As many people make an effort to help the environment and make healthy choices, they opt for a re-usable water bottle. However, all water bottles are not created equal. In fact one company has recently shared that the liner of the aluminum bottle contains small amounts of bisphenol-A, (BPA), the very reason to avoid plastic bottles! What is going on is simple, there is essentially a plastic bottle inside the aluminum bottle.

Inside the bottle is a liner to keep your liquid separate from the aluminum. Adding hot liquid or simply aging, can cause the BPA to leach out. Sigg has offered to exchange the bottle if you have the old liner. Note, the liner ingredients are a trade secret, just like the first time. It is easy to recognize the new liner, they changed the color from a copper or bronze to a pale yellow.



Even though Sigg has changed their liner, this does not mean other manufacturers have. A safe bet is stainless steel. And according to the article, Kleen Kanteen, ThinkSport, and Nalgene all sell stainless steel water bottles that are BPA-free and, most importantly, don't have any liners (so there aren't any potentially dangerous secret ingredients to worry about).

See the related link for the full article.

This improvement may seem obvious when you hear it, but someone had to be first to do it. Researchers in Golden Colorado have been developing a metal alternative to the large glass mirrors on solar concentrators. The metal mirror is significantly lighter weight and reduces the cost of the mirror and support structure.

This improvement may reduce the cost of producing the equipment by as much as 25 percent. This is a significant improvement.

For the full article, click the related link below.

This is not a typical environmental article. Lets just say it relates because being healthy helps us take care of our environment. Since school just started and everyone seems concerned with the upcoming flu season, I thought I would share the following article from CNN.com:

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Point 1. As things stand now, the vast majority of children who develop flu-like symptoms this fall will have a few miserable days, and nothing more. And those days are best spent at home -- not in the ER or a doctor's office.

Point 2. If you are worried, you should call your pediatrician's office first. Don't take your child in without calling. Two reasons: Your child may not have H1N1, but could become exposed by being around sick children. And, after several hours of waiting, you are still likely to be told the basics -- plenty of fluids, rest and dose-appropriate acetaminophen for a fever. After all, it is still the flu we are talking about.

Point 3. One doctor told me a way to think about things that was helpful. He said "remove the term H1N1 from the equation." If your child had regular flu, would you take him to the hospital? If the answer is no, then don't take him/her to the hospital now.

Point 4. Yes, hearing between 30,000 and 90,000 could die from H1N1 is scary, but keep in mind -- around 40,000 people die from the regular or seasonal flu every year. The numbers may not be that much different, yet there is not panic about the regular flu. As things look now, H1N1 is causing only mild to moderate illness, not the widespread deaths people are worried about.

Point 5. There are some children who should be seen by their doctor. Call your doctor if:
* A baby younger than 12 weeks has a fever greater than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit
* A child, older than 12 weeks has a fever for three days
* A child's fever returns after a 12-24 hour time period
* A child is not passing urine or making tears for more than six hours
* A child does not smile or show interest in playing for several hours
Dial 911 if:
* A child cannot speak while trying to breathe
* Has a blue or dark purple color to the nail beds, lips or gums
* Is not responding to you because he is too tired or weak

One point that was reinforced to me over and over again by the pediatricians is the best place for a sick child is at home. And, with regard to school -- after 24 fever-free hours without the aid of medications, he or she can go back.
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To read the whole article, click the related link below.

Ok, I'm a sucker for a car. Check out this hybrid concept car from BMW.

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If the logo and/or company claim the material is green, is it?

Three companies – Sami Designs, LLC, doing business as (d/b/a) Jonäno; CSE, Inc., d/b/a Mad Mod; and Pure Bamboo, LLC – have settled FTC complaints, agreeing to stop making false claims and to abide by the Commission’s Textile Fiber Products Identification Act (Textile Act) and Rules. Litigation continues against The M Group, Inc., d/b/a Bamboosa, and its principals.

According to the Commission’s complaints, the companies falsely claim that their rayon clothing and other textile products are “100% bamboo fiber.” They market them under such names as “ecoKashmere,” “Pure Bamboo,” “Bamboo Comfort,” and “BambooBaby.” Rayon is a man-made fiber created from the cellulose found in plants and trees and processed with a harsh chemical that releases hazardous air pollutants. Any plant or tree could be used as the cellulose source – including bamboo – but the fiber that is created is rayon.

By the way rayon does not retain any natural antimicrobial properties of the bamboo plant.

It is difficult to be diligent in this relatively new category, but do your homework if your purpose is to be green.

Check the related link below for more information.