May 14

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Have you seen the news reports recently? Ever? There is new intensity building over the fear of plastics. It seems the recent surge– we have all had concerns about plastics for a while– is because specific conclusions have been made by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), National Toxicology Program (NTP), and the Canadian government.

The CDC says,

92.6 percent of Americans age 6 and above had measurable BPA in their bodies.

Plastic bottles – are they safe? - The Daily Nightly - msnbc.com

The NYP says,

there was a possibility BPA could be causing brain problems in fetuses and children and prostate and breast problems in adults

Plastic bottles – are they safe? - The Daily Nightly - msnbc.com

The Canadian government says,

“We’re not waiting to take action to protect our people and our environment from the long-term effects of bisphenol-a,” in response to a move to ban polycarbonate infant bottles as it officially declared one of their chemical ingredients toxic.

Canada Bans Plastic Bottles Tied to Health Concerns - New York Times

So what now? What is safe? Pulling from a few sources I’ve managed to sort out what is of concern and their chemical of concern:
1 - One time use only, not meant for reuse, like ever. (PETE)
3 - AVOID, DEHA chemical, and you can find me in plastic wrap. (PVC additives, like DEHA)
6 - Do not cook/microwave in me (styrene)
7 - Not so good, I’m in water/baby bottles and jugs. (BPA)

BPA is the chemical of concern above in the quotes.

Despite this information, the FDA has not yet ban the substance, so plastic industry websites are claiming ‘no fault.’ Despite the current all ok by the agency, both CVS and Walmart have banned shatter-proof waters bottles (like Nalgene, that often use (7)) from their shelves.

I think better safe than sorry. One alternative includes corn plastic products:

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May 10

Aid for Myanmar Mobilizes, Mixed With Criticism

“A powerful cyclone that destroyed a vast swath of coastal Myanmar and left many thousands of people dead prompted the country’s military leaders to allow some foreign aid groups to deliver relief supplies on Tuesday.”

Photographs From Myanmar
I.O.C. Rules Will Limit Protests by Athletes

“Athletes who compete in the Beijing Olympics will not be allowed to wave flags, make gestures or alter their external appearance to make a political statement, according to guidelines issued in April by the International Olympic Committee.”

Global Economic Minute: Immigration’s past and present

• Senator Clinton stays in the race despite lackluster Tuesday, are there Rewards For Dropping Out?
Iron Man (movie) gets generally favorable reviews
Poll: Only 2.5 percent of Americans are LGB

“Hunter College released the results of a groundbreaking poll Wednesday that found only 2.9 percent of Americans older than 18 identify as LGB, lower than the 4-5 percent often cited in voter exit polls.”

The Sustainable City–Ecological Dream or Technocratic Nightmare?

“And while the little boy in me thrills at the science-fiction stylishness of some of the architects’ renderings of these cities of the future (of which the picture above is a sample), another part of me wonders whether the promises now being made about these projects have even a chance of being fulfilled.”

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Sep 27

Normally I’ll be reviewing spaces online for Thursdays. But for starters, as I get my own feel for things, I’ll be keeping you up to date on the sites I’m looking at. Below are some links that you might find useful and seem to find my eyes gazing at them often.

    Slate
    The Daily Dish
    New York Times - All content is now FREE on the Times site.
    Metacritic.com - Great way to get a good feel for music, movies, TV Shows, and etc.
    Probloger.net - Keepin’ Bloggers alive.
    Music for Robots - Eclectic music reviews.

Check them out let me know how you feel about them. I hope to have some more in the future along with some deeper looks into different resources/blogs online.

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