Common sense could go a long ways to promote food safety
Common Dreams - 10/9/2009.By Jim Goodman – The New York Times pointed out how a flawed and inadequate USDA meat inspection system has jeopardized the safety of those who eat meat and makes the simple act of eating a burger a potential game of Russian roulette. |
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Toxic chemicals found in Maine health workers
Bangor Daily News - 10/9/2009.By Meg Haskell – Doctors and nurses in 10 states, including Maine, tested positive for at least 24 different toxic chemicals in their blood and other body fluids in a study released Thursday by the national organization Physicians for Social Responsibility. The small study, with a total of just 20 participants, is the first to measure the presence of environmental chemicals in the bodies of health care professionals. |
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County widow sues insecticide maker
Bangor Daily News - 10/9/2009.By Judy Harrison – Bangor: An Aroostook County widow has sued a fertilizer company, claiming that it contributed to her husband’s death at the age of 53 in September 2007. Violet Montgomery of Woodland contends that the insecticides in Ortho Home Defense, manufactured by the Scotts Co. of Marysville, Ohio, caused health problems and aggravated existing conditions, which ultimately caused the death of Edward Montgomery. |
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Wisdom of helping small farmers begins to take root throughout U.S.
Kennebec Journal - 10/9/2009.Op-ed by Dennis Thoet – "Get big or get out!" The cry of the 1960s through the end of the last century, pretty much told the story about farming in America. Commodity farmers got big – with the help of handsome subsidies from the U.S. government – and swallowed up smaller farms. Other small farms were sold off for development or left idle. "Get small and get in!" The new cry emanates from the federal government, which is looking at ways to bring back small farms by helping beginning farmers buy land, become energy efficient and have access to expertise that can help them succeed. |
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