Toxins Threaten Marine Life

It’s bikini season again and that means time to hit the beach. But watch out! This summer there’s more to worry about besides the harmful sun rays, how much weight to lose and who’s driving. Deciding which beach you head out to may be at the top of your list. Earlier this month, the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board sent violations to 20 cities, warning them to stop polluting the Santa Monica Bay. These cities are responsible for extremely high bacterial limits of our local beaches. High bacterial levels and pollutants in our oceans is not only disgusting, it’s also harmful to the animals that call the ocean their home.

In September 2007, three blue whales washed on shore within two weeks. One of the whales had broken bones when found, which may have been caused by a ship motor. But what about the other two whales? Environmental issues such as dumping and accidental spills of toxins may be to blame. Marine pollution may be a major cause in the death of many marine mammals.

Marine pollution comes in many forms: oil spills, heavy metals, discarded waste or boat activity. About four months ago 58,000 gallons of fuel was accidentally spilled along the San Francisco coast. Hundreds of birds died and the clean up was outrageous. Although this spill was accidental, the effects of this one activity cost sea–side birds to lose their lives.

Much more than oil spills occur every day. Take a walk along the beach and you’d find tons of trash: empty wrappers, discarded kites, soda cans and my pet peeve—the plastic bag.

Let’s get back to those blue whales. According to American Cetacean Society, the blue whale outlived the deadly harpooning trend from the 1860s to the 1930s resulting in a 99 percent decrease of their population. Could we be the cause in another reduction of whales? Industrial pollutants, sewage from boats and the disturbance of large cruise ships have delayed the blue whales’ effort to rebuild its population. One issue is if the water is contaminated, than its food supply is contaminated as well. After eating up to 40 million krill a day a whale may become sick with its food’s illness. And it doesn’t stop there. If you like sea-side fishing, you might be eating the same contaminants as that whale.

The Pulitzer Prize winning series “Altered Oceans” by the Los Angeles Times documented the immediate effects of trash and pollution among sea life. Neuschwander, a sea lion displaying unusual behavior is a victim of domoic acid poisoning. “Domoic acid poisoning, (is) a condition that scrambles the brains of marine mammals and causes them to wash ashore in California as predictably as the spring tides.” These pollutants cause the sea lions to have reactions similar to seizures and be easily confused. Dominic acid is a neurotoxin that affects the sea lion’s neurons. “They pick up the acid by eating anchovies and sardines that have fed on toxic algae.”

More and more sea lions are showing up along California’s beaches in the same condition as Neuschwander: confused and convulsing. Those cute sea lions can’t fend for themselves anymore because people and cities are too lazy to properly dispose of their trash. A ton of other problems have been linked to pollution of California waters. Some possible illnesses as a result of long-term exposure to toxins include viral epidemics, influenza, and moribilliviruses in marine animals, especially those who were exposed to toxins such as PCB (Polychlorinated Biphenyls).

Blue whales are still turning up dead on Southern California beaches for no obvious cause. While it may not have been contaminated krill that killed the three whales that were beached in September, a number of environmental issues throughout North America have affected other types of whales. According to an article published in Maine Today, “Study: Right whales face pollution threat,” the University of Southern Maine found that right whales are contaminated with the industrial pollutant chromium which may be the cause of their delayed reproduction. The toxin chromium comes from “metal–finishing, leather tanning and textile-dyeing.” This study and many others are proving that industrial pollutants, that no one stops to think about, are having a major affect on marine mammals.

Canada is facing a similar problem with killer whales. The Web site www.canada.com reports that PCBs are a major problem affecting their aquatic life. In an article “Whales continue to suffer from banned toxins,” it is reported that toxic chemicals banned during the 1970s will interfere with the reproductive success of B.C.'s northern and southern resident killer whales until at least 2030, a newly published study says.” The study was conducted by Trent University in Vancouver. This brings up another important topic: if toxins don’t directly kill this generation, it will have a lasting affect on the next generation. Reproductive problems are common among marine mammals that have tested to contain environmental toxins in their bodies. The report also notes that “First born calves receive the highest dose of all.” These results are alarming.

Animals and people, can also contract illnesses from the hazardous ocean. The chemicals allow for marine mammals to become more susceptible to illness, have a weakened immune system and overall physical problems. This is what causes the deaths of whales. If not the noxious waste itself, it decreases their chance for survival. This is not only a problem in whales, but in dolphins and other marine mammals. Marine pollution problems are not only visible in California, but across the globe.

Industrial pollutants in the water may also alter the reproduction process of this generation of mammals and the next. The reproduction issues associated with these toxins are hermaphorditism, sterility and hormonal disturbance. Another issue is the abnormal growth of testis and testis tissue, uterine smooth muscle cell tumors, exostosis and osteoporosis in mammal skulls are issues some mammals face because of industrial pollutants filling the water.

In “Endangered Oceans,” author Kira Schmidt argues that cruise ships are huge polluters, often dumping pesticides and waste into the ocean. “Graywater…often contains contaminants such as detergents, cleaners, oil, grease, metals and pesticides—can legally be dumped anywhere, even thought the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency found that Graywater has the potential to cause adverse effects.” This human interference of the water is disturbing. Even if this sewage has no proven negative effects on these marine mammals, it is unhealthy for the water and people like me that love to spend time in the water.

While some may not consider the death of blue whales a problem personally, these deaths are a sure sign that something is wrong with the water. We all need to be aware that the illnesses contracted from whales can easily translate into illnesses contracted by humans. Be aware of the bacterial levels before you go swimming, you may want to head to the pool instead.

For more information about bacterial limit violations, visit www.healthebay.org. For more information about pollution and our oceans, visit www.latimes.com. “Altered Oceans” can easily be viewed.

Tree Time!

Quick—what’s the week of March 7-14? No, it’s not Spring break. It’s California’s week to celebrate Arbor Day. Here’s another brain teaser: what’s the state tree for California? Give up? It’s the California Redwood. Didn’t get either question right? Don’t feel bad. Unlike its better known cousin Earth Day, Arbor Day isn’t played up as much.

Arbor Day is a national celebration of trees. It was fellow journalist, J. Sterling Morton, editor of Nebraska’s first newspaper whom first proposed this “tree-planting holiday.” Morton moved to the Nebraska Territory in the 1854. His love of nature and the lack of trees in his area were his motivation to have one day when people can celebrate and plant trees. According to the Arbor Day Foundation Web site, “trees were needed as windbreaks to keep soil in place, for fuel and building materials, and for shade from the hot sun.” The first Arbor Day was held on April 10, 1872. Morton organized parades and prizes for citizens of Nebraska to join in his quest and appreciation of trees.

The Arbor Day Foundation also has a long list of cities, part of the Tree City USA program. The program “provides direction, technical assistance, public attention, and national recognition for urban and community forestry programs” to these cities. There are more than100 cities in California that are part of Tree City, USA including La Verne, Pomona and West Covina.

On the national calendar, April 25 is the day for Arbor Day. But most calendars don’t mention Arbor Day. I checked 5 calendars just to find the exact date. A complete list can be found on the organization’s Web site along with the date for Arbor Day celebrated in each state.

Over spring break in honor of Arbor Day I did my part to protect of all Earth’s living things by not getting either paper of plastic bags for my purchases. For the whole week I brought my own canvas bag into stores. And even when I forgot a bag, I still didn’t get a disposable plastic bag. The cashier at Target gave a funny look when she asked more than once if I was sure I didn’t want a plastic bag. No thanks. I don’t care how awkwardly shaped my items were, my two hands were perfectly capable of carrying three items to the car without the help of a plastic bag.

Recently I took a trip to the Los Angeles Zoo and watched the World of Birds show. While the tricks and dives of the birds were amazing, the hostess let us know that many of these animals are from the rainforest and it’s important to help conserve the rainforest in order to help save the habitat of these birds. She said that a football field of trees is being deforested every second. Here I’m thinking about what I can do in my hometown and I never thought about trees in other areas of the world.

Arbor Day is just as important as Earth Day because we need trees in our lives for their fruit, oxygen, shade and much more. If you’re planning on planting a tree I would suggest planting a Native California tree because it won’t need as much attention as other trees. If you don’t have enough space or time for a tree, try a small vegetable garden. Osh is selling vegetable plants at the price of two for one.

For more information about Arbor Day and the Arbor Day Foundation visit www.arborday.org

Arboretum hosts Earth-friendly Fair

Homemade paper, a fuel-cell vehicle and a possum named Winky made the Environmental Educational Fair held at the L. A. County Arboretum in Arcadia the place to be on Sunday. The Arboretum is not only home to exotic plants, but the craziest peacocks in California. Before I even came to the first booth, a group of peahens nearly crashed into me as they squawked and took off into the bushes.

At the first booth I visited people were ripping up paper into stamp-size pieces. I had to know what was going on. How was this going to save the earth? The kids volunteering at this booth were showing everyone how to reuse their old paper—by making new paper from it!

My piece ended up looking like fruit cake with green and orange chunks of papers sticking out. When I asked if we were going to iron the paper flat, 14-year-old volunteer Bram Vargas answered that they were trying to use the least amount of energy to make each piece.

I hadn’t even thought of that. Here I was thinking “Cool, I’m making paper.”

To make your own paper at home you will need old newspapers or magazines. The phonebook has plenty of pages. You will also need some construction paper, paper cups, a blender, screen, paper towels and a sponge.

First rip the paper into small pieces and toss into a paper cup. Take the paper and empty it into a blender where you add 2 cups of water. Spread the contents evenly over a screen. Place a paper towel over the mush. Then take your sponge to squeeze off any left over water. Flip over your paper towel and set out to dry.

The next best thing about the fair was the Fuel-cell vehicle. This is a different kind of hybrid. The fuel cell vehicle is actually an electric vehicle that uses a fuel cell stack to produce energy. The vehicle runs on hydrogen, which can be made in a variety of ways. And it only emits heat and water. While I’m still anticipating the cars that fly, these are the cars of the future. A representative said that these cars may hit the streets in 2015.

Winky, a possum, was one of the many animals featured at the fair. Winky made a star appearance at the new nature center that opened at Galster Park in West Covina on Saturday. The Humane society had a variety of dogs ready to be petted and adopted. My favorite was a Labrador that started jumping and whining the minute it came across a peacock. The curious pup struggled to break free from his leash and investigate this feathered friend of the fair. Wonders of Wildlife, Inc. brought a chinchilla and a pig that was recently featured on “Deal or No Deal.”

The Fair had many more booths with information about what can be recycled, protecting the ocean and composting. Besides the usual bottles and cans I learned that used printer cartridges and cell phones can also be recycled. Another booth discussed the dangers of contaminated seafood. For my vegetarian friend Jessica this was important information.

And of course I couldn’t leave the fair without having something environmentally chic: a cool canvas bag. Volunteers passed out large canvas bags with comfy blue handles and the words “Brag about your Bag” printed on the side. But volunteers wanted to make sure everyone knew why they were passing out the bags and what fair goers should use them for.

“What are you going to use them for?” asked the volunteer.

“Groceries!” shouted Jessica.

I laughed. By the end of the day she was just excited as I was about the fair and doing our part to protect the environment.

The best part of the fair is that it was held at the Arboretum. Nothing beats the warm sun, variety of plants and of course the loud squawking peafowl. Even if you missed the fair, the flora in combination with a variety of birds is enough to visit the Arboretum.

It’s free every third Tuesday of the month, which makes it next Tuesday. I’m definitely going back.

Earth Day is on Its Way

There are a number of Earth Day Events occurring in April. Keep your calendars open!

Eaton Canyon Nature Center located in Pasadena is having an Earth Day Festival on Saturday April 12 from 9 a.m. to 4p.m. For more information, call 626-398-5420.

The city of Glendora is hosting an Earth Day festival Saturday, April 19 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information call 626-914-8218.

An Earth Day event will be held in Whittier on Saturday April 12 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information visit www.lacsd.org/education/earth_day.

El Dorado Nature Center located in Long Beach will be celebrating Earth Day with activity tables on Saturday April 19 from 10 a.m. to 3p.m. For more information call 562-570-1745.

For an Earth Day celebration near you, visit your hometown’s Web site or check back with me for more Earth Day ideas and events.

Plastic Bags Get Sacked

The new enemy of the environment? Plastic bags. Sure they were poetic in the movie “America Beauty” and are handier than some paper bags, but plastic bags have become a nuisance in neighborhoods and worse for the environment. That light airy bag is more than a choking hazard for the earth.

Over the weekend I stepped outside and heard a rustling sound behind a neighbor’s bush. No, it wasn’t a cat or a bird. It was a plastic bag. In its own cyclone, the bag turned round and round. Where did this bag come from? Did it escape from a nearby trashcan? Was it carried in with the clouds? And where was this bag going next? On my drive to work another plastic bag flew by me. What was going on?

Is there no solution for these voyaging sacks?

The answer may be in your recycling.

So you’re ready to head to the recycling center. You’ve separated the bottles from the cans. Plastic from glass. But, wait. You’re leaving your most important recyclables out. Before you trash the plastic bags you brought your cans and bottles in, head to your local drug or grocery store. Those plastic bags can now be recycled. While you don’t get nickels and dimes for it, you’re helping out the earth.

Assemblyman Lloyd E. Levine, D-Van Nuys, believes so. Levine authored the bill to create mandatory recycling bins for plastic bags. As of July 1, 2007, grocery stores and drug stores are required to have a recycling bin for plastic bags. The law also requires stores to print a message on the bag that these bags can be returned to the store to be recycled. This makes the decision of “paper or plastic?” a little more guilt-free.

Levine got the idea for the bill when he noticed many bags near the Los Angeles River along his running route. In an e-mailed statement, Levine noted the environmental and economic problems with all these free-flying bags:

"With Californians throwing away over 600 bags per second,
they are creating enough waste every year to circle the
planet over 250 times."

The cost?

“This all amounts to more litter to collect on our beaches
and state highways,which costs the state $303.2 million
each year,” Levine said. 

That plastic bag isn’t so innocent now.

Plastic bag bans are also taking place throughout California. San Francisco and Santa Monica have taken initiative to ban plastic bags and encourage shoppers to bring their own bag. On Feb. 27 the city of Santa Monica voted to create an ordinance that will ban “single use plastic bags” within the city. The ordinance may include fees for customers whom want a paper bag. The city of San Francisco passed its own ordinance banning plastic bags from large grocery stores in March of last year. According to the Sierra Club Web site: “When one ton of plastic bags is reused or recycled, the energy equivalent of 11 barrels of oil are saved.”

Some stores have already taken initiative to reduce their plastic bag use. Whole Foods Market plans to eliminate its plastic bags by Earth Day. That means Whole Foods will reduce the amount of plastic bags sent to each store and boost its assortment of reusable bags. Instead it will offer customers reusable bags or paper bags made from 100 percent “recycled fiber content.” Whole Foods also had a “Bring Your Own Bag Day” in January to encourage shoppers to cut back on their plastic bag usage. More than 50,000 reusable shopping bags were given away to celebrate this effort.

But Levine believes that this isn’t enough to make people change their habits.

He is authoring a new bill that will increase your cost at the grocery store. Assembly Bill 2058 will “require stores to meet recycling benchmarks and gives them the flexibility to charge at least 15 cents per plastic bag given to customers.” If Assembly Bill 2058 passes, local governments will collect this money. Levine hopes that this collection will go toward “litter abatement.”

Watch out, shoppers!

BYOB just took on a whole new meaning.