Alexandra Destler, EdM is a guiding light for women’s health. As SafetyNEST Founder + CEO, she envisions a healthier, toxic-free future for all parents and children. Alexandra has worked steadily over two decades to promote global sustainability. She launched the Public Health Institute’s Center for Climate Change and the American Hospital Association’s environmental stewardship initiative. She also co-developed The Greenfield Path, a communications project driving Ford Motor Company’s move to a more sustainable business, and directed Playworks’ capital campaign.
Determined to address the health impacts of unregulated chemicals, she resolved to focus on prenatal environmental education—the lack of which costs the US over $340B a year, and robs many children of their healthy development.
This conversation with Alexandra explores lessons and insights from her role as a prenatal environmental educator. In her quest to modernize women’s reproductive health, she has been raising two daughters and maintaining a full-time career.
Why did you start SafetyNEST?
“There were three triggers that led me to start SafetyNEST. The first one was when I was in graduate school. I already had a background in environmental health, and I was doing this paper on incentives and deterrents to greening the chemical industry.
“I came across the alarming statistic that there are 85,000 chemicals that surround us and only a very small percentage are tested for their safety in terms of human and environmental health. To me, that was astounding and very shocking.
“The second trigger was that I became a mom. While I knew that there were all these chemicals around us, I became very frustrated because I didn’t know where to go or know what’s safe or not safe in my own home. At the same time, I was surprised that so many women I met had no idea about toxic chemicals in the environment.
“Then, the final trigger for me was a report that landed in my inbox from UCSF—it was in the news as well—that talked about how reproductive health providers, from nurses to doulas to OBGYNs and midwives, don’t have the training, tools, or expertise to counsel their patients about toxic chemicals.
“For me that’s when the lightbulb went off. I thought, you know, we’re missing such an enormous opportunity to educate women when they’re really motivated to make changes for the health of their pregnancies and babies. I also saw the opportunity to help providers integrate this topic into prenatal care. That’s why I started SafetyNEST.”
What surprises did you encounter along the way?
“One of the positive surprises was that I felt like I got a lot of support. I had created a concept paper for what I aspired to do with SafetyNEST, and I took it to people that I had worked with or knew of from Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, UCSF and others.
“I was really excited to hear that they were supportive of me moving forward and were willing to be advisors early on. So that was an unexpected opportunity that helped my journey get started.”
Could you share some of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
“From growing SafetyNEST and diving into this, overall, I would say that there are two lessons:
“The first thing is that I learned we’re all doing the best we can no matter where we are and that none of us can wash away this tidal wave of toxicity. There’s so much of it around us, and we’re all doing what we can. We shouldn’t feel that we’re doing something wrong because we have a product in our house or we’re using a product that isn’t perfectly organic or clean.
“It’s really a journey, and it’s important to do what you can along the way based on your circumstances. The opportunities or challenges change as you change, as you have children, as your children grow.
“When I started this, I had really little children and now I have teenagers. Now, I’m thinking about helping my daughters decide what makeup is a good choice or how to find hair products that work and are clean. That’s very different than earlier.
What do you hope to achieve with SafetyNEST in the long run, dreaming big?
“Two practical things and one big vision.
“I see SafetyNEST serving as a practical resource to help all women and families make changes in their homes to reduce toxic exposure. I really hope that the solutions we present are relatable and affordable for families.
“Secondly, I know that SafetyNEST is a trusted resource that health professionals can point their patients and clients to as a routine part of care, whether it’s preconception, prenatal, or postpartum.
“Ultimately, the big mission is to dramatically reduce the incidence of preventable diseases that are linked to toxic chemicals and to safeguard future generations so that they can thrive. I’d really like to live in a world where what I buy in the store won’t hurt me: so a world without toxic products.”
What is your favorite tip for mothers new to environmental health who are looking to safeguard their homes from toxic chemicals?
“There are two areas that I feel are my favorite tips for mothers.
“The first is around food. I feel like food is so essential to our overall well being and something that connects us to one another, so making sure that we stay away from pesticides in produce is so important. That’s something I like to convey to women and families that are new to this topic.
“This doesn’t mean you need to buy everything organic—if you can, that’s great—but I usually recommend people look at the Environmental Working Group’s Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen lists with guidance on which produce has the most or least pesticides.
“I also suggest finding no-spray or organic produce at local farmers markets. These are just really great ways to make a big change for the better in a really important area.
“The other area that I feel like I usually point to is around cleaning products. I feel like it’s another low hanging fruit for people.
“There are also lots of DIY solutions in addition to buying safer products. For example, using baking soda, lemon, and vinegar are often less expensive and as effective as conventional products with lots of strong chemicals.”
In addition to being mindful about our environments at home, what are some ways we can keep our bodies healthy and strong?
“I would say that exercise and reducing stress are really proven to be essential to keeping our bodies and minds healthy and strong. Everyone has to find out what works best for their lifestyle to reduce stress and get their bodies moving.
“For me, I really like to mix it up: walking, practicing yoga, going to the gym, biking. I always end my day with a small meditation and gratitude journaling, which for me is also helpful for stress reduction and staying grounded.
“The research shows that stress exacerbates the impact of toxic chemical exposure, so it’s important from many different vantage points.
“Overall, whatever one can do to reduce stress is important.”
What do you wish more people would talk about in environmental health?
“In environmental health, I feel like we don’t talk enough about how it’s so hard to find safe options for items like hair color, which many women rely on regularly. Research links many of the chemicals in most hair color to breast cancer, which I personally experienced a few years ago. I know too many women who have also experienced breast cancer at a young age.
“Also, it’s really challenging to find safe products that are affordable for all women. I get asked a lot, ‘just tell me what is a safe and affordable alternative,’ and sometimes, it’s really hard to answer that.”
What are some ways we can introduce the topic of environmental health to friends and family who are new to the subject?
“For me, I try to take it case by case. For example, if I have a friend who I know is going to get a manicure and pedicure often, I might show her some cleaner nail polishes that she can bring to the salon, or to find a salon that uses those safer polishes.
“I often point friends to resources like Skin Deep, EWG, and this new company called Clearya that’s another tool to find safer products. I always point to the research as well as position and policy statements by respected organizations like ACOG or FIGO and research institutions like UCSF, Columbia, and Mount Sinai.
“It’s kind of a balancing act of noticing something that friends and family are using or doing and suggesting, ‘Hey, did you know that you might be able to find safer alternatives?’ And refer again to these kinds of credible sources.”
When you’re not working to improve environmental health for future generations, what activities can we find you doing?
“Well, I love to spend time outdoors, so I do a lot of hiking—gardening when it’s the season. I love yoga, I love to write poetry, and I like to spend as much time with my friends and my family as I can.”
Is there anything else you would like to share?
“I think just acknowledging that this topic can really be overwhelming, especially if you’re new to the subject. I again see SafetyNEST empowering all women to find ways to keep their homes and family healthy.
“Ultimately, I also want to acknowledge that policy change is really what needs to happen in order to see the major shifts that we all deserve to have, in terms of being able to go to the store and have trust and assurance that what we buy has been tested and is safe.”