The Lowdown on Toxic Chemicals, Green Towns and Taming Allergies

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http://www.emagazine.com/january-february_2001/0101aske.html

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Photos, Philanthropy and Perfumed Pages

The Lowdown on Toxic Chemicals, Green Towns and Taming Allergies

Compiled by Presley

My eyes, throat and lungs burn when I read magazines. Are there any

chemicals I could be reacting to?

--Kathleen Blais, Sabattus, ME

The most likely allergen lurking in magazine and newspaper print is the ink,

according to the Human Ecology Action League (HEAL), a nonprofit that

focuses on environmentally related health issues. But it's hard to pinpoint

a more specific culprit. The diverse chemicals found in ink go by such

intimidating names as epoxy resin, Cl+ Me isothiazolinone and

p-tert-Butylphenol. HEAL recommends soy-based publications, far less likely

to cause health problems for readers.

Magazines with perfume samples can also be problematic. " Postal customers

are exposed to them, whether they wish to be or not, " says Louise Kosta,

author of Fragrance and Health. Some magazines offer perfume-free

subscriptions by request, and the Magazine Publishers of America

(212-872-3700) is interested in hearing from affected persons.

Glossy papers, which frequently contain formaldehyde, can spur allergic

reactions as well. Allergy sufferers may use reading boxes (ventilated

containers that fan the enclosed magazine) or simply let the publication air

out. While time-consuming, this latter method does alleviate the severity of

most reactions.

The Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America (AAFA) warns that

self-diagnosis of severe symptoms could be dangerous. It is best to seek the

opinion of a qualified health professional.

CONTACTS

AAFA

Tel: (800) 7-ASTHMA

HEAL

Tel: (404)248-1898

What environmental hazards, if any, are associated with photography?

--, Ontario, Canada

While pictures may be worth a thousand words, they have, pardon the

expression, a negative side. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says

that " many of the chemicals used to develop photographs are corrosive and

can cause skin, eye and lung irritation. " Several of these, including

catechin and p-phenylenediamine, rank high in " toxicity and persistence " on

Environmental Defense's on-line scorecard. Stop baths and fixers also

warrant extreme caution when used, and should never be handled casually.

Even so, the photo processing industry has made what EPA calls " significant

environmental improvements " in reducing the use of toxic processing

chemicals and silver used in film and plates. Silver discharge is strictly

regulated, and companies like Canada-based Metafix manufacture systems to

recover the precious metal.

If you happen to own a darkroom, Shaw, author of Overexposure: Health

Hazards in Photography, recommends avoiding inhalation of developer powders,

wearing safety gloves and properly ventilating the room. EPA requires

disposal of any unmixed chemicals through professional waste handlers--an

even better solution is to donate supplies to a local school.

Another option is a digital camera, which renders chemicals unnecessary.

Digital images also replace gelatin-based film, thereby reducing the use of

animal products and all that plastic waste.

CONTACT

Kodak Environmental Services

Tel: (716) 477-3194

Is there anywhere small communities attempting to " green " themselves can

turn for financial assistance?

--Mike Kuhn, sville, PA

Sustainable communities are investments with great returns for towns and the

environment, but the work involved can be daunting. Grants from federal

sources like the EPA have funded such local efforts as sustainable housing

redevelopment in Iowa, an eco-garden in land and watershed management in

Colorado. The agency kicked off its Innovative Community Partnerships (ICP)

program with grants for 11 pilot projects this year, and its Brownfields

Economic Redevelopment Initiative awards money for cleaning and revitalizing

abandoned industrial areas. The Department of Agriculture, the Department of

Energy and the Department of the Interior provide similar federal funding.

Learn to write more competitive proposals with an on-line grant-writing

tutorial at the EPA website.

Individual states also award various grants, so contact your state

government for more information. Some nonprofit organizations, like The

Nature Conservancy and Environmental Defense, provide helpful information on

building sustainable communities, and may be able to suggest more funding

sources.

If these avenues fail, try less traditional routes: Call local schools and

suggest a partnership--getting students involved saves money while teaching

valuable environmental lessons. Appeal to area corporations, which often

invest in their communities, or sponsor a drive to involve residents. After

all, an important part of sustainability is community-wide commitment to a

healthy environment.

CONTACTS

EPA's Development, Community and Environment Division

Tel: (202) 260-2750

President's Council on Sustainable Development

Tel: (202) 456-1414