Bonus links and information

In addition to our class links a number of you have sent great information about various topics.

Thank you!!!

from Simran Bajaj
Proper disposal of excess Cooking Oil
is not down the drain- see link below
http://www.ebmud.com/wastewater/residential_pollution_prevention/residential_FOG_FAQ/default.htm

from Kurt Eto
Google Green investments
http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/12/google-to-invest-10-million-in-green-startups/

from Fiona Banister
Tuna Contamination
TUNA LOBBY KEEPS CONTAMINATED FISH OFF THE HIGHLY CONTAMINATED LIST-RISKY TO
EAT:
Bill Moyers NOW had a special a few years back on the Tuna lobby angle and
how the mercury levels had not been reported or paid to be left out of the
stats on contaminated fish=tuna. Also they tested a random set of cans and
found them all to be above the safe limit, no type of tuna was safe.
Contaminated Tuna:
Predatory fish accumulate methylmercury levels considered unsafe for
consumption even by US government standards. Swordfish contains mercury
levels that are 500 percent higher, on the average, than levels considered
safe by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Not surprisingly, because
the EPA’s allowable concentration of methylmercury is five times lower than
that allowed by the FDA, powerful industry lobbyist organizations such as
the National Fisheries Institute are pushing a standardization of health
regulations in line with the more lenient FDA mercury toxicity levels.
The continued marketing of methylmercury tainted seafood raises deeper
issues of corporate influence over government public health regulations as
well as emissions from coal burning power plants and automobiles, the two
largest sources of methylmercury. As documented by a "Now with Bill Moyers"
investigation on PBS in August 2003, industry lobbyists such as the US Tuna
Foundation have watered down inspections and talked the FDA into removing
tuna from their warning that states, "swordfish, shark, king mackerel and
tilefish (also known as golden snapper) contain enough mercury to affect the
central nervous system and harm developing fetuses. Pregnant and nursing
women, women who might become pregnant and young children should not eat
these fish." At the same time, the Bush administration is sabotaging long
awaited reductions in emissions of mercury and other pollutants from the
energy industry and auto manufacturers with his so-called "Clear Skies"
initiative.

MC MEHTA ENVIRONMENTALIST
Winner of the Goldman Environmentalist Prize, he is a powerful
environmental lawyer in India that has helped over the past 20 years to
change our "earth" by closing over 250,000 factories on the Ganges and will
continue--he has saved the Indian coastline from further destruction and
this effects our coastline and water also. An incredible inspiration to
support.
M.C. Mehta Environmental Foundation
MCMEF is a non-profit, non-governmental and highly committed organization
working nationwide for the protection of environment. http://www.blogger.com/www.mcmef.org/
MC Mehta -he is able to be supported in his actions by the "Azara Fund" at
the Calvert Foundation, contact: fionabanister@hotmail.com Tel 1310-314-3894
or via E-Law and environmental group of lawyers who fight to protect our
earth in over 40 countries. http://www.blogger.com/www.elaw.org.

The Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide (E-LAW) gives public interest
lawyers and scientists around the world the skills and resources they need
to protect the environment through law. Grassroots lawyers from 10 countries
founded E-LAW in 1989. Now, more than 300 grassroots lawyers and scientists
in 60 countries call on the E-LAW network for critical legal and scientific
tools.
***Make donations marked for MC MEHTA. 100% of all donations go to his
actions.

DIAPERS
Eco friendly-Cornstarch -available to help save some of the
landfill:
http://www.natureboyandgirl.net/AboutUs.htm
Cornstarch Diapers- BEST ON MARKET 2007
Nature Boy and Girl: Healthy Baby Diaper LLC was established to market and
sell the Nature boy and girl biodegradable disposable diaper brand in the US
Market.

Lead Poisoning
According to the National Safe Kids Coalition, an estimated 1.7 million
children, age five and under, have lead levels in their blood high enough to
affect their intelligence and development. The most common cause of lead
poisoning among children is the ingestion of dust from deteriorating
lead-based paint. More than 80 percent of publicly- and privately-owned
housing units built before 1980 contain some lead-based paint. To limit your
child's exposure to lead in the home:
* Always have your child wash his hands before meals, snacks, nap time
and bedtime.
* Keep your child away from chipping, peeling and flaking paint.
* Keep the areas where your child plays as dust-free as possible.
* Do not allow your child to chew or suck on painted surfaces such as
painted window sills, cribs, playpens, or old painted toys.
* Wash pacifiers often and pin them on a short ribbon to your child's
shirt.
* Keep your child's clothes clean by changing them frequently.
* When playing inside, place a clean blanket on the floor or carpet for
babies to play on. (Always keep the same side up and wash often.)
* Wash toys and stuffed animals regularly.

Diapers
Instead of ordinary plastic, the outer layer of the Nature boy & girl diaper
is based on natural materials, a breathable, GMO-free biological
cornstarch-based film. Instead of being constructed like an ordinary
disposable diaper, Nature boy & girl is based on a patented Swedish design.
http://www.epinions.com/pr-Diapers-Nature_Boy_Girl_Good_Environmental_Choice_Diapers
***ALSO BECOME A DISTRIBUTOR AS IT IS A GRASS ROOTS MOVEMENT: Can Buy on line also at drugstore.com.

Disposables and Public Health & Landfill Concerns
Dyes found in some disposables are known to damage the central nervous
system, kidneys, and liver. The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) received
reports that fragrances caused headaches, dizziness, and rashes. Problems
reported to the Consumer Protection Agency include chemical burns, noxious
chemical and insecticide odors, reports of babies pulling disposables apart
and putting pieces of plastic into their noses and mouth, choking on tab
papers and linings, plastic melting onto the skin, and ink staining the
skin. Plastic tabs can also tear skin, and disposables may contain wood
splinters.
About 5 million tons of untreated body excrement, which may carry over 100
intestinal viruses, is brought to landfills via disposables. This may
contribute to groundwater contamination and attract insects that carry and
transmit diseases. In 1990, 18 billion disposables were thrown into United
States landfills. Is it wise to use 3.4 billion gallons of oil and over
250,000 trees a year to manufacture disposables that end up in our already
overburdened landfills? These disposables are not readily biodegradable. The
paper must be exposed to air and sun to decompose. Thirty percent of a
disposable diaper is plastic and is not compostable. Even if the rest of the
diaper could be composted, these plants could only handle 400 of the 10,000
tons of diapers tossed in landfills EACH DAY, assuming they didn't have to
process any other compostable garbage. Biodegradable diapers have cornstarch
added to the plastic to break it into tiny pieces. The pieces still end up
in landfills.
http://www.ecomall.com/greenshopping/diaper2z.htm

Sunscreen
La Roche Posay- products from Shoppersdrugmart.ca -Easy
access with cosmetic counter in their West Vancouver 17th St and Marine
Drive location 604-922-1271 has #45 and SPF 60 one of the best product on
the market(not sold in US shops yet)--but few show it as FDA and other drug
companies don't want competition on market--on amazon they want $50 for 50
ml in Canada it is $24 for 100ml-=1/4 price.
La Roche Posay Anthelios SunCare line with Mexoryl
La Roche Posay France products are the only ones to contain the active
molecule Mexoryl XL. Unlike the La Roche Posay US products and imports,
which contain only Mexoryl SX, our products feature Mexoryl SX AND Mexoryl
XL. Mexoryl XL brings a more effective and complete protection against sun
damages than solely the mexoryl SX formula.

This might be the best for sunprotection from skin cancer-but might
not be the "healthiest--see ingredients:Propylene Glycol is in it?
it is always a toss for the right cover!

La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL 50+ Milk (Lait Veloute)
A water resistant, velvety milk sunscreen with ultra broad spectrum UVA/UVB
protection for face & body. (Size: 100ml)
Active Ingredients: Mexoryl SX, Mexoryl XL, Titanium Dioxide and
Octocrylene.
Ingredients: Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Salicylate,
Titanium Dioxide, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol
Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Propylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Octocrylene,
Cyclopentasiloxane, Steric Acid, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Nylon-12,
Ethylhexyl Triazone, Aluminum Hydroxide, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl
Taurate, Butylparaben, Capryl Glycol/Capryl Glycol, Dimethiconol, Disodium
EDTA, Drometrizole Trisiloxane, Glyceryl Stearate, Glyceryl Soja/Soybean
Oil, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Methylparaben, PEG-100 Stearate,
Phenoxyethanol, Terephthal, Triethanolamine
La Roche-Posay strongly recommends a consultation with a dermatologist to
recommend the ultimate skincare regimen.