[Marcarc]

It's been quite some time since I wondered 'where they stand'. This issue is also mentioned at the 'crapshoot' thread. I really find it amusing to see the media talking about GE foods now when they've been the dominant ingredient in our food for ten years now. I saw a bit where an MP was saying "NOW is the time to start...", whereas we've basically been the guinea pigs that europeans are watching. Imagine a scientist saying 'you've got acceptable levels of flame retardant in your blood'.

[Mr.Can-Euro]

I wonder if our government will wait until these chemicals found in our food make someone sick or worse, kill someone before acting? I certainly hope not <img align=absmiddle src='images/smilies/frown.gif' alt='Frown'>. I think I may go organic soon. It maybe a bit expensive, but it is healthier than chemically-enhanced foods for sure.

[Guest]

so whats the secret? Common knowledge, just released to the common citizen!<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Dennis Baker<br />

[Perturbed]

[QUOTE BY= Mr.Can-Euro] I wonder if our government will wait until these chemicals found in our food make someone sick or worse, kill someone before acting? I certainly hope not <img align=absmiddle src='images/smilies/frown.gif' alt='Frown'>. I think I may go organic soon. It maybe a bit expensive, but it is healthier than chemically-enhanced foods for sure.[/QUOTE]<br /> <br /> <br /> Organic foods won't prevent your exposure to PBDEs completely, as they are in most upholstered furniture, broadloom carpets and electronic equipment, including the computer you are using, unless it is a newer Dell.<br /> <br /> Banning it was the only way Sweden reduced its levels, we must do the same.<br /> <br /> Unfortunately, the chemicals are made in only 2 factories, and 1 of those is in Virginia, USA, so NAFTA chapter eleven applies. The other is in Israel.<br /> <br /> I would call health Canada criminal, but it is the corporate model. That being said, Europe seems much more enlightened, more cautious and progressive on all environmental issues--perhaps because it is a smaller place.

[Marcarc]

I agree with most of the above comment- the biggest concern here is with dust, so daily cleaning should mitigate the effects. You might want to 'go natural' in your household furnishings as well. These, like PCB's, though I'm not positive, are bio-accumulators. However, just like most toxins you don't 'die' of PCB poisining. I think its a pretty safe bet that there are already plenty of people dying from toxins since your body is literally a toxic stew now. Look at attendants to emergency rooms now vs. the seventies or eighties, even factoring in population growth.

[Perturbed]

Same issue:<br /> <br /> <br /> Common foods laced with chemical<br /> <br /> Levels of PBDEs rise, new research shows<br /> <br /> By ANDRÉ PICARD AND AVIS FAVARO<br /> Monday, February 14, 2005 - Page A1 <br /> <br /> "Everyday foods consumed by Canadians -- such as salmon, ground beef, cheese and butter -- are laced with chemical flame retardants, according to research commissioned by The Globe and Mail and CTV News.<br /> <br /> In fact, the research found that Canadian foods are among the most contaminated with polybrominated diphenyl ethers in the world, with levels up to 1,000 times higher than those found in tests in European countries.<br /> <br /> PBDEs are a class of about 25 chemicals that are used as flame retardants in foams, textiles and plastics. They are ubiquitous in modern homes, with the chemicals leeching out of furniture, rugs and electronic products, such as televisions and computers. It is not known exactly how PBDEs migrate from such products into human tissue, but they have been found in industrial sewage sludge, in wildlife and in fatty foods such as meat and fish.<br /> <br /> It is unclear what impact the regular absorption of PBDEs has on human health. Nor have scientists established safe levels for the chemicals in humans. <br /> <br /> But scientists do say that research conducted on animals -- which suggests these chemicals can impair memory, cause learning disabilities and alter thyroid hormone levels -- is disquieting and should raise red flags. <br /> <br /> "These are persistent toxic chemicals . . . and certainly it is undesirable to have these toxic chemicals in our food supply," said Arnold Schecter, a professor of environmental sciences and public health at the University of Texas, who has done pioneering work on PBDEs.<br /> <br /> Research done last year on a group of B.C. women found high levels of PBDEs in their breast milk, but the source was unclear....."<br /> <br /> Here are some figures qunatifying amounts in various foods:<br /> <br /> The following foods were tested for the presence of polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDEs, chemicals widely used as flame retardants. Animal experiments suggest PBDEs may be linked to learning difficulties and thyroid problems.<br /> <br /> Parts per trillion <br /> Farmed rainbow trout 3,638 <br /> Farmed Atlantic salmon 1,942 <br /> Extra-lean ground turkey 450 <br /> Butter 384 <br /> Sausages 242 <br /> Pork chops 56 <br /> Medium ground beef 32 <br /> Pacific wild salmon 30 <br /> Ice cream 27 <br /> Cheese 23 <br /> Whole milk 10 <br /> Chicken 0 <br /> <br /> SOURCE: AXYS ANALYTICAL SERVICES LTD.<br /> <br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20050214/CHEMIC14/Health/Idx">here</a><br /> <br />

[Guest]

let me know when anyones actually willing to do something about it, besides talk.<br /> <br /> Dennis Baker