The Story of Bottled Water, released on March 22, 2010 (World Water Day) employs the Story of Stuff style to tell the story of manufactured demand—how you get Americans to buy more than half a billion bottles of water every week when it already flows from the tap. Over five minutes, the film explores the bottled water industrys attacks on tap water and its use of seductive, environmental-themed advertising to cover up the mountains of plastic waste it produces.

The film concludes with a call to take back the tap, not only by making a personal commitment to avoid bottled water, but by supporting investments in clean, available tap water for all

Our production partners on the bottled water film include five leading sustainability groups: Corporate Accountability International, Environmental Working Group, Food & Water Watch, Pacific Institute, and Polaris Institute.

See also: http://storyofbottledwater.org

And, for all you fact checkers out there, http://storyofstuff.org/pdfs/StoryOfB…

Source: NaturalNews

For years environmentalists and natural health advocates have been trying to point out that organophosphate pesticides (malathion, etc.) work by disrupting the neurological systems of insects, and therefore humans who consume them on foods are at risk of neurological problems. Now, after millions of kids have been diagnosed with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactive disorder), it is finally being admitted.

In a new study just published in Pediatrics, researchers from the University of Montreal and Harvard University found evidence strongly indicating that pesticides could be a major cause of the alarming rise in ADHD in our children. Children who had higher than average biomarkers for organophosphate pesticides were nearly twice as likely to be diagnosed with ADHD. Previous studies found that pesticides may contribute to hyperactivity and cognitive problems in animals, but the new study is among the first to determine that it affects humans, too.

Among the study’s findings:

* Children who have high levels of pesticide residues are 93% more likely to have ADHD.
and
* For every 55% increase in residue in urine, there is a 10% greater risk of ADHD.

“I think it’s fairly significant. A doubling is a strong effect,” said Maryse F. Bouchard, a researcher at the University of Montreal in Quebec and lead author of the study.

The study is the largest thus far to examine the effect of pesticides on child development and behavior, including ADHD. ADHD affects an estimated 4.5 million U.S. children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 2.5 million kids take medication for the condition.

In the study, Bouchard and her colleagues measured levels of six pesticide metabolites in the urine of 1,139 children ages 8 to 15. The children were selected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2000 and 2004 and included 119 children who were diagnosed with ADHD.

Unlike other studies on the impact of pesticides, the new study provided a look into average insecticide exposure in the general child population instead of a specialized group (such as the children of farm workers). Organophosphates are commonly used on some of the crops children consume the most, such as frozen blueberries, fresh strawberries and celery. However, since some of the children who participated in the study were from urban areas, the results suggest that pesticide exposure comes from the air we breathe, as well as on the foods we eat. Bouchard said that because many pesticides leave the body after three to six days, the presence of residue shows that exposure is likely constant.

Cheminova, the Danish firm that is the world’s largest manufacturer of malathion, declined to comment on the conclusions of the new study. Diane Allemang, vice president for global regulatory affairs, reported that she had not yet seen the study.

Bouchard’s advice for parents: “I would say buy organic as much as possible. I would also recommend washing fruits and vegetables as much as possible.”

The consumer advocacy organization Environmental Working Group echoes Bouchard’s advice, advising shoppers to buy organic versions of a dozen fruits and vegetables that grow in the ground or are commonly eaten with the skin, because they’re most likely to be contaminated.

When washing fruits and vegetables, be sure to wash and rinse them in cold tap water and scrub firm-skinned produce with a brush. Some people opt for the addition of hydrogen peroxide to their fruit and vegetable rinses for maximum removal of pesticides. Frozen fruits and vegetables should also be washed.

Don’t wash produce with soap, though. Soap can leave behind detergent residues and more chemicals that everyone would do best to avoid.

Sources included:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3715601…
http://www.wddty.com/pesticides-cou…
http://www.curezone.com/forums/fm.a…

Last month, something remarkable occurred.

A US government panel stood up and pointed out the link between environmental toxins and cancer.

Wow… what were they thinking? (smirk & tongue firmly in cheek)

I have been saying this for years. How come it took so long for them to learn that the “earth is not flat?”

In a comprehensive, 240-page report, the President’s Cancer Panel declared that Americans are being “bombarded” with cancer-causing chemicals, and that “the true burden of environmentally induced cancers has been grossly underestimated.”

When a mainstream government entity breaks ranks with the traditional medical establishment to report that environment chemicals are threatening our health, it is a truly astonishing event – and a warning we should all heed.

While this report comes from a US government panel, environmental toxins are a global issue. And, according to the World Health Organization, deaths from cancer worldwide are projected to continue rising, to an estimated 12 million in 2030.

Download and read the whole report (PDF)

Executive Summary

Despite overall decreases in incidence and mortality, cancer continues to shatter and steal the lives of Americans. Approximately 41 percent of Americans will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives, and about 21 percent will die from cancer. The incidence of some cancers, including some most common among children, is increasing for unexplained reasons.

Public and governmental awareness of environmental influences on cancer risk and other health issues has increased substantially in recent years as scientific and health care communities, policymakers, and individuals strive to understand and ameliorate the causes and toll of human disease. A growing body of research documents myriad established and suspected environmental factors linked to genetic, immune, and endocrine dysfunction that can lead to cancer and other diseases.

Between September 2008 and January 2009, the President’s Cancer Panel (the Panel) convened four meetings to assess the state of environmental cancer research, policy, and programs addressing known and potential effects of environmental exposures on cancer. The Panel received testimony from 45 invited experts from academia, government, industry, the environmental and cancer advocacy communities, and the public.

This report summarizes the Panel’s findings and conclusions based on the testimony received and additional information gathering. The Panel’s recommendations delineate concrete actions that governments; industry; the research, health care, and advocacy communities; and individuals can take to reduce cancer risk related to environmental contaminants, excess radiation, and other harmful exposures.

Download and read the whole report (PDF)

If you live in Los Angeles, Detroit, Cairo, or Delhi, air pollution is an unavoidable factor in your overall health picture.

But if you live in Jackson Hole or Montpelier, or some other relatively pristine spot, believe it or not, air pollution is probably still a key health factor.

How can that be? According to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air can be as much as FIVE TIMES more polluted than outdoor air.

For example…

When researchers tested lung function and urine samples in more than 160 subjects over the age of 60 who were living at home, they linked impaired lung function with high urine levels of two volatile organic compounds (VOC): toluene and xylene.

VOCs are chemicals emitted as gasses. And many household products emit VOCs.

Toluene is a very common VOC used in fingernail polish, adhesives, paints, paint thinners, lacquers, and rubber.

Xylene is a toxic petroleum byproduct that’s used in many air fresheners. That’s right–air fresheners.

Xylene has also been associated with headaches and increased risk of cognitive impairment.

The solution? First, get rid of the air fresheners. They don’t “freshen” anything. Second, get rid of household products that contain VOCs. And if you can’t get rid of them, use them with great care (and a protective face mask).

You can read about other dangerous household VOCs in the e- Alert “Springtime Fresh (and Dangerous).”

From HSI Alert 26 April 2010

To start receiving your own copy of the HSI e-Alert, visit:
http://clicks.hsibaltimore.com//t/AQ/AAFqOQ/AAFwmw/C4U/Ag/AlQwBg/eB1r

Rant: Don’t be a dummy. Reduce your exposure to toxic compounds and detox the ones you have in your system already. Contact me if you want to learn how to do it effectively or visit my health website for more information. Read my 7 Pillars of Wellness. www.FitWorx.net

Here’s some advance info from Stephen Hemsley, Pharmacist, Network Marketing professional, my enroller, your upline.

Contact him directly if you need to.

Stephen’s details at the bottom of this email.

———————-

360 Products

At this current time the information about the products is fairly thin on the ground. I thought I would just share with you what I know about a few of them. The company name is not 360 but this will do for now.

ADAPTOGENS

The company that is being re launched came from a 10 year old company called Cyberwize with about $100 million of annual sales. See www.cyberwize.com. Their focus had been on adaptogens and they provide a unique combination of adaptogens in various delivery systems. These delivery systems include a juice, a purse size spray and a concentrate in drop form.

Just like antioxidants was relatively unknown in the early 90’s and is now widely accepted as important to our health, the story of adaptogens will have the same evolution and we are at the stage when most people do not know about them.

Adaptogens are produced in plants that grow in harsh conditions and these then manufacture chemicals to help the plant survive these harsh conditions. Some examples include Aloe Vera, Siberian Ginseng, Mexican Wild Yam, Australian Bush Plum, Goji Juice etc. When humans consume these plant extracts we obtain the benefits and our body uses these chemicals to help us adapt to various stresses.

Russian scientists initially found these plant chemicals and supplied them to cosmonauts, athletes and workers. The most obvious results were seen in the performance of Olympic athletes in the 1960’s. Chinese athletes and then athletes in the west found out about the “secret” and now nearly all athletes are aware of adaptogens and the benefits that they provide the body to recover from the stresses of extreme exercise and improve performance.

Stress on the body, whether it be from excessive exercise, emotional stress, financial stress or mental stress are all responded to in the same way by the body. Our health suffers if our stress levels are beyond our body’s ability to cope. Taking adaptogens helps our body to cope but we should also be aware that reducing stress is a goal we should all be attempting to achieve.

If you would like to find out more about the adaptogenic products we are likely to be having access to, take a look at www.tunguskablast.com . All Tunguska Mist products contain a proprietary adaptogen blend of up to 14 powerful botanicals. Of the 30 known adaptogens, this company uses 22 in its proprietary formulas.

The REALLY unique part of this is the story of the Tunguska Blast. In 1908 “something” exploded above the Tunguska River valley in the Siberian wilderness. As a result, the plant life was “altered” and regrew 3-4 times more vigorously. It took a while but scientists investigated this phenomenon and the result was the discovery of adaptogens. You can investigate more about the story by visiting www.googlevideo.com and searching for Tunguska. I found a 46 minute presentation at http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2606492338396218330# that was very interesting.

Wee Wikipedia for adaptogen definition – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adaptogen

POLYSACCHARIDES

One of their other products is called Vital PSP + (Poly Saccharide Plus). I have known about polysaccharides for about 12 years and have seen amazing health improvements when these components are added to the diet. It will be VERY interesting to see what kind of results we see with this product. Keep watching this space.

The following information was extracted from www.cyberwize.com  by clicking on Products then Vital PSP+

A Remarkable Whole Food Supplement!

Vital PSP+ is a synergy of all-natural native strains of rice processed into a complex formulation of carbohydrates, crude protein, and essential vitamins and minerals small enough to be 100% assimilated at the cellular level.

Enhancing and Regenerating

Cultivated in organic soil enriched with spirulina, Vital PSP+ combines PolySaccharidePeptides, essential minerals, amino acids, and Vitamin B complex. This potent mix boosts glucose uptake at the cellular level, which enhances the function of the circulatory and immune systems, triggering the body’s natural powers to regenerate and heal.

MOUTH CARE

Biowize Gum- A natural gum with xylitol to improve mouth health.
Corinne and the kids love this product and said they want more. Go figure!

MORE

I am not sure how many of the www.cyberwize.com  products we will have access to but it already looks like a significant range of products that I am sure people will find something that will allow them to be buying enough points each month to sustain the business model that is available to us all.

IN THE PIPELINE

We have also been advised of a product being worked on that contains z……. that are fantastic at detoxifying the body.

A discount travel program.

Technology products such as laptops and mobile phones.

I have no details on these but that should not stop you from sharing the information we have at the moment and I am sure we will be informed more as we get closer to the launch date of May 15th.

—————————–
Corinne & Stephen Hemsley B Pharm
Phone: 02 8208 7098  (Intl: +61 2 8208 7098)
Mobile: 0403 862 121   (Intl: +61 403 862 121)
stephen@healthybeing.net.au
www.healthybeing.net.au
—————————–

About the video:
Benjamin Fulford investigates a mysterious plasma weapon seen prior to the Niigata earthquake in July 2007 and Red, White & Blue HAARP lights near the epicenter prior to the recent quake in China. Taiwan satellites measured a 50% drop in ionospheric energy above the Sichuan epicenter on the day before the quake. Both earthquakes targeted nuclear military facilities… coincidence or war crime?

This is a great little video that gives a more detailed breakdown in just a few minutes about how they’re targetting the people to get what they want. People, we need to find greater and more powerful ways to fight their disgusting criminal activities that are targetting us. I believe the ones to have the greatest impact on them would have to come from any honorable politicians (if they exist besides Ron Paul), the military at any rank and designation and some powerful corporate influences (again, if there’s any honorable ones that exist).

It goes beyond a couple internet sites and forums, but it helps to reach the right people. Please, if you’re reading this or other sources, spread that fact to any family and friends you know how they can help to stop this. The time is now. We need these people to get a conscience back and stand up against these atrocities and stop taking part in them.

A MUST WATCH 24 minute video expose of how we make and consume STUFF, creating a global mess that will be very hard to undo.

From its extraction through sale, use and disposal, all the stuff in our lives affects communities at home and abroad, yet most of this is hidden from view. The Story of Stuff is a 20-minute, fast-paced, fact-filled look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns. The Story of Stuff exposes the connections between a huge number of environmental and social issues, and calls us together to create a more sustainable and just world. It’ll teach you something, it’ll make you laugh, and it just may change the way you look at all the stuff in your life forever.

www.StoryOf Stuff.com :: StoryOfStuff.org

YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/storyofstuffproject#p/u

U.S. manufacturers, including major drugmakers, have legally released at least 271 million pounds of pharmaceuticals into waterways that often provide drinking water — contamination the federal government has consistently overlooked, according to an Associated Press investigation.

Hundreds of active pharmaceutical ingredients are used in a variety of manufacturing, including drugmaking: For example, lithium is used to make ceramics and treat bipolar disorder; nitroglycerin is a heart drug and also used in explosives; copper shows up in everything from pipes to contraceptives.

Federal and industry officials say they don’t know the extent to which pharmaceuticals are released by U.S. manufacturers because no one tracks them — as drugs. But a close analysis of 20 years of federal records found that, in fact, the government unintentionally keeps data on a few, allowing a glimpse of the pharmaceuticals coming from factories.

As part of its ongoing PharmaWater investigation about trace concentrations of pharmaceuticals in drinking water, AP identified 22 compounds that show up on two lists: the EPA monitors them as industrial chemicals that are released into rivers, lakes and other bodies of water under federal pollution laws, while the Food and Drug Administration classifies them as active pharmaceutical ingredients.

Read More: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,517131,00.html