Headlines

I subscribe to Above the Fold, a collection all all the environmental news from all over the world.  Lately, I'm becoming more and more disheartened at the realization that our environment is riddled with countless synthetic chemicals that my family and I are exposed to on a constant basis, and there is very little that I can do about it.  All I can do is read and learn and eat as much fresh and as little processed food as possible, choosing organic whenever possible, and avoid bringing new chemicals into my home (via paints, furniture, the list goes on and on), and hope it makes a difference.

A Chemical Laden Life

Children exposed to flame retardants in pregnancy/infancy have lower IQs and attention problems.  Unfortunately, your house is likely full of these chemicals.

Black children with high levels of chemicals (such as phthalates) from personal-care products in their systems are more likely to be obese.

Mothers who breathe polluted air are much more likely to have low birthweight babies.  Just like the severe pollution problem in Beijing is expected to cause lifelong problems to babies born into it.  The results were also corroborated in this multi-national study.

Breast cancer likely a result of environmental factors.

Another example of mutant amphibians due to contaminants in the environment.


What the #&!@ is in My Food?

Companies are now using nanoparticles to increase texture and brighten the colors in foods you eat, and these substances have been found in the bloodstream.

Because apparently apples are so ginormous you can't possibly eat one all at once, a genetically engineered apple has been created so that now you can sit it down and come back to it later, and won't be browned on the inside.  Sheesh.

Would you like some antibiotics with your meat?

You trust the companies that make your food?  Think again...


The State of our Environment

As the demand for whale meat plummets in Japan, the industry is subsidized by tax dollars to keep it afloat.

I LOVE this idea, of burning trash to create energy!  Of course, there's the NIMBY issue (not in my back yard...)


Some Good News

It is easy to get more vitamin D - I take a daily supplement, as does my daughter.  It is thought that low levels may be linked to autism, which has risen at an alarming rate.

U.S. carbon emissions are at their lowest in a decade.  If you're partly to thank for this - keep up the good work!  And if not - think about pitching in!