Environmental Medicine

There is a great deal of concern nowadays about the quality of our environment, and with just cause: tens of thousands of pollutants are released into the environment as the direct result of our lifestyles on a continual basis. Our governments and industries seem in constant battle over the release of industrial wastes into the environment, while concerned citizens often take a back seat to profit and employment issues. Certain work environments have long been recognized to be a source of illness and occupational disease, and although measures are taken to prevent exposure, many workers remain unaware of the risks.

The unfortunate thing is that the waste that we generate impacts the quality of our air and water, no matter where we are, and that that waste is often more highly concentrated in our indoor environments. In recent years it has been recognized that illness can result from constant exposure to such indoor environments.

Often, we can reduce our exposure by making more environmentally sensitive choices about what we put in our immediate environments, both at work and at home. Here are some articles on making better choices and recognizing when the environment might be an issue in our health.

Nontoxic and Natural by Debra Lynn Dadd

The Nontoxic Home by Debra Lynn Dadd

The Earthwise Consumer (a newsletter) by Debra Lynn Dadd.

The above three publications may be ordered directly from the author at POB 1506, Mill Valley, CA 94942 or found in bookstores.

Your Natural Home by Janet Marinelli and Paul Bierman-Lytle, c.1995 Publ'd by Little, Brown and Company.

Making the Switch: Alternatives to Using Toxic Chemicals in the Home. A publication by the Local Government Commission, 909 12th St, Ste. 205, Sacramento, CA 90401.

Hazardous Wastes from Homes from Enterprise for Education, 1320A 3rd St, Ste. 202, Santa Monica, CA 90401

The Guide to Hazardous Products Around the Home. This publication includes how to make alternative products. It is put out by the Household Hazardous Waste Project at Box 87, 901 South National Ave, Springfield, MO 65804 (417)836-5777.

Detergent Fact Sheet by the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley, CA 94702

Household Hazardous Waste Wheel by the Environmental Management Institute, 10 Newmarket Rd, POB 932, Durham, NH 03824.

Household Hazardous Waste Chart by the Water Pollution Control Federation, 601 Wythe St, Alexandria, VA 22314-1994 (703)684-2438.

IPM Practitioner. A magazine about Integral Pest Management published by the Bio-integral Resource Center, POB 7242, Berkeley, CA 94707.

Least Toxic Pest Management for Fleas by the Bio-integral Resource Center, POB 7414, Berkeley, CA 94707.

The Chemical-free Lawn. A book by Warren Schultz (Rodale Press 1989)

Earthcare Paper Company at POB 3335, Madison, WI 53704 (608)256-5522, for a catalog and information. Products include bleach-free paper products, biodegradable nontoxic bags made from 100% cellulose.

Seventh Generation at 10 Farrell St, South Burlington, VT 05403 for kitchen products.

The Household Hazardous Waste Project at Box 87, 901 South National Ave, Springfield, MO 65804 (417)836-5777.

Last updated 10Feb07