Reduce Your Paper Use

Reducing the amount of paper is pretty easy. Far easier than you think.

Mom relayed a story to me of her youth. It seems their pig loved toilet paper. LOVED toilet paper. Well, once her mother figured out what was happening with all of the toilet paper, the kids were told (Mom and her cousins), they could use the toilet paper for themselves, or feed it to the pig and use the Sears catalog.

The pig didn't get anymore toilet paper.

See how easy that is?

For this post, I'm not going to give suggestions to you about how to reduce. You already know how. What you may not know is why it's so important to reduce. That's what I'll be focusing on.

Each person in the US produces 730 pounds of waste paper per year.

Every year, 535 million trees are cut just for the US paper demand, using over 12 billion gallons of petroleum products.

Making 1 ton of paper from virgin pulp uses up to 72,000 gallons of water, whereas producing recycled paper only needs a tenth the water, 60% of the energy and not even 50% the chemicals.

Americans recycle only 1/3 of the newspapers they purchase.

The average American gets 400 pounds of mail order catalogs every year.

Americans use over 50 pounds of tissue products per year. Tissues, toilet paper, paper towels and packaging encompass this category.

If every American replaced 1 package of regular TP with one of recycled paper, it would save 1.4 million trees. With napkins, it would be another 1 million trees.

Since 1960, office paper generation increased by 4.8 million tons, or 320 percent

And some good news - However, office paper generation has declined by 750,000 tons during the last six years as the use of personal computers has spread.

15 million sheets of paper are used in US offices every 5 minutes.

Here's a picture from Chris Jordan depicting the 15 million sheets of paper:

And a detail:

A Visit To The Homestead

And you didn't think there was any such thing as a real pecking order! Ha! You're wrong. As you can see, the first Red came out while the others were watching. Once they saw she was ok, they started coming out. It reminded me of a horror flick gone cute. Rather than beasts of evil flooding through the unprotected gates of hell, it was chickens coming out of a camper made just for them. Very circus like.

The part I couldn't capture on the camera was a single hen standing on the top of the water bucket while all the others departed. She stayed there the whole time. It was very interesting to watch!

These two pictures - of the Rocks - Heads I win, Tails you lose. LOL It's a cute little butt - as chicken butts go.

Here, you can see they've blended nicely. They've all got more room to scratch out a meal than they've ever had before. The Reds came from a 20x24 concrete floored room and have never really seen the ground before. So this is an extra special treat for them. They can actually be chickens!

The Rocks have had ground to play on, but never more than an 8x8 space at any given time. So, going to a 25x25 is pretty exciting for them all! Talk about clucky!

And if you'd like to know more about these and other heritage breeds, please visit The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy


They had to stay inside the next day since it was a bit difficult getting them to understand night time meant they went INTO the chalet to roost. Their homing instinct doesn't include the building - just the location of the building. Chickens have never been accused of being the brightest bulbs in the world.

I also got to see Venita's green houses. Very cool! They aren't packed yet, as she still is in the seedling stage, but they'll be too full to move very soon. Good for her!

We're all planning a joint venture actually. I'll be making jams, jellies, bread and coffee cakes, utility bags and potholders (quilts are out for now - way too much time needed to make them for this year). They'll sell eggs, flower and veggie plants. I believe their neighbor will be selling goat milk - which is wonderful - have had it.

Bro is looking into making more Chalets to sell since this one went together so well and is working just as he had hoped. He has a solar electric fence around it so they won't leave without permission.

I'm hoping to get a bunch of stuff written up for either the end of the market season this year or the beginning of next season. I don't know which yet. It truly depends on the weather this summer. If it's rainy and crappy, obviously I'll be inside more than out working. If it's super sunny, I'll be working outside a lot. So - again, it just depends.

But we're all such Jack of All Trades that we can probably make a good go of it as a combined homestead of sorts. We're all homesteading, but we all have our specialties within the homesteading. With any luck, it'll work!

VUMC Weekly Green Tips 2009

Sorry for any confusion. I was just told that the order the hints were put into the bulletin was mixed up. So, I'm trying to get them back in order. Forgive us!

January Week 1 - Repurposing Christmas
January Week 2 - Use a Humidifier
January Week 3 - Seal Those Leaks
January Week 4 - Windows, The Weak Link
January Week 5 - Second-Hand Scents

February Week 1 - Buy A Houseplant
February Week 2 - Valentine's Day
February Week 3 - At Least 10 Uses For Just About Anything
February Week 4 - Lent is Coming

For Lent - Carbon Fast

March Week 1 - Why Kermit's Team Blog Exists
March Week 2 - Reduce Your Use of Processed Foods
March Week 3 - Use Less Water
March Week 4 - 1 Less Hour of Power - Earth Hour
March Week 5 - Use Less Paper

DIY Links

Water Is NOT Infinite

Our bodies (human, that is) are at least 60% water. I say at least because I learned it to be 80%, but the numbers vary. I think that's because they are talking about what isn't directly in cells, rather than cell and free floating.

Anyway, we aren't just carbon-based units - we are far more water-based. So, with something that is so vital to us, we tend to be very casual, and abusive of it. Why is that? When you look at a country such as Australia, which is in a drought of unprecedented proportions. I have friends there, and have only heard about the drought. I've never heard anything else but drought conditions, and it's going on its 8th year.

I just found the following quote from a newspaper article from The Australian online newspaper: But Dr Cai and Dr Cowan are convinced that the DOI is a “bigger scale” phenomenon which can overpower ENSO. As well, they will report in GRL that climate change is an even broader scale phenomenon that is increasing the frequency of IOD events.

The above quote truly points out the theory posed in the movie "The Day After Tomorrow". While it may not happen nearly as quickly as the movie shows it, it's a very solid theory that is being borne out in a different way, south of the Equator.

How we use our water in the US is not going to make a difference in what happens in Australia. However, if we learn from them, we are far less likely to be so severely affected as they. What is scary is, we aren't learning. The following picture is a map of the Great Plains (Ogallala Aquifer) and it's water decline (without replenishment) over the last 50 years:

You know what that major area is called? America's Breadbasket. And what else? Desert.

They are now saying that the 30 million people who rely on the Colorado River in 7 different states will be without water by 2021. All from overuse, and increasing temperatures evaporating it as well as reducing the snowpack that fills it in the springtime.

So - what can we do? It's easy - reduce!
Look at an article I wrote on how much water is used just to produce our energy.
Reduce the amount of energy you use.
Reduce the amount of WATER you use.
Reduce the amount of water you BUY - really, how stupid is that?
Learn good gardening techniques that will significantly reduce watering you might need to do during the hottest months of the summer.
Use rain barrels. Divert the water from your rooftops and driveways into your lawns and flower beds.
Use the water from your washer to water your container plants.

Check for leaks in your water system. Make sure all faucets are turned off in your house. If your meter changes position during this time, you have at least one leak. Find it by ruling out all lines - shut off all but one and check the meter again - keep doing until you find the leak. Fix the leaks!

Don't flush your toilet as often. If you have an old toilet that uses up to 8 gallons per flush, start looking at replacing it. The first generation of low flow toilets were horrid, but they've improved greatly (we have a Toto that is phenomenal).

Change the way you shower. WWII Navy personnel learned to take the 2 minute shower. Challenge yourself to take a shorter shower. You can reduce your time, reduce the flow which reduces the volume you use, or shut the flow off while you're soaping up. My dad uses the first, I use the second and my mom uses the third. All work the same.

Don't wash your car. It's actually better to leave the grunge on in the NE during the winter time, as warm wet salt. Cold wet salt does less, and cold dry salt doesn't do anything. Leave it. You're also less likely to have it stolen. If you must wash your car, do it at a public car wash. You use about half the water, and it's generally filtered and recycled now.

Don't water your lawn. If you live in a dry area, cut down on the amount of lawn you have. Pay attention to your irrigation system. Don't water the road or the sidewalk. I lived in Dallas TX for about a year, and was able to reduce the water use at the house by half, just by changing the way the system watered the lawn. Rather than 1 30-minute cycle for each zone, I watered it in 4 5-minute cycles. It didn't run off, but had a chance to soak in. This meant it stayed moister for a far longer time, reducing the number of times the lawn was watered, and used less water overall.
If you don't live in a dry area, don't water. It isn't necessary. And often, it isn't watered properly, making the grass even weaker during the hottest period.

Don't use container plants. I hate container plants. They have no way to hold their moisture. They just evaporate and transevaporate (through the leaves) so quickly that you're watering gallons for singular plants. That's just wrong.

Divert Rain Water - it's virtually impossible to use a rain barrel that will collect enough water, but if you want to, go for it. It only takes a few minutes of a good thunderstorm to fill a 55 gallon drum. What happens to the rest of the storm's water? And what if there are several in a few days' time? Look at the flow of the water and sculpt your lawn to either collect it in an area that is perpetually dry, or to disperse it much like irrigation ditches in developing countries. It works wonders! I'll be posting one project here that I started last year and will be making look good this year.
Only wash full loads. When you use your washer, particularly if you have a teenager, you tend to not wash full loads. Stop that right now! It's costing YOU, not just the environment. In energy, water and detergent.

Use your dishwasher. If you use your dishwasher, vs hand washing your dishes, you can save half of the total volume. Washers are even smarter now, using only what is necessary for your style of washing - the first few times it washes, it may use more, but it's "learning" you and your dishes dirt level. This saves ever more.

None of these ideas are ground breaking or life-changing. But they all work. Be efficient!

Talk about Reuse!

This past week has been pretty hectic at my brother's place.

As you know, he already has some chickens
Well, he didn't just triple his flock, he quintupled it! Rhode Island Reds, and he seems pretty proud of them. Pullets - so they aren't laying eggs yet, but he figures in about 6 weeks, they'll be laying a combined 3.5 dozen a day. Salada Eggs!

When he got them, he wasn't anticipated expanding just yet, or to the degree in which he expanded. So he needs a super duper fast "egg mobile" as he calls it. He had been talking about making a more portable coop, so he can give them new foraging as often as they need, but hadn't worried about it just yet. He's worrying!

So in I step, suggesting he ask our neighbor for her ancient pop-up camper that's been parked for over 20 years. Dad called, and he was told that if bro could come and get it, it was his! He was down the next day. LOL

We were all certain that thing would be ruined inside. We were wrong! The tires hold air, the stoves works, the ice box is cracked, there's virtually no mildew and hardly needed airing. Uh oh. He's also been talking about something like this for a spare bedroom too. Now what? The chickens are here NOW, so it's the latest and greatest in chicken coops. Talk about Haute Poule. These babes are it!

So, he's in the process of gutting the camper. The stove already has a new home, and the other things are still in search of somewhere useful to live. Once we have pictures, they'll be posted.

It's a wild and wacky world around me, that's for certain.
New pictures! LOL
It's a topless camper!

Monsanto's Dream Bill In The House of Reps

My brother and I were actually talking about this last night. And it all has to do with food security. I'm sure it's being advertised as a way to improve security, but diversification is the only way to keep anything safe - whether it's electric, natural gas, your own money, or your food.

Europe is a prime example with natural gas. They've been held hostage by Russia at least twice this winter, by actually stopping gas transport through Ukraine. Having only one source for anything is bad.

Also - if you remember from history lessons, monopolies were outlawed for a reason. They create a huge imbalance that has catastrophic consequences to all, not just those directly affected by a conglomerate.

Another example is something as simple as egg and poultry farming. Here's what my brother found...
(NYSEQAP). Over 85% of NY eggs come from just 12 commercial egg farms, 5 replacement pullet growers and one large breeder. 12 growers supply over 19,000,000 people. Please explain to me how that's safe. I could list hundreds of such example all over the nation.

Pease - go to Senate.gov and House.gov and contact your elected officials. No one should have such an inside track to total control over OUR lives. Monsanto has already bought the larger seed companies. Don't let them take the smaller ones or OUR personal right to grow, exchange or store our own seed.

Leslie

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Monsanto's dream bill, HR 875
by Linn Cohen-Cole
To begin reversing GM contamination will require ending the power biotech companies such as Monsanto exert over our government and through that, over our food.

HR 875, was introduced by Rosa DeLauro whose husband Stanley Greenburg works for Monsanto.

The bill is monstrous on level after level - the power it would give to Monsanto, the criminalization of seed banking, the prison terms and confiscatory fines for farmers, the 24 hours GPS tracking of their animals, the easements on their property to allow for warrantless government entry, the stripping away of their property rights, the imposition by the filthy, greedy industrial side of anti-farming international "industrial" standards to independent farms - the only part of our food system that still works, the planned elimination of farmers through all these means.

The corporations want the land, they want more intensive industrialization, they want the end of normal animals so they can substitute patented genetically engineered ones they own, they want the end of normal seeds and thus of seed banking by farmers or individuals. They want control over all seeds, animals, water, and land.

Our farmers are good stewards. That is who is threatened by Rosa DeLauro's bill (and because of that, we all are). At a time in this country when wise stewardship and the production of anything real - especially good food - is what is most needed, it is our best stewards whom Rosa DeLauro threatens, under the cruelly false name of "food safety."

And now Monsanto wants its own employee, Michael Taylor - the man who forced genetically engineered rBGH on us (unlabeled so us, unaware) when the Clintons placed him over "food safety" in the 90s - back in government, this time to act with massive police power as a "food safety tsar" from inside the White House. HR 875 would give him immense power over what is done on every single farm in the country and massive police state power to wield over farmers and punishments to break them at will.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We have a real chance to get this bill dropped from committee, as the head of the Energy and Commerce Committee is Congressman Democrat Henry Waxman.

Please call his office immediately and let them know your feelings on the matter and please tell them that you "disapprove" of HR875.

His office is located at:

8436 West Third Street, Suite 600
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(323) 651-1040 (phone)
(818) 878-7400 (phone)
(310) 652-3095 (phone)
(323) 655-0502 (fax)

My Brother's Chickens

3/19/09 - Well, he's at it again. He's tripling his "herd" (I know, flock. But I'd like to call him a chicken herder. LOL). Today he's going somewhere down in PA to get another 20 chickens. Don't know if they're the same breed as what he has now, but he's getting more. He has the demand for eggs, and he has plenty of property to put them on, so he might as well increase his population.

Good for him!


And here's a picture of his chicken coop in action, with chickelfinks attached. He couldn't decide which to put on the 'back' of the coop, so both went on the 'front'.





The spring of 2008 had a neighbor of my brother bring him some chicks and proclaimed him a chicken farmer.

Naturally, my brother kept them and, has indeed, begun his chicken farming stage of life.

These chickens are Plymouth Rock - barred variety. Who knew there are 7 varieties of Plymouth Rocks out there?





Naturally, once fall came, he had to build them a coop. Being the over-engineering sort, and plenty of wood to harvest as lumber, he made them a COOP. Those chickens have no clue how good they have it. As you can see, it's a 2-story coop. And it's portable! He can move it with his tractor to new foraging whenever he wants. The chickens apparently love it when they move and come out to watch the tractor whenever he starts it up. The second floor has roosts and nesting boxes that you can access from the outside with a hinged portion of the roof. Easier egg gathering and cleaning - no bending!

Once I saw the design, I was driven to make him some distelfinks. Only - distelfink for a chicken just doesn't sound right - so, I totally bastardized the concept and called them chickelfinks. I've not gotten any pictures of them on the coop, but I'm sure I'll get one someday. Obviously, I took great liberties with the second one. However, for chickens, it just seemed incredibly appropriate! The first is far more traditional, using standard symbols and colors. The only non-standard part is the rooster instead of a finch.







The amazing part is, these chickens are already laying eggs! I figured early spring would be the soonest, but they're doing quite well - especially for pullets (hens less than a year old. The rooster is a cockerel until he's a year old - then he's a cock).

A little tidbit I found while doing my turkey farming research is that chickens with white earlobes lay white eggs and chickens with red ear lobes lay brown eggs - with a few exceptions.

First - WHO knew chickens had earlobes and WHO looked?

And if they lay speckled eggs, is it because they have freckles on their earlobes or what?
Ah well, that little bit of pondering will have to wait for another day. So do they have varying shades of red earlobes? And the 2 eggs on the far right are speckled - freckled earlobes? If they lay consistently the same shade/tone, we have eggs from 4 different hens. But, I don't know if they do lay consistently or not. Such research to do!

I honestly don't know what my brother will do with all of his eggs. I've offered up different people within my circle who would love to buy them, but I've not hear. He may already have them all spoken for. But considering he'll be getting an average of 2 per day from each hen, that's 20/day to get rid of. LOL Just a few.

Maple Surple

Roses are red

Violets are purple

Sugar is sweet

So is maple surple.

Anyway, a long story for 2 pints of syrup.

I had to move all of our firewood away from the south wall of our garage because I have to 'install' (read, DIG) a drainage ditch/culvert/trench. The water along the E/NE wall is making moss grow on the radio shack (don't ask about the radio shack. I lost in the vote to get rid of it). So - moved the firewood. As I was finishing the second day of hauling and tossing, I noticed the maple nearby was dripping. I knew the sap was running, but it's always good to have that affirmation

If you've never had plain sap, it's one of those 100 things to see/do before you die. Wonderful! So, I started wiping up the drops from cleaner pieces of wood (anything not dirt) and tasting. WOW is it sweet! I've had sap before, but none this sweet straight from the tree. I had Dad try it and he thought the same thing. So, I said to him - find me a tap and I'll make some syrup.

Never mind I've not made it before and that it's very late in the season. While I was moving the wood, I had been thinking I would try it next year. Well, what's a year among friends, right?

He trotted right off to find one. It took him an hour, but he found one! And while he was gone, I was online searching out exactly how to do this thing, tapping a maple tree. First off, the hole they suggest you drill is PUNY. 5/16. Right! I had to up it to about 7/16 because the tap just wouldn't even start. But, with it that little bit bigger, I was able to coax it in without splitting the tree.

I got a gallon in 4 hours. Wow! Fast! It has slowed considerably since then. Now I might get a gallon in about 8 hours. But, that's ok. I've already exceeded my hopes of how much syrup I'd get.

The set up now isn't nearly as picturesque as it used to be - the slightly beat up bucket hanging under the tap, with the sounds of the drips quietly coming from inside. It's a plastic bag. Ew. But, effective. And bungy cords. Where has the beauty gone in our lives? Sigh. But, again, effective.

All of the sites I looked at said the ratio is 40:1. You need 40 ounces of sap to get 1 ounce of syrup, 40 gallons to get 1 gallon, etc. They also said the average tap would yield 4-10 gallons of sap before drying up. So I figured if I could get 5 gallons of sap, I'd be a happy camper. It is a full month into the season and I have no clue how much difference that makes in the volume or how long a tap lasts.

So, I've been boiling a gallon of sap at a time on top of our kitchen stove. You know how they show piles of steam just rolling off like fog? Not with a mere spit of a gallon. It's like you're making spaghetti for a couple of hours. That's not much steam at all. So, I boil it down from a gallon to a cup. I thought I'd do this until I was finished collecting sap, and then boil down all of it at once.

Well, I didn't feel like having that many jars of partial syrup/sap around. So last night, I took my 2 pints of boiled down and started to boil it down again. I had only collected around 3.5 gallons, so figured I'd be lucky to get a cup of syrup from the 2 pints. When it was finished, I had 1 pint plus 3 ounces. I knew the sap was sweet, but holy crow! That's a significant difference from the average.

And considering this maple is a hybrid - it's not a red maple and not a sugar maple - I figured it would take more boiling. So maybe I've got something here in this hybrid! I'll know next year when I try this again.

I'm probably going to pull the tap tomorrow after the morning collection. I've got enough for us and now I know it's not some hocus pocus years of trial and error thing that you only master after 20 years. I have 4 maples on the property I can tap, plus 2 on the neighbor's property. Plus, there are 2 box elders that I can tap as well. And I may next year. It's said they aren't as sweet and don't have as much of the quintessential mapleness to them. Mom hates maple, so she might like it. We'll see.

It's been fun! And not hot or sweaty or steamy. I'm pretty happy with it. And it tastes wonderful! WOW.

This is a picture from last fall - early September. It's the tree on the right with no leaves on it. It's a strange beast - it's always done that. It changes from top to bottom - as does another on the property, but it changes early and loses them as soon as they change color. The others hold the leaves for far longer.

Earth Hour March 28, 2009

Earth Hour is 10 days away. Go to the website and sign up so they know how many people are going to participate.

From 830 to 930 PM, all you have to do is turn off your lights. That's it. Incredibly simple!

Organizations, schools, cities, towns, and businesses can all sign up. And if you leave the name of your organization, it'll be scrolled across the website sidebar! Very cool.

You have nothing to lose except a little reading time. Why not join 28 Scouts in this effort? Or the 2.2 million in Sydney Australia? It's worth it! And hey - make it a habit!

Reducing Use of Processed Foods

It is truly amazing how little of the food we eat we actually prepare from scratch. Here's an example:

My family makes our own spaghetti sauce. It's cheaper, we like the taste better than the store bought and is supposed to be better for us. BUT - we buy the cans of tomatoes, sauce and paste; we buy the cheeses and the spices. What did we just make on our own?

Yes, it's cheaper for us and yes, we like the taste better. But is it better for us or the environment? Each can of tomatoes is lined with chemicals to help "improve and maintain freshness". One of these chemicals is BPA. Chemicals are also added to help "maintain color and flavor". Huge amounts of salt are added, and salt is now being linked to memory problems as well as the hypertension issues. The cheeses are processed and shipped from hundreds of miles away, as are the spices. These are usually shipped in plastic, which is known to outgas at room temperature.

Energy may or may not be saved by making spaghetti sauce this way, compared to buying individual jars of processed sauce. I do know the number of chemicals we consume is decreased substantially. Just look at the labels of your favorite sauces to see what has been added compared to mixing it up yourself. Each year I am growing more tomatoes to can and use, rather than buying them, but I'm still not able to grow a full year's supply. I'm getting there.

While I don't expect most people to look as closely as I do at what we make, what we eat, how we eat it, or how we buy it, I do hope you *will* look.

Changes are simple. Drink 1 less soda per week. Eat 1 less candy bar. Eat out 1 fewer times per week. Cook a meal rather than eating a heat and serve TV dinner. Grill your own burgers rather than driving down to the local burger bar. Make soup out of left overs instead of opening a can and dumping it in a sauce pan.

Here are some facts for you to think about when you go shopping or go out to eat:

Overall, food—and all the energy it takes to grow, process, transport and prepare it—is responsible for 1/3 of all global greenhouse gas emissions, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and the Pew Center.

The average restaurant in the US uses 38 kWh of electricity and 111 cubic feet of natural gas per square foot of space per year.

Here in the US, for every 10 calories spent to grow/produce our food, we get 1 calorie in return.

Calculate your diet's carbon footprint. Eat Low Carbon

Why This Blog Exists

How did Kermit's Team come about? I'm not sure really. Like all good Methodists, I chimed in and offered my assistance when the Greent Team was formed.

"Use a blog and connect it to the church web site. It's easy!", I chirped. "Here, I'll show you." So I started this one, choosing a name that wouldn't intefere with a name the Green Team came up with, but that would be easily remembered by its members when they actually reviewed it (which they don't). Ask them.

Why reinvent the wheel if it's already rolling under your cart? Ahh, yes. The prototype becomes the functioning model. LOL

That's fine. I was going to keep posting to it anyway, so gearing it mostly toward the church wasn't such a difficult task.

I try to post 3 times per week. As you can see, my ability to do that is spotty at best. At least once a week is the real goal. The one per week is strictly for the church. It's an expansion upon the teaser line that's placed in the weekly bulletin - giving you accurate and timely information that can help you make decisions in your life on being a better steward of the earth.

The others, as I have time, are articles I find - or are sent to me - and that I deem important enough to place here, with any additional information I might find to add to them. I'm a geek. A lab rat that hasn't come out of the closet yet. I love research, I just hate being called a researcher.

I do my best to not editorialize, but I will write a sentance or two of my opinion when I feel and real need.

I strive to make the blog a resource. I'd prefer it to be an interactive one, with you, the reader, placing comments or questions that I *will* answer as quickly as I can.

The blog isn't as actual website, so there are limitations. But it's also nicer in that it is so interactive. I've posted as much as I can on the side bar, as well as making different resource pages so that you need only to refer to one or two pages before reaching the information you want. The rest of the side bar is solid websites that you might want to review for more specific information on any number of sustainability topics.

I post simple projects, complex projects, extreme projects, new technology, new findings, and common solutions to making life more efficient along with more sustainable.

So please, keep coming back. It's designed for you to aid in improving your health, your bills, and your earth.

Leslie

Formaldehyde in Personal Care Products

If you would like to know more about Formaldehyde exposure, please refer to many studies performed on katrina survivors living in the toxic trailers. Exposure is cumulative and long lasting.

(March 13) -- Many children's bath products contain chemicals that may cause cancer and skin allergies, according to a report released Thursday by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.
Twenty-three of 28 products tested contained formaldehyde, the report says. Formaldehyde — considered a probable carcinogen by the Environmental Protection Agency, — is released as preservatives break down over time in a container.

Thirty-two of 48 products contained 1,4-dioxane, also considered a probable human carcinogen by the EPA, is a byproduct of a chemical processing techniques used to make petroleum-based ingredients gentler to the skin. Nearly two-thirds of products tested, including Johnson's Baby Shampoo, contained both chemicals, according to the campaign, a coalition of environmental and health groups that includes the Breast Cancer Fund and the Environmental Working Group.
Formaldehyde can trigger allergic reactions in sensitive people, the report says, and Japan and Sweden have banned formaldehyde from personal care products.

Analytical Sciences, an independent laboratory in Petaluma, Calif., performed the tests.
A spokeswoman for Johnson & Johnson, Iris Grossman, says the company's products are safe, meeting or exceeding all regulations. And a spokesman for the Personal Care Products Council says the study's results are old news.

Manufacturers have known for years that bubble bath, shampoo and other products contain small amounts of formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane, and have already reduced theses levels significantly, says John Bailey, the council's chief scientist.

Bailey says that preservatives make products safer by preventing the growth of bacteria, fungus and other potentially harmful microbes. There's no reason to take "extraordinary measures" to further reduce levels of these chemicals, he says, because there's no evidence to prove that low levels pose a risk.

"Cosmetic and personal care product companies take their commitment to safety and their responsibilities under the law very seriously and work hard to earn and keep the trust of consumers and their families," Bailey said in a statement. "Parents should be given complete and accurate information about their products based on sound science rather than on incomplete and alarmist reports."

Other scientists say the report raises important safety concerns.

Sheela Sathyanarayana, an environmental health pediatrician at Seattle Children's Hospital and an assistant professor at the University of Washington, says she's seen kids become "extremely sensitized" from formaldehyde exposures. These children develop bigger and bigger reactions with each new exposure. That can make skin sensitive to a variety of substances, beyond just formaldehyde, she says.

Although Sathyanarayana was not involved in the new report, her research has shown that many other baby products contain chemicals called phthalates, which can interfere with the hormone system.

She notes that formaldehyde also irritates the nasal and respiratory passages.

A report released last week by the Organic Consumers Association found that makers of many personal products and household cleaners have significantly reduced levels of 1,4-dioxane in the past year. The study found that products bearing the U.S. Department of Agriculture Organic seal, such as items by Dr. Bronner's, Intelligent Nutrients and Terressentials, were free of 1,4-dioxane.

Whole Foods is reformulating its 365 Everyday Value products to be free of 1,4-dioxane by this summer, spokeswoman Libba Letton says.

Brands that have sharply reduced levels of 1,4-dioxane since March 2008, when the association released its last report, include: Earth Friendly Products, Ecco Bella, Giovanni, Jason, Johnson & Johnson, Kiss My Face, Life Tree, Method, Nature's Gate, Planet Ultra and Seventh Generation, which contributed $10,000 to fund the Organic Consumers Association study.
More on This Story: Full Product List

Pesticide Study

This is scary. Truly scary. The Environmental Working Group compiled the following list of foods (fresh fruits and veggies) harboring pesticides. It's just one more reason to really wash all produce very well before eating...

Every year, new research is published demonstrating the toxicity of pesticides to human health and the environment, often at doses previously declared "safe" by the pesticide industry and the government.

The wallet-size version

As acknowledged by the U.S. and international government agencies, different pesticides have been linked with a variety of toxic effects, including:

Nervous system effects
Carcinogenic effects
Hormone system effects
Skin, eye and lung irritation

Pesticides are unique among the chemicals we release into the environment; they have inherent toxicity because they are designed to kill living organisms – insects, plants, and fungi that are considered "pests." Because they are toxic by design, many pesticides pose health risks to people, risks that have been acknowledged by independent research scientists and physicians across the world.

1 (worst) Peach 100 (highest pesticide load)
2 Apple 93
3 Sweet Bell Pepper 83
4 Celery 82
5 Nectarine 81
6 Strawberries 80
7 Cherries 73
8 Kale 69
9 Lettuce 67
10 Grapes - Imported 66
11 Carrot 63
12 Pear 63
13 Collard Greens 60
14 Spinach 58
15 Potato 56
16 Green Beans 53
17 Summer Squash 53
18 Pepper 51
19 Cucumber 50
20 Raspberries 46
21 Grapes - Domestic 44
22 Plum 44
23 Orange 44
24 Cauliflower 39
25 Tangerine 37
26 Mushrooms 36
27 Banana 34
28 Winter Squash 34
29 Cantaloupe 33
30 Cranberries 33
31 Honeydew Melon 30
32 Grapefruit 29
33 Sweet Potato 29
34 Tomato 29
35 Broccoli 28
36 Watermelon 26
37 Papaya 20
38 Eggplant 20
39 Cabbage 17
40 Kiwi 13
41 Sweet Peas - Frozen 10
42 Asparagus 10
43 Mango 9
44 Pineapple 7
45 Sweet Corn - Frozen 2
46 Avocado 1
47 (best) Onion 1 (lowest pesticide load)

An EWG simulation of thousands of consumers eating high and low pesticide diets shows that people can lower their pesticide exposure by almost 80 percent by avoiding the top twelve most contaminated fruits and vegetables and eating the least contaminated instead. Eating the 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables will expose a person to about 10 pesticides per day, on average. Eating the 15 least contaminated will expose a person to less than 2 pesticides per day. Less dramatic comparisons will produce less dramatic reductions, but without doubt using the Guide provides people with a way to make choices that lower pesticide exposure in the diet.

Insulate Safely

One of the gentlemen at Asbestos.com sent me this article in hopes of educating people on the dangers of in-home asbestos.

One thing I found out last night, doing other research is that asbestos is in asphalt shingles as well.

The path to owning a home is an exciting time that will bring many rewards for you and your family. It will also require additional responsibilities. Used throughout the 20th century, asbestos became one of most sought after building applications in the world. The state of New York contains three naturally occurring locations of asbestos.

According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, about 400 public facilities, job sites and oil refineries are still known to have asbestos exposure issues. These cities include Brooklyn, Bronx, Long Island, Manhattan, Albany, Rochester, Staten Island and others.

Potential New York home buyers and those remodeling older homes should know that asbestos exposure is easily preventable by taking simple precautions. Many healthy, green alternatives now exist that make the use of older construction materials obsolete.

Homes and buildings built prior to 1980 still may contain asbestos-containing materials. Although not all asbestos can be toxic, damaged asbestos fibers can be released into the air, which can lead to the development of rare, but severe health ailments such as asbestosis and mesothelioma. Mesothelioma treatment is limited to a handful of options, but new diagnostic procedures are being tested specifically for detecting diseases such as mesothelioma. The amount of asbestos-related incidents in the last century has lead to mesothelioma lawyers advocating and protecting victims’ rights. The asbestos and corporate industries were aware of the health hazards involved with asbestos, but continued the widespread manufacturing of the substance anyways. Millions of people have been wrongfully exposed for financial gain.

If any asbestos is suspected, the best advice is to leave it un-disturbed. Touching or breaking it off may cause it to become damaged and release its fibers into the air. Sometimes the best action is no action. , a home inspector can determine the proper course of action. If asbestos removal is necessary, it must be performed by a licensed abatement contractor who is trained in handling hazardous materials. The New York Division of Safety and Health oversees the abatement of toxic hazards such as asbestos during remodeling, reconstruction or demolition. They enforce state and federal laws regarding the safe disposal and removal of asbestos.

Many cities and states are implementing green strategies to reduce carbon footprints, save energy and maintain healthy homes. Many eco friendly alternatives exist that replace the need for asbestos. These include cotton fiber, lcynene foam and cellulose. Not only do these healthy substitutes provide the same qualities as asbestos, they can even reduce annual energy costs.
Conducting a study in 2003, the United States Green Building Council reported a savings of $50 to $65 for green constructed buildings. A water based spray polyurethane foam, lcynene is becoming a favorite for healthy insulation, containing no toxic components. These options allow for a safe, environmentally sustainable home, free of any health corroding materials.

Please look at this diagram closely - click on it to enlarge in a separate window. It will help you identifity where there are possible asbestos issues within your home. Understand that asbestos that is NOT disturbed will not harm you. It's only when it is dust or particulate form that it is so dangerous.

Artificial Wetlands for Wastewater Management

Since it's coming up on Ground Water Awareness Week - who knew an official week existed for Ground Water?! - I'm posting a paper I wrote for my assemblywoman and a few town officials in the area.

The primary reason for using Artificial Wetlands for our wastewater management is outlined both in the paper, and in understanding the basic "ground water hydrology". I learn more good words because of this blog!

So - read the above, and then read the paper. I've written another that I am sending to Mother Earth News with the hopes of it being printed. We'll see. Until then, I can't post it here as it would violate their publishing policies. Wah.

NYS's fact sheet on ground water

Introduction

In the 1700’s, NYS had approximately 2.6 million acres of natural wetlands. By the 1980’s, 60% of these wetlands had been destroyed by agriculture, industry, housing development and water overuse. Since Federal Regulatory rollbacks during the 1990’s, NYS has an infamous position as one of the top 15 states for wetland destruction. (Riverkeeper.org)

What we are failing to understand, but other states and nations are seizing upon is that wetlands provide a vital service of purifying our water for future use.

Example

Egypt, as a developing nation, faces an increasing need for water purification without the funding or resources to treat their human black water. From 2000 to 2004, they focused on a low-tech solution to this low-tech issue of sewage treatment – the construction of a 60-acre artificial wetland adjacent to natural wetlands at ¼ the cost of conventional sewage treatment for a comparable volume of sewage. The initial volume of sewage treated was 25,000 metric tons (1 mt = 2205 pounds) per day. However, after a year of use, it was determined the wetland was capable of treating 40,000 metric tons per day. This increase in treatment volume increases the value of the initial investment of $9 million (US) even more than the initial estimated savings over conventional treatment facilities.

For Egypt, maintenance costs are nothing, with local livestock handlers cutting the reeds for feed at no cost to them. It has also improved the local fisheries by lowering the contamination of the waterways with nitrates and heavy metals, improving the health and size of the fish. This, in turn, has improved the local fishing industry. The combination of factors has substantially improved the local economy, the health of the local population and the environment surrounding them. It has thus piqued the interest of other locales within Egypt to assist in solving poverty, health issues and environmental imbalance with a very low overall cost. (WaterWiki.net)

History

The idea and development of artificial wetlands to treat human wastewater began in Germany during the 1970’s. The research included the optimal size of each wetland “cell”, ideal plant life to act as biofilters to remove solids, nitrates, and heavy metals, and ideal delivery methods of the black water. And while the very convincing data was collected quickly and with great success, the promotion of the technology failed miserably.

In roughly 30 years, only 600 US communities have seized upon the opportunity to reduce their costs and environmental impact, compared to Taiwan, which filters 230,000 metric tons per day (19% of their population’s waste) with 43 artificial wetlands and at a cost of only $17.7 million (US). (Taipei Times)

Technology

Artificial wetlands can be adapted to any environment, from sub-arctic to a desert climate due to the microorganisms living among the reed and grass roots, filtering 90% of the contaminants. The reeds and grasses, absorbing the nitrates and heavy metals the microorganisms make available through the breakdown of the solids, manage the final 10%. Native species to each region are used as often as possible, allowing native wildlife to flourish as well, with virtually no risk to the wildlife.

Depending on the region that adopts the artificial wetlands for black water purification, native soils may be used to form the cells, furthering the environmental improvements. Also, 2 forms of black water delivery have been developed to allow easier adaptation to climate, land availability and purpose. A subsurface delivery of the black water occurs through a gravel substrate into the root zone of the reeds and grasses, allowing less land to be used and a lower risk of mosquito infestation. A surface delivery requires more land, but allows for a larger variety of soils used as the walls and floor of the cells, can absorb storm run off more efficiently and is superior to sustaining native wildlife, which in turn controls mosquito infestations.

A hybridization of the artificial wetland is being met with equal success, by incorporating septic tanks, grinder pumps and aerators into the delivery system of the black water.

Studies

Studies at several universities within the US and Canada are proving the successes sited at a diverse range of communities, from CO to AZ to NY and NH. The communities within these states (and others) have known for more than a decade the artificial wetland is comparable (if not superior) to conventional sewage treatment with the added benefit of substantially lower costs, less odor management issues, wildlife recovery and improved property values. Appropriately designed and observed, these designed ecospheres allow for less contaminated effluent to escape during storms, increase wildlife habitat and increase in quality of life for their communities.

Research done at the University of Nevada has determined their climate’s ideal cell size is 30’ x 130’ x 38”, which can handle 7500 gallons per day with a construction cost of approximately $185,000, including twice yearly checks and pump maintenance.

Some studies have stated cells fill more quickly with residual solids, making the cells’ life cycle shorter than the 20-30 year projection given by professionals. This can be remedied in a way similar to Milwaukee’s solution to their bio-solids removal for over 80 years. In the early 1900’s, after adopting the newly designed process of the activated sludge process, there was still a volume of bio-solids that needed to be disposed of. After analyzing the solids, it was determined the solids could be utilized as an organic fertilizer marketed to commercial growers, landscapers and golf courses with a superior growing result to artificial (and more expensive) fertilizers marketed with great success following WWII. Milorganite has since been marketed at the consumer level as well as the commercial growers, with continued success. (Milorganite.com)

By draining a cell, moving the established flora to a new cell and then dredging the full cell will allow for the use of the accumulated matter by the community, renewing the cell for use once again.

Adaptation

The most recent adaptation of the artificial wetlands is in the CAFO (Confined Animal Feeding Operation) Industry. CAFOs have discovered the lagoons created by the bovine and swine they raise can be effectively managed with the artificial wetlands. The wetlands virtually eliminate smell, the need for pesticides to manage insect infestation of the waste lagoons, and the health hazard the lagoon once posed at identical cost. Along with these obvious bonuses to the investment, the location of the CAFO greatly improved by the sight of wetland grasses and reeds versus the previous lagoon of waste.

What If

The August, 2005 lagoon breach in Lowville, NY could have been prevented if it had incorporated this solution, avoiding the death of nearly 250,000 fish over a roughly 40 mile run to Lake Ontario, where the effluent ultimately settled. (DawnWatch.com)

The flood of 2006 suffered by multiple counties in upstate NY and PA would have caused far less damage to the Chesapeake Bay, had the communities affected used artificial wetlands to treat their sewage and wastewater.

Links
University of NV contact information:
Angela O’Callaghan
AREA SPECIALIST
UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA

The paper presents an introduction to EcoSan principles and concepts including re-use aspects (available nutrients and occurring risks), and case studies of EcoSan concepts in both industrialized and developing countries.
EcoWaters

Institute of Sanitary Engineering and Water Pollution Control, BOKU—University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna, Muthgasse 18, A-1190 Vienna, Austria

Links to companies and researchers working on artificial wetlands for blackwater treatment
Constructed Wetlands

Ohio State Research Paper

Ground Water Awareness Week March 8-14

Well Owners www.wellowner.org. information site
An estimated 88 to 100 million persons in the United States are served by community drinking water systems that rely on ground water as their sole or primary source (1,2); approximately 15 million U.S. households have their own private wells (3). Each year, the National Ground Water Association sponsors Ground Water Awareness Week to stress the importance of protecting ground water and to focus attention on annual private well maintenance and water testing (4). This year, Ground Water Awareness Week is March 8--14.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations that protect public drinking water systems do not apply to privately owned wells (5). Owners of private wells are responsible for ensuring that their well water is safe from contaminants of health concern. Possible contaminants include disease-causing microorganisms, natural contaminants, and manufactured pollutants. Twenty waterborne-disease outbreaks associated with drinking water were reported to CDC during 2005--2006, including seven outbreaks caused by bacteria and viruses in ground water sources (6).

Private wells should be located away from potential contamination sources such as septic and waste-water systems, animal enclosures, and chemical storage areas (5). Private wells also should be checked every year for mechanical problems, cleanliness, and the presence of coliform bacteria and any other contaminants of local concern. A local health department or water well systems professional can help ensure delivery of high-quality water from an existing well or, if needed, help locate and construct a new well in a safer area. Additional information about well maintenance and water testing is available at Testing .

References

1. US Environmental Protection Agency. Factoids: drinking water and ground water statistics for 2008. Washington, DC: US Environmental Protection Agency; 2009. Available at EPA Factoids .

2. US Environmental Protection Agency. Economic analysis for the final ground water rule. Washington, DC: US Environmental Protection Agency; 2006. Available at EPA Safewater .

3. US Census Bureau. American housing survey for the United States: 2007. Washington, DC: US Census Bureau; 2008. Available at Census .

4. National Ground Water Association. National ground water awareness week. Westerville, OH: National Ground Water Association; 2009. Available at Awareness Week .

5. US Environmental Protection Agency. Private drinking water wells. Washington, DC: US Environmental Protection Agency; 2006. Available at EPA Private Wells .

6. CDC Surveillance for waterborne disease and outbreaks

Central United Methodist Joins Carbon Fast

Central United Methodist Church of Endicott, NY has joined the Carbon Fast! Woohoo!

The following letter went out to all congregants (about 1000):

Dear Friends in Faith,

The original Lenten fast had to do with eating simple through the whole 40 days of Lent. Some fasted all day during the Fridays of Lent. Some more recently have given up some activity or luxury during and used the time and/or money for a good use. Some take on some worthwhile ministry during Lent.

Here’s a new one I ran across: Give up some carbon for Lent. We all have a “carbon footprint” that is the amount of carbon-based fuel we use (oil, gas, gasoline, diesel, coal, plastics, electricity-mostly.) By reducing some we save some fuel, leaving more for later, make less pollution and save some money.

Like more traditional fasts, we can choose something that will make a little difference (shut off a light) or something very significant (install insulation). The benefits are more likely to come with a more significant fast.

But how is carbon fasting spiritual? It won’t make your stomach growl or give the fulfilling sense of helping someone. Remember God created this world. God’s continuous creation continues to make rain water fall and plants grow. Since God is caring for our earth, don’t we want to join God in very hands on way? Won’t we sense God closer to us if we are closer to doing what God does?

For links to lots of suggested ways to do this go to CarbonFast

Consider praying like this with your fast:

God, you love us so much you give us this beautiful world. You love the world so much you gave us your Son. We want to love this world and its people in a tangible way, like you do. Bless our “giving up” __________ name the action and make our little planet more sustainable because of it. Show us other ways to conserve and save energy. Help us grow in faith and grow closer to you as you grow closer to us.
Through Jesus Christ who came to save us.
Amen.

So this Lent don’t give up chocolate, camel rides or jumping out of airplanes. Give up some of your carbon.

Grace and Peace to you,
Pastor Doug