Meat and the Environment

Our green bug speaks up for the environment. Listen up:
For more information visit: www.goveg.com

Cleaning Products, a health concern?

There are different factors that determine if you may be harmed by a chemical. These factors include:

*Toxicity of the chemicals in the product: Some chemicals are more hazardous than other chemicals. You should know about products that you use and try to find safer substitutes if they are hazardous. For example, oven cleaners can contain strong acids that can eat away your skin, even if they are diluted in water. In addition, spray bathroom cleaners may contain benzene, which is a known human carcinogen.1 Many cleaners contain numerous VOCs that may produce irritation and other significant health effects.

*Form of the chemical: Many of these chemicals are in aerosol form, which spray a fine mist when used. Aerosols that are in a can are dangerous because the cans are under pressure and may contain a propellant that is flammable such as butane and propane (don't smoke around these chemicals!). Pump sprays are safer, but just like can aerosols, they still break the chemical down into a small mist that may accidentally be breathed in. Mist from aerosols can also get into your eyes and onto your skin, possibly causing a reaction such as irritation. If you have to use aerosols, it is better to use them outside or in a well-ventilated area. For safer forms of chemicals, use liquid, paste or powder cleaners.

* Concentration of the product: Products that you use at home should be formulated for consumer use. Sometimes manufacturers will make a product more concentrated or stronger if it is for industrial use. In these cases, the person using it would have to be trained about the hazards of that chemical and be furnished proper protective equipment to wear while using it. The more concentrated a chemical is, the more dangerous it is. For example, hydrogen peroxide at concentrations greater than 60% can burn the skin, but hydrogen peroxide solution sold in stores for use at home (3%) can be applied to skin to help prevent infection.

*Synergism: This is when the outcome is much greater than the sum of the parts. This is especially true if some chemicals are accidentally mixed. For example, if you accidentally mixed chlorine-based products (like bleach) with ammonia-based products, the result could be deadly. Another reason this combination is so lethal is that these types of chemicals are usually accidentally mixed in an enclosed area such as a bathroom or janitor's closet so the person is overcome by the vapors and passes out. NEVER MIX BLEACH AND AMMONIA PRODUCTS!

(-- Aerias - Better Health Through Indoor Air Quality Awareness)

Wanna make your own cleaning procucts? Check out some recipes by clicking here

How do I dispose of batteries?

If you're like most people, you just toss used batteries into the nearest available trashcan, never giving them a second thought. What you probably didn't realize is that this method can be harmful to the environment. Batteries should be recycled or disposed of in a proper manner.

Once a battery loses power, remove it immediately from its casing or it may leak. Don't place it in your pocket or purse as this may cause it to rupture. Instead, place the battery in a container or resealable bag (ziplock) until you can dispose of it in the correct manner.

Don't store used batteries together to dispose of in a group. Even though a battery might not be able to run a toy or game anymore, it might still have a small bit of power left. If several batteries bang together, they can emit a charge which can cause them to ignite. Don't mix old and new batteries together in order to get an electronic item to work. The batteries can ignite, rupture or leak, causing damage to you as well as the electronic item.

Since many types of batteries are considered household waste, you should follow proper guidelines for disposal. Your town or city will most likely have a hazardous waste pick-up or drop-off day. Check with the city's website or newsletter to find what guidelines, if any, should be followed for properly disposing of batteries. Most hazardous waste days are noted in the local newspaper as well.

Many of the regular alkaline batteries are not considered hazardous waste and can be disposed of in the normal household trash. For other batteries such as lithium, mercuric, oxide, nickel-cadmium, nickel metal hydride and silver oxide however, it's best to err on the side of caution and follow your town's battery recycling guidelines. The batteries contain elements that can leak into the ground presenting a hazard to the environment. In most cases, batteries can be brought to your local recycling center at any time, or they can be picked up on your town's designated household waste disposal days.

Many automotive stores and other places selling batteries will accept batteries for recycling as well. In addition, there are commercial battery disposal organizations which will recycle your batteries for a small fee. Most of these places can be found using an internet search or by looking in your local business telephone directory. Never take the lazy route and dispose of batteries in a fire. They'll ignite, explode and possibly cause damage to you or the surrounding area.

It's worth it to bring your batteries to your nearest battery recycling location. Not only is it safer for you, but it's safer for the world around you.

(- Information brought to you by wisegeek)

For those interested in reusable batteries, check out this site. Lots of information and a good source for acquiring green batteries:

Also, through Earth 911 you can find out where the closest battery disposal site is in your area by simply entering your zip code. Click here to find out, and Happy Recycling!

GMO Update

Genetically Engineered Foods
by Jen Spaide

Chances are you already have many genetically modified products in your kitchen. According to Greenpeace, 60 to 70% of processed foods currently contain genetically engineered/modified ingredients. A genetically modified product is a plant, animal or microorganism (bacteria) that is "created" by artificial engineering. Many people, including consumers, agriculturists and scientists not only condone the cultivation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), but encourage it. They claim that the use of GMO crops and animal products will help solve hunger problems by producing greater quantities of food at a faster rate and that the foods will be healthier since they have been loaded with antibiotics to resist disease and infection.

But as in all things, the truth shall be revealed. The fact of the matter is that GMO foods are not the blessing of science that they are purported to be. Greenpeace provides a number of sound, studied reasons to reconsider the widespread use of GMOs. Soybeans and corn, the two main GMO crops, are used to feed livestock, providing little relief for human world hunger. In fact, GMO foods could possibly perpetuate hunger by creating cheaper substitutions for cash crops in third world countries.

Another concern is the effect these new organisms may have on the balance of life. There is no way to control the reproduction and spreading of GMOs once they are created, since they are living organisms. Cross-pollination of GMOs is creating superweeds that are hard to control and resistant to many current herbicides. Genetic engineering creates the potential for the transfer of new allergens from GMOs to humans and there is also the potential for the transfer of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria from plant or animal sources to humans due to the abuse of antibiotics.

Walter Doerfler discovered that pieces of DNA from a food source were able to survive digestion and subsequently be absorbed into the host body of the individual who ate it. According to Professor Mae-Wan Ho, viral DNA (used in GMOs) was able to withstand digestion by mice and make its way into the mouse cell genome. Similarly, R. Shubbert conducted an experiment with colleagues and discovered that bacterial DNA, also used in GMOs, not only made its way into the genome of mice, but was able to be passed from mother to fetus. Shubbert and his colleagues suggest that this transference could be a source of mutation in developing fetuses. Not only this, but bacterial DNA used in GMO crops has been shown to promote inflammation, arthritis, and lymphoma in individuals.

There is currently a lot of excitement in the GMO world over genetically modified fish. Salmon and other fish are treated with growth hormones or insect genes to make the fish grow faster, larger and more resistant to disease. Scientists at Purdue University conducted a study that demonstrated the threat these altered species would be to the wild fish population. We do not yet know what effect the growth hormones or insect genes would have on the humans who digest the altered fish.

So the next time you are in the supermarket, think about what you are buying and the effects it may have on you and your family. The fewer processed foods, the better. Always eat fresh, organic foods when possible. As Jean-Michel Cousteau stated, "I strongly urge all members of the community, from scientists to shoppers, to really take a look at what this new biotechnology of food alteration will do to our environment, and to us as humans."

For more information on genetically engineered foods visit the Greenpeace website at www.truefoodnow.org, www.greenpeace.org, or www.purefood.org.

Reasons for choosing a PVC free Yoga Mat

"Keeping your body healthy is an expression of gratitude to the whole cosmos - the trees, the clouds, everything."
- Thich Nhat Hanh

Truth must be told: the main ingredient of yoga mats is polyvinyl chloride (or "PVC," also known as "vinyl"), an environmental toxin.

Polyvinyl chloride is widely considered to be the most toxic plastic. Vinyl chloride, the base ingredient in PVC, is a known carcinogen, and those who work in PVC plants suffer elevated health risks. Dioxins and other carcinogens are byproducts of its manufacture. When making yoga mats, plasticizers are added to make to make the PVC soft and sticky. It's not usually possible to know the exact ingredients of any given mat, but the most common additives include lead, cadmium, and a class of chemicals called of phthalates, which disrupt the endocrine system among many other health problems. These additives off-gas and leach during product use, and are also known to seep into groundwater once the product goes to landfill.

PVC does not biodegrade, and it remains on the shelf, in the environment, or in the landfill. Sometimes landfills catch on fire, and then the PVC releases dioxin, hydrochloric acid, and other toxins. PVC is extremely difficult to recycle, which is why so little of it is recaptured.

Greenpeace, Health Care Without Harm, the Center for Environmental Health, Green Sangha, the International Firefighters' Association, and the Plastics Recycling Coalition are all working to phase out PVC or to minimize its use.

The good news is that many companies are now offering environmental friendly yoga mats that are Eco-friendly (100% biodegradable and recyclable), and Health-friendly (latex-, PVC-, and chloride-free).

Here is one option for those of you who ae shopping for a new mat.

EnviroMats

For those of you who are wondering what to do with your old mat, we are researching that issue, and we will post suggestions as soon as possible.

Notes:

* Information about the toxicity and recyclability of PVC may be found on these websites: noharm.org; bluevinyl.org; myhouseisyourhouse.org; greenpeace.org ; grrn.org/pvc; cdc.gov/exposurereport; ourstolenfuture.org, ecologycenter.org

Organic Flowers for Valentine's? Why?

Organic Flowers & The Art of Avoiding Pesticide Residue on That Lovely Bouquet


Women love to get flowers. Men love to get flowers too.

OK, we made the second part up. But a nice vase of flowers is no doubt pleasing to most eyes, and with occasions such as Valentines Day, Easter, and Mother's Day, we know that the flowers will be flying off the shelves.

However, there's a little problem with most flowers. (And we don't mean the price!) Whether the flowers you buy were raised in the United States or in south-of-the-border countries like Ecuador, Columbia, or Mexico, you can bet the flowers received heavy doses of pesticides as the growers tried to produce nothing but flawless flowers, which is what the typical US consumer demands.

The pesticides used on flowers are a big problem for the workers who tend the flowers, particularly in non-US greenhouses, where companies sometimes use highly toxic chemicals that are banned in the US. Crew bosses often force workers back into the flower houses too soon after spraying, exacerbating the workers' exposure to the pesticides. (For an excellent overview of such problems, see this 2002 Environmental Health Perspectives article on the subject.)

Pesticides on flowers can also be a problem for anyone who handles the flowers—including consumers—since many pesticides are easily absorbed through the skin. And because flowers are not a foodstuff (except in the case of our one weird cousin), the pesticide residue on them is not regulated by the US government.

So, is this the excuse you've been waiting for to cheap-out and forget about giving flowers on special occasions? Ah ah ah, not so fast. The organic flower market is rapidly emerging, led by Organic Bouquet, a US vendor that sells and ships pesticide-free flowers nationally. Organic flowers can also be found now in some natural food stores. So, let's hear it for pretty petals and not potent pesticides.

Wondering where you can get pesticide free garden supplies? Check our Gardens Alive, and here is our Valentin'e Gift to you, a coupon for their store:

Chocolate healthier than green tea?

Chocolate contains up to four times the anti-oxidants found in tea.
Sound too good to be true? In fact, that was the conclusion of a recent study by Holland's National Institute of Public Health and Environment. Researchers found that chocolate - specifically dark chocolate - contains 5305 mg if catechins per 3.5 oz (Catechins are powerful anti-oxidants that help prevent against cancer and heart disease). By contrast, 3.5 oz of black tea countains a mere 13.9 mg of catechins.


Eating chocolate to stay healthy?
Well, why not? Scientists have established that there are important health benefits to be gained from drinking red wine, so why not chocolate as well? But I would not trade a morning cup of tea for a box of truffles just yet. The amount of cocoa powder in chocolates may be quite small. Chocolates often contain other ingredients, such as saturated fats, that more than overweigh the health benefits to be gained from cocoa's cancer fighting chemicals.


More importantly, the Dutch researchers were not comparing chocolate to green tea, which is rich in catechins. Furthermore, evidence is mounting that scientists have only began to discover the numerous health benefits associated with drinking green tea. Still, a cup of green tea with a chocolate biscuit or a piece of dark chocolate sounds like a great way to begin the day!


This is great news since we are approaching "Chocolate Day", aka 'Valentine's Day'. By the way check out these healthy temptations!



(-- Kaiser Permanente - Thrive News)

Good Home for Old Tools

Instead of letting your used screw gun gather dust, consider donating it to the AmeriCares Home Front program, now in its 18th year of fixing up properties for low income families. Such generosity is a good thing, and donations are tax deductible - which may even save you enough to hire a handyman to do your chores.
For a list of supplies, go to www.americareshomefront.org