Seriously Clean or Serious as Cancer
Saw an interesting program this weekend. (No not the Oscars although I did watch the 78th Academy Awards.) In the midst of flicking through I saw this show regarding cancer. It was assuring to me that they brought up the idea that household cleaners. I have long felt that many household were HARMFUL to your health. Back in university a few of my roommates laughed off the fact that these products could make people sick or cause skin irritations, etc. I’ve been using non-petroleum and mostly eco-cleaning products for years. They cost a bit more but hey I’d rather not break out in spots after taking a bath (shortly after it’s “cleaned”). I found it horrifying that many chemicals used in disinfectants are petrochemical pesticides. Yeah that would pretty much guarantee that 99.9% of germs are killed on a surface (let alone the people who are supposed to use it).
It will be interesting to see what kind of Environmental stance the new government takes considering the fact that some of the new Conservative MP’s were part of the infamous Walkerton Conservative government. Will products with Carcinogens be labeled? Will idling and smog violations actually be enforced? Will corporates in Sarnia’s Chemical alley or here in the city be faced with fines?
Toronto’s first smog day of 2006 has not yet arrived but it would be nice if Ontario starts to move away from being one of the worst polluters on the planet. Gee we might save a bundle on health care, save lives and hmm BREATHE EASIER… Chances a Canadian will get Cancer 1 out of 2. (Less than 10 years ago it was 1 out of 1000!!! - do the math).
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I have always wondered about these ideas. I am fully away of the arguments my work place uses..but many things we get from the US to use at work (Chemicals, Solder Unit sponges etc) are labelled with “This product contains ingredients/chemicals known to the State of California to cause Cancer” etc. But, then they publish papers saying ‘That is something that state has to include, it is not harmful.’
I still have to say hmm..
Plus at work (Don Mills area) we go through a TONNE of lead-solder. Our solder wave machine cannot be operated by pregnant females..even though the company will not say that it is dangerous..only a precaution. Makes me wonder WHY the precation if it is perfectly 100% safe?
As for the household chems.. I believe it. I haven’t checked out the link yet but I wonder what evils lurk in my cupboard right now???
WoW. Don’t know what kinds of things you can “voice” at work but occupational hazards…NEVER a good thing, even with “calculated risk factors”. Been there done that, know I push paper at a desk job.
Yes the State of California have several measures which require labeling and safeguards. California emissions limit the amount of Sulphur in Gasoline in the state. Ontario gas wouldn’t pass the grade there (our standards are very lax - i believe we have the highest Sulphur content in North America which also helps our smog/acid rain) The risks are real its more a matter of what set of people or which government agency decides to do something about it…
Wow, 1 in 2 chance of cancer? That’s insane! Where did you find this out?
“Chances a Canadian will get Cancer 1 out of 2. (Less than 10 years ago it was 1 out of 1000!!! - do the math).”
Umm… Where do you get these stats from? I don’t believe either of these numbers. They are both far too extreme. 10 years ago, the odds must have been greater than 1 in 1000, and it is nowhere near 1 in 2 currently, although it may end up that way if we don’t radically change how we live.
I do agree wholeheartedly, however, that standard cleaning products are hazardous to our health, and also use “eco” cleaning products whenever possible. Anyone who can afford it should buy these products instead, to send a message to companies that they need to be more responsible regarding what they put in their products, and hence, what we release into the environment.
As for the statistic (1 in 2) that’s from the CBC program I mentioned.
http://www.cbc.ca/consumers/market/files/health/cancer/index.html
“CBC MARKETPLACE: HEALTH
Chasing the cancer answer
Broadcast: March 5, 2006
WHAT CAUSES CANCER?
Cancer occurs when cells are triggered to grow abnormally. Triggers include genetics, radiation, and carcinogens.
In the next generation, the Canadian Cancer Society says almost one in two Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer. One in two.”
As far as the previous stat (1 in 1000) relates to what our family was told (perhaps a bit more than 10 years ago by our physician when my mother deveolped cancer).
I would hazard a guess to say that screening methods are far more thorough and accurate hence more detection.
Ontario is the highest Cancer province, not strictly due to population either (something like 35-40% of all new cases or Cancer deaths occur in Ontario… That’s about the same as Quebec and BC combined!!!)
more info… http://www.cancer.ca