Healthy Indoors | 45
"If you're not getting at the clean-
ing and painting products and other
everyday chemicals, then you're not
getting at a major source."
One of the problems in the catego-
ry of pesticides is that the commercial
chemical blends can't always discern
between the "pests" they are sup-
posed to get rid of and the ones they
are not targeting. This wide net of de-
struction creates an out-of-whack re-
lationship between the interdependent
water, air, and food systems.
Right now, the "total mass of plas-
tics" on the planet supersedes the
"total mass of all living mammals."
Genetic damage and a reduction in
fertility in birds and marine animals
have been discovered.
There is a link to children's health,
from allergies and asthma to issues
created by neurotoxins found in the
plastic in toys.
It's key to remember that govern-
ment can institute proactive changes
through policy. Fossil fuels need to
be kept in the ground and not made
into plastic products. Consumers can
reach out to brands to push for cre-
ative thinking about how products are
packaged, with the goal of reuse. If
passed, the Break Free From Plastic
Pollution Act would go into effect on
January 1, 2023. It would phase out
many single-use products.
There is talk of creating a global trea-
ty on plastics that would push govern-
ments to agree on a set of standards.
In the meantime, our elected offi-
cials need to hear from us about that
this clear and present danger is unac-
ceptable for our families.
Marcia G. Yerman is a freelance writer based in New York City. In addition to cover-
ing the environment, she focuses on women's issues, human rights, culture, and the
arts. Her profiles, interviews, essays, and articles are archived at mgyerman.com.
Her work has been published by the New York Times, truthout, AlterNet, The Raw
Story, Women News Network, and NextTribe. You can find her on Twitter @mgyer-
man. For Moms Clean Air Force, Marcia is particularly interested in reporting on the
politics and policies of environmental issues — and making it accessible to readers.
Johan Rockström on Netflix documentary Breaking Boundaries. https://youtu.be/WJkrL6lLZrg
Tell Congress: Support the Break Free
From Plastic Pollution Act
