Environmental Toxins: Hindering Our Efforts To Live A Green & Healthy Lifestyle

Written by Krista Peterson

Both our planet and our health are worth preserving. Unfortunately, the manufacturing and circulation of environmental toxins like BPA, asbestos, and particulate matter are suffocating the efforts of many Americans who are striving to live green.

Bisphenol A (BPA) and chemicals called phthalates are ingredients in many of the plastic products we use today, including baby bottles and children’s toys. Studies are showing that these chemicals are the cause of developmental issues brought on by the altering of the endocrine system’s processes. In fact, these toxins may be partly to blame for diseases that have haunted us for ages, including diabetes, autism, ADHD, and cancer. We are often exposed to BPA through food packaging, though, according to the EPA, food packaging manufacturing accounts for only 5% of BPA used in the United States.

Besides BPA and the negative effects it can have on our health, there are other environmental toxins. Asbestos is a natural mineral that was used in the construction of buildings, ships, and car parts in the US as early as the 1920’s. Asbestos was used for its fire resistance, and is generally harmless when left undisturbed. However, when asbestos products are tampered with or damaged, their fibers are released into the air and inhaled or ingested. The result is a cancer called mesothelioma. Mesothelioma symptoms are latent for 20-50 years after asbestos exposure and those diagnosed with the cancer statistically live for a few short months.

In addition to the dangers of asbestos, particulate matter, yet another environmental toxin, negatively affects our health. It is a complex conglomeration of tiny particles and drops of liquid consisting of nitrates, sulfates, metals, and organic chemicals. The smaller the particles, the more detrimental they are to our well-being and the easier it is for them to enter the lungs. Particulate matter poisoning may result in asthma, chronic bronchitis, heart disease, coughing, and difficulty breathing. By reducing our dependency diesel and petroleum powered vehicles and power plants.

Though the 2010 Californian BPA ban was unsuccessful, it is up to us to protect ourselves and to preserve our planet. By reducing our usage of plastic products, we can reduce the manufacturing of BPA and similar toxins. Also, if mesothelioma symptoms or asbestos exposure are suspected, see a physician. Those around you may be at risk as well, and your vigilance could better their chances of avoiding or recovering from mesothelioma. Finally, by speaking out against businesses and products that produce particulate matter, we can free our air and secure our long-term health.

What's in your hotel room?

WASHINGTON — Philip Tierno doesn't feel comfortable staying in hotels because he knows too much, according to CNN Travel.

The microbiologist travels with an impervious mattress and pillow cover to protect against the unseen debris that guests leave behind in what he compares to the lost Roman civilization, particles "literally buried over time" in the bed, the article stated.

"What I'm saying is it's not just you in bed, it's who comes after you," said Tierno, director of microbiology and immunology at New York University's Langone Medical Center.

More disturbingly, it's who comes before you, too, the article noted.

According to the article, you can probably imagine what might be lurking in the mattress, but here's a sampling for those who hesitated: skin cells (when humans sleep they shed about 1.5 million cells or cell clusters an hour), human hair, bodily secretions, fungi, bacteria, dust, dust mites, lint, insect parts, pollen, cosmetics ... and more.

Germs also tend to congregate in places touched multiple times by multiple people that may not be cleaned thoroughly, if at all — the interior doorknob, the telephone, the remote control and the alarm clock, the article added.

Click here to read the complete article.

Bedbugs at Broadlawns Medical Center

DES MOINES, IA — An Iowa hospital working to stop the spread of a bedbug infestation was forced to limit access to care in its psychiatric unit for three days after the insects were discovered in two patients' rooms, according to Business Week.

Officials at Broadlawns Medical Center in Des Moines, a public hospital that serves Polk County, said workers discovered bedbugs in a room during a routine cleaning in early February, the article noted.

The hospital hired Ecolab, a pest control company, to eradicate the room of the tiny parasites that feed on human blood and spray two adjacent rooms as a precaution; but the problem wasn't over yet, the article stated.

According to the article, more bedbugs were later discovered in another room, and the hospital decided to shut down the entire hallway and several patient rooms for spraying and cleaning to stop the spread.

The three-day process meant the hospital's mental health and psychiatric center, which normally houses 26, was forced to stop admitting patients, the article added.

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The Smell in San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco's big push for low-flow toilets has turned into a multimillion-dollar plumbing stink, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

Skimping on toilet water has resulted in more sludge backing up inside the sewer pipes, which has created a rotten-egg stench near AT&T Park and elsewhere, especially during the dry summer months, the article stated.

The city has already spent $100 million over the past five years to upgrade its sewer system and sewage plants, in part to combat the odor problem, the article noted.

According to the article, officials are stocking up on a $14 million, three-year supply of highly concentrated sodium hypochlorite — better known as bleach — to act as an odor eater and to disinfect the city's treated water before it's dumped into the bay: It will also be used to sanitize drinking water.

That translates into 8.5 million pounds of bleach either being poured down city drains or into the drinking water supply every year, the article added.

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UGL Services contracted to clean New Meadowlands Stadium

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ — UGL Services, a division of UGL Limited, has announced that it has signed a five-year contract, with three one-year extensions, with the New Meadowlands Stadium Company LLC, according to a press release.

Under the contract, UGL Services provides pre-event, event and post-event stadium cleaning, plaza policing and snow removal services, the release noted.

Along with the full portfolio of value-added services, the New Meadowlands Stadium will benefit from UGL Services' advanced employee training, the UGL Services GreenClean sustainability and recycling program, the UNI-Q^® proprietary handheld inspection and web-based performance reporting system and the company's Program Absolutes quality assurance initiative, the release stated.

"The New Meadowlands Stadium is a significant addition to our prestigious lineup of sports and entertainment customers. They'll reap the benefits of our extensive facility services capabilities in the tri-state area. UGL Services is proud to support this fantastic new venue," said UGL Services Senior Vice President Michael Dunn.

Click here to read the complete release.

Cleaning firms accused of defrauding seniors

SCHAUMBURG, IL — Attorney General Lisa Madigan is suing a Schaumburg man and his two cleaning businesses, claiming he targeted senior citizens by encouraging them to purchase services they didn't need, according to Trib Local.

The lawsuit, filed in Cook County Circuit Court, names Moshe Kesem of Schaumburg and his two Schaumburg-based businesses, Warranty USA Inc. and Air Duct Cleaning Pros, the article noted.

Since November 2009, Kesem charged customers for expensive work repairing mold and mildew damage, but, according to the lawsuit, there was no damage, the article stated.

"This company targeted vulnerable seniors and deceived homeowners into purchasing services they didn't need," Madigan said in a statement.

According to the article, Madigan alleges Kesem showed customers fake photos of mold and mildew damage in order to prompt them to purchase the services.

Customers have reported to Madigan's office more than $17,350 in fraudulent charges from Kesem, the article added.

Click here to read the complete article.

EPA honors Navato Unified School District's efforts to improve indoor air quality

SAN FRANCISCO — The Novato Unified School District has been honored with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) 2010 Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Tools for Schools National Excellence Award for its exemplary efforts to improve indoor air quality for students, teachers and staff, according to a press release.

EPA created the IAQ Tools for Schools program nearly 20 years ago in response to studies that revealed the increasing age and deterioration of the nation's school buildings, the alarming rise in asthma and allergies among schoolchildren and the knowledge that indoor air pollutants can bring about or even worsen a variety of health problems, the release stated.

"Novato Unified School District is demonstrating national leadership through its commitment to promote healthy indoor air quality in their community's schools," said Mike Flynn, director of EPA's Office of Radiation and Indoor Air.

"Their work is helping to protect the health and support the performance of students, faculty and staff. We are proud of their valuable efforts and commend them on this outstanding accomplishment," Flynn added.

The relationship between indoor air quality and student performance and productivity is clear: Research suggests that students attending schools in poor conditions score 11 percent lower on standardized tests than students who attend schools in good conditions, the release noted.

According to the release, with nearly 55 million children spending their days inside 132,000 public and private school buildings in the United States, managing indoor air quality in schools is a vital part of improving student performance and achievement.

Click here to read the complete release.