The Green Scam

Many of us are probably felling guilty that we do not do enough for leaving a green life good for us and our environment. We read through websites about so many tips and ideas of becoming green – that sometimes I feel that I can never do it given my budget and the style of life. And I would probably never be able to do it. But, I try, and little by little I started to do lots of things. However, I am always amazed how easy is for some people that I wonder if they are really doing what are they claiming or it is just a way of making money. Of course, making money by brainwashing people is not an invention; it has been there forever. But, I became sensitive at the “green” claims of those whose purpose is to get rich without thinking seriously about it. For example, let’s look at some of them.

The Greenopia- Their pledge is “We are with you in aiming to create a more sustainable, sensible and sane world. Our team will bring you the latest eco info and our listings will guide you to local resources, businesses and services so you can do what you do every day—greener.” Hmmm….but they offer to buy their guide printed on paper. Is this really green? I did not see the guide, but I would not be surprised if it is printed on high quality white and shiny paper. Another one, even more hilarious is “Thepurplebook Green: An Eco-friendly Online Shopping Guide ”. So this is a paper book that would help you to do your shopping online! At least, it seems to be printed on recycled paper, but still is an oxymoron…. Another book named “The Green Book: The Everyday Guide to Saving the Planet One Simple Step at a Time (Paperback) ” offer[s] tips on becoming green. One of them is “Don’t ask for ATM receipts”. What about selling the electronic version of the book and suggesting not to printing the book?

These are very, very few examples amongst the wave of freshly painted green bag of tricks, scams and schemes. I may exaggerate but I do not see the point of printing so many “green” books when people are trying hard to do something for the planet. And when you read these kinds of books you start feeling guilty that maybe you do not do enough? Well…there is so much free information online, I do not see the need of buying a paper book, yet killing another tree.

Please don't print this, send a link!!

Chlorine - Another Harmful Chemical

Chlorinated chemicals can cause serious health problems and cancer (especially liver cancer). The most common chlorinated chemicals are chloroform, para-dichlorobenzene, perchloroethylene, trichloroethylene, methylene chloride, and methyl chloroform. These chemicals come from cleaning products (e.g. laundry detergent, dishwasher detergent, all-purpose cleaning products, etc), dry-cleaned materials (including carpets, drapes, upholstered furniture), treated municipal water (to disinfect the water supply), and swimming pools.

There is growing evidence that children who use chlorinated open-air swimming pools have an increased risk of developing asthma. Recent studies revealed that the typical “chlorine” smell in the air and its irritant properties are attributed to chloramines (monochloramine, dichloramine, and trichloramine) that are generated from the reaction of the hypochlorite with ammonia and amino-compounds from sweat and urine of swimmers. A study made in Belgium with schoolchildren, revealed that swimming in chlorinated pools represents a hazard of pulmonary damage, and could be responsible for the increase in asthma in Western societies. Their study found that regular attendance at indoor chlorinated pools by children was strongly associated with an increased likelihood of developing asthma or of an airway inflammation. Whether these outcomes are measured separately or in combination, Cumulated Pool Attendance ranks as one of the strongest and most consistent predictors immediately after atopy and family history of allergic diseases. This is scary news, especially for those parents whose children are at a higher risk of developing asthma.

What to do then? Here are some things we can do in the meantime:

Indoor:
- Avoid using chlorinated products; if it is really necessary to use some of them make sure you use them in a well ventilated area and wear a mask.
- Go for green cleaning products; they do not contain chlorine since is bad for the environment. However, read the list of ingredients.
- Avoid using air fresheners; some of them contain para-dichlorobenzene. However, they have other bad chemicals inside.
- Avoid dry-cleaning by purchasing clothes that do not require dry-cleaning.
- Chose cleaning products that have the “Green Seal” to clean your carpet, drapes, upholstered furniture.
- Call your municipal water department to find out if your water is chlorinated or treated with chlorinated chemicals. If it is (and usually it is!) try to reduce the hot water consumption by installing water flow restrictors in shower heads and reduce the temperature of the shower water. This will help you to reduce the exposure to chloroform. If possible, install a water filter.
- Ventilate well your house.
- Avoid opening the dishwasher while in use and keep the windows open.
- If possible, install high flow rate exhaust fans.
-Use indoor air filters and cleaners.

Outdoor:
- Limit swimming in indoor chlorinated swimming pools.
- Shower before going to the swimming pool.
- If possible, select less used pools or swim at times when there are fewer people in the pool.
- If you have your own pool, do not use chlorine.
- If possible go to the beach.
- Read this article in the Green Guide for more tips.

The First Environmental Search Engine

The EcoSearch.org is the first search engine dedicated to support the environmental awareness and preservation. The search engine generates ad revenue and donates 100% of its profits to environmental causes. So, why not using it?

Cows Are Not Green, Neither Are Pigs

While some are trying to find ways to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions from energy production plants and cars, others are studying farming emissions, or more bluntly put: cow farts to help reduce the methane – another greenhouse gas. The greenhouse gas emissions are not coming only from passenger cars and factories but also from other sources. When I read an article in The Telegraph, I thought, at first that it was a joke and seemed to be funny. But it is real! Scientists are collecting cow farts in plastic tanks attached in the back of the cows to help combat the global warming. What a job! In Argentina, it was found that the methane from cows is responsible for about 30% of the country's total greenhouse emissions. Another group of scientists are studying the gas emissions in the swine industry. However, the Australian scientists seem to be on their way to resolve the problem by using the eco-friendly kangaroo farts to combat the global warming.

Well…it is kind of funny to find out that cows and swine are ruining our atmosphere. And a picture tells a thousand words. But seriously, it's interesting to see that creative solutions that look at the problem in a holistic way may find creative ways at solving the greenhouse gas problem by looking right under our nose (ahem!!) for solutions.

There was another NPR program recently that talked about pig farms and new breeds that produce less methane (but I can't find the link -- anyone has more details?)

The Danger of Formaldehyde

I started to become more conscious about this chemical when I searched for a new bed for my kids. The presence of formaldehyde in the environment seems to be unavoidable and it concerns me. I discovered that it can be found even in children’s clothes, in bedding sheets, and so on. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen; Europe banned the use of it last year while U.S. doesn’t even bother to consider it although it is classified as a human carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Besides the fact that it occurs naturally, formaldehyde is found in many products that are part of our daily lives and therefore, a total avoidance is almost impossible. I will try to come up with a list of products containing formaldehyde and some recommendations on how to reduce exposure.

Where is found

• glue or adhesives in pressed-wood furniture in household furnishing
• in foam used in furniture and in construction (urea-formaldehyde foam and fiberglass insulation). To note: Urea-formaldehyde foam insulation installed 5 to 10 years ago is unlikely to still release formaldehyde the building industry (to water – and grease-proof concrete and plaster)
• film processing
• textile treatment – especially in carpeting and as a permanent press fabric finishes (e.g., draperies) but it can be found in clothes too
• leather tanning
• cosmetics and medications - as a preservative (especially in nail polish), mouthwash, spermatocide cream, skin disinfectants, and cough drops
• air fresheners
• disinfectant (especially in mattresses) and fumigants
• vinyl products
• burning materials: cigarettes, kerosene, wood, and natural gas
• paints - as a preservative
• coated paper products

How to reduce exposure to formaldehyde

• Ventilate well your house. The levels of formaldehyde are higher inside the house than outside. This is the easiest to do.
  
• Avoid cosmetics that contain formaldehyde – for nail polishes, there are already many alternatives; avoid the air fresheners completely – besides formaldehyde they contain other substances that are dangerous for your health.
• Wash the durable-press fabrics before use. Actually, it is always wise to wash any fabric before use.
• Avoid vinyl products – they usually contain many more chemicals.
• Avoid staying next to the open fire (on the grill or in the fireplace) and avoid smoking (including second-hand smoking).
• Chose paints that have low or 0-VOCs levels.
• When purchasing new furniture make sure it is not glued with formaldehyde-based glue and is not coated with paints containing the formaldehyde. If you are looking for a totally green option, make sure is Greenguard certified or it has the Green Seal on it.
• Avoid the use of insulation containing formaldehyde, especially urea-formaldehyde foam insulation. If you have formaldehyde-containing products that are not laminated or coated – you can use some low/no VOC, formaldehyde-free paint or varnish to coat the furniture. However, make sure you ventilate well the area during and after coating.
• Try to remove from your home those products that release formaldehyde in the indoor air

Going Green - Product review of the Week - Baby Cribs

Well, there are tens of models or even more, so choosing a crib for my baby was more a matter of price than a matter of model or design. I wanted something that was considered safe and within a good price range. For the first baby I got a crib made by Delta and it was around $150, at Target. Now I am not very proud of my choice, but at that time was the best I could afford. For the second baby I looked into a more greener alternative and I felt fleeced by "green" offering -- and I had a nagging feeling that it's just marketing. Besides, they do look cute and modern and all that, but it's an 'investment' that you make for only 2 years, so is it really worth it?
So, I was thinking what could be wrong with the ones from Ikea ? They are made from real wood, look nice and Ikea is already well known for its safe and eco-friendly products. So I ended up with one of their cribs and I like it a lot; It is made from real wood (pine), unfinished (it does not have applied any lacquer), it is adjustable (it has two positions), and yes, it is cute just because it is so simple.

How "healthy" is your car?

Did you ever wonder where is that new car smell coming from? I know, I know it's something everyone likes, but... According to HealthyCar.org, it is coming from the amalgam of the numerous chemicals added to built the car.

HealthyCar.org includes test results from over 200 of the most popular vehicles in the U.S. market from the 2006 and 2007 model years. In each vehicle, 15 different components were sampled using a portable, hand-held X-Ray Fluoresence (XRF) spectrometry device. The components sampled include: steering wheel, shift knob, armrest/center console, dashboard, headliner, carpet, seat front, seat back, seat base, hard door-trim, soft door-trim, body sealer, wiring, window seal and wheel weights. Based on these findings, each vehicle was given an overall rating, as well as chemical ratings for bromine, chlorine, lead and a group of substances referred to as "other chemicals”.

I will make a list with the cars that represents the low concern and most concern in terms of chemicals, but for a more complete list (and check whether the Prius is green all around), go here.

	Low Concern	High Concern
Small Car	Chevy Cobalt (2007) Pontiac G5 (2007)	Toyota Yaris (2007) Mazda Mazda 3 (2007) VW Jetta (2006) Suzuki Reno (2006) Suzuki Forenza (2006) Hyundai Accent (2007) Kia Rio (2006) Chevy Aveo (2007) Nissan Versa (2007)
Family Sedan	From those tested - None identified	Dodge Stratus (2006) Kia Optima (2006) Hyundai Elantra (2006) Kia Spectra 5 (2006)
Upscale Sedan	Volvo S40 (2007) Cadillac CTS (2007) Lexus IS 350 (2007) Acura TSX (2006)	From those tested - None identified
Luxury Sedan	Lexus ES 350 (2007) Acura RL (2006)	From those tested - None identified
Large Sedan	From those tested - None identified	Chevy Impala (2007)
Coupe	From those tested - None identified	Chevy Monte Carlo (2006)
Convertible	Chevy Corvette (2007) Mercedes SLK280 (2007)	VW Beatle (2006)
Sport/Sporty Car	BMW Z4 3.0 (2006)	Hyundai Tiburon (2006)
Station Wagon	Volvo V50 (2007) Suzuki Aerio (2006) Toyota Matrix (2006) Suzuki SX4 (2007) Pontiac Vibe (2007)	Mazda Mazda 5 (2007) Suzuki Forenza Wagon (2006) Scion xB 5dr (2006)
Pickup Truck	Nissan Frontier (2006) GMC Canyon (2007) Chevy Colorado 2WD (2006) Honda Ridgeline (2007) Nissan Titan (2006) Toyota Tacoma (2006)	Chevy Silverado (2007)
SUV	Chrysler PT Cruiser (2006) Acura RDX Tech (2007) BMW X3 (2006) Honda CRV (2006) Chevy HHR (2007) Pontiac Torrent (2007) Suzuki Grand Vitara (2007) Ford Explorer (2006) Nissan XTerra (2006) Subaru Tribeca (2006)	Toyota FJ Cruiser (2007) Toyota Highlander (2006) Toyota Rav 4 (2006) Hyundai Tucson V6 (2006) Chrysler Pacifica FWD (2006) Kia Sorento (2006) Subaru Forester (2007)
Minivan	Honda Odyssey (2006)	Kia Sedona (2006) GMC Savanna (2007) Chrysler Town & Country (2006)
Heavy Duty Truck	From those tested - None identified	Chevy Express (2007)