Rose Schipano

Drinking Dark Waters? Learn More About Why YOU Should Care About PFAS Chemicals

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When out shopping for kitchenware, for those of us tired of food sticking to pans, the words “non-stick” may catch our attention. Similarly, when we want clothing that can handle poor weather conditions, we look for waterproof fabrics. Though these products certainly provide us with convenience, the chemicals utilized to create the non-stick, water-proof phenomena can lead to serious health concerns. As now being shown in the movie Dark Waters, with activist actor Mark Ruffalo, the chemicals are called “PFAS (polyfluoroalkyl substances),” man-made substances developed as surfactants, which allow water, oils or grease to slip on the surface of the item due to the lower surface tension caused by the chemicals.

Some common household items that may contain PFAS (which may be identified on labels as “Teflon”, originally developed by Dupont) are:

  • Nonstick cookware (i.e. pots, pans, etc.)
  • Microwave popcorn bags; Fast food wrappers and takeout containers, grease-resistant baking paper, pizza boxes 
  • Personal care items (nail polish, mascara, shampoos, body soaps, detergent, deodorants)
  • Coatings used in upholstery, carpets, or rugs that resist stains
  • Cleaning products (polishes), Paints (spray or liquid), car waxes, varnish
  • Water-resistant clothing (i.e. boots, raincoats, etc.)

Additionally, PFAS has been detected around airports, military bases, firefighting training sites, and industrial plants. The areas surrounding these locations often show high PFAS levels due to the firefighting foams used for training or emergency purposes. PFAS contaminates ground water which, on Long Island, becomes our homes’ tap water. 

As consumers, we regularly interact with PFAS due to how many products contain the chemical. However, it usually takes prolonged exposure to PFAS before it begins to impact one’s health (usually via drinking water). When ingested, PFAS chemicals linger within the body for long periods of time due to their slow rate of molecular break down, gradually increasing their levels and the risk of disease over time. Studies have found that PFAS chemicals (as well as the variants PFOS (perfluorooctanesulfonic acid) and PFOA (perflorooctonoic acid) induce the following at varying levels of exposure:

  • Increased cholesterol levels
  • Kidney and liver toxicity 
  • Endocrine disruption
  • Increased risk of developing tumors (mostly kidney and testicular cancers)
  • Low infant birth weights

Though continually drinking PFAS contaminated water could eventually cause a greater risk of developing diseases, water filters such as Carbon (GAC), Ion Exchange, and Reverse Osmosis filters can reduce the PFAS levels in our drinking water to counteract the risks of acquiring illnesses. To reduce our exposure, it is also important to try and limit our daily use of products that contain these chemicals. Here are some ways we can avoid these risks:

  • Limit eating food stored in grease-resistant food wrapping such as fast food take-out containers;
  • Carefully read the ingredients of personal care products;
  • Purchase PFOA-free and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-free cooking wares such as stainless steel or ceramic;
  • Use less toxic cleaning products;
  • Contact your local health department or water district if you are not sure if your area is contaminated with these chemicals.

In regard to water filters, please be aware of the pros and cons of each filter type: 

  • Carbon is effective for long—chains (PFOA & PFOS) but has difficulty with shorter-chains (PFBS & PFBA); [1]
    • Cost of purchase and installation is less than Ion Exchange and Reverse Osmosis filters; 
    • Limited to the faucet the device is attached to. 
  • Ion Exchange and Reverse Osmosis are effective against long and short-chain PFAS; [2] 
    • Cost of purchase, installation and annual maintenance is more expensive than a carbon filter in the long run; 
    • Rather than specific faucets, Ion Exchange and Reverse Osmosis filters can be applied to the entire house.
  • NSF International tests and certifies products and systems, so check if your filter follows the NSF standards. [3]
    • Look for the following terminology on the product label: “NSF P473” or “NSF Certified to Standard P473.”

 See also:

  1. EPA: Reducing PFAS in Drinking Water with Treatment Technologies
  2. EWG: Removing Toxic Fluorinated Chemicals From Your Home’s Tap Water
  3. MSU Extension: List of household filters approved for certain PFAS removal

How to Help Groups Directly Fighting the Amazon Fires

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Do you feel concerned about the Amazon fires in the Amazon? We would like to share our research on the causes of this problem, as well as ideas on how you can help to make a change.

The Amazon Rainforest remains an integral symbol to our planet’s natural history. This massive rainforest that encompasses most of the Northern sections of South America is one of the last vestiges of ancient rainforest life we have left on the planet. Historically speaking, as a species, we have had a shared, yet complex relationship with the Amazon. It is important to add that to this day, numerous indigenous cultures live within its biome.

Unfortunately, due to the gradually increasing changes in climate over the last hundreds of years, and questionable relationships between governments, economies, and their people, the Amazon Rainforest has seen a sharp decline in its expanse, and its health. According to the Amazon Environmental Research Institute (IPAM), the recent increases in fires are directly correlated with the increase of deforestation instances. The dry season months (May through August) commonly have forest fires, but not to the extent measured thus far.

Deforestation is the act of clearing a wide area of trees to change the purpose of the land. This practice was implemented on a concerning scale starting in the 1970s to increase their export rates of beef, soy and other agricultural crops by creating space for cattle ranching and the development of more fertile soils. In order to make these clearings, slash-and-burn techniques are mainly used. In the hands of a farmer inexperienced with the technique, or in a program regulating a mass scale of the practice, these fires can spread recklessly. After a decade of regulations which gradually decreased the incidence of fires in Brazil, the number spiked again in 2019 with instances as of this recent Summer season reaching an appalling 84,000+.

On a grand scale, if we do not save the burning Amazon, our “Earth’s lungs”, the rate of carbon emissions polluting the atmosphere will increase. We encourage our readers to take the time to research this alarming sequence of fires and what can be done to help contribute to the healing process of the afflicted lands, organisms, and peoples. Below are several nonprofit
organizations dedicated to such goals:

What Kind of Water Filter Should You Have?

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Water is a necessity for humans, animals and plants. As we take steps to clean up our oceans, lakes, and rivers, so too we must pay attention to the quality of water in our homes and communities. Municipal water treatment facilities are responsible for maintaining the quality of drinking water by removing many harmful contaminants found in it, but not all substances can be filtered away with one-hundred percent efficacy. Any contaminants that make their way past mechanical filtration systems tend to be so small that specialized filtration mechanisms may be required to sift them apart. The common household products we use on a daily basis such as dish soaps, shampoos and detergents may further contribute to the decreasing purity of our groundwater aquifers beneath the ground, which the source of our water here on Long Island.

We can take extra steps in reducing the pollutants in our groundwater by choosing less toxic products such as plant-based soaps and detergents found at health food stores, vs. the typical name brands which are petroleum based and may contain harmful contaminants such as 1,4 dioxane (as well as fragrances containing hormone-disrupting phthalates). Local wildlife also relies on a healthy water ecosystem—after water goes through treatment or our cesspool/septic system, it goes back to our waterways... 

We can also protect our own health through the installation of home water filters that target specific contaminants such as volatile organic compounds, pesticides, and other chemicals. And although purchasing a home water filter may be an expense, it is worth it to prevent the risk of illnesses, and is cheaper and less wasteful than drinking from plastic water bottles. Below is a list of some of the common harmful ingredients found in daily-use products that further pollute the quality of our water:

•   Synthetic perfumes/fragrances – common in lotions, soaps, detergents, shampoos, and conditioners.

◦   Impedes the lymphatic system process of cleaning your body of toxic antigens and wastes

•   Potassium Sorbates & phenoxyethanol – found in hair-care products and some cosmetics. 

◦   Can cause contact dermatitis, organ toxicity and irritates the skin, scalp, eyes, or lungs

•   Dimethicone – found in lubricants, moisturizers, and cosmetics.

◦   Can cause skin and scalp irritation due to the chemical trapping bacteria within the skin. 

◦   Non-biodegradable

•   Formaldehydes (DMDM Hydantoin, Bronopol, quaternium-15, and others) – found in cosmetics, baby shampoos, body soaps, and hair gels. 

◦   Skin irritations and rashes caused by skin PH sensitivity and allergic reactions

◦   Carcinogenic

•   Contaminants – unplanned byproducts of the multitudes of ingredients mixed into products.

◦   Are NOT listed in product labels due to the unpredictability of byproduct outcomes.

◦   Some known harmful contaminants:

‣   1,4-dioxane

‣   formaldehydes 

‣   polyethylene glycol

‣   polyethylene ceteareth

‣   talcum

‣   butane and isobutene

‣   coal tar

‣   Heavy solids (lead, nickel, and others)

Many types of water filters can be outfitted into your home to help filter out different contaminants. It is recommended that you have your home’s water tested to see which pollutants may be present. It may also be of benefit to check your county/state Annual Water Quality Reports as a reference to the general safety. Attached below are links to the New York State Annual Water Quality Support, and we encourage any readers out-of-state to search for their respective state’s reports. Additionally, please see our Water Filter Factsheet for a brief synopsis covering the types of water filters that can tackle the contaminants according to the specifications needed in your home’s water quality. 

Helpful Links:

NYS Annual Water Quality Report

View / Download: Water Filter Factsheet by Green Inside and Out

Green Strategies for Pet Care

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Throughout human history, we have shared our lives with animals we call “pets.” For practical reasons such as herding or for recreational joy and companionship, pets have been integral in our lives and are now often considered family members. To care for their well-being, we can support products and lifestyles that protect and respect them and our natural world:

  • Healthy Food:
    • The ingredients in some brands may be produced via unsustainable methods of raising meat or have been manufactured with pesticides, antibiotics, artificial ingredients, or hormones. Such foods result in duller coat, insufficient digestive processes, weaker bones and teeth, decrease in energy, and the risks go on.
    • Horrifically, some brands actually have been known to use the meat of cats and dogs euthanized at shelters in their pet food.
    • By utilizing local or organic ingredients (fruits, grains, vegetables) that are safe, clean, and grown naturally, it may cost a bit more, but it means better health and less money spent at the veterinarian’s office. Buying products that use questionable methods of production will not encourage companies to improve their practices.
    • Look for labels that state the percentages of organic meat in the food, or if the product is USDA or FDA approved.
    • Cats can be vegan as long as they are supplemented with the amino acid taurine.
  • Poop Management:
    • Pet food brands that do not opt for ingredients run the risk of causing higher amounts of chemical toxins in their your pet’s waste. This causes the stool to take longer to decompose naturally.
    • Cat litters with clay in the sand do not break down easily and may build up in landfills.
    • Using regular plastic bags for clean-up exacerbates the issue. Consider purchasing biodegradable bags derived from plant components.
    • For cats, search for litters that use grains, vegetables, or newspapers, and silica for longer lasting utility.
  • Healthy Soaps & Flea Treatment:
    • Dogs’ skin and coats are sensitive to chemicals used in soaps or shampoos, and may lead to skin irritations and/or digestive issues if accidentally ingested.
      • Some shampoo chemicals may also contaminate local water bodies.
    • Always read the ingredient list labels on the soap bottle to determine the safety of the product’s components.
      • Avoid: artificial preservatives (Paraben, Isothiazolinone, formaldehyde), alcohols, sulfates, and polyethylene glycol.
      • Look for: natural ingredients and essential oils (lavender, rosemary, lemongrass, peppermint, chamomile), aloe, vitamin E, and/or apple cider vinegar.
    • For fleas, vacuum regularly to pick up eggs and choose boric acid or diatomaceous earth powders, or essential oil/herbal based treatments. Avoid insecticides, which may be nerve toxins.
    • Consider purchasing dog paw wipes that do not irritate sensitive paw skin, and are 100% biodegradable (look out for similar ingredients above).
  • Natural Pet Toys & Accessories:
    • Leashes, collars, and harnesses utilize nylons or leather, materials that can restrict a pet’s range of movement and comfort. Nylon is also not biodegradable.
      • Many companies now offer vegan materials such as organic cotton and hemp (applies to beds as well).
    • Toys made from plastics may be hazardous to your pet’s health due to the ingestion of small particles when chewed on. This could lead to health complications such as intestinal blockage or chemical poisoning.
      • Consider toys made from hemp or organic cotton materials.
    • If you choose plastic toys or accessories, look for recycled plastics to help protect the environment.

Having a pet is a serious responsibility and there are many complexities on how best to care for animals. But for all the effort, they equally provide us with a love and care, and help keep us physically and mentally active. A nurturing attitude towards a pet can be one personal step in making our natural world a better place for all creatures. It takes a single step; start with investment into the greater welfare of our four-legged, upcycled-frisbee-catching family member.

Helpful Links:

To hear our radio show on organic pet care, listen to our interview with Delta Farrington of Eco Dogs & Cats.

Vote for the Environment on Election Day

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The 2018 November midterm election is Tuesday, November 6th and is crucial as we vote for congressional leaders that that can either strengthen or weaken national environmental laws. As voters, we should be aware that our votes have far-reaching consequences. Though not well reported by mainstream media, the current federal leadership has been actively rolling back multiple environmental policies within the United States established by prior administrations over the last 2 years. The Trump administration has been responsible for changes through the following acts, including, but not exclusive to:

  • EPA: Cutting major departmental funding to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by 31% (a roughly $2.5 Billion decrease), resulting in the loss of about 50 government-issue programs and 3,200 jobs that protect our air, water and endangered species;
  • Energy: Trump removed the United States from an International Climate Agreement that had taken decades to develop, leaving the U.S. as the only major nation not to participate in agreed upon greenhouse gas reductions; and also removed the Clean Power Plan which would have lowered the carbon dioxide emitted by electric power generators. This administration is emphasizing more resilience on coal, which is a high soot and carbon emitting fuel, rather than investing in cleaner renewable methods of energy sources, despite documented economic growth in the clean energy sector;
  • Water: enacted an executive order to allow the Administrator of the EPA to revise or rescind the Clean Water Rule, a section of the Clean Water Act offering protections for streams and wetlands;
  • Climate Change: Refusal of recognizing the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the world’s leading scientific body on the subject, and other authoritative scientific research in energy policy creation. Instead The administration relies on a partisan non-for-profit organization, the Institute for Energy Research, as their informational basis. Trump’s first pick for EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, who has since resigned due to an ethics related controversy, had a history of supporting pro-fossil-fuel interests;
  • Parks & National Monument Lands: Reduction in protected acreage, and opening up public lands and bodies of water (including breaching Native reservations) to access coal and oil reserves;
  • Vehicle Fuel standards: rolling back the Obama administration’s fuel efficiency and emissions standards for passenger and light duty vehicles which would have increased the average fuel economy of manufacturers’ fleets to 50MPG by 2025.
  • Lead paint: though experts agree lead regulations need to be made stricter, Pruitt asked for a waiver to delay revising current regulations for 6 more years;
  • Pesticides: Pruitt denied a petition to ban Dow’s chlorpyrifos pesticide, though research has shown that even small amounts of chlorpyrifos can disrupt the development of fetuses and infants;
  • Endangered Species: Cut funding to States for protections of endangered species;
  • Plastics: However, on one good note, in October, Trump signed Save Our Seas Act targeting plastic marine waste. More of this would be welcome;

Voters should hold our elected officials accountable for policies that pose a threat to human health and the sustainability of our water, air, land, and wildlife. We have the power to choose nominees that help create positive dialogues in Congress towards a cleaner environment. Please share this information and be sure to vote at your designated polling place on November 6, 2018. (Green Inside and Out is a non-partisan organization.)