Of all of the things that upset me about this Administration’s EPA, it is the basic disregard for public health and PEOPLE that distresses me the most. Case in point is an email to EPA’s Deputy Administrator, Marcus Peacock (which I have included below) from a Mom who just wants to protect her kids. This email was first posted to Mr. Peacock’s blog and not only does it describe the daily challenges of parents trying to protect their children from environmental harms, it shows the appallingly cavalier attitude of the EPA towards such concerns.
I’ll let this little exchange speak for itself.
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EMAIL FROM CONCERNED MOM:
Dear Mr. Peacock,
I think starting a blog with the idea of having more transparency is wonderful. I am glad to have the opportunity to express my views to an actual person (well, hopefully, anyway). In fact, I would be more than happy to receive a response. I have included my email.
I have a somewhat short story for you. I’ll keep it as brief as I can. I am the mother of two small children, lovely girls age 2 and 4. Because I adore them and think the care of all children is all of our sacred charge, I have done absolutely everything that I can to ensure their health – now and 20 years from now. I’m a bright woman and I’m an educated woman. I don’t just run around screaming, “The sky is falling” over every scary chain email I get. When I see something that concerns me, say in a news article or on a blog, I start researching it, checking the science, looking for studies, journal articles, by universities, cancer centers, government agencies both here and abroad. I go to the EPA website, in fact, among a number of others.
From the time I was pregnant with my first child, like any reasoning person, as I have discovered a potential threat, I have addressed it to the best of my ability. I didn’t take any medications when I was pregnant, I did not use artificial sweeteners (once I found out about them, that is). When I heard about heavy metals, I reduced the types of fish I ate to only shellfish, salmon, and small whitefish. I also installed an additional filtering system for my water as it was impossible to tell what toxins were in bottled water, since it’s not regulated very well (and, of course, there are the plastic bottles). When I found out about the levels of hormones, pesticides, etc., and possible contamination by E. Coli in meat, eggs, fruits, leafy greens, vegetables, etc., even after washing thoroughly, well, I went right out and began buying almost solely organic and free range foods – even though that meant that my family’s food costs more than doubled – and even though that was no guarantee when it came to E. Coli either thanks to contamination of the ground water. When I started finding out about the dangers of the chemicals in my household – including those in my babies’ soaps, lotions, and shampoos – I got rid of them and started buying only products for which I could identify all the ingredients – no easy task, let me tell you, though these products seem to be working just as well and often even better than those more expensive potions I was buying in the grocery store. Though I breastfed both of my children, they did drink water and juice from a bottle as they got older. And when my first child was a baby, I had to work outside the home, so she was given my breast milk in a bottle – a bottle made of polycarbonate plastic. I’m sure you’ve heard about polycarbonate plastic and the issues with it, though I had not, of course, at that time.
So then one day, when my youngest child was about a year and a half, I saw an article about rocket fuel in babies’ blood – not just a couple of babies either, but in samples of babies’ blood from different areas all over the country. Our country. I have to tell you, I cried for a week when I read that. Just could not stop. Shortly after reading that article, I was getting ready to sell those soft snuggly footie pajamas both my kids wore all through the winter when they were babies, and I accidentally rubbed my finger against the first tag, showing what it was made of, and saw a second tag, outlining how to care for the garment’s flame retardancy. FLAME RETARDANCY. My babies were sleeping in flame retardant, which, by the way, is found in babies’ blood along with bisphenol A and a number of other not-naturally-occurring chemical compounds and mercury and lead – oh, and arsenic, which until only a couple of years ago, all the lumber used to build children’s playgrounds, and say, our back deck, was soaked in. Many of these chemicals and metals are not naturally flushed from the body, as I’m sure you know. And we have no real idea what the long term effects are of even one of them, much less their combination – in our babies. Do you understand? IN OUR BABIES. Though, of course, the science does show, incontrovertibly, that they have hormonal effects, or that they are cancer causing, or that they cause brain damage.
Now I sort of assume that if you’ve stuck with me this far, perhaps you can see where I’m going with this. I have been doing absolutely everything that one person can do to protect my kids. I have been given an impossible job, because the agencies – and I understand that you are only one of those agencies – charged with protecting us, whose sworn and basically only duty it is to protect us (the consumers), are failing more than miserably. I pray to a god I’m not even sure I believe in anymore that you will do your job.
Most sincerely,
Shannon McLeish
Posted by: Shannon | February 11, 2008 at 04:00 PM <http://flowoftheriver.epa.gov/my_weblog/2008/02/what-one-man-ca.html#comment-101236120>
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RESPONSE FROM EPA’S MARCUS PEACOCK:
Shannon, thanks for your story. I can't say every action this Agency takes (or doesn't take) is one you would agree with, but your story should remind us why we are here and, I hope, prompt us to continue to look for ways to improve how we do what we do.
Posted by: Marcus | February 14, 2008 at 01:58 PM <http://flowoftheriver.epa.gov/my_weblog/2008/02/what-one-man-ca.html#comment-101997500>
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Niiiice, Mr. Peacock. Thanks for your “concern” and your pledge to keep working to improve the agency. Maybe next time you can take more than 2 minutes out of your day to respond to someone who has obviously taken a lot of time to express her real fears about protecting her children. This would’ve been a good time to talk about all of the great things the Agency is doing to address her fears – OH YEAH, that would mean that you would actually have to have great things to talk about….
Think about it.
]]>So, in my 4 ½ years as a pregnant and nursing mom, I have avoided certain fish because of their mercury content. Why? Because the government and health organizations told me to avoid certain fish in order to protect my children from mercury exposure. Easy, right? Well, following the rules is always easy until folks start to muddy the waters. Today, I opened the Washington Post to find the headline, “Mothers Again Urged to Eat Fish: Advisory at Odds With FDA Stance.” Ugh! My internal conversation went between being bitter about having boycotted tuna-melt sandwiches all of these years and being seriously irritated that people are putting out information in a manner that is confusing.
It isn’t confusing if you know the facts. Here is the deal: it isn’t even a real, true change from what everyone has been saying for years. Here is what you need to know:
FISH IS GOOD, MERCURY IS BAD. IF YOU ARE A PREGNANT OR NURSING WOMAN, AVOID FISH THAT HAS A HIGH CONTENT OF MERCURY IN IT. Pardon the caps but I wanted to make sure that all of you moms who have no time to read this entire blog can at least get the bottom line before you have to rush off to tend to boo-boos or, like me, need to take a conference call so you can leave work in time to make dinner.
There are still some people who want more science about how much fetuses and babies are exposed to mercury by their moms but until that science is done, stick to the current American Academy of Pediatrics policy and FDA and EPA recommendations. Avoid eating shark, tilefish, king mackerel and swordfish because of high mercury content, and eat no more than six ounces per week of albacore tuna. If you want more information, not only can you go and visit their websites, but you can also visit NRDC’s site at www.nrdc.org/mercury.
In the meantime, allow me to take a moment to talk directly to those much appreciated, prestigious health organizations and government officials who urge moms to eat fish: Dear smart folks, I am a working mom. I barely have time to take a shower much less keep up the pros and cons of each of your recommendations. I understand that science changes, evolves and gets better but can you do me a favor and just be clear of what I need to do to protect my children? If the mixed signals are confusing me – a person who actually works in the environmental world – than how are the other moms feeling? Thanks.
]]>Since I am in mommy-mode today, I thought it was the perfect time to really dive into a subject on the minds of most moms in recent weeks – lead in toys. First off – it is 2007! Why is lead paint anywhere near something that might go into a child’s mouth? Wasn’t most of this stuff outlawed in 1978? Now I come to find out that although technically illegal, a little thing like the law has not stopped the import of toys into our country that have been manufactured using lead paint. Seriously.
So, lately, I have been spending my time sifting through my son’s toys in search of his beloved little Thomas™ trains, worn Elmo™ wubbies, and “Sarge” of the die cast Cars™ series, in search of those that will have to go in the trash because of a series of massive recalls of certain toys made in China. Bitter!!!
Although our country’s playgrounds are abuzz, a few parents haven’t taken these recalls seriously. In fact, a friend of mine who is a mom of two said, “A little lead won’t hurt anyone.” As soon as the words burst from her mouth, I went from an ally – fellow mom, professional, one who understands the challenges of life – to the enemy – statistic reciter, know-it-all, peer pressurer – as I told her that lead causes nervous system damage, hearing loss, stunted growth, reduced IQ, and delayed development. It can cause kidney damage and affects every organ system of the body. It also is dangerous to adults, and can cause reproductive problems in adult men. She laughed at that last one and threatened to slip some lead chips in her husband’s coffee – no more kids for that couple!
Regardless of that mom’s view, we have to take these recalls seriously. First and foremost, take those toys away from your kids. I know it stinks. I personally live in fear of a day when the Consumer Specialty Products Safety Commission recalls “Lightening McQueen” Cars™, but a little lead paint can have a dramatic impact on your child’s well-being. Next, make sure that your public officials and those folks who manufacture these toys – I am looking at you Mattel – know that this situation is unacceptable. Finally, become more generally informed about how you can protect your family. Babycenter.com just put out a great article about toy recalls and steps you can take to keep your kids safe. We have to be informed so we can be good parents AND good consumers.
Well, I should get back to work. Elia is asleep so I should probably try to get something done. Hopefully, they won’t recall my baby sling next or I am going to have a really long day.
Have a good week!
Heather
I pride myself in being one of those lobbyists who likes to work with unlikely allies, hence forward know as the “black hats”. During my time on Capitol Hill and now at NRDC, my greatest successes have come by looking for situations where everyone wins and sitting down with those people who I wonder how they sleep at night. During the last days before August recess, one such victory came with the Senate passage of the Pesticides Registration Improvement Act reauthorization. Negotiated by those who manufacture pesticides and NRDC, this bill will help protect public health and the environment, is taxpayer friendly, and even benefits the industry by helping them get safe products to market in a more predictable timeframe. I am sure I will write more about this bill when it goes to the President for his signature but for now, I would say that we are in a great place with this bill and the reason we are in such a good place is because of the cooperation of our coalition of strange bedfellows.
So, I was feeling positive about our work with the black hats…. that is until I went to lunch with one of my industry “allies” to talk about other areas where we might work together. I expected a nice meeting where we discussed our vacations and our elation that Congress was gone for a few weeks. Unfortunately, when the topic turned to business, my lunch companion explained how many in the industry think of the “young environmental movement.”
He said – and I am paraphrasing here – “you have to understand, Heather, we are like the parents and as parents, we usually have to say no to our children for their own good and the environmentalists are the children.” He kept talking after this comment, but I was so astonished by his statement that I admittedly didn’t hear much else.
After my blood pressure normalized and I got over being offended by his patronizing explanation, I realized that if we are to build on the success of the environmental movement, we have to look at this analogy and reflect.
So, I now reflect –
Are we children? No. Although the youth of America and beyond do tend to be more environmentally aware and enthusiastic about protecting the world around them, our movement is diverse in age, race and culture. Furthermore, our objective is anything but childish. What could be more adult than sacrifice and trying to get business to operate in a responsible manner that helps sustain and lift up communities and special places. It is, in fact, childish to think that one’s bad actions should be blanketly excused because of the almighty dollar. Jobs and development are important, but we can achieve those goals while protecting public health and the environment. Children are short-sighted as they fail to look beyond the next holiday or play date. As adults we must have a long-term vision that considers more than just our pocketbooks.
Next question - are they the proverbial parent? No. This particular organization represents America’s original businesses so that does make them old – but does that age make them responsible enough to be a parent? As Moms and Dads, we have to make hard decisions. Just the other day, my 4 year old son asked to stay in the hot car as I ran into a store. I told him no. I could’ve gotten my errands done in a faster and easier manner if I had said yes, but in the long run it would have put him in danger. Now, this wasn’t a tough decision for me but it does illustrate that as parents, it isn’t always about us or about right now. We have to consider what is best for all. If this organization and the industries they represent are really the parents, they are neglectful at best and I personally would like to ask for emancipation.
So, I think his analogy was off base but it does give us a look into the mind of our opponents. If we want to become more efficient and effective, we must remind the black hats that the story always ends with the person in the WHITE hat riding off into the sunset.
Have a great day!
Heather
]]>Unfortunately, from now on when I pack up the kids to venture off to our local market in the town's library parking lot, I am going to have one thing on my mind — what kind of chemicals were used on the tomatoes that my husband is going to use to make spaghetti sauce [note: I don't cook].
The U.S. House of Representatives took steps last week that could mean more unsafe chemicals on my tomatoes — and other foods. At the last minute of a Congressional meeting, language was added to the infamously pork-filled Farm Bill that could alter an existing program that helps communities pick the best, safest pesticides. The new language could mean that the agency won't be able to advise against the worst pesticides — even the really bad ones. This could be an especially big problem for communities who are trying to improve their watersheds or protect wildlife. In the end if we don't succeed, not only will my family and yours be eating food with worse chemicals but farmers will be the biggest losers in this deal.
Farmers are some of our country's original environmentalists. If their land is not healthy, their crop does not grow to its potential. This language could keep those farmers with the best of intentions from getting the best advice on how to keep their land, water and air safe (not to mention their families that often live on the farm).
In what world is this a good idea?
So now, my August recess — yes, Congress gets recess just like school kids; emblematic, don't you think? — is going to be spent going up to Capitol Hill to try to get this language kicked out of this important bill before it is too late. Hopefully, NRDC will succeed. After all, who wants to be scared of spaghetti sauce?
Have a great day!
– Heather
Anyone who likes to read or watches the news knows that breast milk is the best thing out there for babies. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization all endorse the nutritional, immunologic, developmental, psychologic, and environmental benefits of breastfeeding. Yet while women are encouraged to breastfeed, we also hear about how our breast milk may contain toxins that could harm our kids. In particular, mercury in my breast milk has been on my mind recently.
Now, I always say that I didn't get my hips by being picky in my choice of cuisine. In my big girl world, there is nothing better than a buttery tuna melt on sourdough. Yum! Unfortunately, exposure to certain fish, like tuna, can be particularly dangerous for children during the first several years of life. Even in low doses, mercury may affect a child's development, delaying walking and talking, shortening attention span and causing learning disabilities. Since getting pregnant with my son almost 5 years ago, I have reduced my intake of certain fish due to their mercury content and that means that my beloved favorite sandwich is now a rare treat… bitter!
Evidently, others also like their tuna melts because people throughout the nation are taking steps to reduce the amount of mercury in our food chain. Individuals and organizations like NRDC are working to force power companies and other giant mercury polluters to switch to pollution-cutting technologies. We are also working in Congress to pass legislation that will stop the export of mercury to other countries, because no matter how hard the US tries to reduce mercury in our food chain, these efforts will count for little if we continue to send our mercury to other countries. The way exported mercury is used causes dangerous pollution that travels around the globe and ends up right back in U.S. air, soil, water, and fish -- and my breast milk!
I am not going to stop nursing my daughter because there may be some toxins in my breast milk. When it comes down to it, even with those toxins, my milk is the best thing that I can provide for her as she grows. What I will do, however, is make sure that my milk is safe as possible. That doesn't just mean avoiding my precious tuna melts. It also means getting myself up to Capitol Hill to make sure that we take serious steps to reduce mercury in our food chain.
Save the tuna melt -- save my breast milk!
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