Believe it or not Halloween is right around the corner, and although it’s a lot of fun for the kids it can also be very harmful to their health and our environment.

So to help keep it “green” this Halloween the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has come out with a list of recommendations.  If you haven’t heard of EWG before I strongly recommend you check out their website.

EWG has a dedicated team of scientists, engineers, policy experts, lawyers and computer programmers who pore over government data, legal documents, scientific studies and their our own laboratory tests to expose threats to our health and the environment, and to find solutions.

Of particular interest is Skin Deep, a safety guide to cosmetics and personal care products. This database has an extensive list of health and beauty products along with a scoring system that rates each product in terms of their toxicity and harm to the body.  This is really important information to help you diminish chemical toxins and create lifetime wellness.

As suggested on their website here are EWG’s recommendations for a healthy and fun Halloween:

1. Pick play-makeup carefully. Many children like to wear colourful cosmetics as part of their costumes.  If they do, make sure they’re using safer products and applying them as directed. Visit cosmeticsdatabase.com to look up your products and find safer ones.  (I personally go to this site every time I need something to buy something new.)

Kids should avoid:

• Face paints can contain lead, which can impact brain development at extremely low doses, as well as nickel, cobalt and chromium, which can cause skin sensitization and contact dermatitis.
• Lipstick can contain hidden lead. Because little ones tend to eat almost as much as they put on their lips, it is best to avoid lipstick all together. Opt instead for a shiny beeswax-based lip balm.
• Nail polish often contains dibutyl phthalate and toluene, chemicals linked to hormone disruption and cancer. If nail polish can’t be avoided, choose carefully by using cosmeticsdatabase.com.
• Cosmetics in powder form can easily be inhaled. Depending on the particle size, the powder can lodge in children’s nasal passages and even lungs – where it may cause damage.
• Fragrance products. Read ingredient labels and avoid products listing “fragrance” – EWG research found that fragrances may contain allergens or hormone-disrupting chemicals.

2. Skip the (coloured) hairspray. Many hairsprays contain toxic chemicals and fragrance. Kids can easily breathe in sprays. Instead, find a great hat or wig at a second-hand store; or create a great hair-do with ribbons, barrettes and safer, non-spray hair products.

3. Burn more eco-friendly candles – if at all. Candles can off-gas toxic compounds. Choose fragrance-free candles made from bee, palm or soy wax. Traditional paraffin-wax candles are made from petroleum by-products.

4. Don’t wear synthetic facemasks or teeth. Masks and fake teeth are made from a variety of synthetic materials that aren’t always labelled. Plastics may be softened with endocrine-disrupting phthalates.  Rather than cover your head in unknown, possibly toxic materials, make your own mask from simple materials or try a half-face, masquerade-style mask instead.

5. Offer treats that you would like your kids to receive. Hand out items that have fewer, more natural ingredients.

6. Create a low-impact costume. Rather than buying a new costume, get creative with items you already own or can get used at a local resale shop or from friends. Consider a costume swap at school or among friends.

7. If you are going to a party or planning a quick meal, skip the single-use dinnerware. Choose a more sustainable option, like compostable products.

8. Decorate naturally. Grab pumpkins, gourds and hay bales from a local farm to create a haunting scene and reuse decorations from year to year.

Happy Halloween!

Dr. Michael Gibson has committed himself to helping others to live the best life possible. After graduating with a Bachelor of Kinesiology from the University of Western Ontario, he received his Doctor of Chiropractic Degree and Masters of Science in Chiropractic Sports Science from Life University.   He is the co-creator of Life By Design, owner of The Wellness Group, and co-owner of CrossFit 613. His passion for empowering families runs deep. After experiencing the loss of his sister due to illness, Michael’s purpose became reaching and teaching as many as possible the foundational principles of an extraordinary life.  Since that time he has passionately pursued and been successful in living out his dream. He maintains a busy family chiropractic practice, a full speaking schedule and finds time to implement the principles and practices of Life By Design in his own life.