10 Most Polluted Cities

Live Science recently reported on a study conducted by environmental and health experts. Here are the 10 most polluted cities in the world:

1. Linfen, China - horrible breathing problems because of coal dust.
2. Haina, Dominican Republic - lead contamination problems because of lead battery recycling.
3. Ranipet, India - contaminated groundwater because of leather tanning wastes.
4. Mailuu-Suu, Kyrgyzstan – 2 million cubic meters of radioactive mining waste.
5. La Oroya, Peru – toxic emissions of lead.
6. Dzerzinsk, Russia – former chemical weapons manufacturing site.
7. Norilsk, Russia - world’s largest heavy metals smelting complex.
8. Rudnaya Pristan, Russia - lead contamination resulted in frightening child blood lead levels. 
9. Chernobyl, Ukraine – site of 1986 nuclear meltdown.
10. Kabwe, Zambia – like Rudnaya, child blood levels at frightening levels.

Green Gift Ideas - in Maryland

• Aid Through Trade

- Fair Trade; gifts.. (Annapolis, MD)

• Global Baskets LLC

- Unique Handmade Ghanaian Baskets packed with Energy Efficiency Tools and Tips Saves $ & Planet2. (Annapolis, MD)

• BeGreenDesigns

- eco-friendly custom murals & wall hangings ~ shipped to you!. (Baltimore, MD)

• Three Stone Steps

- Accessories from fine to funky and fairly traded.(Baltimore, MD)

• Light Unto My Path Soy Candles

- Soy Candles. (Bowie, MD)

• Nest

- A natural home and gift shop offering recycled glass, organic cotton, fair trade & handcrafted goods. (Clarksville, MD)

• OmGym

- OmGym Supension Yoga. (Columbia, MD)

• Urban Canteen,llc

- stainless steel bottles and glass decanters for water, tea and smooties . (Ellicott City, MD)

• Butterfly Effects

- Butterfly Effects - - Jewelry and All Natural Soy Candles. (Frederick, MD)

• Two Paws Up

- The dog house even your cat will love. Independtly owned and operated.. (Frederick, MD)

• Upavim Crafts

- Fair Trade crafts.. (Ijamsville, MD)

• Doodle Greetings

- Recycled and Eco-friendly Greeting Cards.(Kensington, MD)

• Cedarwood Soaps

- Skin Nourishing Shea Butter in Every Bar.(Millersville, MD)

• Wild Boar Creek, LLC

- Fair Trade; gifts.. (Odenton, MD)

• Trees for the Future

- Non-profit organization planting trees in developing countries around the world (treesftf.org). (Silver Spring, MD)

• LolaBabiez Organics

- One-stop baby organic boutique & nursing products. (Westminster, MD)

• Kaylala, LLC

- All Natural and Organic handcrafted skin care products. (Windsor Mill, MD) - All Natural and Organic handcrafted skin care products. (Windsor Mill, MD) more states at http://organicconsumers.org/state/greenbiz.cfm?all=UniqueGiftIdea

Paraben-free cosmetics

• AnneMarie Borlind Natural Beauty
• Aubrey Organics Skin, Body & Hair Care Products
• Caribbean Pacifics Suncare Products Dr. Hauschka
• Earths Beauty Cosmetics
• Honeybee Gardens
• Kettle Care herbal Body Products
• Living Nature Products
• Logona Cosmetics
• Martina Gebhardt Naturkosmetiks
• Natural Solutions-Holistic Beauty&Health
• Organic Essentials Skincare (and Nutritional Product)
• Organic Excellence Hair Care Products
• Real Purity Cosmetics
• Restored Balance Herbal Products
• Sante Kosmetics
• Suki's Naturals

Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps and all Terressentials products, among
others, are also paraben-free as well as made from organic ingredients.

Forms of parabens:
Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben, Benzyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid, Methyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid, Ethyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid, Propyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid, Butyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid, Parahydroxybenzoic acid and Parahydroxybenzoate.


more articles on paraben-free cosmetics