mumsam5 Particulate Air Pollution Strongly Linked with Increased Diabetes.

A new study that was published finds that there is a strong link between air pollution and diabetes.  Along with other risk factors are things such as obesity and ethnicity. Previous studies showed signs but this is among the first efforts of examining on a large scale with human population.   

"Environmental pollution, especially particulate matter between 0.1 and 2.5 micrometers in size (PM2.5), may be a neglected risk factor for diabetes. As a main component of haze, smoke, and motor vehicle exhaust, PM2.5 is dangerous in part because of its small size and ability to invade critical human organs in the respiratory and vascular systems. Exposure to higher levels of air pollution exaggerates adipose inflammation and insulin resistance in a mouse model of diet-induced obesity. In diabetic patients, plasma inflammatory markers increase in response to higher PM2.5 exposure."

 

 

The result of this was a strong connection between diabetes and the amount of air pollution.  This isn't yet proven because they haven't done individual studies.

 In my opinion, this is just another reason to show how air pollution can really affect us.  Whether it is a cause of diabetes or not, it still has negative effects to many things.  This is why many people are working so hard to come up with alternatives for coal, oil and other non-renewable resources.  If only more people could join the many, than things may run a bit smoother and a lot faster.

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/09/particulate-air-pollution-strongly-linked-increased-diabetes-prevalence.php?campaign=th_rss&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+treehuggersite+%28Treehugger%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

mumsam5, which solar panels offer the cleanest conscience?

 

Which Solar Panels Offer the Cleanest Conscience?

Some toxic byproducts are in Solar Panels but yet, people are buying and installing them instead of the other types of, even more toxic, energy sources. In the UK, people are looking for the cleanest way to create energy, without taking a lot out of their pockets.  Obviously, because of BP's oil spill in the Gulf, no one is exactly jumping to them considering the effect they have left on the creatures in the ocean.  An unknown company was marked down for buying from a Chinese company that was dumping toxic wastes outside its solar factory, Luoyang Zhonggui High Technology.  Many people recieved bottom ratings for the safety in the workplace and labor issues.  The only company that scored higher than the rest because of there new management system for protecting workers right was the Chinese company, Yingli.  It is difficult to examine what goes into these solar panel and decide which one is right for which consumer, especially when not all of the consumers will want the same thing.  Even though BP had an "oil" spill, it is still affecting their sales.  BP Solar was at the bottom of the ratings between all the Solar companies. 

Deciding which company is right for you will take some difficult research and it will all depend on what you do, or don't, agree with.  Some people are against the arms trade, therefore they wouldn't get involved with a company spending money on the military.  Everyone has their own ideas but what it should really come down to, is which is best for the environment.  The environment should come before personal preferences but that doesn't exactly mean other people will look at it like that.

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/09/solar-panel-cleanest-conscience.php?campaign=th_rss

mumsam5

I'm not exactly sure how do deal with these blog things, because i've never done them before.  But basically my environmental teacher made us create these to share our opinions.  I'm hoping to become more aware of my surroundings and how to be green.  I'm a junior and I play volleyball.  I have no idea what I want to do in the future, as long as i'm successful.  I enjoy listening to music and eating at Kentucky Fried Chicken, i love the mashed potatoes.