Recently in Ecology Category

From the Wall Street Journal:

Researchers at the Yale School of Medicine have linked a chemical found in everyday plastics to problems with brain function and mood disorders in monkeys -- the first time the chemical has been connected to health problems in primates.

The study is the latest in an accumulation of research that has raises concerns about bisphenol A, or BPA, a compound that gives a shatterproof quality to polycarbonate plastic and has been found to leach from plastic into food and water.

The Yale study comes as federal toxicologists yesterday reaffirmed an earlier draft report finding that there is "some concern" that bisphenol A can cause developmental problems in the brain and hormonal systems of infants and children.

"There remains considerable uncertainty whether the changes seen in the animal studies are directly applicable to humans, and whether they would result in clear adverse health effects," John R. Bucher, associate director of the National Toxicology Program, said in a statement. "But we have concluded that the possibility that BPA may affect human development cannot be dismissed."

If even the Feds now admit it, it must be true.

It makes me wonder whether it could be plastics causing the incredible increase in autism in young children. BPA is found not only in plastic bottles, but also in plastic linings of aluminum cans and all kinds of other things. The hormonal changes from plastics may transfer from a pregnant woman to her unborn child.

I've virtually stopped drinking bottled water now, which not only may leach BPA from the container but also is an environmental disaster.  Filtered tap water is probably just as good as pure spring water stored in plastics, and there are lots of alternatives to BPA transportable bottles.  REI has a great article online about choosing a bottle for drinking water, and Nalgene and Camelbak are now making BPA-free bottles.   Still, I think I'm going to go for the stainless bottles, like the Klean Kanteen.  I'm just not so sure that the new BPA-free plastics and other polymers or artificial compounds won't turn out to have similar properties. 

Saturn in Virgo says let's go back to nature!!  A simple and more organic lifestyle that nourishes us and helps us take care of the mundane details of life in a body.

Virgo is about a return to purity and respect for the mind/body/spirit connection, and for this reason it is connected to matters of health and healing. Ever since Saturn entered Virgo last fall, we have been confronted by revelations about factors in our environment that affect our health.

With three planets in Libra, beauty products have been a big part of my life.  I love cosmetics and experimenting with different types of makeup and skincare.  Still, with Mercury and Venus both in the sixth house (ruled by Virgo) I have a strong interest in health and the body's delicate ecological balance.  I've been aware for some time that commercial beauty products contain chemicals that have been suspected carcinogens, which is why I purchase most of my cosmetics at the Whole Foods counter. I would never inject my skin with botulism or stick toxic paints into my skin in a tattoo even though I love the idea of permanent eyeliner.

Today I stumbled on an article in the UK Daily Mail about one woman's search for safe cosmetics, and that led me on a trail through the World Wide Web that resulted in my finding the Cosmetics Database, a great site for researching the safety of cosmetics.  I was shocked to find my favorite natural cosmetics in the list of those containing high levels of toxic ingredients, including my Rachel Perry foundation and my Derma E night cream.  Even my favorite Kiehls moisturizer scored poorly.  

One of the chemical families of concern in cosmetics is the paraben group, including propylparaben and methylparaben.  The FDA is not authorized to regulate cosmetic ingredients, and its website reports that the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) declared in 1984 that parabens were safe, and reaffirmed that decision in 2005.  The FDA does note, however, that the CIR is sponsored by the cosmetics industry.

Parabens have been demonstrated to have an estrogenic effect, and estrogen simulators could be tied to a higher incidence of breast cancer.  The Washington Post reported last November on the subject, citing several research studies that suggest a correlation.  This article suggests purchasing organic products such as Dr. Hauschka, Weleda and Burt's Bees, but a search in the cosmetic database reveals that Dr. Hauschka products contain high levels of toxins.  Burt's Bees products scored much better, as did Weleda. 

Perfumes and deodorants are two of the biggest offenders.  The rock crystal deodorants had a score of zero toxicity, and I have found them to be extremely effective.  There's an easy solution to the perfume problem:  The Fragrance Shop sells pure essential oil formulations of all popular fragrances including discontinued scents.

My friend Cynthia Loving has a wide selection of handcrafted skincare products that are just wonderful.

Saturn in Virgo seeks a return to a simpler way of life that is more balanced and in harmony with the natural world.  Saturn is the planet of restriction, limitation and disappointment, but also the planet of planning and success.  Saturn's entry into Virgo has coincided with a universal awakening of the delicate ecological balance of the world in which we live!