The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide

Free shipping was my best consumer experience this week, while loss of my strawberry patch is upsetting

By Rita R. Robison

I was able to get free shipping from a firm that hasn’t offered any coupons or deals. That cheered me up. However, when the weather turned nice, my weeds bloomed.

My best consumer experience: Free shipping from New York firm

Since I have allergies, I order my shampoo and body soap, laundry detergent, and dishwasher detergent from N.E.E.D.S., a company in New York. That’s heavy stuff. Often, my shipping bills are high.

On my last order, I was able to get free shipping. The customer service representative also pointed out that the sale catalog I’d received had a $5 coupon. I dug through the recycling and found it – the last thing in the bottom of the barrel.

My worst consumer experience: Loss of my strawberry patch to weeds

I don’t use pesticides in my yard. Pesticides are harmful children, adults, and pets. I don't think consumers should use them.

So I pull the weeds in my yard by hand. This spring, when it finally warmed up, the weeds seemed worse than usual.

Last year, I had a nice strawberry patch.

Here’s a close up of some of the strawberries.

I picked these strawberries for a tasty treat.

This year, my strawberry patch has completely disappeared. In its place is a weed patch.

Maybe the cold weather killed the plants.

I have lots of weeding to do. Are the weeds worse this year, or did I not keep up with them enough in the fall?

Copyright 2012, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Did toxic cleaning chemicals kill one, sicken 10 others at Georgia McDonalds?

By Rita R. Robison

Toxic fumes in the bathroom at a Pooler, Ga., McDonalds may have been responsible for the death of an 80-year-old woman and sending 10 others to the hospital, according to investigators.

No cause has been confirmed, but emergency responders have theorized that a toxic mix of cleaning chemicals might be to blame, the website Newstype.com said.

For years, I’ve been concerned about the harsh chemicals used to clean public restrooms. When you look in many of the cleaning closets, you see large vats of chemicals in a row at eye-level with tubes for dispensing them.

Recently, I wrote about the importance of consumers doing research about toxic chemicals and learning as much about their use in consumer products so you can eliminate as many of them as you can from your home.

The Washington Toxics Coalition two helpful web pages on cleaners:

Cleaning Products – Why Be Concerned?

Recipes for Safer Cleaning

Take a look at this information to reduce the chemical exposures to you and your children and grandchildren.

Copyright 2011, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Top 10 tips for cleaning out your parents’ home

By Susan Devaney, CEO, Moving Mavins
Guest Blogger

Downsizing isn’t just about the stuff. It’s about the emotions and fears of becoming invisible as the trappings of a life are moved out into the larger world, or worse, into a dumpster or big black trash bag. So keep these tips in mind. 

1. Think Aretha: “R-E-S-P-E-C-T.” Regardless of how frustrating your parents’ lifestyle is to you, respect should be at the forefront of communication. It’s how you say what you say; you’re a team with a cooperative spirit.

2. “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure” isn’t just a cliché. Our stuff is personal, but it’s also generational. Each generation has its triggers: priorities that trigger fear. Many of our parents either lived through the Great Depression or grew up with vivid impressions of how it framed their parents’ lives. “Save, save, you may need it someday” was a mantra. Baby boomers are disposers. No wonder there’s conflict over how to sort the stuff.

3. From babies to centenarians, none of us functions well when hungry. So, if the attitude seems to be heading south, add a healthful snack or meal. A change in activity, and being fortified, will re-energize you.

4. Keep work sessions brief. Everyone should return to the sort with a sense of accomplishment.

5. Focus on what’s being used now, current interests, and what fits the next phase. There’s so much change with a move, now isn’t the time to review everything in the house. If it hasn’t been sorted in the last 40 years, it doesn’t have to be sorted right now.

6. Your home turns into a house as you peel back the personal elements. It helps to emotionally let go as you consider the house to be a shell of space to be marketed.

7. Sparkling clean and fresh is key. Let buyers add their style and equity to the house. Invest in professional window cleaning immediately prior to placing the home on the market. Toothbrush clean grout and around faucets. Pour on the elbow grease.

8. Purge the corners of clutter. Create curb appeal from the basement to the attic. Photograph the rooms. Then look at the pictures. This lets you see the space as an observer. Purging now means money in your pocket.

9. Stage the house. Keep colors serene. Your goal is to appeal to the largest pool of tastes, for buyers to immediately envision their belongings in your house.

10. Have fun in the process. Treasure the time together. Share stories, memories.

Copyright 2011, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Top 10 positive environmental stories of 2010

 

Recently, I wrote about the top 10 stories for consumers in 2010.

Since what happens in the environment also is important to consumers, I’m posting about this list of the top 10 good news stories for the environment in 2010 by The Environmental Working Group, an advocacy organization.

 1. Gas drilling using hydraulic fracking is beginning to be seriously examined by Congress and regulators.

2. Californians stand up for their climate change law by voting to retain it despite millions spent by oil companies to defeat the law in a referendum.

3. Consumers in San Francisco know how much radiation cell phones release, due to a new law passed by the city.

4. Perchlorate, a toxic chemical known to disrupt thyroid hormones that are essential to brain development, will finally be regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency.

5. The passage of a federal food safety law will bring safer, healthier food for everyone.

6. States and cities dump Bisphenol A, even though Congress declined to vote on banning the endocrine-disrupting plastics chemical in baby bottles and sippy cups.

7. Small steps toward better controls on toxic chemicals have been taken, with bills introduced in the House and Senate to update and strengthen the Toxic Substances Control Act.

8. Presidential advisors take a fresh look at cancer causes, with a report that concludes the "true burden of environmentally induced cancer has been grossly underestimated."

9. Plastic bags are being outlawed from coast to coast, as more cities vote to ban them.

10. Some brands are disclosing what’s in their cleaning products, including S.C. Johnson, the maker of Windex, Nature's Source, and Shout.

See the Environmental Working Group’s article for more information on these accomplishments.

My next post will be on the group’s list of the worst environmental stories of 2010.

Copyright 2011, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist 

How to clean up a broken CFL bulb

Compact fluorescent light or CFL bulbs contain a small amount of mercury sealed in glass tubing. When a CFL breaks in your home, some of the mercury is released as mercury vapor.

The broken bulb can continue to release mercury vapor until it’s cleaned up and removed from the home. To minimize exposure to mercury vapor, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends that consumers follow the cleanup and disposal steps described below:

1. Before cleanup

• Have people and pets leave the room.
• Air out the room for 5 to 10 minutes by opening a window or door to the outdoor environment.
• Shut off the central forced air heating/air-conditioning system, if you have one.
• Collect the materials needed to clean up the broken bulb.

2. During cleanup

• Be thorough in collecting broken glass and visible powder.
• Place cleanup materials in a sealable container.

3. After cleanup

• Promptly place all bulb debris and cleanup materials outdoors in a trash container or protected area until the materials can be disposed of properly.
• Avoid leaving any bulb fragments or cleanup materials indoors.
• Continue to air out the room for several hours where the bulb was broken and leave the H&AC system shut off.

The EPA has issued this additional guidance as many consumers have been concerned about previous recommendations including cutting out areas of carpet where powder from a CFL has fallen.

Here are the EPA’s suggested steps for cleaning up a broken CFL from a carpet or rug:

• Carefully scoop up glass fragments and powder using stiff paper or cardboard and place debris and paper/cardboard in a glass jar with a metal lid. If a glass jar isn’t available, use a sealable plastic bag. (NOTE: Since a plastic bag won’t prevent the mercury vapor from escaping, remove the plastic bag from the home after cleanup.)
• Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.
• Place the used tape in the glass jar or plastic bag.
• Vacuuming of carpeting or rugs during cleanup isn’t recommended unless broken glass remains after all other cleanup steps have been taken. [NOTE: It’s possible that vacuuming could spread mercury-containing powder or mercury vapor, although available information on this problem is limited.] If vacuuming is needed to ensure removal of all broken glass, keep the following tips in mind: (1) Keep a window or door to the outdoors open, (2) vacuum the area where the bulb was broken using the vacuum hose, if available, and (3) remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister) and seal the bag/vacuum debris, and any materials used to clean the vacuum, in a plastic bag.
• Promptly place all bulb debris and cleanup materials, including vacuum cleaner bags, outdoors in a trash container or protected area until materials can be disposed of properly. Check with your local or state government about disposal requirements in your area. Some states and communities require fluorescent bulbs – broken or unbroken – be taken to a local recycling center.
• Wash your hands with soap and water after disposing of the jars or plastic bags containing bulb debris and cleanup materials.
• Continue to air out the room where the bulb was broken and leave the H&AC system shut off, as practical, for several hours.

The EPA also has recommendations for cleaning up broken CFLs from hard surfaces.

 Copyright 2010, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Recall of the Week: GE front-loading washing machines due to fire and shock hazard

GE is recalling about 181,000 front-load washing machines.

A wire can break in the machine and make contact with a metal part on the washtub while the machine is operating, posing fire and shock hazards to consumers.

GE is aware of seven incidents in which flames escaped the washing machines and caused minor smoke damage. No injuries have been reported.

The recall involves GE front-load washing machines without auxiliary water heating. Click here to see model and serial numbers.

Made in China, the recalled washing machines were manufactured between December 2006 and February 2010. The model and serial numbers are located on the bottom right side and on the bottom doorframe of the washers.

The washing machines were sold at department stores and various retail stores nationwide from December 2006 through May 2010 for about $700.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled washers, unplug them from the electrical outlet, and contact GE for a free repair. Consumers shouldn’t operate the washers until they’ve been repaired.

For additional information, contact GE toll-free at 888-345-4124 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's website at www.geappliances.com.

For details on other recalls, see www.recalls.gov.

Copyright 2010, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Top 10 tips for buying Mother’s Day gifts

 

Mother’s Day is a great time to recognize our moms, the women who have made a significant contribution to our lives.

Whether your family traditions for celebrating are elaborate or low-key, here are some tips for helping you have a great time on this special day.

1. Ask your mom for ideas on what she’d like for Mother’s Day. Flowers, chocolates, and jewelry are popular with many moms, if you find yourself running out of time.

2. Consider electronic items, if your mom’s techie. Your mom might like an iPad, Kindle 2, digital camera, or digital photo frame.

3. Find the right gift basket. Fruit, flowers, gardening items, gourmet food, coffee, tea, chocolates, cookies, wine and cheese, and pasta are among the many choices. You can also create a gift basket yourself to include many of your mom’s favorite items.

4. Avoid appliances such as toasters and vacuum cleaners. See "Gifts Mom Doesn’t Want on Mother’s Day" for other no-nos, such as cleaning supplies and body/bath gift sets.

5. Give a service, such as a spa gift certificate, massage, or a home cleaning service for a day.

6. Take your mom out to lunch or dinner at a nice restaurant, if you’re lucky and live close by.

7. Buy a gift card for your mom’s favorite store. Be sure to package it attractively and include a well-written card.

8. Check your mom’s bookshelves to see what kind of books she likes, if she enjoys reading. See AARP The Magazine and Publishers Weekly’s Books for Grown Ups for ideas, if your mom’s a baby boomer.

9. Think green when shopping for your mom’s present. Some ideas are locally grown flowers or jewelry made by a local craftsperson. See "Green Mother’s Day Gifts" for more ideas.

10. Avoid scam artists. Some set up shop to sell low-quality goods, then leave town. This happened to my daughter on Valentine’s Day. She bought roses, which deteriorated quickly. When she went back to complain, the sellers had vanished. Consumer Reports also advises moms to be wary of Mother’s Day e-mail message. Moms shouldn’t open any attachments or click on hyperlinks, especially if the message was sent by an unknown person. Scammers can disguise emails to make them appear as though they’re from legitimate e-card sites. It’s best to verify the sender.

I hope you and your mom have a happy Mother’s Day.

Copyright 2010, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Top 10 Earth Day tips

This year is the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day.

I remember when Earth Day was created. More was being learned about harmful environmental practices after years of unabated development and pollution.

As young people, we had hope that things would turn around and humans could learn to live in more environmentally friendly ways. However, now we face climate change and getting governments, even our own, to do much about it remains a big stumbling block.

While special interests continue to hustle politicians in battles over the environment, it’s still possible for the actions of individuals to make a difference.

Here are some suggestions to consider as Earth Day approaches on how you can take action to improve the environment:

1. Don’t use pesticides in your yard or garden. Pesticides are harmful to you, your children, grandchildren, pets, and the environment.

2. Buy organic food as often as you can. Your purchases help to support local farmers markets and farmers who grow organic food.

3. Eat more vegetables and grow them yourself, even if it’s only a container garden. Livestock production requires enormous amounts of energy. Far more energy is put into animals per unit of food than for any plant crop. The main reason is that cattle consume 16 times as much grain as they produce as meat.

4. Gather information from green Web sites. It will help you green your life by making better environmental choices and by buying less.

5. Use natural, non-toxic cleaning products and make simple natural cleaners with ingredients such as vinegar, baking soda, and water. A recent survey conducted at the Massachusetts-based Silent Spring Institute indicated that 216 chemicals and radiation sources have been recognized by national and international regulatory agencies as being implicated in breast cancer causation.

6. Leave the grass clippings on your lawn. The clippings act as fertilizer and using them in this way means they won’t go to the landfill.

7. Work at the local, state, and national level for healthier food choices. Some examples are advocating for the serving of locally grown, organic food in school lunchrooms and the labeling of genetically modified food.

8. Join an environmental group and work to help it carry out its goals. With the serious problems of climate change beginning to impact the planet, consumers need to redouble their efforts to reverse environmental degradation and stop practices that destroy the soil, air, and water.

9. Support strong revisions to the Toxic Substances Control Act, which Congress is debating. The act is largely ineffective, and reforms are needed that meet the needs of consumers rather than corporations.

10. Buy a more fuel-efficient vehicle or cut your driving time by carpooling or taking public transportation.

Let me know what you’re doing in your community to help the environment on Earth Day and throughout the year.

Copyright 2010, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Do household cleaners contain ingredients linked to asthma, nerve damage, and other health effects?

Manufacturers of household cleaners often don’t label products so consumers know what’s in them.

But an overlooked law that authorizes the commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to require household cleaning product manufacturers to disclose their chemical ingredients and information about the health risks they pose was uncovered Keri Powell, an attorney for the public interest law firm Earthjustice.

Earlier this month, Keri argued a case before the New York State Supreme Court requesting that manufacturers follow the law.

Earthjustice filed the case last year on behalf of a coalition of state and national groups. They include Women's Voices for the Earth, Environmental Advocates of New York, New York Public Interest Research Group, Clean New York, Riverkeeper, Sierra Club, and American Lung Association in New York.

Some disclosures have already been made as a result of the case. Earthjustice sent letters the manufacturers of cleaners in September 2008 requested that they begin following the law within 30 days or risk possible legal action. The letters prompted some companies, including the manufacturer of Simple Green products, to file disclosure reports for the first time.

In March 2009, SC Johnson announced that it would disclose the chemical ingredients in its products. At the same time, the company launched a What’s Inside Web site that offers a detailed look at the ingredients in SC Johnson's products so consumers “can make the right decisions for your home."

But four companies – Procter & Gamble, Colgate-Palmolive, Church and Dwight, and Reckitt-Benckise – wouldn’t disclose cleaner information. They’re fighting Earthjustice in court to continue to keep the ingredients in their products secret.

The case could have national implications because if companies disclose their chemical ingredients in New York state, they’ll also disclose them in other states.

Earthjustice also is working to reform the Toxic Substances Control Act, the major U.S. law concerned with keeping the public safe from toxic chemicals in commercial products. New federal legislation is needed strengthen the act so that it adequately protects consumers.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Preventing breast cancer: 20 risk factors

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The Breast Cancer Fund is an organization that works to identify – and advocate for elimination of – the environmental and other preventable causes of breast cancer. It says:

Research has taught us that many widely understood risk factors play a role, including our genetic makeup and whether or not we've had kids or breast-fed.

But these risk factors don't explain it all. A substantial body of scientific evidence indicates that exposures to common chemicals and radiation, alone and in combination, may contribute to the unacceptably high incidence of breast cancer.

Here are risk factors the Breast Cancer Fund offers in its article “How to Prevent Breast Cancer: 20 Risk Factors”:

1. Cook with stainless steel. Aluminum may be a risk factor for breast cancer. To be cautious, avoid aluminum pots and pans and aluminum-based deodorants.

2. Use natural sunscreens. Many sunscreens contain chemicals that may be breast cancer risk factors.

3. Check your old foam furniture. Old foam mattresses and furniture can contain PBDEs, flame retardants that may be a breast cancer risk factor.

4. Minimize car exhaust. PAHs in vehicle exhaust are a breast cancer risk factor, particularly at certain vulnerable moments in life. Minimize your exposure.

5. Eat soy, but not too much. Natural plant-based estrogens in soy may provide healthy benefits in low doses, but may be a risk factor for breast cancer in higher doses.

6. Avoid CT scans and x-rays. Some common medical procedures may come with a high dose of radiation, a known breast cancer risk factor. There are alternatives.

7. Check older toys. Exposure to phthalates in plastics, present in many older – and not so old – toys and children's products, could be a breast cancer risk factor.

8. Avoid synthetic hormone replacement therapy. If you use HRT, use estrogen-only formulations to avoid a well-documented breast cancer risk factor.

9. Recycle batteries. Some batteries and other consumer products contain cadmium, which has been linked to early-onset puberty, a risk factor for breast cancer.

10. Eat clean fish. Some fish can be contaminated with PCBs and dioxins, both breast cancer risk factors. Learn how to choose safe, nontoxic fish.

11. Be wary of dry cleaning chemicals. PERC, a chemical used by many dry cleaners, and in some carpet cleaners and spot removers, may be a breast cancer risk factor.

12. Use natural cosmetics. Some beauty products contain toxic and endocrine disrupting chemicals that may be breast cancer risk factors.

13. Avoid bleach and chlorine. Bleached products, including some tampons and household disinfectant bleaches, may be harmful.

14. Use natural pesticides. Some chemical pesticides contain endocrine disrupting chemicals that can harm human health, as well as kill insects and rodents.

15. Avoid weed killers. Herbicides do more than kill weeds. Some may mimic hormones, a breast cancer risk factor.

16. Use nontoxic cleaning supplies. Warning labels on cleaning products are there for a reason: Some contain breast cancer risk factors. Use alternative green cleansers or do-it-yourself cleansers instead.

17. Avoid canned food. The lining in canned food can leach chemicals. Choosing farmers' market-fresh vegetables is a better choice.

18. Choose truly “microwave safe” containers. Even so-called "microwave safe" plastic can leach chemicals into your food. Choose glass or ceramic bowls instead.

19. Drink safe water. Bottled water may contain Bisphenol A or other contaminants, while filtered public tap water is closely monitored for safety.

20. Choose BPA-free baby and water bottles. Bisphenol A has been linked to a variety of health problems, and may be a risk factor for breast cancer. Start early – for your daughter’s sake.

See the article for details on each risk factor.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist