The Eco Owl

Recently, I read the article "Regulating toxic chemicals: Do we know enough about chemical risks?". Any guesses as to what it was about? As much as you may have hated studying chemicals in chemistry (like I know I did), chemicals really are in everything. What has concerned most Americans today, however, is the strength of them. Companies have created and placed chemicals into products which everyone uses (bottles, pillows, and a WHOLE lot of technology, just to name a few). These chemicals, such as the toxin used to make pillows flame-retardant (as seen in "The Story of Stuff") were (supposedly) initially created to help prevent catastrophes, not start them. So how is it that this went wrong? Let's consider regulations.

My favorite issue that this article brought up was the following question: "Would stricter regulations hurt manufacturers and consumers?" The second I saw this question, I was thrust into a world of confusion. As far as I was concerned, the loose regulations were ALREADY HURTING manufacturers and consumers alike. How could fixing them and making them less toxic hurt them even more? Initially, I could only see the possible pain resulting from the pockets of the manufacturers, because it would cost them the most if regulations rose to stricter heights and forced them to re-test and cross test all of their chemicals prior to (re)entering the market. It would mean that hundreds of thousands of products would have to be recalled. Not to say that this has not already been done.

Do any of you remember these?

"A CPSC spokesman said the agency is working to establish a "highly protective" level of cadmium. These glass products were slightly above that level, he said, even though the agency has not yet established an acceptable cadmium standard."

Uh, excuse me? There is an "appropriate level of carcinogens companies are allowed to use in their products which will touch the lips of humans everywhere"? Since when did this happen? Since when was this okay? Why is this still okay? How is this statement supposed to, in any way, assure me of the fact that my loved ones are safe from toxins when just previously mentioned in the article was the fact that this particular toxin is TOXIC EVEN IN LOW DOSES. A poison is a poison, no matter how many times you try to "fix" it. Its still there. It still has the capacity to kill.

But I digress. I have gotten slightly off topic. The issue at hand whether or not a stricter regulation could harm a manufacturer or consumer. My answer, yes. It will.

If stricter regulations are put in place, and I am talking about extremely strict regulations, EVERYTHING would have to be retested for toxicity levels. But, those kinds of regulations are not really realistic, are they? So then, lets consider what would happen to manufacturers and consumers if the "Precautionary Principle" was implemented (in ALL of this country, and worldwide). For those of you who are not familiar with the precautionary principle, it is essentially the belief that every chemical is unsafe until proven safe, much like the European's "guilty until proven innocent" principle.

It is brilliant in theory, and has received much praise from Science & Environmental enthusiasts. But for manufacturers, this poses a financial threat. This would mean they are no longer allowed to just create a chemical, assume its safe, and plaster it on something as often used as a glass. No, this would mean that once their chemical was created, they would have to go through loops and bounds to prove its innocence before it was placed on those cups. And what if it was not innocent? What if it was indeed guilty? Well then, those manufacturers would have to spend even more money to come up with yet another chemical to test and test and test in the hopes that it would be more innocent that the previous chemical.

This "Precautionary Principle" would take a lot out of the manufacturers products, but could possibly save lives or, at least, extend our already failing average lifespan. This could also potentially save manufacturers from class action suits in the long run - and that's the kind of take we really have to try and imagine here. Sure, these chemicals may seem safe now, but they won't be in the long run. Is not the main goal of every business to try and stay alive? How can they do that if the very chemicals they are creating are killing their workers and consumers? There won't be any one left to run their toxic company. So please, tell me how implementing this principle is not a bad idea?

Now, I am not saying that this principle is going to solve everything, because that is not true. This principle is only applicable with new chemicals. There is no mention of retesting the old chemicals which are still active in the market. Its an enormous step, implementing this plan, but it is still not all we have to do. But, in this foreseeable future, at least it is something.

Before I read this article, I thought the answer was simple. I thought it would always be a matter of choosing life over toxins, and while that should always be the focus, my view is not the only view. Large companies essentially control our government, so what they say goes. Information provided in this article should work to motivate individuals to inspect their products. To assure that they are the safest they can be in everything they purchase. So if there is one thing that this article has inspired in me, it is my belief that everything costs money, even safety; but wouldn't you rather be safe than sorry?

If you would, here are a few links you might find interesting. I know I did.

Organic Consumers is an organization which aims to educate people on just how many toxins are readily available in the market and at home, and how to discourage their use and turn toward a more toxin-free, organic environment similar to what Canada's Labour Environmental Alliance Society aims to do. If you click on their link, you will find a specific list of some of the more harmful toxins found in most household products. And if that entices you, you might find The Less Toxic Guide to be far more interesting with its extensive lists of chemicals used in products, as well as a product category you can use to directly look up chemicals in things such as drain openers, laundry starch, disinfectants, spot removers, and a lot more. So give it a chance if you are interested. You will be shocked at how much you learn, and how unsafe products truly are.

Read more »

As much as I dreaded the idea to spend an entire day without my computer or television or any other form of technology, I was really rather excited to see how I would handle myself in this situation. I told quite a bit of people what I did, and after the confused faces and crazy eyes, I always got this question:


What did you do?


What did I do? I really did not do much of anything as far as activities go. I would think, "Hey, this would be a good time to write a short story!" And then I would head to my computer only to realize I could not use it. When I went to write the story by hand, I just felt like I was using too much paper and that my words could not be written as fast as I was thinking them. So instead, I read quite a bit. I used to love reading, but I have been distracted by things like Angry Birds, Facebook, the notorious Facebook games, movies, television shows, and so much more. But now that I did not have access to many of these things, I found time for myself.

With all of this "self" time, I decided to have a kind of spa day, and just pampered myself. But, not being one to dwell on trying to make this ugliness that is my face go away, I could not spend all day doing this. So I started in on some crafts. I worked on a blanket I have been crocheting, and when I got into a bit of a boredom slump, I made birds out of fondant and began launching them at pigs.

To be honest, I would have gotten really bored if I had spent all of this time by myself. Luckily, I had friends and family to spend my boredom with, and so I talked quite a bit. But the second they went to turn on the TV, I ran off and started cleaning something in an other room so I could not hear it or participate in watching it.


And so now came the question:

What did you do that was different? What did you do that saved energy?


For one, I shut off the central air. We really do not need it. Our house is insulated nicely, and the day was relatively cool (until later in the day when it started to ran quite a bit). But when it rained, I found it to be much more comforting to curl up in a blanket(s) and just chat (or read).

I could not take a cold shower. I chickened out. I did, however, take a luke-warm shower and then, when it came time to shave, I shut off the water and just used a damp towel to get the job done. It took a bit more focus and precision, and I came out of it with a few more cuts, but whatever. It really was not much of a difference - it was just more time.

I unplugged everything. i have often heard that if there is nothing plugged in while you sleep, you sleep really well. I never really thought I could tell the difference but I did this night. I fell asleep quickly and easily - but it was by candlelight so I had to wake myself up again, turn it off, and head back to sleep. But it really was not too bad.

In the End, there are two parts.


There are things I can and cannot live without.


Things I CAN Live Without:


For one, I can certainly cut down on my shower time. I typically spend 30 minutes in the shower, wasting water, when I can really just spend half of that time in there, or less. Sure it will take some practice, but it would give me more time to do other things, so that is always good.

Secondly, I can definitely stop watching as much television. I definitely watch a lot of it, and even when there is "nothing on" I still have something playing, just for background noise.

Thirdly, I could live without the heater. I like curling up in blankets. But, I have never been a nice person in the heat so I am not too sure whether or not I could give up on air conditioning too. I guess I will just have to test it out in the summer and see how things go.

Fourthly, I could definitely do with doing more things outside. I spend a lot of time in doors, I do not exercise much, and to be honest I could do with more of both.

Fifthly, I suppose I don't need to play games on Facebook. Its fun, but I really don't need to live and breath Cityville. I can take the time to turn down my virtual city and replace it with my real city. That sounds nice, right?

Things I Cannot Live Without:


First, my phone. I really cannot live without my phone. Games and apps aside, it serves as the only form of communication I have for those friends and family members who do not live near me. Its more than just a device. Its a link to those that I love, and I really do not think I could sever that link.

Secondly, my computer. Sure, I could spend less time on it but I cannot cut it out of my life completely. I need it for school: it is a fast, easy, and convenient way to get my homework done. Nothing is turned in written by hand. It all needs to be typed, and I need my computer to do that. Also, I love writing and doing that on paper is not fast enough for me. Not to mention the internet! I can cut back on my television viewing, but not on the internet. That's how I get the majority of my global and local news, nowadays. Newspapers cost money and are steadily declining, so I need something free and with tons of different opinions on one subject so that I can form my own. And what's better to do that with than the internet?

Aside from that, everything else is just a preference.

So, In Conclusion...


Sure, I could go and unplug everything and only plug it in when I need it. I'm sure it would save my parents tons of money on electricity, but when I brought this up to them they were not really a fan. And that's really what it comes down to. I still live in there home, so I still need to obey their rules. Of course, I will always try to keep working on them and convincing them that these things will help, but the fact of the matter is they like the convenience of having things plugged in and ready. I'm going to keep suggesting "greener ways" but its not something I feel is in my right to force upon them.

However, I can say that when I do move out, I will do things differently. I will be much more conscientious about my home, and what my home does in terms of "being green." Its just going to take some time. But hopefully, once I move out and practice living in this way, my parents can see it could be just as easy for them. If only they tried.

Read more »