ensure clean drinking water by preventing mining companies from dumping mine waste into valley streams, a provision made legal during the Bush Administration which has already buried an estimated 1,200 miles of waterways. You can help by contacting your representative and asking them to co-sponsor the bill.

Call the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121.

If you can't make a phone call, take action by writing your representative here.

Then urge the EPA to enforce stronger regulation for the diposal of Contaminated Coal Waste. You can sign our petition here.

To learn more please visit www.NoMoreMountaintopRemoval.org and please check out this video. Pass it around, tell your friends, and help prevent a mining practice that is quickly destroying the oldest and most biodiverse mountain ranges in the country.

Conserving resources can be a bit draining, but luckily you don't have to stop showering altogether to save on your water bill. With a few simple tricks around your home or apartment you can help cut down your bills and earn bragging rights about your conservation efforts. Read this blog from Simple Steps to find out what you (or your landlord) should do.

In Hot Water

Are you pouring money down the drain every time you turn on the hot water? Reduce your utility bills by increasing your water heater's efficiency and reducing the amount of hot water you use. In most homes, heating water consumes as much energy as lighting. Here are four basic things you can do to save energy and money.

Use Less Hot Water

By replacing old showerheads with new water-saving designs you can save energy without shortening your shower. Low-flow showerhead models use an average of 2.5 gallons per minute compared to the 5 to 7 gallons used by a conventional showerhead.

Install a low-flow aerator on your kitchen faucet. Most aerators include spray settings that making washing easier and more efficient.

Don't turn the hot water knob on your faucet unless you actually want hot water. If you turn it on to wash your hands but your system is slow in getting the hot water to the faucet, then you have just wasted money to heat your pipes.

Lower the Temperature on the Water Heater

Set your water heater to 120 degrees. That should provide most households with enough warm water for showering and washing. If you live alone, you can set it lower -- each 10 degree reduction in water temperature can save between 3 and 5 percent of your water heating costs. When you are going away on vacation, turn the thermostat down to the lowest possible setting.

Insulate Hot Water Pipes

Insulating your hot water pipes will keep water hot as it flows through the pipes to your faucet and the water will stay warmer in the pipes. Even when pipes are insulated, the water in the pipes will cool but by staying warmer longer it'll save energy and water. It's easy to insulate the first 6 to10 feet of hot water supply pipe from the water heater. Pipe insulation is available at any hardware store.

Insulate Your Water Heater

An easy do-it-yourself project that should offer an immediate payoff in lower bills is to insulate your water heater. Particularly if your heater is in an unheated part of the house, a fitted water heater blanket can pay for itself quickly.

Got a Minute?
- Set your water heater to 120 degrees or less. It'll keep your water hot without wasting energy.

Got a Morning?
- Replace old showerheads with new water-saving designs and install low-flow aerators on your faucets.

Got a Month?
- Add insulation to your water heater and hot water pipes. A fitted water heater blanket can pay for itself.