Tag Archives: science

You Are A Guinea Pig: Part 2

guinea pig

David Rosner and Gerald Markowitz who wrote the first article in Part One appear on Bill Moyers

Understanding what we are up against

Full Show: The Toxic Politics of Science

Full Transcript

And if you want to do something about it (and please do), here’s more:

Put Sensible Limits on Chemicals

Take Action

Full link: http://billmoyers.com/content/put-sensible-limits-on-chemicals/

Thank you Bill Moyers!

This was just posted to their website:

Blinding Us From Science

Science is under attack. With corporations manufacturing uncertainty to undermine studies that hurt their bottom lines and the sequester cutting billions in funding for scientific research, you’d think the American science community would be hunkered down in their labs avoiding outside interference at all costs.  … continued at:

Blinding Us From Science

GMO Food Labels

I see a little poster being shared all over facebook all the time telling people to look for a sticker starting with an 8 to warn us that the produce has been genetically modified.

Guess what?

We do not have laws to label GMO foods in North America, so you won’t see a sticker that starts with an 8 here! Not until we get laws to mandate them!

The original poster gives people such a false sense of reassurance.

So  I  modified it…

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Endocrine disruptors – in fabric?

O Ecotextiles is a great blog to follow if you are interested in what’s happening in the textile world. Lots of excellent information about why those of us with MCS/ES and Fibromyalgia can have so much difficulty finding safe (non-toxic) clothing to wear, as well as safe beds and furniture to rest our weary bodies on.

Here’s their latest, a subject that is worth understanding, as endocrine disruptors are found in so many of our everyday products and materials, and our endocrine systems are responsible for regulating so much of our lives, processes that we seem to have taken for granted for far too long…

Endocrine disruptors – in fabric?.

A big thank you to Patty and Leigh Anne who founded O Ecotextiles in 2004 and keep us so well informed.

Women’s Voices for the Earth Report on “Secret Scents”

Women’s Voices for the Earth recently released a new report, called “Secret Scents“. It  highlights the need for ingredient transparency by the companies that create fragranced products, since right now we have almost no way of knowing what is causing the fragrance allergies and other serious health effects people experience when exposed to  fragrances. These adverse health effects are increasing, especially in children.

Amazingly, companies are not required by the FDA or EPA to disclose fragrance ingredients, so it is difficult for anyone to pinpoint specific fragrance allergens and sensitizers among the hundreds of ingredients that can make up a scent.

Another report  was also just released, this one on endocrine disrupting chemicals. Some fragrance ingredients, like phthalates (see below) are also endocrine disruptors, while others are known carcinogens and/or neurotoxic!

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UN and WHO say hormone-disrupting chemicals are a ‘global threat’

“Frankly, for BPA, the science is done. Flame retardants, phthalates … the science is done,” Zoeller said. “We have more than enough information on these chemicals to make the reasonable decision to ban, or at least take steps to    limit exposure.”

Phthalates are found in fragrances, laundry and other personal care and cleaning products, soft plastics, (PVC) and even in time released medications!!!

Exposures to these chemicals are currently very difficult to avoid, and require diligent personal effort and significant financial investments. But even that is not enough to avoid exposure.

edc_cover

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Toxic Chemicals in Fragranced Laundry Products and Health Effects

toxic chemicals in laundry products

Some people wonder what the fuss about laundry products is all about.

What follows is Dr Anne Steinemann’s research on specific chemicals and their health effects. These are not just benign additives. They cause serious harm, and they are accumulating in ourselves and the environment, where they also harm other species.

Toxic Chemicals in Fragranced Laundry Products and Health Effects

Principal Investigator: Anne C. Steinemann, Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Public Affairs, University of Washington.

Chemicals identified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) headspace analysis.

Health and regulatory information obtained from databases compiled by the National Institutes of Health, Environmental Protection Agency, and other federal agencies.

Note that fragranced consumer products are not required to disclose all chemicals, not even ones classified as toxic or hazardous. None of these chemicals were listed on any product label or material safety data sheet.

ACETALDEHYDE (75-07-0)
Recognized Carcinogen
Suspected Developmental Toxicant, Immunotoxicant, Kidney Toxicant, Neurotoxicant, Respiratory Toxicant, Skin or Sense Organ Toxicant
Regulated as toxic/hazardous chemical under the following law(s):
Air Contaminants (OSH Act); Hazardous Air Pollutants (CAA); Hazardous Substances (CERCLA); Regulated Toxic, Explosive, or Flammable Substances (CAA); Toxic Release Inventory Chemicals (EPCRA)

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EAA Urges Precaution on Wireless, GMO’s, Nanotechnology and More

For those of you who like to keep up on these things, here’s another new report urging more precaution on wireless, GMO’s, nanotechnology, and more. Our current system allows new things to be unleashed on us without proper safety testing and precaution.  At 750 (free) pages, it’s a bit longer than a tweet or a fb update, but delving into it could change your life, and give you the resources to help create more urgently required changes around you.

Guest Post: Personal Protection Against Electromagnetic Waves

Another danger from wireless technology,  discussed a bit here in the BioInitiative Report is that of electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) /aka electromagnetic sensitivity, or one of the many potentially disabling “sensitivities” falling under the broader term Environmental Sensitivities (ES).

As the use of wireless technology increases, more and more people around the world are becoming disabled by, or “sensitive” to electromagnetic waves, and must find ways to survive and cope in the world, since safe sanctuaries are not yet available and life of some sort must go on. Some people are discovering special materials that can be used to make protective clothing, hoods, capes etc. Note that care must be taken to keep the waves from bouncing around inside the material.

Ryozo posted this account of what he must wear to his fb page and he agreed to share it here.

He lives in Japan and has MCS and EHS. He was a teacher by profession and now works to raise awareness about these conditions whenever he is able. He is a member of the Japanese organization CACP – Citizens Against Chemicals Pollution.

My way to protect from electromagnetic waves

by Ryozo Tamakoshi

Points to keep in mind

The causes and the conditions of chemical sensitivity or electromagnetic hypersensitivity are very various. My method is not always effective for all people. Ultimately, it may be important to find your own way. Please note that metal allergy could affect ability to use these protective clothes. Summer is so hot, this way is impossible. (This is only the protection from electromagnetic waves.)

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Wireless Warnings: BioInitiative Report on Electromagnetic Fields (ELF and RF)

Wireless Warnings From the BioInitiative Report:

THE BIOINITIATIVE REPORT 2012

A Rationale for Biologically-based Public Exposure Standard for Electromagnetic Fields (ELF and RF)

The updated report is now available for download and I’ve skimmed through some of it. What is clear is that there is enough evidence to be concerned, very concerned, about the exposures we are being subjected to. Current global wireless (and other) safety standards are not adequate to protect us from some pretty serious harm to our health. The report calls for immediate action in order to reduce threats to public health.

If you think there’s more than enough evidence to call for immediate precaution, then please share the link to the report with your lawmakers and legislators, and pay attention to tips you see on ways to protect yourself and your family until regulatory changes are made. And don’t be afraid to discuss this with others.

What follows are snippets I copied from parts of the report, things that stood out the most for me. They are not my words, they are copied from the report. If you want to see the actual research, download the report, it’s all in there.

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Petrochemicals and Human Health

So much evidence is pointing to the fact that humans were not designed to breathe, absorb, ingest oil and petrochemicals.

body petroleum

Petrochemicals and their byproducts, such as dioxin, are known to cause an array of serious health problems, including cancers and endocrine disruption.

See the link here for some details:
(edited March 2014 to include a different website as old link no longer works)
What is a “body burden”
http://www.chemicalbodyburden.org/whatisbb.htm

Here is a chart of petrochemicals and where they are found

(in case you want to reduce your dependence on them)

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