Go Green

Today is Earth Day!

And what a gloomy day it is!  Completely overcast, raining, humid. It’s the kind of day that makes you change your desktop background to one of those gorgeous beach scenes with palm trees, soft, sandy beaches and blue skies. Sometimes I just sit at my desk and watch the screen saver change from one utopian scene to the next. Productive, I know.

But, if you’re lucky, you’ll be taking a summer vacation soon! And before you head off to paradise, be sure to pack your green sunscreen! I’m not referring to the green-colored zinc sunscreen that graces the noses of so many tourists in the tropics. I’m talking about eco-friendly sunscreens.

 Traditional sunscreens contain chemical UV filters, preservatives and sometimes coloring or scents that can wash off in the water and contaminate pools, oceans, lakes and streams. Some of those chemicals can even survive sewage treatment processes and are released back into the environment.

Researchers at the Polytechnic University in Marche, Italy conducted a study on how sunscreen affects coral reefs in the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans. The researchers estimate that 4 to 6,000 metric tons of sunscreen washes off swimmers annually worldwide. The study concludes that even low levels of sunscreen chemicals could promote viral infections that can completely bleach coral in just four days.

Certain eco-parks in Mexico have already banned the use of sun-tan lotions and sunscreens with oils and chemical ingredients because they “damage marine flora and kill fish.”

Eco-friendly sunscreens like MelanSol, an all-natural, antioxidant-rich sunscreen, care chemical free and still provide great protection from UV rays.  Check out http://www.PureSunscreen.com for a complete list of ingredients. Other green sunscreen products can be found at www.pristineplanet.com.

I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to hit the beach. Until then, maybe I’ll put on some of this green sunscreen, just in case. I mean, the fluorescent lights in here are pretty strong, and this screen saver seems to really be doing the trick.

 Lisa

The Associated Press has released the results of its study on drinking water and some concerning conclusions have been reached.

“A vast array of pharmaceuticals — including antibiotics, anti-convulsants, mood stabilizers and sex hormones - have been found in the drinking water supplies of at least 41 million Americans…”

The study does point out that these were trace amounts - not enormous pills floating around in the water - but it’s still something to think about.

I lived in Norman for four years and, frankly, the water there was the punch-line to many jokes. I once filled my water bottle on OU’s campus from the tap, rather than the drinking fountain and, no word of a lie, my mouth tingled painfully for a few minutes then went numb for a good couple of hours. Was this a side effect of these many chemicals floating round in our H2O? I don’t know - but I do know that I never drank from the tap again.

Bottled water is a scam - expensive and package-oriented - but should we now get a bottle from the vending machine before drinking from the water fountain?

Are you going to change your water drinking habits? Do you think this is a lot of fuss about nothing? Will you let your children drink from the tap any more?

- Linds