| February 2005 |
| Sun |
Mon |
Tue |
Wed |
Thu |
Fri |
Sat |
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
11
|
12
|
|
13
|
14
|
15
|
16
|
17
|
18
|
19
|
|
20
|
21
|
22
|
23
|
24
|
25
|
26
|
|
27
|
28
|
|
Sunday, February 27
LEAF BURNING CAN CHOKE YOU UP
by
Molly Regan
on Sun 27 Feb 2005 01:51 PM CST
 LEAF BURNING CAN CHOKE YOU UP
"Are the Stars out Tonight ?…I don't know if it's Cloudy or Bright….'Cause I only have Eyes for You"….And so the song goes.
But, it could be that the reason you cannot see is because of SMOKE CAUSED BY SOMEONE BURNING LEAVES. How often have you been
driving or riding somewhere and all of a sudden your vehicle floats
through a SMOKY HAZE that has drifted across the road? Your nostrils
are accosted by an all too familiar smell, and for some, this odiferous
happening TRIGGERS COUGHING, WHEEZING, AND POSSIBILY A SEVERE SINUS HEADACHE. For those with pre-existing respiratory problems, they may
become unable to breathe.
What may have been a nostalgic remembrance of childhood or a hayride
evening, has now become know as one of the major sources of
HARMFUL DIOXINS. These substances are highly toxic,
long-lasting organic compounds. DIOXINS can find their way
into the human food chain. Particulate matter can become part of
plants that animals eat and that humans in turn consume. We store
the dioxins in our fat cells after we eat dairy or meat or chicken
produce that has been tainted. Developmental problems or
reproductive disorders can result for some.
Smoke from burning leaves, grass, brush, and most plants contain high
concentrations of pollutants, such as CARBON MONOXIDE particulate
matter (soot), toxic chemicals, and reactive gasses that can contribute
to smog formation. The smoke can be an immediate health concern
for some people. POLLUTION LEVELS IN ADJACENT BURN AREAS CAN
EXCEED HUMAN HEALTH STANDARDS.
What's in Leaf Smoke?
CARBON MONOXIDE BINDS WITH THE HEMOGLOBIN IN THE BLOODSTREAM TO REDUCE
OXYGEN FLOW. Carbon monoxide can be dangerous for young children,
smokers, the elderly, and people with chronic heart or lung disease.
PARTICULATE MATTER refers to microscopic soot particles. Too small to
be seen individually with the unaided eye, dense concentrations are
visible as smoke. These particles are less than 2.5 microns in size --
roughly the thickness of a human red blood cell. THEY CAN BECOME
EMBEDDED IN LUNG TISSUE AND ARE KNOWN TO CONTRIBUTE TO PREMATURE DEATH
as well as affect persons with heart conditions and trigger asthmatic
reactions for some people.
The hazardous chemical BENZAPYRENE is known to cause cancer in
animals and is believed to be a factor in lung cancer caused by
smoking. IT IS PRESENT IN LEAF SMOKE.
PLEASE LEARN NOT TO BURN. COMPOSTING, MULCHING, AND BAGGING ARE CLEANER OPTIONS.
Much of this information comes directly from the IOWA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES web site: http://www.iowadnr.com
There is a 13-page booklet of information from the AMERICAN LUNG
ASSOCIATION found under "Leaf Burning Effects, Alternatives, and Bans"
at the IOWA DNR web site that you should print and distribute to those
in your family and school or neighborhood. There is much valuable
information here, so please share it. It has good advice for all
year round and for everyone with a lung. You can help. You
can do it. Make your community a better place to live and
breathe.
As always, CPR: CONSERVE/PARTICIPATE/RECYCLE
Sunday, February 20
INSTEAD OF CHLORINE, AEROSOLS OR ROUNDUP
by
Molly Regan
on Sun 20 Feb 2005 02:22 PM CST
 INSTEAD OF CHLORINE, AEROSOLS, OR ROUNDUP
Many of the CLEANING AGENTS
we use are toxic to our lungs, skin & eyes. The spray applied
to your lawn to stop dandelions or crabgrass is usually just a bottled
form of the highly noxious herbicide ROUNDUP. Overexposure to this can cause CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM DAMAGE.
It stays on your clothing and shoes unless you dispose of them or
immediately wash them. Of course, if you do that, you know where
it goes next...INTO TO THE WASTEWATER.
This in
turn takes more chemicals to clean up so the water can be reintroduced
for use. So, what are some steps you can take to use more
benevolent cleaning items? Here are a few suggestions:
Air freshener………Simmer Cinnamon & Cloves
Aluminum spot remover…….2 tablespoons cream of tarter & 1 quart hot water
BLEACH…………….USE BORAX
Brass polish……….Worcestershire sauce
Car battery corrosion……..Baking soda & water
Cleaners:general household…..Baking soda
Chrome polish….Apple cider vinegar & Baby oil to polish
DRAIN CLEANER…..PLUNGER
FOLLOWED BY ½ CUP BAKING SODA & ½ CUP VINEGAR & 2 QUARTS
BOILING WATER (this does work). [First try to "plunger" the drain
free, then pour the soda by itself into the drain, (have the boiling
water heating)....Then as soon as the water is ready, pour the vinegar
in the drain...This causes a chemical reaction. Let it bubble for
about 10-15 seconds, then follow with the water.]
FERTILIZER……COMPOST & VERMICOMPOST
MILDEW REMOVER………EQUAL PARTS VINEGAR & SALT
Oven cleaner……. 2 tablespoons liquid soap & 2 teaspoons BORAX & warm water
Pet odor removal…..Cider vinegar
Roach repellent…..Chopped bay leaves & cucumber skins
Water mark removal …..Toothpaste
To rid yourself of flies have a well-watered pot of basil around.
Many
things we use to clean our homes and ourselves can often contribute to
health problems. Once many harmful cleaning chemicals enter the
drain or soil, they can continue the cycle of contamination. Be
wary of advertising. Slick advertisements can blind the buyer
from making wise choices.
BORAX
is an excellent substitute for bleach. Even though borax can be
an eye irritant and may be harmful if swallowed, it outweighs chlorine
in its functions and safety. So be sure to read labels and
keep clean. For more information go to www.prevention.com and
look at the Home and Family section under Housecleaning for an article
called " A Safer Sparkle". See you through the looking
glass.
And as always, CPR: CONSERVE/PARTICIPATE/RECYCLE
Monday, February 14
Action Alert: Terminate the Terminator Gene
by
Trish Nelson
on Mon 14 Feb 2005 10:41 AM CST
 Action Alert: Terminate the Terminator Gene
Organic Consumers Association
Contributed by Douglas Narveson
Consumer,
farmer, and environmental organizations across the globe are mobilizing
to stop the legalization and commercialization of the controversial
Terminator Gene Technology, whereby seeds are genetically engineered to
become sterile or commit suicide after one growing season.
The Monsanto corporation and the biotech industry support the
Terminator Technology, because it will force many of the 1.4 billion
farmers around the world to stop saving their seeds and instead to
purchase patented seed varieties from the Gene Giants.
In
addition, scientists are concerned that genetic pollution from
Terminator crops will lead to killing off a wide range of crops and
plants, as Terminator pollen and seeds are spread by the wind, insect
pollinators, and commercial seed co-mingling and transportation.
After a massive international campaign in 1998, Monsanto Corporation
announced they were shelving plans to commercialize the Terminator,
while the United Nations (UN) called for a global ban. But on 2/11/2005
renewed efforts to overturn the worldwide ban were launched at a UN
conference in Bangkok.
Learn more and sign OCA's petition to the UN to terminate the Terminator Gene.
Secratariat of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity
413 St-Jacques Street, 8th floor, Office 800
Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H2Y 1N9
Tel: +1-514-288-2220 Fax: +1-514-288-6588
To send an e-mail click here
 Sign up for action alerts. Join the Iowa Rapid Response team.
Sunday, February 6
IOWANS ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY AIR POLLUTION
by
Molly Regan
on Sun 06 Feb 2005 02:06 PM CST
 IOWANS ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY AIR POLLUTION PARICULATES
POLLUTED IOWA AIR
Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, How I Wonder What You Are…Up Above The World So High, Like A Diamond In The Sky….That is, of course, if you can see it.
Tuesday, February 1st, 2005, was the first in a series of days that AIR POLLUTION in IOWA harmfully increased. As a result of a STAGNANT AIR MASS over the Upper Midwest including the Great Lakes, the Ohio Valley, and IOWA, alerts were sent out by the IOWA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES and other agencies.
The associated HAZE was evident locally (Scott County) along the Mississippi River. The air just wasn't moving or churning as it normally does. When little air movement occurs, it causes stagnation and the PARTICULATES FROM VEHICLE POLLUTION, (INCLUDING AIRPLANES, TRAINS, AND OTHER DIESEL EMMITTING ENGINES) STAY PUT & CAUSE US TO COUGH AND WHEEZE.
There was also VERY LITTLE AIR TEMPERATURE DIFFERENCE up to 8000 feet above the Midwest region. This limited the mixing of the air per Brian Button of the IOWA DNR. No dilution of the emissions occurred resulting in ELEVATED POLLUTION LEVELS.
"PARTICULATE MATTER is a generic term to describe MICROSCOPIC SIZED SOOTS AND AEROSOLS. Because small particles can penetrate the deepest part of the LUNGS, (this can increase) the likelihood of symptoms in sensitive individuals, INCLUDING CHILDREN, the elderly and those with heart and lung disease.
"PARTICULATES are directly released as SMOKE when COAL, GASOLINE, DIESEL FUELS AND WOOD ARE BURNED. PARTICULATES also form from CHEMICAL REACTIONS of NITROGEN OXIDES, SULFUR OXIDES, ORGANIC COMPOUNDS, and AMMONIA."
The AIR QUALITY INDEX (AQI) is a measurement of pollution. In SCOTT COUNTY on Tuesday, February 3rd it read 107 & 103 at 2 different locations. In (Cedar Rapids) it was LINN COUNTY 112 and in POLK COUNTY (Des Moines) it read 119.
The AQI is a numerical and color-coded system. A reading of 1-50 is GOOD AIR QUALITY (GREEN), 51-100 is MODERATE AIR (YELLOW), 101-150 is UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS (ORANGE), 151-200 is UNHEALTHY FOR ALL (RED), and the ultimate tiers are 201-300 (PURPLE), with 301-500 VERY UNHEALTHY/HAZARDOUS (MAROON).
So, what's a person to do? Assess your own health and those you care about. Make sure those you know who may be at risk know about the AQI. For daily updates when a POLLUTION ALERT has occurred, keep track by going to www.iowadnr.com. Look under the AIR POLLUTION section. And as always, check your behavior. Is your vehicle running at top efficiency? Do you need to even drive it every day? Do you read labels to see what ingredients may be released into the air when you are working on your favorite project or at your place of business? Nearly every line of work can be assessed and different options considered. It could save you money as well as your health.
Of course, don't forget CPR: CONSERVE/PARTICIPATE/RECYCLE
|
|
