There is a great deal of discussion today about sunscreen. We know only too well that the suns rays can be harmful, at the very least, to give us a burn and, worse, with prolonged exposure, the risk of skin cancer. We look then to “cover up” – and especially we look out for our kids. We want to look for sunscreen products that are effective in protection but, also perhaps today, we are challenged to be more careful about the products we choose – its impact on our health and also whether these products are friendly towards the environment.

There are many choices…so what are the issues?

The sun produces both visible and invisible rays. The invisible (short-wave UVA and long-wave UVB) rays cause most of the problems (suntan, sunburn and sun damage). The longer the exposure over time - the worse the effects. Experts say that there is no such think as a “safe” tan. (more…)

It is getting complicated as we steward resources used for carrying groceries and for garbage!

Waste management programs around the GTA have been in effect for some time aimed at reducing landfill burdens. We are now getting used to sorting our waste into separate containers for recyclables, compostable organics, garden waste and any remaining miscellaneous garbage. It is only the latter garbage, we are told, ends up in landfill. The Green Bin program for organic waste has received good press in The New York Times.  However with the praise comes a note of caution: The Toronto Star claims that not all authorities around Toronto are ideally set up to sort non-compostable plastic bags that are often mixed with much of the Green Bin material. As Toronto stores in June 2009 start charging customers a fee for every plastic bag used, our thoughts go again to using reusable bags or bins for our groceries. But even then, there might be a hitch. A May 2009 National Post article cites potential health risks from reusable cloth bags that touch food - so an argument is made for staying with plastic!

What should the environmental and health conscious consumer do? Here are some thoughts:

* Make full use of waste segregation available in your municipality

* Minimize plastic bags used in your Green Bin

* If required, use biodegradable plastic bags in the Green Bin for odour control

* Be aware that often there is not a perfect solution even with biodegradable plastics [see Blog (C) by Niagara College students].

Perhaps that best advice is to minimize all garbage and extra packaging in the first place.  There’s some food for thought!

When talking to people about buying green I feel it’s important to point out that being a green consumer can take many forms or “shades”. There’s being green by buying local in an effort to reduce one’s carbon footprint. There’s being green by following the three R’s. There’s being green through efficient use of fuel and energy. All these shades lessen our impact on the planet; some even have the benefit of improving our personal wellbeing. That said there is a shade of green that provides a third benefit: safeguarding the health of those involved in the production of the goods we buy; and that’s through buying organic; particularly when it comes to cotton.

Conventional cotton is one of the world’s most chemically treated crops, consuming 10 percent of all agricultural chemicals and 25 percent of insecticides. That adds up to 1/3 of a kilogram of chemicals just to produce enough cotton for a single pair of jeans! The impact of all this chemical usage however isn’t felt by those wearing the clothing in question but rather by those that must live around and work with the cotton crops on a day-in-day-out basis. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 20,000 deaths occur each year from pesticide poisoning in developing countries, many of those from cotton farming. (more…)

In a word – YES. You’ve probably heard at least some of the fuss about Bisphenol A or BPA, particularly with respect to baby bottles. While BPA is particularly hazardous to babies (born or unborn), the most recent studies show it’s a health issue for all of us.

Green Cricket steel bottles

Here’s how:

- BPA is a chemical that acts like estrogen in the body and interferes with normal hormonal function.

- BPA during pregnancy can negatively impact the developing breast and prostate and have adverse effects on brain development and behavior in children.

- BPA may also contribute to such impacts as breast cancer, infertility and early puberty in girls.

- BPA is being linked to significantly increased risks of diabetes and heart disease.

Most importantly, though, we’re just beginning to understand how dangerous it may be. A healthy dose of precaution is definitely in order. So where is BPA found, and how do we avoid it?

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