CONTENTS
1) Editorial
2) Feature: Hybrid Cars, Trend of the Future
3) Issue Updates
--New Website Helps People Protect Salmon Habitat in Their Communities
--Ban Lindane Now Campaign
--Toxic Nation: Pollution. It’s in You.
--Supreme Court of Canada Dismisses CropLife Appeal of Toronto Pesticide Bylaw
--Canadians and Insomnia: New Stats
4) Media Watch
--Trump Stress with Your Thoughts
--Vitamin Safety: Where Are All the Bodies?
--Global Vitamin Guidelines One Step Closer to Restricting Consumer Health Freedom
--Good Gut “Bugs” Help Irritable Bowel Syndrome
--Infertility Treatments Associated with Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes?
--Chewing the Fat on Trans Fats
--Green Washing: Get Your Company to Clean Up its Janitorial Act
--Antiseptic Soaps Bubble Up Again
--Only 13 Percent of Large Companies Complying with Environmental Law: EU
--Swiss Ban Genetically Modified Crops
--Beware of Teeth Whitening
--Health Tip: Talcum Powder Can Be Toxic
--Could a House Plant Clean the Air?
--Canada Stresses Green Agenda, but Emissions Soar
--Canada Urges Wider Global Warming Fight
--US Rules Out Extra Pledges on Global Warming
--Buzz Alertin’: On Coffee
--Low with the Flow: On Low-Flow Flushing
--Thousands Sign Up for Health Test on Effects of Chemical Used to Make Teflon
--One-third of Cancer Deaths Avoidable
--Aspartame Causes Cancer in Rats at Levels Currently Approved for Humans
--Herbal Extract May Treat Prostate Cancer
--Many Heart Patients Use Alternative Medicines
--Supplements Relieve Arthritis Pain
--Vitamin D May Cut Falls in Elderly, Further Evidence
--Hospitals Not Meeting Women’s Needs for Information
--Canada’s Wired Kids: Connected, Active and Younger than Ever
--All Provinces Likely to Join Tobacco Litigation
--Ontario Awards $2 Billion in Renewable Power Deals
--Cranberries May Help Prevent Cavities
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1) Editorial
Hello Members and Friends;
Hope this finds you in a happy frame of mind, and preparing to relax and re-group over the upcoming weeks. Yes, it’s that time of year. When family and friends become priorities.
But if you can sneak away from the cookies and eggnog for a moment, I’d like to point out a new feature of our website – the Discussion Forum - a place to put your thinking cap on. Maybe you can help fellow members who are looking for answers to their health challenges.
Here’s one entry from Kare:
“I feel like I’m in a tunnel underwater when I talk. My ear is plugged and has been hurting a lot. I haven’t been able to hear fully for a month. I’m now on my third medical doctor and my second round of antibiotics while waiting for a specialist. I’ve also been given some steroid stuff to stick up my nose and another medicine to put in my ear.
“The past few weeks, I’ve also been doing all sorts of ‘healthy’ healing things, but my head still feels blocked. I’m still snorting and am unable to blow mucus out of my nose. My hearing remains off, and when my world is quiet, my head sounds as though water is running through it.
“I think it might be the air quality at my workplace. Many people have been sick. One co-worker suggests the cause is black mold in the ceiling tiles.
“Anyway, if anyone knows about my symptoms, how best to check for air quality, how to improve the air quality in my room, or anything related to my yakking, let me know.”
If you have possible answers for Kare, here’s the link where you can post them: www.hans.org/discussion/. Just sign in, and join in on the healing journey.
All the best,
Lorna Hancock
Founding Member & Director
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2) Hybrid Cars: Trend of the Future
By Greg Seaman
The one consumer decision most people make that impacts the greatest on the environment is the choice of car we drive. An innovative, efficient, affordable new option is now available: hybrid cars!
A hybrid car features a small fuel-efficient gas engine combined with an electric motor that assists the engine when accelerating. The electric motor is powered by batteries that recharge automatically while you drive.
Hybrid cars also gain efficiency from:
Smaller and more efficient engines
Regenerative braking - the electric motor that drives the hybrid can also slow the car. In this mode, the electric motor acts as a generator and charges the batteries while the car is slowing down.
Periodic engine shut off - when a hybrid car is stopped in traffic, the engine is temporarily shut off. It restarts automatically when put back into gear.
Advanced aerodynamics - to reduce drag
Low-rolling resistance (LLR) tires - narrow, stiffer tires have less drag
Lightweight materials - increase the efficiency of hybrid cars.
These gas-electric hybrid cars are now available in North America:
Honda Civic Hybrid
Honda Accord Hybrid
Honda Insight
Toyota Prius Ford Escape Hybrid SUV
Lexus 400h Hybrid SUV
Toyota Highlander Hybrid SUV
Hybrid Cars in Development
In 2004, about 80,000 hybrid cars and trucks were sold out of some 17 million total sales in the US, according to David Friedman, research director for the Union of Concerned Scientists’ Clean Vehicle Program.
Toyota plans to double the production of the Prius to 100,000 a year for the North American hybrid car market to help alleviate severe shortages in some parts of country, where buyers must wait three to six months to take delivery.
Automakers are developing new hybrid models at a rapid pace. Here’s a look at hybrid cars under development, and ‘best estimate’ dates for availability to the consumer market:
Scheduled releases:
Honda CR-V SUV - a compact SUV
Toyota Camry Hybrid - the Camry is currently the best-selling passenger car in the US.
Saturn Vue - a small SUV
Hyundai Accent - small car, limited numbers, to test the US market
Kia Rio - small car to test the US market
2007 scheduled releases:
Toyota Sienna Hybrid Minivan - a North American version of the Estima Minivan, available in Japan since 2001.
Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
Mazda Tribute - compact SUV
Nissan Altima Hybrid
Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon
2008 scheduled releases:
Ford Fusion - new sedan model
Mercury Milan - new sedan model
Greg Seaman is the founder/editor of eartheasy.com, a website that offers ideas on sustainable living for individuals and families.
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3) ISSUE UPDATES
New Website Helps People Protect Salmon Habitat in Their Communities
“The David Suzuki Foundation and the Sierra Club of Canada, BC Chapter, have teamed up to create Salmonopolis.ca, a new website that links up volunteer-based salmon conservation groups throughout BC.
“Salmonopolis.ca enables salmon stewards to share resources and connect with local and national organizations to better protect salmon habitat. The website offers expert opinions on salmon issues, information on how to get funding, tips on how to deal with the media, advocacy resources, and it provides a step-by-step guide on how to report a fisheries violation.”
Source: Marine Scene e-Newsletter by the David Suzuki Foundation, Nov 4, 2005 issue. More at www.salmonopolis.ca.
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Ban Lindane Now Campaign
“Banned in at least 52 countries and severely restricted in more than 33 others, the organochlorine pesticide lindane is currently registered for use in Canada, Mexico and the US. … Canada has phased out all agricultural uses, but lindane use to control headlice and scabies continues.
“Lindane can cause seizures and damage to the nervous system, and can weaken the immune system. Case-controlled research shows a significant association between brain tumors in children and the use of lindane-containing lice shampoos. The insecticide is also a suspected carcinogen and hormone disruptor.”
Source: The Pesticide Action Network of North America Ban Lindane website at www.panna.org/campaigns/lindane.html.
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Toxic Nation: Pollution. It’s in You.
“A new study conducted by Environmental Defence found a cocktail of harmful toxic chemicals in the blood of people tested across Canada. The groundbreaking report, Toxic Nation: A Report on Pollution in Canadians, reveals that toxic chemicals, such as DDT, PCBs, stain repellants, flame retardants, mercury and lead, are contaminating Canadians.
Many of the chemicals discovered in the bodies of Canadians are associated with cancer, hormone disruption, reproductive disorders, respiratory illnesses and harming the development of children.”
Source: Environmental Defence Nov 2005 monthly e-news.
Visit http://www.environmentaldefence.ca/toxicnation/landi... to find out more about pollution and reduction strategies for Canadians.
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Supreme Court of Canada Dismisses CropLife Appeal of Toronto Pesticide Bylaw
“The Supreme Court of Canada has dismissed an application from CropLife seeking leave to appeal the Ontario Court of Appeal decision regarding the Toronto pesticide bylaw. In rejecting the pesticide industry leave application, Canada’s highest court also ordered CropLife to pay the City’s costs.
This decision ends the pesticide industry’s legal avenues for challenging the Toronto bylaw. This decision also confirms the unanimous decision, released last May by the Ontario Court of Appeal which reconfirmed the Supreme Court of Canada ruling (with respect to the Hudson, Quebec pesticide bylaw) that Canadian municipalities must be able to govern based on the health, welfare and interests of their communities.”
Source: Canadian Environmental Law Association Nov 23, 1005 e-bulletin at http://www.cela.ca/newsevents/detail.shtml?x=2424
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Canadians and Insomnia: New Stats
“Trouble sleeping? You’re not alone. An estimated 3.3 million Canadians aged 15 or older, or about one in every seven, have problems going to sleep or staying asleep, and thus are considered to have insomnia, according to a new study in the latest edition of Health Reports.
“The study, based on data from the 2002 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS), found that just under one-fifth (18 percent) of these people average less than five hours of sleep a night.”
Source: Statistics Canada Nov 16, 2005 Daily Release at http://www.statcan.ca/Daily/English/051116/d051116a....
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4) MEDIA WATCH
Trump Stress with Your Thoughts
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?artic...
Vitamin Safety: Where Are All the Bodies?
http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v01n13.shtm...
Global Vitamin Guidelines One Step Closer to Restricting Consumer Health Freedom
http://healthy.net/scr/news.asp?Id=8037
Good Gut “Bugs” Help Irritable Bowel Syndrome
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?artic...
Infertility Treatments Associated with Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes?
http://general-medicine.jwatch.org/cgi/content/full/...
Chewing the Fat on Trans Fats
http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/full/173/10/1158?etoc...
Green Washing: Get Your Company to Clean Up its Janitorial Act
http://www.grist.org/biz/tp/2005/11/01/greenclean/in...
Antiseptic Soaps Bubble Up Again
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2005-10-19-antis...
Only 13 Percent of Large Companies Complying with Environmental Law: EU
http://www.enn.com/today.html?id=9180
Swiss Ban Genetically Modified Crops
http://www.checkbiotech.org/root/index.cfm?fuseactio...
Beware of Teeth Whitening
http://www.mercola.com/2005/nov/12/beware_of_teeth_w...
Health Tip: Talcum Powder Can Be Toxic
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?artic...
Could a House Plant Clean the Air?
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?artic...
Canada Stresses Green Agenda, but Emissions Soar
http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/3...
Canada Urges Wider Global Warming Fight
http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/3...
US Rules Out Extra Pledges on Global Warming
http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/3...
Buzz Alertin’: On Coffee
http://www.grist.org/advice/ask/2005/11/09/coffee/in...
Low with the Flow: On Low-Flow Flushing
http://www.grist.org/advice/ask/2005/11/28/flush/ind...
Thousands Sign Up for Health Test on Effects of Chemical Used to Make Teflon
http://www.enn.com/biz.html?id=1232
One-third of Cancer Deaths Avoidable
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=571&e=4&u=...
Aspartame Causes Cancer in Rats at Levels Currently Approved for Humans
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?news...#
Herbal Extract May Treat Prostate Cancer
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=571&e=2&u=...
Many Heart Patients Use Alternative Medicines
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?artic...
Supplements Relieve Arthritis Pain
http://healthy.net/scr/news.asp?Id=8021
Vitamin D May Cut Falls in Elderly, Further Evidence
http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/news/ng.asp?n=64...
Hospitals Not Meeting Women’s Needs for Information
http://www.womenshealthcouncil.on.ca/English/Hospita...
Canada’s Wired Kids: Connected, Active and Younger than Ever
http://www.education-medias.ca/english/resources/med...
All Provinces Likely to Join Tobacco Litigation
http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/full/173/11/1307?etoc...
Ontario Awards $2 Billion in Renewable Power Deals
http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/3...
Cranberries May Help Prevent Cavities
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=571&e=1&u=...
For more current stories, check out “News” at www.hans.org.
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Founded in 1984, Health Action Network Society is a membership-based, non-profit charitable organization dedicated to gathering and disseminating health promotion information.
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