WOOD SMOKE - Not just a nuisance, but a severe health hazard!

• Wood smoke is a well documented public health hazard, according to the US Centers For Disease Control.
• Asthma attacks
• Heart attacks
• Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
• Reproductive and other birth defects
• Autism
• Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
• Wood smoke is a major source of fine particle and black carbon soot emissions, which pollute clouds and interfere with the seeding of rain.
• The higher the particulate pollution, the higher the premature death rates in the general population.
• London has banned wood and coal burning since 1957 when thousands of people died in a high-particulate smog incident, called the "London Smog Incident".
• Wood smoke violates the property rights of taxpayers to use and enjoy their property smoke free.

Wood smoke and climate change/global warming is implicated in:

• Wood smoke black carbon soot also accelerates the melting of glaciers. www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/apr/28/black-carbon-emissions
• Studies by Harvard University in 5 major American cities showed that during a 3-month experimental ban on wood burning, hospital death rates from respiratory disease and heart attacks went down dramatically.
• UN urges wood smoke reduction. www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?newsid=31952&cr=unep@crl

FOR MORE WOOD SMOKE INFORMATION SEE: www.burningissues.org

 

SCENTED LAUNDRY PRODUCTS AND OTHER FRAGRANCED PRODUCTS - a threat to human health and the environment!

• Many common products contain chemicals that can harm both human and aquatic health. Products containing fragrances can be especially hazardous, yet are widely used. Recent research using gas chromatography, mass spectometry, has discovered numerous toxic and undisclosed chemicals in fragranced products. These chemicals effect not only humans and all wildlife, but also storm water, waste water, water bodies and aquatic life. ("Hidden Hazards in Fragranced Consumer Products"). The Water Center fact sheet, Feb. 2009.
• Fragrance chemicals contain many of the same toxins and carcinogens that are in cigarette smoke, such as benzene, formaldehyde, toluene, to name a few.
• The fragrance industry does not have to disclose what is in their products, so the public is not protected.
• Fragrances contain phthalates, the hormone-disrupting and so-called "gender bending" chemicals that are also in plastics. Phthalates in fragrances can cause genital malformations and other birth defects, especially in baby boys. All birth defects are dramatically on the rise. health.dailynewscentral.com/content/view/893/6211-26-2005
• Fragrances in scented laundry products are breathed into the lungs 24 hours a day, as are all scented products such as lotions, hairsprays, scented candles, and air fresheners. mcs-america.org/steinemannlaundrydetergentfabricsoftener.pdf
• Chemical fragrances invade others' air space without their permission.
• Essential oil-based products, while they may start from natural sources, become "terpenes" in the distilling process. They are similar to "turpentine", a classified hazardous substance. mcs-america.org/fragrancefacts.pdf
• Most fragrance chemicals contain classified and suspected carcinogens.
• If a product says "fragrance" on the ingredient list it is not "green, biodegradable, natural or non-toxic". They are not safe to use or for others to breathe.
• Alternative fragrance free products are available in many whole or natural food stores. Target stores also carry some fragrance free laundry and other products. Click here for fragrance free product list.

All chemical fragrances are implicated in:

• Asthma attacks
• Migraine headaches and nausea
• Heart attacks
• Cancer
• Autism
• Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
• SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)
• Birth defects

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

• Stop using fragranced products, including essential oil-based products.
• Use unscented laundry detergents, available at most grocery stores (make sure the ingredient list does not say "fragrance").
• Use unscented fabric softeners--available in many grocery stores, and especially whole foods stores. Look up natural recipes online, or stop using fabric softeners altogether; often they are not really needed.
• Whole Foods stores have many healthier household cleaning products. Always look for products that say fragrance-free and check the ingredients list as well.
• Know that "Non-toxic", "Organic" and "Natural" do not mean free of harmful fragrance toxins. If a product has fragrance in it, it is usually chemically enhanced. Some Bounce products claim to be fragrance-free on their labels and they are definitely not!

Helpful Links
Download the fragrance flyer,"Breathe Easier-Hold the Fragrances"

www.mcs-america.org

 

LAWN CHEMICALS:

• Harm pets and people.
• Contaminate ground water and pollute our water supply.
• Can cause cancer.
• Can cause birth defects.
• Children and pets track these chemicals into homes.
• Cause ground pollution which runs into streams and lakes.
• Invade people's air space without their permission, violating their right to breath clean air on their own property.
• Exacerbate asthma.

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