Category Archives: Air Quality

Fragrance Decision Undermines EPA’s DfE Program

EPA’s Design for the Environment (DfE) Program (claims to) work “to reduce risk to people and the environment by finding ways to prevent pollution”, yet they recently began allowing DfE-endorsed products to contain fragrances.

Of the first 119 fragrance chemicals okayed for use, 93 have “hazard profile issues” such as being known sensitizers or lacking vital data!!!

“Researchers, pediatricians, and other health experts agree that “Scented chemicals increase risk that some per cent of exposed people will have allergic and hypersensitivity reactions. Allergic and asthmatic children are at especially high risk”

Those of us with MCS/ES, along with many others who now experience adverse or disabling health effects from fragrance chemicals rarely had them before being exposed to some supposedly safe petrochemicals (in everyday use) that tipped our bodies over an edge. For too many of us, it was from fragranced products that we first experienced and continue to experience chronic health problems.

So it is wonderful to see health experts formally urging the EPA to

SAY NO TO FRAGRANCES

No Fragrance

“Pediatricians and respiratory experts, including the American Lung Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, wrote to the EPA Administrator today raising concerns about the health impact of the recent decision of the US EPA’s Design for the Environment program to allow fragrances.”

it is standard environmental health practice to discourage the use of air fresheners, scented products, and fragrances in homes and other indoor spaces.

We were surprised and deeply disappointed to learn that the Agency’s Design for the Environment program (DfE) created a “fragrance” category of chemicals for commercial and consumer cleaning products. The vast majority of chemicals listed — 93 of the 119 total — have “hazard profile issues” because they are identified in one of
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If We’re Not Careful

This could happen here too…

We share the air on this little planet. Out appetite for disposable stuff is spewing a lot of toxic waste into the air, and most of it is oil, gas, coal, and petrochemical based.

Beijing  Picture: Austral Source: Supplied

Picture: Austral Source: Supplied

MOST brides are keen to look their best on their big day — but this lovestruck couple took their matrimonial garb to a new extreme in Beijing.

Chinese scientists have warned the country’s toxic air pollution is now so bad that it’s slowing photosynthesis in plants — and potentially wreaking havoc on the country’s food supply.

See the rest of the photos here:

Chinese couple pose for wedding photos wearing gas masks during Beijing’s big smog

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I don’t know about you, but I think it’s madness to allow corporations to continue polluting this planet and threatening our very existence just to have piles of stuff we end up dumping in the trash.

What can we do to sustain life instead?

In the News: Toxic Troubles

 

toxic troubles in the news

The evidence (and casualties) are piling up

– Articles about the neurotoxic pandemic
– From Harvard… on Everyday Toxic Trespass
– Powerful article about perfumes  for children
– Pesticides in flea collars harm children too
– Important news about ALL pesticides
– Someday there will be less toxic clothing
– Driveway sealants are bad for Your health
– Doctors can’t be counted on to help treat oil related illnesses
– Illnesses linked to toxic chemicals increase health care costs
– Chemically injured woman has to sleep in a tent
– Some Things We Can Do

Why do we need much better laws and regulations to protect us and future generations?  Have a look at the following articles:

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Wearing a Mask / Day 31 In the Pursuit of Love

Many of us (too many now) have to wear a mask to filter some of the pollutants out of the air we have to breathe. I guess I am lucky that I have not cared about what people think when I wear mine to protect my health.

Seriously "Sensitive" to Pollution

Seriously “Sensitive” to Pollution

For others, it’s not an easy decision, for a variety of reasons, and sadly, most of them have to do with a lack of understanding and acceptance in our communities.

In January, three bloggers that I am aware of have written about their mask wearing experience.

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The Trouble With Soot

Soot (and ‘by’products) from burning wood, diesel, coal or other fossil fuels are bad enough for the planet, but did you know that those particles attract harmful chemicals (secondary organic molecules) from the air so when we breathe them in, their adverse health effects can be multiplied?

smokestack earth

Here’s a must see two and a half minute video from The Allegheny Front, a radio program covering environmental issues in Pennsylvania.

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Climate More Sensitive Than Previously Thought!

“the combustion of fossil fuel is the largest source” (EPA)

sensitive climate

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“The Big Fix”… Why We Need Peace, Not More Ecocide…

The Big Fix 

The BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

Watch.

It’s explanatory.

The oil industry is not about peace. This film documents one of the greatest cases of Ecocide in our time, and the story behind it. Sadly, it’s not over yet.

Ecocide is the extensive damage to, destruction of or loss of ecosystem(s) of a given territory, whether by human agency or by other causes, to such an extent that peaceful enjoyment by the inhabitants of that territory has been or will be severely diminished.

Help make Ecocide a crime:

http://eradicatingecocide.com/what-you-can-do/

fish filters

Bucky

Some Weblinks:

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A Canary’s Cry

When it’s hard to think in words, it’s sometimes easier to do pictures…

No More

Take Action:

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How to Enforce a Fragrance-Free Policy

How to Enforce a Fragrance-Free Policy

“Make it clear that the policy applies to everyone”

effective enforcement

WHY?

Fragranced consumer products: exposures and effects from emissions

“Overall, 34.7 % of the population reported one or more types of adverse health effects from exposure to one or more types of fragranced products.”

“72.6 % were not aware that even so-called natural, green, and organic fragranced products typically emit hazardous air pollutants.”

“20.2 % of the population reported that if they enter a business, and smell air fresheners or some fragranced product, they want to leave as quickly as possible.”

“Significantly, 15.1 % of the general population reported that exposure to fragranced products in their work environment has caused them to become sick, lose workdays, or lose a job.”

 

Health and societal effects from exposure to fragranced consumer products (AU)

…”Finally, for public officials, the problem of “secondhand scents,” or indirect exposure to fragranced products, has parallels to secondhand tobacco smoke. Prevention from fragrance product exposure will enable individuals to work in their workplaces, attend school, and function in society without suffering involuntary harm.” …

 

More Resources:

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Which Side of the Fence?

Which Side