Study: Tanning beds as deadly as arsenic

(at least read the bolded sections if you aren't interested in the entire article)

worried about a mole? click here

By MARIA CHENG, AP Medical Writer Maria Cheng, Ap Medical Writer

International cancer experts have moved tanning beds and other sources of ultraviolet radiation into the top cancer risk category, deeming them as deadly as arsenic and mustard gas. For years, scientists have described tanning beds and ultraviolet radiation as "probable carcinogens."
A new analysis of about 20 studies concludes the risk of skin cancer jumps by 75 percent when people start using tanning beds before age 30. Experts also found that all types of ultraviolet radiation caused worrying mutations in mice, proof the radiation is carcinogenic. Previously, only one type of ultraviolet radiation was thought to be lethal.

The new classification means tanning beds and other sources of ultraviolet radiation are definite causes of cancer, alongside tobacco, the hepatitis B virus and chimney sweeping, among others. The research was published online in the medical journal Lancet Oncology on Wednesday, by experts at the International Agency for Research on Cancer in Lyon, the cancer arm of the World Health Organization. "People need to be reminded of the risks of sunbeds," said Vincent Cogliano, one of the cancer researchers. "We hope the prevailing culture will change so teens don't think they need to use sunbeds to get a tan."

Most lights used in tanning beds give off mainly ultraviolet radiation, which cause skin and eye cancer, according to the International Agency for Cancer Research. The classification of tanning beds as carcinogenic was disputed by Kathy Banks, chief executive of The Sunbed Association, a European trade association of tanning bed makers and operators. "The fact that is continuously ignored is that there is no proven link between the responsible use of sunbeds and skin cancer," Banks said in a statement. She said most users of tanning beds use them less than 20 times a year.

But as use of tanning beds has increased among people under 30, doctors have seen a parallel rise in the numbers of young people with skin cancer. In Britain, melanoma, the deadliest kind of skin cancer, is now the leading cancer diagnosed in women in their 20s. Normally, skin cancer rates are highest in people over 75.

Previous studies found younger people who regularly use tanning beds are eight times more likely to get melanoma than people who have never used them. In the past, WHO warned people younger than 18 to stay away from tanning beds.

Cogliano cautioned that ultravoilet radiation is not healthy, whether it comes from a tanning bed or from the sun. The American Cancer Society advises people to try bronzing or self-tanning creams instead of tanning beds.

a proud mother

How is it that I haven't marveled at my mom's garden all these years? I am in love with my little veggie plants and am already looking forward to a bigger and better crop next year (poor Jason doesn't know what he's in for. That's what he gets for having vast acreage!)

I screamed yesterday when I spotted my first tomato, and then again today when I noticed several teeny cucumbers. I think I'll actually be sad when it comes time to pluck them!

I think I'm most proud of the cucumbers because I grew them from seed. (i know that doesn't mean I put forth any extra effort, but it's still exciting! I remember when the leaves just sprouted and were the size of tic tacs.)

I think the peppers will be ready very soon!

My lonesome heirloom tomato. I'm sure more on the way though I have been told that heirloom plants aren't big producers, so I shouldn't expect too many.

don't step on that ant hill

Came across this in my Foundations of Management text book. Thought it was an interesting point.

"Consider this: All the ants on ths planet, taken together, have a biomass greater than that of humans. Ants have been incredibly industrious for millions of years, yet their productiveness nourishes plants, animals and soil. Human industry has been in full swing for little over a century, yet it has brought about a decline in almost every ecosystem on the planet. Nature doesn't have a design problem. People do."
William McDonough and Michael Braungart, Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things.

time for a phone upgrade?

"Americans currently dispose of 128 million cell phones a year, only 1% of which are diverted from landfills. This appalling number isn't even counted in the 2 million tons of used electronics we also discard annually. The waste from such devices contains, according to the EPA, substances that are toxic when burned. Worse, in landfills, they seep into the groundwater and never break down."
Source: Andrew Zoll, "Business 3.0," Fast Company, No. 113 (March 2007): 68.

Recycling your phone is easy because there are so many options which require little effort. You can simply leave your phone with your provider when you purchase your new one, you can donate it to a cause, or you can even sell it. (In any case, remember to erase all your data first!)

Consider one of the options below when it's time for your next phone upgrade. (46 days and counting for me...I hate my current phone!)

http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/partnerships/plugin/cellphone/cell-recycling-locations.htm
http://recyclemycellphone.org/recycle.cfm
http://www.americancellphonedrive.org/
http://www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com/
http://www.apple.com/environment/recycling/ipodrecycling/
http://www.cellforcash.com/

mary mary quite contrary

I decided to try my hand at gardening this year (thanks for the tips, Mama!) and due to the lack of an abundantly sunny area in my backyard, I opted to plant my garden in large pots. I arranged them near my front door, which I admit might look a bit odd to passers by, but it's the sunniest portion of my property. I've already noted a few things I'll do differently next time, but I am having a great time tending to my garden and seeing the new growth almost daily. I have already been enjoying my leaf lettuce and basil for a few weeks now, and am excited to make my first Troy Street Salad complete with Heirloom tomato, cucumber, and green pepper.

My Garden

Green Pepper

First Baby Pepper!

Heirloom Tomato

Cute little cucumber tendrils.

(i love how they "hold on")

Delicious Leaf Lettuce