Pollution

Household Cleaners Hall of Shame

The Environmental Working Group has just released its new report on the dangers of certain household cleaners and the organization is naming names. We know that many of the toxic chemicals we bring into our homes are actually found in our cleaning products. That’s because meaning popular cleaners people use each and every day are filled with chemicals known to cause all sorts of health problems – everything from cancer to asthma, to reproductive problems. Now, the EWG has released what it calls their Hall of Shame database.

You can read their full report here. In the report they disclose the chemicals that could be lurking behind the term “fragrance” in the ingredient list and also report that some so-called “green” cleaners are actually harmful to the environment. The Environmental Working Group also gives consumers tips to find safer cleaning alternatives.

 

By |Eco-News, Green Cleaning, Health, Pollution, Toxic Chemicals & Metals|2 Comments
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The Main Sources of Pollutants at Home Could Surprise You

Do you know what’s in your home right now that’s polluting the air you breathe? Rodale reports that scientists at the Silent Spring Institute analyzed roughly 200 common products to get the answer. Here are their top 3 main sources of toxic chemicals:

1) Fragranced Products
That includes soaps, shampoos, dryer sheets, air fresheners, and more. Companies don’t usually have to reveal the chemicals used on their ingredient list either.

2) Vinyl Curtains and Bedding
Products made from vinyl (think shower curtains and pillow protectors) may contain hormone disrupting phthalates and BPA. And it’s tough to shop for ones without it because most aren’t properly labeled.

3) So-called “antibacterial” products
These days there are everything from antibacterial soaps to socks. Many of these products contain the controversial ingredient Triclosan. Not only can that ingredient cause health problems but our obsession with killing germs is creating a rise in drug resistant bacteria.

By |Eco-News, Green Cleaning, Head To Toe, Health, In Your Home, Pollution, Toxic Chemicals & Metals|0 Comments
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Antibacterial Ingredient Declared Toxic – But Not Here!

Canada is about to declare Triclosan, a controversial chemical found in many antibacterial products, as toxic to the environment. Triclosan was created more than 40 years ago as a surgical scrub for hospitals. It is now found in commonly used products like soap, toothpaste, furniture and toys. Several scientific studies have shown the chemical may alter the regulation of hormones in lab animals. The FDA says other studies have shown triclosan may contribute to making bacteria resistant to antibiotics.

Canada.com reports that once Canada makes that declaration, health officials will begin work to phase out triclosan especially in personal care products.

Meantime, half of all liquid hand soaps sold in the U.S. are antibacterial or antimicrobial. The FDA plans on reviewing the safety of triclosan in the coming months. Right now, the FDA says the agency does not have sufficient evidence to recommend changing consumer use of products that contain triclosan.

By |Eco-News, Environmental Education, Head To Toe, Health, In Your Home, Pollution, Toxic Chemicals & Metals|0 Comments
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A Wind Farm Without The Blades

Take a look at this! It’s a proposed wind farm that’s probably unlike any wind farm you’ve seen. Discovery News is showcasing a new design by Atelier DNA which has come up with a concept that does away with the traditional blades in favor of what looks more like stalks. These stalks capture energy when they are blown by the wind and that energy is stored in batteries at the base of the stalk. The design created for a proposed no vehicle park site in Abu Dhabi. Among the potential benefits are less noise pollution and less chance of injury for wildlife and birds in the area.

By |Conservation, Eco-News, Energy, Other Green News, Pollution, Sustainable Products|0 Comments
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New Worries Surround Cruise Ship Disaster

Crews will soon start performing the delicate task of removing more than two thousand tons of fuel from the doomed cruise ship, Costa Concordia, off the Tuscan coast. Crews will reportedly bring in a barge this weekend which will hold storage containers to hold the fuel pumped off the wrecked ship.  It could take nearly a month for the work to be complete in the marine reserve where the cruise liner ran into rocks earlier this month. 16 bodies have been recovered and at least 16 more people are feared dead. So far, experts say the liner is not spilling fuel or lubricants.

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Study Links Lung Cancer to Air Pollution

Smoking may be the number one cause of lung cancer, but one in ten people with the disease are non-smokers. A new study sheds light on what could be contributing to cases of lung cancer in people who have never smoked. The study found non-smokers who live in areas with high pollution levels are 20 percent more likely to die from lung cancer than people who live with cleaner air.

Researchers followed more than 180,000 non-smokers for 26 years. During that time, 1,100 people followed in the study died of lung cancer. Researchers then estimated how much air pollution they were exposed to. After taking into account second-hand smoke and radon exposure, the study found that for every 10 extra units of air pollution exposure, the risk of lung cancer increased by 15 to 27 percent.

The study in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine did not prove that pollution causes cancer but researchers say there is evidence that exposure to pollution increases the risk of heart and lung problems. Authors of the latest study say the pollution levels connected with higher cases of lung cancer are not uncommon and are within regulatory standards.

By |Eco-News, Health, Pollution|1 Comment
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Is Your Washing Machine Polluting The Ocean?

The daily routine of washing your clothes could be polluting the ocean at the same time. A new study finds household washing machines are a major source of plastic pollution in the water and on the shoreline. Scientists have found that miniscule threads of plastic from clothing like fleece jackets can seep through filters and enter the environment. The microplastics are able to penetrate the cells of organisms, affecting the health of sea creatures and the people who eat them.

A team of researchers at the University of Dublin tested 18 beaches across six continents and found evidence of lint fibers at every one. Scientists say the highest concentrations are found on shores in densely populated areas and identified wastewater from household washing machines as a major source. The study also quantified the number of fibers lost in the laundry. Just one polyester blanket or fleece sweater can lose hundreds to thousands of fibers per wash. Fibers lost in washing machines and dryers can travel through the sewer systems and end up in the oceans.

Lead author and ecologist Mark Browne says work is now urgently needed to determine if microplastic can transfer from the environment and accumulate in food webs through ingestion which could cause lung and skin problems. He says as the human population grows and people use more synthetic textiles, the contamination of habitats and animals is likely to increase.

 

 

 

 

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Green Building Projects Filter Polluted Water

Image Credit: Green Roofs.com

There’s new evidence that filtering rainwater in an eco-friendly way saves money and helps the environment. More than 400 case studies of green rainwater projects detail the benefits of collecting water and filtering it naturally before it reaches waterways as polluted runoff.  Green filter methods like rain gardens, green roofs and bioretention all help to convert urban stormwater into a valuable resource for communities.

A database of the 479 case studies has just been released by the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA). The studies show how the green infrastructure can can improve the quality of water in cities and towns and lower development costs by doing away with expensive, hard-runoff treatment options. The case studies show the projects have the potential to save communities millions of dollars a year.

Many of the projects are redevelopment or retrofits that return unproductive space and land to the public. In Georgia, a brownfield site was turned into a public park and a deteriorating playground was turned into a recreation area that captures and filters stormwater. One project in California includes vegetation planted on the roof of a three story apartment building to keep polluted runoff out of local waterways. Architects also designed what are called ‘bioswales’ where sloping drainage areas are planted with vegetation to remove silt and pollution from runoff water.

The Environmental Protection Agency asked the ASLA to collect case studies on projects that manage stormwater in a sustainable way. The studies not only showcase landscape architecture but show policymakers the value of promoting green infrastructure policies.

 

By |Conservation, Eco-News, Green Policies, Pollution|0 Comments
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Polluted Air Increases E.R. Visits

There’s new evidence that bad air can make you sick. A new study shows that as air becomes more polluted, there is an increase in the number of childhood asthma cases in area emergency rooms. The study focused on the San Joaquin Valley area of California where the pollution levels exceed federal limits 30 to 40 percent of the time. The study estimates nearly 2,000 additional childhood asthma emergency room visits each year were connected to ozone pollution. Researchers say there was also an increase in children visiting the ER for pneumonia and adults were more likely to be hospitalized for asthma and heart attacks as pollution levels rose.

The California State University, Fresno study offers the first local evidence of short term health effects connected to elevated pollution levels. While other studies have made the link between air pollution and health problems, officials say studies are more relevant to the public when they are done in the person’s own region. Health officials in the San Joaquin Valley say the study validates the difficult things they ask of businesses and households.

Meanwhile, the Environmental Protection Agency just announced a new model for studying air pollution that will help scientists protect public health . The new version of the agency’s air quality model uses up-to-the-minute meteorology and air chemistry data to determine how weather conditions affect pollution and how pollution can change and affect weather. The new model will allow scientists to better understand the ways that air pollution moves around the globe and provide information to help protect public health.

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Plastic Bag Bans Growing Across U.S.

October 19, 2011

The first plastic bag ban in the state of Oregon just went into effect. The city of Portland is banning plastic bags at all major grocery and drug stores. Shoppers are encouraged to bring reusable bags although paper bags will still be available. Many stores are offering shoppers alternatives at a small price such as a thicker reusable bag for ten cents. The city is spending about $10,000 dollars on ads for buses and radio encouraging shoppers to bring reusable bags when they go shopping. The city is also giving away thousands of bags through social service agencies.

Aspen, Colorado also just voted to ban the use of plastic bags. Grocery stores will also be required to charge twenty cents for shoppers to use paper bags. Boulder is another city that may be moving toward a ban. The movement started with a group of students from local schools who lobbied the city council to consider a ban or a fee on plastic bag use. The students belong to the Net Zero Club and the Colorado Daily reports their idea has been included in the city’s Zero Waste Master Plan. The city council is considering three options: putting a fee on disposable paper or plastic bags, a ban on plastic bags or a ban on plastic bags with a fee on paper bags.Two other cities in Colorado are looking at plastic bag regulation. The town council of Basalt approved a plan to charge a fee for plastic bags at grocery stores. In Carbondale, officials are leaning toward a ban on plastic bags rather than a fee.

Supporters of plastic bag bans say they have a major environmental impact. In the state of California alone, residents use 12 billion plastic bags every year. Because the bags are so light they float into water and never biodegrade. They are often broken into smaller pieces that are harmful to sensitive marine life.

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