Can we protect kids from the toxic trappings of modern life?
Grist - 9/18/2009.by Vanessa Kerr – From Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring to current headlines in the news, there’s long been mounting evidence that we’re being poisoned by everyday items in our lives. I was crushed by the revelation that my trusty Nalgene bottle was leaching bisphenol A into my Brita-filtered water. |
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Dairy runoff in our tap water
Ethicurean - 9/18/2009.Big dairies, big problems: Reporter Charles Duhigg of the New York Times has been on the rampage these past few weeks with a series of great articles highlighting the need for better government regulation, oversight and enforcement of clean water laws. The latest installment covers the dairy industry in Wisconsin and elsewhere, where mega-feedlots concentrate millions of gallons of untreated waste that can leach into groundwater. |
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White House hosts farmers’ market
Grist - 9/17/2009. By Eddie Gehman Kohan – Despite rain and cold temperatures, today’s opening of the new White House Farmer’s Market drew quite a crowd. “I’ve never seen so many people so excited about fruits and vegetables!” First Lady Michelle Obama told the crowd gathered on the White House lawn. Agriculture Secretary Secretary Tom Vilsack turned out for the Market’s debut, along with White House chefs Sam Kass and Bill Yosses. The White House Farmer’s Market will run through the fall. |
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Toxic chemicals in everyday products: find out what’s in the stuff you use
Alternet - 9/17/2009.By Jeff Gearhart – Guess how I spent my summer? Testing over 900 everyday consumer products to find out what hazardous chemicals they might contain. Our team tested everything from pet collars and chew toys, to women's handbags, sedans and SUVs. Yet, despite all of the attention in 2008 to lead in toys, we are still universally finding elevated levels of lead, mercury, arsenic and other chemicals that can be hazards to human health, especially for children and pets. |
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