Diva & Dude on ABC News – Couples in Dispute Over Green Living

Dude and I were recently interviewed by ABC News – The producer found me after I wrote this article “Is Going Green Making Your Spouse See Red” – all about the tension that can be created at home when partners aren’t on the same page.

For the record – Bamboo underwear are super soft and I ASKED him if he wanted them after a company approached me to work with them!

In the event the video feed isn’t working try clicking HERE to read the story.

Diva & Dude on ABC News – Couples in Dispute Over Green Living

Sodas Linked to Near Doubling Risk for Pancreatic Cancer

Just 2 sodas per day has been linked to almost doubling your risk for developing pancreatic cancer!

This is really scary given that pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer – only 5 percent of those diagnosed are are alive five years after diagnosis.

Researchers believe that the high level of sugar in soft drinks increases insulin levels, which then contributes to the cancer cell growth.

The study followed over 60,000 men and women in Singapore for 14 years, during this time there were 140 pancreatic cancer cases.

The results are being released by The American Association for Cancer Research – so they are taking them seriously.

Hopefully this will make it easier to deny your children a soda next time they are begging for one! Not to mention being a little kick in the butt for our own discipline.

Just in case this doesn’t make you think twice about your next soda, Dr. Oz recently quoted Harvard researchers, stating that drinking just ONE soda per day increases your risk for developing Type 2 diabetes by 83%!

To read the full report:

Soft Drink Consumption May Increase Risk of Pancreatic Cancer.

Sodas Linked to Near Doubling Risk for Pancreatic Cancer

FDA Supports Removing PBA’s From Baby Formula!

Hot Off the Press! From the EWG:

Washington, D.C. – Today’s decision by the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reverse its position over the health risks posed by the chemical, bisphenol A (BPA) could be the Waterloo for the ubiquitous estrogen mimicking substance found in the blood and urine of almost every American.

“Today’s announcement by FDA is the beginning of the end of exposing our children to this toxic, hormone-altering chemical during the earliest stages of life,” said Environmental Working Group Senior VP for Research Jane Houlihan. “It represents a victory for parents and children, and validation of the hundreds of independent studies linking BPA to numerous and serious health problems.”

FDA’s 2008 assertion that BPA presented no health concerns relied on just two industry studies and ignored hundreds of independent studies showing serious hazards at very small exposures. The 2008 assessment was sharply rebuked by the agency’s own Science Advisory Board, which called the scientific basis for FDA’s conclusions “inadequate”.

“This reversal by the new leadership at FDA ends nearly a decade of agency collusion with BPA manufacturers,” added EWG’s co-founder and Senior VP for Policy and Communications, Richard Wiles. “We hope this signals the beginning of a new era for health protections from FDA, based on 21st century science.”

HHS has assembled a number of tips for parents trying to reduce their children’s exposure. The list of tips is available online here: http://www.hhs.gov/safety/bpa/

Related Reading:

Diva Guide: Plastics & Your Baby
BPA’s & Infants
Use Less Plastics in Your Home

FDA Supports Removing PBA’s From Baby Formula!

Sweeping Reforms for Toxic Chemicals in the Works

Historic plans are in place to reform the federal toxic chemical controls.

The principles of the reform has initial support from environmentalists, federal and state lawmakers.  Additionally -  The America Chemistry Council (ACC), The Grocery Manufacturers Associations and the Consumer Specialty Products Association are also supporting the new measures.

The key areas being addressed:

• Reviews of chemicals in light of safety standards, without cost-benefit analyses that have opened loopholes for dangerous chemicals;
• Consideration for vulnerable populations, especially children;
• New EPA authority to require chemical manufacturers to provide hazard, use and exposure data on new and existing chemicals and to act quickly when threats develop;
• Adequate funding for EPA safety assessments and regulatory programs;
• Priority for chemicals that pose higher risks to people and the environment, with clear deadlines and industry accountability;
• Incentives for innovation in green chemistry.

To Read the details: Read more

Sweeping Reforms for Toxic Chemicals in the Works

Rocket Fuel in Drinking Water MAY Be Regulated – If We Are Lucky!

By  Tania Reuben

I’m saddened to live in a Country where we need to have a DEBATE about WHETHER to set limits for perchlorate contamination (a primary ingredient in Rocket Fuel) in drinking water.

Why is our country missing common sense and decency. Where is corporate responsibility? Companies may need to work with potential  toxins and chemicals for advancements in technology and industry, but doing this responsibly and ethically shouldn’t have to be regulated – it should be common sense.

As a country we shouldn’t have to create an itemized list of things that we don’t want our babies to consume to ensure that companies aren’t piping it out the back door. Years ago it’s possible to argue ignorance could be claimed.  That is no longer the case… we now know how damaging  many of these toxins are to humans and beyond.  Executives who run these companies have spouses, children and grandchildren. They should know better and be ashamed.

We shouldn’t have to debate whether to impose limitations on a primary rocket fuel ingredient in our drinking water. It should be a given that our drinking water is free of toxins like perchlorate and others. I’m sure many people think it is…

FYI – bottle water is not the answer because the system for monitoring the bottled water industry is much less regulated than municipal water sources.

From the EWG:

The EPA has reported finding perchlorate, a potent thyroid toxin, in public water systems in 28 states and territories. Researchers have also detected perchlorate in infant formula, breast milk and produce. Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) own tests have identified significant perchlorate contamination in nearly a fifth of lettuce samples grown in Southern California and Arizona. http://www.ewg.org/reports/suspectsalads But the defense and aerospace communities have lobbied against legal limits on perchlorate contamination in drinking water, fearing that regulation would require them to mount clean-ups at Cold-War era rocket and missile testing sites and storage facilities where tons of the chemical were spilled.

Read the entire press release:
EPA May Regulate Rocket Fuel in Drinking Water | Environmental Working Group.

Rocket Fuel in Drinking Water MAY Be Regulated – If We Are Lucky!

How Much Radiation Does Your Phone Emit? iphone fairs poorly

The EWG recently announced a useful tool for consumers to find out how much radiation their cell phones are emitting.

Globally 4 billion people are cell phones users. Recent research is indicating a higher risk for brain and salivary gland tumors among people using cell phones for 10 years or longer. Studies also indicate a higher risk for mouth tumors and behavioral problems in children.

To date the evidence is not conclusive. However, taking steps to reduce your exposure seems prudent.

The EWG suggests the following to limit exposures:

1. CHOOSE A LOW RADIATION PHONE

Use the EWG tool in this article to research the phones you are considering and choose the phone with the lowest emissions that still meets your needs.

The Best 0.15 – 0.35 W/kg – Samsung Impression (SGH-a877) emits less radiation than any others tested.
The Worst 1.55 W/kg – T-Mobile myTouch 3G, Motorola MOTO VU204, Kyocera Jax S1300 emit the most Radiation.

Apple iPhone 0.97 W/kg
Apple iPhone 3G S 0.52 – 1.19 W/kg
Apple iPhone 3G 0.24 – 1.39 W/kg

2. USE A HEADSET OR SPEAKER

Headsets emit less radiation than phones. Wired or wireless is debatable as experts are split on which is safer.

When your headset is not in use – take it OFF if you aren’t talking – some wireless headsets emit continuous, low-level radiation. You’ll look better without it too!

Using the speaker- phone feature is a good idea, because it reduces radiation exposure to the head/brain.

3. LISTEN MORE, TALK LESS

Life lesson that turns out to be good for your brain! Cell phones emits radiation when you talk or text, but not while messages are incoming. Listening more and talking less reduces your exposure.

4. KEEP PHONE AWAY FROM YOUR BODY

Keep your phone away from body while talking (with headset or speaker). If it’s clipped to your belt or in a pocket your soft body tissues will absorb the radiation.

5. CHOOSE TEXTING OVER TALKING

Teens everywhere rejoice. Mothers blame the EWG, not me! Phones use less power to send text than voice. Less Power = Less Radiation. Additionally, when you speak your phone is typically at your ear, texting keeps radiation away from your head.  Please, don’t text while you are driving!

6. IF THE SIGNAL IS POOR STAY OFF THE PHONE!

First – it’s annoying! Can you hear me now…
Secondly – Fewer signal bars on your phone means that it emits more radiation to get the signal to the tower. Use your phone when it has a strong signal.

7. LIMIT CHILDREN’S PHONE USE

Children’s brains absorb twice the cell phone radiation as an adult’s. EWG joins health agencies in at least 6 countries in recommending limits for children’s phone use, such as for emergency situations only.

8. SKIP THE “RADIATION SHIELD”

Radiation shields such as antenna caps or keypad covers reduce the connection quality and force the phone to transmit at a higher power with higher radiation.

OTHER DEVICES THAT EMIT RADIATION

Cordless Phones – while in use they emit similarly to a cell phone, but some bases emit continuously.
Baby Monitors – use radiofrequency radiation, like cell phones. The EWG suggests parents contact manufacturers find out the radiation emissions (called SAR values) for these devices.

USE THIS TOOL TO FIND YOUR PHONE

How Much Radiation Does Your Phone Emit? iphone fairs poorly

Family planning: A major environmental emphasis

Did someone get a grant for this research? I don’t know why, but this report frustrates me. I feel like it sets environmentalists back when reports like this are done.

I can see the average American now “so now I have to give up my children – are you kidding me!”

Let’s focus our efforts on getting families to change their habits not their families size.

Clearly having no children would be better and we could all adopt to limit our environmental impact.

I’m rambling because I feel like reports like this are counterproductive. I’m open to being wrong… What do you think?

Family planning: A major environmental emphasis

CORVALLIS, Ore. – Some people who are serious about wanting to reduce their “carbon footprint” on the Earth have one choice available to them that may yield a large long-term benefit – have one less child.

A study by statisticians at Oregon State University concluded that in the United States, the carbon legacy and greenhouse gas impact of an extra child is almost 20 times more important than some of the other environmentally sensitive practices people might employ their entire lives – things like driving a high mileage car, recycling, or using energy-efficient appliances and light bulbs.

The research also makes it clear that potential carbon impacts vary dramatically across countries. The average long-term carbon impact of a child born in the U.S. – along with all of its descendants – is more than 160 times the impact of a child born in Bangladesh.

Read the rest….

Family planning: A major environmental emphasis

Same blue dye in M&Ms linked to reducing spine injury – CNN.com

My husband pointed this article out to me, hoping it would relax my position on the high fructose corn syrup laden Gatorade that comes into our home with an increased frequency during certain times of the year.

This looks like promising news for spinal cord injuries.   They are saying that when the initial injury occurs, the body rushes ATP (described as the currency of life) to the area of injury, this surge of ATP kills the remaining healthy cells at the site of the injury, worsening the injury.  For some reason, the blue dye inhibits the bodies release of ADP.   Good news.

Of course – I can’t help but wonder if the blue dye is inhibiting the flow of ATP in a sick patient with a positive result – what is it doing to healthy cells in healthy people?  My best guess is that it can’t be good.

Same blue dye in M&Ms linked to reducing spine injury – CNN.com.

Same blue dye in M&Ms linked to reducing spine injury – CNN.com

New ‘Study’ Fails to Analyze Key Health Benefits of Organic Food – EWG

You may have seen a recent study publicizing that Organic foods are not really better for us.

The EWG released this article in response:

New ‘Study’ Fails to Analyze Key Health Benefits of Organic Food | Environmental Working Group.

New ‘Study’ Fails to Analyze Key Health Benefits of Organic Food – EWG

How Safe and Effective Are Sunscreens?

Sunscreens are improving – but three of five brand-name products either don’t protect the skin from sun damage, contain hazardous chemicals, or both, according to a report by the watchdog organization Environmental Working Group.

Check out the Diva Guide to Sunscreen:

http://www.purenaturaldiva.com/2009/06/summer-is-coming-which-sunscreen-will-you-slather-all-over-your-skin/

To read the full article at Web MD:
How Safe and Effective Are Sunscreens?.

How Safe and Effective Are Sunscreens?

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