Is Bisphenol-A history?

The Environmental Working Group has released a survey of the history of bisphenol-A. http://www.ewg.org/reports/bpatimeline

The timeline is riddled with cover ups and governement-industry conflicts of interest, but it all culminates with this wonderful news:

"April 18-21, 2008: Major manufacturers and retailers abandon BPA in plastics. Within days of the NTP and Canadian judgements major BPA manufacturers including Playtex (which makes bottles and cups) and Nalgene announce a shift to BPA-free products. Major retailers including Wal-Mart and Toys"R"Us announce they will quickly phase-out BPA-containing baby bottles. [Wal-Mart to phase out BPA] [Toys"R"Us - BPA phase-out] [Nalgene goes BPA free]"

It's good news that retailers and (some) manufacturers are voluntarily planning a phase out of bisphenol-A, but the Environmental Working Group history of the chemical reveals all the weaknesses of health regulation in the U.S.

Also revealing is how suddenly the tables turned on BPA. Between March and April 2008, there were a few stories appearing about BPA and baby bottles. Within days of each other, two newspaper stories (below) and one story on the Today Show seemed to shock a system that had been showing signs of a slow-building momentum against BPA, but no signs of imminent, widespread action.

Interestingly, the U.S. federal government has long seemed unconcerned with the chemicals that European governments have banned, yet when Canada, a government a little closer to home, decided to do something about BPA, it's all over the news. Perhaps American health lobbies like the Environmental Working Group might be more effective in the U.S. by lobbying Canada.

I'm heading to the recycling center tomorrow. What will you do with your old Nalgene bottles?

[health, backpacking]

BeerMenus.com

Sometimes I'm really in the mood for a Chimay red, and it's a very, very lucky day if I can ever find one, nevermind on tap. I pray for the success and national roll-out of BeerMenus.com (http://www.beermenus.com/), a website that lets you search for beers by the bars they are served in. Never will New Yorkers go thirstily unfulfilled, stuck with a Sam Adams when all they really wanted was a Bass on draft.

[beer, web 2.0]

TypeRacer

I've got a rep at work for being a fast typer. During a temp agency software skills test, I once clocked in at over 80 wpm. So when I heard about TypeRacer (http://play.typeracer.com/), a website that pits you against others in a contest of typing speed, I zipped on over to crush my foes. And crush I did, though I was disappointed with a mere 53 wpm and 12 wpm margin of victory.

So... I raced again! 76 wpm against my defeated foe at 58 wpm. I can't tell you what a rush this game is. I'm definitely hooked. I think I'm shaking right now.

C'etait un rendez-vous

Have you seen it? If so, you know what I mean. If not, here it is. Make sure your speakers are on. The preface: this is an extremely illegal, high speed drive through the streets of Paris. For those of us more used to seeing two-wheeled speed through the streets of gay Paris, I submit to you, "C'etait un rendez-vous: full-speed in Manhattan".

Stuff White People Like

mediocre polymath is not a funny blog.

Stuff White People Like is a funny blog. I'm blown away by the number of comments "clander" gets for each post, and even more blown away by the fact that his first post appears to have been in January, 2008. How'd he build a readership so quickly? Amazing.

So, in honor of Colorado's upcoming spring, check out these things that white people like: Going Outside, Outdoor Performance Clothes, and Bicycles.

Wait--Bisphenol-A is Toxic?

New York Times 4/16/08 - Canada Likely to Label Plastic Ingredient ‘Toxic’
My favorite quote: "Because animal tests have shown that even small amounts of the chemical may cause changes in the body, however, researchers have focused on food- and drink-related applications of B.P.A., like the popular Nalgene brand beverage bottles."

Interestingly, Mountain Equipment Co-op, the REI of Canada, stopped selling polycarbonate water bottles, including Nalgene-brand bottles, last year sometime. Their explanation

But our polite friends up north aren't the only ones offering a gentle reminder:
Washington Post 4/16/08 - U.S. Cites Fears on Chemical In Plastics
My favorite quote: "Last year, another expert panel using outside scientists minimized the health risks of BPA, but its findings were widely assailed after a congressional investigation found that a firm hired to perform scientific analysis was also working for the chemical industry."

Eat More Cookies to Train Harder

It seems that willpower comes in limited supply. The New York Times reports that a person's willpower gets tired after use, i.e. restraining yourself from one activity may make another tedious activity more difficult. But it also works the other way: you can store up willpower.

There are practical applications. Maybe part of the reason that tapering workouts makes us faster on race day is all that extra willpower we've saved up from not having to force ourselves to work out during the taper.

Check out the NYT article and report back on your favorite willpower-related rationalization!