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NEWS
Vol. 16 No. 3 EarthSave promotes a shift toward a healthy plant-based diet. Summer 2005
by Joel Furman, MD quently ill-they suffer from recurring ear ates at its best, only if we give it the cor-
infections, runny noses, stomachaches rect raw materials to work with. When a
A s parents, we want what is best for and headaches. We take them to the doc-
our children. We would never inten- tor, who prescribes yet another round of
tionally harm them-in fact, we make sure antibiotics. We assume, because we also
young body doesn't receive its nutritional
requirements, bizarre diseases occur. Of
late, there has been an increase in cancers
to get them the best possible care, read to see it happening with friends and family that were unheard of in prior human histo- dren are eating today creates a fertile cel-
them, play with them, that it is par for the course when bringing ry. Most of these can be linked to lular environment for cancer to emerge at
and ensure their safety up children. It doesn't have to be so. improper nutrition. a later age. Trying to prevent breast,
at home, at school and This scenario may be "normal" for Despite our very best intentions, today prostate, and other cancers as an adult
at play. But when it kids today, but it is not normal for humans there are health risks that well-meaning may not be possible because most risk
comes to feeding or any other species of animal that eats parents inflict on their children without factors cannot be changed at this late
them, somehow we nutrient-rich natural foods. Scientific being aware of it. Every day in small stage. The bottom line is that in order to
don't know what's best. research has demonstrated that humans ways, we may well be causing harm to have a major impact to prevent cancers we
Our kids seem finicky have a powerful immune system, even their precious little bodies through the must intervene much earlier, even as early
and eat nothing but stronger than that of other animals, that choices we make about what we decide to as the first ten years of life. In other
Joel Fuhrman, MD cheese or pasta or makes our body a self-repairing, self- feed them. words, childhood diets create adult can-
chicken fingers or defending organism with the innate abili- There is an issue of vital importance cers. When our children eat junk food
milk and cookies, and we let them. At the ty to defend itself against microbes and that most well-meaning parents are not
same time, we notice that they are fre- prevent chronic illness. The system oper- aware of: the modern diet that most chil- DISEASE-PROOF/PAGE 12
INSIDE
NEWS
EarthSave Report Card: Pesticides in Produce
Our Mission Adjusting your eating habits can lower your intake of pesticides - potatoes (79.3 percent).
EarthSave educates people - sometimes dramatically so. Substitute organic for conventional pro- Celery also had the highest likelihood of multiple pesticides on a
about the powerful effects our duce that is consistently contaminated with pesticides. When organic single vegetable (78 percent of samples), followed by spinach (51.8
food choices have on the is not available, eat fruits and vegetables with consistently low pesti- percent) and sweet bell peppers (48.5 percent).
environment, our health and all cide loads. Spinach was the vegetable with the most pesticides detected on a
life on Earth, and encourages a An simulation of thousands of consumers eating high and low single sample (10 found on one sample), followed by celery and
shift toward a healthy, pesticide diets shows that people can lower their pesticide exposure sweet bell peppers (both with nine).
plant-based diet. by 90 percent by avoiding the top twelve most contaminated fruits Sweet bell peppers were the vegetable with the most pesticides
and vegetables and eating the least contaminated instead. Eating the overall with 39, followed by spinach at 36 and celery and potatoes,
JOHN ROBBINS
12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables will expose a person to both with 29.
FOUNDER, BOARD CHAIR E MERITUS
nearly 20 pesticides per day, on average. Eating the 12 least contam-
Board of Directors
inated will expose a person to a fraction over 2 pesticides per day. Least Contaminated: Consistently Clean
JOHN D. BORDERS, JR., J.D. Less dramatic comparisons will produce less dramatic reductions, but
CHAIR without doubt using the Guide provides people with a way to make The vegetables least likely to have pesticides on them are sweet
JEFF NELSON choices that lower pesticide exposure in the diet. corn, avocado, cauliflower, asparagus, onions, peas and broccoli.
VICE-C HAIR Nearly three-quarters (73 percent) of the pea and broccoli samples
CARYN HARTGLASS Most Contaminated: The Dirty Dozen had no detectable pesticides. Among the other vegetables on the
SECRETARY least-contaminated list, there were no detectable residues on 90 per-
MARK E PSTEIN Consistent with two previous investigations, fruits topped the list cent or more of the samples.
T REASURER of the consistently most contaminated fruits and vegetables, with Multiple pesticide residues are extremely rare on any of these
JULES OAKLANDER, D.O. eight of the 12 most contaminated least contaminated vegetables.
SANDY LAURIE foods. Among the top six were Broccoli had the highest likeli-
four fruits, with peaches leading hood, with a 2.6 percent chance of
Legal Advisor the list, then strawberries, apples more than one pesticide when
M ORGAN WARD and nectarines. Pears, cherries, ready to eat. Avocado and corn
STITES & HARBISON LOUISVILLE, KY red raspberries, and imported both had the lowest chance with
grapes were the other four fruits zero samples containing more
Executive Director in the top 12. Among these eight than one pesticide when eaten.
CARYN HARTGLASS fruits: The greatest number of pesticides
Nectarines had the highest detected on a single sample of any
Newsletter Contributors
D AN BALOGH, JOHN BANZHAF, J OHN
percentage of samples test posi- of these low-pesticide vegetables
D.BORDERS,JR.,J.D., KENTON BROWN, GAIL
tive for pesticides (97.3 percent), was three as compared to 10
D AVIS, JOEL FUHRMAN, MD, JEFF N ELSON,
followed by pears (94.4 percent) found on spinach, the most conta-
MARIE O SER, J O S TEPANIAK, MARCO VISSCHER , and peaches (93.7 percent). minated crop with the most
G ARY Z IELKE Nectarines also had the high- residues.
est likelihood of multiple pesti- Broccoli and onions both had
Editorial Board cides on a single sample 85.3 the most pesticides found on a sin-
JOHN BORDERS, JEFF NELSON, SABRINA percent had two or more pesticide gle vegetable crop at up to 17 pes-
NELSON residues followed by peaches ticides but far fewer than the most
(79.9 percent) and cherries (75.8 contaminated vegetable, sweet
Graphic Design & Production
percent). bell peppers, on which 39 were
GREG LEMIRE Peaches and raspberries had found.
the most pesticides detected on a The five fruits least likely to
single sample with nine pesticides have pesticide residues on them
MOVING? Please make sure the on a single sample, followed by are pineapples, mangoes,
address on your mailing label is strawberries and apples, where bananas, kiwi and papaya.
current. Please contact us with eight pesticides were found on a Fewer than 10 percent of pineap-
updates. single sample. ple and mango samples had
Peaches had the most pesti- detectable pesticides on them and
MEMBERSHIP DATE
cides overall with some combina- fewer than one percent of samples
tion of up to 45 pesticides found had more than one pesticide
Please check your membership on the samples tested, followed by residue.
date on your address label -- it raspberries with 39 pesticides Though 53 percent of bananas
may be time to renew! EarthSave
and apples and strawberries, had detectable pesticides, multiple
Magazine is published quarterly
both with 36. residues are rare with only 4.7
by
Spinach, celery, potatoes, percent of samples containing
and sweet bell peppers are the more than one residue. Kiwi and
EarthSave International vegetables most likely to expose papaya had residues on 23.6 per-
P.O. Box 96 consumers to pesticides. Among cent and 21.7 percent of samples,
New York, NY 10108 these four vegetables: respectively, and just 10.4 percent
Tel: 800-362-3648 Celery had the highest of percentage of samples test positive for and 5.6 percent of samples, respectively, had multiple pesticide
Fax: 718-228-2491 pesticides (94.5 percent), followed by spinach (83.4 percent) and residues.
information@earthsave.org
The editor reserves the right to Should I stop eating certain foods? What about washing?
reject or edit all submissions. We recommend that you eat plenty of Washing will not change the rank of the fruits and vegetables in the Guide.
Opinions expressed by contributors fruits and vegetables because they're essen- That's because nearly all of the data used to create these lists comes from the USDA
are not necessarily those of
EarthSave International.
tial to a healthy diet. But you can and Pesticide Data Program (PDP) where the foods are washed and prepared for nor-
should cut back on pesticides--just as you mal consumption prior to testing for pesticides (apples are washed and cored,
EarthSave educates, inspires and might cut back on fat, calories or choles- bananas are peeled, etc.).
empowers people to shift toward terol. While washing fresh produce may help reduce pesticide residues, it clearly does
a diet centered on fruits, vegeta-
Right now, buying organic food is the not eliminate them. Nonetheless, produce should be washed before it is eaten
bles, grains and legumes -- food
choices that are healthy for peo-
best option to reduce your intake of pesti- because washing does reduce levels of some pesticides. However, other pesticides
ple and for the planet. Our influ- cides if (like us) you're skeptical about gov- are taken up internally into the plant, are in the fruit, and cannot be washed off.
ence and effectiveness is depen- ernment and chemical company claims that Others are formulated to bind to the surface of the crop and do not easily wash off.
dent upon our members, donors, pesticides are "safe." If you want to eat con- Peeling reduces exposures, but valuable nutrients often go down the drain with the
and benefactors. ventionally produced fruits and vegetables peel.
2005 EarthSave International
Image copyrights held by the
that usually have fewer pesticides, you can The best option is to eat a varied plant-based diet, wash all produce, and choose
artists. change your eating habits to do so. organic when possible to reduce exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.
4 Summer 2005 Global Warming & Food Choices EarthSave News
Q
I was stuck in the river of western eating and medical types. Two of the doctors have read His likeness. Hospital Loma de Luz
would have to go wherever it carried me. I my copy of "The China Study". Both have It has been four months. I have lots http://www.crstone.org
JUNK FOOD/FROM PAGE 1 ber of hours every day and eat the same and the problem becomes even worse. The like vitamins and minerals. Far more
things at the same time. World Health Organization (WHO) talks effort goes into pharmaceutical, rather
researching the relationship between food Says John Copas, professor in statisti- of an epidemic of overweight among chil- than dietary, solutions.
and behavior for more than 20 years. He cal methodology at the University of dren. Obesity, the official name for seri- The Netherlands currently is the only
has proven that reducing the sugar and fat Warwick: "This is the only trial I have ous weight problems, is said to absorb up country where Gesch's research is being
intake in our daily diets leads to higher ever been involved with from the social to six percent of the total health budget -- explored. Plans to test the findings about
IQs and better grades in school. sciences which is designed properly and a cautious estimate as all kinds of related nutrition supplements and behaviour fur-
When Schoenthaler supervised a with a good analysis." As a randomized, diseases cannot be included in the exact ther are being set up in 14 prisons, with
change in meals served at 803 schools in double-blind, placebo-controlled study, calculation. Think of what this situation nearly 500 subjects. Ap Zaalberg, leading
low-income neighborhoods in New York Gesch emerges with convincing scientific will look like when the current generation the project for the Dutch Ministry of
City, the number of students passing final proof that poor nutrition plays a role in of overweight kids hits middle age. Justice, remembers how he and his col-
exams rose from 11 percent below the triggering aggressive behavior. The link between food and health is leagues reacted when they first heard of
national average to five percent above. better understood by most people than the Gesch's study. "Disbelief," he states res-
He is best known for his work in youth Sugar's Not the Only Problem relationship between food and behavior, olutely. "This was surely not true. But
detention centers. One of his studies Indeed, the study proves what every so health has become the driving force when I looked into the issue more closely,
showed that the number of violations of parent already knows. Serve soda and behind many public campaigns to combat I landed in a world of hard science."
house rules fell by 37 percent when vend- candy at a children's birthday party and overweight. A discussion has arisen in a Zaalberg knows diet is not the only
ing machines were removed and canned you'll get loud, hyperactive behavior fol- number of countries about introducing a factor that determines whether someone
food in the cafeteria was replaced by fresh lowed by tears and tantrums. It works like tax on junk food, the proceeds of which exhibits aggressive behavior. "Aggression
alternatives. He summarizes his findings is not only determined by nutrition," he
this way: "Having a bad diet right now is states. "Background and drug use, for
a better predictor of future violence than example, also play a role. Yet I increasing-
past violent behavior." ly see the introduction of vitamins and
But Schoenthaler's work is under fire. minerals as a very rational approach."
A committee from his own university has "Most criminal-justice systems
recommended suspending him for his assume that criminal behaviour is entirely
allegedly improper research methods: a matter of free will," Gesch says. "But
Schoenthaler didn't always use a placebo how exactly can you exercise free will
as a control measure and his group of test without involving your brain? How exact-
subjects wasn't always chosen at random. ly can the brain function without an ade-
This criticism doesn't refute quate nutrient supply? Nutrition in fact
Schoenthaler's research that nutrition has could be a major player and, for sure, we
an effect on behavior. It means most of his have seriously underestimated its impor-
studies simply lack the scientific sound- tance. I think nutrition may actually be
ness needed to earn the respect of his col- one of the most straightforward factors to
leagues. change antisocial behaviour. And we
know that it's not only highly effective, it's
The Prison Test also cheap and humane."
Recent research that -- even Cheap it is. Natural Justice, the British
Schoenthaler's critics admit -- was con- charity institution chaired by Gesch,
ducted flawlessly, showed similar conclu- A bad diet right is a better predictor of future violence than past violent behavior. which is researching "the origins of anti-
sions. Bernard Gesch, physiologist at the social and criminal behaviour," estimates
University of Oxford, decided to test the this: Blood-sugar levels jump suddenly would be spent on promoting healthy eat- it would cost 3.5 million pounds (5.3 mil-
anecdotal clues in the most thorough after you eat sugar, which initially gives ing. In Britain, Prime Minister Tony Blair lion euros or 6.4 million U.S. dollars) to
study so far in this field. In a prison for you a burst of fresh energy. But then your announced in May he planned to spend an provide supplements to all the prisoners in
men between the ages of 18 and 21 in blood sugar falls, and you become lethar- extra 280 million pounds (the equivalent Great Britain. That is only a fraction of the
England's Buckinghamshire, 231 volun- gic and sleepy. In an attempt to prevent of 420 million euros or $500 million U.S.) current prison budget of 2 billion pounds
teers were divided into two groups: One blood-sugar levels from falling too low, on improving school lunches after the (3 billion euros or 3.6 billion U.S. dollar).
was given nutrition supplements along your body produces adrenalin, which famous television chef Jamie Oliver Finding Safety Through the Stomach
with their meals that contained our makes you irritable and explosive. began speaking out on the issue. It seems the link between nutrition and
approximate daily needs for vitamins, But sugar can't be the only problem. Yet with crime a major political issue antisocial behaviour shows great promise
minerals and fatty acids; the other group After all, high blood-sugar levels mainly almost everywhere, it's surprising more as both political issue and human-interest
got placebos. Neither the prisoners, nor have a short-term effect on behavior, leaders have not embraced the idea of story. How much longer will politicians
the guards, nor the researchers at the while the research of Schoenthaler and healthy eating as a recipe for safe streets concentrate on police and stricter surveil-
prison knew who took fake supplements Gesch indicates changes over a longer and schools. After Gesch published his lance as the answer to crime? When will
and who got the real thing. period. They suggest it is much more findings in 2002 in The British Journal of they realize healthy food can help create a
The researchers then tallied the num- important that you get the right amount of Psychiatry, the study was picked up by healthier society? After all, people would
ber of times the participants violated vitamins, minerals and unsaturated fatty European and American media. The news- not only be more productive, but the cost
prison rules, and compared it to the same acids because these substances directly paper headlines were clear: "Healthy eat- of health care and of the criminal-justice
data that had been collected in the months influence the brain, and therefore behav- ing can cut crime"; "Eat right or become a system would decline. As is the case for a
leading up to the nutrition study. The pris- ior. criminal;" "Youth crime linked to con- man's love, the way to safety may be
oners given supplements for four consec- If these findings prove true -- and they sumption of junk food;" "Fighting crime through the stomach.
utive months committed an average of 26 do look convincing -- then we should be one bite at a time." Then the media went As Bernard Gesch notes, "Few scien-
percent fewer violations compared to the sounding an alarm about good nutrition. deafeningly silent. tists are not convinced that diet is funda-
preceding period. Those given placebos What are the long-term implications of Perhaps that's because the relationship mental for the development of the human
showed no marked change in behaviour. the fact that the quality of our farmland between nutrition and violence continues brain. Is it plausible that in the last 50
For serious breaches of conduct, particu- has sharply declined in recent decades? to be controversial in established profes- years we could have made spectacular
larly the use of violence, the number of The use of artificial fertilizer for years on sional circles. During their educations, changes to the human diet without any
violations decreased 37 percent for the end has diminished the levels of important doctors and psychologists are given scant implications for the brain? I don't think
men given nutrition supplements, while minerals like magnesium, chromium and training in nutrition, criminologists pro- so. Now, evidence is mounting that
the placebo group showed no change. selenium, therefore present in much lower vided little awareness of biochemistry, putting poor fuel into the brain signifi-
The experiment was carefully con- concentrations in our food. and nutritionists offered no hands-on cantly affects social behaviour. We need to
structed, ruling out the possibility that eth- The eating habits of children and experience with lawbreakers or the men- know more about the composition of the
nic, social, psychological or other vari- young people also should be a cause for tally ill. As a result, the link between food right nutrients. It could be the recipe for
ables could affect the outcome. Prisons serious concern. Their diets now are rich and behaviour winds up in no-man's-land. peace."
are popular places to conduct studies for in sugar, fats and carbohydrates, and poor Even researchers interested in the subject Marco Visscher is a senior editor at
good reason: There is a strict routine; par- in vegetables and fruit. Add to this an are discouraged -- not least of all because Ode Magazine.
ticipants sleep and exercise the same num- increasing lack of exercise among kids, you can't get a patent on natural nutrients More at www.OdeMagazine.com
ties to control intake and are battling to find a solution. It is also the same reason that doctors must warn already warning customers not to eat at McDonald's
'We have created a bio-chemical monster,'" one said. patients of even a remote risk suggested by a single sci- more than once a week (at least in France), and that
"This growing evidence -- now being increasingly entific study, even if the study hasn't yet been replicated Pepsico -- the largest manufacturer of what many call
reported in scientific and mainstream media -- that eating and/or is apparently contradicted by other studies or by junk food -- is telling people to eat their snack foods only
some fattening foods can cause addictive reactions in the conventional scientific or medical wisdom. In short, such occasionally. http://banzhaf.net/mcad.html
brain just like nicotine strongly suggests that there is now notice is required to alert customers to the mere possibil-
enough scientific evidence to warrant at least a warning ity of a risk so that they can evaluate the weight of the PROFESSOR JOHN F. BANZHAF
about possible addictive effects," says Prof. Banzhaf. evidence for themselves and then knowledgeably exer- III Professor of Public Interest
He notes that the legal duty to warn or inform cus- cise their own personal responsibility. Law Dr. William Cahan
tomers does not arise only when evidence of possible Banzhaf says that several courts have held that ciga- Distinguished Professor George
harm is conclusive and generally accepted by the scien- rette manufacturers may be held liable for failing to dis- Washington University Law School
tific community. Rather, it occurs whenever the informa- close that their products might produce addictive effects, 2000 H Street, NW, Washington,
tion might be relevant to a reasonable person making a even though the general health dangers of smoking were DC 200006, USA (202) 994-7229
purchasing decision. That's why, for example, we see so well known as to be regarded as common knowledge. // (703) 527-8418
many notices saying simply that "some evidence suggests He suggests that food companies can avoid the same http://banzhaf.net
that . . " or that "animal studies indicate that X might legal effect by posting warnings or "health advisories"
cause cancer," etc. about this possibility. He notes that McDonald's is
8 Summer 2005 News EarthSave News
Administration excised
scientists warnings in Toxic Elements Found in
grazing report Infants Cord Blood
The Bush administration problems, it now says, in the long 76 chemicals that cause cancer in humans or animals.
altered critical portions of a sci- term, grazing is the best thing 94 that are toxic to the brain and nervous system.
entific analysis of the environ-
mental impact of cattle grazing
since sliced bread."
Campbell and Brookes were
79 that cause birth defects or abnormal development.
on public lands before announc- among more than a dozen BLM In a benchmark study released July 14, "healthy men in the middle of life" not pregnant
ing relaxed grazing limits on specialists who contributed to researchers found an average of 200 industrial com- women and newborns, said Dr. Alan Greene, a fac-
those lands, according to scien- the environmental-impact state- pounds, pollutants and other chemicals in the ulty member and pediatrician at the Stanford
tists involved in the study. ment (EIS). The others could not umbilical cord blood of newborns, including seven University School of Medicine.
A government biologist and a be reached or did not return calls dangerous pesticides "We've only recently begun
hydrologist, who both retired this seeking comment. some banned in the United to consider the effects on the
year from the Bureau of Land States more than 30 years elderly, women and kids,"
Management, said their conclu- Ranchers hailed the rules. ago. Greene said. "We don't know
sions that the proposed rules "We're hopeful that some of The report, Body Burden what the safe levels are for
might adversely affect water the provisions will strengthen the The Pollution in these groups. Kids have been
quality and wildlife, including public-lands grazing industry Newborns, by the ignored for far too long."
endangered species, were and give our members certainty Washington, D.C.-based Greene, whose family eats
excised and replaced with lan- in their business," said Jenni Environmental Working only organic produce, said the
guage justifying less-stringent Beck of the National Cattlemen's Group, detected 287 chemi- study should be "alarming and
regulations favored by cattle Beef Association. "We are cals in the umbilical cord reassuring" for pregnant
ranchers. encouraged that this EIS demon- blood of 10 newborns. Of women.
A BLM official acknowl- strates the benefits of grazing on those chemicals, 76 cause "It's alarming because there
edged changes were made in the public lands." cancer in humans or animals, were so many chemicals
analysis but said they were part Vast acreage is needed to 94 are toxic to the brain and found, and we don't know their
of a standard editing and review support a comparatively small nervous system and 79 cause birth defects or abnor- health effects, but at the same time the data coming
process and were based on number of livestock because top- mal development in animal tests. in shows that decreasing your exposure to these
"sound science." soil is thin and grass generally is The findings are especially important in substances does make a difference," he said.
Critics often complain that sparse in the arid West. Only 2 Florida, where farmers use more pesticides per acre There have been dramatic drops in the levels of
the Bush administration has percent of U.S. beef is produced than any other state. DDT and its byproducts since it was banned in
made a practice of distorting sci- from cattle on public lands. "What's most startling is that we have such a 1972. A 2002 study of preschoolers in Seattle
entific studies to weaken regula- The new rules, published yes- wide range of compounds in us the moment we are showed that children who ate a conventional diet
tions to serve its political objec- terday by the BLM, a division of born," said Tim Kropp, senior toxicologist for the had nine times the level of pesticides in their urine
tives. Philip Cooney, a White the Department of Interior, project. "Babies don't use any consumer products, as counterparts who ate organic, Greene said.
House official who previously ensure ranchers expanded access they don't work in a factory and yet they're already The Environmental Working Group conducted
worked as an oil-industry lobby- to public land and require feder- starting off with a load of these chemicals." the study in collaboration with Commonweal, a
ist, resigned last week amid al land managers to conduct pro- Among the most pervasive pesticides found: California nonprofit health and environmental
accusation that he repeatedly tracted studies before taking 4,4'-DDE a contaminant and byproduct of DDT, research institute. EWG is a nonprofit environmen-
edited government climate action to limit that access. banned in the United States in 1972 but still used in tal watchdog/research organization that, according
reports in a way that downplayed The rules reverse a long- other parts of the world to control mosquitoes; to its Web site, claims to "bring to light unsettling
links between greenhouse-gas standing agency policy that gave hexachlorobenzene, a fungicide widely used on facts that you have a right to know. It shames and
emissions and global warming. BLM experts the authority to wheat until 1965 when chemical giants Bayer and shakes up polluters and their lobbyists. It rattles
Grazing regulations, which determine quickly if livestock Dow voluntarily discontinued production of the politicians and shapes policy. It persuades bureau-
affect 160 million acres of public grazing is inflicting damage. The likely carcinogen; and Dieldrin, routinely used on cracies to rethink science and strengthen regulation.
land in 11 Western states, set the regulations also eliminate the corn and cotton until banned in 1974 except for It provides practical information you can use to pro-
conditions under which ranchers agency's obligation to seek pub- treatment of termites. tect your family and community."
may use that land, and guide gov- lic input on some grazing deci- Scientists blame the presence of the pesticides Critics, such as David Martosko, research direc-
ernment managers in determin- sions. Public comment will be in the babies' blood on the fact that many of the tor Center for Consumer Freedom, said "a typical
ing how many cattle may graze, allowed but not required. compounds take decades to break down and some EWG study is a pseudo-science ruse meant to scare
where, and for how long without Concerns about the condition are still used in foreign countries, which export pro- the ordinary American to death about the food we
harming resources. of much Western grazing land duce to the United States. eat and the air we breathe." CCF is a nonprofit
The original draft of the envi- have been heightened by persis- For example, Mirex was used to control fire ants coalition of restaurants, food companies and con-
ronmental analysis warned that tent drought that has denuded and as a flame retardant in plastics, rubber, paint, sumers "working together to promote personal
the new rules would have a "sig- pastures in some areas, causing paper and electrical products from 1959 to 1972. It responsibility and protect consumer choices."
nificant adverse impact" on BLM managers to close some sticks to soil for years and contaminates fish and "They never met a square on the periodic table
wildlife, but that phrase was pastures, and leading many animals living near treated sites. Aldrin and of elements that they couldn't turn into a sound
removed. The BLM now con- ranchers to sell their herds. Dieldrin, probable carcinogens, have not been bite," Martosko said. EWG "represents a political
cludes that the grazing regula- The new rules mark a depar- banned or restricted in most of Central and South movement in the U.S. that wants to dump the
tions are "beneficial to animals." ture from grazing regulations America. While most countries have banned world's finest farming system in favor of organic
Eliminated from the final adopted in 1995 under President imports, Brazil and Venezuela still allow the impor- agriculture, a backward scheme that threatens to
draft was another conclusion that Clinton and Interior Secretary tation and restricted use of Dieldrin. build a bridge back to the 19th century," Martosko
read: "The Proposed Action will Bruce Babbitt. Those regulations Besides the pesticides, chemicals from two wrote on the CCF Web site.
have a slow, long-term adverse reflected the view of range scien- widely used household products Teflon and Prior studies have tested for chemicals and pes-
impact on wildlife and biological tists that a legacy of overgrazing Scotchgard were found in every baby tested. ticides in umbilical cord blood. However, the
diversity in general." in the West had degraded water PFOS, the active ingredient in the stain-repellent Environmental Working Group study is the first to
Also removed was language resources, damaged native plant Scotchgard, does not break down in the environ- attempt to detect so many chemicals, pollutants and
saying how the rules changes communities and imperiled ment and has a strong tendency to accumulate in pesticides a total of 413. Of these, 307 had never
could affect endangered species wildlife. humans. While PFOS has not been found conclu- been targeted in cord blood tests.
adversely. "It's an explicit rollback," sively to be toxic to humans, lab tests have shown it The study focused on cord blood, which mirrors
"This is a whitewash; they Thomas Lustig, staff attorney for can cause birth defects and deaths in laboratory ani- the mixtures of chemicals the baby was exposed to
took all of our science and the National Wildlife Federation mals given high doses. 3M, the sole manufacturer while in the mother's womb. Before the cord is cut,
reversed it 180 degrees," said in Boulder, Colo., said of the of Scotchgard, voluntarily agreed to phase out the equivalent of 300 gallons of blood a day will
Erick Campbell, a former BLM new rules. "What (Interior PFOS products in 2000 after pressure from the flow through it, providing the baby with nutrition
state biologist in Nevada and a Secretary Gale Norton) did was EPA. and removing waste.
30-year BLM employee who take Babbitt's regs and found PFOA, the chemical used to make such non- In the Environmental Working Group study, the
retired this year. Campbell wrote parts where they could put a hur- stick products as Teflon, is present in the blood of cord blood from 10 randomly selected, healthy
sections of the report pertaining dle in to undermine the reforms." 95 percent of all Americans. Last month, an babies born in August and September 2004 in U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency advisory panel hospitals was collected by the American National
to impacts on wildlife and threat- BLM officials said the new released a report finding PFOA a likely carcinogen. Red Cross as part of the organization's volunteer
ened and endangered species. rules represented a step forward The chemical has also been linked to birth defects cord blood collection program. The costs of the
"They rewrote everything. It's a in improving the agency's man- and liver damage in lab tests. testing $10,000 per sample and the lack of
crime," he said. agement of livestock grazing. Although the amounts of some of the chemicals laboratories equipped to perform the testing pre-
Former BLM hydrologist Bill Bud Cribley, the agency's detected were extremely small, the results are still vented the organization from testing more samples.
Brookes, who assessed the rules' manager for rangeland troubling to experts, since no one knows how much The organization hopes the findings will
impact on water resources, said resources, said the report was of any given chemical much less a mixture of encourage the Centers for Disease Control in
in the original draft that the pro- written by specialists from dif- chemicals could affect a human fetus. What Atlanta to include testing of newborns in its
posed rule change is "an abroga- ferent BLM offices. When it was research exists has shown that chemical exposure in National Exposure Report, due out later this month.
tion of (BLM's) responsibility finished, in November 2003, the the womb can be dramatically more harmful than "This is the first time anyone has looked at this
under the Clean Water Act." agency believed it "needed a lot exposure later in life. wide a range of chemicals, and in a way, that's kind
"Everything I wrote was of work," Cribley said. In 2003, the EPA updated its cancer risk guide- of sad," said Kropp. "Whether it's the Food and
totally rewritten and watered "We disagreed with the lines, finding that carcinogens are 10 times as Drug Administration or the EPA, you would think
down," Brookes said. impact analysis that was origi- potent to babies and that some chemicals are up to they would want to know the basic attributes of the
"Everything in the report that nally put forward," he said. 65 times more powerful in children. most sensitive population. If these children are
was purported to be negative was "There were definitely changes The EPA also sets maximum exposure limits for being born with these chemicals, we need to know
watered down. Instead of saying, made in the area of impact analy- many dangerous chemicals. However, the research they're safe. We shouldn't have to wait until children
in the long term, this will create sis. We adjusted it. behind those tolerances came from studies of are harmed to do something."
EarthSave News Reviews Summer 2005 9
Workplace
Shes Vegan, Hes Not Ask Jo Stepaniak Woes
Jo Stepaniak, MSEd, is an
Dear Jo: science, not an issue of denial or
inconvenience. This is what can author and educator who has been Dear Jo:
I have been vegan for about a make living with a non-vegan so involved with vegetarian- and I am having difficulty with my
month, after being a lacto-ovo veg- exasperating. vegan-related issues for nearly boss at work. He routinely makes
etarian for eleven years. My There are many compelling four decades. She holds a master fun of my vegan beliefs and values
boyfriend of four years eats some reasons for becoming vegan. of science degree in education and in front of my peers. This almost
meat, and loves cheese, cream Nonetheless, when people are pres- an undergraduate degree in sociol- always takes place when we are at
sauces, etc. He hates brown rice sured to change, they tend to rebel ogy and anthropology. Jo is the a restaurant. I eventually become
and is not fond of fresh fruits and rather than embrace new ideas. coauthor (along with Vesanto defensive and very angry with
vegetables. He has eaten soy Even when people understand a Melina, MS, RD) of Raising him. Is there anything I can say to
cheeses and meat substitutes but subject intellectually, it doesn't Vegetarian Children, a compre- him to make him stop? I am con-
still prefers the "real" thing. This necessarily follow that they will hensive guide for bringing up sidering not going out to lunch
makes having meals together very open their hearts to it. And opening healthy vegetarian children and with him and my coworkers any-
difficult! I am planning to get your one's heart to the suffering of ani- maintaining family harmony, more. The solitude and peace that
"Uncheese Cookbook" and possi- mals, people, and the Earth is the author of Compassionate Living I have when I eat my vegan lunch
bly signing up both of us for a only real motivating force there is for Healing, Wholeness & alone at the park is much more sat-
vegan cooking class. Do you have toward lasting veganism. However, Harmony, an invaluable guide - isfying and serene. Any advice
any suggestions on how to bring no one can open our hearts for us. book for restoring inner and outer would be very appreciated!
our eating habits more in synch This is something each of us must peace and inspiring kinship and Jo Stepaniak, MSEd
with each other? I have tons of do in our own way and in our own
recipes, but I'm tired of suggesting time.
harmony with all life, The Vegan
Sourcebook, the definitive these principles into everyday life. Jo responds:
meals that don't appeal to him, and Your partner may not fully She also is the author and coauthor Office environments typically
resource for compassionate vegan
it doesn't feel right for us to eat sep- understand what prompted you to of over a dozen additional books are comprised of people with
living, and Being Vegan, a ques-
arately. Even though he is making adopt a vegan lifestyle. You may and has been a contributing author assorted backgrounds, including
tion-and-answer guide to the
some effort to be tolerant, he's still want to set aside some time to to many other books, pamphlets, spiritual beliefs, political perspec-
essentials of vegan philosophy and
skeptical. explain what inspired you to make national publications, and maga- tives, age, marital status, sexual
ethics, with practical, down-to-
Jo responds: this change and why it is so impor- earth advice on how to incorporate zines. Visit her online at
www.vegsource.com/jo
orientation, ethnicity, hobbies,
Relationships between people tant to you. Your boyfriend may be health, abilities, education, and
more willing to listen if he does not interests. Because of this diversity,
with divergent lifestyles can be feel threatened,
extremely frustrating. It is especial- dated. Let himberated, or intimi- we have antidiscrimination laws in
know that you place, so employers cannot hire,
ly hard when one person is a vege- would like to be able to share
tarian and the other one is not, this promote, demote, or fire people
because eating is such a frequent part of your life with him because it based on personal prejudices or
is so significant to
and important activity. For many bulldoze him in the process. Allow you, but don't assumptions. Turning the work-
people, sharing food with those we him time to speak and to share his place into a hostile environment
love is an act of nurturing and an side of things. Lend an empathetic for an employee is unethical, and it
expression of unity and harmony. It ear and listen nonjudgmentally. He might also be illegal.
can be devastating when someone is hurting, just as you are, and may Supervisors want their person-
you love and care about rejects the nel to be successful. A happy,
food you painstakingly prepare. On feel confused or belittled. Provide cohesive workforce tends to be a
literature and videos for him to productive workforce, which not
the other hand, food choices are explore when
very personal. Everyone's prefer - the purpose ofhetransforming is ready -- not for only enhances the company's bot-
him, tom line, it makes the boss look
ences differ, and what excites one but for him to more fully under
person may be unpalatable to stand where you are coming from.- good, too. There is no reward in
another. having miserable employees,
Being vegan is different from Because food has been such a except for those few sadists who
being a vegetarian, not only with point of contention for both of you, get pleasure simply by watching
regard to food options but in terms points,you
once have aired your view- someone squirm.
jointly devise some guide-
of all aspects of living. A total veg- lines that you each If your boss is embarrassing
can accept. For
etarian is someone who eats no ani- instance, you may not and demeaning you in front of
mal products whatsoever. A vegan, chase or cook meatwant to pur- your peers, he needs to be made
as you define yourself, is someone for your aware of this. Some people are so
who has made a conscious, ethical boyfriend, but would agree to him thick-headed that they are unable
decision to lead a fully compas- Or, you maycooking
buying and it for himself.
feel that having meat rice (if he doesn't like brown rice, the issue of veganism, and realize to discern the subtle cues of dis-
sionate life. This means that vegans in your home is intolerable, try fragrant basmati or jasmine that employing tolerance and comfort. While you may think you
but you
not only avoid products of suffer - would agree to him eating meat rice), curried vegetables or dal with acceptance may be the only way to are responding defensively or
out
ing in their diet, they also refrain of the house. You could decide that chapatis, a hearty soup or stew, preserve your relationship. We all angrily, he may be misperceiving
from contributing to other forms of when you go out to eat you will vegan pancakes and french toast, or feel that our opinions and perspec- your reactions. He might think you
suffering, directly or indirectly, vinaigrette potato salad and tives are the "right" ones, and it is enjoy his verbal sparring, or he
through their relationships, activi- select a restaurant that serves both coleslaw. If you make dishes that very tempting to foist them on oth- might believe you take pleasure in
ties, and purchases. For many prac- dishes, and soand
vegetarian non-vegetarian are familiar and delicious in their ers. Your boyfriend probably feels being the center of his attention.
on.
titioners, veganism becomes a core own right, and are not "substitutes" just as strongly about his position Perhaps it is his feeble attempt at
Attending a cooking class is a
value system and a beacon for great for anything, your boyfriend may as you do about yours. If you humor or a way for him to feel
guiding all aspects of their lives. As that hesuggestion, but don't insist find them more appealing because extend your love and compassion more comfortable around you by
a result, relationships between veg- attend with you. Let him he's not comparing them with their to him, without coercion, reproach, breaking down barriers. Just as he
make his own
ans and non-vegans parallel the chooses not to go, let him decision, and if he
Q
decline meat counterpart. or condemnation, you may one day may be misinterpreting your
challenges of interfaith couples. Acknowledge that you may find his heart opening in directions responses, you might be misread-
Most relationships endure "The Uncheese Cookbook" is from
with dignity. Using recipes never come to a full agreement on you never imagined. ing his cues, too.
also
because of a shared value system. a good idea. These recipes are rich- There is no point in second
When fundamental values between tasting and creamy, and should guessing his behavior, and it is
people drastically change, the rela- appeal to his fondness for cheese fruitless for you to continue to join
tionship can be put in peril. your coworkers on outings if you
Frequently love, trust, and the and dairy products. You may also
want to check out my book "Vegan feeling singled out and picked on
heartfelt desire to please the other Vittles." It contains lots of recipes by your boss. The only solution is
person can help weather the dis- for meatless meats and satisfying to discuss your concerns in private
tance created by differing beliefs. traditional dishes
Sometimes, however, this is not bly like the "real"that taste incredi- and let your boss know just how
thing. Because distasteful and off-putting his
enough. If vegans believe that eat- you can prepare these foods
ing animals is wrong and there is easily comments have been. When con-
at home, you can adjust
never a time when it is acceptable, ings to make them exactly the way the season- fronted with honesty and open-
watching a partner consume meat your boyfriend prefers. ness, and the realization that mis-
can be disconcerting and painful. understandings are rarely caused
Bear in mind that transitioning by one side alone, most supervi-
Nevertheless, vegans in mixed rela- to new flavors and textures in food sors are willing to concede and
tionships often feel guilty about can be emotionally
causing their loved one grief, and taxing, and giv- accommodate an employee's
ing up foods
may be torn between their princi- and loved since childhood that one has known requests.
can feel Supervisors have every incen-
ples and their partner. like a tangible loss. Try preparing tive to respect their staff, and
Vegan values extend beyond
the palate and plate. Vegans who do foods that are commonplace but employees have every right to
not like particular foods will seek For example, strictly
not considered vegetarian. insist on that respect. When dis-
bean burritos or cussed in an atmosphere of con-
out alternatives to meet their nutri- tostadas with all the trimmings,
tional needs and satisfy their tastes. cern and sincerity, such conversa-
For vegans, eliminating the prod- spaghetti with mushroom or mari- tions often lead to improved work-
nara sauce, baked potatoes, baked ing relationships and greater admi-
ucts of animal suffering from their beans, stir-fried vegetables with ration all around.
diet and lives is a matter of con-
Do you have questions about being vegegetarian or vegan? Send them to us at AskJo@earthsave.org and well forward them to bestselling
author, Jo Stepaniak. Jo can address individual concerns as well as general inquiries about vegan ethics, vegetarian philosophy, practical appli-
cations, and living compassionately.
EarthSave News Summer 2005 11
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12 Summer 2005 The Back Page EarthSave News
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