The Human Ecologist wants you to know…
that the Summer 2010 issue is full of food for thought!
New thinking about food: community gardens and MCS
People who have never gardened before, and land that has never been used for gardening, have found each other in the nationwide community gardening phenomenon. Community gardeners are raising food for themselves and their families, making new friends, and helping the environment (and their health) by eating locally produced, organic food. Is this yet another activity that is off-limits for people with environmental sensitivities? No! A chemically-sensitive member of HEAL’s Governing Board tells all — about how she and her husband joined a new organic community garden endeavor as novice gardeners, and what they learned (and ate!). The article includes hints for how someone with moderate to severe MCS might participate in starting a community garden.
New thinking about food: Community supported agriculture
Imagine being able to ask a farmer to grow food just for you, paying a fee, and getting the food — all without having to lift a shovel or pull a weed. Basically, that’s community supported agriculture (CSA) — and there are opportunities for participation in CSA projects all over the U.S.One regular (chemically-sensitive) contributor to The Human Ecologist tells about her experience with a CSA, how it works and why she likes it. Information about how to find a CSA near you is included.
Putting food by
OK, you have an organic garden or belong to a CSA or made a great score at the farmer’s market — and now you have to deal with the delightful problem of seasonal gluts of wonderful fresh produce. What do you do with the excess? A Human Ecologist classic article advises how chemically-sensitive people can take advantage of seasonal gluts of organic produce at its best, using a method that helps you estimate how much produce you need for an entire year — and how you can process it simply and safely.
Pesticide residues eaten by people
It’s one thing to talk about pesticide residues in general, but an eye-opening article in the Summer 2010 issue of The Human Ecologist describes a study in which researchers looked for pesticide residues in portions for foods actually selected, prepared and eaten by study participants. The study, though small, has some very interesting implications — including some that can help readers choose foods wisely. This is must-read information for people with MCS!
Plus: some fascinating new information about MCS …. a great feature on manufactured housing, “green” building materials, and MCS…. a newly-identified source of indoor air pollution, and much, much more!
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The Human Ecologist wants you to know
... past year at a glance…
The Human Ecologist wants you to know…
…that the Spring 2010 issue is all about living with MCS!
Not one, but two important articles about fragrance and health!
Read all about the “We Share the Air” policy at the premier US public health agency, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention! This agency-wide Indoor Environmental Quality Policy was issued in June 2009. It prohibits use of scented or fragrance products “at all times in all interior space owned, rented , or leased by CDC,” according to the Spring 2010 issue. Protecting the health of people with “asthma, migraines, allergies or chemical sensitivities” is given as the reason for the policy. The article covers details of this comprehensive policy, which applies not only to CDC facilities, but also to CDC employees.
• Fragrance and health researchers Stanley M. Caress and Anne C. Steinemann are back, together with Amy L. Davis. They report on their research showing that over 30 percent of the U.S. population objects to fragrances used by others. This article is must-read for everyone who is concerned about this problem.
A teacher fights for a healthy workplace — and wins!
Read the wonderful account of how one teacher battled for nearly 20 years against poor ventilation, moldy conditions, and indoor chemicals in her workplace — and ultimately got her employer — a community college — to sign a legal agreement to fix/renovate 12 buildings on the campus. Despite numerous health problems, she was able to keep her job, finally retiring and founding a HEAL chapter in her city.
How to choose a specialist doctor
Everyone will eventually get referred to a specialist for diagnosis or treatment. How can you choose the right one? This first person account of how one person did it — and got a good result — is designed to help you select the right doctor for you. It shows how to evaluate a specialist in one office visit (followed by some careful research). Resource list included.
Plus…Find out what works to clean mold from wallboard…get the latest on preventing in-hospital infections…learn how least toxic pest control whips tough urban pests…read reviews of two must-read books, one on food-borne illnesses, and the other on how Congress really works…plus news about HEAL’s efforts on behalf of teacher respiratory health, a special section on news about electromagnetic fields and health, an important finding in chronic fatigue syndrome research — and more!
The Human Ecologist wants you to know…
that the Winter 2009 issue is all about MCS and health care!
Talking to your “regular” doctor about MCS (or CFS, or fibromyalgia)
Having a “disputed diagnosis” like MCS can cause difficulties when seeking care for other health problems. “Regular” doctors can be uninformed, skeptical — or downright hostile. We asked some selected health care experts for their opinions about how patients with disputed diagnoses can best obtain health care from “regular” practitioners. Their answers are full of insight, extremely practical — and very helpful! Anyone with a disputed diagnosis who has struggled to obtain health care without hassles will benefit from reading “Health Care and Controversial Diagnoses — A Human Ecologist Forum, found only in the Winter 2009 issue of The Human Ecologist!
Drug allergy part 2: Treatment options
In the Fall 2009 issue of The Human Ecologist, we discussed drug allergies, the benefits of reviewing your drug reaction history, and the key concepts needed to sort out the true allergic reactions from other kinds of drug reactions. In the Winter 2009 issue of the magazine, we discuss the benefits of consulting a drug allergy expert about your drug reaction history, as well as the drugs necessary to treatments you may require. We also look at drug allergies and two anxiety-provoking subjects: surgery, and cancer therapy. This article is full of potential help for people with significant drug allergy histories who are facing the need for complex or long-term drug treatment. This article is must-read for anyone with allergies, sensitivities, intolerance's, and a history of drug reactions.
Coping with the stress of MCS
From people with a new diagnosis of MCS to those with long-standing MCS whose condition suddenly begins to fluctuate or take a nose-dive, the stress of having MCS can take a tremendous toll. It has impacts on all aspects of life, and can operate as an engine of forced change that radically alters how we feel, how we live — and how we function in our families, workplaces, and communities. “Coping with the Stress of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity” is a comprehensive look at how MCS can affect our lives, and how to cope with the inevitable changes that occur. Written by a psychotherapist who has MCS herself, this article is not only a lifeline for the newly-diagnosed, but also a fine resource for MCS “veterans” who find themselves coping with new changes.
Plus: Read about the latest research on Gulf War veterans’ illnesses …. a new certification for organic textiles …. the latest on head lice diagnosis and treatment …. why private well water must be tested frequently …. and much more!
The Human Ecologist wants you to know…
that the Fall 2009 issue is all about your health!
Understanding your drug allergies
People with allergies and sensitivities frequently report having drug reactions. But are the reactions allergic reactions? Or are they some other kind of reactions? A feature article in The Human Ecologist explores drug allergies, their symptoms, and why it is important that patients and their physicians understand past drug reactions. The article highlights anaphylactic reactions, and describes the latest diagnostic criteria for these (sometimes very severe) reactions. This article is part one of a two part series.
Your gut, your health
Long-time readers of The Human Ecologist are well aware that microbes that live in the human gut play an important role in wellness and health. A detailed feature article in the Fall 2009 issue of the magazine discusses new research on these microbes. Read about how scientists are investigating the role of gut microbes on digestion, immunity, allergies, infection, obesity, mental illness, and more! This fascinating look at gut microbes elevates the importance of gut health to a new high — scientists are now saying that these microorganisms, considered together, “performs functions essential to our survival.”
Cell phones and cancer
A new review of 33 journal articles devoted to the relationship of cell phone technology and human cancer says that the manner in which studies on cell phones and health are done produces results that “result in an underestimate of the relative risk of brain tumors among mobile phone users.” For more, see the Fall 2009 issue of The Human Ecologist.
HEAL responds!
- Read about an article in The Journal of Light Construction that highlighted the importance of preventing chemical sensitivity through the use of less toxic building materials. HEAL’s President wrote to the journal, praising the article, noting that HEAL has long championed the use of non-toxic materials, and pointing out that builders would do well to focus on affordable green housing — preferably incorporating “universal design” features to improve accessibility for the disabled and elderly.
- Read about HEAL’s response to a proposal to add fragrance to the indoor air at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport. The letter quoted statistics about people whose health conditions make them susceptible to adverse effects from fragrance exposure, and said that while the airport’s concern about air quality was good, it would be best to provide good air quality by providing fresh unscented air — a benefit to all who work in or visit the airport.
Plus: Read about mercury in high fructose corn syrup…a new EPA program on toxic air pollutants near schools…burning mouth syndrome and dental materials…new research on Gulf War veterans…organic textiles…a new report about the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry…and more!
The Human Ecologist wants you to know…
that the Summer 2009 issue is full of great ideas you can use right now!
Yes you can! Exercise for sensitive people
Would you spend 20 minutes a day to improve your mood, raise your energy level, control your weight, preserve your daily function, prevent a host of diseases, and reduce pain and discomfort? Exercising for health can do all of this — but only if you do it! Of course, sensitive people have limitations on where they can go and what they can do when they get there — so maybe exercise classes are out, and even walking around the block isn’t a sure thing. But a feature article in the Summer issue of The Human Ecologist shows how you can get around such limitations. Just exercise in your home, at your own pace, at changing levels to accommodate your daily ups and downs — using home exercise videos. The article explains some advantages and disadvantages of home exercise videos, shows how to overcome the disadvantages, and tells what to look for and what to avoid in selecting and using them. The article includes a resource list of sources for borrowing, renting or buying (new and used) exercise videos.
Healthy nutrition for hospital patients
A must-read feature article in the Summer issue of The Human Ecologist discusses the benefits of nutritional supplementation during hospitalization. It offers a wonderful table showing health conditions, beneficial nutrients, and their health effects — and each entry lists a named, peer-reviewed source for the information displayed in the table. The article also discusses how to prepare for a hospitalization, and how nutrition in the hospital can be improved — even for patients on intravenous or feeding tube regimens. This article is sure to be of great help to many readers!
Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses
Read an article about the groundbreaking government report that finally proclaims that sick Gulf War veterans are really, physically sick, and that states that exposures endured while in the Gulf are responsible for their illnesses. The article also quotes from passages in the report that are highly critical of the U.S. government’s response to sick Gulf War vets, in particular the use of millions of dollars in federal funds specifically intended for Gulf War research that were instead diverted to other areas of investigation. This is must-read information for anyone who truly supports our troops.
Plus: Read about interventions for TMJ…. Get some great ideas about career development and MCS (resource list included)…. Learn how some high performance furnace filters may make indoor air quality worse... Read reviews of some fascinating, helpful books…. and get the latest news about your environment, and up-to-the-minute news about your health!
The Human Ecologist wants you to know…
that the Summer 2009 issue is full of great ideas you can use right now!
Yes you can! Exercise for sensitive people
Would you spend 20 minutes a day to improve your mood, raise your energy level, control your weight, preserve your daily function, prevent a host of diseases, and reduce pain and discomfort? Exercising for health can do all of this — but only if you do it! Of course, sensitive people have limitations on where they can go and what they can do when they get there — so maybe exercise classes are out, and even walking around the block isn’t a sure thing. But a feature article in the Summer issue of The Human Ecologist shows how you can get around such limitations. Just exercise in your home, at your own pace, at changing levels to accommodate your daily ups and downs — using home exercise videos. The article explains some advantages and disadvantages of home exercise videos, shows how to overcome the disadvantages, and tells what to look for and what to avoid in selecting and using them. The article includes a resource list of sources for borrowing, renting or buying (new and used) exercise videos.
Healthy nutrition for hospital patients
A must-read feature article in the Summer issue of The Human Ecologist discusses the benefits of nutritional supplementation during hospitalization. It offers a wonderful table showing health conditions, beneficial nutrients, and their health effects — and each entry lists a named, peer-reviewed source for the information displayed in the table. The article also discusses how to prepare for a hospitalization, and how nutrition in the hospital can be improved — even for patients on intravenous or feeding tube regimens. This article is sure to be of great help to many readers!
Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses
Read an article about the groundbreaking government report that finally proclaims that sick Gulf War veterans are really, physically sick, and that states that exposures endured while in the Gulf are responsible for their illnesses. The article also quotes from passages in the report that are highly critical of the U.S. government’s response to sick Gulf War vets, in particular the use of millions of dollars in federal funds specifically intended for Gulf War research that were instead diverted to other areas of investigation. This is must-read information for anyone who truly supports our troops.
Plus: Read about interventions for TMJ…. Get some great ideas about career development and MCS (resource list included)…. Learn how some high performance furnace filters may make indoor air quality worse... Read reviews of some fascinating, helpful books…. and get the latest news about your environment, and up-to-the-minute news about your health!
The Human Ecologist wants you to know… that the Spring 2009 issue is loaded with information you can use!
Fragrance chemicals unmasked
Why do so many people experience adverse effects when exposed to fragrances from air fresheners and laundry products? An exclusive article by scientist Anne Steinemann describes what she found when she analyzed six widely-used products. They contained 98 volatile organic compounds, including some that appear on the national Hazardous Air Pollutants List. None of these chemicals was listed on the product labels! The article lists the chemicals found in each product, and also provides an analysis of federal regulations that permit manufacturers to sell scented products without disclosing what is in them. This is definitely an article to share with fragrance users!
Understanding chemical reactions
People with MCS experience adverse effects from low-level environmental chemical exposures that most people tolerate An eye-opening article in the Spring 2009 issue of The Human Ecologist compares what is known about MCS reactions with what is known another kind of chemical reaction — idiosyncratic drug reactions. There are startling similarities between the two. The article helps explain why MCS reactions are so poorly understood, and offers a new way to discuss them with doctors and others. This is must-read material for those with MCS.
Update: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
In January 2009, the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) went into effect. This law, signed in December 2008, overturned Supreme Court decisions that excluded many from ADA coverage whom Congress originally intended to cover. Read about this new law and how it affects the disabled!
Nutrition and chronic illness
Read about the effects of nutritional supplements on chronic illness in the Spring 2009 issue of The Human Ecologist! The article discusses common chronic health problems and research findings about nutritional supplements that may help. This is an article to share with your doctor! Extensive bibliography.
Knitting and MCS
A veteran knitter and MCS sufferer describes how she found ways to knit despite her sensitivities. The article provides tips and resources for sensitive knitters, as well as an encouraging story about overcoming obstacles! Resource list included.
Food safety
Read an essay by a senior federal food safety official about how leafy green vegetables become contaminated — from field to supermarket — and how research now under way aims to prevent such contamination. This essay provides a rare inside look at food handling and how it can affect health.
Plus: an update on nurse and teacher respiratory health … cell phone safety … a database of senior housing … allergens in dental materials … pesticide use and relocation … a review of a great new book on sweeteners … and more!
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