"The Body Toxic: How the Hazardous Chemistry of Everyday Things Threatens Our Health and Well-being" by Nena Baker

(I watched this program and felt this was worth sharing. There are some very credible scientific sources that are used. The following are excerpts from her presentation about the material contained in her book & on her web site. Although I am not necessarily advocating this, I felt it was worth posting).


Nena Baker contends that the chemical make-up of several of the products that make contemporary life easier and more convenient may be responsible for serious health problems. Ms. Baker argues that the Toxic Substances and Control Act of 1976 was ineffectual in regulating potential industrial contaminants and presents her research on products that she deems of possible danger, which range from the non-stick coating on cookware to several different types of plastics. This event was hosted by Google at their headquarters in Mountain View, California.


About the Author: Nena Baker has been a reporter for United Press International, The Arizona Republic, and The Oregonian.


From End Of The Program:

“I’m often asked what changes I’ve made in my life based on what I’ve learned, and why I’ve made them. I don’t obsess about chemical pollutants. I make informed decisions based on my understanding of the hazards of pesticides, plasticizers, flame retardants, and stain protectors.
When I know something contains suspect substances, I ask myself ‘can I find an alternative?’. The answer is usually ‘yes’ but sometimes I decide that the benefit of using a certain product outweighs the risk.


I would be more careful if I were at a younger age & considering having children, or if I had children in my home.


Regarding individual choices, & what each of us can do to make a difference in our own lives, she states: “It would be easy to [just resign yourself to the fact that there’s nothing you can really do to make a difference] & continue to buy & use the same things. But small adjustments in your own life can lessen your exposures and risks.”

“I’m frequently asked what I do to reduce my exposure to the types of chemicals that I write about, so I wanted to share my own list. Here, in no particular order, is what I’ve done to lighten my chemical load:”

“I buy organic foods whenever possible because they’re pesticide free;

I gave up microwave popcorn because of chemicals (fluorotelemers) contained in the packaging [that shield the paper from the grease but also get into the popcorn];
I got rid of my plastic food containers because they leech hazardous substances into the food when heated in the microwave; better to use glass or ceramic containers instead;


I canceled my monthly pesticide service for both inside & outside of the home. I use non-toxic ways to control pests, rather than potentially hazardous chemicals used by pest control services [see her book for detail];

I decline all optional stain resistant coatings for furniture upholstery or floor coverings;
I use no or low DFC paint for home improvement projects;
I don’t use [hard plastic bottles] for water or other beverages; I use an (aluminum bottle);
I vacuum home & office at least once/week because dust contains many hazardous chemical pollutants (PVDE’s) that are of concern;

I’ve replaced my old Teflon cookware with hard anodized aluminum cookware;

I ask retailers questions about things I buy, and if they don’t know the answers, I call manufacturers;

I read labels about products I’m considering purchasing;

I share the changes I’m making and why I’m making them with friends & family.”

“You can find information about non-toxic products in online resources such as “The Green Guide” http://www.thegreenguide.com & “the environmental working group” http://www.ewg.org ;”

For more information: www.thebodytoxic.com

My Thoughts On Ted Kennedy, Jr.'s Speech At His Father's, Edward Kennedy, Funeral

Though I did not always agree with Senator Edward Kennedy on political and legislative issues, I was struck by the reaction of so many people, often holding opposing political points of view, to countless stories of his often inspiring statements and actions from his life outside politics.

I was particularly struck by a story told by his son, Ted Kennedy, Jr. at his funeral, about a father helping his 12 year old son as he struggled to deal with the consequences of severe medical illness and resulting physical impairment:

Ted Kennedy, Jr (son) speaking at Ted Kennedy Memorial (7-29-09)

When I was 12 years I was diagnosed with bone cancer and I remember a few months after I lost my leg, there was a heavy snowfall…my father went to the garage to get the old flexible flyer sled and asked me if I wanted to go sledding down the steep driveway. I was trying to get used to my new artificial leg, and the hill was covered with ice and snow and it wasn’t easy for me to walk, and the hill was very slick, and I struggled to walk. I slipped and started to cry, and I said: ‘I can’t do this. I’ll never be able to climb up that hill.’
And [my father] lifted me up in his strong, gentle arms and said, ‘I know you can do it. There is nothing that you can’t do. We’re gonna climb that hill together, even if it takes all day.’

Sure enough, he held me around my waist, and we slowly made it to the top.
You know, at age 12, losing your leg pretty much seems like the end of the world. But as I climbed onto his back and we flew down the hill that day, I knew he was right. I knew I was going to be OK.

You see, my father taught me that even our most profound losses are survivable. And it’s what we do with that loss, our ability to transform it into a positive event, that is one of my father’s greatest lessons. He taught me that nothing is impossible.