Seventh Generation Blog

Understanding Body Burdens

Inspired Protagonist — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:06:43 -0700

There is a sharp pinch and then not much else except a slight, unsettling sensation of something just under my skin. I watch as vial after vial fills quickly. There are fourteen altogether. Fourteen vials that hold my secrets and tell my story. Fourteen vials whose contents I have long wondered about. Fourteen vials that will reveal just how polluted I have become.

I've spent a good deal of my life talking about what's likely to be in the blood that's in these vials. It's the same thing that studies say is carried in the blood of virtually every man, woman, and child in the country: a cargo of synthetic chemicals that disrupt the human body's hormonal system, trigger carcinogenic mutations, depress the immune system, and interfere with reproduction and development.

We have these substances hiding inside us because we inhabit a world that is awash in chemicals. No one knows exactly how many are out there, but current estimates suggest that some 80,000 different compounds are produced around the world each year. Some of these chemicals are highly specialized materials made in tiny amounts. Others are produced by the tanker-load every day. Some are sprayed on our fields and in our forests. Others end up in the consumer products we use every day in our homes.

What most of these materials have in common is that they are largely unregulated. The companies that sell them are allowed to do so with relatively few restrictions. The packaging they provide is often riddled with informational holes -- deceptive at best, fraudulent at worst. And those who use these chemicals are given little in the way of meaningful safety instructions if they're given any at all.

What happens next has been happening for decades, and it's no surprise: The chemicals get loose and start going where they shouldn't. Molecule by molecule, like an invisible army, they march relentlessly into our air and our water. They enter our soil and our food. They get inside our children and ourselves.

This is called our body burden -- the slow, steady accumulation in our blood and in our tissues of the chemicals we unknowingly absorb every day.

Most of these synthetic materials have been created during the last century, and nature doesn't know what to do with them. No microbes have evolved to render them harmless, and the forces of sun and water are unable to break their powerful molecular bonds.

Once they're off the leash, these chemicals are able to persist in the environment for many years. They wander far and wide from their original source and work their way into every environmental nook and cranny. Because they are fat-soluble, they tend to naturally dissolve into animal fatty tissues. This means that when they get inside us, they don’t simply pass through and get excreted by our digestive systems. Instead, they tend to migrate to parts of the body where their molecular shape makes it easy for them to take up residence. Once there, the ability of our fatty cells to absorb them changes into an ability to retain them. That's how these chemicals are able to travel up the food chain and build up inside our bodies. That's why those we ingest today are added to those we ingested yesterday and tomorrow's encounters will make us more polluted still.

If these chemicals were harmless, I wouldn't care about my body burden or even necessarily about the tens of thousands of chemicals drifting unseen through our days. But they're far from safe. They're making us sick in some of the worst ways possible and turning our world into a giant experiment in which you and I are the unsuspecting guinea pigs.

I wanted to understand my own body burden. What chemicals were coursing through my bloodstream? Where did they come from, and what could I do about it?

So in September 2008 I watched as the nurse drew blood from my arm. The samples were sent to four separate labs in the U.S., Canada, and Europe, which tested them for 74 different chemical pollutants. A few weeks ago, I finally got the results back, and for someone like me who has gone the extra mile to live as healthy as possible, it was a real eye-opener.

Over the course of the next month or so, I'll share some of the secrets my body has been hiding and explain what it means for me, for you, and for our kids. In doing this, however, I don't want to look back as much as I want us to I look forward. The past is not as important as the present, and tomorrow matters more than today. So the conversation we need to have is not one of regret or recrimination. It should be about using every means possible to make sure that our kids never have to look at a lab report anything like the one sitting on my desk. If we can use what we know about our bodies' secrets to get us to that place, then perhaps our burdens will have been a weight worth carrying.

Measuring Body Burdens

Unfortunately, understanding your body burden is something few people are currently able to do. There is no standard test you can request. Instead, a body burden test is a complicated process that you must design and initiate yourself with the help of your doctor. It will involve multiple laboratories, a specified list of chemicals to be looked for, and a blood withdrawal whose sheer volume is not for the faint-hearted. It can also cost in excess of $10,000, a price tag that puts it out of reach for most of us.

My own test was done on behalf of all my friends, readers, and fellow environmentalists. It’s a representative sample, a snapshot of a relatively typical body that’s lived a fairly common lifestyle and could just as easily be yours or that of someone you love. While the details may vary, experts say that the overall picture my body burden paints is likely to be very similar to any test results that you yourself would receive.

If you are interested in your own test, however, you have two options: You can look for and participate in a government sponsored study of body burdens, which take place from time to time. Or talk with your doctor about putting one together.

For more information about Body Burdens, visit the Environmental Working Group or Coming Clean.

photo: Neeta Lind

Eat Your Way to a Cooler World

the Inkslinger — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:58:09 -0700

Summer's here, and with it a bounty of fresh food from nearby gardens and farms. It's a delectable time of year in every way.

It's also a good time to understand why the foods choices we make have an enormous effect on the world around us -- an impact that's actually larger than the one we typically create by driving our cars.

Lately, we've been thinking a lot about our diets' carbon footprint and checking out some great new books on the subject.

We thought we'd share their wisdom in this look at a few of our favorites.

A New Take on BYOB - Part 1

bethina — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 08:23:30 -0700

My BYOB -- Bring Your Own Bag -- epiphany occurred last September, in the midst of my Rocky Mountain/Whole Foods high. I was traveling solo, visiting family in Salt Lake City and reveling in the warm sun and the short but sweet respite from my duties back home.

After a day of "me time" that included breakfast at a coffeehouse (I actually got to sit down and read the paper!), I was in a euphoric state as I strolled the aisles at Whole Foods. I took my time selecting two farm-fresh peaches, then went to check out. There, I spotted the chain's signature reusable shopping bags hanging high on a wall. I walked back to my hotel, carrying my fruit in the tote that told the world, "I'm green and I'm proud."

I'm not sure why it took me so long, given the peer pressure in my progressive Brooklyn neighborhood -- home to the oldest worker-run food coop in the country. (Perhaps I was stuck in the grocery store trips of yore, when the bagger would ask my mom, "Paper or plastic?") After the umpteenth time of running into a canvas bag-carrying neighbor, plastic bags dangling from both my hands, I might as well have started wearing a red "P" on my T-shirt.

In the end, it was the cute factor that won me over. Shopping queen that I am, I became a full-fledged member of the BYOB movement only when I spotted those très chic, waterproof, rolls-up-tight bags by Envirosax. How could I not buy one, then two, especially when they color-coordinate so perfectly with all the blues and greens in my closet, not to mention cost less than $10? Plus, they often do double-duty as fashion-forward purses. (OK, I know these are somewhat controversial because they are made from polyester. You can read Envirosax's explanation here.

So there I was, pleased with myself for doing my bit to save the planet. Then I started doing more research about why we need to cut back on plastic bag use, and I was blown away by just what a Godzilla we've created. Did you know that it takes these suckers more than 1,000 years to decompose in landfills, and only after breaking down into toxic bits? Well, I didn't.

I found more facts and figures about plastic bags in a post on greencottonblog.com:

Globally, we consume an estimated 500 billion to 1 trillion plastic bags annually, with billions ending up as litter.
According to the EPA, more than 380 billion plastic bags, sacks, and wraps are consumed in the U.S. each year.
Americans go through 100 billion plastic shopping bags annually.
Four out of five bags handed out by grocery stores in this country are plastic.
Hundreds of thousands of sea turtles, whales, and other marine mammals die every year from eating discarded plastic bags mistaken for food.
Plastic bags are among the top 12 items of debris found in coastal cleanups, according to the nonprofit Center for Marine Conservation.

Trying to green my family used to seem like a lark. Now, something unexpected is starting to happen to me. The more I learn, the greener I aspire to be.

No, I'm not composting yet, and I wouldn't place any bets that I ever will. And I promise not to go all Deep Thinker on you. But I am keeping the rag bag close at hand to cut down on paper towel use. And I plan to carry my incredibly cute, reusable totes every time I shop.

I know I've got a long way to go, but I feel that I am off to a good start.

Coming next: A New Take on BYOB: Part 2

photo: s2 art

Hope. It's What's for Dinner

the Inkslinger — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 07:14:11 -0700

In a lot of ways, our destiny lies in the fate of our food. Do we want a chemically-fueled future of industrial products raised on the idea of ruthless efficiency at any cost? Or do we want a more home-grown tomorrow in which farms located close to our own backyards produce a seasonally-adjusted variety of plenty using sustainable methods and holistic nature-based strategies?

I'd prefer that latter vision by a long shot, and so would White Rhino, who has clued me in to a film that puts a helping of hope on our plates in this regard. It's called Greenhorns, and it's a new documentary on young farmers who have rejected factory farm agriculture in favor of something better. You can check out the trailer here and learn more about the project. It looks quite tasty in more ways than one.

A "Greene" Home Makeover

the Inkslinger — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 06:56:55 -0700

Giving your home a makeover where it counts is a lot easier than many people think -- it's the small changes that make a big difference. Real Savvy Moms has made a new video in which noted pediatrician Dr. Alan Greene shows the Brandt family how to keep their littlest ones safe and healthy without breaking a sweat or busting the bank.

Support the American Clean Energy and Security Act

Christopher Miller — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:03:20 -0700

Dear Nation Member:

My name is Chris Miller, and I have been a member of the Seventh Generation Community for about a year. I work in our Corporate Consciousness unit, focusing on issues of sustainability and corporate social responsibility. I feel incredibly fortunate to play a small role in a company that's making a big difference.

I left a five-year stint running Greenpeace's global warming campaign to come to Seventh Generation, and I continue to spend a good portion of my time working on climate change. To my mind, there is no more important issue.

Each generation of Americans has faced a profound challenge. From the Great Depression to the Greatest Generation that beat back the rise of fascism, Americans have continually risen to meet great challenges. Now it is our turn, and climate change is our challenge. We will be judged by succeeding generations on whether we met this challenge head on, or instead condemned future generations to inhabit a planet that bears little resemblance to the one we now enjoy.

We have made climate change a priority at Seventh Generation, taking steps to reduce the impact of our products across their lifecycle. We have also made investments in our employees, supporting their personal efforts to reduce their carbon footprint, both at home and at work. And we have joined a group of progressive businesses called BICEP (Businesses for Innovate Climate and Energy Policy), which includes companies such as Nike, Starbucks, Levi's, The Gap, and Ebay, to lobby for strong science-based legislation to tackle climate change. There is still much work to be done, which is why I write to you today.

After years of inaction, the United States Congress is on the verge of acting on legislation that would for the first time set limits on our country's greenhouse gas emissions. It is truly a historic moment; however, the bill is far from perfect. The powerful fossil fuel lobby has been successful in weakening key provisions of the bill. But make no mistake, this legislation would usher in a new era of environmental protection. It makes important investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and green job creation. For the first time since the industrial revolution began, this bill will permanently turn the curve on our country's greenhouse gas emissions, reducing global warming pollution by roughly 4% below 1990 levels by 2020. This falls well short of the 25% to 40% below 1990 levels that the broad consensus of the scientific community says is necessary to adequately address the problem, but there is no doubt it sets us on the right path, and we believe it deserves support.

That's why Seventh Generation and the other BICEP companies are calling on Members of the House of Representatives to support the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (ACES), and to vote against any efforts to further weaken the bill. I would like to invite you to join us at this crucial moment.

Please consider taking three minutes to make your voice heard by calling your Representative in Congress. It's fast and easy. All you have to do is call the Capitol Switchboard at 202.224.3121 and ask the operator to transfer you to your Member of Congress. If you don't know his or her name, don't fret, the operator will. Below is a brief script you can use, or feel free to put it in your own words. Your Representatives really do care what you have to say, and it's important that they hear from their constituents, because no doubt, they are hearing from the oil and coal lobbyists.

Hi, I'd like to leave a message for Rep. ________. I am calling because I care about protecting our planet for future generations, and I urge Rep. _________ to support the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, the ACES bill. It's also important to me that Rep. _______ vote against any amendment that would further weaken the bill. Thank you.

Thank you so much for being a part of the Seventh Generation Nation, and thanks for protecting our planet, for the next seven generations and beyond.

Yours in action,
Chris Miller
Corporate Consciousness
Seventh Generation

photo: Warren Rohner

A Safer Kitchen's In the Bag

the Inkslinger — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 07:38:59 -0700

Bethina's recent post about washing and reusing plastic bags triggered a major conversation about the practice. Two comments in particular got us thinking: Krau0098 suggested that the idea wasn't a good one since disposable plastic bags are not intended to be reused and can leach out unhealthy substances as they age. And Zicki referenced our May 2003 Non-Toxic Times feature about which plastics are safe to use in the kitchen and what we can do to keep them that way.

That article is showing its age a bit, so I went back and gave it an upgrade, which includes some additional information and a new precautionary note about reusing plastic bags and options we can choose instead. The new and improved article is waiting here to make your kitchen healthier. Put it to work and put your mind at ease.

Out of Africa

the Inkslinger — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 13:29:27 -0700

It's easy to think ours is a small world. We get comfy in the limited geography of our home zones and content with the view from the porch while our remote controls open sanitized windows into what lies beyond that reduce it all to a kind of safe two-dimensional fiction. But, of course, the real world is a huge and often alien place, and Senior Sales Director for Education & Dialogue Susan Johnson's Africa blog is providing post after post of amazing proof positive.

I wrote about her sabbatical to Rwanda to join Project Akilah a while ago, and have been following her adventures ever since. If you haven't checked out her blog yet, you absolutely should. It's a fascinating trip into a culture well removed from our own, and Susan is down deep into it working to make a difference after a long night of war and worse. In the last few days, she's been navigating through and around everything from barbequed goat to volcano roads so rough they shook her car keys out of her bag and left her stranded. I suspect she's going to have a heck of a slide show when she gets home. In the meantime, cross the sea on wires, share her adventures, and support her good works to make the world a better place in all its many corners.

A Day (or Two) in the Life

ChuckM — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 10:08:22 -0700

I was thinking out loud yesterday about some of the ways that everyone can get to know me as I settle in. I received a couple of suggestions, but here's one that is even better: just watch it all as it happened. I kept one of those little Flip video cameras with me as I started my Seventh Generation adventure, and the footage I captured has been turned into a short video about my first few days on the job.

It's a good introduction not only to me but to the company, too. And I like it so much I think I'll do some more of these. They're a great way to see not only what I'm up to but also to meet some of the other people who make things hum around here. So here's what I hope will be the first in a series of video encounters that will help us all get to know each other better. Pass the popcorn when you're done...

The Paper Trail in My Kitchen

bethina — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 12:47:57 -0700

When attempting to teach our son, Matthew, about the importance of taking good care of the world in which we live, I'm well aware that I walk a very thin line -- even a hint of preachiness lands me in Charlie Brown's "wah wah wah" adult-speak territory.

Once in a while, a natural opportunity presents itself. For some time now, we've been trying to get our little wastrel to tear paper towels and toilet paper "on the line" after a certain number of squares. When he does it correctly, I lavish him with praise, then explain that paper comes from trees, we have to chop down trees to make paper, we don't want to chop down trees, we love trees. Trees give us our beautiful green leaves and shade in the summer and colorful, crunchy leaves in the fall. (I think I'll wait until he turns 6 next month for the whole greenhouse effect discussion, though I expect a debate.) Not to mention that paper towels and toilet paper cost money, and that Mommy won't have that money for ices at the playground. Eyes on me!

On less successful occasions, the impulsivity monster takes hold. Example: One day last week, Matthew spilled his juice. (I can no longer remember if it was an accident or on purpose, or if he admitted to doing it or blamed it on Baby Dinosaur.) No biggie. I told him to get one paper towel and wipe up it up. After his repeated "You do it!" went unheeded, he lunged for the roll, grabbed the end and gleefully darted off, paper towel holder spinning wildly.

Our kid runs express much of the time, requiring a lightning-quick reaction. I managed to snatch about half the 15 towels back and stopped him in his tracks. (This scenario is a big improvement over the days when he'd make a mad dash for the bathroom, a whole roll streaming behind him; he thought it would be hilarious to "flood the potty" with them.)

After I got my now-compliant cutie to wipe up the juice and join me for my little money-doesn't-grow-on-the-trees-we-love spiel, I got backup from an unexpected source. Lately, Matthew has been pining for plums; he must have had a sweet, juicy one on a play date. (I know my neighbors, and it's a pretty safe bet that plum was organic, too.) I've been promising I'll buy some, and it was as if I were watching a light bulb -- low energy, of course -- go off over our budding environmentalist's head when he pronounced: "Without trees, we wouldn't have plums!"

Now if I could just get him to stop taking fistfuls of tissues to wipe his nose. On the other hand, he isn't using his shirt, which would then have to be washed...

photo: Tom Rugg