The Canary Report

Open tabs: August 25th

Posted on Aug 25, 2010 by Susie Collins in Blog, Featured News, MCS, Susie Collins

Here are some websites and pages about Multiple Chemical Sensitivity and related topics I’ve been reviewing this week.

Surgery at Christiana Care Center for Advanced Joint Replacement, Delaware. Would this room be safe for someone with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity?

At the Artists with MCS website, now inactive but full of good MCS info, I took another look at the hospital protocol guidelines for MCS patients.

Here is Dr. Grace Ziem’s Environmental Control Plan for Chemically Sensitive Patients. Excellent. Here’s Dr. Ziem’s website, I recommend you familiarize yourself with everything she has to say about chemical sensitivity. She’s worked closely with Martin Pall, PhD, on MCS research and therapy protocol.

I re-read a seminal document defining Multiple Chemical Sensitivity: Multiple Chemical Sensitivity: A 1999 Consensus. Eleven years later it still holds up but I think it could use some revising given the leaps in MCS research over the last decade; for example, the physiological mechanisms of MCS are better understood now in the areas of how it impacts multiple organ systems and so forth. Certainly the document’s call for clinical research is still valid, specifically in the area of diagnostic testing.

Leader-Post reports that education is key to dealing with MCS.

I read on the US Centers for Disease Control website about the effectiveness of washing your hands in soap and water to control the spread of germs and disease.  The CDC recommends that products other than plain soap and water, like sanitation wipes, should only be used when there is no soap and water available– this would not be the case in most workplaces, for example. Further, when there is no soap and water, a plain alcohol gel is recommended, not the heavily fragranced “antibacterial” products you see advertised all over as the panacea to spreading illness.

Canadians for A Safe Learning Environment offers a good document about Air Filters: Choosing Portable Equipment… Plus.

The Children’s National Health Center announces the 8th Annual Conference on Children’s Health & the Environment to be held Friday, September 24, 2010 at Hamilton Crowne Plaza, Washington DC.

Photo credit.

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Tags: MCS, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, Open tabs

It’s time to take The Canary Report to the next level!

Posted on Jun 27, 2010 by Susie Collins in Blog, Editor's Notes, Susie Collins

The Canary Report will experience some growing pains over the next month as we upgrade our website and expand our services!

The Canary Report will experience some growing pains over the next month as we upgrade our network and expand our services! Thank you for all your support!

Aloha Canaries!

You’ll start to see some changes over the next month at The Canary Report as we upgrade our website and network so that we can expand our services. The biggest changes you’ll see will be in the overall design and an upgrade to a better platform for our online social network. I want you to know that I will be doing everything I can to make the new website and network as comfortable and user-friendly as is it now, so please don’t get nervous– I will build another nest for us as safe and comfortable as our current one, I promise!

Please note that this blog you are reading right now will stay right where it is– in fact, one of the biggest changes will be our current network merging into this thecanaryreport.org site.  I’m excited about the changes because the new design will integrate all our services– my blog that you are reading here, all the resources pages, and our entire network with forum, our Canary Report Bloggers, our groups, chat, and photo albums will all be located on this website here at thecanaryreport.org– it will all be under one roof. This will allow us to offer more comprehensive services to our community with more content and information to provide canaries with informed dialogue about Multiple Chemical Sensitivity.

If you are a current member of our network, click here to learn more about the move and how you can help us pack and migrate over to our new network. If you are not a member, you might think about joining now so you can review our archives before the move. All current members will automatically become members of our new network.

Everyone should plan on the upgrades happening within the next two to four weeks if all goes smoothly on my end. But community members should start saving stuff you want to keep right away, including the content you want to save from other people’s posts. I cannot guarantee that everything will be moved from the network, we might lose some content, so be sure to save your favorite stuff. (Again, nothing will be moved that is on this blog, only the network will be migrating from the Ning platform to join us here at thecanaryreport.org.)

I’m sorry for any disruption this may cause, but I promise that after we get through this month of change, we will emerge as a BIGGER and BETTER Canary Report!

Holler if you have any questions.

THANK YOU for all your support! Remember, TOGETHER we are stronger!

Aloha,
Susie xoxo

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Tags: Support

Open tabs

Posted on Jun 07, 2010 by Susie Collins in Blog, News, Susie Collins

Here are some websites and stories I’ve been reading this week.

The National Children’s Study is a multi-year research study that will examine the effects of environmental influences on the health and development of more than 100,000 children across the United States, following them from before birth until age 21.

I highly recommend everyone become familiar with the National Children’s Study.

Excellent article on Air Filters: Choosing Portable Equipment.

The New York Times reports on Domestic Detox: Extreme Home Cleaning.

Adrien Bledstein’s I Can Breathe! Masks.

Annie Leonard, The Story of Stuff creator, talks about polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

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Tags: Children's Health, Healthy Living, Home, Products, Toxic

Open tabs

Posted on May 04, 2010 by Susie Collins in Blog, News, Susie Collins

A few web pages I’ve been reading this week.

Environmental Working Group's Shopper's Guide to Pesticides. Clip and take with you to the market!

Environmental Working Group’s Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides, a guide to take with you when shopping for fruits and veggies.

Writer and disability advocate Sharon Wachsler popped up on my radar in a few places this past week. Here’s her Multiple Chemical Sensitivities Information Page at Massachusetts CFIDS Association. Here’s her website Sick Humor Postcards: cartoons that take a twisted look at life with disability (good laughs). Here’s her Home Page with listings of all her online writing courses and other amazing activities. And of course her blog After Gadget, which she launched following the passing of her longtime service dog Gadget.

Healthy Child, Healthy World is a great resource for information about the toxicity of modern fragrance.

Wendy Standish Unscented Body & Bath Care makes makes soaps and shampoos from scratch, using vegetable oils.

Jody Smith at EmpowerHer gave The Canary Report two shout outs this past week: one on a post about Martin Pall’s research and one on Lourdes Salvador’s guestblog on Electroconvulsive Therapy.

Start Up Nation is a great site for inspiration about starting your own business.

Boston.com has some incredible photos of Iceland’s Eyjafjallajokull volcanic eruption. Makes the vog here look like steam from a tea kettle.

Euroclean HEPA vaccum: This is the vacuum I own.

This is Dr. Grace Ziem‘s explanation about the difference between Allergies and Chemical Reactions; Multiple Chemical Sensitivity is not an allergy!

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Tags: Children's Health, Healthy Living, MCS, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, Pesticides, Products

Open tabs

Posted on Apr 06, 2010 by Susie Collins in Blog, News, Susie Collins

Here are few of the websites and news stories I’ve been reading this week.

Healthy Child, Healthy World's Mission: We are igniting a movement that inspires parents to protect young children from harmful chemicals.

Healthy Child, Healthy World has a great resource page with links to information about model programs dedicated to getting toxic chemicals out of schools.

Schools are our children’s second homes. The moment a parent sets foot in a school and realizes how important this place is to their child’s health and development is oftentimes the moment a community advocate is born. For parents who have taken every precaution at home, it can be a moment of culture shock. Luckily, parents and schools across the nation are blazing a green trail towards creating healthy environments for students to learn and grow in.

Dr. Andrew Weil writes about simple ways you can help your body detox naturally without hooking into costly, unproven fads.

Chow reports on Scent-Free Dining: Whether or not to wear perfume to restaurants.

I refer a lot of people in Canada to the Environmental Health Association of Alberta.

Two stories at the New York Times: Social Networks a Lifeline for the Chronically Ill, and Weak Rules on Toxins and Safety.

Ihor Basko, DVM, is helping me with my chronically ill cat. The tab for his website has been open for six weeks. Check out his guidelines for pet nutrition. He had me make a beef liver shake last week that made ME want to vomit, but made the cat spring to life! Here’s the recipe, I’m doing the first one with carrot juice, no wheat grass, I doubled up on the carrot juice and nutritional yeast, and I started out giving it to her by the teaspoon every 2-3 hours for total of about 6 tablespoons a day (less dose than recommended here):

LIVER SHAKE FOR KITTIES

In a blender, liquefy the following ingredients:

1 cup Raw beef liver (local, grass fed or organic ….if possible)
1/2 cup fresh carrot juice or broccoli juice or ½ cup of broccoli sprouts
1 raw whole egg
1 cup of water
1/2 oz of fresh wheat grass (optional)
2 tablespoon of brewers or nutritional yeast

Give 20 cc 6 times daily

OR

1 Cup Raw Beef Liver
1 Cup of Purified water
½ cup fresh carrot juice
2 tablespoon of Cold Pressed Organic Corn Oil or Sesame Seed

Give 20 cc 6 times daily

You can powder your supplements and herbs and mix with this liquid and give as a treatment.

To make a “Jello” add 1 or 2 tablespoons of Knox Gelatine, then put the liquid in a shallow baking dish (like for brownies) and refrigerate a few hours or overnight.

Here’s a paper on How to Reduce Bee Poisonings from Pesticides.

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Tags: Air, Chemicals, Children's Health, Environment, MCS, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, Pets

Who’s chirping about Multiple Chemical Sensitivity?

Posted on Apr 01, 2010 by Susie Collins in Blog, MCS, Media/Videos, News, Susie Collins

Here are some web pages about Multiple Chemical Sensitivity I’ve been reviewing this week.

Dr. Grace Ziem's new website header.

Dr. Grace Ziem, a pioneer in the field of chemical injury, has given her website a major renovation. Chemical Injury.net: Improving your quality of life one day at a time.

This website is dedicated to providing both the public and the medical community with the latest research and information on chemical injury. You’ll find articles, lists, and links covering the prevention, evaluation, and treatment of chemical sensitivity and related conditions caused by the thousands of poorly tested or untested, hazardous chemicals you are exposed to every day. Each section features articles specifically written for the general public and articles specifically written for medical professionals.

Topics range from the negative impacts on health due to pesticides to the treatable forms of chemical sensitivity to regular updates on harmful chemicals and medical products and their damaging effects, including chemical causes of memory loss and new evidence that Parkinson’s disease is caused by chemical exposure.

Toni Temple, founder and president at the Ohio Network for the Chemically Injured, reports on Deceived, Disabled, Dejected, Dehumanized, Dismissed, and Dying: The Widespread Dilemma of MCS Disability.

MCS America offers a terrific May 2010 Event Planning Kit for MCS Awareness Month.

In June 2003, the Public Service Alliance of Canada published MULTIPLE CHEMICAL SENSITIVITY AT WORK: Guide for PSAC Members.

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity has become a union health and safety issue. The Public Service Alliance of Canada continues to fight for improved health and safety conditions for our members. Our union is taking a lead in having multiple chemical sensitivity recognized as a work-related illness. As well, we are working to have member benefit entitlements recognized.

In 2008, the Ohio State University Extension office published The Invisible Environment Fact Sheet Series: Multiple Chemical Sensitivity.

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Open tabs

Posted on Mar 21, 2010 by Susie Collins in Blog, Media/Videos, News, Susie Collins

Reports and pages I’ve been exploring this weekend:

ABC reports the Military Admits Fault in Water Contamination: Soldiers at Camp Lejeune in the 1980s were exposed to chemicals in tap water.

For an inside look at the Camp Lejeune horror story, visit this website made by former residents called Camp Lejeune Toxic Water: The Few The Proud, The Forgotten.

I’m annoyed with the Environmental Protection Agency’s Evaluation of Pet Spot-On Products: Analysis and Mitigation Plan, just released. No mention of nontoxic alternatives, but I guess that’s not the topic.

The EPA also urges families to lock up household chemicals and pesticides. No mention about eliminating toxic chemicals from the home in the first place to remove the danger completely. Listen to this: “Leading causes of poisoning include cosmetics such as perfume and nail polish, deodorant and soap, household cleaning products and medications.” Did you know perfume, nail polish, deodorant and soap are LEADING causes of child poisoning? WAKE UP, PEOPLE! Get those toxic chemicals out of your house! Here’s the EPA’s page on Prevent Poisonings in Your Home; again no mention about elimination or alternatives.

I love Paul Tukey‘s blog SafeLawns.Blog. Paul is the founder of SafeLawns.org, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation. He’s also executive producer of the award-winning documentary, A Chemical Reaction, which can be found at www.pfzmedia.com; the movie chronicles the origin of the anti-pesticide movement sweeping across Canada and into the United States.

Shine reports on the woman who was awarded $100K because her employer did not provide her proper accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act when her co-workers’ perfume and the office air fresheners made her ill. I’m disgusted at the media for the way this story’s been reported: I’ve read at least 50 reports on this story and not one has mentioned that perfume and air fresheners contain toxic chemicals and that it was the toxic chemicals that made the woman ill, not the “stink” or “chemical-smells.” I think this report here at The Ohio Employer’s Law Blog has the most interesting perspective I’ve read yet about the case:

The focus in ADA cases has shifted from the legal argument of whether an employee’s medical condition rises the level of an ADA-protected disability, to the factual issue of whether the employer reasonably accommodated that disability.

Dr. Andrew Weil answers a question about the use of clay treatment for healing fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is in the same group of illnesses as Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

I was delighted to discover Annie Leonard’s blog The Story of Stuff Project. If you haven’t seen her Story of Stuff videos, you must!

Harrison Medical Center, Washington state, has a scent-free policy.

Nirvana Safe Haven has the most comprehensive list I have ever seen on scent-free organizations and policy. Good resources there for anyone trying to implement scent-free policy in churches, schools, public venues and more.

And the New York Times reports the Department of Agriculture said it would begin enforcing rules requiring the spot testing of organically grown foods for traces of pesticides, after an auditor exposed major gaps in federal oversight of the organic food industry.

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Tags: Chemicals, Children's Health, Environment, Environmental Health, Fragrance, Garden, Home, Indoor Pollution, Perfume, Policy, Toxic, Video, Work

Open tabs

Posted on Mar 12, 2010 by Susie Collins in Blog, Environment, Government Regulation, News, Susie Collins

More from my series Open Tabs, sharing links to the pages I have open on my browser.

I’m sorry I don’t always remember where the links come from, many are sent to me through Facebook or email. I try to give credit when I can. I’m not working in a vacuum, most info I find is sent to me in one way or another and I thank all of you for taking the time to share. xoxo

Clean, Green, and Lean: Get Rid of the Toxins That Make You Fat by Dr. Walter Crinnion

My online friend, Missy, sent me this link to a book about losing weight, Clean, Green, and Lean: Get Rid of the Toxins That Make You Fat by Dr. Walter Crinnion. Before you get the wrong idea, this book is not about another fad diet so your can fit into your Gucci pants, this is serious information of value to people who have a weight problem due to toxic chemical or mold exposure. It’s also available on Kindle.

A renowned naturopathic doctor shows you how to get lean and be green while helping to save the planet.

Now you can lose weight and be good to the environment, too-without starvation diets, calorie counting, complicated meal plans, or even having to exercise. Dr. Walter Crinnion, a naturopathic doctor and environmental medicine physician, shows you how to clean up your diet and clear out your body and home to eliminate unwanted pounds and toxins from your life. You’ll be able to get rid of nagging health problems such as allergies and fatigue and enjoy greater energy and a greener planet. Clean, Green, and Lean:

* Shares an effective program to shed pounds and stay healthy by getting rid of toxins in your body and your life in just four weeks
* Combines losing weight with being good to the environment
* Can help reduce aches and pains, depression, and other health problems
* Is written by one of the country’s foremost authorities on environmental medicine who has appeared on The View and other programs

If you’re serious about losing weight and safeguarding your health, follow the expert advice of Dr. Crinnion and start getting clean, green, and lean today.

Here’s an enlightening essay by Helen Larkin on Women and the Environment: Understanding Connections.

America was created, designed, and governed by men, yet now we are one of the most violent Westernized countries, infested with cancer, and have the greatest disconnection from our ecological impacts. Young women today need to enter into the sciences with a vengeance studying toxicology, agriculture, biomimicry, conservation, green chemistry, alternative energy, health, nutrition, and ecological dynamics. Women today must enter all realms of governance. We need to preserve the best of modern living while walking as gently as possible on the planet. We must educate and KNOW that female is creation, female is nature, and female is the future. Most important: Female is Life.

The Environmental Working Group has an excellent page on Scented Secrets: Fragrances Hide Toxic Chemical Ingredients. It was produced as guidance for Valentine’s Day presents, but can be applied any day. The Environmental Working Group is one of the best places on the web to get information about toxic chemicals in consumer goods, it’s info you can trust.

Take a quick look at a personal care product label, and you’ll nearly always find a long list of chemical ingredients in tiny print. Chances are, somewhere in the midst of these technical chemical terms, is the simple word “fragrance.” Although companies are required by law to list all chemicals ingredients in a product, a special loophole allows them to hide what’s in the “fragrance” component[1]. And what’s hidden in that simple word can include complex mixtures of up to hundreds of chemicals that studies show may be linked to a variety of health problems, including allergies, skin reactions, endocrine/hormone disruption, and possibly even birth defects. Companies are not required to test cosmetics for safety before they are sold. The label is the primary protection we have to make decisions about products we rub, pour, and lather on our skin and hair. Yet when it comes to fragrances, we don’t even have this simple protection.

An online friend asked me to share some info about burn pits. I’ve covered this story previously on The Canary Report, but here’s a recent report in the New York Times: Veterans speak out against burn pits, a range of health problems are linked to the pits on military bases in Iraq and Afghanistan, toxic substances have been found in the smoke.

On the website Fragrance Free Living, Bonnie tells her story about losing her job and almost her house due to her Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. I’m pleased to see my online friend Roberta Bradley, vice president at the Environmental Health Association of Alberta, leave a comment for Bonnie with links and information.

Common Dreams reports Cities Sue Manufacturer of Weed-Killer Found in Tap Water: Federal Lawsuit Seeks Funding to Remove Atrazine from Water Supply. This story is interesting because the states are arguing that they shouldn’t have to pay for filtering out the contaminant that the chemical company is responsible for manufacturing and selling as safe. I would argue the federal government is equally to blame for this problem, having not done their job of protecting public health before protecting corporate interest.

Annie Bond writes about toxic teeth, BPA and dental bonding materials. This is a product about which every canary should be aware.

Okay, that’s enough, that should keep you busy for awhile! Thanks to everyone who sent me the links!

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Tags: Books, Chemicals, Environment, Fragrance, Perfume, Pesticides, Policy, Pollution, Products, Research, Toxic

Open tabs

Posted on Feb 25, 2010 by Susie Collins in Blog, News, Susie Collins

Every night when I turn off the computer, I have dozens of tabs open from all the sites I’ve explored during the day. In the first of a new regular series on The Canary Report called “Open Tabs,” I’d like to share some of the more interesting with you!

Every night when I go to turn off the computer, I have dozens of tabs open from all the sites I’ve explored during the day. Some links are emailed to me, some I pick up on Twitter and Facebook, some I get from peeps during chats on our network, some I find on my own. I thought it might be fun to share them with you from time to time: it will give you a glimpse into the roaming I do all day to satisfy my uncontrollable urge to stick my nose into absolutely everything.

Here are a few of the tabs that I’ve had open for the past few days:

A sign every canary will love.

Someone sent me a link to this awesome sign, “Environmentally Sensitive Area.”

My cat’s been very sick for months, unable to eat without throwing up. We put her through myriad tests, which all came up with nothing. Then, I remembered my holistic vet from when I lived on Kauai, Dr. Ihor Basko. Ihor’s specialty is homemade diet and Chinese medicine, including acupuncture and medicines. From his website: “Dr. Basko provides high quality, caring, holistic veterinarian services and healing acupuncture services on the Islands of Kauai and Oahu. Dr. Basko also provides guidance to pet owners world-wide for preventing disease and supporting the well-being of their pets through telephone consultations, a weekly radio show and through products and resources available through this website.” I filled out an online questionnaire, sent it off along with all the test results, and within five minutes on the phone, Dr. Basko had the problem diagnosed as gall bladder problems. He prescribed a special diet and some Chinese medicine, and after only a couple of days, my cat was doing almost 100% better! We are in week two of the Basko Protocol and she’s getting stronger every day. Thank you, Dr. Basko!

[...]

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Tags: Air, Chemicals, Children's Health, Environment, Environmental Health, EPA, Policy, Products

The site is under construction today!

Posted on Jan 21, 2010 by Susie Collins in Blog, Editor's Notes, Susie Collins

We are doing some design work on the site today so things may look a little jangled up for awhile. You should still be able to navigate the site and leave comments. I’m sorry for any confusion. Thanks much for your patience! Aloha, Susie

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The Canary Report will host special group chats for Christmas

Posted on Dec 23, 2009 by Susie Collins in Blog, Editor's Notes, Susie Collins

Happy Holidays, Canaries!

I’ll be hosting special Group Chats at our social network on Christmas Eve at 9:00 pm Eastern Time, and Christmas Day at 3:00 pm Eastern Time.

Come join us to share some virtual nog and real holiday cheer!

Aloha,
Susie

Photo credit

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