Saturday, May 20, 2006

Wearing bamboo

Bamboo is one of the most invasive and hearty plants around. They make wood floors out of it that, from what I understand, rival other good hardwood floors. They also make paper, of course. Now it appears they are making clothing out of bamboo. No kidding.

I found this out from a catalog selling shirts made of bamboo and cotton. I am inclined to try one of them, but have not done so yet. But I love the idea of bamboo clothes. Cotton, the de facto go-to fabric, is one of the most chemical-intensive crops grown today. If we can clothe ourselves from what is essentially a weed tree, that would be great. I don't know how chemically intensive or environmentally friendly bamboo fabric is, but it is something to look in to.

Friday, May 05, 2006

Uncomfortable but true

    It is uncomfortable but true that some chemical exposures can make people appear to be crazy — just plain nuts. However, remove the exposure and the “nuts” goes away. I’ve seen it happen over and over.
    There is a second “however” to deal with. Over time, exposures take a toll — and it can become a permanent toll — on a person’s mental state. Sadly, we have witnessed downward spirals in some people that leave them no longer able to think, or talk coherently. By that time, any recovery is going to be uncertain and a long time coming.