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wildfires

US Wildfire Suppressants Are A ‘Major’ Source Of Toxic Pollution, According To Study 

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According to new peer-reviewed research, pink wildfire suppressants that are spread by firefighting aircrafts to contain wide-spreading flames are filled with toxic heavy metals and are a major source of pollution. 

Cadmium, arsenic, and chromium were some of the toxic heavy metals found in the suppressants. The metal levels were up to 3,000 times above the drinking water limits. The US federal government and chemical makers have concealed the contents of pink wildfire suppressants, claiming that 20% of the contents in aerial suppressants are “trade secrets.” 

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Between 2009 and 2021, around 440 million gallons of the suppressant were sprayed, according to the study.

“As rates of aerial fire retardant application have grown, likely so too have loadings of toxic metals released into the environment from their use, a trend which may intensify if wildfire frequency and intensity continues to increase,” the authors from University of Southern California wrote.

The study stated that the suppressants are a mix of water, fertilizer, and undisclosed ingredients. The pink color comes from added dye so that firefighters are able to see where it has been sprayed. 

“Metals are likely used as anti-corrosion agents to prevent the plane’s tankers from disintegrating,” the authors wrote. 

During the recent Los Angeles wildfires, the suppressant was dropped by up to 25 aircrafts daily to help contain the flames. 

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“The metal levels in the suppressants meet federal guidelines and the authors were initially most worried about environmental contamination, but the heavy use in residential areas this year raises a new set of concerns,” Daniel McCurry, a co-author, told the Guardian.

“Are the hazardous waste thresholds the appropriate bar for these to clear, or, if they’re being used in a massive scale in populated neighborhoods, do we need to get stricter on permissible concentrations of toxic compounds?” McCurry asked.

The authors also revealed in the study that they tested 10 different types of commonly used commercial suppressants to confirm the high levels of toxic metals. 

“The producer of one of the suppressants has said a new generation of the product is greener, but until we are able to come across some of this material and test it, we really don’t know,” McCurry said.

Dog Flowers

Pet Safe Flowers To Brighten Up Your Garden This Summer 

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As the summer quickly approaches, many of us are gearing up to beautify our gardens and homes with flowers. For those of us with pets, it’s important to know which flowers are safe to have around the house in case our furry friends decide to do what animals do best and eat something they shouldn’t. 

To ensure all the flowers you buy are non-toxic to your pets, it’s recommended to buy individual bouquets rather than the ones that are pre-assembled. Pre-made bouquets don’t normally have every flower in them listed when you purchase, so it can be hard to tell if everything is safe. 

Like most plants, if ingested, flowers can cause your dog or cat to have an upset stomach, so it’s important to know the least harmful ones you should be reaching for at the garden store. 

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Roses are a classic and safe option for both dogs and cats. Fallen petals that can be accidentally ingested by your pet won’t make them extremely sick, and they come in a wide variety of colors to brighten up any space. If your roses have thorns, try placing them in the least accessible place possible.

Gerber Daisies are some of the most popular flowers among pet-owners as they are both beautiful and safe to have around. Make sure that when you buy these flowers you’re purchasing Gerber Daisies specifically, as other flowers within the daisy family, like chrysanthemums or mums, can be toxic to pets. 

Sunflowers are a classic and safe option for summertime. If the petals or seeds are ingested by a dog or cat, it’s likely that they will experience mild stomach discomfort, but they won’t have any serious health issues. 

It’s vitally important to note that if you notice your pet has a habit of eating plants and/or flowers that you stop them immediately and try to reconfigure your space to give them little to no access to the flowers themselves. 

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Orchids are another beautiful option that pet owners can feel confident about having in their home. Like most flowers on this list, if your pet ingests a petal or leaf they’ll likely experience an upset stomach, but they’re non-toxic overall. 

Freesias are a tall and funnel-shaped flower, which makes it even harder for pets to reach if they’re in a vase. They are, however, lemon scented, which could be tempting for any furry friend. These flowers are non-toxic to dogs and cats though, so an upset stomach will be the biggest concern if they do ingest any part of the flower. 

Beyond the safe flowers, it’s important to know of the ones that you should absolutely never have around a dog or cat, as they’re toxic if ingested. 

These toxic flowers include lilies, mums, tulips, azaleas, daffodils, foxgloves, hydrangea, baby’s breath, peonias, iris’, lavender, and eucalyptus. To be absolutely safe, always do your research before bringing any sort of plant or flower into the home.