The Top 10 Toxic Products You Don’t Need
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It’s become so common in our culture to assume we need things – a lot of things. Over-consumption is not only a strain on our bank accounts and environment; it can also be harmful to our health. Whether there’s a warning label or not (usually not), many of the things we buy have associated health risks.
Here are ten toxic products, in no particular order that you don’t need. And, once you read about them, you probably won’t want them either. Be aware that different homes may have different products that are more toxic than these. This is just a basic list of some of the most commonly purchased products that are almost entirely unnecessary, but pose significant risks.
1. Air fresheners: Most air fresheners mask odors with a synthetic fragrance or numb your sense of smell with chemical anesthetics. But, they do nothing to eliminate the source of the odor. Also, aerosol air fresheners spew out tiny droplets of chemicals that are easily inhaled into the lungs. Instead, ventilate well and choose natural deodorizers, such as zeolite or baking soda, which contain minerals that absorb odors. How to Freshen Indoor Air Naturally includes recipes for other homemade remedies. Plants are also helpful for purifying your indoor air.
2. Drain, oven and toilet bowl cleaners: Yes, three products instead of one, but they all fit under the category of cleaners – and these are the three nastiest. Corrosive or caustic cleaners, such as the lye and acids found in drain cleaners, oven cleaners and acid-based toilet bowl cleaners, are the most dangerous cleaning products because they burn skin, eyes and internal tissue easily.
* To clean extra-greasy ovens, mix together 1 cup baking soda and 1/4 cup of washing soda, then add enough water to make a paste; apply the paste to oven surfaces and let soak overnight. The next morning, lift off soda mixture and grime; and rinse surfaces well.
* Prevent clogged drains by using hair and food traps.
* To de-grease and sweeten sink and tub drains, pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down drain followed by 1 cup vinegar; let bubble for 15 minutes; rinse with hot water. You might have to repeat the whole procedure more than once. This same mixture can be used prior to scrubbing your toilet bowl to deodorize and scour away grime.

3. Canned food: It’s probably shocking to find a food item on a toxic product list, but it’s no mistake. Food cans are lined with an epoxy resin that contains bisphenol-A (BPA). Most experts believe this is our main source of exposure to BPA, which has been linked to hormone disruption, obesity, heart disease, and much more. Eden Foods is currently the only company with BPA-free canned foods (other than the canned tomatoes, which they haven’t found an adequate substitute for given the acidity of the tomatoes). Opt for fresh, frozen, dried or jarred foods.
4. Pesticides: This is a huge category of products, but they deserve inclusion in their entirety because of how extremely toxic they are. They’re made to be. That’s how they kill things. But, solving your pest problem may leave you with another problem – residual poisons that linger on surfaces, contaminate air, and get tracked onto carpet from the bottom of shoes. There are so many non-toxic ways to eliminate pests and weeds – next time you need to get on the offense, check out the recommendations at Beyond Pesticides.
5. Dry-cleaning: Okay, it’s a service and not a product per se, but the chemical used to do it, perchloroethylene, has been linked to cancer as well as nervous system, kidney, liver and reproductive disorders. Even bringing dry-cleaned clothes home is risky. EPA studies have found that people who reported visiting a dry-cleaning shop showed twice as much perc in their breath, on average, as other people. EPA also found that levels of perc remained elevated in a home for as long as one week after placing newly dry-cleaned clothes in a closet. A Consumers Union study found that people who wear freshly dry-cleaned clothes, like a jacket and shirt, every week over a 40-year period, could inhale enough perc “to measurably increase their risk of cancer” – by as much as 150 times what is considered “negligible risk.” Try wet-cleaning, CO2 technology, or even hand-washing.
6. Bottled water: Most people buy bottled water thinking they’re avoiding any contaminants that may be present in their tap water. For the most part, they’re wrong. Bottled water can be just as, or even more, contaminated than tap water. In fact, some bottled water IS tap water – just packaged (in plastic that can leach chemicals into the water) and over-priced. Also, from manufacture to disposal, bottled water creates an enormous amount of pollution – making our water even less drinkable. Do yourself and the world a favor and invest in a reusable stainless steel water bottle and a water filter.
7. Rubber duckies: How does such a cute toy end up on a toxic product list? When it’s made from PVC – the poison plastic. Banned in over 14 countries and the European Union, PVC, also known as vinyl, is still legally sold by U.S. retailers although it threatens environmental and consumer health at every stage of its product life cycle, according to the Center for Health, Environment, and Justice (CHEJ). When it’s in your home, PVC can leach phthalates (linked to hormone disruption) and lead (a potent neurotoxicant) – contaminating air, dust, and eventually you. Go PVC-free by reading packages and avoiding the #3 in the chasing arrows symbol (usually found on the bottom of a product). If a plastic is not labeled, call the manufacturer. Learn more.
8. Couch cushions: No, you needn’t get rid of all your cushions and consign yourself to a future of discomfort. Just avoid cushions, pillows, and anything with foam labeled fire retardant. These chemicals migrate from the foam to dust to people. In animal research, these chemicals are associated with cancer, birth defects, thyroid disruption, reproductive and neurological disorders such as hyperactivity and mental retardation. Don’t worry about increasing your fire risk, data does not show that this standard has resulted in increased fire safety. Look for foam and cushions made with polyester, down, wool, or cotton as they are unlikely to contain toxic fire retardants.
9. Perfume and cologne: Colognes and perfumes may make us more attractive. But mixed in with the colors and scents are a wide variety of unattractive chemicals. Perfumes and fragrances can consist of hundreds of chemicals. Testing of Calvin Klein’s Eternity by an independent lab, commissioned by Environmental Health Network (EHN), revealed that the perfume contained over 800 compounds. Among the chemicals of concern is diethyl phthalate (DEP) that is absorbed through the skin and can accumulate in human fat tissue. Phthalates are suspected carcinogens and hormone disruptors that are increasingly being linked to reproductive disorders.
It’s not so simple to avoid phthalates by switching products because they are rarely listed on product ingredient labels. Phthalates are claimed as a part of trade secret formulas, and are exempt from federal labeling requirements. Find out if products you currently use contain phthalates and find safer ones on Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Searchable Product Guide website.
10. Oil-based paints and finishes: There are 300 toxic chemicals and 150 carcinogens potentially present in oil-based paint, according to a John Hopkins University study. Still interested in coating your walls and furniture with this gunk? I hope not. Look for water-based options – ideally those that are low- or no-VOC. You could also explore natural finishes like milk paint and vegetable or wax based wood finishes.
Source: GO Media - by Healthy Child Healthy World

KWANALOGA RURAL DEVELOPMENT & CLIMATE CHANGE SUMMIT

 
08 March 2010 - 10 March 2010
Venue - ICC DURBAN
Address - Walnut rd
Organiser - Kwanaloga - DII

This is bringing 61 Municipalities together, to teach and to learn from each other.
Price:     Free
Phone:     031-3611236
Email:     This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website:     www.kwanaloa.gov.za

see programme for the Summit below

Programme for Kwanaloga Rural Development Climate Change Summit

Indalo Yethu invites suitably qualified potential candidates to apply for these exciting opportunities to contribute to creating 10 model towns of sustainability in local municipalities in SA.

1.     Programme Manager: Eco-towns (Centurion)
Responsible for oversight of the implementation and management of the business plan and programme management unit. Experience in the Built Environment Sector and Sustainable Development a requirement.

    2.    Project Finance Manager (Centurion)
Specialist project finance experience, budget preparation for fundraising, expenditure tracking and financial reporting on full accounting function.
Procurement systems development and monitoring.

3.    Project Finance and procurement officer (Centurion)
Procurement administration, Full accounting function and payroll processing.

    4.    Project Human Resources Practitioner (Centurion)
HR Systems development, employment contracts, performance management, labour relations knowledge.

5.    Environmental Education Training Coordinator (Centurion)
Training coordinator, skills audits, design training packages and environment education content development for communities and municipalities.

    6.    Project Administrators *2 (Centurion)
1 x Liason with service provider and contractors, experience in project reporting essential, management of contracts and project schedules.
1 x Office administration and communications /events management.

7.    Provincial Coordinators *8
Must be prepared to work in the following locations per province: Eastern Cape, (Butterworth, Mthatha) Limpopo (Greater Giyani & Vhembe), Mpumalanga (Bushbuckridge), Kwazulu Natal (Empangeni); Northern Cape (Kuruman); Free State (Ladybrand)
Strong experience in project management/operations management/logistics management. Experience in managing local contractors and supervisory skills essential for management of contract workers.

Please see below job descriptions for the above positions. Interested candidates are invited to send a recent professional profile with contactable references and certified scanned copies of qualifications to Tokollo Mojapelo at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or fax: 012 665 1382 or to PO Box 68219. Highveld, Centurion, 0169; Contact will be limited to short-listed candidates only. Indalo Yethu reserves the right not to fill the position.

Closing date for applications: 12:00 in the afternoon on Friday the 05 February 2010

click on the title below for Job description :

Project Human Resources Practitioner

Provincial Coordinators

Project Finance Manager

 Project Administrators

Programme Manager: Eco-towns

Project Finance and procurement officer

Environmental Education Training Coordinator

Provincial Project Co-ordinator  

Front or Top Load Washing Machine

When choosing your washing machine for water saving, frontload machines win hands down over top load. A top loader uses up to 40 gallons of water, which is a hefty amount compared to the lesser 10 gallons a frontload machine uses. Also remember, most of the washing machines power goes to heating the water. A frontload washing machine has less water, so less energy is used to heat it. Of course, cold wash is an even better option.
http://www.greenlivingtips.com/articles/163/1/Green-washing-machines.html

Shower instead of Bath

This might be the oldest tip in the Green industry, but it’s still a true fact. A 5 minute showers can use up to a third less water than that of a bath. That’s 50 litres every time.
http://generous.org.uk/actions/simply/12/shower-more-bath-less

Don’t be a Drip

• Check that all your taps are always properly closed.
• Replace washers on dripping taps.
• If a tap is dripping, place a bowl or bucket under the tap until it gets fixed.
• Use the collected water to water your plants.

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