Brazil Kiss nightclub fire, Rhode Island The Station nightclub fire, schools, and FEMA

The danger of fire and toxins from foam ceilings, insulation, and sealants, as well foam decor, is not limited to nightclubs, including the recent Kiss nightclub fire in Brazil (see article link below). For more thirty years, foam roofing and insulation have been aggressively marketed to school boards and daycare owners as a "green solution," an inexpensive alternative to traditional roofing and sound-proofing materials.  

Both ignorance and budget cuts deter the necessary reapplication of fire-retardant coatings (fire-retardant is additionally toxic to kids).   In event of ignition, fire can spread rapidly with toxic smoke and fumes that like the nightclub fires can kill children before they can be led out of a building and far enough away.  

When a foam ceiling, insulation, and or roof catches fire it emits thick, blinding, toxic black smoke.  Many of the recent dead in Brazil and in the 2003 The Station nightclub fire in Rhode Island died from burning, melting foam and from toxic smoke before they were even able to make it out of the building. 

Although marketing claims foam roofing, ceiling, and insulating products are safe for use in schools (an nightclubs), they are not telling the truth.  Foam products can emit deadly toxins throughout the "life"of the product, from its manufacture, transportation on school grounds, storage prior to application, application, off-gassing, and its reapplication of fire retardant, and its removal.  These products are extremely dangerous especially for children who are more vulnerable to toxins emitted by these products than are adults.

Banning foam products from use in construction and renovation of schools and day-cares has been one of my projects after I was seriously and permanently injured from application of spray-on foam roofing insulation and sealant (Carboline Products) on the school were I was teaching.  Since my injury in 1985, hundreds of thousands of school children and personnel have been exposed and injured by these products.  For story visit <http://www.toxicjustice.com>  For information about Carboline Products visit <http://www.carboline.com>

Unfortunately, FEMA is currently endorsing the use of Spray Foam roofing and insulation to victims of Hurricane Sandy.  The only "green" work being done with this FEMA endorsement is your tax dollars being used to "help" people recover, but injuring and killing them. http://www.sprayfoam.com/spps/ahpg.cfm?spgid=1

Will your children, our children pay with their health and lives for business promotion bought by chemical companies with "campaign contributions," sold by United States White House and government leaders.
 
The USAToday article about the Brazilian nightclub fire additionally features a story about the century's worst nightclub fires.  A distressing number of deaths from these fires are attributed to use of flammable foam products which spread flames quickly and emitted dense smoke. 

Most of the dead apparently were asphyxiated, according to Dr. Paulo Afonso Beltrame, a professor at the medical school of the Federal University of Santa Maria who went to the city's Caridade Hospital to help victims.

"The band that was onstage began to use flares and, suddenly, they stopped the show and pointed them upward. At that point the ceiling caught fire. It was really weak but in a matter of seconds it spread," Pereira said. Murilo de Teledo Tiescher, a medical student, told G1, "... There was a lot of fire and a lot of smoke."

Read more about the USAToday story at http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/01/27/brazil-nightclub-fire/1867777/

EPA American's Children and the Environment

You will need Adobe Reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA's PDF page to learn more.

America’s Children and the Environment is an EPA report that presents key information on environmental stressors that can affect children’s health. In January 2013, EPA released an updated third edition of this report (ACE3) that shows the status and trends of:

• Environments and Contaminants (contaminants in air, water, food, and soil and other environmental conditions),
• Biomonitoring (chemicals measured in the bodies of mothers and children), and
• Health (childhood diseases and health outcomes).

To read America's Children and the Environment, Third Edition, please view:

• America’s Children and the Environment, Third Edition (PDF) (412pp, 11.3MB)
• Appendices to the Report (data tables, metadata, alignment of ACE3 indicators with Healthy People 2020 objectives) (PDF) (98pp, 2MB)

A printable version with formatting enhancements will be available soon.
Download previous editions of the ACE report:

• U.S. EPA, 2003. America’s Children and the Environment: Measures of Contaminants, Body Burdens, and Illnesses (PDF) (181pp, 1.4MB)
• U.S. EPA, 2000. America’s Children and the Environment: A First View of Available Measures (PDF) (91pp, 1.1 MB)

Don't let your family become just one more guinea pig for science and the chemical industry. Chemical industry decision makers know that pesticides and fungicides kill more than insects and mold - they kill people, usually those who innocent, illiterate, or unaware.

Is pesticides use in your home, place of worship, place of employment, playground, sports fields and centers, schools and day-cares committing your loved ones to Parkinson Disease? Probably.  

Become informed.  

1. Demand product name, ingredients, and safety information of all pesticides and fungicides used in buildings, on soil and surfaces contacted or occupied by you and your family.   

2. Record pesticides and fungicides used by your family and others and keep this information listed on family health records.

3. Monitor news and research findings about pesticide and fungicides and keep records of all findings. 

4. Promptly report pesticide or fungicide exposure and or subsequent disease to your physician. 

 http://intl.pnas.org/content/110/2/636.abstract 

Abstract

Parkinson disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder particularly characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Pesticide exposure has been associated with PD occurrence, and we previously reported that the fungicide benomyl interferes with several cellular processes potentially relevant to PD pathogenesis.

Read more  http://intl.pnas.org/content/110/2/636.abstract

Thanks to Global Indoor Health Network (GIHN) for sharing this report.

 

Danger to child health from rainwater collection systems

How safe is rain water collected from roof catchment and collection systems?  Special caution should be used when considering rain water collected from roofs for food consumption by children and for use in gardens for food consumption by children.  Children's EPA advises that parents and child care and education providers use expert material safety and health advice before using roof water for consumption by children or for use in gardens intended for food consumption by children.

Roofing materials contain environmental hazards and toxins which can leach into rain water or drain off roofs into rain water catchments systems.  Environmental hazards include bacteria and parasites from small animals and animal poop, such as birds and rodents, and algae.  Toxins are present in roof materials manufactured with wide range of toxins which when new or weakened by weather elements and age can leach into rain water and drain with rain water into water catchment systems.

The following is a sample of information available on toxicity of rain water from roof catchment systems.

1. Ashalt Shingles 

Rainwater collected off an asphalt shingle roof may contain lead and arsenic. 

Asphalt shingles contain harmful contaminants such as PAHs. Rainwater that flows off rooftops may also contain toxic elements, such as lead and arsenic. However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more research is needed to determine concentration levels and toxicity effects on humans and animals. Read more: Toxicity of Asphalt Roof Shingles | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/facts_7638744_toxicity-asphalt-roof-shingles.html#ixzz2H2s4rKng

2. Wood Shingles

Rain water collected off wood shingled roofs may contain objectionable taste, odor and toxic chemicals from wood treatments and natural toxins.

If an old roof is used as the catchment area, if it is under tree branches, if the building relies on wood heat, or if the air is too polluted, you need to be wary of elevated contaminant or toxin levels. Roofs with wood shakes, concrete or clay tiles, or asphalt shingles can support unwanted biological growth, such as mold or bacteria, that will require adequate treatment. Some materials, such as terne coating, lead solder, or treated wood, can leach unwanted toxins. (again, the entire url needs to be copied into the browser)
http://www.toolbase.org/tertiaryT.asp?TrackID=&CategoryID=1402&DocumentID=2129  (this URL is no longer active – more or less replaced by the one below)
Check the composition and condition of the roof and/or drainage system, and the intended use of the water. Drinking water requires a leach-free metal or fiberglass roof and drainage system in addition to filtration or other purifying components. The majority of the components simply bolt-on. A roof-wash system, for instance, is relatively easy to attach to a gutter.
http://www.toolbase.org/Techinventory/TechDetails.aspx?ContentDetailID=918  
Article source: http://en.allexperts.com/q/Occupational-OSHA-Environmental-1417/roof-material-use-cistern.htm

 All types of roofing can result in bacteria and parasites running off into rain water and rain water catchment systems.  

Bird poop. I got up on my roof this summer and actually looked for bird poop after two months without a drop of rain. I found about three small spots. If you don't have wires hanging over your roof, you probably don't have much either. Just let a good rain run about 15 minutes to wash the roof, and you should be in pretty good shape.

Raccoons and skunks are the biggest worry. About 68 to 82% of raccoons (and an unknown % of skunks) carry a parasite called Baylisascaris, a type of roundworm which can be transmitted to humans if they ingest the eggs or through skin contact with the feces. The damage can be severe, leading to death, and there is no reliable treatment. Once the eggs harden, they are practically impervious to extreme heat, cold and many chemicals, and will remain viable for years. Read more: http://americanpreppersnetwork.net/viewtopic.php?f=607&t=33116

For safety of rain water collected from other types of roofing materials, purification, and safe use consult environmental and chemical safety information from reliable sources.  

 

Children are more vulnerable than adults to harm from environmental and chemical hazards because they are smaller in weight, their organs are still developing, and their increased consumption per weight. Even the the US EPA recognized children's vulnerability, there are no infant or child safety standards set by U.S. government agencies and most other countries.  The responsibility for child safety therefore falls upon the adult, the parent, child care provider, and eduation providers.  Although a product may be considered "safe" or within safe limits for an adult, children can be seriously injured at levels deemed safe.

 

Teaching children to conserve water through use of rain water collection systems is important, but that is only half their lesson.  Children must also be taught that they are more vulnerable than adults to harm from water that may contain toxins, bacteria, and parasites and the safe use of water from water conservation systems.  Please view the following video and read the materials about this event then determine if these children knew the risk of toxins in their rain water collection system. 

Published on Dec 9, 2012

The Republic of Yemen Government (RoYG) and the U.S. government (USG) highlighted the importance of water conservation at a Dec. 5 event to celebrate 25 schools that have already received or will receive rainwater harvesting systems. The rooftop water catchments and tanks are used for school gardens and latrines, and to teach students about water conservation and the usefulness of harvesting rainwater.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUQs9D20QXc

Asthma reduced in Boston public housing Officials cite effort to wipe out vermin

Reducing asthma may be credited to reduction on rodents, but improving health conditions must address all aspects including health risks of pesticide use.  History has demonstrated that pesticide exposure can lead to cancer and other serious diseases.

I have severe asthma caused by three days of high level exposure to spray on foam roofing and sealant (Carboline Inc) at Long Beach Junior High in Mississippi where I was teaching.  <http://www.toxicjustice.com>  Even so, I'd rather have asthma than cancer.  Cancer from exposure to chemicals and poor environments may not show up for a decade or more, but asthma can result almost immediately after exposure. 

We have to be sure we don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. 

Getting the vermin out of ­Boston’s public housing may have improved living conditions in more ways than one: With the move has come a sharp drop in asthma symptoms among residents.

Read more: http://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/2013/01/01/rodent-reduction-boston-public-housing-linked-lower-asthma-rates/qW6RawaGPWWPb7eN8fcdTL/story.html

Former attorney and judge featured in memoir, Toxic Justice appeal corruption convictions

Be sure to read my comment below this article. http://www.sunherald.com/2013/01/02/4383532/minor-files-appeal-with-us-supreme.html  

JACKSON, Miss. — Imprisoned former attorney Paul Minor has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn his sentence in a Mississippi judicial corruption case.
Minor is appealing a decision by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals last August that upheld the sentences of Minor and former judges Wes Teel and John Whitfield. Prosecutors said Minor backed loans for the judges in exchange for favorable court rulings.

Read more here: http://www.sunherald.com/2013/01/02/4383532/minor-files-appeal-with-us-supreme.html#storylink=cpy

 Paul Minor is my former attorney of fifteen years and former judge John Whitfield sat on my case during the time they engaged in bribery and the time period covered by their corruption convictions by a jury. Both are appealing to the US Supreme Court. If they accomplish this no person in the US will be safe for becoming a victim of public and court corruption. No person will be safe from attorneys who sell their clients cases to the highest bidder.

Toxic Justice, my memoir, tells the true story of how children and adult of toxic injury are further victimized by their own attorneys, the court, and politicians. Go to http://www.toxicjustice.com/ and let me know if you would like to see Toxic Justice published as a trilogy instead of having to cut the original 800 single space pages down to 1/4 of its present length.