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	news bulletins may 2004

• Golden Arches Bend Under Weight of Film Expose
• OSC Forwards Public Health Concerns on Vaccines to Congress
• Update on Thimerosal in Vaccines
• An Educated, Empowered Vote Is An Effective Vote
• Drink Deeply, From The Safest Container

Golden Arches Bend Under Weight of Film Expose
For a movie that hasn't been widely released yet, Morgan Spurlock's Super Size Me sure seems to have gotten Ronald McDonald's attention. Since release of the film, which documents the effects of Spurlock's 30-day binge on McDonald's food, McDonald's has decided to phase out its super-sized fries and drinks altogether. Additionally, McDonald's decided to launch "Go Active!" Happy Meals for adults, containing one of several new salads, a bottle of water, and a step meter. The aim of the film, which won Spurlock the Best Director award at the Sundance Film Festival, is to spark national debate about corporate responsibility and the fast-food industry's response to the obesity epidemic in America. For more information, visit www.supersizeme.com.

Source: e-newsletter from the Center for Science in the Public Interest, www.cspinet.org

OSC Forwards Public Health Concerns on Vaccines to Congress
The Office of Special Counsel (OSC) today forwarded to Congress hundreds of disclosures alleging public health and safety concerns about childhood vaccines that include a mercury-based preservative known as thimerosal, and its possible link to neurological disorders, including autism. Read the OSC press release and letter from Special Counsel Scott Bloch HERE

Update on Thimerosal in Vaccines
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) has just released their report from the Immunizations Safety Review of Vaccines and Autism. Read the report and the latest responses to it HERE

An Educated, Empowered Vote Is An Effective Vote
MOTHERS (an acronym for Mothers Ought to Have Equal Rights) is kicking off their 2004 "Get Out The Vote Drive", which aims to provide information and education about issues important to mothers through the new MOTHERS Economic ABCs Workshop. The workshop provides discussion topics concerning policies that affect mothers and other family caregivers. MOTHERS' goal is to have people all across the country discussing issues that will play a vital role in the 2004 elections.

Studies show that 53% of eligible voters are women, and that the women's vote can have a significant impact on election outcomes. Through the use of the Economic ABCs workshop in homes, community centers and libraries across the country, MOTHERS hopes that men and women will become more aware of issues that impact on not just them, but communities as well. For more information about MOTHERS' Economic ABCs workshop please visit: www.mothersoughttohaveequalrights.org.

Source: www.mothersoughttohaveequalrights.org. MOTHERS is an initiative begun in 2002 by the National Association of Mothers' Center and author and economics commentator Ann Crittenden.

Bottled water is here to stay, a booming industry that grosses more than $7 billion dollars a year in the US alone. Water is necesary, and maintaining hydration is essential to good health (note the increased demand the body calls for when pregnant, breastfeeding and exercising). But the bottle you drink from may be dangerous to your health. Polycarbonate water bottles (labeled #7) contain bisphenol A (BPA), which leaches from the plastic even at room temperature and has been linked to chromosome damage and hormone disruption. These are the types of plastic Nalgene water bottles found in sports stores. Commonly, the bottled water you purchase is in #1 PET or PETE bottles (polyethylene terephthalate) , which may leach DEHA, a known carcinogen, if used more than once. Additionally, when refilled, either type of plastic bottles are likely to contain potentially harmful bacteria that grow on saliva, food particles, and fecal material from unwashed hands. Many people have reported getting diarrhea from their reused water bottles. Washing bottles with hot water and detergent or a rinse with bleach will sanitize them, but also leaches harmful chemicals out of the plastic.

What to do?

Use metal bottles. Kleen Kanteen offers numerous sizes of stainess steel bottles, and sippy top adapters.  Thermos makes stainless steel bottles for both hot and cold drinks or soups at www.thermos.com. Wash these bottles and their tops with hot water by hand after use. Dishwashers may not get into the narrow mouths of water bottles to clean their interiors.

Safer plastic containers are polyethylene #2 and #4 (High density HDPE #2 and Low density LDPE #4). HDPE is used for milk, water, juice, and yogurt containers. LDPE is used for squeezable bottles (honey, mustard, etc.).

Buy food products packaged in glass whenever possible. Use glass containers for storing leftovers.

Relatively safe
#1 polyethylene terephalate (PET) used only once
#2 and #4 polyethylene

Unsafe
# 5 polypropylene (catsup bottles, yogurt containers)
#6 polystyrene (Styrofoam)
#7 polycarbonate (Nalgene) water bottles

Never use
Food or drinks heated in plastic containers in a microwave.
Styrofoam cups (polystyrene #6), especially for hot liquids.
#7 polycarbonate (Nalgene) water bottles
Plastic baby bottles. If you must use bottles, use only glass baby bottles with silicone, not latex, nipples.
Do not reuse plastic water bottles.

And don't forget to have children wash their hands after using the bathroom.

Source: Natural Health Newsletter, published by Randall Neustaedter OMD, LAc (Author of The Vaccine Guide, North Atlantic Books, 2002 ) www.cure-guide.com/Natural_health_newsletter/natural_health_newsletter.html