I finally found a copy to share of the Monsanto Song that I mentioned so long ago. The lyrics must be out there too for a sing along. It begins "Those polar bears, now, Who really cares, now..."
Enjoy(?) :
I'm on this email list serve that sends a newsletter called Toxic Times, and every time I read an issue I get more and more disappointed in my g-g-generation, in my fellow Americans, and in The System. This Herbie, Garden-y blog was originally supposed to reflect the happy happy side of my character, and accordingly, I usually stick to reports on pollution and politics on my cranky blog.
That's why I haven't been around here for a while, not that y'all missed me. But crankiness aside, hasn't this been the longest, dirtiest, most depressing political silly season you've ever survived?
Where was I, oh yes - I'm posting this copy of the latest email newsletter from MNCEH in hopes that more moderate people, the kind who like a happy garden-y read will think about what we are doing here.
Enough is enough.
Thanks,
Ym-health
Toxic Times
A weekly recap of the top stories on toxics in Michigan and beyond
From the Michigan Network for Children's Environmental Health
News Highlights from October 19 - 26, 2008
Download the following information as a pdf by visiting:
http://www.mnceh.org/toxictimes/news.php
MICHIGAN NEWS
Lead-poisoning rates high among kids in Kalamazoo Co.
Kalamazoo Gazette, Thursday, October 23, 2008
Lead poisoning, which can result from paint dust stirred up by renovation or remodeling projects, can impair a child's development and at high levels may cause death. Kalamazoo is one of 13 communities identified by the Michigan Department of Community Health as having high rates of childhood lead poisoning.
http://www.mlive.com/news/kzgazette/index.ssf?/base/news-31/1224773437100800.xml&coll=7
Food allergies climb in American kids, study says
Detroit Free Press, Thursday, October 22, 2008
Food allergies in American children seem to be on the rise, now affecting about 3 million kids, according to the first federal study of the problem. But experts said that might be because parents are more aware and quicker to have their kids checked out by a doctor.
http://www.freep.com/article/20081022/NEWS07/81022020
Residents take up fight over cancer
The Detroit News, Wednesday, October 22, 2008
State asked for health study of industrial area believed to have elevated number of cases. Not more than 10 inches tall, three wooden crosses spray-painted white jut out of the front yard of Martha Allain's 11th Street home.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081022/LIFESTYLE03/810220378/1409/METRO
TEXAS TOWNSHIP CHEMICAL BARRELS Cleanup could finish in December
Kalamazoo Gazette, Wednesday, October 22, 2008
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency should finish cleanup of dangerous chemicals from property at 10135 West O Ave. in early to mid-December, officials said at a public meeting Tuesday.
http://www.mlive.com/news/kzgazette/index.ssf?/base/news-31/1224687013152080.xml&coll=7
NATIONAL NEWS
EPA weakens new lead rule after White House objects
Detroit Free Press, Thursday, October 23, 2008
After the White House intervened, the Environmental Protection Agency last week weakened a rule on airborne lead standards at the last minute so that fewer known polluters would have their emissions monitored. The White House Office of Management and Budget objected to the way the EPA would have some facilities, such as lead-emitting battery recycling plants, monitored.
http://www.freep.com/article/20081023/NEWS07/81023109
Toys containing banned plastics still on market
Wall Street Journal, Thursday, October 23, 2008
Starting February 10, 2009, children’s toys and childcare products containing three types of phthalates will be banned and those containing a different three phthalates will be placed on a temporary ban. Manufacturers of such products are attempting to liquidate their stock before the ban takes effect, and consumer advocacy groups are complaining that the law has effectively offered a grace period to sell the products rather than requiring their disposal.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122472242723860917.html
Fire retardant costumes pose Halloween danger
NBC, Friday, October 24, 2008
The fire safety label, which was once viewed as a safety seal of approval on Halloween costumes, is now triggering concern as parents weigh the benefits against the potential health risks caused by PBDE used on the costumes.
http://www.wcsh6.com/news/health/story.aspx?storyid=94800&catid=8
Dentists back sealants, despite concerns
New York Times, Monday, October 20, 2008
The chemical is bisphenol-A, or BPA, which is widely used in the making of the hard, clear plastic called polycarbonate, and is also found in the linings of food and soft-drink cans. Most human exposure to the chemical clearly comes from the food supply. But traces have also been found in dental sealants. Despite the concerns, the American Dental Association remains strongly in favor of the sealants.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/21/health/21well.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
Critics slam chemical report
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Friday, October 24, 2008
Scientists, lawmakers, and advocacy groups criticized a government report stating that bisphenol-A is safe. Scientists have noted serious flaws in the study, and lawmakers have requested a ban on bisphenol-A. Much of the criticism intensified when it was discovered that the plastics industry was responsible for much of the FDA report.
http://www2.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=809667
Lead, smoke exposure in kids linked to ADHD
Cincinnati Enquirer, Monday, October 20, 2008Eliminating childhood exposure to lead and tobacco smoke could cut the incidence of ADHD in the U.S. by more than a third, according to new research from Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. Individually, each substance increases a child's risk of developing attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, but children exposed to both environmental toxins are more than eight times more likely to develop ADHD than children who weren't exposed to either substance, the study found.
http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20081020/NEWS01/810200302
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
U.S. company challenges Quebec pesticide ban
Toronto Star, Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Opponents are charging that a U.S. company's challenge of a ban on the weed killer 2,4-D in Quebec is undemocratic and based on misconceptions of its safety. Dow Chemical, who produces the herbicide, has filed a $2 million dollar suit against the federal government because of the ban.
http://www.thestar.com/article/522707
Toxic toys, jewelry recalled
Toronto Star, Friday, October 24, 2008
Health Canada has ordered thousands of toys and children's costume jewelry items off store shelves after a Star investigation found they contained dangerously high levels of lead.
http://www.parentcentral.ca/parent/article/523696
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Articles were researched and compiled by Grant DeJongh, MNCEH Intern.
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