Tuning In

Keeping up with the most recent updates on environmental issues has never been easier. The latest eco-news, your local political report, new gadgets and tips for living la vida verde – all of this and more is just a click away. Many websites are offering free podcasts that you can listen to online at your computer or from anywhere via your mp3 player.

For example, iTunes has a large selection on a variety of topics such as:

• “Living Green” is a videocast hosted by Meredith Medland. Medland is an executive coach and journalist who focuses on the psychology and spirituality of ecology. Each video runs 30 to 45 minutes and covers items such as socially-responsible investing, clean tech, alternative healthcare, tourism and lots more.
• “America the Green” is a radio show that features 30 to 60-minute interviews with industry leaders on subjects from organic food to biofuels to policy making.
• Sierra Club Radio offers weekly, 30-minute podcasts of green news plus interviews with politicians, activists, journalists and other experts.

Short on time?

• “Planet Green” is a fun, 3 to 5-minute videocast featuring creative ideas and the newest eco-friendly products.
• “Our Changing Planet” is a series of 90-second videos by the Upper Midwest Aerospace Consortium at the University of North Dakota. As you probably have guessed, these videos are more scientific in nature than most podcasts, but still easily understood. Hosts explain both natural and man-made processes constantly in play on planet Earth.
• “Green Dirt” gives you a tip a day in just under a minute, like this gem: “instead of turning up the heat and walking around in a T-shirt, buy a wool sweater.”

My personal favorite is “Greentime”. This video blog documents the sustainable living efforts of a South Florida couple. In 15-minute segments, Rhett and Amy show and tell their attempts to be greener. Subjects include revealing research on renewable energy certificates to homemade body and face scrubs and everything in between. It’s inspiring to see real people actually trying the products and concepts that others just talk about.

These are just a few samples of what is available on the web today. Two words of caution: Surf Smart. Just because a “fact” is online, doesn’t mean it’s true. Cross-reference, find out who funded a study or a documentary, research the credentials of experts – in other words, know your source.

No matter what shade of green you are, there is a podcast to help you go greener.

Just stay tuned!

Green Beauty: Sunscreen Safety

After hearing distressing reports on the news and internet about dangerous chemicals in sunscreen, I decided to do a little sunscreen research myself.  Here’s what I learned:

UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin leading to tanning, wrinkling, leathering, sagging and other effects. UVB rays do not penetrate as deeply and are the main cause of sunburn and tissue damage. UVC rays, yes they do exist, are currently blocked completely by the ozone, but as the ozone layer thins that could change.

Chemical sunscreens work by absorbing the radiation before it reaches the skin. A chemical only blocks UVA or UVB, not both. The most common are:

• Benzophenones (dixoybenzone, oxybenzone)
• PABA and PABA esters (ethyl dihydroxy propyl PAB, glyceryl PABA, p-aminobenzoic acid, or padimate-O 
• Cinnamates (cinoxate, ethylhexyl p-methoxycinnamate, octocrylene, octyl methoxycinnamate)
• Salicylates (ethylhexyl salicylate, homosalate, octyl salicylate)
• Digalloyl trioleate
• Menthyl anthranilate
• Avobenzone [butyl-methyoxydibenzoylmethane; Parsol 1789]

These chemicals may cause minor skin rashes, irritations and allergic photosensitivities. Also, it has been shown that oxybenzone (and the radiation it absorbed) can seep into the skin, and therefore should not be used on children or pregnant or nursing women. One study performed in Switzerland1 concluded that these substances may be hormone-disrupting but recommended more studies to determine long-term effects.

At the other end of the spectrum, physical sunscreens actually reflect or scatter the radiation. They block both UVA and UVB rays. Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide are the naturally occurring minerals that provide a physical barrier. Though it is possible for someone to have sensitivity or allergy to natural ingredients, those cases are rare.

So while the jury is still out on the safety of sunscreens, one thing is true: the only three ingredients approved by the FDA for protecting skin from UVA damage are avobenzone, titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.

TIPS for selecting and applying sunscreen:
     • If you’re the “better safe than sorry” type, stick to the FDA-approved ingredients.
     • Make sure the label says UVA/UVB or Broad Spectrum protection
     • Use a minimum SPF 15 (SPF only applies to the UVB rays)

Here are a few brands that offer physical sunscreens which are also free of chemical fragrance, dyes and   contain fewer toxic ingredients than conventional products:

     • Kiss My Face www.kissmyface.com
     • Burts Bees www.burtsbees.com
     • Aubrey Organics www.aubrey-organics.com
     • California Baby www.californiababy.com

Another option is to wear protective clothing. At www.spfstore.com you can find affordable T-shirts, polo shirts, swimwear and other gear.

Now, what are you doing sitting there? Smooth on some sunscreen, grab your hat and shades and go enjoy summer!

1 You can read part of the study, “In vitro and in vivo estrogenicity of UV screens,” by M. Schlumpf M, B. Cotton, M. Conscience, V. Haller, Steinmann B, and W. Lichtensteiger here.