THE GREEN ZONE BLOG by LINDA MASON HUNTER
All about taking care of yourself, your family, and the planet, "The Green Zone" offers short, basic tips to incorporate into your daily life to make Earth a cleaner, more sustainable place.
In the Zone
"The Green Zone" airs four times daily at approximately. 2:50 a.m., 6:50 a.m., 4:50 p.m. and 9:50 p.m. central time. Listen every day for a new tip you can put to good use.
Study finds strong evidence linking cell phone radiation to cancer
June, 2025
A World Health Organization-backed study determined with a high level of certainty that there are links between cell phone radiation and two types of cancer in laboratory animals— malignant nerve tumors in the heart and gliomas (a type of brain cancer). This is a significant development because, as Dr. Devra Davis, founder of the Environmental Health Trust, points out, “Every agent that causes cancer in humans will produce it in laboratory animals when adequately tested.”
Results of the study prompted this swift response from the International Commission on the Biological Effects of Electromagnetic Fields: “Given this high level of certainty, government policymakers worldwide should immediately move to revise their radiation exposure limits to protect public health and the environment.”
In the meantime, it’s wise to take simple precautions to reduce exposure.
· Keep the phone away from your head and body.
· Avoid carrying your cell phone on your body at all times.
· Avoid using your cell phone when the signal is weak or inside metal vehicles and elevators.
· Use airplane mode and turn antennas off when not in use.
· Children should only use cell phones for emergencies.
· Do not charge a cell phone or sleep with it near your bed.
· Use a corded landline at home.
· Minimize talk time on your cell phone.
· Connect your cell phone to the internet without radiation by using an ethernet cord.
Sources: “WHO-funded study finds RF-EMF exposure increases incidence of cancer,” Environmental Health Trust, May 19, 2025; https://ehtrust.org/who-funded-study-finds-rf-emf-exposure-increases-incidence-of-cancer/
https://ehtrust.org/10-things-you-can-do-to-reduce-the-cancer-risk-from-cell-phones/
Why I’m cooking with olive oil
By Linda Mason Hunter
June, 2025
Seed oils have been much in the news lately, ever since Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., the current Secretary of U.S. Health and Human Services, described them as “poison.” We’re talking about cooking oils that come from vegetable seeds, like corn, canola, cottonseed, sunflower, safflower, and grapeseed. Many wellness influencers and restaurant chains say they are transitioning away from seed oils in favor of animal fats, chiefly beef tallow and butter.
Wait, what? Are nutritionists now saying animal fat is good for you? I thought it was associated with high cholesterol, heart disease, and cancer. How can plant-based seed oils be worse?
Some studies link seed oils with body-wide inflammation, which accelerates all kinds of disease. At the end of the day, good health is all about reducing inflammation.
However, much of the concern centers on the fact that, due to their high linoleic acid content, seed oils have an over-abundance of omega-6 fatty acids, whereas a balanced ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 is best for health. There’s already an imbalance in the typical Western diet due to widely available seed oils used in fried fast foods and ultraprocessed foods, which comprise roughly 10% of the U.S. food supply.
So, should you cut out seed oil altogether? The answer depends on what you replace it with. Animal fats, like beef tallow and butter, are high in saturated fat which is bad for cardiovascular health. Best to switch to olive oil or avocado oil which contain omega-3 fatty acids, thus lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease and dementia. Extra virgin olive oil has an added bonus: It’s minimally processed, thus retaining beneficial nutrients that get stripped away in the production of most other oils.
After reviewing the pros and cons, I’ve decided extra-virgin olive oil is the healthier choice. That is what I am doing, while also avoiding ultra-processed foods altogether.
Sources: “Replacing butter for some plant oils could significantly lower risk of mortality, new study finds,” by Julianna Bragg, CNN; March 6, 2025. https://www.aol.com/switching-butter-plant-based-oils-210052905.html
“Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says beef tallow is healthier than seed oils. Is he right?” by Kristen Rogers, CNN; March 26, 2025. https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/25/health/beef-tallow-healthy-seed-oils-rfk-wellness
Seed oils, “The Checkup with Dr. Wen,” by Leona S. Wen, https://s2.washingtonpost.com/camprw/?trackId=5e80b256ae7e8a594862ffaa&s=8264ecd315a3609b52471a1&utm_campaign=wp_checkup&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&linknum=5&linktot=74
Just a little bit…
December, 2024
It’s just a little bit of chlorine in your water.
It’s just a little bit of heavy metals in your food.
It’s just a little bit of fragrance in your cologne.
It’s just a little bit of benzene in your sunscreen.
It’s just a little bit of aluminum in your deodorant.
It’s just a little bit of PFOAs in your nonstick pans.
It’s just a little bit of phthalates in your plastic storage bags.
It’s just a little bit of methanol in your surface cleaner.
It’s just a little bit of artificial coloring in your toothpaste.
It’s just a little bit of ammonia in your sugar-free sweetener.
It’s just a little bit of propylene glycol in your skincare products.
It’s just a little bit of sodium lauryl sulfate in your shampoo.
It’s just a little bit of glyphosate in your breakfast cereal.
It’s just a little bit of “forever chemicals” in your plastic bottles.
It’s just a little bit of fluoride in your drinking water.
It’s just a little bit of parabens in your moisturizer.
Hmmmm. Let me ask you this: When does “just a little bit” become too much for the body to handle?
Green Zone Tips for December, 2025
As heard on KFMG FM, Des Moines’ award-winning low power radio station; streaming at https://kfmg.org/resources/
If you want an eco-friendly Christmas tree, living trees are best
A decorated tree is a holiday tradition for many households. It was once common to display a real tree, but artificial tree sales have surged in recent years. Some people even speculate that artificial trees are the best eco choice because you then save a living tree from the axe.
But, if you want an eco-friendly Christmas tree, living trees are best. Artificial trees have a carbon footprint three times greater than real trees. Why? They’re made of plastic--usually polyvinyl chloride, also known as PVC, a toxic carcinogen you can’t recycle. They’re typically manufactured overseas, so have immense emissions from shipping.
Overall, a real living tree is the eco-friendlier choice. Buy local, support farms that don’t use pesticides and herbicide, and buy from lots that donate to community causes. Or cut your own tree on a private lot. Another option is to buy a Norfolk potted pine to keep indoors year-round. It’s a great choice for small spaces. If you’re creative, make your own tree from stuff you already own—books, scrap paper, metal coat hangers, felt. Etc. Search online for ideas. And don’t forget to have fun.
Source: “Eco-friendly Christmas tree ideas,” David Suzuki Org.;
New study connects use of wireless technology to Alzheimer’s disease
This is very important news. Researchers have published a peer-reviewed analysis indicating that some common genes involved in Alzheimer’s disease are also affected by electromagnetic fields. They focused on a wireless spectrum band commonly used for WiFi, Bluetooth, microwave ovens, audio-visual equipment, and many other devices. This raises important questions, particularly considering that according to the Cleveland Clinic 50% of people over age 85 experience some form of dementia.
“This new study indicates that oxidative stress also plays a role in the development of Alzheimer’s,” explained Dr. Devra Davis, founder of the Environmental Health Trust. “We know that this particular electro-magnetic frequency induces oxidative stress. That has been established. This impressive study further strengthens the case for caution and reduction of exposure.”
Dr. Davis recommends taking a few simple steps to reduce your exposure. You can find them at EHT.org. Check it out.
Source: Environmental Health Trust newsletter, October 20, 2025.
You can read the study here: https://ehtrust.org/new-study-connects-wireless-radiation-oxidative-stress-and-alzheimers-disease/?emci=a20eeca0-db9f-f011-8e61-6045bded8ba4&emdi=a6b17a78-75ae-f011-8e61-6045bded8ba4&ceid=8208730
Use protein powder with caution
Protein powder has recently become a cultural phenomenon. Gyms across the country are removing treadmills, bikes, and other cardio equipment to make room for more bench press, squat, and free weight areas. With the focus on muscle gains comes fascination with protein intake, skyrocketing the protein powder business into a $24.6 billion industry. People commonly use it in smoothies, but it’s also used in oats, yogurt, even pancakes. Protein cookies and protein pasta have become common in supermarkets. There’s even protein-infused water!
But more protein isn’t always better. Most people don’t need it. Excess protein doesn’t necessarily give you more muscle, and an overly-narrow focus on protein could lead you to consume significant amounts of extra calories.
If you decide to use protein supplements, here are some tips:
Avoid products with artificial dyes and sweeteners. Try to stick with simpler flavors, which usually contain fewer ingredients.
A shake does not replace a meal. A meal with whole foods has more added nutrients and provides more support throughout the day than a shake alone can.
Look for third-party verification to ensure that a product has been tested for safety and that claims about its ingredients and absence of harmful additives have been verified.
Source: The Environmental Working Group; ewg.org.
Be careful about dry-cleaning
Trichloroethylene (TCE), an industrial solvent long used in dry-cleaning, degreasing and furniture care, is a known carcinogen linked to certain types of cancer, as well as damage to reproductive organs, the nervous system, and the immune system. A growing body of evidence reveals that exposure to high levels of TCE--as well as a closely-related chemical called perchloroethylene (PCE)—may increase the risk of Parkinsons, a neurological disease with no known cure.
In the past decade, cases of Parkinsons in the United States have increased by 50%. Strong evidence suggests that chronic exposure to powerful industrial chemicals (such as in contaminated drinking water) may be a cause. A groundbreaking 2023 study discovered that veterans exposed to TCE- and PCE-contaminated water at Marine Camp Lejeune in North Carolina had a 70% higher risk of developing Parkinson’s compared with veterans who resided at Camp Pendleton, a large California base that did not have contaminated water.
In December 2024, the EPA banned most uses of PCE and TCE, however compliance date for disposal was pushed forward a year, from Sept. 2025 to Dec. 2026. California has banned PCE, but up to 60% of drycleaners in the U.S. still use it.
What’s the concerned consumer to do? If your dry cleaner is still using PCE, take the bag off and air your clothes outside so the chemicals aren’t released inside where you are breathing them in.
Source: “4 surprising things that may reduce your risk of Parkinson’s,” by Meeri Kim; The Washington Post, October 20, 2025. https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2025/10/20/parkinsons-risk-reduction-tips/.
Do you think paper cups are the better choice?
Sure, they may be convenient, but most disposable paper cups are lined with a thin plastic film and treated with additives like phthalates, antioxidants, PFAs and more to make them flexible, waterproof and durable. That’s bad, but there’s worse problems with paper cups. When you add hot liquid to that liner, research shows microplastic particles can migrate into your drink within minutes.
A recent scientific study discovered that hot water left in a plastic-lined paper cup for 15 minutes released about 25,000 microplastic particles plus ~10.2 million sub-micron particles into the water.
Reviews of paper-based food and drink packaging report that the plastic coatings and additives on these cups can shed microplastics and allow chemical additives to migrate into the liquid, especially with heat.
What’s the concerned consumer to do?...
◦ Bring your own mug. Choose ceramic, glass, or stainless steel for hot drinks.
◦ Sip in-house when you can and skip the single-use cup.
◦ Keep a spare tumbler in your bag or car so the better choice is the easy one, especially on-the-go.
◦ Start with cleaner water at home.
Green Zone Tips for November, 2025
As heard on KFMG FM, Des Moines’ award-winning low power radio station; streaming at https://kfmg.org/resources/
One simple thing you can do to avoid microplastics
Microplastics (and much smaller nanoplastics) are much in the news these days, and with good reason. The tiny particles can slough off synthetic clothing and contaminate the air inside your home. They can scrape off food packaging into your takeout food. But as scientists zero in on the sources of these tiny plastic particles, and how they get into our bodies, one factor stands out. Microplastics are released from exposure to heat.
Pour coffee into a plastic foam cup, and pieces of the cup will leach out into the coffee itself. Brew tea, and millions of microplastics will spill from the tea bag into your cup. Wash or dry synthetic clothing on high heat, and the fabric can start to break apart, sending microplastics spinning through the water supply.
These particles are coming from a range of sources—the plastic lid on a to-go cup of coffee, the small bits in plastic wrap covering your food. But add heat to the mix, the rate of micro- and nanoplastic release increases. The effect is even stronger in plastics that are older and degraded. In one study, hot coffee prepared in an 8-year-old home coffee machine with plastic components had twice as many microplastics as coffee prepared in a machine that was only six months old.
Heat makes it easier for plastic to leach out of packaging materials, or from plastic containers heated in the microwave, or even plastic components in the interior of your car, especially when that car is new. What to do? If you must use plastic, keep it away from heat.
Source: “Microplastics are everywhere. You can do one simple thing to avoid them,” by Shannon Osaka; The Washington Post, Oct. 13, 2025.
inspiration from poet Mary Oliver
Mary Oliver is one of my favorite contemporary poets. She instinctively connects with Nature, as do I. Her poems reveal beautiful small moments in nature, giving me insight with a big bang of wonder inside.
Today I’m reading a poem that describes how I feel about the American consumer way of life in 2025. It’s called “Dreamhouse.” I hope you like it.
“Impossible to believe we need so much as the world wants us to buy.
I have more clothes, lamps, dishes, paperclips than I could possibly use before I die.
Oh, I would like to live in an empty grass.
No plants, no plastic, no fiberglass.
And I suppose sometime I will.
Old and cold I will lie apart from all this buying and selling, with only the beautiful earth in my heart.”
Kids are getting smartphones at younger ages than experts recommend
A majority of parents of kids ages 11 to 12 said their child has a smartphone, according to a recent Pew Research Center survey. However, many experts recommend holding off on allowing kids to use social media — which having a smartphone enables — until age 16.
Smartphones aren’t the only thing kids are using at a young age. Overall screen time also is an issue, with 85% of parents saying their children watch YouTube, including parents of children younger than age two. While most parents said ensuring their children’s screen time is reasonable is a daily priority for them, 47% of parents of 8- to 12-year-olds said they could do a better job handling their kids’ screen time. Parents don’t seem happy about how things are going, with 80% saying the harms outweigh the benefits their kids get from social media.
The most-cited reason for letting kids have smartphones is so parents can get in contact with them, but there are ways to stay in contact without giving them smartphones. A flip phone may be the answer, one that allows talking and texting but not social media use. That’s important, because social media is where kids can be exposed to incredibly toxic content and adult predators. You can also consider getting kids a watch that allows them to call, text and even track their real-time locations.
Source: “Kids are getting smartphones at much younger ages than many experts recommend. How to handle it,” by Kara Alaimo; CNN online, October 13, 2025.
wash apples before eating them
When it comes to your health, apples are not a forbidden fruit. They’re a source of fiber, vitamin C and antioxidents; they make a quick snack and are kid-friendly. What more could you ask for in a fruit? BUT, if you want to reduce your exposure to pesticides, it helps to understand what residues might be lingering in that shiny red apple.
One chemical widely found on non-organic apples is diphenylamine (dai·feh·nuh·luh·meen) sprayed on apples after they are harvested to prevent the skin from developing brown or black patches. In 1923, (the most recent year for which data are available), diphenylamine was found on 60% of raw non-organic apple samples tested by scientists in the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The EPA contends that diphenylamine does not pose a risk to human health, but European regulators beg to differ. In 2012 they did not approve the chemical for use on the grounds that not enough tests to prove safety have been conducted. Diphenylamine is just one synthetic chemical sprayed on apples. Forty-four different residues have been detected, including some in high concentrations.
What’s the concerned consumer to do? When possible, choose organic apples, apple juice, applesauce, and pears. Make sure to wash all produce with water before consuming. Better yet, use a solution of baking soda and water. Peeling apples can also reduce chemical levels, but it can also reduce amounts of fiber, vitamins, and other nutrients.
A little story written by Leonard Cohen and his sweetheart, Marianne in the early 1960s
This reminds me of growing up in the 1950s. Only those who have crossed the threshold of 40 can truly understand this story. The younger ones may at least try…
“Once, there was no such thing as an ‘environmental movement,’
and yet, we lived environmentally without knowing it.
We returned glass bottles of milk, soda, and wine.
We used cloth bags that lasted for years—never plastic, never disposable.
We climbed stairs instead of taking elevators, walked or rode bicycles to go anywhere.
We dried our clothes in the sun, and the only dryer we owned was the wind.
We mended and patched; we wore the same clothes and shoes for years.
We drank water from the tap,
wrote with ink and fountain pens,
shared one radio, one television, one telephone.
We didn’t ‘recycle,’ because we simply didn’t throw much away.
We lived slowly, with respect for things,
with measure, endurance,
and a tangible connection to the soil and the wind.
And if today you accuse us of not being ‘eco-friendly,’
remember—
we lived with Nature,
while you are trying to save her from yourselves.
