THE FOUR WINDS

Reprinted from WORDS THAT COME BEFORE ALL ELSE

Environmental Philosophies of the Haudenosaunee Task Force

By Les Benedict

Continued from last week

Indoor Air Quality

Types of indoor air pollution include environmental (tobacco smoke, radon, formaldehyde, and carbon monoxide), biological agents (mold, spores, animal dander, and bacteria) and organics. We have a very large degree of control on each and every one of these pollutants and can therefore effect changes for a healthier living.

Tobacco smoke, of course is generated by cigarette, cigar or pipe smoking. It contains a wide array of compounds including: benzene, poly-aromatic hydrocarbons, arsenic, carbon monoxide, and respirable particles.

Radon is a colorless, odorless gas, which is emitted from the earth as the result of the decomposition of uranium in the soil. Airtight homes can trap and accumulate radon in area where there are high amount of naturally occurring radon in the soil. Radon exposure, because it is radioactive, can over long-term exposure, increase one’s risk for lung cancer. Radon is also been found in well water and is now being studied for it contribution to cancer.

Formaldehyde is a compound found in resins and glues used in building materials, flooring, and even furniture. Formaldehyde is an irritant and toxin.

Carbon monoxide is formed as a combustion by-product and can leak from gas stove, wood stoves, furnaces, and gas fireplaces. Carbon monoxide displaces oxygen in the blood and can lead to death in high amounts. Combustion appliance must be kept in proper working order in order to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

Biological agents, such as molds, spores, animal dander and bacteria, cause allergies in people ranging from rashes to severe asthma attacks. Molds and spores occur when building materials, furnishings, or carpeting become wet. Molds feed on the materials and produce spores, which contain toxins that people become allergic to. Animal dander feeds dust mites, which, in turn, excrete feces, which is an allergen and can cause asthma or bronchitis.

Organics come from the many consumer items we use, furnish with, and store. These include aerosols, paints, solvents, and pesticides. Even when stored tightly in original containers, these materials leak into the air, which we breathe. Furnishings can contain urethanes, flooring can contain polyvinyl chlorides (PVCs), and cleaners can contain many types of VOCs. We readily bring these things into our homes to use without discretion. Many consumer products, such as nail polish and nail polish removers, contain solvents, which in an industrial setting are regulated to protect workers. Yet in the home we readily apply them to our bodies and expose others to them without a second thought.

Control of Indoor Air Pollutants

Indoor air pollution, as stated earlier, is something that we all have the power to control. We can choose to smoke, not to smoke or not to smoke around others. We can have our homes tested for radon and vents installed if radon is found. We can buy or use building materials, furniture or products that do not have VOCs, organics or formaldehyde. We can also properly ventilate our homes. We can inspect and repair heating devices regularly and use them properly. We can maintain our homes so they don’t leak and if things get wet from water, repair them quickly so they don’t cause a problem. Indoor air quality is personal and affects our quality of life greatly, but can be controlled quite easily.

Socially

The quality of the Four Winds is very important from a social perspective. When the quality of one’s life is impacted in any way the social fabric can become torn and eroded because each individual is a thread in that fabric. People become disconnected with the land, which provides food, when there is the belief that the four winds carry toxic materials with them, which will pollute the food they are growing for their families. When there is the belief that the Four Winds carry poison with them, hunters and fishermen believe that the animals they take are also poisoned and hunting and fishing activities diminish, as does their livelihood.

When fundamental elements of a society are rejected and lost because they have been polluted, the people of that society lose the link with their ancestors. At the same time they lose knowledge and turn towards replacements for their livelihood, which often have no connection to their own society and societal values. There is also of independence and self-sufficiency, along with that a loss of self-esteem and self-worth.

The very acts of preparing the land and growing food, hunting, and fishing required cooperation and assistance from family members, family groups, and community. Everyone had the same fundamental goals in common and all helped one another achieving these goals; it was important for survival. In order to accomplish the goals, people had to interact, they had to talk to one another, in their own language and they had to pass traditional wisdom to the younger generations so that they would be successful when it was their turn to plant, hunt, or fish. Stories were told and the importance of following planting practices was passed on.

With the loss of quality food from gardens, the land and the water, peoples’ health is affected. In trade for high quality, fresh produce and protein sources, are government rations, processed foods and nutrient lacking commercial snacks. In trade for quality health and longevity the civilized diseases, such as heart stroke, and diabetes. The presence of these diseases causes anxiety and stress to those with the illness and to those who are the caregivers, the family members, who watch the suffering of their loved ones.

Continued next week