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Posts Tagged ‘Health’

Canadian Gov’t Is Expected to Approve Genetically Modified Pigs

February 20th, 2010

gm-food-moratorium

Genetically modified pigs upon approval will enter Canadian food supply. These pigs were modified to produce less 30-65% less phosphorus in their excrement. While, I agree that pig waste is a major environmental problem, there are less drastic ways of dealing with the problem.

I would have suggested less consumption of pigs by Canadian citizens to reduce the environmental impacts of pig farming. Another option is to regulate waste management at these farms, such as imposing hazardous waste restrictions on the manure. Finally, using biomass energy to convert manure to energy, thus eliminating the leaching of phosphorus from the pig waste into streams and reducing emissions of ammonia.

All genetically modified (GM) crops available on the international market today have been designed using one of three basic traits: resistance to insect damage; resistance to viral infections; and tolerance towards certain herbicides. All the genes used to modify crops are derived from microorganisms. GM food was first put on the market in the early 1990s.

Steven Liss, Associate Vice-President for research at the University of Guelph told that an application had been sent to the U. S. Food and Drug Administration and added that the University of Guelph will continue to breed the animals under strict confinement and control measures.

While confinment and control measures are prudent steps in preventing the release of genetically modified genes into the wild, nothing is perfectally secure.

The use of Enviropigs, genetically modified pigs, will be announced by the Canadian Government.

EnvironmentCanada will announce approval of the strain known as Enviropigs, after being approved by Health Canada, before the pigs enter the food market.

More information about the pros and cons of genetically modified food can be found at the bottom of this article.

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Posted in Genetically Modified Food

Tags: Health

Phthalate Exposure Linked to Attention Deficit Disorder in Children

January 31st, 2010

cosmetics

Phthalatesare primarly used as plasticizers, chemicals added to plastics to increase their flexibility, transparency, durability and longevity. They are used in a wide variety of products including cosmetics and almost every brand of perfume.

Chemical Structure of Phthalates

A study in the Environmental Health Prospectivesjournal found a link between the amount of phthalate exposure and Attention Deficit Disorder. In layman’s terms, more phthalates = more behavioral problems.

Children exposed in the womb to chemicals in cosmetics and fragrances are more likely to develop behavioral problems commonly found in children with attention deficit disorders, according to a study of New York City school-age children published Thursday. Scientists at Mount Sinai School of Medicine reported that mothers who had high levels of phthalates during their pregnancies were more likely to have children with poorer scores in the areas of attention, aggression and conduct.

Where can you find phthalate free products?

According to Big Green Purse the following cosmetic companies sell phthalate free products:

Burt’s Bees– Lip balms, glosses, sticks and shimmers; face cleansers, toners, complexion bars, moisturizers, eye crèmes and exfoliating scrubs; shampoos and conditioners; toothpaste and peppermint breath drops; eye make-up and face powder; various “Baby Bee” products and a growing list of “Men’s Grooming” choices. Increasingly available in mainstream grocery stores, drugstores, and pharmacies.
Eco Bella Organics – Includes perfumes, bath and body products, cosmetics, and skin and hair care products. Often available in organic and natural foods stores and food co-ops.
Aubrey Organics – Products are made primarily with herbals, essential oils and vitamins. Includes baby care, bath products, hair care and color, hand and body lotions, makeup, skin care, soaps, toiletries, sun protection, and hair and skin essentials for men. Often available in organic and natural foods stores and food co-ops.
Tom’s of Maine – Offers 90 oral and body care products, sold at 40,000 retail outlets in the U.S. and around the world. Products include toothpaste, deodorant, mouthwash, soap, shaving cream, and dental floss.
Honeybee Gardens – In addition to a variety of lipsticks, powders, eyeliner, eye shadow, hair spray, shampoo, and conditioner, Honey Bee manufactures water-based nail polish, including one brand that can peel off without need of nail polish remover.

Phthalates are also present in toys and other plastic products.

Avoid PVC plastic. Unless made by a U.S. manufacturer who has indicated the product is phthalate-free, avoid soft plastic toys and soft vinyl products with a strong plastic smell such as plastic shower curtains. For information on PVC-free products for the home, office, and building materials, check out the resources available at: http://www.besafenet.com/pvc/documents/PVC-Guide-1.pdf.

Limit your and your children’s exposure to phthalates by considering the chemicals present in products you purchase.

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Posted in Science

Tags: Health

BPA Chemical Found in Umbilical Cord Blood

December 12th, 2009

bpa-free-bottle

Bisphenol A (BPA) is used primarily in the making of plastics and it has been around for more than 50 years. Since the 1930s, it has been suspected to be hazardous to human health. The FDA approved BPA use in the 1960s. The scientific community has called for the banning of BPA. It has not been banned because the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (US FDA) has declared it safe.

Perhaps, you think since the US FDA considers it safe, then it is safe. While the US FDA’s motto is Protecting and Promoting Human Health, they have not tested BPA to determine its safety. The FDA has relied on two studies, performed by the chemical manufactures, to determine the safeness of BPA.

How does the FDA expect us to trust their rulings on safeness of chemicals if it will not perform independent testing of these chemicals?

On October 31, 2008, a subcommittee of FDA’s science board raised questions about whether FDA’s review had adequately considered the most recent scientific information available. Most recently, on June 3, 2009, FDA Commissioner Dr. Margaret A. Hamburg testified before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce’s Subcommittee on Health. In response to a question about BPA, Dr. Hamburg emphasized that she takes the questions that have been raised about BPA very seriously, and she stated that the FDA’s new Acting Chief Scientist, Dr. Jesse Goodman, is working with FDA scientists to take a fresh look at the science of BPA. FDA intends to explain the results of this review in late summer or early fall.

In December 2009, a study was released that found BPA in 9 out of 10 babies tested. Previously, another study tested urine for presence of BPA, the chemical was found in 93% of Americans tested.

BPA, which was developed as a synthetic estrogen, has been linked to breast and prostate cancer, cognitive and behavioral problems, reproductive failures, heart disease, diabetes, asthma and obesity.

Of course BPA makers contend that it is safe, but what are they going to say — that it is not safe, please sue us? Of course not.

Canada has banned BPA for use in baby bottles. Similar bans have passed in Massachusetts, Connecticut, the city of Chicago and two counties in New York. Most major baby bottle manufacturers have stopped using BPA.

There is legislation to ban all BPA in food uses. The FDA has postponed their position on BPA for a few weeks.