Onward in the battle... we do it for the children

Image by Petr Kratochvil

Trying to live a toxin-free life here in the US is not easy. Toxic chemical pollution is a major issue here, with companies dumping toxins into the environment at alarming rates. From plastics to detergents, paints to pesticides, medications to cosmetics... the manufacturing industries are striving to make life better for us, yet are poisoning us at the same time.

Dioxins, pesticides, flame retardants, and perfluorochemicals are just a few of the biggest offenders. While the government does its part to regulate the disposal of these toxins, let's face facts -- money talks and it often talks louder than common sense and safety. That's why we have to be informed and aware, and we have to make our voices heard. It is our responsibility to do whatever we can to ensure a safe future for our children.

For me, it's burdensome to continually be the bearer of bad news. Some days, I'd just like to bury my head in the sand and stop this influx of information being sent my way. But then I think about those beautiful grandbabies of mine and I realize ignorance is not bliss. Not when it means risking their health and their future. 

So I'll keep at it. I'll keep learning and sharing and hoping and praying. I only hope that you will feel the need to participate in this movement toward a better future with less toxins. 

Marching onward,

Voting day

It was primary voting day in Pennsylvania and I woke up in a rather foul mood. First of all, I had to sort through all the info about the candidates so I could vote responsibly. Plus, I had to tune out all of the half-truths that have been filling my brain for the past few weeks via political ads. Hallelujah the commercials are done for now!!

As I stood in the shower, I grabbed the body wash and started reading the ingredients, which got me thinking. Sometimes that's not a good thing! Once I started thinking, I started getting angry.

My how things have changed, Eli

Wearing 100% cotton makes you feel like you're doing something good for yourself, doesn't it? Well, if you keep reading, that feeling is about to change.

Unless you're buying clothing that is made from organic cotton, watch out! At the very least, make sure you launder all of your clothing prior to putting it next to your skin! This is especially important when you're clothing your little ones.

Conventionally grown cotton is considered the 'dirtiest' crop across the globe. Why? Because of the massive amounts of insecticides used that have been proven to be the most dangerous pesticide to the health and well-being of animals and humans alike. No other single crop uses as much of these hazardous chemicals as is used to cultivate cotton.

The reason they are the most dangerous pesticides to our health? Because they are designed to effect the nervous and reproductive systems of the insects that are a threat to the crop; as a result, humans experience a plethora of both chronic and acute conditions, changes in behavior and, of course, an increased risk of cancer. There have even been deaths reported as a direct result of exposure to the pesticides.

Which insecticides are the worst culprits?

• Aldicarb
• Methamidopho
• Parathlon

According to the World Health Organization, these three are included in the list of the ten most commonly used in the production of cotton. Aldicarb is the second best selling insecticide for cotton farmers. It is also the most poisonous to people. One drop of aldicarb absorbed through the skin can actually cause death. Yet we're still using it here in the United States, as well as in 25 other cotton-producing countries. Over a dozen U.S. states now have this toxic chemical in their groundwater.

Not only are the pesticides hazardous to people and to animals, but the nitrogen synthetic fertilizers used cause the most damage to the environment because of the leaching and runoff that pollutes our freshwater habitats and wells. While it's not my intention to add stress to your life, but I'd be very concerned if I were you if you have well water and live close to a cotton farm.

Another problem that exists with products crafted from conventional cotton farms, is the way the cotton is converted into articles of clothing. The hazardous materials involved in this process include:

• silicone waxes
• softeners
• harsh petroleum scours
• ammonia
• heavy metals
• flame and soil retardants
• formaldehyde

Lovely. Like I said, wash your clothing well before wearing!

These manufacturing poisons produce huge amounts of toxic wastewater as the residues from chemical cleaning, dyeing and finishing are carried away. The result is a depletion of oxygen in the water which ultimately kills the aquatic animals and disrupts the aquatic ecosystems.

The picture just keeps getting worse, doesn't it?

The alternative is to buy organic cottons and other natural fibers, and here's why:

• The use of synthetic chemicals to control insects and pests is strictly forbidden, except in extreme cases. What organic farmers use to ward off pests are natural predators and intercropping. They also have special machinery and use fire for weed control.
• Natural fertilizers are part of organic farming. Compost and animal manure recycle the nitrogen already present in the soil rather than adding more. This results in a reduction of both pollution and N2O emissions.
• Zero health risk is imposed by organic farming because there are no agrochemicals used or produced.

From all I've learned, I'm not only concerned about my clothing, sheets, etc., but I'm also concerned about what I put into my body if cottonseed oil is listed in the ingredients. I personally don't think Eli Whitney had any of this in mind when he first revealed his cotton gin to the world. Then again, if you delve far enough into history, you'll see it wasn't really his invention after all, but that of Catherine Littlefield Green, who allowed him to patent it because, well, it just wasn't a womanly thing to do back in the late 1700s. What can I say?

Keeping it green and healthy,

Hana

Forking over the big bucks for organic…is it really worth it?

Every trip to the grocery store challenges us, as parents and grandparents, to decide whether or not it’s worth it to spend more on foods labeled as organic. After all, it seems like the right thing to do for our kids, but is it really necessary?

Basically, at this point, researchers have found no scientific evidence suggesting that the minute traces of chemicals found in non-organic produce is going to be a threat to your child’s health in the long run. However, we have to remember how long it took for scientists to start recognizing and publicizing the risks involved with BPA or allowing our babies to wear chemically-laced disposable diapers. Are there going to be warnings two years from now? Five? Ten?

So let’s start with produce. When does it, and when does it not, make sense to purchase organically grown fruits and vegetables?

Fruits with peels that are taken off and discarded, such as bananas and oranges, carry the least amount of chemical residue when you get down to the actual fruit. So you can probably skip paying premium prices here. Additionally, the following produce is proven to be exposed to the least amount of chemicals:

Sweet corn
Asparagus
Onions
Cabbage
Broccoli
Sweet peas
Avocados
Pineapple
Mango
Kiwi
Papaya

On the other hand, if you’re concerned about exposing your family to pesticides, here are some of the ones most likely to carry the highest percentage:

Bell peppers

Celery
Potatoes
Spinach
Apples
Cherries
Grapes
Nectarines
Peaches
Pears
Red raspberries
Strawberries

According to research, higher levels of antioxidants and other nutrients exist in organically-grown strawberries, peaches, tomatoes, and corn. But it’s important to note that some of these studies were paid for by the organic-food industry.

In order to be labeled ‘organic,’ the produce, along with grains, must be grown on land where no genetic engineering or irradiation are allowed. There also can be no synthetic fertilizers or sewage sludge used. The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture enforces strict standards on foods that indicate they are organic.

There are different reasons for buying organic when it comes to meat and dairy products. For more about the specifics of organic milk, refer to my blog posting on September 21, 2009.

The situation with meat, milk and poultry is that in order to be labeled organic, they have to come from animals raised without any of the growth hormones or antibiotics that are traditionally given to their non-organic alternatives. The animals must be given access to the outdoors and be fed a completely organic diet, which includes grazing on fields where pesticides have not been used for over three years and there are no pesticides in their feed. They also cannot be given any antibiotics or animal by-products.

A side benefit here involves a decrease in mad-cow disease, since animal by-products provide a link to bovine spongiform encephalopathy.

Additionally, some research has revealed a risk to human health in cases where people are consuming meat and dairy products that contain rBGH (recombinant bovine growth hormone), which is a hormone connected to breast, prostate and colon cancers. While rBGH is banned in the European Union as well as some other countries, the U.S. Government continues to approve its safety. Again, it may just be a matter of time.

Packaged foods provide yet another option when it comes to buying organic. If they are labeled with the USDA Organic Seal, they must include 95% or more of pesticide-free ingredients. If the label says “made with organic,” the content of true organic ingredients only has to be at 70%. Either way, check out the labels on the processed food you buy. A reduction in non-organic ingredients might not make the cookies, crackers, baked goods or snacks the healthiest option, as they often have an increased fat content.

I know it’s a lot to take in and I hope this article clears away some of the fog. You may want to print it and tote it along to the grocery store to help you make some better choices for your kids. After all, it’s each of our responsibilities to make the right decisions for our children’s health.

Keeping it green and healthy,

Hana

A little greenery goes a long way

Is your house or office making you sick? Over the past 3 decades, outdoor air quality has improved. However, as it’s becoming safer to breathe outside air, it’s becoming more hazardous to breathe indoors.

In our homes and workplaces we are assaulted with indoor air pollutants including:


Radon
Pesticides
Cleaning solvents
Paint strippers
Tobacco smoke
Air fresheners
Oil, gas, kerosene, coal, and or wood
Chemicals in building materials and furniture
Formaldehyde
Asbestos
and more…

The bottom line is you cannot escape exposure to some type of indoor air pollution. However, there is one way, a green way, to help counteract the effects of poor air quality in our homes and businesses. Not only is this an easy solution, it’s also environmentally-friendly and attractive at that!

The solution? Plants. Lots of green plants.

Houseplants act as neutralizers of harmful ozone. By filling a room with certain types of live plants, you can have 60% less airborne molds and bacteria than if you opted to skip the plants.

Houseplants not only help to rid the air of pollutants and toxins, but they also contribute to the humidity level indoors. One word of advice here – keep your plants away from drafts as they are less effective if they are located in a drafty location.

The general rule of thumb for effective ‘pollution-control’ is one houseplant per every 10 square yards. This means you’ll want to have 2-3 plants in an average-sized living room. Calculate how many you’ll need for your office, bedroom, kitchen, etc.

Popular houseplants to buy for the purpose of ridding your indoor space of pollutants include: spider plants, rubber plants, weeping figs, English ivy, Boston ferns, and peace lilies. If you have pets in your home, however, avoid ivy, Indian rubber plants, and weeping figs, as these plants are toxic to animals.

Beautify the look of your home or office while providing green sources of cleaner air. Loading up with houseplants is a win-win situation. Of course, you’ll also want to limit the introduction of pollutants by making healthier choices when it comes to cleaning products, carpeting and furnishings. If it’s advertised as good for the environment, chances are it’s good for you and your family as well.

Keeping it green and healthy,

Hana