Monday, April 21, 2008

Polluted Pets

Are your pets polluted?

Environmental Working Group, a DC-based research and advocacy organization, just released the most comprehensive study of industrial chemicals in pets ever published. The group tested cats and dogs for 70 different chemicals, and found 48 of them -- carcinogens, neurotoxins, fire retardants, stain removing chemicals, heavy metals, the list goes on -- many at levels much higherthan have ever been found in humans.

According to the group, "lax chemical safety standards in the U.S. allow manufacturers to use chemicals without first proving they're safe, and that hurts all of us -- including the feathered, furry, and finned members of our families." You can see the entire article and report on their website
http://www.ewg.org/reports/pets

How do these chemicals get ingested by pets? According to the report, "just as children ingest pollutants in tap water, play on lawns with pesticide residues, or breathe in an array of indoor air contaminants, so do their pets. But with their compressed lifespans, developing and aging seven or more times faster than children, pets also develop health problems from exposures much more rapidly."

It is a disturbing report, especially since you never know when you're at a park or other public area what types of things are being used; and have no control of it either.

7 comments:

Matt said...

My next post will be about a site where you can get tips to keep your pets safe.

Matt said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Matt said...

My next post will be about a site where you can get tips to keep your pets safe.

Anonymous said...

They just sprayed our complex with fertilizer....I've had to make sure I washed my dog's paws when we came inside.

Anonymous said...

Hi:

Thanks for participating in this week's Carnival of Family Life, hosted by Jen at Diary of 1. Be sure to drop by tomorrow, April 28, 2008, and check out some of the many wonderful articles submitted this week!

Anonymous said...

I want to compliment Obama on his mastery!

Anonymous said...

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