Archive for May, 2008

Update : C-8 / PFOS in Scotchgard and Teflon

Wednesday, May 28th, 2008

A Timeline of the studies of the effects of C-8 and the subsequent regulations to limit use:

1970’s

1976: A study is conducted examining the effects of the chemical on the environment and humans. The results “are a stimulus for investigation and subsequent medical surveillance of employees in fluorochemical productions, including those [like 3M] producing POSF based materials [a precursor to PFOS chemicals].”

1979: PFOS is found in the blood of five workers at a 3M plant in Alabama.

1980’s

1980: The medical director of 3M publishes his findings that state that PFOS and similar chemicals have a half-life of between 365 and 530 days.

1983: Further studies of the blood of 3M factory workers reveal an increase in their fluorine levels. This means that the body is unable to rid itself of the chemical as fast as it comes in.

1989: A series of nine studies that started in 1972 end. The studies tracked the amount of fluorines in the blood of the general population. The results did not look good for 3M, which downplayed the studies.

1990’s and 2000’s

1997: The powerful effects of the chemical can no longer be ignored. PFOS are found in the banked blood used as a control for the study of the worker’s blood. This leads to the discovery of the widespread contamination in the environment and humans.

2000: 3M claims to not understand how PFOS got into the blood of the general population in an article published in The New York Times. However, that truth is widely disputed.

2001: 3M begins to phase out the use of PFOS.

Now: All eyes are on the six other major producers of the chemical as countries begin to plan for the restriction of these chemicals.

See the article below to learn about PFOS (C-8)

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C-8 / PFOS in Scotchgard and Teflon

Saturday, May 24th, 2008

What did you cook your breakfast in this morning? If it was one of those ultra-handy non-stick pans, you just increased the amount of toxic PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate), also known as C-8, in your bloodstream. The dangers of using these chemicals in everyday products became apparent to the public when bird-lovers first noticed that their feathered friends were dropping dead whenever they cooked in their new non-stick pans. During manufacturing alone, 33% of the chemical is released into the air. Even polar bears and bald eagles in their natural habitats have this long lasting toxin in their blood. That fact makes it less surprising that even banked blood contains it. The manufacturing company 3M was one of the first companies to react to the clearly evident dangers and halt the use of C-8. DuPont, however, along with 6 other major manufacturing companies (the company that produces Teflon) continues to use it despite a lawsuit involving hundreds of animal deaths and countless deformations in developing children. This raises the question, “Should I be concerned about whether or not I have this toxin in my body?” The answer is no. If polar bears have it, so do you. The main concern is the level of exposure, especially for your children or developing fetuses. C-8 damages the body’s ability to produce cholesterol, which may be worse than too much cholesterol. Read about SLOS – a disease involving this very problem- and any elation about lowered cholesterol will melt away. Not much is known about the effects of low cholesterol on the body, only that they are significant.

PFOS are found in Scothgard and Teflon – water-proofing materials used on such products as fast food and frozen food packaging, pizza boxes, microwavable popcorn, stain resistant furniture, carpets, and clothing, and more. Unfortunately, the chemical is readily absorbed through many means, including through the digestive system. Look ahead for an upcoming article on the history of the use of this chemical and phasing-out program that has already been initiated, though the dangers of C-8 still have not been thoroughly publicly announced for commercial reasons.

Learn more here.

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CDC Report : Measles Outbreaks in America

Sunday, May 4th, 2008

The CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) released a report on Thursday in response to the biggest outbreak of measles in seven years. Already this year, there have been 64 reported cases in 9 states. Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus and transmitted usually through coughing. Adding to the spread, an infected person may continue to be contagious even after their symptoms disappear. The most common symptoms are a high fever, coughing, and a splotchy red rash all over the body.

Of the 64 cases, all but one of the people had not been vaccinated, and 54 of the cases contracted the disease through importation from another country. Although none of the victims have died of  yet, measles is a serious respiratory disease that if left untreated can kill. The disease itself does not usually kill, but it’s complications do. The next steps to measles can be pneumonia and infections that can lead to blindness.

Learn more about the report released by the CDC here.

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