Skip to main content

We can never escape


The presence of plastics in our every aspect of our lives is becoming a greater concern for many people. We know that fish are eating plastics, then we eat the fish, there are microplastics in bottled water and recently it has become apparent that plastic particles are in the air we breathe. Plastics are in every aspect of our lives, but what we do not know is the impact they will have on our health.
            Many of the chemicals that make up plastics are dangerous to human health. They can be endocrine disrupters or even cancerous. When plastic is warmed, the chemicals in its makeup begin to leach into their surroundings, whether that is water or fatty tissue of an animal.
            A recent study found that microplastics were present in the deepest crevices of the ocean. Where did those micro plastics come from? The study determined that they were from clothing particles breaking off in household washing machines and going through the water systems. Another study found that women in remote locations, such as native Alaskans, have higher levels of pollutant in their breast milk than the average woman.  Meaning there is no where on earth safe from plastics.

Popular posts from this blog

A Pandora’s Box of things I can never unknow

The real difficulty with learning about the amount of waste Americans generate is the flood of other information that comes with that research. According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), women are exposed to 168 chemicals in the cosmetics they use while men are exposed to roughly half, 85.             I come from an area of the country where people are adamantly against big government and even more against governmental regulations. On the other hand, they will tell you how great it is to live in a country where the food and water are so safe and clean. Never once will they put two and two together realizing that regulatory agencies ensure their food is safe to eat. Why am I telling you this? Because I am a fan of regulating food and other products to protect us from companies trying to make a buck.             I should not have to learn chemistry to sho...
Read more

Four years in and still figuring things out

Initially I was drawn into this world of sustainable living based on posts I had seen on social media. These ranged from very simple changes to reduce plastic consumption all the way to people that did not use toilet paper because it was too wasteful. ( Americans use more toilet paper than anywhere else on earth. )  This wide spectrum was incredibly daunting at first. How far was far enough? On the other hand, at what point would I become a social outcast for the ideas people were suggesting?             Then the real questions started popping up in my head. Were these people on social media even remotely correct in the assertions they were making? I did not have the foggiest clue. This is the point where I started to do actual research. I realized fact checking was going to be incredibly important in accepting this lifestyle change and convincing others that it is a worthwhile cause.   ...
Read more