The Environmental A-Z…the letter P…

 

Welcome to my Environmental A-Z…today it’s the letter P…I have been heartened to hear how many of you feel like I do that we need to take our own steps to avoid pollution wherever we can…

Abraham Lincoln is correct we need to act now to create the future for our families that we want…but at the moment we can only dream of…

The best way to predict your future is to create it...Abraham Lincoln.

 

The A-Z of the environment and Climate Change… letter P.

Pharmaceutical Waste…

Pharmaceutical waste is any leftover, unused or expired medication that is no longer needed or can no longer be used. It can be classified as either hazardous or non-hazardous depending on its chemical properties and its risk to humans and the environment.

The Risks…

To reduce these risks, pharmaceutical waste must be sorted and specially treated in one of several ways. Popular methods include the use of lined landfills, incineration, return to the manufacturer for chemical recycling, or encapsulation in cement (World Health, 1999).

Pollution…

A Simple Definition...Pollution is the introduction of harmful materials into the environment. … Pollutants can be natural, such as volcanic ash. They can also be created by human activity, such as trash or runoff produced by factories. Pollutants damage the quality of air, water, and land.

A simple solution...there is not one …pollution surrounds us…in our everyday lives, jobs, leisure even while we sleep with the aircon running…

Pesticides…

A pesticide is a chemical that is used to kill or prevent small animals (or organisms) which are considered to be unwanted. These organisms are called pests. … Many pesticides are poisonous, and are bad for not only the organisms they kill but for humans too. A pesticide also affects the environment and the atmosphere.

There has been much talk and court cases over the use of pesticides and their effect on human health over the years…Yes, it takes time, effort, research and knowing your plants or crops to avoid the use of pesticides but it is doable as is preventing the cost of health and harm to the environment…don’t wait until its too late and the earth is too polluted to save …Act Now!

Phthalates…

What are Phthalates they are a group of chemicals used to make plastics more durable. They are often called plasticizers. Some phthalates are used to help dissolve other materials. Phthalates are in hundreds of products, such as vinyl flooring, lubricating oils, and personal-care products (soaps, shampoos, hair sprays).

Many of us pick these up and put them in our trolleys without a care…Little do we know the harm they do to us, the waterways, the environment and for plastic pollution the list is endless..

Plus food is the leading source of exposure. Phthalates have been found in dairy products, meats, fish, oils & fats, baked goods, infant formula, processed foods, and fast foods.

Ahhh so that’s what they are …Ewww another word to look out for when I am label reading…I often wonder (yes) too much time on my hands or a mind that doesn’t stop whirring…That if I could go into one store and sort the products I have or would buy into 3 piles…

  1. A definite no pile,
  2. I think you are being creative in your product description pile…so no!
  3. Buy.

I am guessing I would be left with very little and probably mainly vegetables…

The Answer…

  • Don’t trust a label do your own research.
  • Grow or make your own or find a trusted local supplier.
  • Or ask yourself do I really need this product.

Polychlorinated biphenyls…

(PCBs) are a mixture of individual chemicals which are no longer produced in the United States but are still found in the environment. Health effects associated with exposure to PCBs include acne-like skin conditions in adults and neurobehavioral and immunological changes in children.

This statement makes me believe even more that far more stringent research needs to be done before a product is released to the world as although banned NOW…the harm continues…

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons…

Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons usually occurs by breathing air contaminated by wildfires or coal tar, or by eating foods that have been grilled.  PAHs may contribute to reproductive and immunologic health effects and may be carcinogenic.

Post-Consumer Waste…

Post-Consumer Food Waste is food waste discarded by customers/guests/students/patients/ visitors after the food has been sold or served.

What can I add to what you don’t already know…fast food plus everyday purchases are mainly the culprits…I only need to read how waste from these has spiralled during the lockdown, takeaway food has been encouraged..stay home and get it delivered all our governments have been telling us…

Particulate Matter…

Particulate matter is a generic term to classify air pollutants comprising of suspended particles in the air, varying in composition and size, resulting from various anthropogenic activities. Industrial facilities, Power plants, vehicles, incinerators, dust and fires are the major source of particulate matter.

Well after a particularly joyous and informative post which left me the author feeling somewhat deflated and Mehr… thinking about all this and the fact it just surrounds me where do I start or what next is there to do and research, eliminate from my life and home..where will it end?… That I don’t want to think about…But I did and thought I need air…to cheer you up I hope you enjoy …

That’s all for today…I hope you have a lovely day tomorrow I invite you to join me in the kitchen… I hope to see you there.xx

 

32 thoughts on “The Environmental A-Z…the letter P…”

  1. dgkaye

    NIce to see the pharmaceutical waste featured Carol. Some don’t realize what throwing pills in the toilet does to the eco system. When my hubby died, he had several prescriptions, I bagged them all and took them to the pharmacy to do the right thing with. ❤

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. CarolCooks2 Post author

      I just think I mention plastic quite enough and I wanted it to be seen in a different context as in the Phthalates which are used to soften plastic and which are a danger to health as so much is I suppose the bigger picture plus they play a huge part in post-consumer waste so more indirectly so to speak…:) x

      Liked by 1 person

      2. CarolCooks2 Post author

        I certainly do Jim that’s why it’s nice to be back to writing about food today…it seems my week has unintentionally divided itself into the fun posts to write and the not so fun at the beginning of my week…Thank you for your valued comment as always 🙂 x

        Like

  5. petespringerauthor

    Lots of areas of concern with P. I like that you highlighted pharmaceutical waste—a type of waste that doesn’t get talked about enough, in my opinion.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. CarolCooks2 Post author

      Absolutely, Pete and there is much we can do by just thinking and acting in the correct way with unused medications etc…There are so many areas of concern its difficult to get your head around it all but it exists as do the chronic illnesses and cancers caused by many of these 🙂 x

      Liked by 1 person

  7. johnrieber

    As always, terrific and sobering material, Carol. The key is to make our waste valuable enough to do something with – and finding healthy safe alternatives for the chemical-driven products that have consumed our lives!

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Clive

    Some sobering thoughts in this piece, Carol. Sadly, most governments are doing impressions of Nero or an ostrich over environmental matters. But I love the song you ended with 😊 x

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Jacqui Murray

    Good series. I’m stunned how many people thinking saying or #hashtagging is the same as doing. No it’s not! Don’t tweet about it or #hashtag it–just Stop throwing used needles in the trash!

    Sigh.

    Liked by 2 people

  10. beetleypete

    The problem with looking at labels is that the additives are often noted by groups of letters that are indicipherable to ‘normal’ people. And even with my glasses on, the print is usually too small for me to read clearly.
    Best wishes, Pete. x

    Liked by 1 person

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  13. tidalscribe.com

    Do you remember Carol a good while back it was often in the news that there were people who were allergic to modern life, with all sorts of nasty symptoms and had to retreat to live in caravans in the desert or whatever. As this didn’t happen to most people there was cynicism, but one can well imagine the cocktail of chemicals that could have made them ill. We don’t seem to have heard much of such people lately, but how many chronic conditions could be caused by modern life?

    Liked by 2 people

    1. CarolCooks2 Post author

      I do, Janet and am a firm believer that many chronic illnesses and cancers are caused by the amount of chemicals in our food and the products we use in our homes and on our gardens plus in the air and the water we drink …Many years ago and it wasn’t because of what I knew then but I would not buy a mister frosty maker for my daughter or allow them to have these slushy drinks… my answer to their protests was if it does that to your tongue what is it doing to your insides …I now have more knowledge of exactly what it does to your insides…x

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