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Published on Leave a comment on This Year Will Be The Hottest On Record

It shouldn't be a surprise that 2024 is on track to be the warmest year on record. In fact, the years 2015 to 2024 will be the warmest ten years on record globally. North America had its warmest October on record

The World Meteorological Association also pointed that "the loss of ice from glaciers, sea-level rise, and ocean heating are accelerating". Of course, it's climate change from our addiction to oil, gas, and plastics (which are made from petrochemicals).

Yet, governments are in denial or not willing to take the necessary steps to reduce our reliance on petrochemicals. We need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, not just talk about or ignore the problem. It appears the mantra of many governments is: Burn Baby, Burn!

From World Meteorological Association: 2024 is on track to be hottest year on record as warming temporarily hits 1.5°C

 The year 2024 is on track to be the warmest year on record after an extended streak of exceptionally high monthly global mean temperatures, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

...continue reading "This Year Will Be The Hottest On Record"

Published on Leave a comment on Some Pesticides Are Linked to Prostate Cancer

Pesticides are once again in the news as being linked to cancer. A recent study found that 22 pesticides show direct associations with prostate cancer in the US, and 4 of these pesticides are associated with death from prostate cancer.

The Stanford Univ. researchers also found that the more these pesticides were used in a county-wide area, the greater the association with prostate cancer. They analyzed a total of 295 pesticides across US counties. One of the pesticides associated with prostate cancer is 2,4-D, which is commonly used on lawns as a weed-killer, for example in Feed and Weed products. [Note: it was also one of the 2 pesticides in Agent Orange).

Earlier studies also found a link with some of the pesticides and prostate cancer, including 2,4-D. But this study found a link with 19 more.

The four pesticides associated with death from prostate cancer are three herbicides (trifluralin, cloransulam-methyl, and diflufenzopyr) and one insecticide (thiamethoxam). But of these, only trifluralin is classed by the Environmental Protection Agency as a "possible human carcinogen". (Yes, current studies used to evaluate pesticides are inadequate)

Bottom line: Avoid the use of pesticides as much as possible. Organic methods or least toxic integrated pest management (IPM) is best. On lawns - embrace diversity and view weeds as wildflowers, and your lawn a bee habitat.

From Medical Xpress: Study reveals links between many pesticides and prostate cancer

Researchers have identified 22 pesticides consistently associated with the incidence of prostate cancer in the United States, with four of the pesticides also linked with prostate cancer mortality. The findings are published in Cancer. ...continue reading "Some Pesticides Are Linked to Prostate Cancer"

Published on Leave a comment on The US Government Helped Fund A Group Attacking Pesticide Critics

Now, this is wild, but it makes sense. A former executive of the giant pesticide company Monsanto started a consulting firm v-Fluence, which secretly profiled critics of pesticides and GMOs (genetically modified organisms). All to downplay the dangers of pesticides, to discredit environmentalists, and to undermine any anti-pesticide legislation in North America, Europe, and Africa.

And...drumroll... which was partly paid for by US taxpayer money. Yes, over $400,000. US taxpayers partly funded this covert campaign for services done by v-Fluence, such as "enhanced monitoring of critics" of "modern agriculture approaches" (genetically modified crops, conventional pesticides).

What?  How can this be? For years now, Big Business (pesticide industry) has had a huge influence over safety rules, research, and studies deemed "acceptable" at the EPA and other US government agencies. So v-Fluence profiled and attacked in-depth any critics of pesticides or a "threat" to their interests. Even the writers and food critics Michael Pollan and Mark Bittman - due to their support for organic farming and concerns with industrial farming.

Journalists from a number of groups, including the non-profit newsroom The Lighthouse and The Guardian, investigated the "private social network" called Bonus Eventus. This social network was set up by v-Fluence to counter resistance to pesticides and genetically modified (GM) crops, and to also denigrate organic and other alternative farming methods. [Organic farming does not use conventional pesticides, thus it would result in Monsanto and other pesticide companies losing $$.]

More than 30 current US government officials are on the membership list, most of whom are from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). At the least, this is a conflict of interest.

By the way, the problem with genetically modified foods is not the concept of genetic modification, but that it is used in a way that dramatically increases the amount of pesticides used. For example, growing Round-up Ready Corn (which means it is resistant to glyphosate) means that more Roundup is being used on the GMO corn than ever before, and this means consumers ultimately ingest more pesticides than ever before when eating products with corn in it. Such as cereal.

Excerpts from The Lighthouse: Poison PR

Paraquat is among the most toxic agricultural chemicals ever produced. It’s banned in the European Union, where the consequences of its use are still being felt, but in parts of the world it’s still being sold. This is made possible, in part, by an influence machine that works to suppress opposition to an $78 billion global industry.

A year-long investigation managed to penetrate a PR operation that casts those who raise the alarm, from pesticide critics to environmental scientists or sustainability campaigners, as an anti-science “protest industry,” and used US government money to do so. ...continue reading "The US Government Helped Fund A Group Attacking Pesticide Critics"

Published on Leave a comment on Many Household Items Contaminated With Flame Retardants
Kitchen spatula Credit: Wikipedia

If you already suspected that we are surrounded by toxic chemicals in our homes - yes, your suspicions are true. A new study found that toxic flame retardants are in many household items that we use daily, specifically black plastic items (e.g., kitchen utensils, toys, takeout containers). That's because black plastic items tend to include recycled plastics.

In the study the researchers tested 230 store-bought items in the Seattle area for flame retardants, and found flame retardants in 85% of them. All the tested items were of black plastic or had black plastic somewhere in them (e.g., underside of  toy cars). Showing that the flame retardants are pervasive, the 10 items with the highest levels of flame retardants were a sushi tray, toy car, peeler, travel checkers set, toy beads, and other kitchen utensils.

The problem with recycled plastics is that much of it comes from plastic that originally had flame retardants and other toxic chemicals added to it, for example electronics and electric products. When these recycled plastics are added to ordinary household items, the original toxic chemicals are in them, and now the consumer gets exposed to them. For example, in food utensils, toys, takeout containers, office supplies, and more. These items do NOT need flame retardants in them.

The study found that up to 2.3% of the weight of the household products were flame retardants. Some of the chemicals they found have been phased out, but are still winding up in recycled plastic. Studies show that flame retardants migrate from cooking utensils into food, and from toys into saliva. These chemicals are linked to cancers, endocrine and reproductive problems, and other health problems. Also, they tend to bioaccumulate in the environment and in people. Yikes!

Bottom line: At this point try to avoid black plastic items or items with some black plastic, especially in toys, food containers, and kitchen/household products. Right now view all "recycled plastic" items as problematic and to be avoided.

From Medical Xpress: From kitchenware to toys, household items linked to toxic flame retardants

From toys to kitchenware to food takeout trays, researchers have discovered a toxic chemical banned for its link to cancer in many common household items. Exposure to the flame retardant can come with serious health risks. ...continue reading "Many Household Items Contaminated With Flame Retardants"

Published on Leave a comment on Warehouses Increase Air Pollution In Nearby Communities
Warehouse loading dock Credit: Wikipedia

Something that makes sense, but developers will probably deny: The air in communities by large warehouses is more polluted than elsewhere, and this pollution can even be detected from satellites in space (satellite data)!

Researchers examined nitrogen dioxide levels around 149,075 warehouses in the U.S. They found that communities with warehouses were exposed to an average of 17.9% more nitrogen dioxide than other communities. Of course, other chemicals are also released from diesel truck engines, but the other chemicals were not looked at.

Of course, people living near these huge warehouses already know that the presence of warehouses have an impact on air quality and therefore health. Think of all the truck traffic that goes along with the warehouses. Some big health effects: increase in asthma, other respiratory diseases, and even premature death.

One big way air pollution around warehouses can be reduced is the use of electric vehicles and trucks (instead of polluting diesel engines), and to have monitoring of gases and chemicals released from the buildings. (Right now there is very little oversight).

Several sources for this story (including the original from Milken Institute School of Public Health) are below:

Yahoo News: Experts raise concerns over new findings from NASA-backed study on Earth's atmosphere: 'Our findings are ... significant'

People living in communities with warehouses can breathe in 17.9% more toxic nitrogen dioxide on average than those not near them, according to a recent study. ...continue reading "Warehouses Increase Air Pollution In Nearby Communities"

Published on Leave a comment on Survey Found That A Third of Former NFL Players Think They Have CTE

For years it has been known that former professional football players are at risk for chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). A recent survey of almost 2000 former NFL football players found that 34% believe they have CTE. This is a third of former players! There is no cure or treatment for CTE.

CTE is a degenerative brain disease caused by repeated by concussions and repeated blows to the head. Symptoms reported by former NFL players (average age 57.7 years) who thought they had CTE included: depression, cognitive difficulties, mental health problems, and thoughts of suicide. Frequent thoughts of suicide was strongly linked with thinking they may have CTE.

It is unknown how many of the former football players surveyed actually have CTE because it can only be diagnosed after death (by examining the brain). No one knows at this time how many football players will go on to develop CTE.

Excerpts from NPR: A third of former NFL players surveyed believe they have CTE, researchers find

One-third of former professional football players reported in a new survey that they believe they have the degenerative brain disease known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE.

The research, published Monday in the medical journal JAMA Neurology, represents one of the broadest surveys to date of former NFL players' perception of their cognitive health and how widely they report symptoms linked to CTE, which is thought to be caused by concussions and repeated hits to the head. ...continue reading "Survey Found That A Third of Former NFL Players Think They Have CTE"

Published on Leave a comment on Can Mammograms Increase Risk of Breast Cancer?
Mammography image Credit: National Cancer Institute

Women have been advised by their doctors to get frequent mammograms for decades. However, what if frequent (e.g., annual) mammograms result in an increased risk for breast cancer due to exposure to X-rays? After all, there is a cumulative dose from the mammograms - year after year you get exposed to a little ionizing radiation, but it builds up over time.

Dr. Seth Hardy (radiologist and Associate Professor at Penn State Univ.) discusses this issue, while referencing research by Dr. Daniel Corcos about the possibility of some breast cancers occurring from the cumulative radiation from previous mammograms. This is because radiation is a carcinogen (can cause cancer).  [NOTE: studies find that over the years breast cancer treatments have so improved that any benefits of mammography screening are diminished.]

From Dr. Seth Hardy, writing at Sensible Medicine: The Ethics of Screening Mammography

The value of breast cancer screening with mammography is increasingly being questioned. Women are trying to decide what is right for them and the USPSTF is trying to decide what is worthy of reimbursement. Currently, the medical literature is at a stalemate.[1]1 ...

Screening mammography uses ionizing radiation, a known carcinogen. The dose of radiation in each exam is very low, but exposure is cumulative. Also, the absorbed dose varies with the density of the breast. Women with more glandular tissue receive a higher exposure. Thus, over decades of screening, radiation exposure may not be trivial, particularly in women with extremely dense breasts. 

Across a population there is some percentage of breast cancers which are caused by screening mammography. The exact number is the subject of debate and not well studied. One article from 2011 approximates 86 cancers and 11 deaths per 100,000 women due to breast cancer screening. Another paper estimates 20-25 fatalities for 100,000 women screened starting at age 40. Due to lack of data, and ethical limitations in obtaining more data, we do not know how many breast cancers are caused by screening. ...continue reading "Can Mammograms Increase Risk of Breast Cancer?"

Published on Leave a comment on Personal Care Products Are A Source of Indoor Air Pollution
Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Ever notice that deodorants, lotion, body spray, shampoo, and other personal care products can be smelled in the air long after they have been used? Well... this is because they leave behind a mixture (cocktail) of all sorts of chemicals in the air. Researchers found that a mixture of over 200 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are released into the air when these personal care products are used.

These chemicals lower air quality - so they are causing indoor air pollution. New harmful chemicals and particles can even be formed. And yes, these chemicals are then breathed in by us - so they get into our lungs and our bloodstream. They are not healthy for us, but we don't know the full range of long-term effects from constantly breathing in polluted air.

Some examples of the many chemicals released into the air (VOCs) by personal care products are monoterpenes (from added fragrances), acetaldehyde, alcohols, glycols, siloxanes, and alkanes. Monoterpenes are known to be damaging to lung when inhaled.

Bottom line: Open windows, ventilate indoor spaces as much as possible, use air cleaners or purifiers, and use unscented personal care products as much as possible. Also, try to use fewer personal care products.

From phys.org (a science and technology site): How personal care products affect indoor air quality

The personal care products we use on a daily basis significantly affect indoor air quality, according to new research by a team at EPFL. When used indoors, these products release a cocktail of more than 200 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air, and when those VOCs come into contact with ozone, the chemical reactions that follow can produce new compounds and particles that may penetrate deep into our lungs. Scientists don't yet know how inhaling these particles on a daily basis affects our respiratory health. ...continue reading "Personal Care Products Are A Source of Indoor Air Pollution"

Published on Leave a comment on Some Pesticides Linked to Increased Risk of Stillbirth

Once again, another study found that being exposed to pesticides has harmful health effects. Of all sorts. A recent study found that pregnant women exposed to certain pesticides increases the risk of a stillbirth. In this case, exposure means living near (less than 1/3 mile) where certain pesticides have been used.

The pesticides linked to increased stillbirths when exposed to in the pre-conception period were: cyfluthrin (a pyrethroid), zeta-cypermethrin (a pyrethroid), pyrethroids as a class, organophosphates as a class, malathion, carbaryl and propamocarb hydrochloride. Exposure in the first trimester of pregnancy to the following pesticides were associated with stillbirths: fenpropathrin (a pyrethroid), permethrin (a pyrethroid), organophosphates as a class, acephate and formetanate hydrochloride.

This means living near a non-organic farm has increased risks to pregnancy and the baby, including stillbirth. Note that some of these are also commonly used residential pesticides, such as pyrethroids (used as insecticides, and especially by mosquito and tick services).  We shouldn't be surprised when pesticides applied to kill living things (e.g., insects) also have harmful effects on developing babies (also alive). [Some studies showing harmful effects of pesticides on pregnancy and the developing fetus (baby).]

From Medical Xpress: Pesticide exposure linked to stillbirth risk in new study

Living less than about one-third of a mile from pesticide use prior to conception and during early pregnancy could increase the risk of stillbirths, according to new research led by researchers at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health and Southwest Environmental Health Sciences Center. ...continue reading "Some Pesticides Linked to Increased Risk of Stillbirth"

Published on Leave a comment on Small Organic Farms Get Crushed Again

Well, well, well...small American organic farms get crushed again. A hazelnut famer sued on behalf of himself and other organic farmers regarding the fact that organic imported foods don't have to meet all the organic requirements that American grown organic foods have to meet. Things like inspections, bookkeeping, and evidence that the foods grown are actually organic.

The judge threw out the lawsuit after the USDA (US Department of Agriculture) challenged it. The federal judge said that American organic farmers were not being economically hurt. Hah! Think about it - do consumers pick the more expensive American grown organic or the cheaper foreign product? Consumers buy the cheaper product. And soon stores start to just carry the cheaper products.

The lack of oversight and not having to meet American organic standards (USDA organic seal) is why so many of the "organic" food imports aren't actually organic, and why they are so cheap compared to American organic foods. Several countries are especially notorious in flooding the American market with fake organic foods, such as China and Turkey.

Bottom line: Imported so-called organic foods don't have to meet federal requirements that American small organic farms have to meet. Buyer beware.

From Organic Eye (an investigative non-profit): USDA Lawyers Successfully Challenge Standing in Lawsuit — Turkish Hazelnut Processor’s Fraudulent Activities ‘Do Not Place US Organic Farmers at a Competitive Disadvantage’

A federal judge has found in favor of arguments made by USDA lawyers and dismissed a lawsuit brought by an Oregon hazelnut grower who claimed he, along with other US organic farmers, was being competitively injured by imports that are allowed into this country from farms that haven’t been certified and inspected as federal law requires. ...continue reading "Small Organic Farms Get Crushed Again"