tagged w/ Contaminants
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TGIF again, and we're celebrating with some of our favorite posts! I'm covering some of our most popular stories this week with a few choice posts and Regina's got a chilling story on at least one dangerous additive found in cocaine (warning: gross image linked). Get your reading glasses on and settle in for our weekly review!
Regina's Pick of the Week
More Than Two Thirds Of Cocaine In America Is Contaminated With A Skin Rotting Chemical, Says The DOJ added by Misti
This post immediately grabbed my attention with a graphic image of a rotting nose. The article explains that more than 70 percent of cocaine in the United States has been cut by the chemical levamisole, which causes skin to corrode. Warnings have been issued in New York, California, Delaware, Washington, New Mexico and Canada. Bottom-line: Here's another reason to get that monkey off your back (or nose).
If you still want to see that image, click the link, but don't say I didn't warn you.
US Army prepared for zombie invasion, this is not a drill added by alexandrek
Zombie preparation? Team America's got you covered.
This Army-created manual breaks down how to identify those flesh eating terrorists (see: shivering, vomiting – duh!?) in addition to using M4's as your weapon of choice. I agree with the aluminum baseball bat and spear option, however, if you don't happen to have those items in your purse, grab the closest pointy object and smack those brains into mush. If you've played "Dead Rising," you already know that wiffle bats just won't cut it against the walking and drooling dead.
I've bookmarked this one for future reference. Consider me prepared!
Robyn's Picks
Texas Pat Down "The Anus, Sexual Organ, Buttocks, or Breast" added by congoboy
Texas Gov. Rick Perry's TSA bill has died due to concerns of canceled flights. The bill may live on, though, because it's been placed on the upcoming special session's agenda.
Florida sold citizens’ driver’s license information for $62 million added by KB723
Florida's government sold its citizens' driver's license information to corportations, making a cool $62,968,946 in 2010. The data was not sold to telemarketers, apparently, but to companies that provide this information, including full names, driver's license numbers, dates of birth, and full addresses, to other companies for background checks and other legal services. At least one of them, ChoicePoint, experienced a well-publicized breach in 2005, resulting in at least 800 identity thefts (and a $10M civil penalty).
How safe do you feel now?
"Uncontacted" Amazon tribe found in Brazil added by punman
Fascinating story on another uncontacted tribe in an isolated area of Brazil that was recently discovered. In the video, you can see the crude dwellings as the videographers fly over the encampment. Right now, researchers are particularly concerned that deforestation and contact with outsiders may pose a threat to the tribe, as logging in much of South America remains unregulated.
Which potato would you rather eat? [video] added by sbacker
Ending on a good note, now you have something to tell all your friends who poo poo your reliance on natural products and organic foods. You were right all along, and this little kid proves it (and adorably, if I might add).
And that's it for this week. If you saw some stories you'd like to share, please do so in the comments. Of course, if you have a story that you think should be included in our weekly updates, feel free to PM either Regina or me and let us know.
TGIF again, and we're celebrating with some of our favorite posts! I'm... more
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duzins
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8 months ago
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Oil and water samples were taken from both the Shores of Grand Isle and from 20 miles out. The preliminary analysis was done at an academic analytical chemistry laboratory. Looking for the likely pollutants from the deep water Horizon Oil spill. It was focused on the detection of benzene and propylene glycol. Benzene and other highly toxic contaminants were very low however the concentration of propylene glycol was between 360 and 440 parts per million. Just 25 parts per million is known to kill most fish and propylene glycol is just one of many ingredients found in Corexit. In short, the Gulf is being poisoned by BP's usage of the dispersants even after the EPA asked them to stop back in May. We are willing to provide ANY respected/known laboratory these samples or provide them with more. This is very serious to all people and marine life in and around the Gulf.Oil and water samples were taken from both the Shores of Grand Isle and from 20 miles... more
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02:03 PM ET
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Group urges ban of 3 common dyes
The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) says food dyes pose a number of risks to the American public and is calling on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ban three of the most commonly used dyes: Red 40, Yellow 5 and Yellow 6. A new CSPI report says those dyes contain known carcinogens and contaminants that unnecessarily increase the risks of cancer, hyperactivity in children and allergic reactions.
"These synthetic chemicals do absolutely nothing to improve the nutritional quality or safety of foods, but trigger behavior problems in children and, possibly, cancer in anybody," said CSPI executive director Michael Jacobson, co-author of the report. "The Food and Drug Administration should ban dyes, which would force industry to color foods with real food ingredients, not toxic petrochemicals."
The FDA has not read the report yet an agency spokesperson said. "We appreciate the report from CSPI and look forward to reviewing it. We take our commitment to protecting children seriously".
According to the report, tests done on lab animals found contaminants that raised health concerns about several of the nine dyes currently approved for market. The approved dyes are Blue 1 & 2, Citrus Red 2, Green 3, Orange B, Red 3 & 40 and Yellow 5 & 6. And every year, about 15 million pounds of these dyes wind up in our food, with a lot of it ending up in things like candy, fruit drinks and cereals.
The report is based on the FDA's own studies, and studies done by Industry and turned over to the FDA. But a statement from the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA), who represents the industry says science shows food dyes are safe. "The safety of both artificial and natural colors has been affirmed through extensive review by the main global food safety bodies, including the US Food & Drug Administration and the European Food Safety Authority. Both the FDA and the food and beverage industry continually monitor any new research or data in this area to determine if a change in current policy is warranted. It is important for consumers and policymakers to know that food dyes are widely studied and that the overwhelming majority of scientific evidence confirms the safety of artificial food colors."
The Food Standards Agency, an independent government agency in Great Britain, released research a few years ago that suggested a linked between hyperactivity in some children and certain food coloring. Starting July 20th in the European Union, food containing some of these dyes will carry additional warning labels indicating possible adverse effects on "activity and attention in children."
CSPI went to Britain in 2008 to check out the differences in dye use first hand. It says it found more concern about food dyes and more government oversight. For example, CSPI says McDonald's Strawberry Sundaes get their color from fresh strawberries. The group says in the United States the color comes from Red dye 40. CSPI say in the UK, Fanta orange soda coloring comes from pumpkins and carrot extract. Here, it says the color comes from Red 40 and Yellow 6 dye.
Rand Carpenter, a spokesperson for Coca-Cola, who makes Fanta, says they stand by their products in the United States – and abroad. "Where colors are used in our products they have been reviewed for safety by numerous health authorities and agencies, are permitted in every country where we operate, and are considered safe."02:03 PM ET
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Group urges ban of 3 common dyes
The Center for Science in the... more
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"Walmart is currently selling holiday gifts for children that have dangerous levels of lead, chlorine arsenic, cadmium and bromine-all toxic substances.
As the world's largest retailer, Walmart has tremendous influence over manufacturers and could be a powerful force in making sure our children's toys meet strict safety standards.
But Walmart isn't standing up for its customer's safety. Instead it's pressuring its suppliers to deliver goods as cheaply as possible - forcing them to cut corners on product safety to meet Walmart's price demands and still make a profit.
There's no price at which we should be willing to accept products that jeopardize our children's health.
Send a letter to Walmart CEO Mike Duke and ask him to pull dangerous products off Walmart shelves this holiday season and stop sacrificing safety for profits."
Go to the link, take action and please sign the petition, 1000 more signatures to go!
We can do it.
http://www.change.org/wakeupwalmart/actions/view/tell_walmart_to_get_dangerous_products_off_its_shelves
Join Organic:
http://current.com/groups/organicgreen/"Walmart is currently selling holiday gifts for children that have dangerous... more
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"Ordinary school cleaning supplies can expose children to multiple chemicals linked to asthma, cancer, and other documented health problems and to hundreds of other air contaminants that have never been tested for safety, a study by the Environmental Working Group shows. Laboratory tests done for EWG found that a typical assortment of cleaning products released 457 distinct chemicals into the air.
EWG’s findings come at a time when childhood asthma and many childhood cancers are on the rise.
Lax labeling requirements mean that schools often don't know what they're purchasing. Many would be alarmed to learn that when used as directed, Comet Disinfectant Powder Cleanser, a product commonly used in both schools and private homes, released more than100 air contaminants, including chloroform, benzene, and formaldehyde."
Go to this link to see the test results:
http://www.ewg.org/schoolcleaningsupplies/cleaningsuppliesoverview
It's important to realize these dangers and start trying alternatives.
Join Organic:
http://current.com/groups/organicgreen/
http://www.ewg.org/schoolcleaningsupplies/overview?utm_source=cleanerresend-full&utm_medium=email&utm_content=first-link&utm_campaign=toxics"Ordinary school cleaning supplies can expose children to multiple chemicals... more
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Mount Redoubt is awake. Our governor is not. I'm beyond annoyed.
Currently, 6 million gallons of Alaska crude oil wait at the base of a volcano that has puked, spewed and gone half mad 19 times in the last 8 days. The years of colonization have made flaccid the response of many Alaskans. For good reason; collective PTSD from the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill and subsequent 20 year wait only to have the Supreme Court deliver Exxon a reach-around while Alaskans grabbed their ankles fuels collective disillusionment. It's ironic we need petroleum products to deal with an oil company. Sadly, our governor couldn't remember "Exxon v. Baker" when asked by Katie Couric about Supreme Court decisions she disagreed with. The 20th solemn observance of the catastrophic spill last week would have been an appropriate time for a statement, but she was loudly silent. It is a very real possibility that history could be repeated.
The Drift River marine terminal started operating in 1967. Brilliant. I know, let's put an oil storage facility at the base of a volcano. You would think it was the secret lair of the Evil Dr. Cheney; or some hilariously funny and misguided plotline from an Austin Powers film. Pipelined in from another facility, it merely holds the crude until it's ready to ride to the refinery across the inlet.
One of the reasons given for leaving 6 million gallons of crude in the storage tanks is stability; the tanks are much more stable when they have something in them. Chevron referenced Katrina and the need to keep the tanks heavy enough so they don't float away in a flood. The environmental coupon clippers decided to risk Cook Inlet in order to save empty storage tanks. DID I MENTION THEY ARE AT THE BASE OF AN ACTIVE AND EXPLODING VOLCANO? Drift River is also permitted by the EPA to treat ballast water from tankers. Were the storage tanks emptied of oil, they could be filled to safe and stable weight levels with sea water-called BALLAST when it's in a boat.Mount Redoubt is awake. Our governor is not. I'm beyond annoyed.
Currently, 6... more
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mae37
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2 years ago
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Claiming that the GM varieties are more dangerous than the 9/11 and 26/11 attacks, Bhatt said the ‘bioterrorism’ can poison the entire mankind and hence it must be stopped forthwith.
Express News Service
First Published : 27 Mar 2009 04:12:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 27 Mar 2009 03:25:46 PM IST
BHUBANESWAR: Screening of documentary
‘Poison on the Platter’ today added a new dimension to the fight against genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and foods in the State with Bollywood director Mahesh Bhatt taking the centrestage and terming the emergence of whole situation due to ‘bad governance’.
The documentary, narrated by Bhatt, is part of an ‘alarm mechanism’ so that the society would take note and act, he said adding it would be ‘food for thought’ as it points to a grim future and informs that our daily food can even lead to death.
Claiming that the GM varieties are more dangerous than the 9/11 and 26/11 attacks, Bhatt said the ‘bioterrorism’ can poison the entire mankind and hence it must be stopped forthwith.
Apart from Bhatt, founder director of Centre of Cellular and Molecular Biology and Supreme Court nominee to Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) Dr Pushpa Mittra Bhargava, food security analyst Dr Devinder Sharma, scientist Jaffrey Smith and activists Kavita Kuruganti and Aruna Rodrigues, who were cast in the film, dwelt upon the same issue.
‘‘The GEAC is a rubber stamp and is sold to the industry,’’ said Sharma adding if there was a single clause in the legislation that the chairman of the apex body should be taken to task if GM foods cause health damage, there would be no GM food in India. Even the documentary has shown that how no less a person than Sri Sri Ravishankar exhorts the biotech lobby to refrain from promoting GM food till it is proved ‘scientifically safe’. Yoga Guru Swami Ramdev is against the food from drastically altered genome or making inter-species genetic maneuvering.
‘Genetic Roulette’ author Jaffrey Smith pointed out that the GM alternatives led to scores of deaths and thousands took ill by the time the source of the problem was discovered. Later, while interacting with the audience, Sharma pointed out to much disturbing facts that even food supplied through ICDS and relief materials provided by the US-based agencies during various natural calamities in the country were ‘GM-based’.
‘‘A technologically advanced nation like US is not permitting a 100 per cent cultivation of Bt cotton in one field and farmers have to go for a mix of 80:20 with the latter being the natural ones, but in India the farmers are allowed to go for 100 per cent GM cotton even in smaller fields, thus increasing the risk factors”, Sharma added.Claiming that the GM varieties are more dangerous than the 9/11 and 26/11 attacks,... more
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mae37
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2 years ago
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PRIYA ABRAHAM
Mahesh Bhatt (centre) at the premier of his documentary in Bhubaneswar on Thursday. Pix: Sanjib Mukherjee
Bhubaneswar, March 26: Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt today added his voice to the growing protests against genetically modified (GM) food in the country.
In his home production, Poison on the Platter — directed by Ajay Kanchan — that was screened in the capital today, Bhatt conveyed an anti-GM food message and stressed that Indian consumers deserved more than verbal assurances regarding the safety of GM food.
Mahesh Bhatt is the chief narrator in the documentary that also carries opinions of experts and spiritual and political leaders and activists and describes incidents involving GM food, reported worldwide. It also portrays citizens as guinea pigs in an unregulated worldwide experiment involving GM food.
Incidentally, BT Brinjal is the first GM food ready for release in India and is also making inroads to Orissa.
BT Cotton has already become a controversy, as thousands of cattle have died after grazing on BT Cotton fields, while farmers and those handling the cotton have come down with severe allergies.
Stating that the film is based on facts and reviewed scientific studies, the filmmaker added that the hazards of GM food would dwarf catastrophes such as nuclear attacks, floods, cyclones and world wars. “It is akin to bio-terrorism,” said Bhatt, addressing the media today.
Spiritual leaders such as Baba Ramdev and Ravishankar are a part of the film as well and are heard exhorting the biotech lobby to refrain from promoting GM food — till it is found to be scientifically safe. “The emerging voice in new India clearly does not wish to have anything to do with this unnatural food,” Baba Ramdev is heard saying in the film.
The film, which raises the question of whether the India is GM free, has Bhatt heading to a supermarket and pointing out packets containing corn and soya imported from US. More than 70 per cent of these crops are genetically modified in US, he points out.PRIYA ABRAHAM
Mahesh Bhatt (centre) at the premier of his documentary in Bhubaneswar... more
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mae37
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2 years ago
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Farmers markets. Local farmers. Real milk. Fresh eggs. Vegetable stands.
And how will those who contaminate our country's food with pesticides, hormones, antibiotics and more, do that? Why, by setting standards for "food safety" that are so grotesquely and inappropriately and even cruelly applied to a local, independent farmers and ranchers that there is no way they can manage. Imagine your being faced with a 100 page IRS form and facing a million dollar a day penalty for screwing up. That would be in the ball park of the impossible complexity mixed with threat facing our farmers. Imagine having the government and corporations deciding every single thing you can do and must do in your kitchen and backing that up with the threat of 10 years in prison for screwing up - though you have never made anyone sick, and those corporations have. Imagine being surveilled 24 hours a day by GPS tracking devices that feed into ... a corporate data bank, one they have now moved out of the country so no one here can have legal access to see what is in it.
Imagine the devil himself - or a whole boardrooms of them, dressed in suits - defining the only safe and healthy food in this country as dangerous and burdening hard working farmers with more work then anyone could bear, while his own, their own, food is so dangerous at this point that in the last 10 years alone, diabetes has gone up 90%.
And how did they get this far with such a scheme to apply insane industrial standards to every farm in the country? Through fear of diseases and of outbreaks of food borne illnesses, both of which they cause themselves.
How it works: Tyson helps Bill Clinton get into office. Bill Clinton immediately and significantly lowers contamination standards for poultry as a thank you. And it is such contaminated waste from transnational poultry factories which is now implicated as the source of bird flu. Then fortunes on made on that fear. And then poultry industry uses the crisis they created to push out small farmers and take greater control than ever. Their mantra? Biodiversity not only be damned but be eliminated. And get rid of those damn farmers who protect it while we're at it.
The bills would require such a burdensome complexity of rules, inspections, licensing, fees, and penalties for each farmer who wishes to sell locally - a fruit stand, at a farmers market - no one could manage it. And THAT is the point. The whole dirty tricks point. The whole "be in tight control of everything needed for survival because it'll be worth a fortune" point.Farmers markets. Local farmers. Real milk. Fresh eggs. Vegetable stands.
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mae37
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2 years ago
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David McCorquodale, Co-chair of Green Pages (the US Green Party print quarterly), just issued a favorable review for Mark C. Henderson's book on large-scale solutions for global warming and other environmental problems. It is currently posted on the publisher's website (Waves of the Future, http://www.wavesofthefuture.net) and will printed in Green Pages (February 2009 issue, http://www.gp.org/greenpages/index.php).
McCorquodale concluded: “The book has convinced me that the ETS [the strategy proposed in the book] could be an immensely important tool for the environment, but the obstacles are sizable, especially in the United States. Greens' support for such a strategy may play a critical role in overcoming the odds.“ (November 2008).
Mark C. Henderson argues that large-scale solutions are our best hope for addressing environmental issues such as climate change, conservation, contaminants, and renewable energy and for achieving sustainable development in the future. His book makes the case that a shift to environmental taxation could result in huge gains for the environment. First outlining several important political and economic requirements for large-scale change, he then develops a global solution which could address many environmental issues (global warming, carbon emissions, contaminants, conservation, renewable energy, etc.) at very little expense.
Henderson, Mark C. (2008). The 21st Century Environmental Revolution: A Comprehensive Strategy for Conservation, Global Warming, and the Environment. Waves of the Future series. ISBN 978-0-9809989-0-0 (0980998905).
The full review and more information (excerpts, contents, etc.) are available at the publisher's website.
Publisher:
Waves of the Future focuses on global issues and the environment. Books are distributed from centers in the US, Canada, and the UK and also available worldwide.
Contact information:
Pierre Champagne, Director
Waves of the Future
Email: See the “About Us” page at the website below.
Website: http://wavesofthefuture.net
###David McCorquodale, Co-chair of Green Pages (the US Green Party print quarterly), just... more
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