Today's, I Am Earth, post is by a guest blogger,
Krista Peterson.
Krista is an Environmental Health and Safety Advocate and aspiring writer.
You can reach Krista by email,
krista.peterson925@gmail.com
Thanks Krista!!
Perhaps due to the technological age we live in, or perhaps because of the nature of today’s indoor workforce, we as human beings are forgetting about our environment. Many spend little to no time reaping the health benefits that the outdoors has to offer. Unfortunately, not only are we losing touch with nature, we are manipulating it and polluting it. Through our own doing, the environment that was meant to provide stability and health is used for our selfish purposes, resulting in
toxins that negatively affect our health.
Asbestos
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| Asbestos mine in Vermont |
Mined and used in manufacturing for its fire-resistant qualities, asbestos is a natural mineral that’s perfectly harmless if left undisturbed. As early as the 1920’s, asbestos was used in drywall, insulation, tile adhesive, car parts, and Navy ships. Unfortunately, many manufacturers knew of the negative effects that asbestos can have on the health of those working with and living near it. When it’s disturbed, asbestos fibers are spread through the air and are inhaled or ingested. Theses invisible fibers collect in the lungs and the stomach, causing a rare but deadly cancer called mesothelioma. Though many cancers are easily diagnosed,
mesothelioma symptoms are latent for 20-50 years, making diagnosis difficult. Decades after exposure, when symptoms manifest, the cancer has often already metastasized and
mesothelioma life expectancy is thus incredibly low.
Particulate Matter
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| Smog caused by particulate matter |
Compiled from nitrates, sulfates, and other complex and organic molecules,
particulate matter is a form of pollution that spreads through the air we breathe as a result of waste from power plants and gas powered vehicles. The solid and liquid bits of particulate matter travel through the air and affect water and soil in nearby areas. Inhaling or consuming particulate matter results in heart disease, difficulty breathing, cancer, and bronchitis. Through the EPA and the efforts of the green movement, alternative sources of energy and fuel may lessen the expulsion of pollution like particulate matter into our environment and into our bodies.
Instead of using the knowledge of the environment and its capabilities to manufacture products that decrease our quality of life and that diminish the value and beauty of our planet, we should use what we know to make progress towards healthy lives and a healthier world. Instead of having to watch for
symptoms of mesothelioma and negative effects of particulate matter and other pollutants and carcinogens, let’s put our efforts toward eliminating waste and toxins altogether. By working, living, and thinking green, we can regain a clean, healthy, beautiful Earth.
Do you know what sort of "clothing footprint" you are leaving? Perhaps not. A clothing footprint is actually the effect of cloths we wear on our environment. The way we grow crops to make cloth, the process of manufacturing it, how it reaches us, how we clean our clothes in our daily life and finally, how they are disposed of all are taken into account. Each of these steps in a cloth’s life has a great impact on our environment. The bigger the effect, the bigger would be the clothing footprint left behind. 
During the holidays, one of the most popular purchases is a video gaming console. Long gone are the days when simple systems allowed you to chase a dot around the screen. Today's video games are sophisticated, lifelike, and even good for your health.