Plastic: A Worldwide Crisis -with Vito Buonsante

Now that plastic has become a serious human health issue, the stakes are even higher.

This week on Green Street, Patti and Doug talk about a new court order forcing the EPA to regulate fluoride after studies show it lowers IQ in children, and how the loss of biodiversity threatens our own survival. Then Vito Buonsante, Policy Advisor for the International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN)  talks about plastic, human health, and the worldwide effort to stop the relentless production of this life-threatening material. 

Green Street - Buonsante - Podcast (1)

28:58

Links from the Interview

The International Pollutants Elimination Network: https://ipen.org/

Links from the News

The EPA is ordered to regulate fluoride: https://www.eenews.net/articles/epa-in-a-really-tough-spot-after-landmark-fluoride-ruling/

Humanity is on the verge of ‘shattering Earth’s natural limits: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/oct/21/humanity-earth-natural-limits-biodiversity-warning-cop16-conference-scientists-academics

Lead: The Pernicious Poison - with Tamara Rubin

Years ago, "Lead Safe Mama" Tamara Rubin's family was poisoned by lead. Now she's on a campaign to make sure every parent knows about the presence of lead in consumer products and food.

This week on Green Street, Patti and Doug talk about how big oil is interfering with climate change research at universities around the world, PFAS in firefighting gear, and the disturbing amount of single-use plastic used in modern agriculture. Then “Lead Safe Mama” Tamara Rubin tells about her experience with lead poisoning in her family, and how it drove her to start testing all kinds of products and food for the presence of toxic lead. Every parent needs to hear this!

Green Street - Lead: the Pernicious Poison

29:10

Links from the Interview

Tamara Rubin's website: https://tamararubin.com/

Links from the News

Big oil is funding universities around the world to slow down research on climate change: https://www.theguardian.com/business/article/2024/sep/05/universities-fossil-fuel-funding-green-energy

Two states are banning PFAS in firefighting gear: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/aug/23/pfas-firefighter-gear-ban-massachusetts-connecticut

Microplastic contamination in modern agriculture: https://india.mongabay.com/2024/09/agriculture-has-a-plastic-problem-and-its-threatening-the-future-of-food/

Toxic Tragedy - with Carey Gillam

The inside story of the world's most popular weed killer and its toxic impact on humans.

This week on Green Street Patti and Doug talk about pesticide spraying for mosquitoes carrying Eastern Equine Encephalitis ("Triple E”), how a midwestern health center actually helped pay for an artificial turf field at a high school, and how the City of Los Angeles is responding to increased stormwater by making the city more “sponge-like.” Then investigative reporter and author Carey Gillam, talks about her award-winning work uncovering the corporate malfeasance and corruption regarding the infamous toxic pesticide glyphosate, known commonly as RoundUp, which remains on store shelves today.

Toxic Tragedy with Carey Gillam

29:02

Links from the Interview:

Carey Gillam's website: https://careygillam.com/

The New Lede: https://www.thenewlede.org/author/careygillam/

Links from the News

Beyond Pesticides press release about mosquito spraying and the threat of EEE: https://www.beyondpesticides.org/assets/media/documents/BP%20Final%20PR%20EEE%20PDF%20for%20release%E2%80%948.28.24.pdf

A health company helps pay for an artificial turf field: https://www.wdio.com/front-page/top-stories/northwestern-high-school-celebrates-new-artificial-turf-with-essentia-health/

Link to the Digest of Independent Studies on Synthetic Turf and Human Health:

https://www.grassrootsinfo.org/_files/ugd/2cea04_0fa6ca316c1e426caa749b027fa1ea58.pdf

What happens when a concrete jungle becomes more of a sponge? https://www.hcn.org/topic/water/