https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 07 Apr 2026 02:58:12 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-worry-about-things-like-bpa-vocs-etc#post-1331278 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 13:44:25 +0000 Greentea 1331278@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Bee: yeah. I prioritized the crib mattresses. .. tried not to worry as much about the car seat for instance because she spends little time there. One thing that I am struggling with is renting... we are looking for a different place and I am paranoid about lead and mold. Ugh! I do whatever I can to at least limit exposure... the world doesn't make it easy! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-worry-about-things-like-bpa-vocs-etc#post-1331174 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 13:20:24 +0000 stargal 1331174@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't worry about it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-worry-about-things-like-bpa-vocs-etc#post-1331160 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 13:16:40 +0000 Cherrybee 1331160@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't worry about it whatsoever. I painted the lounge at 37 weeks pregnant and I didn't even check the tin. My husband works for a chemicals company and he was absolutely fine with it (not so happy about me wobbling up a ladder though!). Like @blackbird: said, all the nasty stuff (basically the stuff that makes paint really good) has been eliminated anyway. I feel pretty confident about that. As far as airing out the cot mattress or the nursery rug goes..... blimey, I didn't worry about that at all! :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-worry-about-things-like-bpa-vocs-etc#post-1331120 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 13:03:32 +0000 Mae 1331120@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What day is it? </p> <p>Honestly its something I struggle with. I've never worried for myself (although I do only use glass containers bc they just hold up better!) but when it comes to the baby I get more paranoid. I think I'm trying to strike a balance. I did get a low-voc mattress. And I'm going to use no-voc stuff to paint in the baby's room. But I don't think I'm going to do much more than that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-worry-about-things-like-bpa-vocs-etc#post-1331057 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 12:44:31 +0000 T.H.O.U. 1331057@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are trying to do better. Switched to glass, limit canned foods, avoid processed foods, etc </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-worry-about-things-like-bpa-vocs-etc#post-1331018 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 12:34:20 +0000 JessKas 1331018@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm pretty conscious of this. Organic mattresses, organic foods, canned foods with no bpa, homemade cleaners. It's important to me and I make a lot of extra effort and spend extra money to avoid chemicals when I can. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-worry-about-things-like-bpa-vocs-etc#post-1330989 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 12:26:25 +0000 Mrs Engineer 1330989@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsbee, We actually bought our crib from ikea because I read somewhere that their products have to meet European safety standards for children which include that there are no toxic (or VOC containing) chemicals used to treat the wood. I guess that might not be true for everything that they sell...</p> <p>I worry about it some. But like others have said, you have to pick your battles. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-worry-about-things-like-bpa-vocs-etc#post-1330980 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 12:24:37 +0000 Torchwood 1330980@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I feel pretty strongly about avoiding chemicals. We recently got all glass food storage containers, and are replacing our non-stick with cast iron. We're in the process of looking for a house, and I will definitely insist on the voc-free paint and such. I also feel strongly about eating organic, etc, but the nearest grocery store with good organic options is 30 minutes away. I also don't use any chemical-y cleaners.</p> <p>The problem is that DH doesn't really care about any of it. He's fine with using the glass dishes and cast iron, etc, but he's just as likely to grab plastic if it's for him (and he microwaves it, which drives me nuts!). He doesn't like spending extra for organic, especially since it currently means driving farther. And worse, we're currently living with my mother until we buy a house, and she doesn't care at all. Her non-stick pans (all we can use, since there's no room to have ours out as well) are scratched up and awful, she insists on using very chemical heavy cleaners because she doesn't think things are clean without them, and there's just plastic everywhere. No wooden spoons I can use, or anything. I could just get mine out, but they're packed and I don't know where. It's starting to really stress me out now that I'm pregnant. The plan isn't to stay here much longer, but we're not going to rush into buying a house we're not thrilled with just so I can get away from all the chemicals. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-worry-about-things-like-bpa-vocs-etc#post-1330902 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 11:58:22 +0000 loveisstrange 1330902@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yeah... I dont worry that much. I buy a few things organic (like milk) but mostly because I think they taste better. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-worry-about-things-like-bpa-vocs-etc#post-1330893 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 11:55:17 +0000 Boheme 1330893@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@knittylady: I just hate that its in almost all canned goods! It lines the can. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-worry-about-things-like-bpa-vocs-etc#post-1330877 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 11:47:27 +0000 blackbird 1330877@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsbee, sure, but with all the research going on with chemicals and the government rules coming down on manufacturing, i feel more confident about them now than 20 years ago. There's a lot more research and skepticism now. And, really, the issues with BPA surround heat. BPA is stable until it starts to melt, then you have issues. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-worry-about-things-like-bpa-vocs-etc#post-1330840 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 11:33:34 +0000 mrs. wagon 1330840@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't worry too much, but Wagon Sr. won't let me microwave anything in a plastic container. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-worry-about-things-like-bpa-vocs-etc#post-1330824 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 11:30:14 +0000 Beehive 1330824@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I worry an above-average amount I think! No BPAs in plastics for LO, no microwaving food on plastic plates, I check the EWG website for all his products. I even switched to glass bottles for our bottled water. But things like VOCs I haven't been focused on as much. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-worry-about-things-like-bpa-vocs-etc#post-1330816 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 11:27:18 +0000 Freckles 1330816@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Bee: I know what you mean about the rugs and off-gassing. When we were working on LO's nursery i made sure it was low-VOC paint, that the crib had non-toxic paint and the mattress was natural. Then comes this stinky rug!! Luckily we let it "un-gas" for about 2 weeks before putting it in her room.</p> <p>It's something i'm concerned about but i try not to let it consume my life too much. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-worry-about-things-like-bpa-vocs-etc#post-1330792 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 11:22:29 +0000 Alivoo01 1330792@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@littlebug: Agreed! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-worry-about-things-like-bpa-vocs-etc#post-1330704 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 10:59:34 +0000 mrs. bird 1330704@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Somewhat. I'm picky about what our food is stored &amp; reheated in, we only have one nonstick pan we cook with, the rest are stainless, we don't use plug in air fresheners or the aerosol fresheners, I don't use carpet fresheners on our rugs, I buy only soy candles- but I'll occasionally use traditional wax ones we get as gifts. Other things I've eased up on, my shampoo right now is not great for me or the earth, but it was free &amp; money is really tight right now. </p> <p>I'm in the 'every little but helps, but no one one thing is gonna hurt you' camp. I think it's about doing what you can, when you can, it all adds up, the good and the bad stuff. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-worry-about-things-like-bpa-vocs-etc#post-1330665 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 10:50:11 +0000 2PeasinaPod 1330665@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsjazz: We're exactly like this.</p> <p>We keep our chemicals locked up and try to do BPA free stuff, but we're not super vigilant about much else. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-worry-about-things-like-bpa-vocs-etc#post-1330657 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 10:48:33 +0000 littlebug 1330657@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't worry about it too much. At least, I don't make myself crazy about it. I check t omake sure that any plastic stuff we buy for him is BPA-free. We painted his room w/no-VOC, low-odor paint. But I don't buy organic foods, I use non-stick pans... I pick my battles, I guess. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-worry-about-things-like-bpa-vocs-etc#post-1330656 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 10:48:24 +0000 Mrs. Bee 1330656@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@blackbird: that is good to know! but once upon a time didn't everyone think bpa was fine? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-worry-about-things-like-bpa-vocs-etc#post-1330650 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 10:47:31 +0000 Mrs. Bee 1330650@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Greentea: i try to worry less, but it's hard when i read so much about it working in the parenting industry and not let it affect you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-worry-about-things-like-bpa-vocs-etc#post-1330645 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 10:46:36 +0000 knittylady 1330645@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's certainly on my radar, but I wouldn't say it's a daily worry. I will say that a few years ago, when people first started talking about BPA being bad, I asked someone who worked in a lab studying it. I asked, "is this *really* a bad thing?" and he said yes. Seems like it's being pretty well regulated though now. Right? :/ </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-worry-about-things-like-bpa-vocs-etc#post-1330644 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 10:46:31 +0000 mrs.shinerbock 1330644@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I worry about it a little - I try to buy organic when I can, don't put plastic in the microwave or dishwasher, if anything smells funny when I open it, I try to take it outside for awhile, don't use air fresheners or cosmetics with phalates.</p> <p>Basically, if it's something I can easily avoid or accommodate, I try to do so, but I can't avoid everything, so I don't stress over it if I can't. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-worry-about-things-like-bpa-vocs-etc#post-1330634 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 10:44:11 +0000 Greentea 1330634@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@grizz: I won't even buy foods in plastic! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-worry-about-things-like-bpa-vocs-etc#post-1330628 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 10:42:55 +0000 Mrs. Oatmeal 1330628@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We don't worry about it too much. I check labels on toys, cups, etc. and we try to use Pyrex/glass containers instead of plastic. But its not in the forefront of my mind very often. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-worry-about-things-like-bpa-vocs-etc#post-1330627 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 10:42:54 +0000 Greentea 1330627@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Bee: I worry a lot! Well, let me rephrase that...I have concern. Especially for the bedroom with matresses and rugs because LOs spend so much time there. But if you want to keep the rug... just open some windows while it off-gasses. Thank you, by the way for recommending the h20waterwipes in a blog post. I love them! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-worry-about-things-like-bpa-vocs-etc#post-1330625 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 10:42:34 +0000 MrsMccarthy 1330625@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I worry about this stuff all the time. I hate all of the chemicals in food and toys and general products. My son is still mouthing things too so it a big concern of mine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-worry-about-things-like-bpa-vocs-etc#post-1330605 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 10:39:59 +0000 HLK208 1330605@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ehh, a little. I don't use non-stick pans and I buy BPA free cups...but that's about it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-worry-about-things-like-bpa-vocs-etc#post-1330603 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 10:39:34 +0000 LuLu Mom 1330603@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't worry about it much. I just don't know where to draw the line &amp; I try not to freak myself out about everything. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-worry-about-things-like-bpa-vocs-etc#post-1330602 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 10:39:27 +0000 edelweiss 1330602@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i don't worry about these things too much. although i guess i can say that partly because most of the plastic eating products for babies are BPA free now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-worry-about-things-like-bpa-vocs-etc#post-1330579 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 10:34:38 +0000 erwoo 1330579@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When we lived in the U.S. I would try to eat organic as much as possible and be as environmentally and health conscious. Now that we're in Asia all bets are off. It's really hard to find organic and when I do I question if it really is. I'm thankful for having a Costco nearby so I can still buy U.S.D.A. organic foods. Not a lot but when I see it I don't hesitate! I do try to use glass containers to store leftovers as much as I can. I also try to buy BPA free containers when i do get plastic. It's harder to tell with the products here but I have an eye for the color of the plastic and try to buy ones that are branded. </p>