Beware of Dry Cleaners Claiming They are Environmentally Friendly

Have you ever passed a dry cleaning store and noticed a cloud of white smoke billowing from the roof vent or, even worse, from the upper floor of the store? If so, beware of dry cleaners claiming they are environmentally friendly!

Out of the more than 30,000 dry cleaners that are in business today, less than 15% do not use the harmful toxin called perc (percholorethylene). According to the EPA, “perc has been labeled as a probable human carcinogen.”

When you drop your clothes off or pick them up, do you sense an odor that may leave you with a headache or cause dizziness? Perc is the cause. It not only causes nausea, but has been known to cause infertility in men, miscarriages, and nervous system disorders.

So why hasn’t the EPA or other health organizations banned the use of perc? Economics, politics, apathy - pick one. It is really up to you, as a consumer, to take a stand against dry cleaners that continually pollute the air with these known toxins.

Moreover, just because your clothing label might read “Dry Clean Only”, doesn’t necessarily mean that it has to be. Here is a little tidbit you may not have heard: Students who were taking a textile course were told that due to the import laws, all garments shipped from China had to be washed first. This then pre-empts the instructions on the label, doesn’t it? This also clears up the misconception that “Dry Clean Only” must be adhered to. While there are exceptions to the rule, there are alternatives, such as wet cleaning.

You may be asking, “What about my wool suit?” In this case, there are dry cleaners out there that use Co2, which is the safest and environmentally friendly way to clean clothing. Moreover, contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to dry clean every item of clothing even if the label says you should.

As mentioned earlier, perc is a hazardous air pollutant and results in that billowy cloud. It is vented to the outdoors and can stay in the atmosphere for several weeks, at which point it will break down into other toxic chemicals. Some people have even suggested that it is one of the causes of the ozone layer becoming thinner.

In fact, perc is also considered a hazardous waste material. When it is dumped into landfills or is improperly handled, the water then becomes a toxic vehicle harming plants and other wildlife.

Therefore, the best we can do is find alternative ways to “dry clean” our clothing, and not help contribute to the pollution that is already plagueing our earth. In the mean time, it may be prudent not to buy clothes that have the “dry clean only” label, and seek out new alternatives and environmentally sound ways to clean our clothing.

Note that in July of 2006, the emissions standards for perc were strengthened for all dry cleaners that use the solvent. The phasing out of perc at dry cleaners located in residential buildings by the year 2020 was passed. Some state and local governments are also phasing out or banning certain types of older perc machines, and changing where cleaners may be located. So check the dry cleaning laws in your state, by contacting your state environmental protection agency.

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Natural Alternatives to Dry Cleaning

Why choose natural alternatives to dry cleaning? The answer is because the toxin perc, which is used by dry cleaners, is polluting the air, water, and can cause innumerable health conditions if one is exposed to it. To this end, here are a number of natural alternatives you can utilize:

* Wet cleaning. Wet cleaning is the process by which water and detergents (which are non-toxic) are used. It is also a viable solution and one that has been approved by the EPA.

* Dryell cleaning. Using a product called Dryell, which is available in sheets much like fabric softeners, you place your clothes in a dryer and add the Dryell. It also comes with spot treatments for stains.

* Home washing. Believe it or not, there are clothes which, while the label says “dry clean only” can be washed at home. Whether you use cold water, gentle cycle, or slightly warm water, simply lay the items out on a towel to dry. This is especially true if you think shrinkage may occur. For example, sweaters can be reshaped just after you take them out of the wash and lay them on a towel. In addition, rayon and silk clothing has successfully been washed as well. Note: For items that absolutely need to be dry cleaned, find a store that uses CO2.

* Avoid buying clothes that need to be dry cleaned. This is probably the safest and most practical way to avoid toxins. Moreover, look at the money you will save on dry cleaning bills.

* Check online listings of dry cleaners that utilize safe methods. You can go online and check the list of dry cleaners that do not use perc, as well as check with your state EPA to obtain the laws applicable to dry cleaners.

* Take care of your clothing. Experts suggest that in order to avoid having to dry clean your clothes, clean up spills immediately, brush those of your clothes that contain lint, and wear an undergarment that will prevent the underarm stains that sometimes appear on clothes.

* Use steam cleaning. Another suggestion by experts is to hang your garments in the bathroom and turn on the shower, or to hang them up while showering.

* Teach by example. How many times do you tell your kids to hang up their clothes as soon as they undress? Well, this is great advice for keeping clothes fresh. Experts suggest you air out the clothes before hanging them in the closet. Good advice.

As the world community continues its commitment to saving our eco-system and our environment, we as citizens of this earth can help in this regard by finding natural alternatives to dry cleaning. It is a small price to pay for the greater good, don’t you agree?

Screening IS Important for All Women in the Prevention of Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Just as we are widening the circle of breast cancer awareness by promoting mammographies, so too is screening important for all women in the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

When the AIDS virus first surfaced in 1980, it was specific to men. Today, it has ravaged the bodies of women and children alike.

Why is screening for all women so important? Consider the alternatives. With so many STDs being diagnosed today, some of which we know there is no known cure, why wouldn’t a women want to take every precaution against these deadly diseases?

Yet, here is a startling statement taken from D. Hollander’s Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, June 2005. “Routine STD screening of sexually active women aged 15-24, although recommended in federal guidelines, is uncommon in primary care visits at hospital based clinics: In 1997-2000, only 4% of such visits by women in this age-group who had no genitourinary symptoms included testing for an STD. Even when women of reproductive age report symptoms that could signal the presence of an STD, testing is infrequent; diagnostic tests were conducted in 13% of visits made by women reporting symptoms. Regardless of whether women were symptomatic, the likelihood of testing was elevated if the visit was for preventive care, and if the woman was younger than 25.”

Here is a true case. A woman in her late 50's had been experiencing the following symptoms: hardness around the mid-section and vaginal pain. Instead of seeking treatment immediately, she waited. When she was finally diagnosed, she was in Stage IV of ovarian cancer. She hung on for two years. The cancer had spread to her brain and she succumbed.

Had she taken the time for a PAP test, or sought out an obstetrician immediately, should might have been saved. Although there is no cure for this disease, she may have been given treatment and more time in this life. HPV has been cited as the cause.

While researchers are working tirelessly to find cures for these diseases, apathy exists among some women who feel screening is not important. Breast Cancer awareness has become a major campaign, yet STDs and related diseases are barely mentioned.

We need to step up the education process on STDs for all women, but especially teens who are on a path to womanhood. Prevention is the key; keeping women informed as to the cause and effect of STDs is crucial. Screening IS important for all women in the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. The warning signs are there; taking a pro-active stance is necessary for early detection. It’s time.

Talking to Teens about STDs

It’s inevitable that one day you will have to sit down with your teen and discuss STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases). The question is when and how. Talking to teens about STDs can be uncomfortable for some, but it is critical that all parents tackle this topic with care, thought, and knowledge. Here are some tips on how to go about it.

While it’s true that teens rarely listen to advice, this is one time that you have to take a deep breath and begin the dialogue. It is recommended that you research all of the most common sexually transmitted diseases first. In this way, you will not trip over your words or offer information that is only half true.

Determine if your child has been taught any information in school about STDs and find out if there is anything he or she didn’t understand, or needs clarification on. Begin by asking what has been taught. If the teen understands, you are a one step ahead of the game.

Obtain as many pamphlets you can from the CDC (Center for Disease Control) or other organizations that have easy to understand information which you can impart to your teen as you read together. Then allow the teen to ask any question that might be lingering in their mind.

Talk openly and honestly with your teen. If there is a question posed you can’t answer or are unsure of, look it up and get back to the teen about it. Talk using words they can fully understand. As a parent, you can easily tell if a child has grasped what you are trying to say.

Explain as best you can the affects of the more common STDs and how they would affect your child later in life. Don’t try to explain everything in one night. Spread it out over a period of time so that the teen can comprehend the information given.

Finally, and most importantly, let your teen know that you are there for him or her in any eventuality. That he or she can come to you to ask any question, pose any problem, and search for answers together. That nothing would ever change the way you feel about your teen no matter what.

Sexually transmitted diseases are a serious topic and should be handled with the utmost care and forethought. Talking to teens about STDs can literally save their lives, and the sooner the information is provided the more knowledge they will have to make intelligent choices in their lives.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Sexually transmitted diseases, some of which have no known cure, are on the rise. The most notable of these diseases is HIV/AIDS, which surfaced in the 1980s and has been the cause of millions of deaths worldwide.

In addition to this devastating disease, more common sexually transmitted diseases include Chlamydia, herpes, gonorrhea, syphilis, and genital warts.

The symptoms associated with each of these diseases are:

HIV/AIDS: Someone with AIDS would experience infections, Kaposi’s sarcoma, characterized by bluish skin lesions that steadily progress, night sweats, coughing (similar to flu-like symptoms), swollen glands, and diarrhea.

Chlamydia: More commonly known as the “silent disease” because some who are infected may show no symptoms. But for others, the symptoms may include burning or itching when urinating, and white discharge.

Herpes: A more common condition, for which there is no cure, the symptoms may encompass sores on the genital area, fever, discharge, itching, pain, and overall lethargy.

Gonorrhea: Cured with drugs, gonorrhea presents itself with discharge, burning when urinating, and like Chlamydia, can also have no symptoms.

Syphilis: This disease’s symptoms range from sores on the genital area, mouth, anus, as well as accompanied by a sore throat, and low fever.

Genital Warts: The symptoms of this disease may appear in the form of itching, bleeding, or the appearance of warts in small clusters.

Among all of these sexually transmitted diseases, AIDS and Herpes have no current cure. In addition, if it is detected that a fetus has contracted Syphilis, there is no cure.

Are fetuses immune to any of the other STD’s? According to case studies, we already know that the fetus can contract HIV/AIDS. In addition, a baby can contract Chlamydia Gonorrhea, Genital Warts, and Herpes during vaginal birth. While we know the outcome for HIV/AIDS in babies, Chlamydia can cause ear and eye infections or pneumonia, Herpes can cause the baby to incur skin infections, blindness or retardation, and Genital Warts can also occur in newborns where the warts may block the windpipe.

These sexually transmitted diseases and their consequences are gruesome, to say the least. Education is important to be able to understand the risks involved in unprotected sex, as well as understanding how these diseases can have a lifelong affect on our children.

Currently, researchers worldwide are trying to find cures for these diseases. However, the process is a slow and methodical one. Children need to be taught early on about the types of diseases they can contract if they are not careful in their judgment. It would be greatly beneficial if an HIV/AIDS curriculum be mandated in all schools, as well as classes on STD’s and their devastating effects.