Build A Kinder Earth

In 1997, the US Environmental Protection Agency conducted an experiment in Minnesota to test methods of measuring children’s pesticide exposures. In the study, 102 samples were collected from homes with children in both urban and rural areas of Minnesota.

Samples collected by researchers included air, tap water, food, beverages, soil, dust, blood, urine, and hair (1). These samples were then analyzed for harmful substances such as pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), metals, etc. This information was then used by the Minnesota Department of Health in the Comparative Risk Project where childrens’ health risks to pesticides and other chemicals were further analyzed.
Here is a summarized version of results from the Comparative Risks of Multiple Chemical Exposures Final Report for the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources:
“Generally, the children’s exposures to noncarcinogens did not approach harmful levels. Whether chemical exposures were considered separately, or combined in a variety of ways, nearly all exposures were at levels that a child’s body is expected to safely metabolize and eliminate. Children’s total cancer risk from all exposures to carcinogens ranged from 2/100,000 to 7/10,000.
Benzene was the single chemical that contributed a large share of each child’s overall risk.”

Read the whole document at http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/children/lcmrrpt.pdf

Several things to keep in mind in regards to this study are that it was only conducted over a period of 4-6 days, was comprised of a sample including only a small portion of Minnesota children, and that it tended to used samples from households that reported frequent pesticide use. Any of these factors could contribute to an underestimate or overestimate of childrens’ health risks when exposed to pesticides.

While this study does not indicate a great possibility of health risks for children, a recent study believes there may be some correlation between parental exposure to pesticides and childhood brain cancer. This study analyzed more than 800 fathers and more than 500 mothers that lived in residential areas in four different states by comparing those that were exposed to pesticides with those that weren’t. According to the study, children who live in homes where their parents use pesticides are twice as likely to develop brain cancer than children that live in residences in which no pesticides are used (2).

Though this does not prove that brain cancer or other childhood health problems are caused by pesticides, it does indicate that there is a possible correlation between the two.

1.http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/children/exposurestudy.html
2.http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/newscience/pesticides-linked-to-child-brain-cancer

It has been widely known that pesticides can cause cancer in animals, why would these pesticides not cause ]cancer in humans as well? New studies suggest that these pesticides do inflict damages upon human DNA, resulting in a development of cancer.

It is not completely understood what causes brain cancer in children. However, studies have found that children who live in homes where their parents use pesticides are twice as likely to develop brain cancer versus those that live in residences in which no pesticides are used. Herbicide use in particular has been shown to elevate cancer risks in individuals.

Brain cancer is the second most common form of cancer amongst children. Though genetics play some role, scientists believe that environmental factors and exposure contributes significantly to the likelihood of developing cancer.

This study highlights a new and compelling reason to avoid or limit pesticide use and take necessary precautions during exposure. Parents that washed after exposure to pesticides lowered the risk of brain cancer for their children.

Are you interested in beauty products yet lacking the resources to obtain said products (ie cash)? An easy solution can be found using natural and organic substances to treat hair, skin, etc. These products can be found in your kitchen, or your local grocery store and are much less expensive than name brand beauty products. Likewise, organic beauty products are not only cheaper, but are also better for the environment.
Here are several organic alternatives.

Almond Oil contains glucosides, minerals, and vitamins. It is good for all skin types and relieves dry skin, itching, soreness, and inflammation.

Safflower Oil contains proteins, minerals, vitamins. It is good for all skin types, highly moisturizing and soothing to the skin.

One type of Organic Facial can be made with:
*1 teaspoon honey
*1 tablespoon soy yogurt
* 1 organic cucumber
* 3 organic strawberries

A good Organic recipe for hydrating dry skin combines:
* 1 egg yolk
* 1 tablespoon of honey
* a few drops of safflower oil

Another recipe that I, myself have used combines:
*2 egg whites
* plain yogurt
This concoction firms skin, minimizes pores, and makes skin softer. The yogurt is added to brighten skin.

I will continue testing organic beauty products and recipes and will record my results here as well.

On Tuesday, May 5, 2009, Texas health officials announced the first death of a U.S. resident with swine flu. Trunnell was a 33-year-old schoolteacher, pregnant with her second child.

A time meant for celebration and joy for a pregnant Texas woman quickly turned tragic.
Judy Trunnell, a 33-year-old Texas woman who died Tuesday is the first known fatality from the swine flu outbreak in the United States. She had been hospitalized since April 19. Trunnell was pregnant and also had “chronic underlying health conditions,” though no more details were provided as to what these “health conditions” might be. Just last week, the state of Texas had listed the Trunnell as critically ill.

Trunnell was a school teacher for Mercedes Independent School District about 15 miles west of her hometown of Harlingen, a city of about 63,000 near the U.S.-Mexico border. Due to the length of her hospitalization, officials do not believe that the virus was spread to any of her students. State Health Officials are still unsure if Trunnell had traveled to Mexico recently. On Tuesday, May 5, 2009, Judy Trunnell died after slipping into a coma. Her baby was delivered by Cesarean section and is doing fine thus far. She leaves behind a 4 year old child and a husband.

As Swine Flu outbreaks continue, more attention is being given to development of a vaccine. Vaccine manufacturers say they are capable of producing mass quantities of a potential vaccine should the outbreak take a turn for the worse. The Obama administration may even be considering a vaccination plan this fall for Americans that would involve three shots, two of which would be against the Swine Flu. Though this plan is still in the works, health officials told lawmakers Wednesday it took only two weeks to identify the genetic characteristics of swine flu, which means developing a vaccine is definitely a plausible feat. A vaccine could be detrimental as the World Health Organization has recorded the virus as killing 30 people and sickening 1,516 in 22 different countries.

With all the media attention surrounding the Swine Flu outbreaks, many of you are probably wondering, what exactly is Swine Flu? How is it transmitted and what are symptoms and risks pertaining to the virus?

Swine Influenza, otherwise known as Swine Flu is caused by a strain of the influenza virus known as the swine influenza virus. The 2009 outbreaks were caused by a new strain comprised of at least four strains of influenza A virus subtype H1N1, including one strain endemic in humans, one endemic in birds, and two endemic in swine. The origin of this strain is currently unknown. However, on May 2, 2009, H1N1 was reported in pigs at a farm in Alberta, Canada, with a link to the 2009 swine flu outbreak in Mexico. The pigs are suspected to have caught this new strain of virus from a farm worker who recently traveled to Mexico, then showed symptoms of an influenza-like illness.These are “probable” cases, which have yet to be confirmed.

The virus can be transmitted to humans by pigs, however, there is no evidence that this is what caused the recent outbreaks. This new H1N1 virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human. However, at this time, it is not known how easily the virus spreads between people. It cannot be transmitted by eating pork.

Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. The symptoms are similar to those of the common flu. In seasonal flu, there are certain people that are at higher risk of serious flu-related complications, including young children, pregnant women, people with chronic medical conditions and people 65 and older. It’s unknown at this time whether certain groups of people are at greater risk of serious flu-related complications from infection with this new virus.

A vaccine for Swine Influenza will hopefully be available in several months.

In light of the current Swine Flu epidemic, U.S. Health Officials have begun researching and collecting information for developing a possible vaccine. The vaccine will take months to develop and there is no guarantee of it’s effectiveness. However, with 109 confirmed Swine Flu causes in the United States since Thursday, and the recent death of 21-month old Mexican baby taken to a Texas hospital for treatment, a vaccine seems to be the next best step for controlling outbreaks. Although Swine Flu cases are typically mild, fatalities can be expected to occur. The goal is to provide a vaccine before the outbreaks reach a pandemic level.

The Swine Flu shot will be modeled after the flu shot which takes about six months to produce and distribute. Over 120 sites collect information on what strains are circulating year round. Twice a year, experts meet to determine which strains should be included in that season’s vaccine. Even with the “regular” flu, there is often not a perfect match between circulating strains and the distributed vaccine. However, people receiving a non-perfectly matched vaccine can still use it to help avoid getting sick, or at least not be sick for as long.

The U.S. still uses an egg-based production technique, in which selected strains of the influenza virus are grown in chicken eggs. One egg can only produce two doses of the vaccine at most. After this stage, government approval is required for the vaccine to be distributed. Although this is a lengthy process, officials hope a vaccine will be beneficial in the future.

In special recognition of Earth Day, New York Power Authority (NYPA) President and Chief Executive Officer Richard Kessel announced a public-private initiative for the development of wind power projects in the New York State waters of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.

On Earth Day, the NYPA issued a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) in order to begin to develop offshore wind projects in the Great Lakes. A Request for Proposals (RFP) to examine technical issues related to the feasibility of such projects is expected to be released before the end of April. The NYPA as well as the National Grid, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, state and local environmental organizations, wind power developers and the University of Buffalo is collecting information and research to serve as the foundation for the installation of the wind power project known as the Great Lakes Offshore Wind Project. The project would be handled by one or more private wind power developers and would be sized 120 megawatts at minimum.

The Great Lake Offshore Wind Project could be a key development to Governor David A. Paterson’s ’45 by 15’ goal which entails New York to meet 45 percent of its electrical needs through efficient and renewable energy sources by 2015.

Earth Day is about more than just recognition of a problem: it is about finding a solution. Below are several tips for living a more organic lifestyle. Why not actively participate on Earth Day this year? Problems cannot be solved without people willing to pro-actively tackle the issue at hand.

1. Give up bottled water. We throw out more than 40 million plastic bottles every year from bottled beverages, including bottled water. Only 20% of those bottles get recycled.
Put a filter on your tap at home. You can also reuse water bottles by re-filling them with tap or filtered water. This is a great way to save money as well!

2. Use reusable bags at the store. Say no to paper AND plastic. Using a reusable bag, you personally will keep 500 plastic bags from going into the landfill each year.

3. Buy foods locally and buy in season. This will eliminate transportation which requires consumption of natural resources. It will also stimulate your local economy and benefit you financially.

4. Be careful with the resources you are using. During hot weather, don’t top off your gas tank. Even a small gas spill adds to air pollution and wastes fuel.

5. Go paperless. Read your newspaper and magazine subscriptions online. Switch to electronic banking and credit card payment.

6. Recycle! Paper, bottles, glass, batteries and numerous other items can be reused.

Gland, Switzerland- Major oil and gas companies are currently threatening the dwindling population of gray whales around Sakhalin Island in East Russia. The Western Gray Whale Advisory Panel (WGWAP) and 11 other prominent scientists have been engaged in discussion with Shell and Gazprom subsidiary Sakhalin Energy concerning the effect their oil and gas developments may have upon gray whales. Companies BP, Exxon and Rosneft (another Russian petroleum company) have failed to respond or participate in any way. The panel, convened by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) requested a suspension on oil and gas development after population counts for North Western Pacific (Russian) gray whales were extremely low.
These whales are currently listed as endangered in Russia and on the ICUN Red List of Endangered Species, a status that requires Russia to provide special protection to them and their habitat by eliminating any factors that could lead to population decline or habitant destruction. Presently authorities have recorded the number of Russian gray whales at a total of 130 with an estimate of only 25 females capable of reproduction.

It is possible that a decline in population growth may stem from the underwater noise produced during onshore pile driving activities conducted by Exxon Neftegas Limited (ENL). A proposal has been made to establish a Sakhalin Marine Federal Wildlife Reserve to set aside waters along the Piltun Spit for gray whale habitat. The proposal has been submitted to Russian authorities for review. The reserve would also offer protection to Piltun Bay’s “shallow waters” for sustaining fishing grounds.

Meanwhile, Shell has been willing to at least discuss possible solutions with the WGWAP. Exxon and BP have not shown the same courtesy and much of the problem may be caused Exxon’s onshore pile driving. Until these two companies are willing to take responsibility for the damage their actions have caused, I can only hope that customers will use their discernment and avoid their products.