Monday, May 17, 2010
Dishwashers Really do Save Energy
For years we never considered buying a dishwasher because we thought they used too much water and energy. Then I read in Consumer Reports magazine that, no matter how frugal you are, washing a sinkful of dishes used at least 4 gallons of water (plus the energy to heat it). We got an old dishwasher for free, that used only 7 gallons for a day's worth of dishes. Now, we have an Energy Star model that uses about 5 gallons. We use the shortest cycle we can to save energy - you can always spot-clean if a dish or two comes out with a bit of soil left on it.
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Another hot environmental topic is children's exposure to the toxic chemical BPA. The state is now considering a proposal to keep BPA out of children's bottles and cups, but it doesn't go far enough.
ReplyDeleteYou can find more information and ways to take action at http://www.healthytomorrow.org and by reading the article below.
Will Massachusetts limit babies’ exposure to toxic chemical BPA? by Maddie Ribble, Massachusetts Public Health Association
Dangerous chemicals aren’t allowed in baby food cans, right? Wrong. Although the chemical BPA mimics the hormone estrogen and has been linked to a wide variety of health problems, it’s legal to use BPA in food can linings and other plastics. Babies are exposed to BPA through infant formula cans, baby food containers and plastic cups.
The Massachusetts Public Health Council is considering a proposal to phase out BPA from children’s products. Governor Patrick called for such a regulation in March, specifically mentioning the need to act on BPA in baby bottles and cups. While this is admirable, it doesn’t go nearly far enough. BPA would still be allowed in infant formula and baby food containers. Babies and adults alike would still be exposed to BPA in reusable food and beverage containers.
We urge that the regulation on BPA should, at a minimum, phase out BPA in infant formula and baby food containers and reusable food and beverage containers, as well as in baby bottles and sippy cups.
How is BPA risky? Scientific research shows that BPA leaches from these containers into food and beverages and quickly into the body. Low and even very low doses of BPA during critical periods of development are associated with serious, long-term health impacts. A new study has found, for example, that BPA exposure during gestation and lactation lowers male fertility in adulthood and that the effect may persist for at least three generations.
These health effects are all the more shocking because they are unnecessary: there are safer alternatives available for all of the products mentioned above.
What can you do? Make a phone call right away: call the Governor’s office at 888-870-7770 and ask him to include infant formula cans, baby food containers, and reusable food and beverage containers in the BPA regulation.
You can also submit a comment during the public comment period on this proposal. For more information, visit the Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow website at www.healthytomorrow.org. You’ll find scientific evidence on BPA, stories of people working against toxic chemicals, news on legislation, and more. Join the Healthy Tomorrow Network to stay informed and learn about ways you can take further action.
Connecticut has passed a strong law to replace BPA with safer alternatives in many products. We deserve the same in Massachusetts.
For more information contact Elizabeth Saunders at esaunders@cleanwater.org or 617-338-8131 x203.