synthetic food dyes are added to foods that are heavily marketed to children. It’s frightening to think of our


children as guinea pigs for profit, isn’t it? Here’s how to keep family members safe:


Buy Organic: Researchers at


Washington State University found that switching children from a conventional to an organic diet resulted in a dramatic drop in pesticide exposure. By defini- tion, organic foods cannot contain GMOs, synthetic pesticides, artificial hormones or antibiotics. Sandra Stein- graber, Ph.D., a prominent ecologist and author of Living Downstream, says, “Or- ganic food is really a bargain, when you consider the full cost to our children’s health and their environment.” Read Labels: Most nonorganic


corn, soy, canola and sugar (processed from sugar beets, not cane) are geneti- cally engineered, although an identi- fying label is not required. Common GMO ingredients include soy lecithin,


corn starch and high fructose corn syrup. “Good” food advocates suggest that we call or write our favorite food manufacturers and tell them we won’t buy their products if they use GMO ingredients or artificial colors. Avoid Plastics: Always heat food in glass, lead-free ceramic, stainless steel or other non-reactive metal cookware (excludes most nonstick brands). Avoid House and Garden Chemi-


cals: Banish bug sprays and lawn and garden chemicals in favor of more natural products. Check with Beyond Pesticides for suggested alternatives, at BeyondPesticides.org. Pass this Article on to Friends: Protect the neighborhood and beyond. Petition Legislators: Ask represen-


tatives to support H.R. 5820, the Toxic Chemicals Safety Act, at ewg.org/ actioncenter.


Melinda Hemmelgarn is a registered dietitian and award-winning writer and radio host based in Columbia, MO. Tune into “Food Sleuth” radio at kopn.org. Reach her at FoodSleuth@gmail.com.


For more information visit: The Organic Center (Organic-Center.org); Pesticide Action Network of North America (panna.org); IATP Smart Guides (HealthObservatory.org).


Low levels of cotinine, a nicotine by-


product, and the cholesterol-modifying drug gemfibrozil are among the pharmaceuti- cal compounds that scientists have found in Lake Michigan water to date. Although the levels of these byproducts are too low to show any immediate effects on human health, scientists say little is known about the long-term consequences of consuming them or how they might degrade or interact with other chemicals in the water. Patient use is the main source of drugs


BANISHING THE CANDY MONSTER


n When goblins come a-knocking, offer stickers, pencils, crayons or children’s party favors.


n Host a haunted dinner party with a creepy twist: Serve gua- camole (aka “frogs’ guts”), spa- ghetti with tomato sauce (“bloody brains”) and organic cranberry juice mixed with warm spiced cider (“Dracula’s blood”). Eat by candlelight or around a fire pit and howl at the moon.


n Make up spooky stories.


n Emphasize the dress-up fac- tor. Visit a secondhand store and create unique costumes, complete with homemade masks, face paint and hairdos.


n Celebrate the season with true treats, like time with family and nature. Take a treasure hunt hike to search for leaves, feath- ers, rocks and seedpods. Decorate small pumpkins or gourds from the farmers’ market, dunk for organic apples, carve jack-o-lanterns and toast pumpkin seeds. Yum.


in our water supply. Most drugs are secreted in human and pet urine, but they also wind up in our water through careless disposal. A 2009 University of Illinois-Chicago survey of 450 Cook County residents found that 32 percent discard their unused and expired medications in the toilet or sink, and 59 percent place them in the trash. Other drugs enter the water through


treatment plant and septic system effluent, runoff from uncontrolled landfills, industrial discharges, commercial animal feeding operations and manure applications. Most waste-water treatment plants are not able to remove pharmaceuticals. Because the Great Lakes provide drink-


ing water for more than 40 million people, this issue is urgent. Illinois lawmakers and policy- focused environmental groups are attempting to address residential and institutional disposal issues, but more work is needed.


Susan Campbell is the Communications Manager for Alliance for the Great Lakes. For more information on this topic, the studies that are underway and what you can do, visit the website of the Alliance for the Great Lakes at GreatLakes.org/PharmaReport.


natural awakenings October 2010 29


DRUG POLLUTION


IN OUR GREAT LAKES by Susan Campbell


R


ecent testing of Lake Michigan water has revealed the presence of pharma- ceutical byproducts, raising concerns


about potential long-term health threats to anyone drinking water from the Great Lakes. Particularly worrisome are the potential effects on children, whose developing bodies face greater contaminant risks because of their smaller size.


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