ADVICE & DISSENT LETTERS FROM OUR READERS.

WHAT'S THAT SMELL?

Congratulations to Damon Franz and Holly Prall for their fine article "Smelling Good But Feeling Bad" (Your Health, January/February 2000)!

I would like your readers to know that they can write to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in support of a petition currently before it to declare "misbranded" all fragrances released to market without adequate testing. These regulations are already on the books; the FDA simply does not implement them. For more information on the petition, please visit the website of the Environmental Health Network at http://users.lanminds.com/ ~wilworks/FDApetition/bkgrinfo.htm.

Thanks to the fine reporting of Franz and Prall, others may have a much easier time learning about their illnesses. They may also find their workplaces, healthcare facilities and schools more interested in accommodating them. Had I had this article to show to my employer anytime from March 1992 until I was forced to retire in mid-October 1998, I might still have my health and be gainfully employed instead of debilitated/disabled and forced to retire. (I went from chemically induced asthma into Multiple Chemical Sensitivity in April 1991, following years of increasingly heavy exposures to fragrances in the workplace.)

My goal since my retirement has been to make information available to the public on the toxic chemicals we've been led to believe are benign. I certainly appreciate the efforts of E Magazine!

Barbara Wilkie Environmental Health Network Berkeley, CA

Thank you for your article about scented products, "Smelling Good But Feeling Bad." I first became aware of my sensitivity to fragrances when I got my first batch of clean diapers from a diaper service after my daughter's birth over 21 years ago. Since then, I have had to bear ridicule for expressing my need for a scent-free environment, and injury from those who refuse to accommodate my needs. I've suffered loss of jobs, loss of income, and loss of a normal existence, all because industry is allowed to use hazardous ingredients in a growing number of scented products, without labeling them as hazardous. I am now volunteering my time to educate schools and colleges about the hazards of scented products, encouraging them to use scent-free alternatives for cleaning and to adopt fragrance-free policies for their students and staff. I will certainly share your very well-written article with these schools.

Susan Vaughan Encouraging Alternatives to Chemical Hazards Kitty Hawk, NC

MOUSE CALL

In a recent letter to Ask E (January/February 2000), a subscriber asked about Disney's environmental track record. I believe that humans are part of the environment, and was dumbfounded when I found no mention of Disney's consistent human rights abuses in the response.

Disney's apparel is mostly made in sweatshops by women, children and young adults, working long hours at barely livable wages. A great number of these factories are located in China. This method of production is in absolute contrast to the company's theme of love, peace and "happily ever after." It is horrible enough that Disney makes money off the soft spot in people's hearts, even more horrible that it fills the world with tons of useless junk--raping the Earth in the process of its production. But it's also horrendous that it is using both children and adults practically as slaves to carry out this work.

Rebecca Smith Sylvania, OH

I was interested in your answer to the Ask E question: "What is Walt Disney Company's environmental track record?" The answer provided suggests that Disney is one of the cleanest or most proactive entertainment companies when it comes to environmental awareness. Environmental Defense's online scorecard, however, suggests that Disneyland is amongst the nation's top 30 percent of polluter companies insofar as carbon monoxide goes (www.scorecard.org).

Paul Thurman Zeeland, MI

TAKE A DEEP BREATH

I took great pleasure in reading your cover story "Blue Skies" in the November/December 1999 issue of E. With clear and precise descriptions, you helped to paint horrible pictures of the dangers caused by air pollution. I was surprised to learn that asthma is now the most common cause of hospitalization among American children. ! was also surprised to learn that the Clean Air Act was originally passed in 1963, but not enacted until 1970. Although the Clean Air Act has had a significant impact on reducing pollutants, I see from your article that we still have a long way to go, and the new standards adopted in 1997 seem to be a giant step in the right direction.

I cannot, however, understand the recent conflict between Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enforcement of air pollution law and Congress, which has decided that it wants to set standards. I wonder, could that be because elected officials are greatly influenced by large industries that make campaign contributions? The American people are not easily duped if 77 percent prefer that the EPA set standards. I think we should leave the EPA to its business.

Robert D. Jones Columbia College Chicago, IL

AFTER-TASTE

While I generally enjoy your magazine, I found the coverage of the new trend in vegetarian meats ("Where's the Beef?", Consumer News, November/December 1999) a big disappointment. It was a particular letdown, after the informative article on the vast diversity of under-utilized grain (spelt, kamut, amaranth, quinoa) and the ecological, nutritional and culinary possibilities they open up ("Against the Grain," Your Health, September/October 1999).

Speaking as a vegetarian who loves good food, it seems to me that you failed to ask the most obvious question about meat analogs: When so much fine cuisine has come from the soybean and its many derivatives (tofu, tempeh, miso, yuba), why use soybeans to make cheap imitations of hamburgers, ham, turkey, sausage and meatballs, let alone culinary monstrosities such as Spam?

It is important to ask if concepts like veggie burgers, while promoting low meat/vegetarian diets at one level, ultimately reinforce the notions that meat is "better" food, or that, "a meal without meat isn't a meal." How long can any change in behavior last without changes in attitude? Some people I know already scorn vegetarian meals by saying things like, "What do you do? Eat salad and veggie burgers every night?"

I suppose it's possible to go lighter on the Earth by having veggie meats, mashed potatoes and overcooked vegetables instead of a big pot-roast. But if you want to be more daring, a whole world of meatless cuisine is out there.

Amy Scanlon Seattle, WA

Jennifer Bogo responds: While there is certainly a wonderful world of meatless meals that don't pretend to resemble animal products, clearly there's considerable demand for foods that make vegetarianism a little less intimidating to a certain population. Soy has recently been approved by the FDA as a "heart healthy" food, and let's face it, many making the transition into vegetarianism aren't going to be won over by a block of tofu.

Lucy Moll, author of Energy Eating the Vegetarian Way and former executive editor of Vegetarian Times, points out that for many people who fall into this group, or are swearing off animal protein for health reasons, fake meats may make the transition easier. It's simple for someone to take a favorite recipe, like chili or burritos, and substitute a meat analog, enjoying the same recipe with health and environmental benefits to boot. Then, of course, Moll points out, "For other people it's like kissing your sister or brother."

SCHOOL'S IN

Thank you for your timely article "Sustainability 101" (November/December 1999) which highlights innovative environmental programs in higher education. However, I believe the North American Alliance for Green Education (NAAGE) deserves a few more words.

We are a student-guided consortium of environmental colleges and organizations dedicated to experiential learning. Each of our 15 member institutions brings unique contributions to our collaborative efforts to diversify opportunities for students. The North American continent is our curriculum and our classroom.

Please see our website (www.naage.org) for more information and keep watching for updates on our August 2000 "Annual Roundtable Symposium on Environmental Stewardship" at Unity College in Maine.

James R. Pittman Founding co-chair, NAAGE Prescott, AZ