Articles & Info
So Many (Important) Certifications
You may have noticed numerous initialism throughout the recommendations here, most followed by the word “certified.” GOTS, GOLS, FSC, etc... I’ve started linking these abbreviated certifications to websites explaining in detail what they mean and why they’re important and sought after by eco-friendly manufacturers. But here’s what they are in a nutshell.
Radiation Protection
We are increasingly exposed to RF radiation from myriad sources including devices like cell phones, computers, smart devices, baby monitors and routers and from cell towers, antennas, public routers and smart devices. Children are even more vulnerable to the effects of radiation due to their thinner skulls and still-developing brains.
The Jury is Out on Aluminum
Growing evidence suggests a link between aluminum and neurological diseases, including Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Aluminum is a neurotoxin, after all, so it makes sense it would adversely affect the central nervous system.
What's Wrong with Plastic?
Plastic is deadly to people and wildlife and harmful to environment. Here are just some of the numbers and and how they result in tragic consequences. This is why I recommend rejecting plastic wherever possible and buying biodegradable and non-toxic materials instead.
Why Organic Cotton?
Why is buying organic cotton so important? Won’t the pesticides just wash out of non-organic cotton clothing and other fabrics? No, they don't, not completely. Pesticides are imbued in the cotton’s fibers from the very beginning of its life and they continue to be slowly released for years, exposing us to these toxic chemicals as we wear them and sleep on them. These include insecticides, herbicides, fungicides and defoliants.
PFAS Chemicals
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of widely-used chemicals that are all around us and in thousands of common consumer products. They're called "forever chemicals" because they don't degrade quickly due to an extremely strong carbon-fluorine bond. They accumulate and persist in both the environment and the human body.
Stay Away from Polyurethane Foam
For years, most mass market upholstered furniture, including mattresses, has been filled with polyurethane foam. Don’t buy it. It’s toxic. Yes it’s cheaper, but the health risks are huge.
Black Plastic Toxicty
Rising temperatures are setting records around the world and data shows this deadly trend is accelerating. One significant source of global warming that we don’t hear a lot about is plastic.
How Plastics Contribute to Global Warming
Rising temperatures are setting records around the world and data shows this deadly trend is accelerating. One significant source of global warming that we don’t hear a lot about is plastic.
Avoiding Endocrine Disruptors
The endocrine system is a network of glands that produce hormones, the chemical messengers that control and coordinate systems throughout the body including reproduction, growth, brain development, metabolism, digestion and much more.
Top 10 Eco-Friendly Brands
Here is a list of Good as Dirt's top ten eco-friendly brands working to reduce the volume of plastic and toxins in the everyday products we buy and the packaging they come in. Supporting these businesses fosters their success and encourages other manufacturers to follow their lead.