Episode 21

Dr. David Kriebel is an epidemiologist and Professor Emeritus at the University of Massachusetts in Lowell.  

Dr. Kriebel discusses the known and suspected health risks associated with tattoo inks, tattoos, and the tattoo removal process.  As an epidemiologist, he implores scientists to actually conduct a study so we can use that information to help protect people.  

"Although a number of color additives are approved for use in cosmetics, none are approved for injection into the skin." FDA.  Tattoo inks can include untested toxic ingredients in colored synthetic dyes and pigments such as: mercury, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, aluminum, cinnabar, nickel, manganese, acrylic, and more.  One question might be, why do consumers feel tattoos are safe? 

In January of 2022 the European Union banned toxic tattoo inks and investigators in some European countries have begun studying not only the unsafe inks, but also the possibility of long-term health risks of tattoos. 
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Dr. Kriebel is also the Director of the Lowell Center for Sustainable Production, which collaborates with industries, government agencies, unions, and community organizations on the redesign of systems of production to make them healthier and more environmentally sound.

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Episode 20

Ruth Hennig was the Executive Director of the John Merck Fund which supported public policy and research for improved human health, specializing in developmental disabilities and environmental health.  While working to fund projects advocating for and studying the health implications of chemical exposures, she herself was diagnosed and treated for cancer. 

Ruth discusses the way having cancer, twice, caused her to ask some broader questions and engage in her own care choices.  The process ultimately led her to become more activated and involved in preventing harmful chemical exposures for others.  Presently, Ruth serves on the board of Defend Our Health and is a member of the Maine State Advisory Board for the Conservation Law Foundation.  

Some places to get more information on toxics, which Ruth recommends:
Environmental Working Group
Healthy Babies, Bright Futures
Defend Our Health
​Toxic Free Future
Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health

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Episode 19

Jon Swan is the founder of Save Forest Lake in the North Country of New Hampshire.  Save Forest Lake is fighting to preserve the pristine water, air, and soil for future generations by taking on a proposed landfill, challenging setbacks, initiating zoning and getting involved in political decision-making.

Save Forest Lake invites everyone to join them at 10:45 AM on the steps of the capitol building in Concord on September 15th, 2022 (wearing blue for the water) to urge a veto override that would protect their water from becoming polluted by a proposed Casella landfill.

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