Chasing Clean Air

Elder-Abuse: The Signs and What You Must Do To Protect Your Elders

More times than not the abuser of an elder is an adult child spurred on by his or her spouse, according to The National Center on Elder Abuse.

Elder abuse is on the rise. Just because an adult child, who was once cherished unconditionally, may be the abuser, doesn't mean he or she should get away with it. It's up to the rest of us to pay attention to ensure he or she doesn't get away with elder-abuse. 

Elder-abuse is a crime.

If you suspect elder abuse, call the National Eldercare Locator Hotline (800) 992-1600 to learn who to turn to in your area. Then you might call, Adult Protective Services in your area. They'll arrange a social worker to come out, make a report, and take things from there. Elderlaw (800) 222-1753 is a senior legal hotline, which I believe is free. You can also call your local bar association to get a recommendation for a lawyer specializing in elder abuse, should you decide to press criminal charges.

The rest of this piece explores what to look out for and actions to take if your loved ones fall victim to emotional, physical, or financial abuse.

Emotional abuse, which includes threats and withdrawal of affection and relationships, is subject to criminal prosecution.

Financial abuse, making unfair and unusual demands such as "Give me X or you won't see your grandchildren again," is a threat and punishable by law.

So is stealing. Physical abuse is clearly punishable by law.

Wood smoke a serious threat to public heath

One of my readers who is negatively impacted by neighbors smoke in the winter, keeps me abreast about burning issues in California... especially her neighborhood in Northern California. 

Here's a press release from CARB she forwarded from last week. 

Apparently, our state is talking about the ill-health effects from wood-burning. Now we'll need action. If wood-smoke bothers you, I encourage you to contact your local air quality control district--by email, mail, phone, and showing up--and tell them to educate the community and enforce new rules. 

Wood smoke is a serious threat to public health 

 

Fireplace smoke is major source of winter time air pollution 

 

SACRAMENTO: Today, the Air Resources Board heard the results of several studies that show smoke from wood fires aggravates lung and heart disease and increases the number of hospital admissions. 

 

"Today's report to the Board underscores the need for air districts throughout the state to curtail fireplace burning when air quality is suffering," said ARB Chairman Mary Nichols. "This starkly illustrates our need to continue reducing particulate matter emissions." 

 

At this morning's hearing, board members heard a presentation of research results that indicate exposure to wood smoke may reduce lung function and reduce the blood's ability to clot properly. In addition, wood smoke exposure may also increase substances in the body that lead to cardio-vascular and pulmonary inflammation. 

 

These health threats could be particularly dangerous to those with preexisting heart or lung disease. 

 

Repower America - Gore & 100% Clean Energy in 10 Years

Clean energy. Clean air. Al Gore speaks. Repower America.

Obama opens door for states to regulate vehicle emissions. Hello, California!

Regulating vehicle emissions is being considered along with climate change by Obama's team. Schwarzenegger applauded Obama's administration, which acknowledges that states like California should be able to make laws to protect a child's right to breathe clean air.

"Washington was asleep at the wheel regarding the environment," Schwarzenegger said, referring to a 2007 a California waiver to cut global gas emissions and regulate car manufacturers. The waiver was denied by the EPA under Bush because car manufacturers lobbied against it.

More Companies Going Green at Go Green Expo

Update:

If you'd like your clean air product or service to be considered for inclusion in The Clean Air Guide, please forward your information for review to [email protected] 

Plastics remain in landfills and our oceans for thousands of years before breaking down. Beyond a nuisance that can strangle nature, its toxins poison our environment.

"We have a solution for the pollution," Tony Tracy, CEO of Perf Go Green said.

We discussed his biodegradable plastic soon to be on a Wal-Mart shelf near you, and possibly lining your garbage can.

According to Tracy, his dream team of engineers created a biodegradable additive to plastic that breaks down in 12-28 months, leaving nothing behind.

Mr. Tracy was featured in the brilliant documentary Fuel, which I wrote about here. And he gave a colorful party with noted environmentalists like former New York governor, Pataki.

Other highlights from Go Green Expo:

Claire Pimentel of Covenant Green showcased her organic cotton and silk clothing that combined flow and pizzazz. She was my favorite designer at the expo and had I remembered my wallet I'm sure I would have purchased at minimum a tee-shirt. Her long cotton dresses combined sexy with down-to-earth elegance. I would have enjoyed owning one of those, too.

Duchess Marden is a line of organic skin products, which I haven't tried. My only opinion is the Duchess hired top-level help. Here's Jen, sales woman extra-ordinaire; sincere, friendly, informative.

Let's see, who else did I like?

Orang Utan Republik Foundation. Most informative about how to save this species.

Are you planning to tear down a building or house? If so, I learned there are sustainable ways to do so. Deconstruction and Building Materials ReWuse Network in Laguna Beach provides this service.

If not, how about putting a green roof on your building?

Priorities

So I returned to Go Green Expo today, and unlike previous days I felt like the usual suspects of hype and no substance infiltrated the doors of decency to peddle green hardwares with little concern for one another. Very few people looked me in the eye. Very few seemed sincere. Maybe they were tired from days one and two at expo or maybe its the Los Angeles, New York, Washington, DC look at how great I am syndrome of Who are you? What can you do for me? Good-bye.

Green attendees arrived in a poof of L.A. soot because two out of three cars entering the L. A. Convention Center were trucks and SUVs. It's this sort of thing that contributes to my wanting to move away. How in dear God's name will we ever improve? I recall prestigious job offers I had in the clean air community--if only I'd commute long distances. My plea for teleconferencing/videoconferencing/webinars fell on business-as-usual--and to hell with climate change and air pollution and changing our ways--ears. This from AB32's home state leaders.

We're doomed.

On a brighter note, before I went to the show, I had a lovely beach walk with my best friend. Having friends like Arna makes leaving Los Angeles hard.

I'll stick to writing and speaking out about the health impacts of air pollution, and the benefits of finding and breathing clean air as I continue to review and live a more sustainable life. Sustainable: Sharing time with people capable of focus, sharing, community and compassion.

Here's pretty clouds. The prettiest with sun peering through huge clouds occurred when I was in the car and the light just turned green.  Would you have stopped for the photo and let the horns honk? That beautiful moment would've been worth keeping the cars waiting a moment but I moved on. Here's what I got twenty minutes later.