1.
Help maintain the integrity of stream channels and shorelines;
2. Reduce the impact of upland sources of pollution by trapping, filtering
and converting sediments, nutrients and other chemicals; an
3. Supply food, cover and thermal protection to fish and other wildlife.
For complete article go
to http://www.chesapeakebay.net/info/forestbuff.cfm
n Safe Disposal
of Old Medications - In September of 2005 there was an important
meeting that dealt extensively with ECs and EDs. It was the Annual
meeting of the Potomac River Basin Drinking Water Source Protection
Partnership entitled “Emerging Contaminants and Water Supply” (www.potomacriver.org/water_quality/safewater.htm)
One presentation was Reducing Pharmaceuticals
in Drinking Water Sources by Dana M. Heriegel, JD . She
highlighted two successful pilot recycling/return programs conducted
out of EPA Region I and coordinated by the Northeast Recycling Council,
Inc. According to her abstract one was a pilot program dealing
with unwanted medications collection in Franklin County, Massachusetts
and the other was a take-back event hosted by a local CVS Pharmacy
in
(Note: Safe disposal methods of old/unused medications is a developing subject with outdated practices still being advocated and followed. Consequently a web search will produce many articles still showing methods that are causing problems with water. We apologize for this confusion and suggest that you be careful when researching this subject.)
n Antibacterial Soap – According to an article in the Green Gazette section of the October/November 2006 issue of Mother Earth News you don't need Antibacterial Soap. The article of the same title notes that in 2005, "…a US Food and Drug administration (FDA) panel concluded that there is "no added benefit" from using antimicrobial products over plain soap and water and there's also toxicity to consider." For the complete article go to: www.motherearthnews.com/Nature_and_Environment/2006-10-01/Green_Gazette_Why_You_Dont_Need_Antibacterial_Soap
nWise consumer use of plastics - According to an article in Co-op Americas'
"Real Money" some types of plastics leach chemicals as we use them.
Plastic bags that litter the landscape will kill animals that try
to eat them, and they'll harm aquatic life when dropped into bodies
of water. This article looks at the different types of plastic identified
by their recycling numbers that go from #1to #7. They say that the
ones that are of the most concern are 3, 6, & 7.
PVC
or Polyvinyl Chloride (#3) - “PVC is often made with plasticizers
such as phthalates, which can leach out of or evaporate from the finished
products and have been shown to cause developmental and reproductive
damage." Plasticizers and phthalates are considered endocrine disrupters.
They add "Land filling PVC can cause the plastic's toxic additives
to leach into groundwater."
Polystyrene
(#6) "According to the EPA, short-term styrene exposure at levels
above the Maximum Contaminant Level (used to set drinking-water standards)
can cause nervous-system effects such as loss of concentration weakness,
and nausea. Long-term exposure can cause liver and nerve damage
and cancer."
Polycarbonates and others
(#7) "Bisphenol-A (BPA is an endocrine disruptor that is used in making
polycarbonates and can leach from them when they're used."
This article includes an excellent box showing the "Types of
Plastic" and one listing "Resources." Most importantly, this article
also delineates how to be a "Smart Plastic User." www.coopamerica.org/pubs/realmoney/articles/plastics.cfm
