With recent news stories about asbestos contamination in the Iron Range, arsenic in South Minneapolis or perfluorocarbons seemingly appearing everywhere in Minnesota, it is not surprising that Minnesotans may be growing increasingly concerned about what kinds of chemical hazards may be lurking in our own neighborhoods.
We are all aware of the importance and power of the printed piece. We also know the power we have to make a huge impact on reducing the number of trees being cut down and lowering the amount of toxins in our waters. Energy and materials involved in the printing process, from pre-press to disposal, have implications for air and water quality, waste disposal, energy use and worker safety.
As corporations are mesmerizing menstruating women with images of "summer rain" and "no unsightly accidents" they also white wash the truth behind the health and environmental costs of being able to ride that white horse in your new white chinos. For instance, conventional pads and tampons are loaded with toxic chemicals and are bleached with chlorine compounds. There is accumulating evidence that industrial uses of chlorine, including pulp and paper bleaching, releases toxic dioxins which bioaccumulate in the environment causing serious harm to wildlife, not to mention your own body.
I attended a presentation recently titled, "The Love of Fossil Fuels: The Root of All Evil?" While the title was partly a clever play on the age-old phrase, "Money is the root of all evil," it also had some element of truth on its own.