About Linda
Hi my name is Linda.
I am new to this group and have worked for over 20 years writing to our leaders, the press, you name it.
Please take the time to read this inf because it really affects us all. I am throwing this idea out not trying to make a name for myself. Really want someone to d...
Expand postAbout Linda
Hi my name is Linda.
I am new to this group and have worked for over 20 years writing to our leaders, the press, you name it.
Please take the time to read this inf because it really affects us all. I am throwing this idea out not trying to make a name for myself. Really want someone to do something
Sadly, this subject is not known by many people but there are millions of people that have struggled for decades with the chemicals in our personal products, and we have no voice.
It is all about money and power so not easy to get anyone to do anything. I became ill over 20 years ago first from indoor mold but then became ill to fragrances of all kinds.
I am sure there must be people in the business that have problems with all the personal products that are used in film, etc.
It comes down to Corporations or suppliers don't have to prove our products are safe. I couldn't believe it when I started this journey, but it is true, and nothing has changed.
I have watched Congressional hearings since the late 90's. I once heard Senator Boxer (Calif) years ago say, "The American people think we make corporations prove their products are safe, and we don't."
Decade after decade hearing after hearing but nothing has changed, and I am not sure it ever will.
I am disgusted in our leaders, the EPA, and the lobbyist that have prevented change. It would be great if we had a voice before this election.
There are approximately 40,000,00 with this health issue. Now that the Supreme Court has allowed all of this money in our elections, it is worse. The reason they aloud this money is because of a Freedom of Speach case around 2010.
The Chemical Industry helped write the Toxic Substance Control Act in the 70's which was supposed to protect us.
I imagine our leaders have forgotten their oath to protect us because of all this money and influence.
How can it be that any company can come along and put a product on the market and not have to prove it is safe. The EPA is supposed to do the testing and there have been so few chemicals tested in decades. Asbestos was supposed to be banned years ago, and the corporations took the case to court and asbestos remained out there. Something was passed and maybe in about 5 years something will change-- but doubtful.
When a product has been deemed dangerous or toxic the corporation usually files for bankruptcy.
Our world is dangerous enough and we all know the money has taken over and this is a dangerous precedent.
I didn't get to work after I became ill. People with environmental illnesses are usually abused by family, the working environment. or housing. Many have taken their lives tired of fighting for a safe environment and so discouraged.
I originally joined Facebook to meet others around the world. The European Union has made some changes to make products safer. It was called the REACH Project when Bush was in office.
The USA chose not to go along with the EU Government.
I suspect both sides of our political system listen to the money and people of power not to make change. It is not legal to make products with toxic chemicals-- but when they don't make an actual law to make the corporations tell or prove our products are safe-- we don't stand a chance.
It would be great to hear the truth from all sides, and I am afraid it will only become worse. President Trump immediately changed rules at the EPA and put some from the Chemical Industry in the EPA when he was elected before. It sounds like Project 25 is bad for us. I don't think it matters who is in office it is up to Congress. I suspect they have immunity regarding legislation but what about legislation that never passes
.
They passed something in 2016 where 10 chemicals would be tested a year and that has not happened. With over 80,000 chemicals it would take 100 years to test all of these chemicals. Why don't these suppliers or corporations pay to prove the products are safe. Many times, these companies use the same formula to make a product when it still has not been proven safe.
The marketing is so bad saying products are natural even our food is bad in general.
I never tried to get disability because of the trauma involved and the money. I was 44 when I started this journey and now almost 70. It would be great if all these years working on this would make some major change for all of us. Many of us have been writing and pleading for so long.
Just look up toxic chemicals in personal products. Not to mention our air, water and soil that is full of dangerous chemicals.
I would suspect all of these terrible diseases from ALS, Parkinson's, Altemeiers, Cancer, COPD, Asthma, Chemical Intolerance or whatever they call it these days is because of all the dangerous chemicals in our world.
They have all this money for Climate Change but nothing for people sick from environmental dangers. If they would address just dryer exhaust that comes out of all of our dryers would help. I use unscented products that help some and there have been tests regarding dryer exhaust with fragranced products or unscented products which is somewhat better.
It is especially difficult when living in an apartment so few windows and dryer exhaust coming into the windows. One lady used to do laundry with Pine sol and the entire building would reek of these chemicals every time she did wash.
For many years I could not go out much in society and would vomit and get migraines every time. We moved 10 times during the years to get safe. Even my husband struggled to some extent with especially fragrance. You see all they have to do is put fragrance on the product label and it can be hundreds of unknown chemicals.
It does not help to know the chemical to avoid getting sick because everyone is using probably 10 products on their body or hair all the time.
I have come a long way being in a condo that has kept me safer. In the beginning a Plug-in air freshener was by my door I enter and after a while I unplugged it. The fumes were getting into my air system, and I didn't want to step on anyone's toes --because people don't like it. My neighbor was very kind-- but in life that doesn't always happen.
I can now go to the store and some vacations since I have not been exposed to everything for 5 years now. Many of the vacation homes do use safer products these days. If my window is open and I can detect dryer exhaust I can avoid the fumes better here with more air circulation and windows.
Many people don't know this problem exists going to the doctor having trouble breathing or migraines, etc. and many times just get some pill. This has been going on long enough for there to be enough knowledge but usually someone is considered having a mental illness or something. All the money these corporations are making and our leaders-- and we get no help.
I was on a pill for over twenty years and it helped with the nervous tics I had and anxiety. On the day I got my second Covid shot my doctor refused to order my medication of over 20 years on a Friday. They had a problem that in the Pandemic I had not received Medicare yet.
I have been so isolated that I was not sure if I should file Social Security. I was having difficulty and eventually got my Senator's office to help. I have not driven since 2001 losing my car to a landlord regarding indoor mold and other issues. His lawyer went to jail for stealing money from people. I continue not driving after all these years and was abused by my husband that passed away nine months ago. So, getting food, getting to doctor's appointments, is hard. I have some wonderful people that have helped-- but I don't want to have to depend on everyone for everything. I have not been anywhere by myself to go to the mall to buy clothes or even the grocery store. When I tried to shop online, I was robbed 4,000 dollars before I knew it. My husband would not give me my bank statements and I wasn't even on a bank account until I was 67. Luckily the bank gave me back my money because someone was shopping from overseas.
My story is the same as millions of people-- just the names are different.
How can this be okay and in 2024. There are many groups of people that have worked together for years. We used to write Oprah, etc. and many of the press with not much help. CNN, The New York Times, etc. have written many stories through the years-- but you do not hear the press especially during the election-- talking about this serious issue.
I have written to most of our leaders, and I am sure the aids never give the info to our leaders. The sponsors for television etc,. I am sure prevent a lot of this information getting out.
We have learned to use safer products but there is still not enough to choose from or funding. I have Medicare and broke my hip last year and was taken care of, but it was difficult in the hospital with all the fragrance on the doctors, nurses.
Many tried but they had never heard of this illness even though there are rules not to wear fragrance in the hospital. I tried to get help with assistance for medical, rides, and I am not eligible. It would be great if someone would take an interest in a documentary or movie. Not sure many would read it was a book-- maybe if the book is free.
Please someone take an interest, and this is just a tiny bit of the story.
So sorry this is so long. I have no trouble coming up with the words but am not a professional writer. Bernie Saunders tried to make change in 1998, but I think he gave up after a while. It is hard to know how dangerous this subject is because of the power and money.
Many years I have tried to not think about all of this because it has affected my health and wellbeing. Once in a while someone has to try to do something and that is what I am doing. About to give up myself and trying to enjoy life for a while.
Thank you if you took the time to read. <3
