After writing the last post about Otto Warburg’s theories about cancer growth, I was pondering the current predicament of the prevalence of cancer and the way we live in the United States. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) estimates that 40.35% or 1 out of every 2 people will develop some type of cancer in their lifetime. Wow! Those are devastating statistics. Think about it – if you are sitting in a roomful of people – at a café, office, movie theater – almost half of the people you see will develop some form of cancer at some time.
If there is truth to Otto Warburg’s theories about what encourages cancers, then it is no small wonder that the NCI U.S. cancer statistics are so high. As a country we suffer from an epidemic of a decrease of oxygen coupled with a gross intake of sugar.
Between plain old sugar and high fructose corn syrup (have you watched the film King Corn yet?) the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that each person in America consumes 92 lbs!! of sugar-substances (sugar, corn syrup, honey) annually. That is almost my weight in sweeteners a year!
And barring the recent spike in the price of gasoline, which made people less eager to hop in their cars, Americans tend not to walk or bike, but rather drive, drive, drive. Our whole shopping culture is built around the automobile, intrinsically less healthy for our bodies, our communities and our planet.
So unlike our counterparts in other cultures that tend to walk and bicycle for their daily transport, we decrease our oxygen intake by driving, while increasing our sugar intake. Sounds like Otto’s cancer recipe to me.
I consider myself to be health conscious, and am a health practitioner educated about nutrition and health issues, yet I spend inordinate amounts of time in my car, not only generating greenhouse gases, but drastically limiting my personal O2 intake by being IN the car and not physically moving! While I clock between 25,000 to 30,000 miles a year on my car living in “healthy” Vermont, my friends in Germany commute via bike to work riding a comparable 33,000 miles a year each on their bicycles and putting only 750 miles! annually on their shared car. If I translate my driving miles into hours I come to somewhere in the vicinity of 750 HOURS a year - that's like driving 7.5 hours a day for 100 days. No wonder I get cranky.
So even if we don’t consider all the other factors that contribute to cancer and other disease – toxins, smoking, heavy metals, to name a few – if we could increase our oxygen and decrease our sugar intake significantly we would be somewhat ahead of the game as it were. Hmmm….sounds to me like an argument for bike and foot paths.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
What Doctors Don't Tell You
Well, we know that there are many things that doctors don't tell us, but happily you can discover many of them at the informative, UK-based, website, What Doctors Don’t Tell You (WDDTY). Since 1989, journalist Lynne McTaggart, author of numerous books including The Field: The Quest for the Secret Force of the Universe, has coordinated the WDDTY website, a virtual warren of articles and data about health and alternative options. Recognized as a responsible, credible source of information and resources, WDDTY is helpful to all practitioners and laypeople interested in the real scoop behind any number of health and science issues.
Here are two examples of unrelated but interesting articles. The first demonstrates yet another reason to be cautious about purchasing items made in China, whether containing high lead, melamine, or other contaminants. In Europe, sofas made in China were found to contain sachets of dimethyl fumarate, a fungicide used to inhibit mold. Unsuspecting sofa-sitters came down with eczema-like allergic reactions and one man suffered heart failure.
The second is about how present day researchers in Europe and the United States are re-examining some of the theories of Otto Warburg, a biochemist who in 1924 (!) made interesting discoveries about the cause of cancer having to do with fermentation of sugar in cells and a lack of oxygen. Dr. Otto Warburg (1883-1970) won the 1931 Nobel Prize in Medicine. He found that cancer cells cannot survive with high levels of oxygen and that cancer occurs when there is a lack of oxygen at the cellular level.
• Oxygen inhibits the growth of cancer.
• Healing potential is increased when oxygen is available to cells & tissues
• Oxygen sensitizes the body to medications so the body needs less
• Oxygen produces energy for healthy cell activity
There is so much information on the WDDTY website, it can seem overwhelming, but there is much to learn and it is worth the effort to wade through it.
Explore at: www.wddty.com
Here are two examples of unrelated but interesting articles. The first demonstrates yet another reason to be cautious about purchasing items made in China, whether containing high lead, melamine, or other contaminants. In Europe, sofas made in China were found to contain sachets of dimethyl fumarate, a fungicide used to inhibit mold. Unsuspecting sofa-sitters came down with eczema-like allergic reactions and one man suffered heart failure.
The second is about how present day researchers in Europe and the United States are re-examining some of the theories of Otto Warburg, a biochemist who in 1924 (!) made interesting discoveries about the cause of cancer having to do with fermentation of sugar in cells and a lack of oxygen. Dr. Otto Warburg (1883-1970) won the 1931 Nobel Prize in Medicine. He found that cancer cells cannot survive with high levels of oxygen and that cancer occurs when there is a lack of oxygen at the cellular level.
• Oxygen inhibits the growth of cancer.
• Healing potential is increased when oxygen is available to cells & tissues
• Oxygen sensitizes the body to medications so the body needs less
• Oxygen produces energy for healthy cell activity
There is so much information on the WDDTY website, it can seem overwhelming, but there is much to learn and it is worth the effort to wade through it.
Explore at: www.wddty.com
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Gluten-Free Goodies Made in Vermont!
Here is good news for anyone needing to eat gluten-free, and for those unlucky enough to also have to eat dairy- and egg-free, even better news. Liz Lovely, Inc. in Waitsfield, Vermont makes a variety of gluten-, dairy- and egg-free cookies (they also make cookies with wheat) that are delicious! They use organic and fairly-traded ingredients and are certified organic by NOFA Vermont. My fave is the Gluten-free Chocolate Fudge cookie, but they also have incredible Ginger Molasses and Chocolate Chip. Made in small batches by Liz and Dan Holtz, all the Liz Lovely cookies (with-Gluten and Gluten-free) are 100% vegan. You can shop online or find a local store selling their goodies by searching the Store Locator feature on the website.
And if you remember my earlier post (9/18/08) about rice and arsenic, you will be happy to know that the rice flour used in Liz Lovely cookies is organic - phew!
So find these scrumptious treats and enjoy!
Liz Lovely, Inc., Waitsfield, Vermont, 802-496-6390, www.lizlovely.com
And if you remember my earlier post (9/18/08) about rice and arsenic, you will be happy to know that the rice flour used in Liz Lovely cookies is organic - phew!
So find these scrumptious treats and enjoy!
Liz Lovely, Inc., Waitsfield, Vermont, 802-496-6390, www.lizlovely.com
Another GREAT Anthroposopphical Medicine Resource
For those interested in the world of Anthroposophical Medicine, I have just learned of an invaluable resource from Dr. Steven Johnson, D.O., a gifted doctor integrating Anthroposophical medicine and other wholistic modalities into his practice for over fifteen years. He helped develop and co-found the AnthroMed Library, a web-based repository for articles about Anthroposophical Medicine --- http://anthromedlibrary.com.
The AnthroMed Library provides a wealth of information and links on Anthroposophical medicine including medical references about Iscador Mistletoe, used in Europe as an immune stimulant and for cancer therapy.
Mistletoe 101: While the raw plant and berries of mistletoe are poisonous, when made into specially prepared extracts they are safe and offer health benefits. In Europe mistletoe extracts are used as immune stimulants and for cancer therapy. Mistletoe is a semi-parasitic plant that grows on a variety of trees including oak, pine and apple. Currently Mistletoe is not legal in the United States except for clinical trials which the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) is working on: http://nccam.nih.gov/health/eurmistletoe . In Europe, a common mistletoe remedy is manufactured by the Weleda company under the name of Iscador and has been used for over eighty years. See the website for more information: http://www.iscador.com
The AnthroMed Library provides a wealth of information and links on Anthroposophical medicine including medical references about Iscador Mistletoe, used in Europe as an immune stimulant and for cancer therapy.
Mistletoe 101: While the raw plant and berries of mistletoe are poisonous, when made into specially prepared extracts they are safe and offer health benefits. In Europe mistletoe extracts are used as immune stimulants and for cancer therapy. Mistletoe is a semi-parasitic plant that grows on a variety of trees including oak, pine and apple. Currently Mistletoe is not legal in the United States except for clinical trials which the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) is working on: http://nccam.nih.gov/health/eurmistletoe . In Europe, a common mistletoe remedy is manufactured by the Weleda company under the name of Iscador and has been used for over eighty years. See the website for more information: http://www.iscador.com
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Mercury-free Computers
See the Traveling Naturally Blog post Green Laptops!! for information about mercury and arsenic-FREE computers - http://travelingnaturally.blogspot.com
Anthroposophical Medicine
Anthroposophy comes from the Greek Anthropos, meaning Human Being, plus the Greek Sophia, meaning Wisdom, combining them into Anthroposophy for Human Wisdom.
Dr. Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925), a scientist & artist, developed Anthroposophical Medicine around 1913 based on his studies of natural, social & spiritual realms and his conclusions that plants, animals, humans, earth & the cosmos are all living things with vital forces. Greatly influenced by the German philosopher, Goethe (1749-1832), Steiner developed not just theories and systems around health, but also education (Waldorf schools), agriculture (Biodynamic Farming), astronomy, color, movement (Eurythmy) and other sciences.
Dr. Rudolf Hauschka (1891-1969), an Austrian chemist, worked with Rudolph Steiner to develop remedies using Anthroposophical theories and understanding of plants, minerals & metals and their interactions and effects on human health and vitality. Based on in depth studies of rhythm, and a combination of homeopathic potentiation and rhythmic exposure to elemental polarities, Dr. Hauschka, along with Dr. Ita Wegman, another Steiner associate, developed what were to become the WALA (Warmth/Ash, Light/Ash) remedies. The plant-based remedies are made from wild or biodynamically grown plants. Dr. Hauschka collaborated with Elisabeth Sigmund (1924), a cosmetologist, and they co-founded Dr. Hauschka Skin Care Products.
Long a traditional form of medicine in Europe, with worldwide headquarters in Switzerland, anthroposophical medicine is not so well known in the United States. In recent years the cosmetic and body care products of the Dr. Hauschka and Weleda companies have become fairly prevalent in the United States, but anthroposophical medicinal remedies are still harder to come by (see below for remedy resources), as are physicians schooled in this specialty, which shares many principles of homeopathic medicine, and is often incorporated into European Biological Medicine.
Anthroposophical medicine can be very effective on its own or in conjunction with other modalities, and offers a touch of beauty and grace to the world of medicine. Listed below are informational resources and doctors in Vermont, New Hampshire, & Massachusetts.
Book Resources:
Spiritual Science and the Art of Healing, by Victor Bott, Healing Arts Press, Rochester, VT 1996; 0-89281-636-8
The Fourfold Path to Healing, by Thomas S. Cowan, MD w/ Sally Fallon & Jaimen McMillan, New Trends Publishing 2004. Combines anthroposophical medicine with the Dr. Weston Price diet.
Web Resources::
Association for Anthroposophical Health Professionals - www.artemisia.net
Physicians Association for Anthroposophical Medicine - www.paam.net
Anthroposophical Society of America – www.anthroposophy.org
Lilipoh Magazine – www.lilipoh.com
Remedies:
Uriel Pharmacy, East Troy, Wisconsin, www.urielpharmacy.com. Natural, herbal remedies made from biodynamically grown plants on the Uriel farm and prepared according to anthroposophical standards like the WALA remedies
Weleda, Spring Valley, NY, www.weleda.com
Dr. Hauschka, www.drhauschka.com
Ceres, http://www.niskos.com/CERES/
Doctors in the Area:
Vermont:
Dr. Bill Warnock, ND, Champlain Center for Natural Health, Shelburne, VT, www.vtnaturalmed.com
New Hampshire:
Dr. Pamela Herring, ND, Naturopathic Clinic of Concord, Concord, NH, www.pamelaherring.com
Massachusetts:
Dr. Kent Hesse, MD, Michael Community Therapeutics, 138 Russell St., Hadley, MA 01035, 413-587-4680
Dr. Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925), a scientist & artist, developed Anthroposophical Medicine around 1913 based on his studies of natural, social & spiritual realms and his conclusions that plants, animals, humans, earth & the cosmos are all living things with vital forces. Greatly influenced by the German philosopher, Goethe (1749-1832), Steiner developed not just theories and systems around health, but also education (Waldorf schools), agriculture (Biodynamic Farming), astronomy, color, movement (Eurythmy) and other sciences.
Dr. Rudolf Hauschka (1891-1969), an Austrian chemist, worked with Rudolph Steiner to develop remedies using Anthroposophical theories and understanding of plants, minerals & metals and their interactions and effects on human health and vitality. Based on in depth studies of rhythm, and a combination of homeopathic potentiation and rhythmic exposure to elemental polarities, Dr. Hauschka, along with Dr. Ita Wegman, another Steiner associate, developed what were to become the WALA (Warmth/Ash, Light/Ash) remedies. The plant-based remedies are made from wild or biodynamically grown plants. Dr. Hauschka collaborated with Elisabeth Sigmund (1924), a cosmetologist, and they co-founded Dr. Hauschka Skin Care Products.
Long a traditional form of medicine in Europe, with worldwide headquarters in Switzerland, anthroposophical medicine is not so well known in the United States. In recent years the cosmetic and body care products of the Dr. Hauschka and Weleda companies have become fairly prevalent in the United States, but anthroposophical medicinal remedies are still harder to come by (see below for remedy resources), as are physicians schooled in this specialty, which shares many principles of homeopathic medicine, and is often incorporated into European Biological Medicine.
Anthroposophical medicine can be very effective on its own or in conjunction with other modalities, and offers a touch of beauty and grace to the world of medicine. Listed below are informational resources and doctors in Vermont, New Hampshire, & Massachusetts.
Book Resources:
Spiritual Science and the Art of Healing, by Victor Bott, Healing Arts Press, Rochester, VT 1996; 0-89281-636-8
The Fourfold Path to Healing, by Thomas S. Cowan, MD w/ Sally Fallon & Jaimen McMillan, New Trends Publishing 2004. Combines anthroposophical medicine with the Dr. Weston Price diet.
Web Resources::
Association for Anthroposophical Health Professionals - www.artemisia.net
Physicians Association for Anthroposophical Medicine - www.paam.net
Anthroposophical Society of America – www.anthroposophy.org
Lilipoh Magazine – www.lilipoh.com
Remedies:
Uriel Pharmacy, East Troy, Wisconsin, www.urielpharmacy.com. Natural, herbal remedies made from biodynamically grown plants on the Uriel farm and prepared according to anthroposophical standards like the WALA remedies
Weleda, Spring Valley, NY, www.weleda.com
Dr. Hauschka, www.drhauschka.com
Ceres, http://www.niskos.com/CERES/
Doctors in the Area:
Vermont:
Dr. Bill Warnock, ND, Champlain Center for Natural Health, Shelburne, VT, www.vtnaturalmed.com
New Hampshire:
Dr. Pamela Herring, ND, Naturopathic Clinic of Concord, Concord, NH, www.pamelaherring.com
Massachusetts:
Dr. Kent Hesse, MD, Michael Community Therapeutics, 138 Russell St., Hadley, MA 01035, 413-587-4680
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Films for Thought
Any of the films listed below will provide you with a thought provoking evening and are all very much worth the viewing time:
Sicko, a film by Michael Moore, explores health care systems in Britain, France, Canada, Cuba, and the United States. Needless to say the U.S. does not come out looking so great in comparison to these other countries. Caution: it might make you want to flee the country ☺
King Corn is a somewhat goofy but accurate documentary film about two college-age kids who set out to learn about corn by “adopting” a one acre plot in corn-country and seeing the cycle through harvest and commodity. The revelations about high-fructose corn syrup, cattle feed, food, and health are devastating, but they manage to do it so you keep laughing.
Who Killed the Electric Car? is a blood-pressure raising film about a fully electric car that Detroit experimented with and then destroyed – literally. Since this was all pre- the current oil situation, it makes it that much more infuriating.
These are all available through Netflix, or ask at your local video store. Happy (as it were) viewing - you may want to learn the acupuncture points for lowering blood pressure before watching :)
Sicko, a film by Michael Moore, explores health care systems in Britain, France, Canada, Cuba, and the United States. Needless to say the U.S. does not come out looking so great in comparison to these other countries. Caution: it might make you want to flee the country ☺
King Corn is a somewhat goofy but accurate documentary film about two college-age kids who set out to learn about corn by “adopting” a one acre plot in corn-country and seeing the cycle through harvest and commodity. The revelations about high-fructose corn syrup, cattle feed, food, and health are devastating, but they manage to do it so you keep laughing.
Who Killed the Electric Car? is a blood-pressure raising film about a fully electric car that Detroit experimented with and then destroyed – literally. Since this was all pre- the current oil situation, it makes it that much more infuriating.
These are all available through Netflix, or ask at your local video store. Happy (as it were) viewing - you may want to learn the acupuncture points for lowering blood pressure before watching :)
Monday, September 29, 2008
Hernia Repair? Try Canada
Hernias, a common health issue, have a high rate of re-occurrence after they have been surgically repaired. In the United States hernia repair operations are considered a day-surgery procedure and cost upwards of $10,000 with a recurrence rate of, on average, over ten percent. While these statistics don’t sound so great, there is heartening news.
In Toronto, Canada there is a hospital dedicated solely to hernia repairs and they have the technique down with a less than one percent chance of recurrence.
The Shouldice Hospital, founded in 1945, sits on twenty-three acres of gardens and grounds, with eighty-nine beds and five operating rooms all devoted to hernia repair. In most cases, Shouldice advises using local anesthetic and pre-op sedation, rather than general anesthesia and this makes for a speedier and smoother recovery. Patients stay about four days rather than the same-day discharge in U.S. hospitals. This too helps with recovery and low recurrence rate. Unbelievably, the cost for this extra time and attention is anywhere from between one-quarter to one-half the expense of the procedure in the U.S.
Maybe we should add this to Michael Moore’s list of health stories in his film Sicko, a must-see by the way for anyone interested in the health care system, or lack thereof, in the United States.
My husband, a builder/carpenter, prone to stubbornness and extreme heavy lifting has had two hernias, one on each side, and both have been repaired at Shouldice with great results. It can be a bit of a trek to travel there, but even with the transportation costs of air travel we found it to be substantially less expensive, and much better care, than what we could find locally. So if you know of anyone in need of a hernia operation, steer them to Shouldice.
Shouldice Hospital, 7750 Bayview Avenue, Thornhill, Ontario L3T 4A3; 800-291-4216/905-889-1125; postoffice@shouldice.com; www.shouldice.com
In Toronto, Canada there is a hospital dedicated solely to hernia repairs and they have the technique down with a less than one percent chance of recurrence.
The Shouldice Hospital, founded in 1945, sits on twenty-three acres of gardens and grounds, with eighty-nine beds and five operating rooms all devoted to hernia repair. In most cases, Shouldice advises using local anesthetic and pre-op sedation, rather than general anesthesia and this makes for a speedier and smoother recovery. Patients stay about four days rather than the same-day discharge in U.S. hospitals. This too helps with recovery and low recurrence rate. Unbelievably, the cost for this extra time and attention is anywhere from between one-quarter to one-half the expense of the procedure in the U.S.
Maybe we should add this to Michael Moore’s list of health stories in his film Sicko, a must-see by the way for anyone interested in the health care system, or lack thereof, in the United States.
My husband, a builder/carpenter, prone to stubbornness and extreme heavy lifting has had two hernias, one on each side, and both have been repaired at Shouldice with great results. It can be a bit of a trek to travel there, but even with the transportation costs of air travel we found it to be substantially less expensive, and much better care, than what we could find locally. So if you know of anyone in need of a hernia operation, steer them to Shouldice.
Shouldice Hospital, 7750 Bayview Avenue, Thornhill, Ontario L3T 4A3; 800-291-4216/905-889-1125; postoffice@shouldice.com; www.shouldice.com
Friday, September 26, 2008
Healthy Painting: Options for Non-Toxic House Paints
There are so many things we do and use in our daily lives that can effect our health that figuring out what products to use can be overwhelming at times. The good news is that today, more than ever, there are "green" and healthy options available for most products. One important health and environmental choice to consider when building or renovating a home is paint for the interior of the house.
Interior household paint has been manufactured for years with a variety of toxic components from mercury (for mildew and mold resistance) and lead to chemicals that have volatile organic compounds (VOCs). While lead and mercury are no longer allowed in paints, many still contain off-gassing volatile organic compounds. These are carbon-containing chemicals which release vapors that have been found to be hazardous to human health in varying degrees. These vapors are much more concentrated inside a building, so choosing paints that do not contain VOCs or have very low levels is a good “green” choice for your personal health as well as the greater environment. See the EPA website listed below for more information about VOCs.
The good news is that there are now a number of “green” paint options available for the consumer. The final decision about which paints to use will be based on your personal preference and odor tolerance, as well as where you will be using the paints - some are better for areas that will get wet or splattered; others create a warm, earthy quality; and some are designed for use on certain materials.
Some “green” paints are made from natural ingredients, others are derived from synthetic chemicals but are formulated to emit no or low VOCs. Explore the websites below to learn more about types of paints and color availability.
I personally love the smells of the natural based paints, but some people can’t tolerate them or don’t like them. A word of advice – don’t choose the milk powder based paints for places that will get wet or for behind your stove. Instead choose paints that can be easily cleaned. And have fun in the wonderful world of natural colors that many of the companies below offer.
Natural Paint options include:
The Bio Shield Paint Company sells non-toxic, no-VOC paints, finishes and other household products. Their milk-based paints come in dry form and need to be mixed with water. Their no-solvent premixed paint is water-based, as is their clay-paint. They also sell color “wash” paints. BioShield is committed to offering natural and non-toxic products safe for the environment. BioShield Paint Company, 3215 Rufina Street, Santa Fe, NM 87507, 800-621-2591; http://www.bioshieldpaint.com
Auro Natural Paints and Finishes sells non-toxic, no-VOC paints and finishes, as well as adhesives. Their products were developed with sponsorship from the German Federal Environmental Foundation. They use natural pigments and other natural-based materials in their products. Auro Natural Paints, 1340-G Industrial Avenue Petaluma, CA 94952, 888-302-9352; fax: 707-769-7342; email: info@aurousa.com; http://www.aurousa.com
American Clay Plaster products are made in the U.S.A. American Clay offers three different plaster finishes in 35 basic colors made from natural clays, recycled and reclaimed aggregates, and natural pigments. American Clay Plaster, 8724 Alameda Park Drive NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113; 866-404-1634; sales@americanclay.com; www.americanclay.com
TierraFino Clay, a Dutch company with dealers around the world including a number in the U.S., produces a variety of non-toxic clay based paints and plasters. Tierrafino, Carl Giskes V.O.F., Tweede Helmersstraat 51, 1054 CD Amsterdam the Netherlands; Tel.: +31 (0)20-689-2515 ; Fax: +31 (0)20-616584; info@tierrafino.com; www.tierrafino.com
No-VOC Synthetic-based Paint options include:
AFM Safecoat Paint sells no or low VOC synthetic based paints and other non-toxic household products. At their website you can download MSDS sheets (Material Safety Data Sheets) which disclose all the ingredients and health hazards for every product. In addition to regular household wall paints, AFM sells specialty paints such as metal primers and paints not available from natural paint companies. Not sold through the website but through dealers, which can be located at the website. For general information call: 619-239-0321; Email: info@afmsafecoat.com; www.afmsafecoat.com
Best Paint Company produces no-VOC synthetic-based, interior and exterior paints in over 1000 colors and provides MSDS sheets for their products. Founded by someone made ill by epoxy paint, Best Paint is dedicated to producing high quality, non-toxic products. Best Paint Company, P.O. Box 3922, Seattle, WA 98124: 206-783-9938; fax: 206-783-5017; bestpaintco@yahoo.com; www.bestpaintco.com
Mythic Non-Toxic Paint was developed in conjunction with the University of Mississippi. It is an acrylic latex paint with zero VOCs and is “ultra low odor.” Mythic is available in seventeen colors for exterior and interior applications. The vintage-style labeled containers come in three sizes. MSDS sheets are available for download at their website. Mythic Paints, 2714 Hardy St., Hattlesburg, MS 39401; 888-714-9422; www.mythicpaint.com
See kt Color below
Low- VOC paint options include:
kt.color offers paints made in Switzerland using mineral pigments and environmentally sound binders. Available in 106 colors, the Flat and Satin paints are arcylic polymer based, solvent-free, and no- or low-VOC depending on the color. kt Color distributed through Aronson's, 135 West 17th Street, NYC; 212-243-4993 x24; info@ktcolorusa.com; www.ktcolorusa.com. Open Monday to Friday 9am - 6pm.
Fine Paints of Europe is an American company selling a line of Dutch-based paint products, many of which are conventional oil and acrylic based paints. Their new line, “ECO” is water-based and considered a low-VOC paint, available as primer and paint in an enormous variety of colors. Fine Paints of Europe, O.O. Box 419, Woodstock, VT 05091; 800-332-1556; fax: 802-457-1740; info@finepaints.com; www.finepaintsofeurope.com/eco_info.aspx
Link – EPA website page about VOCs: http://www.epa.gov/iaq/voc.html
NOTE: MSDS Sheets: Material Safety Data Sheets, called MSDS sheets, were designed by the government to be used by employers, employees and emergency medical personnel to document complete ingredients and toxicity levels for safe handling procedures. While not intended for consumer use, MSDS sheets can be very useful to consumers trying to determine the safest products to use. If you are researching other paint products not listed here, be sure and ask for the specific product MSDS sheet.
Interior household paint has been manufactured for years with a variety of toxic components from mercury (for mildew and mold resistance) and lead to chemicals that have volatile organic compounds (VOCs). While lead and mercury are no longer allowed in paints, many still contain off-gassing volatile organic compounds. These are carbon-containing chemicals which release vapors that have been found to be hazardous to human health in varying degrees. These vapors are much more concentrated inside a building, so choosing paints that do not contain VOCs or have very low levels is a good “green” choice for your personal health as well as the greater environment. See the EPA website listed below for more information about VOCs.
The good news is that there are now a number of “green” paint options available for the consumer. The final decision about which paints to use will be based on your personal preference and odor tolerance, as well as where you will be using the paints - some are better for areas that will get wet or splattered; others create a warm, earthy quality; and some are designed for use on certain materials.
Some “green” paints are made from natural ingredients, others are derived from synthetic chemicals but are formulated to emit no or low VOCs. Explore the websites below to learn more about types of paints and color availability.
I personally love the smells of the natural based paints, but some people can’t tolerate them or don’t like them. A word of advice – don’t choose the milk powder based paints for places that will get wet or for behind your stove. Instead choose paints that can be easily cleaned. And have fun in the wonderful world of natural colors that many of the companies below offer.
Natural Paint options include:
The Bio Shield Paint Company sells non-toxic, no-VOC paints, finishes and other household products. Their milk-based paints come in dry form and need to be mixed with water. Their no-solvent premixed paint is water-based, as is their clay-paint. They also sell color “wash” paints. BioShield is committed to offering natural and non-toxic products safe for the environment. BioShield Paint Company, 3215 Rufina Street, Santa Fe, NM 87507, 800-621-2591; http://www.bioshieldpaint.com
Auro Natural Paints and Finishes sells non-toxic, no-VOC paints and finishes, as well as adhesives. Their products were developed with sponsorship from the German Federal Environmental Foundation. They use natural pigments and other natural-based materials in their products. Auro Natural Paints, 1340-G Industrial Avenue Petaluma, CA 94952, 888-302-9352; fax: 707-769-7342; email: info@aurousa.com; http://www.aurousa.com
American Clay Plaster products are made in the U.S.A. American Clay offers three different plaster finishes in 35 basic colors made from natural clays, recycled and reclaimed aggregates, and natural pigments. American Clay Plaster, 8724 Alameda Park Drive NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113; 866-404-1634; sales@americanclay.com; www.americanclay.com
TierraFino Clay, a Dutch company with dealers around the world including a number in the U.S., produces a variety of non-toxic clay based paints and plasters. Tierrafino, Carl Giskes V.O.F., Tweede Helmersstraat 51, 1054 CD Amsterdam the Netherlands; Tel.: +31 (0)20-689-2515 ; Fax: +31 (0)20-616584; info@tierrafino.com; www.tierrafino.com
No-VOC Synthetic-based Paint options include:
AFM Safecoat Paint sells no or low VOC synthetic based paints and other non-toxic household products. At their website you can download MSDS sheets (Material Safety Data Sheets) which disclose all the ingredients and health hazards for every product. In addition to regular household wall paints, AFM sells specialty paints such as metal primers and paints not available from natural paint companies. Not sold through the website but through dealers, which can be located at the website. For general information call: 619-239-0321; Email: info@afmsafecoat.com; www.afmsafecoat.com
Best Paint Company produces no-VOC synthetic-based, interior and exterior paints in over 1000 colors and provides MSDS sheets for their products. Founded by someone made ill by epoxy paint, Best Paint is dedicated to producing high quality, non-toxic products. Best Paint Company, P.O. Box 3922, Seattle, WA 98124: 206-783-9938; fax: 206-783-5017; bestpaintco@yahoo.com; www.bestpaintco.com
Mythic Non-Toxic Paint was developed in conjunction with the University of Mississippi. It is an acrylic latex paint with zero VOCs and is “ultra low odor.” Mythic is available in seventeen colors for exterior and interior applications. The vintage-style labeled containers come in three sizes. MSDS sheets are available for download at their website. Mythic Paints, 2714 Hardy St., Hattlesburg, MS 39401; 888-714-9422; www.mythicpaint.com
See kt Color below
Low- VOC paint options include:
kt.color offers paints made in Switzerland using mineral pigments and environmentally sound binders. Available in 106 colors, the Flat and Satin paints are arcylic polymer based, solvent-free, and no- or low-VOC depending on the color. kt Color distributed through Aronson's, 135 West 17th Street, NYC; 212-243-4993 x24; info@ktcolorusa.com; www.ktcolorusa.com. Open Monday to Friday 9am - 6pm.
Fine Paints of Europe is an American company selling a line of Dutch-based paint products, many of which are conventional oil and acrylic based paints. Their new line, “ECO” is water-based and considered a low-VOC paint, available as primer and paint in an enormous variety of colors. Fine Paints of Europe, O.O. Box 419, Woodstock, VT 05091; 800-332-1556; fax: 802-457-1740; info@finepaints.com; www.finepaintsofeurope.com/eco_info.aspx
Link – EPA website page about VOCs: http://www.epa.gov/iaq/voc.html
NOTE: MSDS Sheets: Material Safety Data Sheets, called MSDS sheets, were designed by the government to be used by employers, employees and emergency medical personnel to document complete ingredients and toxicity levels for safe handling procedures. While not intended for consumer use, MSDS sheets can be very useful to consumers trying to determine the safest products to use. If you are researching other paint products not listed here, be sure and ask for the specific product MSDS sheet.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Mercury Again...the Tuna Chronicles
Most people don't realize that there are many different types of Tuna and there are different kinds of mercury. In an earlier post about mercury (see October 17, 2007), I noted that it doesn't much matter what type of mercury, as there can be hazards with all of them. All varieties of Tuna have varying levels of mercury - some have more than others. "Chunk light" canned Tuna has been shown in tests to usually have less mercury than albacore, but those results depend on which type of tuna is in the can and where it has been caught. As a consumer your eyeballs can start to roll trying to remember what Tuna might be safer than another. The links below from the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) provide useful tables illustrating what to look for when buying Tuna and other fish.
To learn about some of the behind-the-scenes lobbying by the Tuna industry to keep the U.S. FDA from implementing more stringent guidelines regarding mercury in Tuna, you can read Stephanie Mencimer's article in Mother Jones (link below).
Arsenic in Rice, Mercury in Tuna, Lead in Lipstick.......and why isn't testing for heavy metals considered a standard screening and paid for by insurance? Hmmm...
Mother Jones Magazine - Why Mercury in Tuna is Still Legal, by Stephanie Mencimer
http://www.motherjones.com/news/feature/2008/09/exit-strategy-tuna-surprise.html
Consumer Reports - Mercury in Tuna - http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/babies-kids/child-safety/food/mercury-in-tuna/tuna-safety/overview/0607_tuna_ov.htm
See two helpful charts from the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) Eating Tuna Safely - http://www.nrdc.org/health/effects/mercury/tuna.asp?gclid=CJ6azcGE9ZUCFQOeFQodI3rEiw
and the Consumer Guide to Mercury in Fish - http://www.nrdc.org/health/effects/mercury/guide.asp
The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) offers a helpful Seafood Selector. Here is the link for Tuna - http://www.edf.org/page.cfm?tagID=16314&source=ggad&gclid=CKPxs8uF9ZUCFQukHgodD2FEig
Mercury Levels in Commercial Fish & Shellfish from the U.S. EPA - http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/%7Efrf/sea-mehg.html
U.S. EPA site on Mercury - http://www.epa.gov/mercury/
To learn about some of the behind-the-scenes lobbying by the Tuna industry to keep the U.S. FDA from implementing more stringent guidelines regarding mercury in Tuna, you can read Stephanie Mencimer's article in Mother Jones (link below).
Arsenic in Rice, Mercury in Tuna, Lead in Lipstick.......and why isn't testing for heavy metals considered a standard screening and paid for by insurance? Hmmm...
Mother Jones Magazine - Why Mercury in Tuna is Still Legal, by Stephanie Mencimer
http://www.motherjones.com/news/feature/2008/09/exit-strategy-tuna-surprise.html
Consumer Reports - Mercury in Tuna - http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/babies-kids/child-safety/food/mercury-in-tuna/tuna-safety/overview/0607_tuna_ov.htm
See two helpful charts from the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) Eating Tuna Safely - http://www.nrdc.org/health/effects/mercury/tuna.asp?gclid=CJ6azcGE9ZUCFQOeFQodI3rEiw
and the Consumer Guide to Mercury in Fish - http://www.nrdc.org/health/effects/mercury/guide.asp
The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) offers a helpful Seafood Selector. Here is the link for Tuna - http://www.edf.org/page.cfm?tagID=16314&source=ggad&gclid=CKPxs8uF9ZUCFQukHgodD2FEig
Mercury Levels in Commercial Fish & Shellfish from the U.S. EPA - http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/%7Efrf/sea-mehg.html
U.S. EPA site on Mercury - http://www.epa.gov/mercury/
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Just When You Thought It Was Safe to Eat ….Rice…..
Rice has always been a popular staple of U.S. and foreign diets, but its use has increased as the ever-growing number of people with gluten allergies have sought options to wheat and other grains. In addition to whole grain rice, rice products include rice milk, and rice flour, used in most gluten-free products from bread and baking mixes to pasta. This means that gluten sensitive and celiac sufferers are consuming a lot of rice.
The boon in gluten-free, rice-based products is wonderful for those of us seeking decent tasting alternatives to prevalent and abundant wheat products. But here is the rub:
recent reports show that rice grown in Asia and the southern United States have high levels of arsenic. A study in the UK found that rice milk had up to three times the arsenic allowed by the US and EU for acceptable levels in drinking water.
Arsenic, a known toxin, used to poison and kill people in ancient times, and made famous for its noxious effects in the movie Arsenic and Old Lace with Cary Grant, is a heavy metal which accumulates in the soil and in human bodies, and can cause cancer, diabetes and other diseases.
Arsenic compounds have been used in agriculture as pesticides and herbicides as well as in animal feed. In the Southern United States, arsenic based pesticides were used on cotton crops for decades, persisting in the soil, even when no longer used. And now, there are a large number of former cotton fields that grow rice, so the arsenic used on the cotton is accumulating in rice.
Many countries in Asia use large amounts of arsenic contaminated water in their rice patties instead of a safer raised-bed system. The United Nations is working to increase the use of raised-bed rice farming in these areas to reduce arsenic levels.
What does this mean for the consumer? The best thing to do is to make sure the rice and rice products you are eating are certified organic. And to be on the safe side, not grown in former cotton fields or with arsenic contaminated water. The following brands sell organic rice products, but remember to read the labels as many brands sell some products that are organic and some that aren’t.
Lundberg Rice, California grown rice, either certified organic or “eco-farmed” – www.lundberg.com
Arrowhead Mills, based in Texas, uses organic rice flour in their All Purpose Gluten-Free Baking Mix – www.arrowheadmills.com
Shiloh Farms, based in Pennsylvania, sells organic rice flour – www.shilohfarms.net
Bob’s Red Mill makes a gluten-free All Purpose Baking Mix without any rice flour and they sell five gluten-free flours that are organic including Amaranth, Brown Rice, Quinoa, White Rice, and Coconut. www.bobsredmill.com
Tinkyada makes rice pasta with five organic options – www.tinkyada.com
Erewhon makes a gluten-free crispy rice cold cereal with organic rice and organic rice syrup - http://www.usmillsllc.com/usmills/search.php?brand=1
For more information about arsenic see the following:
• Arsenic can be found in water, rocks, wood preservatives, pesticides, and from mining activities - www.safe-drinking-water.org
• Arsenic information from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - http://www.epa.gov/safewater/arsenic/basicinformation.html
•A common source is pressure-treated wood, also known as CCA (Chromated (Chromium) Copper Arsenate (Arsenic), has been recently banned by the EPA for residential use, but is still allowed for industrial & agricultural uses
According to studies, older decks and play-sets(seven to 15 years old) made from pressure-treated wood expose people to just as much arsenic on the wood surface as newer structures (less than one year old).
The amount of arsenic that testers wiped off a small area of wood about the size of a four-year-old's handprint (100 square centimeters) typically far exceeds what EPA allows in a glass of water under the Safe Drinking Water Act standard.
www.ewg.org - Environmental Working group for more information and arsenic test kits
The boon in gluten-free, rice-based products is wonderful for those of us seeking decent tasting alternatives to prevalent and abundant wheat products. But here is the rub:
recent reports show that rice grown in Asia and the southern United States have high levels of arsenic. A study in the UK found that rice milk had up to three times the arsenic allowed by the US and EU for acceptable levels in drinking water.
Arsenic, a known toxin, used to poison and kill people in ancient times, and made famous for its noxious effects in the movie Arsenic and Old Lace with Cary Grant, is a heavy metal which accumulates in the soil and in human bodies, and can cause cancer, diabetes and other diseases.
Arsenic compounds have been used in agriculture as pesticides and herbicides as well as in animal feed. In the Southern United States, arsenic based pesticides were used on cotton crops for decades, persisting in the soil, even when no longer used. And now, there are a large number of former cotton fields that grow rice, so the arsenic used on the cotton is accumulating in rice.
Many countries in Asia use large amounts of arsenic contaminated water in their rice patties instead of a safer raised-bed system. The United Nations is working to increase the use of raised-bed rice farming in these areas to reduce arsenic levels.
What does this mean for the consumer? The best thing to do is to make sure the rice and rice products you are eating are certified organic. And to be on the safe side, not grown in former cotton fields or with arsenic contaminated water. The following brands sell organic rice products, but remember to read the labels as many brands sell some products that are organic and some that aren’t.
Lundberg Rice, California grown rice, either certified organic or “eco-farmed” – www.lundberg.com
Arrowhead Mills, based in Texas, uses organic rice flour in their All Purpose Gluten-Free Baking Mix – www.arrowheadmills.com
Shiloh Farms, based in Pennsylvania, sells organic rice flour – www.shilohfarms.net
Bob’s Red Mill makes a gluten-free All Purpose Baking Mix without any rice flour and they sell five gluten-free flours that are organic including Amaranth, Brown Rice, Quinoa, White Rice, and Coconut. www.bobsredmill.com
Tinkyada makes rice pasta with five organic options – www.tinkyada.com
Erewhon makes a gluten-free crispy rice cold cereal with organic rice and organic rice syrup - http://www.usmillsllc.com/usmills/search.php?brand=1
For more information about arsenic see the following:
• Arsenic can be found in water, rocks, wood preservatives, pesticides, and from mining activities - www.safe-drinking-water.org
• Arsenic information from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - http://www.epa.gov/safewater/arsenic/basicinformation.html
•A common source is pressure-treated wood, also known as CCA (Chromated (Chromium) Copper Arsenate (Arsenic), has been recently banned by the EPA for residential use, but is still allowed for industrial & agricultural uses
According to studies, older decks and play-sets(seven to 15 years old) made from pressure-treated wood expose people to just as much arsenic on the wood surface as newer structures (less than one year old).
The amount of arsenic that testers wiped off a small area of wood about the size of a four-year-old's handprint (100 square centimeters) typically far exceeds what EPA allows in a glass of water under the Safe Drinking Water Act standard.
www.ewg.org - Environmental Working group for more information and arsenic test kits
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