You already know that some of the most innocuous-looking things are creating big long-term environmental health problems. Sometimes, the bad news gets seriously overwhelming — and this week’s been worse than most, IMHO. Among the new things to stress about:

>> Toilet seats. Apparently, toilet seat dermatitis is making a comeback, thanks in large part to overly harsh chemical cleaners. Clean green for a pain-free tush, everyone! Earlier: Sunday solutions — Green cleaning.

>> Sofas. The Guardian reports that PFOA, a chemical used to make nonstick or flame-retardant products like sofas, carpets, and pans “has been linked to an increased risk of thyroid disease, in the first major study carried out on its effect upon health.” (via mnn) Earlier: PFOA linked to infertility.

>> Homes built before 1978. Lead in paint’s been banned for decades, but the lead-related health issues continue. EWG’s Enviroblog reports on a study that “found evidence that kids with blood lead levels (aka “BLLs”) as low as 2.9 micrograms – 7.1 below the federal “safe” limit – showed signs of damaged, slower-functioning kidneys.”

>> Breast milk from young moms. Hello friends who recently had kids: “A new study of breast milk samples from more than 300 women in North Carolina found PBDEs, or flame retardants, in the milk from almost three-quarters of the woman in the study. The younger the mom, the more contaminated her breast milk was likely to be.” PDBEs are “associated with altered thyroid hormone function, hyperactivity and poor learning and memory.” Earlier: Less neurotoxic TVs: Scary flame-retardant to get phased out by 2013.

>> Antioxidants. This news is actually overblown, IMHO — though if you’re taking antioxidant supplements, you might rethink those pills. A new study says antioxidants can sometimes impair muscle function — but don’t panic over pomegranates just yet.

Expect a post soon about why you shouldn’t give up and declare “pollution nihilism” in the face of all this bad news –

Update, 2/16/10: Book Review: Slow Death By Rubber Duck — Your home’s secret dangers

Photo by A. Dawson

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