June, 2003

But Are They Humane To the Biscuits?
Fast food pioneer KFC (formerly known as Kentucky Fried Chicken) has announced it is implementing new standards that will guarantee more humane treatment of its chickens. The company says it will provide larger, more well-ventilated shelters for the chickens prior to slaughter. According to animal rights organization, PETA, KFC’s new rules miss the bigger picture, and says the birds will have to continue to endure horrible conditions. KFC, which is owned by Yum! Brands, is also seeking approval to gas the birds with blasts of carbon dioxide. At issue is whether the CO2-treated birds would be safe for customers—which number 8 million per day—and also for slaughterhouse employees.

California Breathin’
We all knew California was the land of beaches, mountains, and beautiful people, but now it has a new title: Smoggiest State in the Nation. The American Lung Association recently released a study that says nine counties and six metropolitan zones located in California are the worst polluted areas in the nation. The top 5: San Bernardino, Fresno, Kern, Tulare, and Riverside. The report also gave 28 of California’s 58 counties failing marks for air quality and said 33 million of the state’s 35 million people are breathing dirty air.

Pesticides and Prostates
Another occupational hazard for Farmer John: There appears to be a link between pesticide use and prostate cancer. Researchers studied 55,332 Iowa and North Carolina farmers and nursery employees who worked with pesticides. 566 new cases of prostate cancer were discovered over a six-year period, 14 percent higher than in the general population.

Could Be a New Movie for Julia Roberts
Environmental activist Erin Brockovich, whose eponymous movie starred Julia Roberts, has filed claims with the city of Beverly Hills and Beverly Hills High School on behalf of 25 former students. The alumni, along with more than 175 others, believe they contracted cancer from gases exuding from oil and gas reserves discovered under the city. Even though school superintendent Gwen Gross has said that the Coast Air Quality Management District had found no evidence of toxic gases at the school, Brockovich claims that the cancer rates in the area are "over 20 times the national average."

Toxic Humans Not Science Fiction
California may be the first state to begin testing humans for traces of pollution. Little research has been done on chemical effects on humans, so state legislators will soon debate the need to fund the testing of blood, urine, breast milk and fatty tissues in order to find links between environmental toxins and chronic disease. This testing, dubbed "biomonitoring," will be voted on by California legislators by the end of the summer. Biomonitoring programs have been successful in Sweden and Germany, with studies yielding the need for restrictions on certain products.