I apologize - "They" have been CRAZY all along

So, ladies and gentlemen, my good audience.  I have been ranting about the government, and chemical companies, and big agricultural businesses with all their herbicides, pesticides, chemicals in the plastic, poisoned water, poisoned everything and I have been doing this since October and then I am driving home from work last night and I hear on the radio, NPR that is, an interview with an author who wrote a book about WINE.  The "sacred" drink, from ancient times.
 http://www.npr.org/2012/12/04/166186416/inventing-wine-the-history-of-a-very-vintage-beverage

Here is the quote from the NPR website:  
"Wine is our original alcoholic beverage. It dates back 8,000 years and, as Paul Lukacs writes in his new book, Inventing Wine: A New History of One of the World's Most Ancient Pleasures, was originally valued more because it was believed to be of divine origin than for its taste. And that's a good thing, Lukacs tells Fresh Air's Terry Gross, because early wine was not particularly good."

You might ask why would I be apologizing and what does this guy have to do with our chemicals of today.  Well, because, PEOPLE ARE CRAZY  - have been from the beginning of time. The explanation is found in the next part of the quote:

"People would add a variety of unexpected ingredients to obscure and enhance the flavor. Everything, Lukacs says, "from lead to ash to myrrh to various kinds of incense, spices. And the most common thing added, especially to wines that people valued, were fresh resin from pine trees or boiled resin — namely pitch — from pine trees. Lead, in fact, will sweeten wine, so lead was used for thousands and thousands of years."

YEP!  Lead, Ash, Marble dust was another one that was mentioned on the radio.  I was, well, flabbergasted, then I got to considering that they probably didn't even think about any side effects, shoot, the water was apparently not very good either because this author indicated that they put wine in the water to make it drinkable. 

So, what does this have to do with all of our man-made chemicals that are put in everything we manufacture, grow and consume?  Well, nothing really.  I just wanted to point out that this kind of crazy behavior has been going on since the beginning. 

By the way, it sounded like a really good book to read.  I wasn't trying to bash the author, it was the content of the wine, really. 

Replacement Chemicals, Let Me Guess - More Flame Retardants

Just a little follow up here on the previous posts about flame retardants - really. Can. Not. Get. Away.

So, one of my volunteer firemen friends says to me, never seen any furniture in a burning house with flame retardants that didn't burn up too! 

As the heading on the article says,

New Flame Retardants, Other Replacement Chemicals, Pose Same Problems As Predecessors

If you put a sheep's coat on a wolf it is still a wolf.


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/28/flame-retardants-couches_n_2203242.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000003

Oh Great - Now What. There goes the Bacon!

Just in off of Twitter, now there is anti-biotic resistant bacteria being found in pork.  I know, I know, it is not a confirmed report, and yet, its probable, given everything we know.  It was a new study done by Consumer Reports.

CAN WE JUST STATE FOR THE RECORD THAT OUR FOOD IS KILLING US!  I know I need to calm down, but it's 11:45 p.m. and I should be in bed but when I see this sort of stuff, it really really really upsets me that our government - large agri-business - corporations - let's call it what it is PROFITEERS - get to make all the rules.   

There is also a growth drug given to pigs.  Oh, and that's not all -  Here is some of the report from the site:  http://www.motherjones.com/blue-marble/2012/11/fun-antibiotic-resistant-bugs-your-pork 
 

 The following is an excerpt from the article - go and read it all - you will be appalled.     And, yes, they are to self-regulate I believe is the way it was put.
 
Consumer Reports also found traces of a veterinary drug, ractopamine, in 20 percent of its pork samples. Used to spur growth in pigs, ractopamine is fed to an estimated 60-80 percent of hogs raised in the US. Though it was present at levels deemed safe by the FDA, in many countries the jury's still out about whether ractopamine is safe at all. The European Union and China require imported meat to be ractopamine-free. And US companies like Chipotle and Whole Foods refuse to serve pork raised with the drug. When USDA meat inspectors reported an increase of adverse side effects from Paylean, the drug's brand name, the FDA requested that the drug's manufacturer Elanco add a warning label in 2002. As reporter Helena Bottemiller exposed earlier this year, the FDA received reports of adverse side effects in more than 160,000 pigs taking ractopamine, though the agency would not confirm that the bad reactions were a result of the drug.
Representative Louise Slaughter (NY) called the results of the Consumer Reports study "simply terrifying" and criticized the FDA and food industry's "half-measures and voluntary guidelines" as inadequate in protecting the public against the rise in antibiotic-resistant bacteria. A bill Slaughter re-introduced to Congress in 2011, the Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act (PAMTA), would ban using routine antibiotics on healthy animals in hopes of avoiding the proliferation of superbugs, but the bill seems to be stuck in committee for the time being.
So for now, as my colleague Tom Philpott reported back in April, the pork industry is pretty much free to regulate its own antibiotic use. So gross stories like that of antibiotic-resistant bugs carried via manure on the legs of cockroaches and flies into surrounding communities could be on the rise—meaning it's not just bacon-guzzlers who have to be worried about what's going into our pork.

More on - What to Do, What to Do....

So, I really have been giving this whole idea of small community based activism and bringing small communities together is some way to make the small corners of the world better and branching out from there.   I do not want to re-invent the wheel, so I am searching for already established connections to make an impact. 

One of the sites that I found led me to I AM NOT A GUINEA PIG.  This website is specifically targeting chemical toxins in our environment.  The articles and information really grabbed my attention, with key words like these, Infertility,Obesity, lower sperm counts, detergents and fragrances - possibly connected to breast cancer, and Alzheimer's. 

Before I jumped in to far I wanted to know who was behind this site.  Here is the information I found so far. 

 

Environmental Defense Fund -The "I am Not a Guinea Pig" campaign is run by the Environmental Defense Action Fund (EDAF). EDAF is the lobbying arm of Environmental Defense Fund (EDF).

  
I wanted to make sure this was not a backdoor way for manufacturing corporations of these chemicals to gain profit.  From what I can find it is legitimate.  Financial management 80% of our spending is on program services;Corporate donation policy -We take no money from corporate partners.  I could not find any red flags so affiliation with this organization may be viable.


It is partnered with some impressive organizations.  Here are a few of those:

• Meet Our Partners

  EDF is proud to be a founding member of the Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families coalition, a nationwide effort to pass smart federal policies that protect us from toxic chemicals. Many coalition partners are central to our I am Not a Guinea Pig campaign, including:
  

  • Autism Society
  • Healthcare without Harm
  • Learning Disabilities Assoc. of America
  • Moms Rising
  • Reproductive Health Technologies Project
  • Teens Turning Green

  The coalition also includes many other individuals, organizations and businesses representing over 11 million Americans.
  
  In particular, I strongly believe that many of our children's afflictions, behavior issues and development problems today stem from the adverse effects of the endrocrine disrupters - environmental hormones that are now in everything - everywhere.  I am no scientist but common sense tells me that something is wrong.   The first one, autism, I feel needs strong attention from all of us.  Who's with me on this?
  
  Anyhow, here is the link to the website.  Check it out.  There are lots of directions each of us individually can go in the fight against the "SILENT ENEMY".    http://notaguineapig.org/
  
  This site also is connected to Facebook so when you go to the site you can "Like" it for better social connection.  

Plastics - bad ones and not so bad ones

I found the list of plastic containers that are really bad and some that are not as bad as others based upon the numbers that are on the bottoms of the containers.  It was a helpful site that I found this list on. The site is http://www.exrx.net/Nutrition/Disrupters.html

The ones I used today were #5s.  But, I did use cling wrap (a little) and that was bad.   Keeping up with all of the technical information about bad stuff and worse stuff is time consuming.  That is why I really want to organize my group of "friends, neighbors, family" to begin brainstorming how to make a bigger impact on our community.  I am still working out the bugs in my head and need to do some more research on this course of action.  Anyway, here is the information.

Worst Plastics

• Type 3: Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
  • Products
    • Shampoo bottles, food packaging, shower curtains, medical tubing and bags, vinyl upholstery, floor tiles, pipes, Reynolds Wrap and cling wrap for most grocery stores
      • Can pass from packaging into food, water, or cosmetics
      • Can be breathed in from curtains or pipes
  • Contain Phthalates
    • Phthalate give plastic its resilience and flexibility
• Type 6: Polystyrene
  • One of the most widely used plastics
  • Two forms of polystyrene: inflated and non-inflated
    • Styrofoam®, a Dow Chemical Company trademarked product
    • meat trays, egg cartons
    • plastic utensils, some takeout containers, cups, bowls, plates
    • plastic models, packaging for shipping.
  • May leak styrene, especially when heated
  • Styrene is classified as a possible human carcinogen by the EPA and by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
  • Polystyrene is not biodegradable
• Type 7 Polycarbonate (PC), among other plastics
  • Polycarbonates
    • Reusable water bottles, dental sealants, inner lining of food cans
    • Have been used in baby bottles and "sippy" cups for kids
  • Can contain BPA which can leach into food and water

Possibly Better Plastics

• Type 1: Polyethylene (PET or PETE)
  • Disposable containers for most bottled water, soft drinks, and juice, mouthwash, ketchup, peanut butter, jelly, etc.
  • Avoid reusing #1 bottles and jars because the plastic is porous
    • containers absorb flavors and bacteria that can't be cleaned out
• Type 2: High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
  • Cloudy or opaque plastic
  • Milk, water, and juice jugs
  • Bottles for shampoo and detergent
  • Cereal-box liners
• Type 4: Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
  • Cling wraps, food storage bags, garbage bags, and grocery bags
  • Squeeze bottles
  • Coatings for milk cartons and hot-beverage cups
• Type 5: Polypropylene (PP)
  • Cloudy or opaque plastic
  • Most Rubbermaid container, cloudy plastic baby bottles, deli soup containers
  • Containers for yogurt, margarine, ketchup and syrup
• Bio-based Polymers (Biodegradable polyester)
  • Derived from renewable resources, such as corn, potatoes, sugar cane.
  • Can be composted in a municipal composter or in a backyard compost pile
  • Healthiest and most eco-friendly choice.

Alternatives

• Food storage
  • Parchment or waxed paper
  • Glass and ceramic food storage containers
• On the go
  • Paper plates, bowls, and cups made from sugar cane
  • Bio-plastic utensils made from plant starch
  • Stainless steel insulated storage container for hot foods
  • Stainless steel water bottles or Ball brand canning jar with lid

Codes of Concern, Time Magazine (April 1, 2010)

DEAR MOTHER EARTH...

Dear Mother Earth, today, I did not do so well. When I woke up, got out of bed and went about my morning rituals, I ran the water too long for my shower, used all sorts of products that I have no idea what was in it, and it is now making its way into our water supply. 

Forgive me Mother Earth as I forgot to turn the water off while brushing my teeth.  We had a dinner to go to so I made deviled eggs, creamed corn, and a Cottage Cheese/Jello salad.  The eggs were bought from the store and probably came from a mass chicken farm, the ingredients for the corn were all canned or frozen, and there were at least 3 wasteful plastic containers, a bag and two cans that I threw away. 

No, I take that back, I did dig them back out to rinse them with the thought that I would start recycling as of today.  The cottage cheese was probably full of some type of environmental hormones that were not labeled on the container, and the jello is definitely not real food, nor was the Cool Whip and there were two more containers of plastic. 

I did continue to refill my water thermos that I have been using so I didn't waste any red solo cups, but well Mother Earth, I know I let you down today.  But, Mother Earth, we had the dinner at my sister's house and she recycles really well, so I know that she will separate out all the paper and plastics we used from the trash and she will do for you what I did not today. But, I used the 409 spray on my cabinets to clean them after I cooked today and forgot that there were chemicals that should not be used in it.

Dear Mother Earth you are so precious to me and my awareness of the poisons and toxins we expel at you every day is at an all time high. I know the goals I wish to reach which are making my life healthier and happier and that of my family and my community.  Now I need guidance and help to achieve these goals by silencing the enemy that is killing us. 

I love my world and want to do right by you.  Please send the reinforcements to lend a hand. Good Night Mother Earth and I will try to do better tomorrow.

Nano What?

Oh, Oh, check out the second sentence.  Now why doesn't that surprise us?  If we are such a great nation then why does Europe and Canada put their citizens before corporate profit and we can't do that just once?

"Nanotechnology and Our Food
The subject of nanotechnology and our food supply offers an alarming view of the potential for human health issues. Amazingly, the U.S. government currently does not regulate the use of nanotechnology in food products, despite its widespread use and serious public health concerns. Europe and the Canadian government have taken the first steps to limit the use of nanotechnology in food, but the U.S. has so far only issued draft guidelines to companies.

The chemical industry has already incorporated nanomaterials into foods like dietary supplements and “food contact substances,” including cutting boards, plastic containers and sandwich bags used to store leftovers or pack lunches. Industry claims their products will make food safer, and have pushed out a wide variety of nanoscale applications in food packaging and processing that is already on the market with many others in development. We know very little about the health effects of consuming engineered nanomaterials, but what we do know is that is presents cause for alarm. Scientific research indicates that engineered nanomaterials may pose significant health risks if inhaled, ingested or spread on the skin. A 2012 National Research Council study notes that “there is little progress” on research about the human health effects of oral consumption of nanomaterials.

Center for Food Safety and Nanotechnology
Center for Food Safety believes that a precautionary approach to nanotechnology in food is fundamental. A precautionary approach requires mandatory, nano-specific oversight mechanisms to account for the unique characteristics of the materials. Within those mechanisms, the protection of public health and worker safety requires a committed focus on critical risk research and immediate action to mitigate potential exposures until safety is demonstrated. Similar emphasis and action must be taken with regard to safeguarding the natural environment. Throughout, oversight must be transparent and provide public access to information regarding decision-making processes, safety testing and products. Open, meaningful and full public participation at every level is essential. These discussions and analyses should include consideration of nanotechnology’s wide-ranging effects, including ethical and social impacts. Finally, developers and manufacturers need to be treated as stewards responsible for the safety and effectiveness of their processes and products, and retain liability for any adverse impacts stemming from them. Governmental bodies, organizations and relevant parties should implement comprehensive oversight mechanisms enacting, incorporating and internalizing these basic principles as soon as possible."http://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/campaign/nanotechnology/