July 8/10:
What the Cluck?

I reported in my book, The Virtuous Consumer, that arsenic is a common additive in chicken feed – page 58 for those of you who keep a well-thumbed copy on your bedside. In crowded conditions (ie. factory farms), it, along with antibiotics, helps keep chickens healthy. Or at least…healthier than dead.
It appears in the form of roxarsone, which, according to poultry pontificators, is the “organic” kind – meaning that it contains carbon or hydrogen and, apparently, that it’s “less toxic” than the other kind (those words offer up plenty of comfort, huh?). However, a researcher at Duquesne University released a report indicating that roxarsone converts to the inorganic kind when combined with bacteria in the chicken manure. In other words, once it comes out the chicken’s other end – and is applied to crops, ultimately entering our waterways from runoff – it’s the unsafe kind of arsenic we associate with murder and American classics.
What’s more, whether “organic” arsenic or not, giving a known poison to an animal intended for consumption seems rather…bird-brained.
It’s a point that became embarrassingly obvious last week when two Utah kids, who ate their chickens’ eggs in quantities that make foxes look like slackers, tested positive for arsenic – twice the level deemed safe for the girl and 75 percent higher for the boy. Turns out, no-one ever tested the eggs for ansenic, just muscle tissue and liver.
Though the EU has banned arsenic in chicken feed (Reason #462 to move to Italy!), it’s still allowed in the U.S., though its efficacy – and necessity – has been seriously called into question.
For now, curb your kids’ egg consumption and stick to organic chicken (though that’s no guarantee – arsenic has been found in brands of organic chicken) and steer clear of fast-food (Reason #3,613 to stop eating fast food): 90% of fast food chicken tested positive for arsenic.

July 1/10: Winnipeg’s Bug-Spraying Terrorists
Ever heard of “fogging”? I figured it was some frat-boy prank, but it actually refers to the large-scale application of pesticide to a specified area. It’s surprisingly common…and tolerated. But in Winnipeg, where mosquitoes outnumber the residents, things are heating up.
On the one side: proponents of fogging. These folks want the application of malthion to battle the mosquitoes, which apparently are out in full force this season, thanks to a wet spring.
On the other: opponents of fogging, who argue that malathion weakens immune systems, causes allergic reactions and can harm beneficial insects.
To date, opponents can register to have a buffer zone created around their property – which forbids spraying within 100 metres.
And this is where things get ugly.
Those requesting the exemption have reported receiving hate mail, nasty phone calls and, even, breakins to their homes.
Malathion is ostensibly harmless to humans. But. And there are a few buts: It has proven harmful to beneficial insects. It makes it way into waterways and can harm aquatic life. And left on hard surfaces (swingsets, patio furniture…), it can increase malaoxon levels. Malaoxon is 22 times more toxic than malathion.
In other words, opponents have every right – and reason – to want their own buffer zone.
Which means, the eco-wanker fogging terrorists need to back off…and respect residents’ right to just say “so?” to mosquitoes.
Read more here.
June 26/10: Lots of dealin’…but no two-wheelin’
The tiny town of Black Hawk, Colorado – population roughly 100 – used to boast goldmines. These days, however, Black Hawk is a gambler’s mecca, with five casinos, dog-racing, off-track betting and pretty much anything else your go-broke heart desires. But if your heart desires a bike ride through down, well, then you’re out of luck.
Why is it possible to bet your horse…but not actually ride your two-wheeled one? The city has decided that – thanks to an increase in traffic since it raised the maximum betting amount from $5 to $100 – it’s too unsafe for cyclists to ride the city’s narrow 19th-century downtown streets. Instead cyclists have to dismount, or face the $68 fine. Five cyclists lost the gamble they took on not getting caught since the city started enforcing the ordinance on June 5th.
A ban on cyclists? In order to allow four-wheeled bettin’ types to rule the roads? Black Hawk wins my Eco-Wanker of the week…for gambling with its citizens’ public health, air quality and right to ride.

June 18/10: Dying your dog’s fur to look like a panda or tiger is one way – albeit a stupid one – to cope with these species’ dwindling numbers. Clearly the rising middle-class hasn’t quite sorted out its priorities in terms of spending. And that poor Golden! Even under that Tony the Tiger dye-job you can tell he’s blushing. Why is crazy never endangered? Read more here.