Exposed: The Toxic Chemistry of Everyday Products
by Tim McGee, Helena, MT, USA on 08. 4.07
It is called the 'precautionary principle'. If a mountain lion is stalking outside your home and looks hungry, the best thing to do is not go outside and act like a nice juicy meal. No, you stay away, and try to think of how to get it to leave. This makes sense. But somehow when those lions turn into chemicals (like BPA) the U.S. seems not to apply the same rules. The book, Exposed - The Toxic Chemistry of Everyday Products: What's at Stake for American Power, by Mark Schapiro highlights the growing gap between U.S. policy regarding chemical safety and that of the rest of the world. It gives a 'behind the scenes' look into how the U.S. has lost the edge in environmental policy, and illustrates clearly how this lack of governmental leadership will negatively impact our economy as well as our personal safety.
The book is a wake-up call. It can be down right horrifying what we buy everyday, give our babies, or use in our morning coffee. The book gives a healthy dose of fear - as well as examples of how E.U. policy effectively uses the precautionary principle to not only protect its citizens, but also gain a market edge. The book however does not entertain specific solutions to specific problems (guess we will just have to read more TH stories like John's post). Instead it is a look at the policy of governments and international organizations, and the rapidly changing world in which we live. It is worth the read, just don't read it late at night- it might keep you up.
:: Exposed- The Toxic Chemistry of Everyday Products: What's at Stake for American Power
I find myself buying more and more European food and products because I know they're tested better and made from more natural ingrediants. It's terrible that American companies won't listen to their own market's demands.
I think you mean "at stake," not "at steak" -- although it's an appropriate mistake, given the topic.
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I am going to a BBQ later tonight- maybe that was on my mind- thanks for the (fresh?) catch.
Precisely why I now get all my toothpaste from China. I sure don't trust that substandard, American diethylene glycol.
FUD alert.
Here are some recent alternative studies rather than hyped books that, well, you put your judgment here.
Women's Voices for the Earth has a few nice and well researched publications on everyday toxics in cleaning products and cosmetics. This stuff affects everyone, but more women than men by user gender demographics.
http://womenandenvironment.org/newsreports/issuereports
For men and boys, there's the Father's Day Report on how men and boys are more susceptible to various environmental risks. 0.7 MB download
http://www.healthyenvironmentforkids.ca/img_upload/13297cd6a147585a24c1c6233d8d96d8/father_s_day_report.pdf
Toxic Nation has a report on pollution in Canadian families that links a lot of everyday products and other causes to what's in bodies of people tested in Canada, as well as some of their specific vulnerabilities... stuff beyond what's killing you but how. 1.7 MB download from link at URL below.
http://www.environmentaldefence.ca/toxicnation/resources/publications.htm#1
swag,
Where do you think most American products are made? Time to wake up.
Uhhh, greenskeeper... the article is about U.S. safety standards versus those of the rest of the world. Go back to your plastic bubble and come out when you've read before speaking.
Uhhh, greenskeeper... the article is about U.S. safety standards versus those of the rest of the world. Go back to your plastic bubble and come out when you've read before speaking. The irony apparently went well above your head.
I should definitely check this book out.
A few years ago I developed an extreme rash all over my body. Doctors thought I had a rare autoimmune disorder before they figured out that I had actually developed a severe allergy to preservative chemicals such as formaldehyde, quaternium-15, and others. At first I was confused because I didn't know how I was being exposed to the chemicals usually used only in industrial or scientific laboratories.
It turns out that small amounts of the chemicals are in all of our cosmetic products: shampoo, conditioner, soap, body wash, lotion, makeup, skin creams, sunscreen - everything. Even products deemed "all natural" may contain urea, which breaks down to become formaldehyde. And formaldehyde is highly carcinogenic.
Because of my allergies I use all special products. But it has seemed odd to me that I even have to use special products. Why are these chemicals allowed in everything we use? It is known that they promote cancer, chemical sensitivity, and even allergic reactions. I don't think a longer shelf life is worth the risk.
This issue is more complex... the EU has the opposite problem, draconian regulation that is starting to take away consumer choice, especially regarding NATURAL products like certain essential oils, which are chemically complex, composed of hundreds of components.
Where the EU approach is headed is toward ONLY allowing government approved synthetic chemicals. Hardly a picture of great health.