More than 100 people participated in the"Healthy Holidays, Healthy Stuff" open house on campus on December 5, 2013. Sponsored by Planet Blue Ambassadors, with support from MHealthy and Ann Arbor's Ecology Center, the open house was dedicated to helping attendees have a safe and sustainable holiday season. Participants enjoyed the opportunity to:
- Learn how to avoid common toxics found in everyday products such as holiday decorations, children's toys, and jewelry.
- See examples of products on the market today which have tested well and others which have tested poorly for toxic substances.
- Find out how researchers, producers, and suppliers are working to bring you a toxic-free holiday season.
-
Have the opportunity to bring an item from home to be tested for toxic heavy metals, including lead, cadmium, and arsenic. Suggestions included decorations, pet toys, small household items, children's products, you name it!
- Discover how to make toxic-free cleaning and self-care supplies.
- Try healthy, sustainable food samples, and receive complimentary holiday recipes.
"We had quite an impressive turnout for a first-year event," said Mike Shriberg, director of the Graham Sustainability Institute, which administers the university's Planet Blue Ambassador program and co-hosted the event with the Office of Campus Sustainability. "Based on the overwhelming response, we'll likely repeat the open house again next year."
The inaugural "Healthy Holidays, Healthy Stuff" open house was free and open to the public.
"I learned quite a bit at the event and walked away with a lot of really useful information," said Judy McNamara, an Ann Arbor resident who came to the open house with her daughter, who works at the university. "I'm really glad I went."