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Recycling Plastics: By the Numbers

One day in my office, we received a new recycling bin. It has one side for aluminum cans and the other side simply said “plastics.” I can’t remember what it was, but my boss wanted to toss something in the plastic side when our business manager said, “No, you can’t do that” and explained whatever he had that was plastic couldn’t be recycled with things like water bottles. His argument was the bin only said “plastics,” which rather makes sense. How do you know what plastics to recycle? You have to go by the numbers. If you look on the … Continue reading →

Insurance Company Cancels Veteran’s Health Insurance Over Two Cents

Sometimes, is seems like insurance companies that sell health insurance are just waiting for the tiniest reason to cancel someone’s insurance policy. This is a nightmare for many Americans, and a reality for some. Recently, Ceridian Cobra Services, an insurance company, suddenly canceled the health insurance policy of a Vietnam veteran, because of a two cent discrepancy on a premium payment. Ronald Flanagan is a United States Veteran who served in Vietnam. While he was serving his country, he was exposed to a chemical called Agent Orange. This toxic herbicide was used by the U.S. Military during the Vietnam War … Continue reading →

One in Five U.S. Adults Still Smoke

The other day, I called my best friend. She had just learned her holiday weekend trip home to Illinois would be moved up a day but not for a good reason. Her octogenarian father was having open heart surgery. She called her mom to tell her she was leaving to make the seven hour drive, but first warned her that she was smoking again, after trying to quit recently. As a supportive friend, I told her not to worry about that right now. I know she needs to quit, I’ve talked to her about it, but a stressful time like … Continue reading →

American Cancer Society Releases Top 5 Carcinogens in Report

As medicine advances, we know there are certain things from which we should stay away from in order to help increase our chances of not getting cancer. Smoking – check. Asbestos – check. Burnt, grilled meat – check. But this week, the American Cancer Society (ACS) issued a report of 20 “suspected carcinogens,” that is, things that cause cancer. The organization would like more research done on these items. Making the list were: lead and lead compounds; cobalt with tungsten carbide; titanium dioxide; welding fumes; refractory ceramic fibers; diesel exhaust; carbon black; styrene-7,8-oxide and styrene; propylene oxide; formaldehyde; acetaldehyde; dichloromethane, … Continue reading →