The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Dear EarthTalk: What are the health effects of cat litter on people and pets? Clay-based cat litters contain crystalline silica, the main component in sand, rock and mineral ores. A possible health threat from these litters is posed by silica dust, which can be kicked up and breathed in by both cats and humans. Prolonged exposure to silica dust causes silicosis, a non-cancerous but sometimes fatal lung disease. Crystalline silica dust has also been associated with bronchitis and tuberculosis. Although exposure to this dust is of great concern to those working in mines or on construction sites, the effects on cat owners exposed while cleaning their cat's litter box are virtually unknown. However, respiration problems are not the only thing to consider when purchasing cat liter. All cats clean their fur and paws, which can be coated with clay litter from the litter box. Clumping litters in particular can be harmful to your pet because, once ingested, the litter expands and absorbs moisture in the intestines, causing blockages and dehydration, and preventing the absorption of nutrients. For this reason, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals recommends not using clumping litter for kittens. Pregnant women should avoid handling cat liter because of a rare infection caused by the toxoplasmosis parasite and carried in feline feces. If a pregnant woman contracts toxoplasmosis, there is a 40 percent chance that her unborn child will also become infected and are most likely to suffer severe health effects. One to two per 1,000 babies that are born each year have toxoplasmosis, according to the Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction. Aware of the possible risks of silica dust and other effects from clay litters, many cat owners are opting for healthier more environmentally sound alternatives. Dust-free litters like Good Mews are biodegradable, less harmful if ingested, and produce no dangerous dusts. EarthTalk: From the Editors of E/The Environmental Magazine; Dear EarthTalk: I've heard that cotton is more environmentally friendly than synthetic fabrics. But what is the ecological impact of cotton? While cotton is more biodegradable (and less flammable) than polyester fabrics, the heavy use of chemical aids by most cotton farmers has many green organizations concerned. The Organic Trade Association (OTA) says the cotton industry uses approximately 25 percent of the world's insecticides and more than 10 percent of its pesticides. Producing the cotton fabric required for a regular T-shirt releases a quarter pound of chemical fertilizers and pesticides into the water, air and soil. According to the OTA, "The Environmental Protection Agency considers seven of the top 15 pesticides used on cotton in 2000 in the United States as possible, likely, probable, or known human carcinogens." Due to increasing consumer awareness, the demand for organically grown cotton continues to rise. In 1994, the Sustainable Cotton Project began an effort to network farmers, manufacturers and consumers to pioneer markets for certified organically grown cotton. GOT AN ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTION? Send it to EarthTalk, c/o E/The Environmental Magazine, P.O. Box 5098, Westport, CT 06881; submit your question at www.emagazine.com; or e-mail us at [email protected].
