Study shows everyday items expose all of us to pollutants

[jpak]

http://kennebecjournal.mainetoday.com/news/local/3991537.html

Beware your sofa and your shower curtain. Careful with that Teflon coated skillet, and think twice before using that plastic water bottle again. Your TV might be a threat to your health, too.

A plot to a Stephen King novel?

Unfortunately, no.

This is real life. Welcome to the toxic world that surrounds you.

<much more>

[unpossibles]

1. gotta love the "moranic" comments

like the guy who says something about how "we'll all blame Bush for this too!!!1!" or something similar.

Hey dumbass, a lot of these toxins have just gotten worse because of your hero deregulating everything. Welcome to the free market.

[snagglepuss]

2. I was really surprised for some reason to see that shower curtains are toxic.

After googling I dicovered a fairly cheap environment alternative to PVC Vinyl.

EVA vinyl is an environmentally safer vinyl. From what I understand, made without the use of chlorine or phthalates.

p.s. thanks for posting the article

[KT2000]

3. The reasons they will not

recognize environmental illnesses is because then everyone would realize how vulnerable they really are.
If you do get sick from the pollutants in everyday life you will be diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder. A few years ago in California, some attempted to require a doctor's license be pulled if he/she diagnosed anything other than a psychiatric illness when people complained of environmental illness. (State of CA v Robert Sinaiko MD)
It did not work but the powers that be are still free to ruin the life of doctors who do recognize environmental illness.

[Nihil]

7. Triumph of greed over justice

There's a good reason why "quality drinking vessels" are made of glass
and ceramics rather than plastic and a bad reason (simple greed) why the
plastic stuff is all that the majority can afford.

If they admit that there is a problem, everyone will get spooked but then
will get angry (much like smokers did when the cover-up came out) and,
especially in the litiginous times of today, will start sueing the arse off
the people who've been exploiting the public.

If they don't admit that there is a problem, everyone continues to get sick
but they continue to make profits from the unsafe goods.

As a result of the above, there is a *lot* of money (and potential jail-time)
at stake so "investing" some in the cause of silencing dissent is a smart
idea by their lights - no matter the real-world cost of such an action.

[july302001]

8. quality drinking vessels made of glass

"Quality drinking vessels" are made of glass...whereas plastic is "all the majority can afford..."

This is interesting. I didn't know that I was a member of the elite...

I guess I must be a member of the white tablecloth set, worried about the exact placement of the salad fork and soup spoon when I partake of a certain beverage that is usually packaged in glass.

Funny thing is, that beverage is associated more with Joe Six-Pack than with tinkling glasses and trust funds...

[Nihil]

9. Well, there's certainly no hope for *you* ...

... if you use a salad fork and soup spoon for your beer!

:P

[Savannah_H]

4. I'm Aware

I'm well aware that they are using dyes that are very harsh in fabrics today. These are all unnecessary but the mfgs have decided we should all become asthmatic.

[depakid]

5. Starbucks sells polycarbonite (bisphenol-A) bottles

to put hot and caustic coffee in!

That will without question dose a pregnant women with enough of an estrogen mimic to cause life course problems- including breast, prostate and testicular cancers) in her developing fetus.

Bisphenol-A in polymer form is polycarbonate- though the chemical itself was first developed as a synthetic estrogen. Studies show that polymer breaks down to the monomer when exposed to hot caustic liquids like coffee and tea.

Bottom line is that people need to avoid these deals- yet they're sold everywhere.

[KT2000]

6. What about coffeemakers

Have been e-mailing Starbucks for years that they should market a safer coffeemaker. The plastic that is in the usual coffeemakers would likley leach nasty chemicals when it is exposed to the hot water and acid of the coffee.

Have concluded they will never do it because manufacturers do not like to market anything that makes their other products look dangerous.
Fear of liability over-rides everything, especially safety.