July 1, 2011
Summer Heat, be Safe
written by Steven Barrymore

Tips for helping you and your loved ones in summer heat, be safe.

• Drink more fluids (non alcoholic), unless limited by your doctor. Drinking liquids that contain alcohol or large amounts of sugar can cause you to lose more body fluid.
• Stay in the shade – indoors in an air-conditioned place if possible. If your home does not have air conditioning – go to a shopping mall or other public place that does.
• Electric fans can provide comfort, but when temperatures are in the 90′s they will not prevent heat-related illness.
• NEVER leave anyone (or animal) in a closed, parked vehicle.
• Check on infants, young children, the elderly and pets.
• Limit your outdoor activity to morning and evening hours.
• Limit exercise. If you do exercise, drink two to four glasses of cool, nonalcoholic fluids each hour.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and apply a sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher. Check the UV Index for your area.
• Air quality is also important – check the Air Quality Index before heading outside.

Link: CDC

January 12, 2011
National Commission Final Report on BP Oil Spill
written by Steven Barrymore

The National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill And Offshore Drilling has issued the Final Report to the President. The final report, Deep Water — The Gulf Oil Disaster and the Future of Offshore Drilling, featuring fiery cover art is available through the Government Printing Office or Amazon for $39. For immediate gratification you can download the pdf version at the link below.

The Commission’s Highlights of Key Recommendations contain a lot of “should”. But one recommendation that stood out is “The oil and gas industry must adopt a culture of safety.”

If you need to occupy your time on a flight from San Francisco to London, or a cozy read in front of the fireplace, this 380 page turner may be ideal.


Link: National Commission Final Report on BP Oil Spill

January 8, 2011
Fluorosis is the Pits
written by Steven Barrymore

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that it has reevaluated the current science on fluoride. While the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has proposed an adjustment to the levels of fluoride in drinking water. The current enforceable standard for fluoride is 4.0 mg/L. This may be too much for children’s developing teeth and for adult health.

Excessive fluoride in children 8 years and younger have an increased possibility of developing staining and pits in the tooth enamel. If this damage is excessive it could require dental intervention.

Adults exposed to excessive consumption of fluoride over a lifetime may have increased likelihood of bone fractures, and may result in effects on bone leading to pain and tenderness. source: EPA 2011 Q & A on Fluoride

In 2006 the EPA requested the National Research Council (NRC) to review data on drinking water standards collected by the EPA in 2003. The NRC recommended in their published report to the EPA, ‘Fluoride in Drinking Water: A Scientific Review of EPA’s Standards’, that the EPA update its analysis with new data on health risks and fluoride exposure. The NRC panel also recommended that the EPA update its goal to the public health in the areas of tooth enamel pitting, stage II & III skeletal fluorosis and bone fracture risk.

The EPA will be doing further risk assessment to determine if revised fluoride levels in public drinking water are needed.

The best way to find the fluoride level of your local public water system is to contact your water utility provider for more information, according to the EPA.

Additional sources of fluoride can include toothpaste and mouthwash. You and your children should not swallow these products during their use as they can add to an over-all fluoride intake.

Bottled water products labeled as purified, distilled or de-ionized contain no or trace amounts of fluoride unless they are labeled to contain fluoride. Spring water can contain added or naturally present fluoride (from the original source of the water). The FDA limits the amount of fluoride in bottled water to a range of 0.8 to 2.4 mg/L.

The 1960′s became the era of fluoridation as a widely used practice in public drinking water.


Link: EPA

September 29, 2010
Obama – Mabus Gulf Region Recovery Plan Moves Forward
posted by Steven Barrymore

Requested by President Obama, Navy Secretary Ray Mabus has written a long-term recovery plan to restore the Gulf Coast region.

Mabus report recommends that Congress dedicate a significant portion of any civil penalties obtained from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill responsible parties into a Gulf Coast Recovery Fund addressing long-term needs for the region. The Mabus report also recommends that Congress authorize a Gulf Coast Recovery Council to manage funds and coordinate recovery projects.

President Obama and Secretary of the Navy, the Honorable Ray Mabus -- U.S. Navy photo 8/2010

Obama is prepared to sign the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force, part of the Mabus plan, into effect before Congressional approval of the recovery council. The task force will serve as a bridge to the recovery council to coordinate restoration programs and projects in the Gulf Coast region. Obama has named EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson to chair the task force due to her extensive environmental experience.

The task force is to coordinate with the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Commerce in the recovery effort.

“… What happens in the Gulf of Mexico affects America. Nearly one third of the seafood harvested in the continental United States, as well as 30 percent of oil production and 13 of our natural gas production, come from the Gulf. The Gulf is an environmental percent treasure and central to the nation’s economy. America needs the Gulf. America needs the Gulf to be clean. America needs the Gulf to be healthy. America needs the Gulf to be sustainable. …” excerpt of opening statement — Mabus recovery plan

Mabus report suggests a media campaign, paid for by those responsible for the Gulf Coast oil spill, to bolster the public confidence in the regions seafood industry and promote tourism. Follow the link for more on the story and the full report to the president.


Link: RestoreTheGulf.gov

September 9, 2010
Clean Air Act 40th Birthday
posted by Steven Barrymore

September 14 marks the 40th anniversary of the Clean Air Act. To celebrate our improved air quality, a conference honoring the inception of the act will be held at The Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C. The keynote speaker will be EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. White House and Capitol Hill reporters with credentials may attend only, along with very special guests, sorry general public. If you wish to watch a live webcast, you may do so at http://www.epa.gov/live/ on Tuesday Sept 14 @ 11:45 am EDT. The act is getting up there in years, if you do send a birthday card, be kind with your sentiment — hitting 40 can be stressful.


Link: EPA