The Canary Report

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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The Canary Report is under construction!

Posted on Dec 09, 2009 by Susie Collins in Blog, Editor's Notes, Susie Collins

Things might look a little crazy and disorganized on the site over the next few days while we make adjustments with the new theme. Our web designer is moving through the process as quickly as possible. Thanks for your patience!

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Change is here at The Canary Report!

Posted on Dec 05, 2009 by Susie Collins in Blog, Editor's Notes, News, Susie Collins

With a new theme that’s easier to read, navigate and search, The Canary Report is reborn as a safe home for the Multiple Chemical Sensitivity community!

Aloha Canaries,

As you can see, we’ve launched a new theme! I think this new format will better present the mission of The Canary Report, which is to provide news, information and inspiration to people with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity.

You’ll notice right away that I’ve eliminated the separate home page and made the heart of the site the blog itself. You’ll now have the choice to “Read More” of a story that catches your interest, or scroll on quickly to the next report.

In addition to making the navigation easier for you, this theme will allow me to bring you more news faster, and if I chose, to quickly post a micro blog.

Probably one of the first things you’ll notice is that the font is bigger and that there is no more animated feature box; I did this to provide better access for my readers with sight sensitivities.

As an overarching change in direction, The Canary Report’s tagline is no longer about “sounding the alarm,” but rather about creating “a safe home for the Multiple Chemical Sensitivity community” through this blog and our social network. So most of the changes are geared to that end. I really want to focus on building a strong online MCS community, providing smart and practical commentary that can help you cope with things, tons of support and resources, and most of all, lots of love and understanding about the challenges you face with MCS.

We are still under construction, so over the next few days, you’ll be seeing some color, content and format changes. I still need to go through all 950 posts on the site to tweak them a bit so their format matches the new post box. In the meantime, if you scroll through the blog, the posts may look a little jumbled– I’ll have that fixed soon!

Over the next few weeks, you’ll see this blog and our social network become more integrated so it no longer feels like they are two separate sites.

In the very near future, you’ll start to see some advertising. I will retain as much control as possible over our sponsors so that the products are suitable for our community; you won’t be seeing ads for commercial dryer sheets and air fresheners! Monetizing the site will allow me to keep improving content and services for you as time goes on.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all my community members, readers, contributors, and guest bloggers for all you’ve brought to The Canary Report. I have always looked at this as an adventure in teamwork and I do hope this blog and our network are helping to make your life with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity a bit more bearable. Together, we are stronger!

Aloha,

Susie xoxo

PS A special thanks to Cassie at Mamas On the Web for all her tech support and hard work on the new theme. I really admire her diligence and patience. Given the number of times I’ve changed my mind about the theme, colors and format, it will be a miracle if she ever talks to me again after we’ve finished! Mahalo to you Cassie! xoxo

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Tags: MCS, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, Support

Toxic construction, cancer, and biotech crops

Posted on Nov 18, 2009 by Linda Sepp in Blog, Contributors, Linda Sepp, Media/Videos, News

Canary’s Cry.

Post by Linda Sepp.

The Colorado Daily reports on sidewalks finally getting built in the shopping district of Nederland, Colorado, but not everyone is happy with the construction project. Judith Thackray, a 17-year resident of Nederland, said she’s been forced to evacuate her home because it sits so close to the project’s construction yard. “There are so many vehicles, and Nederland sits in a bowl, that the level of toxicity from the diesel fumes is impossible for me,” said Thackray, 62, who has been diagnosed with acute chemical sensitivity. “I am being ousted from my home.” Thackray, who has been taking up temporary residence in rented hotel rooms and mountain cabins, said her requests for the city or the construction company to move the work yard has fallen on deaf ears.

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center reports cancer patients and doctors report drug side effects differently. The study showed patients generally reported adverse symptoms earlier, more frequently, and with greater severity than their clinicians, and their responses appeared to better reflect real-time suffering.

Reuters reports biotech crops cause big jump in pesticide use-report.

The Seattle Post Globe reports on infuriated mom: Why can’t I protect my body? Study pinpoints chemicals in moms-to-be.

Dr. Oz reports on the link between cell phones and cancer.

The Bloomington Alternative launches a blog on Autism and the Indiana Environment. It explores the parallel rises of environmental pollution and autism in Indiana.

The New York Times reports For Some Smokers, Even Home Is Off Limits. This month, the Related Companies will ban smoking at some of its downtown apartment buildings because of health concerns about secondhand smoke, according to company officials.

The University of California-Los Angeles reports nanoparticles used in common household items caused genetic damage in mice.

Burlington Free Press reports A Chemical Reaction film explores dangers lurking in lawns.

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The health and ability for those with environmental sensitivities rests with the choices and actions of others. For more information, see The Medical Perspective on Environmental Sensitivities.

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Tags: Air, Chemicals, Children's Health, Environment, Environmental Health, Environmental Illness, Home, Indoor Pollution, MCS, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, Research, Toxic, Video

In the news: Newborns, homeland security, and chemicals

Posted on Nov 11, 2009 by Susie Collins in Blog, Media/Videos, News, Susie Collins

Red and Black reports newborns inspire toxicity research.

Global Security Newswire reports House Democrats on Friday pushed through a bill that would place new security requirements on facilities across the country that use or store dangerous chemicals after defeating a handful of GOP amendments. The bill, approved 230-193, would renew and broaden the authority of the Homeland Security Department to require chemical facilities to use safer technologies and processes as one of several ways to enforce chemical security regulations.

Delaware Online reports on momentum gathering to strengthen the government’s primary mechanism for banning harmful chemicals or limiting their use in consumer products, the 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act.

The Tehran Times, Iran’s leading international daily, reports on five ways to improve indoor air quality. It’s snitched from WebMD, but it’s a lot more progressive than a lot of articles we see regurgitated in the US that advocate for toxic household cleansers and air fresheners. (Thanks, Linda!)

One of my favorite journalists, Nicholas Kristof, reports in an Op/Ed in the New York Times on Chemicals in Our Food, and Bodies. Better know for his reporting on Darfur, sexual enslavement and trafficking of young women, it’s exciting to see Kristof report on BPA and other toxic chemicals; he’s mainstream and he adds heft to the urgency of this topic.

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Tags: Chemicals, Children's Health, Environment, Environmental Health, Home, Indoor Pollution, Policy, Toxic

The nocebo effect, burn laws, and explosives detectors

Posted on Nov 07, 2009 by Susie Collins in Blog, Linda Sepp, Media/Videos, News

Canary’s Cry.

Post by Linda Sepp.

Don’t read this unless you want your blood to boil: The American Council on Science and Health reports on the Nocebo Effect: Think Sick and You’ll Be Sick.

The Herald Bulletin reports that fall is a very busy time for burning leaves and that burn laws may vary. Ann Swartz, who lives in an unincorporated area near Chesterfield, Indiana, said open burning has caused health problems for her over several years. Swartz suffers from fibromyalgia and multiple chemical sensitivity, she said, conditions that are worsened each time she is exposed to smoke from open fires, including fatigue and depression.

The New York Times reports on check points in Baghdad where new detectors designed to discover explosive materials are picking up on perfume, air fresheners and soap, but not guns.

Vickie Ashwill at The Des Moines Register reports that she’s a “smell-aholic.” She writes, “The closest I’ve been able to artificially recreate that fresh Midwest scent is by doing a load of whites with Clorox bleach. I’d love to carry a damp, just-washed, very-white towel around with me for those moments when I need a whiff of something great.”

Insurance Headlines reports insurers are fighting claims over toxic Chinese drywall.

And some useful tidbits:

The Center for Social Gerontology reports on The Federal Fair Housing Act and the protection of persons who are disabled by secondhand smoke in most private and public housing.

Chemists at McMaster University say they have developed an inexpensive “dipstick” test to detect pesticides in foods.

Horticulturists at the University of Georgia tested ornamental indoor plants for their ability to remove harmful VOCs from indoor air and came up with five super ornamentals identified for cleaner indoor air. That’s Hemigraphis alternata at left, or purple waffle plant, one of the highest rated ornamentals for removing indoor air pollutants.

Borax.com reports that the inclusion of about 1wt.% sodium perborate in laundry detergent powders results in destruction of chlorine bleach.

University of Michigan researchers say chronically ill people may be happier if they give up hope. Study shows that colostomy patients who felt their condition was irreversible reported better quality of life than those with faith that they would be cured. “We think they were happier because they got on with their lives. They realized the cards they were dealt, and recognized that they had no choice but to play with those cards,” says researcher and professor in the Department of Internal Medicine.

The health and ability for those with environmental sensitivities rests with the choices and actions of others. For more information, see The Medical Perspective on Environmental Sensitivities.

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Tags: Air, Chemicals, Children's Health, Environment, Environmental Health, Environmental Illness, Healthy Living, Indoor Pollution, MCS, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, Perfume, Personal Care, Products, Research, Toxic

H1N1 vaccine by Pandemrix® poses risk to people with known hypersensitivity

Posted on Nov 04, 2009 by Susie Collins in Blog, News, Susie Collins

Environmental physicians in Germany say H1N1 vaccine by Pandemrix® is unsuitable for patients with chronic multi-system illnesses.

CSN: Chemical Sensitivity Network reports the German Professional Association of Environmental Medicine advises against the H1N1 vaccine by Pandemrix® for people with chronic multi-system illnesses.

Press release of the German Professional Association of Environmental Medicine (Deutscher Berufsverband der Umweltmediziner – DBU).

From 26. October 2009.

Swine flu [H1N1] vaccine is unsuitable for patients with chronic multi-system illnesses. Pandemrix® poses substantial health risk with respect to mass immunization programs due to the lack of proof of safety. Because of the producer’s release from liability by the German Federal Government (BRD), the risk of adverse reactions and/or permanent damage due to the vaccine rests with the patient.

The German Professional Association of Environmental Medicine (DBU) has, in spite of press releases from the BRD, the Paul-Ehrlich-Institute, as well as the vaccine producer’s assurances of safety, serious concerns relating to Pandemrix® (GlaxoSmithKline), the only vaccine which has been approved for mass vaccination by the BRD.

The DBU discusses at this point neither the medical use of immunization in general nor the necessity of such measures in the, up until now, mild course of the swine flu pandemic.

Our criticism is directed only against the pandemic vaccine Pandemrix®.

• There exists considerable doubt as to the effectiveness of the vaccine: during the licensing phase, the vaccine tested had a 40% higher portion of virus antigen (5. 25µg) than the vaccine (3.75µg) now being delivered. An unequivocal consensus has not been reached as to whether the vaccination should be given once or twice a season.
• There exists considerable doubt concerning the safety of the adjuvanted active amplifier since it is being used for the first time. The vaccine contains 27.4mg AS03, an emulsion of polysorbate, squalene and tocopherol. Sufficient studies are lacking, because in the test phase, only the development of antibody titers was determined as a surrogate criterion, and not any potential adverse reactions.
• The producer as well as government agencies have concealed the fact that squalene, if used subcutaneously or intramuscularly is an inflammatory immune activation immunogen, unlike when ingested. (Squalene is, among other things, for example, naturally contained in olive oil.)
• Autoimmune diseases can be provoked by squalene; already existing ones can be activated. Squalene has been connected with the emergence of Guillan-Barré Syndrome (GBS) and is now considered a trigger for Gulf War Syndrome (GWS). In animal studies squalene brought on rheumatoid arthritis.
• Squalene from food sources is mainly incorporated into membranes in the body. The production of squaline antibodies resulting from an immunization sets off chronic inflammation of the membranes, which explains diseases such as Gulf War Syndrome and also degenerative neurological diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy and Guillan-Barré Syndrome.
• The delivery of vaccine in multiple dose ampules is obsolete. In single dose ampules the mercury used for preservation, as in thimerosal – which is included in Pandemrix – would be unnecessary. Also, mercury has been proven to set off autoimmune diseases.
• Since the vaccine has not been tested on either young children or pregnant women (Ethics Commission objection), the call to give preference in the first phase of vaccination to precisely this particularly endangered segment of the population represents an improper and totally unjustifiable field test.
• The vaccine poses a higher risk than the swine flu itself for patients with environmental illness and for patients with compromised immune systems (e.g. AIDS).
• The vaccine producer GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), according to the contract with the BRD, is largely exempt from liability. In case of damage from the vaccination, the affected vaccinee would have to sue the government and therefore the country of Germany, usually a futile exercise.
• To avoid the trap of liability, the doctor giving the vaccination must meticulously inform the patient of all risks concerning the vaccination and the vaccine. It is recommended to give this information in the presence of an assistant and to have it be confirmed by the patient’s signature. The explanation should also include the liability features. Also the indication that other, lower risk vaccines are available in Europe and that due to a faulty decision by the German government, they are currently not available to the German population. This information should definitely be included in the explanation.

For general and environmental health considerations the DBU urgently advises against carrying out a vaccination with Pandemrix®.

Dr.med. Hans-Peter Donate for the board of the German Professional Association of Environmental Medicine (DBU)

Translation by CSN – Chemical Sensitivity Network.

For more information on Pandemrix®, here is the manufacturer’s summary of product characteristics. Here is a quick look at one section on possible side effects:

Caution is needed when administering this vaccine to persons with a known hypersensitivity (other than anaphylactic reaction) to the active substance, to any of the excipients, to thiomersal and to residues (egg and chicken protein, ovalbumin, formaldehyde, gentamicin sulphate and sodium deoxycholate).

Editor’s Note: Content on this blog is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional. You should not use this information for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication or other treatment.

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Tags: Chemicals, Health, MCS, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, Products, Toxic

Perfume, poisoning, and green spaces

Posted on Oct 22, 2009 by Susie Collins in Blog, Linda Sepp, Media/Videos, News

Canary’s Cry.

Post by Linda Sepp.

Green and Save reports on Perfume and Colognes: Dangerously Chemical.

CTV News reports that getting the recommended treatment for severe carbon-monoxide poisoning depends on where you live in Canada and who your doctor is.

CBC News reports green spaces boost the body and the mind.

Reuters reports polluted air may give you a headache.

Building Green reports on an EPA warning: Older buildings may harbor PCBs.

The Canadian Center for Occupational Safety reports a webinar will be held on ototoxic industrial chemicals and potentially harmful exposure. Dr. Thais Morata of the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health will discusses the effects of chemical agents, the interaction between these agents and noise, and strategies for preventing work-related hearing loss.

The Star reports Web surfing boosts brain circuitry in older adults.

King’s College London reports on research showing pesticides exposure is linked to suicidal thoughts. Full article here.

The Wall Street Journal reports a bill backed by industry and environmental groups would set federal limits on a potentially dangerous chemical inside your home: formaldehyde.

Best selling author Barbara Ehrenreich has a new book out, Bright-sided: How the Relentless Promotion of Positive Thinking Has Undermined America. I just saw her talking about it on the Daily Show and she was brilliant. She said there’s an empathy deficit (no kidding). She also said, “I never think delusion is ok.” YAY for speaking up!

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The health and ability for those with environmental sensitivities rests with the choices and actions of others. For more information, see The Medical Perspective on Environmental Sensitivities.

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Tags: Air, Books, Canary's Cry, Chemicals, Environment, Environmental Health, Fragrance, Home, Indoor Pollution, Perfume, Pesticides, Products, Research, Toxic, Video, Work

MCS news: Recognition, community, and a gas well

Posted on Oct 08, 2009 by Susie Collins in Blog, MCS, Media/Videos, News, Susie Collins

Who’s chirping about Multiple Chemical Sensitivity?

Eva at NO FUN reports News From Japan: Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Recognized as a Physical Disease, with a mention about The Canary Report. Eva is the best networker in the MCS community I’ve ever seen. She’s gone global with her Naked Truth About MCS, now translated into nine different languages. She’s just introduced me to a chemical policy analyst in Japan, who found out about Eva from the post I did on her amazing nude photo shoot about MCS. Writes Eva:

Takeshi Yasuma is Chemicals Policy Analyst from Citizens Against Chemicals Pollution (CACP). He works on issues related to chemical pollution in humans and environment, including Chemical Policies, Toxic Chemicals, Toxic Wastes, Hazardous Nanotechnology, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity and Children’s Health. As I explained in the post I published yesterday, I’ve met him because of The Naked Truth about MCS that he translated into Japanese from The Canary Report. I’m sure that it’s only a beginning and we will keep in touch. Today is a great day because having contact with Japan is a great step for all of us.

The Design Observer Group reports on Community: The American Way of Living, where the authors explore how different types of communities are created. “Like-minded clustering has [...] produced communities for golf, fishing, and horseback riding, communities for gay retirees, multiple-chemical-sensitivity sufferers, hipsters and suburban Muslims. A road trip through North America would show the tremendous variety of like-minded communities out there.”

Star Telegram reports some Arlington residents say a nearby gas well is making them sick. DenBraber, who said she is on disability for severe chemical sensitivity, has complained to the university and Carrizo about the well since the first rig was erected in 2007. She said she has accumulated $14,000 in medical bills since then, and she blamed fumes coming from the site.

Judi at humor columnist Dave Berry’s Blog does a rif about people drenching themselves in perfume. A commenter says, “AMEN, judi! And thank you from all of us suffering from Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (yes, it is a diagnosis). Mine came about from working in a tiny bathroom developing black and white film for years – chemical injury.”

The National Post reports on an Ottawa manufacturer of conventional mattresses, who bowed to customer insistence to produce mattresses for people with chemical sensitivities: How Jean Corriveau transformed his business from chemical-based to 100% organic. Hmmmm. I wonder if those mattresses are safe enough for peeps with MCS?

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Tags: MCS, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity

In the news: Chemical regulation, pesticide ingredients, and healthy art

Posted on Oct 07, 2009 by Susie Collins in Blog, Media/Videos, News, Susie Collins

JS Online reports the EPA director backs tougher regulation of chemicals. The summit where Lisa Jackson spoke was a highly unusual gathering, called by the American Chemistry Council, the lobby group for the chemical industry, and the Environmental Working Group, an advocacy group that frequently criticizes industry’s lack of disclosure. Those groups typically are at odds over how much information and testing needs to be done.

Beyond Pesticides reports EPA Seeks to Disclose Hazardous Pesticide Inert Ingredients. What the heck have they been waiting for? Let’s see how nuts people think we are now.

Green Train announces Hollywood charity and Inku Artist McKenzie, who was stricken with a devastating environmental illness thought by doctors to be triggered by years of exposure to toxic materials in the art creating process. This sickness inspired and propelled McKenzie life-changing mission to discover and create an innovative way to produce healthy, earth-sensitive fine art and prints, which she calls Inku Art.

Dr. Weil reports on a study in China conducted by Australian researchers showing that women who ate the most fresh button mushrooms, 10 grams or more per day, were about two-thirds less likely to develop breast cancer than women who ate no mushrooms.

Start-Up Nation is a website that housebound canaries might like to peruse for ideas about home-based businesses.

Two products came to my attention this week with raves from people with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. One is the Healthmate air filter from Austen (at right), and the other an all metal utility heater fan from Honeywell. The person chirping about the heater said she had to run it for a few hours out in the garage first before it was safe, but once that was accomplished, she loves it! As with any product, remember that what works for one canary might not work for another, so be cautious whenever trying new consumer goods.

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Tags: Art, Chemicals, EPA, Food, Home, Pesticides, Products

In the news: EPA, students’ health, and green salons

Posted on Sep 29, 2009 by Susie Collins in Blog, Media/Videos, News, Susie Collins

Flock to these reports!

USA Today reports the EPA gives Congress a heads-up on toxic chemicals. “The Obama administration is announcing new principles to guide Congress in updating the 33-year-old law that governs how the Environmental Protection Agency controls toxic chemicals, saying the current law is inadequate to protect against risks.”

NTI reports a House panel becomes flash point for a chemical bill. “Nearly 30 industry groups sent House Energy and Commerce Chairman Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) and ranking member Joe Barton (R-Texas) a strongly worded letter Monday opposing certain provisions in a chemical security bill making its way through Congress. The industry groups, which include the American Petroleum Institute and U.S. Chamber of Commerce, oppose provisions that could require chemical plants to use safer technologies; would allow facilities to be sued by citizens; and would allow states to adopt their own security standards. [...] Not to be outdone, a coalition of about 50 environmental, labor and public interest organizations are being equally vocal in lobbying for the bill.”

The Badger Herald reports a green cleaning act could improve students’ health.

Health News Digest reports on toxic hair salons: “While there doesn’t appear to be an industry-wide, coordinated effort to green up these operations, green-friendly salons are popping up all across the country, leading the charge by taking matters into their own hands.” And The AZ Daily Sun reports on hair salons that are going green.

Dr. Andrew Weil’s new book, Why Our Health Matters, offers a new paradigm for our health care system. Dr. Weil is director of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine and an authority on health, wellness and integrative medicine. He specializes in natural remedies for many common ailments; learn more at drweil.com.

New York Times blogger Daniel Goleman writes about The Age of Eco-Angst.

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Tags: Chemicals, Children's Health, MCS, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, Personal Care, Products, Toxic

Canary’s Cry for Wednesday, July 21

Posted on Jul 22, 2009 by Susie Collins in Blog, Media/Videos, News, Susie Collins

Two stories we’ve been covering here at The Canary Report have less than happy updates:

Philly.com reports Pennsylvania court upholds ruling to remove “bubble” home, the only safe place for a woman with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. An appeals court has upheld a Lehigh County judge’s ruling that a man must remove a modular housing unit from his property. The Canary Report has been covering the story for the past year. Here’s one of the posts with a video.

The Marin Independent Journal reports San Rafael council OKs antennas near Ecology House. Ecology House is one of the only apartment buildings in the entire U.S. for people with chemical sensitivities. The Canary Report covered this story in January.

In other news:

The Huffington Post reports A New Warning: Air Pollution, the Fetus, and IQ.

In a related op/ed, Melissa Lin Perrella at Natural Resources Defense Council reports on Air Pollution Linked to Premature Birth and Low IQ in Kids.

Common Dreams reports Dangerous Chemicals Threaten America’s Reproductive Health.

Hc2d.co.uk reports on cancer clusters in China’s Huai River basin— an intricate network of rivers, lakes, and fishing villages.

Science Daily reports Fossil Fuel Use Leads To Ozone-Boosting Chemical Reaction. The burning of fossil fuels pumps chemicals into the air that react on surfaces such as buildings and roads to create photochemical smog-forming chlorine atoms.

Reuters reports Drugs Expose Many Premature Babies to Chemicals. Premature babies are often exposed to additives in their medications that could put them at risk of brain and lung damage, according to a new study.

Smart Brief reports Maine makes its list of chemicals hazardous to human health. Environmental officials released a list of about 1,700 chemicals that are commonly used and determined to pose a risk to human health. The list was required under a state law passed last year.

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Tags: Air, Asthma, Chemicals, Children's Health, Environment, Environmental Health, Pollution, Products, Research, Toxic, Water