#1
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#2

Yes, it is a disgusting scandal that I am sick about. These chemicals should be completely banned, but there is no legal restriction at all. Once again, it’s up to consumers to educate themselves about this complicated, ever-changing subject, and to use the legal system to put pressure on companies.

One bright spot is the shift to not-quite-so poisonous fluorines. Another is that a few clothing stores and a few home stores (Lowes and Home Depot carpets and IKEA furniture, e.g.) have eliminated PFAS from many products. However, consumption through liquids is the primary route into the body.

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#3

This is good. Thanks.

I remember thinking as a kid that the government wouldn’t let the candy manufacturer put something bad in the candy.

I have been anti-conspiracy for a long time.

But we don’t need big conspiracies to have manmade disasters. We just need a reasonable return on investment, self interest, a way to plant a positive narrative (“better living through chemistry”), and plausible deniability (or willful ignorance).

Bad old days
Smoking promoted by doctors as healthy
Leaded gasoline
Dumping waste chemicals into the water supply
Leaded paint in homes
Asbestos

Hoje
Micro Plastics in our bodies
PFAS chemicals (eg Teflon) in our bodies
nnEMF: cell phone in my pocket or my hand all day, Bluetooth headphones in my ears all day
“Pesticides are safe for humans”
Chemicals & heavy metals in tap water and food

Is any of this damaging me? I have no idea. But I’m going to be less trusting. It’s probably too late for me but not for my children.

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#4

Another forever substance is Radon gas. So while talking about avoiding things in one’s environment, this one is important. It accounts for 21,000 lung cancer deaths yearly (slightly more than 10% of total lung cancer deaths).

Once you breathe it in, it remains there for life and there is no method to eliminate it.

Everyone should look at this map (U.S.)

The issue is many homes with significant radon aren’t necessarily in high risk areas.

If you have an elevated level, it is very cheap to fix this issue, but you have to know that you have it. As this comes up from the ground, it can be intermittent, which is why the longer term ongoing meter seems most sensible to me, and also an air quality meter looking at PM 0.5/2.5/25, and organics/volatile compounds.

It’s well worth testing everyone’s house (lowest level as it settles there) at least with a spot check every year or two, or just get a meter, which will give continuous and long term data for as little as $70.

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