Eddie's Blog
About Eddie: I'm a dog on a mission. With your help, I'm going to change legislation in the U.S. to make sure chemicals are safe before they're put on the market. Read more or contact Eddie.
Blogroll:
View posts by tag:
Search the blog:
Recently in Eddie's world:
Pollution in pets: Plastic chemicals
Okay, I already told you about the non-stick chemicals scientists found at high levels in pets. That's not the only thing that stood out, though.
The scientists at the lab also found high levels of a kind of chemical called phthalates (which they tell me is pronounced THAL-ates, like PAL-ates, although how you get that from a word that starts with ph is beyond me). Phthalates are used in certain kinds of plastic to make them softer, and in things that need to smell nice to make the fragrance last. They're endocrine disruptors, which means they can mess up our hormones, and they may also cause reproductive problems and cancer.
Dogs and cats studied were contaminated with this stuff at really high levels. In dogs, it was higher than 80% of the population. In cats, one of the kinds of phthalates was higher than has ever been found in people! Can you imagine?
There are lots of different ways that we're exposed to phthalates. For one, it's in some of our toys. Soft plastic squeaky toys (like the rubber ducky you're always stealing from your human sister) are made with PVC, which leaches phthalates. And that smelly stuff my human dad is always spraying on the couch after he kicks me off of it probably had phthalates in it too, but there's no way to tell since the government doesn't make them list it on the ingredients (anyway, do I really smell that bad?).
Phthalates are also in many shampoos and cleaning products, and even some veterinary medicines. Hard to believe they'd let such toxic stuff be all over the place, isn't it? We're in quite a mess, which is why I need your help! Spread the word to all the pets you know so we can get things cleaned up, and check out my tips to help you stay healthy.
Oh, and if you have questions, let me know in the comments. I love comments!
Well, I guess it's rope toys for me! Or good old fashioned sticks.
How did that cat end up with such high levels of phthalates? Did your studies question the pet owners about their habits that might affect the levels of toxic chemicals in their blood?
Ayyyyy!!!
Cans are lined with plastic to keep metal taste from leaching into food. I know the plastics used are endocrine disruptors, whether they contain phlates, not sure. But here's the real poop: plastic in cans is probably as bad for pets as it is for people.
It's not a suprise with all the chemicals the scientists have found in human bodies, but it's about time the data came out about our furry friends! (feathered & scaled too).
I'm spreading the word Eddie! Me and my dog Slipper are right behind you all the way!
JoJo
Eco-Converts Blog
Thanks, JoJo! I need all the support I can get, and I'm glad Slipper's joining the fight too. (By the way, did you add Slipper to the Wall of Cute?)
Jo, the scientists at EWG tell me that the plastic inside of cans contain something called bisphenol A, which is one of the chemicals they found in me and Cleo and the other dogs and cats. It's an endocrine disruptor, too. And to think of all that canned food I've eaten.
I have found another reason our pets have chemicals in their body..... watch the short video on this site and join a campaign to reduce the dangerous levels of chemicals for our pets and our own bodies. we should all take part in this campaign and really let the world know what we are putting in our bodies.
www.onlinebusinessstartnow.com
WOW! To think I have been feeding my baby organic or holistic canned food....and ALL those chemicals! Ugh! = ( Thanks for bringing it to my attention. Sad to think I thought I was doing good for my dogs.
Zeus' Mom, don't feel bad. We all do the best we can with the information we have. That's why we need to make sure everyone has the information they need!
Well, I am not surprised. Sad,yes, but surprised, not at all. Being a pet groomer for 40 years I have watched the decline of our pets' health. I have watched the hypothyroidism in dogs soar nd now cats are becoming hypothyroid too! The vets are missing it as it was so rare in the past they no longer test for it. I hve 2 hypothyroid kitties and Both took an act of congress and one stubborn MOM to get them diagnosed treated properly. I never could have known to do this but I moderate thyroid/adrenal lists for humans where I am seeing epidemics of this in us as well. I now have three pets of my 7 on thyroid meds and one on adrenal meds. If we keep polluting things they will die first and then what a horrid world it will be! Read Alfred Plechner's work, aside from him thinking the cause is breding, he has nailed many of the health problems and their treatment while we work on getting the poisons cleaned up, if that is possible at this late date. The health issues are mainly endocrine. And tht leads to the other biggies like Cancers. Just switching to bottled RO water CURED one of my kitties urinary blockage problems! But his Rabies vaccinatin killed his thyroid as it did my dog too. Keep up the good fight, our pets all need this as do we!
We is fitin' MAD!!
*I* Moosie de Choklit Cocker Spamiel just got found whif a Plasma Cell Toomer ( a relative of Multiple Myeloma) on Mine back middle pad. Our Momma don't use any crap on de lawn or in Our den, an is furry careful not to lettuce walk on lawns dat have the POISON signs on dem. Butt, you awl nose many hoomins be stoopid an put nasty fings on der lawns an don't tail you!!!
Doggies, cccats , keets an other critters!! Write ledders to Your State Senators an Represenratibs!!!
Specially your City an County Poly- Tick hoomins. Dey can regulate dis stuff!!
Andy an Moosie
I have not deep cleaned our living room carpet in several years. We have a new puppy (6 months) who is not quite house-trained. When he finally is, I would like to know what is the best way to clean my carpet. I would use a Bissell type home carpet cleaner, not a commercial cleaning service. What would be the best type of thing to make sure stains are out without affecting the dogs?
I don't know if this is the best way, but I have recently started using my laundry detergent (Method, Seventh Generation or other non-toxic, biodegradable formula) when I steam clean my floors. To help remove any remaining odors, I do a rinse cycle of water/vinegar. The vinegar really helps to take out the odors, just don't use too much. I do a rinse cleaning either way to remove any remaining soap. Using very warm or hot water is very important as well as getting up as much of the water as possible. I have two dogs and have a childcare in my home, and I want to make sure everyone who's rubbing their little faces in the carpet isn't coming away with anything nasty.
Post new comment