MindScope Simmons Science Magazine || Issue 2

MindSc pe Issue 2 Spring 2016

SIMMONS SCIENCE MAGAZINE

TOXIC CONSUMABLES

Issue 2 Spring 2016 Editor-in-Chief Leila Bellou Managing Editor Ariana Savage SGA Representative Toni Gonzales-Riano Contributing Writers Katherine Bragdon Kristen Doucette Shen Gao Dana Janosko Emma Keenan Alex Kemna Cassidy Lowell Tessa Mastroianni Ariana Savage Sophia Streimer Abbey Webster Siqi Wu Design Shen Gao Leila Bellou Copy Editor Katie Sittig-Boyd Faculty Advisor Bruce Gray, Ph.D. Chair of Biology Department Printing Copy/Mail Center, Simmons College, 300 Fenway Boston MA 02115 Cover Background kjpargeter—freepik

Letter from the Editor Dear MindScopers, There has been an increasing concern for the dangers of environmental pollution as a threat to human life. Climate change, especially, has dominated the debates centered around the alarming consequences of our use and abuse of the chemical industry and its toxic products being poured into our oceans and atmosphere. While the dangers of melting icebergs may not be a pressing and constant worry to individuals, toxic chemicals have been shown to directly impact our health. For example, chemicals such as lead or parabens, which are frequently used in cosmetics, have been linked to the development of cancers and behavioral disorders.

What is especially concerning is the fact that out of the 1,328 chemicals banned in the EU, only 11 were banned by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the U.S. Unaware consumers may be gleefully plastering on their skin daily doses of toxic particles without realizing how detrimental it may be to their health.

Our mission at MindScope this semester is to raise awareness of the risks incurred by being exposed to these toxic chemicals in order for our community to make educated choices in day-to-day purchases. This issue was made possible through a special partnership with last semester’s Boston course, led by Prof. Rich Gurney, which was designed for firstyear students to explore the effects of toxic consumables on health. This amazing group of students has been proactive around campus to promote awareness by writing for us, tabling around campus and inviting director Jon Whelan to screen his eye-opening documentary Stink! on the lack of regulations in the U.S. and the dangers of toxic consumables.

I would finally like to take the chance to thank our amazing writers, designer and e-board members for their hard work this semester. I am amazed at how much MindScope has grown over the year, thanks to the work and dedication of these many talented individuals. It has been a pleasure for me to make MindScope a reality, and I hope it will continue to grow for many years to come.

Enjoy this issue and stay tuned for next semester!

Sincerely, Leila Bellou Editor-in-Chief

CONTENTS

TOXIC CONSUMABLES 3 Looking Good Has Never Felt So Bad 6 The Detrimental Effects of Parabens 8 Beware of Sulfates 10 Do Not Pay for BPA 12 TSCA’s need for reform 14 The Harmful Effects of Heavy Metals

INTERVIEWS 15 President Helen Drinan 19 Professor Rich Gurney 22 Professor Donna Beers

HUMAN BODY 24 The Human Microbiome 26 A Family Trying to Keep Smillin’

STUDENT STORIES 27 Alumna—Kristie Flaherty 28 Alumna—Mandy Wong 30 Living with GERD 32 Battle with a Rare & Auto-Immune Disease

OTHER 34 Cowspiracy Review 35 STINK! & Environmental Sustainability 36 First Launch Party

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Image: goMainstream / flickr

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TOXIC CONSUMABLES

Looking Good has Never Felt So Bad

By Kristen Doucette

The average adult woman The average adult woman in the United States uses 12 personal care products containing over 168 chemical ingredients every day, thus exposing herself to various known carcinogens.

She will repeat this cycle until she runs out of those products, or may switch one out to try a different product advertised on TV. No matter the products she chooses to use, the probability that these 12 products contain known or probable carcinogens, reproductive, and developmental toxins will be the same. Companies have been using heavy metals like lead and aluminum in their products for a long time with minimal short-term health effects. However, the long-term use of personal care products containing heavy metals poses a great danger to the human body. In the past 20 to 30 years, scientific studies have shown how dangerous the long term exposure to these heavy metals can be to our health.

While small amounts of toxic chemicals such as heavy metals may not have any immediate effects, such chemicals may still remain in the body years later, causing harm as mutagens or carcinogens. In a study done initially in 1975, 270 children were tested for levels of dentin lead. Children with higher levels of dentin lead were shown to have lower neurobehavioral functioning than children with lower levels.

In 1988, 132 of those same children were re-studied, and the damage in their neurobehavioral function was again found to be caused by the lead content.

Exposure to higher lead content in their childhood increased the risk of dropping out of high school, having a reading disability, low class standing in high school, lower test scores, and bad hand-eye coordination, among many other neurological damages.

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The study concluded that exposure to lead in early childhood was associated with deficiencies in central nervous system function in young adulthood. This is just one example that shows how heavy metals can harm one’s health over an extended period of time.

A chemical that does not have short-term toxic effects can have long-term ones that could affect the body’s functions. Lead has been shown to cause damage over time to the nervous system, which controls the body and communication between body parts. Exposure to small amounts of lead during one’s lifetime is not worth the potential permanent impairment of the central nervous system.

The presence of heavy metals in personal care products can lead to the bioaccumulation of such chemicals in our bodies over time, since it absorbs chemicals faster than it flushes them out of its system. This bioaccumulation has led to the increased rate of breast cancer, disruption of mental health, and other diseases that affect the brain and bones.

Both adults and children with kidney disease have higher levels of aluminum in their bodies; since their kidneys do not function properly, they fail to excrete aluminum from the body by way of urination.

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With repeated daily exposure to products such as lipstick and hair dye, lead is another example of a heavy metal that can build up in the body from small concentrations that are absorbed through the skin. In a separate study, 32 separate lip products were tested for concentrations of 9 different metals, including lead, and measured for potential health risks. The results showed that most lip products contained high concentrations of aluminum and titanium, all products had manganese, and 75% of the products contained lead, with an average concentration of 0.36-0.39 ppm (part per million). When these concentrations were compared with the estimated average daily intakes, aluminum, chromium, and manganese levels all exceeded the accepted daily intake values, meaning that higher levels than recommended would end up in the subject’s body.

These levels of heavy metals in lip products alone call for higher regulation of cosmetics, because the bioaccumulation of these metals are shown to be detrimental to women’s health. It was concluded from a study performed in 2013, that toxic metals in cosmetics should be controlled to safeguard women’s health in the U.S.

eavy metals are banned H and found to be unsafe in the European Union, Japan, and Canada, while they are only restricted to a controlled amount in cosmetic products in the U.S.

In children suffering from kidney disease, or taking medications containing aluminum, a link has been shown between their exposure to aluminum and brain, as well as bone disease. High levels of aluminum in the body may inhibit the absorption of phosphate, resulting in the skeletal system not receiving the signals necessary for growth and health.

Over time, the bioaccumulation of these high levels of aluminum have the potential to cause both mental and physical damage.

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Heavy metals are banned and found to be unsafe in the European Union, Japan, and Canada, while they are only restricted to a controlled amount in cosmetic products in the U.S. This is problematic because while Europe is protecting its people from the overexposure of heavy metals in their cosmetics, the U.S. is only limiting exposure to small amounts, which still have the potential to bioaccumulate in the human body. The European Union, which also has some of the world’s most progressive restrictions and laws against chemicals in cosmetic products, has a clear goal: protecting its people from the dangers of long time exposures to chemicals like heavy metals. The United States

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should follow in the European Union’s footsteps and take this small but powerful initiative to protect its citizens.

With such knowledge, the average woman who used her 12 daily products can now make the informed decision to stop using ones containing heavy metals or other toxic consumables. Will she live a longer, healthier life as a result? Will that make her potential future children healthier? Most likely, it will be a small change to her otherwise chemical-filled life, but it could potentially decrease her chances of becoming mentally or physically ill, and

limit the bioaccumulation of heavy metals in her body. Hopefully within the next few years, stricter FDA regulations will be implemented regarding heavy metals and toxic chemicals in our daily personal care products. Can you think of a world with a significantly reduced risk of cancers and other diseases? Preventing the use of these chemicals in our personal care products will keep diseases at bay from our everyday lives.

Did you know?

Ways to remove heavy metals from your body.

2. Eat sulfur-rich foods.

Sulfur is a compound naturally occuring in protein-rich foods and some vegetables. It helps detoxify substances harmful to the body. Some examples of sulfur-rich foods are garlic, onions, which may help the body rid of heavy metals like lead and arsenic.

3. Eat green leafy vegetables such as cilantro.

Green vegetables contain chlorophyll, which rids the body of toxins such as heavy metals, herbicides and pesticides. Consume plenty of leafy greens, broccoli, cucumbers, celery, sprouts, and dandelion teas!

4. Eat foods rich in vitamin C. Fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C may reduce damage caused by toxic heavy metals.

This is because antioxidants such as vitamin C helps cells neutralize free radicals that cause cellular damage. There needs to be enough vitamin C in the body for the liver to function properly.

As

Cd

Cu

Hg

Pb

Arsenic

Cadmium

Copper

Mercury

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Image: Shen Gao

1. Drink more water.

Water helps kidneys to have enough fluid to function properly. Kidneys eliminate toxins and waste products from the blood and urine, and water helps filter toxins, help cells take in nutrients and remove waste.

The Detrimental Health Effects of Parabens

By Tessa Mastroianni

O HO OR Parabens are the most commonly used chemical in cosmetic products to act as preservatives to inhibit the growth of bacteria, yeast, and molds. According to the FDA, preservatives may be used in cosmetics to prevent microbial growth, both to protect consumers and to maintain product integrity. Without preservatives, fungi, bacteria, and other microbes would grow especially well in the warm, moist environment of bathrooms, in which cosmetics are usually stored. Parabens are found in almost everything—from foods like pancake syrup to products like liquid foundation and shampoo. About 85% of cosmetics contain parabens preservatives because of their cheapness and effectiveness.

However, companies which use parabens in their products ignore information regarding their toxicity. There is enough evidence to show the detrimental long-term effects of parabens. Scientific studies have indicated that exposure to small amounts of parabens over a long period of time may be harmful.

The Environmental Defense Fund requires companies to report the quantity of each chemical they produced or imported whenever those amounts exceed the typical reporting threshold.

A recent report by the EDF, “Toxics Across America,” reported billions of chemicals in the American marketplace that are strongly suspected to cause increasingly common disorders, including certain cancers, developmental disabilities, and infertili-

ty. Most consistently, these hazardous chemicals have been linked to serious chronic diseases and disorders such as cancer, developmental and reproductive toxicity, endocrine disruption, dermal, and inhalation sensitization.

Evidence exists to imply that parabens could be one of the leading causes of breast cancer. A study focusing on the concentration of parabens in human breast tumors identified six different parabens in biopsy samples. The particular parabens were found in concentrations that closely parallel their use in the synthesis of cosmetic products. Companies will often state that the breast cancer-paraben linkage is merely a coincidence and continue to ignore new information regarding paraben’s toxicity.

The FDA even bashed a similar 2004 study, stating, “The study left several questions unanswered. For example, the study did not show that parabens cause cancer, or that they are harmful in any way.” However, the study itself was conducted a decade ago, while new, consistent evidence has been churned out frequently since, including the previously mentioned study which has indicated cosmetic use as a definitive causation rather than correlation.

Meanwhile, the FDA has not updated their information page on the potential health hazards of parabens since 2007.

With new information available, it is essential for the FDA to reevaluate their former regulations

Image: freepik.com

for a product to be considered safe.

Another example demonstrating that high paraben concentrations are a result of cosmetic product use is shown through the NHANES study. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducts studies designed to assess the health and nutritional status of adults and children in the United States based upon a representative sample of residents.

This study includes a biomonitoring component to measure environmental chemicals such as parabens in people. It was examined that in almost all urine samples examined from a demographically diverse sample of U.S. adults, females had higher levels of methylparaben and propylparaben in their urine than did males of similar ages.

Since most female adults are likely consistent users of products containing parabens, it is inevitable that they would have higher levels of parabens comparative to male adults. Despite evidence, companies are reluctant to take parabens out of their products on the premise that the FDA, the ultimate deciders, are not taking immediate action and continue to allow companies to add whichever chemicals they want. However, the FDA only considers the small amounts of chemicals added to the company’s products which they have deemed “safe,” and ignore the potential long term hazards to human health that recent studies have reliably found.

The FDA argues that products do not contain “enough” parabens to actually have detrimental effects: “The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) reviewed the safety of methylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben in 1984 and concluded they were safe for use in cosmetic products at levels up to 25%.

Typically parabens are used at levels ranging from 0.01 to 0.3%.” Not only is this statement extremely outdated, but it also disregards that while the dosage in the product may be low, consumers are exposed to a constant stream of parabens being absorbed via skin and ingestion from a multitude of sources. The numbers are quick to add up and surpass a safe level.

While the FDA has some catching up to do, some cosmetic companies such as Revlon have recently taken their own initiate in acknowledging parabens as harmful by updating their products’ ingredients without the FDA requiring them to. Revlon states that the preservatives used in their products are

“safe and effective ingredients that protect the overall safety and efficacy of our products for their intended use.” On their website, Revlon specifies that they do not include any parabens in lip products and only use short-chain parabens, such as methyl, ethyl, and propyl paraben in eye and face make-up, skincare and other products.

Using short-chained parabens is safer than long-chained or branched parabens such as isopropylparaben and isobutylparaben. While shortchained parabens are arguably a better alternative to long chained parabens, there are other alternative and more natural forms of preservatives available such as tartaric acid available. However, Revlon should be acknowledged for taking even further steps. As of April 2015, Revlon has ensured their paraben concentrations are below the limits set by the European Commission, an establishment similar to the FDA but with higher safety requirements for cosmetic companies in the EU to follow. If other companies were to follow Revlon’s example and the FDA were to make higher safety standards, buyers wouldn’t have to be so concerned about their paraben intake because the company would have already done so for them.

Cosmetic companies’ lack of action regarding the use of detrimental parabens leaves us to take matters into our own hands. We must pay attention to what we read on labels to minimize our exposure to parabens because companies are not doing it for us as the FDA enables them to. The FDA focuses on only the small amounts of parabens added into products and disregards the potential long term detriments to human health parabens impose by only listing minor short term effects. The FDA is unsupportive of studies proving parabens and other chemicals as hazardous and allows to add whatever the company wants on the premise of outdated information. Both the FDA and cosmetic companies fail to take responsibility and see the urgency which would progress towards the elimination of parabens. Instead, we must read labels carefully to avoid dangerous parabens, and use truly natural products within their use-by date. Like milk, the date is there for a reason.

Beware of Sulfates!

By Dana Janosko

When a person walks into a grocery store and acne-prone skin will have their complexion compropicks up their favorite shampoo, rarely do they see mised due to the pore-clogging effects of sulfates. the word “toxic” written on the bottle. If they were For teens in high school, this can result in lower to squint and try to decipher the eight-point font self-esteem and may lead to permanent face scarring. on the ingredients label rarely is there a warning Individuals with chemically damaged hair have a that says which ingredients will harm them. Most higher sensitivity to the presence of sulfates in their consumers would not even bother looking at the hair care products and will have more extensive scalp ingredients label due to its lengthy, incomprehensible irritation and hair breakage. content, but since being able to recognize small letter

Studies have shown that as little as a 2% combinations embedded in those words could save sulfate concentration is necessary for irritation, their lives, consumers may want to be more careful. but most companies use between 10% and 30% of

One word buyers should take note of is “sulsulfate concentration. The range of conditions that fate,” which can come in sulfates in shampoo can many forms such as soproduce accompanied by Companies using [sulfates] are the small concentration

dium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, or fully aware of their harmful effects, needed to actually prosodium lauryl ether sulnon-essential value, and ease of duce scalp damage should fate, all of them equally prompt consumers to ask replacement dangerous. Sulfates can why sulfates would even cause scalp and skin irbe used at all. ritation and are found in Companies that use most shampoos, soaps, and detergents. The scariest sulfates claim that they are necessary for lather and fact is that sulfates are completely unnecessary and a complete clean. Car soap, floor soap, bubble bath, the companies using them are fully aware of their and shampoo all produce lather; all of these prodharmful effects, nonessential value, and ease of reucts contain sulfates. Many people associate those placement, yet continue to use them because of their bubbles with cleanliness, when in fact soaps that do cheap cost and the heavily desired lather they form. not produce lather clean just as efficiently. Soaps are

The use of sulfates in detergents and soaps phospholipids, meaning that they are composed of can lead to allergic reactions, the majority of which a hydrophilic, water-loving head and a hydrophobic involve irritation of the scalp, as well as other comtail. The dirt and bacteria that cannot be removed mon side effects such as pronounced hair loss, split with water alone are also considered hydrophobic. ends, and dry, brittle hair. These conditions are rela When soap and water are put onto your tively prevalent in the population, but are dismissed hands, the phospholipid soap molecules create a ring by companies and doctors as personal or weather-re(or micelle) around the dirt and bacteria molecules. lated issues. Rarer but more pronounced side effects, The hydrophobic tails face in surrounding and trapsuch as worsening eczema, severe scalp irritation and ping the dirt, while the hydrophilic heads face outdandruff, and the clogging of pores, are considerward and will be swept away with the water when ably harder for professionals to dismiss. All of those the soap is rinsed away. It is not the bubbles in soap conditions have to be treated with special medication that cleans; it is the structures the soap molecules and prescription shampoo. form together. Companies that continue to push for

While anyone can be impacted by the negthe necessity of sulfates for cleaning purposes are ative effects of sulfates in shampoos, some people lying to their customers. are more at risk than others. Those who have oily,

Today, it is more likely that people have been

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exposed to sulfates every day of their lives, and it is unfair that people are led to believe a product is safe when it may be extremely dangerous. Even more outrageous is the fact that the government cannot protect customers appropriately, since it does not have the right to regulate the use of sulfates due to a very restricted and old set of laws. The last revision to the cosmetics industry regulation legislation was made in the 1930s and gives companies a large amount of freedom that renders them almost untouchable by the United States government.

However, by taking a look at children’s bubble bath, which is not considered a cosmetic and therefore does not fall under the cosmetics legislation, it is possible to see how the government would handle the sulfates in shampoo.

Children’s bubble bath is required to display the following statement visibly on their bottles: “Caution—Use only as directed. Excessive use or prolonged exposure may cause irritation to the skin and to the urinary tract. Discontinue use if rash, redness, or itching occurs. Consult your physician if irritation persists. Keep out of reach of children1.”

It seems as though the government is ready to take actions against sulfates and it Image: Peter Ong is now only a matter of updating legislation. Legislation and regulation in Europe is much stricter, but even they have not banned the use of sulfates.

The United States legislation needs to be updated by people in the government. Other people should divert their energy into raising awareness about the outdated legislation, finding cheaper

alternatives to sulfates, and giving their money to companies that do not lie to their customers. If you want to start living sulfates-free, you can find recipes to create your own shampoos online. The internet is full of thousands of sulfate-free recipes for shampoos, soaps, face washes, detergents, etc. The internet is also helpful with finding brands that are sulfate-free for those who may not have time to make their own products. Just by going to Walmart’s website and searching for sulfate-free shampoo, one can find thousands of different brands that make them.

L’Oréal Paris and Aveeno for example both make one that only costs $5.97 for a 10 oz bottle.

Similarly, using the Think Dirty app can also help shoppers while they are actively shopping by allowing the user to scan barcodes or look up products which will display an overall rating of the product. The user can then look deeper to see which chemicals are causing the product to receive the rating it did.

One major advantage to using Think Dirty is that all untested chemicals automatically receive the worst rating because little is known about their effects, long term or short term, on the body.

After all, in this digital age, we literally have the world at our fingertips, but it is up to the consumer to use those resources. Change may take years to come, but everyone should have the ability to control which substances go into their bodies to the degree that we are able.

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Do Not Pay for BPA

By Abbey Webster

In today’s society, individuals come in contact with plastic constantly over the course of any given day. Cups, food containers, silverware and bags are all comprised of a multitude of chemicals that contribute to their durability, convenience and effectiveness. In recent years, studies have shown the dangers of plastic on the human body and the detrimental effects they have on the environment. At alarming rates, further tests of the chemicals found in plastics, especially BPA (bisphenol-A) have revealed how harmful BPA may be for our health. Unfortunately, the removal of BPA from plastics has had an adverse reaction on the safety of the products, since BPA replacements are equally if not more dangerous, which is something the public is generally unaware of.

The presence and dangers of toxic ingredients still remains unknown to many consumers, and therefore actions must be taken not only to inform and educate consumers but also improve the quality of products. Long-term effects and severe medical conditions can occur in individuals exposed to BPA and BPA replacements over time and can affect their life quality and lifespan. Luckily, consumers can slightly alter their behavior and protect themselves from the dangers of BPA through replacement and avoidance.

The danger of BPA lies in the fact that consumers are constantly holding, touching and eating items that have been in contact with BPA and do not 10 | MindScope Science Magazine

know how prevalent and abundant the chemical is.

Due to this, exposure to BPA is rarely considered because there is no immediate negative reaction. BPA is present in products because it is used in the polymerization process of polycarbonate plastics and resins as well as in the manufacture of commonly used products. The quantity and number of products BPA is in has increased and now can be found in thermal paper used for sales receipts, flame retardant precursors, dental sealants, and the inside coating of beverage and food cans, including those used for infant formula. However, since many disregard the underlying effects which prolonged exposure to chemicals such as BPA have on the body, long term issues can develop. In fact, BPA is so prevalent in our society today that about 90% of Americans have traceable amounts of BPA in their urine. It is for this reason that consumers need to be made aware of toxic chemicals in their products and BPA in their lives.

Specifically, BPA is found mainly in food containers and BPA levels significantly increase when the container is heated since it leaches into the food which is eventually consumed. The ingestion of the chemical poses as a serious and ongoing threat to the well-being of the consumer.

BPA can easily be classified as a toxic consumable and may be regarded as one of the most dangerous chemical in consumer products today. In recent years, there has been a major societal uproar

Image: Harryarts—freepik.com

demanding the removal of BPA from a variety of plastic water bottles. Companies responded and the majority of plastic reusable water bottles come with a “BPA Free” label which appeases the consumer and still allows the product to be sold. This movement was successful and diminished exposure to BPA.

However, companies immediately replaced BPA with chemicals that are significantly similar and pose equal threats to human health: BPF and BPS. BPS has been adopted as an alternative in products such as water and baby bottles, thermal paper, and the linings of metal cans. Despite the fact that products are now labeled “BPA Free,” which alludes that they are completely safe for use, it remains the case that BPS and BPF have been added and their effects mimic those of BPA. If the information about the dangerous of these chemicals is not known, then the market will never change and people in the United States will forever be exposed to BPA and its substitutes.

An experiment performed by Mahlet Mersha determined just how negatively exposure to BPA and BPS affects the body from early development into adulthood, as well as over the course of an entire lifespan. It has been determined that BPA and BPA replacements (BPS and BPF) mimic the chemical structure of hormones and can be classified as endocrine disruptors. Endocrine disruptors impact the body’s natural hormones and have the potential to significantly impact the nervous system, leading to behavioral issues later in life. A plethora of studies exist which indicate the harsh and dangerous effects of BPA, BPS, and BPF—yet the chemical remains in an exorbitant amount of products.

Additionally, BPA and its replacements have the potential to disrupt many of the body’s natural and necessary systems. Cardiovascular issues have occurred during lab testing; BPA, BPS, and BPF collectively pose the biggest threat due to their carcinogenic properties and their harm effects on reproductive systems and fertility. BPA, along with a wide variety of environmental toxins, can lead to severely dangerous reproductive issues, including chromosomal abnormalities, fetal loss, endometriosis, menstruation irregularities, spontaneous abortion, and reduced fertility. It can also alter the natural processes of a pregnancy and ultimately childbirth.

If BPA manages to not affect the pregnancy and health of the infant, it may cause developmental issues after birth. Tests conducted with mice suggested BPA may be a contributor to genital tract issues.

Coinciding with this, based on exposure time and duration, BPA may negatively impact the immune system, neurobehavioral, neurotoxic, and neuroendocrine effects, and genotoxicity. These issues are dangerous since they does not simply contribute to the demise of one system in the body, but to many bodily systems which are affected by the horrible effects of BPA.

Other studies on BPA have shown their implication in metabolic disruptions. In a report entitled, Bisphenol A: A Threat to Human Heath? an experiment and its findings are discussed. Regarding at the results from experiments done using adult mice, the study indicates, “BPA can contribute to the onset of metabolic diseases (e.g., obesity and diabetes mellitus... Adults [mice] with the highest levels of circulating BPA were more than twice as likely to develop diabetes as those with lower levels of BPA…” This is a huge issue for the upcoming generation, which is growing up to be the most overweight and unhealthy generation to have ever lived.

In fact, children are expected to live shorter lives than their parents. Any chemical that contributes to this horrifying situation should be officially banned in hopes of helping eliminate one more factor of American obesity.

Study after study has determined that exposure is very detrimental to the health of children and adults and this fact should not be taken lightly.

It is abnormal that companies are providing goods to their customers that contain dangerous chemicals without even providing a warning label. Although this should not be the case, it is now up to everyone individually to know the dangers and make intellectual and thorough purchases. This will not only benefit. If enough individuals change their habits, the industry will follow, and someday we all can purchase goods without questioning their dangers on human health. Make the choice everyday, with every purchase. With this knowledge we no longer will pay for BPA.

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TSCA’s Need for Reform

By Kristen Doucette, Alex Kemna

Image: www3.epa.gov

In 1976, the Toxic Substances Control Act was passed by the U.S. Congress and has been overseen by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ever since. It was created to ensure the safety and regulation of chemicals available in the United States.

Its first goal was to evaluate and regulate new commercial chemicals before they would gain access to the U.S. market, and its second goal was to regulate chemicals that already existed in and before 1976 and which posed an “unreasonable risk to human health or to the environment.” Its third goal was to regulate all distribution and use of these chemicals.

At the time, the TSCA law was seen as very progressive and took a big step toward the protection of human health and the environment. Currently, policymakers and public health experts are saying that the law doesn’t do as good of a job as they had previously thought. One of the failures of TSCA stems from the fact that it allowed chemicals that already existed in 1976 to be grandfathered into the list of safe chemicals in the United States. This means that the 62,000 chemicals that existed in 1976 were okayed for human health and safety without being tested first. Since the law was passed, the EPA has only been able to test about 200 of these chemicals for human safety because of the second goal of this law, which only allows the EPA to test a chemical if 12 | MindScope Science Magazine

it poses an “unreasonable risk” to human health or the environment during “manufacture, distribution, use, or disposal.” Since 1990, only 5 of the 62,000 chemicals have been banned by the EPA. The rest of the already existing chemicals have never been tested for their toxic effects on human health or the environment.

The reason for the small number of chemicals that have been tested is mostly due to TSCA making the EPA show that a chemical is hazardous rather than TSCA forcing the chemical company to show that the chemical is safe. Even after the EPA shows that the chemical poses an “unreasonable risk,” the process to get all of the information and data obtained from experimentation about the chemical from the industry can take years, making it harder for the EPA to regulate a suspected toxic chemical.

Since the main goal of the law was to ensure the safety and regulation of new chemicals available since 1976 in the U.S., one would think that the EPA would have received a ton of information regarding each newly developed chemical. Of the 22,000 chemicals that have been introduced to the U.S. market since 1976, chemical manufacturers have provided little to no information regarding their potential health effects. The TSCA document only requires companies to report and submit all existing data concerning the environment and health effects of such substance or mixture, which does not require chemical companies to complete tests to first find this data. Without the EPA being able to require companies to test for toxic effects on human health and the environment, it is up to the companies to test their chemicals, or to outside groups to test for the data.

The need for the reform of TSCA stems from these many failures that don’t guarantee the safety of human health and the environment in the United States. Many different organizations are suggesting different solutions to the problems that the current TSCA law creates. Physicians for Social Responsibility suggest that there are three major gaps in current

TSCA regulations, which include data, safety, and technology gaps. The data gap can be abridged when the chemical industry will supply missing toxicity and safety information to the EPA. The safety gap, which makes it impossible for the EPA to access and regulate hazards also has to be modernized. The last

gap, the technology gap, must give companies an incentive to find alternatives to chemicals or methods. Closing the last gap with ensure that the United States is moving towards a chemical policy that includes safer alternatives in their consumer products.

Did you know?

By Katherine Bragdon

Databases such as Skin Deep and the Think Dirty mobile application are accessible and reliable sources that consumers can use to quickly and efficiently research the toxic chemicals found in their products.

Both databases are very easy to use and understand, supplying the user with all of the available information about the product in straightforward fashion.

The Skin Deep database is an online website created by the Environmental Working Group that, similarly to Think Dirty, contains information about consumer products and the chemicals they contain. The search for a product in this database includes information about the risk of the product, ingredient concerns, information about each added ingredient, and an overall safety rating of the product. Products on the Skin Deep website are rated on a scale from 1-10, 10 being the worst. The appeal of these databases is their “user friendliness.�

Think Dirty is a mobile application accessible to anyone with a smartphone. The user can either type in the name of the desired product or scan the barcode. If the product is in the database, the app will supply a list of ingredients that each has a hazard rating of 0-10, the overall hazard rating of the product, the function of each ingredient, as well as alternative products available, and where to buy them. All of this information extremely helpful because it makes finding and purchasing a safe product quick and easy.

Spring 2016 N° 2 | 13

The Harmful Effects of Heavy Metals in Consumer Products

By Sophia Streimer

There are many different heavy metals present in millions of cosmetic products on the market available for consumers to purchase. Many consumers do not know the hazards associated with these metals, as well as the many different ways these metals can enter the human body and be detrimental to a person’s health.

Many metals are known to have detrimental long- and short-term effects on humans. One group of especially harmful compounds is are heavy metals such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), arsenic (As), and mercury (Hg). Heavy metals are found in many products used for color pigmentations, and are also used in cosmetics. Three of the most prevalent heavy metals found in cosmetics with the most damaging health effects on humans are lead, cadmium and chromium IV. Such heavy metals can build up in a person’s body over time and be damaging to their health. There is limited information available regarding the effects of cumulative exposure to these metals, but it is known that frequent exposure to lead can cause lead poisoning, of which include symptoms such as loss of appetite, weakness, anemia, and vomiting, and can lead to permanent brain damage or even death.

Lead is a toxic element that has been found in 75% of products tested in a case study of about 400 products with concentrations ranging from 0.05 ppm to 0.39 ppm. About half of the samples that had lead present had concentrations higher than the FDA recommended maximum level, which is 0.1 ppm.

Lead is present in many cosmetic products such as lipsticks, since companies use dye and pigments from materials such as mica, silica, fish scales, and titanium dioxide to provide different color properties and

14 | MindScope Science Magazine

appearances. Lead is a natural byproduct of these components. Some substances are purposefully added, but other dangerous substances are accidentally present in products due to unintentional byproduct formation. Lead can also be present in cosmetics from metal and plastic containers that have been previously contaminated. Statistically, the FDA has found lead contents in 400 lipsticks.

Cadmium is also a naturally occurring element found in many cosmetic products which can be extremely harmful to human health with frequent exposure. Cadmium is found in body and hair creams that can be absorbed through dermal contact.

This element is known to be a human carcinogen, as classified by the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Oral exposure to cadmium can result in severe stomach irritation, kidney damage and bone deformity. In addition, exposure to cadmium during pregnancy is associated with decreased birth weight, behavior and learning problems, and premature birth. Animal studies show that young animals absorb more cadmium than adults and are more susceptible to bone impairments.

Chromium IV is another heavy metal and known carcinogen. Inhalation of chromium IV can cause lung cancer and oral exposure through drinking water has been linked to stomach tumors. Studies suggest that chromium IV intake from products should be a concern of customers. Little information is known about alternatives to chromium IV as well as regarding the effects of frequent low dose exposure. The lack of regulation within the cosmetic industry causes concerns by many environmental agencies and consumers.

Image: Dean Hochman

INTERVIEWS

Interview with President Drinan—Her Battle with Breast Cancer

Image: bossandtonic.com

By Kristen Doucette

We sat down with President Drinan to learn more about her experience as a breast cancer patient.

She shares with us her insights on breast cancer prevention and treatments.

When were you diagnosed with breast cancer?

It was diagnosed on September 9th, 2014.

What stage were you diagnosed with?

There are two elements to the diagnosis—grade and stage. I was diagnosed stage 1C on a scale of 1-4 and grade 3 on a scale of 1-3. Originally, based on the

mammogram and the biopsy, they thought it was a stage 1, but when they did the surgery, they realized the size of the tumor was near to stage 2. And the tumor was a grade 3, which indicates the most abnormal and rapidly growing cells, the most aggressive they measure. I did surgery—that is, a lumpectomy, then four rounds of chemotherapy, followed by six weeks of radiation.

Spring 2016 N° 2 | 15

Did you find out from the mammogram that it was a cancer?

Was the BRCA testing done before you were diagnosed?

Yes, I did. I went every year to get a mammogram because my general practitioner recommended it. I always scheduled my appointments for the week before school started, and I was always tempted to cancel them because that time of the year can become so busy for me. I’m so grateful that I did not put off my appointment in 2014, because if I had waited, the cancer would have progressed. I am a real advocate for getting yearly mammograms. It’s been sad to me that so many women will delay it, saying it’s too painful.

It is not that painful; it is a little uncomfortable and awkward, but I would rather do that than go through chemotherapy. I know people find ways to say, “Oh, I’ll wait another month,” but it’s important to be disciplined about it.

I think I am a lucky case, because if you are unfortunate enough to have a grade 3 tumor—it’s mov- Image: freepik.com ing fast. So if you keep waiting, it’s only going to keep growing.

I did it last June, after my treatment. If the BRCA 1 and 2 tests were positive, I would’ve had to make the decision of whether to have a therapeutic mastectomy and the removal of my ovaries.

But the BRCA 1 and 2 tests said that wasn’t necessary. And that’s information for my children, too. I did all 49 tests indicating genetic linkage to breast cancer and related cancers and I was negative for every test. I have thought the cause of my cancer was environmental, or the fact that I had taken hormone replacement therapy. That’s a big suspect to me, because I took the hormones before they declared that they were harmful.

Does breast cancer run in your family?

It does not. I had all the genetic BRCA testings. My sister had breast cancer about 10 years before me. With her cancer they just removed the tumor in a milk duct, and they gave her a little radiation, and she was good to go. My mother, my aunts—none of them had breast cancer. When I did the BRCA 1 and 2 testings, they were negative.

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So you had no idea going into the hormone replacement therapy that it could potentially be linked to breast cancer?

No, I started taking the hormone replacement therapy in 1997, and took it for about five years. And one day my doctor called me, and she said, “Stop the therapy this instant,” because a study had just come out that said it was harmful. But when I started taking it, they were saying it was good for your heart, and there were no apparent complications.

When someone starts to go into menopause, that person no longer has the heart protection that estrogen provides. They threw that out the window when they realized the toxicity that synthetic estrogen can bring to the body. When you read Siddhartha

Mukherjee’s book, Cancer: The Emperor of All Maladies, it really makes sense. There’s a section where he says that the two most embarrassing times in medical research around cancer were when we refused to acknowledge the fact that smoking and tobacco caused cancer, and when we couldn’t wrap our heads around the fact that externally introduced hormones were just as dangerous as internally produced hormones for breast cancer. I took externally produced estrogen hormones without thinking that was going to be linked to breast cancer. I can’t explain it, and I don’t know that science can explain it, but I did it because my doctor recommended it when I was having so many negative side effects from menopause. I wouldn’t have done it otherwise.

During my toxic consumables class, we learned a lot about toxic chemicals in personal care products and things in our everyday lives that could increase the risk for cancers and diseases. Previous to your diagnosis, had you realized that many of the personal care products that you used, or chemicals like flame retardants that are all around us, could have led to these diseases?

No, I had no idea whatsoever. My mother smoked when she was pregnant with both me and my sister. Could there any connection between the fact that both my sister and I were the only two siblings in the family that had breast cancer? My mother was also a gardener and she had very toxic chemicals around the house. I remember her telling me, “This chemical is great, because I have these very resistant weeds in my garden.” Then I remember her telling me one day, “Oh, I can’t buy that at the store because it’s too toxic.” By then, of course, we were small children. So were those things in the house? In the garage? I don’t know. My big suspect to the cause of my breast cancer is still the hormone replacement therapy. I take some heart in thinking that my daughters will never do hormone replacement therapy because doctors aren’t recommending it anymore. But there are many suspects out there.

It’s hard, but also important to think about what you would tell people who will say, “No, I don’t want to hear about that, I’m not changing my products, don’t tell me that.” I think I’d tell those people to just

focus on a few things at a time.

If I read every article and tried to follow all their advice, I think I’d go bananas. I’m focusing on two things right now. One has been restricting myself to 4 to 5 glasses of wine per week. I just think, “How could alcohol be a suspect, when everyone in France grows up having a glass of wine on a daily basis?” I mean, the whole country isn’t dying of breast cancer.

Some studies say that wine actually has its own benefits.

Yes, that’s exactly right. But my oncologist is a big believer in this, so I said I’d go with it. The other thing I’m focused on is reducing my refined sugar intake. I’ve picked those two to pay attention to, but you can’t possibly avoid everything that’s bad for you.

How did you deal with having breast cancer and also being the President at Simmons College?

When they told me that they thought it was breast cancer, and that they were going to do the biopsy, I thought “What am I going to do?” It was September 9th and school was just starting, and I thought to myself, “How am I the president of a women-centered college and going to keep that a secret?” It just didn’t make any sense to me, especially when you look at the public health side of this and how bad we are as a nation in terms of delivering clear cut messages about things like mammography.

We’re sending so many confusing messages about mammography right now; no wonder people don’t know what to do. So I thought, “Well, I’m a real life case,” and I intended to be public about it at Simmons, and I think that it was the right thing to do.

I never once heard anyone say, “I wish she hadn’t done this.”

I’ve had communications with so many people that I never would’ve met that were struggling with this or other issues. I was about six weeks into my own treatment when a student wrote to me and said that her father had just died of breast cancer. I think it was helpful to most students. After about six months of treatment, when I was finished with Spring 2016 N° 2 | 17

radiation, it was time stop talking about it, because you can’t be perpetually talking about something like that. I think it was a positive thing to do, but when my breast cancer came to its end, I stopped talking about it.

I would like to figure out a way to maintain awareness here at Simmons, because we have had several students that have self-reported that they had found lumps in their breasts and had pursued them, and of course most students and most women your age are unlikely to develop breast cancer, but it happens.

What are some ways in which you think that students here on campus could become involved in breast cancer prevention as opposed to the usual focus of finding a cure?

It’s hard, because most of the effort is going to research on cures, which makes a lot of sense.

Linda Paresky is a big influence in my life here at Simmons because she’s an incredibly active alumna, trustee, a major donor to the college, and the one who encouraged me to think about Silent Spring as one place to do some good. Linda is a big “prevention” person; she had been talking about Silent Spring three years before I had breast cancer.

Especially now that we have a more formal relationship with Silent Spring, between the Toxic Consumables class and my involvement, I think we can create something that would be an ongoing

resource to find volunteer opportunities for students who are interested. We have a nice participation, but not an overwhelming one, in the breast cancer walk which is the American Cancer Society walk. We don’t have the kind of participation that other co-ed schools have. I’m not sure students are interested in the walk, so we have to pick something that students would actually be attracted to. And I think, based on my views of what happened in your classroom with Rich Gurney, when you were all really connecting with something that you learned about and you felt really passionate about what you were learningthat’s what students should become involved with.

Students should volunteer with a cause that gets them excited to be involved.

One of the women who was ahead of me in the process of breast cancer, who introduced herself to me at last year’s Leadership Conference, and works for Oracle, is a rower. She went to Wells College (when it was still a women’s college), and she was a rower there, and she has gotten active in the fight against breast cancer with some people who do recreational rowing. I wonder if maybe we could mobilize some students around crew, since we have such an active crew team. All of the Simmons teams could actively participate in the fight against breast cancer and it would be a good way to engage alumni and current students who support our sports teams.

“The Silent Spring Institute is currently focused on researching ways to prevent breast cancer.

Beginning in 1994, this organization has published ground-breaking studies that have made connections between certain preventable diseases and a person’s environment (i.e. what they’re exposed to) such as flame retardants or pesticides. Silent Spring is also dedicated to improving the awareness of environmental health issues to many people in the United States, including other scientists, legislators and the public.” http://www.silentspring.org/ 18 | MindScope Science Magazine

Interview with Professor Rich Gurney

By Kristen Doucette, Alex Kemna course running every year is at least one thing that could keep bringing the topic to the forefront of everyone’s thought process.

I know that Dr. Nelson is also working to teach a leadership course in the spring that may pick up on these concepts with respect to business and management. In the past, I’ve taught the green chemistry course in the Honors program and both times there was a big push by students to green the campus.

In 2005 students advocated for the Lefavour building to be renovated with as many green building materials as possible and later in 2006 From left to right: Kristen Doucette, Prof Gurney, Alex Kemna for the new management building to be built green from the ground up. After I stopped K: What was your favorite part about teaching the teaching the course, and once those students had Toxic Consumables Boston Course? graduated, I noticed that population became more complacent and stopped pushing for a greener cam My favorite part was that students were so pus. I think that’s why classes like the Boston Course excited about the content. I loved sharing something have to be offered every year, to continue the conI was passionate about and getting others excited versation and to gain new and fresh perspectives on about it too. these issues.

A: What other ways do you think we could start the conversation about toxic chemicals like we did in class, everywhere else on campus?

I think we have to keep educating people and build a momentum of students who know about and are passionate about the topic. It’s all about educating and raising awareness. We have to organize people who are similarly minded to schedule activities, like bringing the Stink! movie to campus, and keep the conversation going. We could do this through organizing a group or continuing to partner with Silent Spring. Keeping the toxic consumables Boston

A: What’s one example of something you think we could do on campus to make it greener or more toxicchemical–free?

An easy example would be to empower students to make better purchasing decisions. I think that’s where the DetoxMe app from Silent Spring comes into play. If we could try to get more people to use the app, it would empower students to make healthier consumer decisions. That would be the quickest, easiest and most impactful way to make a change. Another thing could be to educate people about the estrogen mimic BPA, and BPA derivatives Spring 2016 N° 2 | 19

found in all thermal paper receipts. Everyone is consciously avoiding plastic bottles containing BPA, but very few people are aware that a single register receipt is literally covered in BPA, which is readily absorbed through your skin. Unlike all major fast food chains, our Campus Food services do not give out a lot of receipts, which should be celebrated. The Simmons community could launch a major education campaign to “Say NO to Receipts,” which could ultimately prevent billions of pounds of these estrogen mimics from entering our environment.

Stephen Colbert featured a haute couture look from only CVS receipts, as they are so excessive. Overall, focusing all of our effort on just one target or goal to make a change for the year would probably be most productive.

K: We think a big problem is that the information we heard in Stink! isn’t widespread yet and it seems to be inaccessible to people of various demographics.

How do you think we could close this information gap here at Simmons and make the information more accessible to everyone?

Well, we could look at the ways in which we engage the community now and look for more opportunities to see if we can use the infrastructure we already have. Jon Whelan, the director of Stink!, told us that we now have access to the movie on Kanopy Streaming at Simmons, so maybe we could contact the library and ask if the license that we pay for for the streaming would enable us to set up some free showings of the movie. This way we could invite the community in, and open it up to other students in the COF, or we could have the screening on a night that is convenient for parents and their children to come and watch.

We also have a strong collaboration with “Science Club for Girls” in Cambridge. Simmons hosts many Science Club for Girls trainings, so maybe we can invite them to stay and preview the movie.

I think so much of the problem is information overload. Everybody is just inundated with information all the time, and we need to find a way to let people know that watching the movie is worth an hour and a half of their time. Another thing could be to set up 20 | MindScope Science Magazine

a movie series, where you could maybe convince an alum to look at issues of race, class, and gender with respect to chemical toxicant. This issue certainly has a gender component because women disproportionately use cosmetics which contain unregulated ingredients. It definitely has a class component because the cheaper products are more toxic, yet also more accessible to lower income households. And there’s also definitely a race component, because if you look at the ingredients in the products that some people of color use, like hair relaxers, they’re just horrible.

Relaxers are nothing more than Drano on your hair, which accounts for the horrible scalp burns many of my students of color have reported experiencing in their youth. This all gets back to the whole reason I’m at Simmons and the whole reason I’m teaching the toxic consumables class. Unless we have more women scientists getting into the field, no one’s going to be wondering about these issues. There has to be a strong, representative woman’s perspective in science to ensure a balanced gender perspective. If you look at the scientists who create these products, they’re not necessarily all evil, but they often collectively lack a women’s perspective. Science education will help both the general populace become aware of and vote to change the cosmetics legislation and also empower women to go into the sciences to research and create the greener solutions of our current challenges.

A: What projects are you currently working on in your lab?

My work is all about getting students into research. The research project that we are collectively working on is creating thin film antimicrobial coatings. And it’s important to not only create these products, but also to teach students how to do research in which there is an end product result, but the end and the means are both justified. I’m hoping we can eventually create these powerful antibacterial coatings to prevent the spread of bacterial infections, but also train a huge workforce of research active students. My mission and the mission of the Chemistry and Physics Department is to Educate Simmons students to become research-empowered, responsible global citizens.

K: Is it only for this year?

It’s been going on since around 2009. We’ve had seniors work on it, and students that have taken Organic Chemistry 1 and 2 have also been able to work on it, but now we’ve made it so that students, even if they’ve only taken CHEM 113, are able to join on Tuesday evenings through Build Your Science Toolkit. We currently have eight students that took CHEM 113 last semester and are learning the tools and techniques of organic chemistry with respect to that project. There’s also a mentoring piece, so as these students come in, they learn something and then I have them teach it to others.

K: How did it feel when you were promoted to become Professor?

It was great to know that my accomplishments were recognized and it gave me a great sense of pride.

K: What’s something that not many people know about you?

I absolutely love to cook. If I wasn’t teaching at Simmons I would open a food truck and travel from city to city, selling convenient, healthy savory food.

Did you know?

By Sophia Streimer, Siqi Wu

Cosmetic products and ingredients are not subject to FDA pre-approval (except for color additives) in the same way that food and drugs are subject to review. The FDA has put no limit on the amount of lead in cosmetics even though it is known to be harmful to humans.

Image: trollhistory.com

Studies have shown that 1 in 13 women are exposed to probable carcinogens and 1 in 24 women are exposed to ingredients that are known or probable reproductive and developmental toxins.

Heavy metal in makeup has been present since ancient times. The Egyptians were one of the first people to plaster their faces with lead, copper, and a variety of other metals for beauty.

Image: trollhistory.com/flickr

The dead white look, popular among Romans was created using a skin cream made of lead.

This trend followed into the 16th, 17th, and 18th century; many cosmetics were packed with heavy metals until people began dying.

Spring 2016 N° 2 | 21

Interview with Professor Donna Beers

By Emma Keenan

Image: simmons.edu

Professor Donna Beers has been teaching mathematics here at Simmons College for 30 years. We sat down to talk with her about her start in mathematics, her love of music, and her passion for research and teaching.

You have been teaching mathematics for several years here at Simmons. Could you tell us more about your path and how you became interested in it? Was it something you were always interested in?

I’ve always loved problem-solving and the satisfaction of getting a problem right—I’ve found it very delightful ever since I was a little girl. But I never planned to be a math major. I planned to be an English or a French major. I was a person studying language and music, who was always taking science and math courses because I found them interesting—I just never thought that I would major in them. I ended up deciding the night before I had to declare a major that I would choose math. All of the women in my family had studied English or the humanities, and reassured me that I would always have it in my life and we would keep reading together, 22 | MindScope Science Magazine

but math might be good for me. I ended up going to the University of Connecticut for all of my degrees, and I was their first female PhD candidate in mathematics. I did my PhD dissertation on something called the group ring isomorphism problem, which is in an area of algebra. While I was an undergrad, I also minored in chemistry and took a fair number of English courses as well.

What is your main interest in research?

My main research centers around teaching and learning, more specifically how students learn and how teachers can teach so that students learn better with the use of different pedagogies. I am also working to develop courses in new areas of mathematics. Right now I’m doing a lot of work in social network analysis as it applies to public health

and safety issues, like tracking the spread of disease through social circles. One of the ways that faculty can enrich their own learning is by attending Reconnect workshops sponsored by Homeland Security, of which I’ve attended many. I also went to a workshop on forensics, which I wrote a module on and presented to Middlebury College in Vermont over the spring break. I plan on also using it for my linear algebra class. The goal is for faculty to look at the latest application of their field to educate the next generation of professionals in safety and security.

That’s what motivated my work on photo image forensics and linear algebra modules.

What do you enjoy teaching the most?

I like all the classes I teach: I like the material and each different class for a particular reason, but I like my students the most. I love watching their faces light up when something clicks with them for the first time. I love seeing their interest and understanding develop, be nurtured, and grow.

What skills do you think are the most important for students to develop in mathematics?

Problem solving is the number one thing.

No matter what discipline you study, the goal is to strengthen your problem solving ability. The ability to think clearly, logically, and rationally is so important for any field—and life in general. The question we ask is: “What strategy can I develop?” and it helps in all area of life. After all, life itself is problem solving.

What advice do you have for students entering or trying to enter fields of mathematics?

It’s always a question of what are the students interested in. You know, I don’t stand on a soapbox trying to convince you to be math majors! I know that I have students interested in one or more disciplines in the sciences. It’s good to understand what careers in your field of interest involve mathematical thinking or reasoning, and which skills you will need to develop to work on the problems that arise in those careers. To think about careers involv-

ing mathematics might be useful for the problem you want to solve. Most students have problems that they want to solve, or there is an area in which they want to make a difference in. Whether it be cleaning up the environment, teaching, making new advances in medicine, there is always an area that they feel most passionate about. And the key is to ask how math could be of use to help them solve the problem that really entices them. So many fields nowadays are interdisciplinary that math is involved almost everywhere.

You said that you’ve always been interested in language and music. How do you build that into your life and your work with mathematics? Do math, music, and language have anything in common?

A lot of the problems that students have are reading, and understanding what they are reading.

A lot of the times, students don’t quite understand what they are supposed to find, which is a critical reading issue. As far as music, the commonality is that they are both abstract and have a specific language and symbols that you have to learn to understand them. The symbols of algebra, just like the symbols of a signature in music, transcend a specific language like English.

What do you like to read? Do you still keep up with music?

I seem to really like reading autobiographies right now. This summer, I was reading the Orville and Wilbur Wright biography and went to hear the author speak. I like biography because I think it helps all of us to understand our own lives. I’ve studied both voice and piano, but these days I just don’t have enough time for either, even though I certainly love to play piano and sing. I actually picked it up after I got my PhD! Is there anything else you’d like to share with the Simmons Community?

That it’s a wonderful wonderful place, and Simmons students are the best.

Spring 2016 N° 2 | 23

HUMAN BODY

The Human Microbiome

By Cassidy Lowell Inside and on every human Inside every human being rests a lively world of bacteria that interact with the human body. There are ten bacterial cells for every human cell in the body, and people could easily be considered mostly bacteria rather than human. Although it may be frightening to think about the number of bacteria living in and around our bodies, most bacteria that inhabit humans are absolutely integral to our health. That is why researchers are beginning to get more interested in the human microbiome, which comprises all of the microorganisms associated with the human body. In fact, research suggests that we may be able to use our own bacteria to prevent disease with our increasing understanding of the human microbiome.

Research into the human microbiome is relatively recent, but it is a promising field that has the potential to reveal insights into the cause of many chronic illnesses. Studies indicate that different compositions of the microbiome can correspond with certain illnesses, including mental health and gut diseases. Although the link between ordinary microbes and disease has already been established, it is important to note that more research is needed to confidently determine exactly how microbes have the ability to affect human health.

We’ve known for many years that microbes can improve our digestive health, which explains why probiotics are so often recommended as the first treatment of many stomach problems. But researchers are starting to find connections between microbes and some less obvious diseases. For example, a recent study found that microbes can have an important impact on stroke recovery. Microbes interact with immune cells that can cause inflammation of the brain and hinder stroke recovery. When those microbes are attacked by antibiotics, the potentially harmful 24 | MindScope Science Magazine

Image: humanlongevity.com

immune cells are also inhibited and stroke recovery rates improve. That is just one of the many ways that the body’s microbes can impact our health.

Researchers have also been able to find that gut microbes can lead to autoimmune diseases in mice. There is also a link between bacteria and anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia. It was also shown that babies delivered by C-sections were shown to be at a disadvantage for their microbial health since they don’t receive the healthy bacteria from passing through a vaginal tract. To remedy this situation, researchers have started trials transferring a swab of microbes from the parent to the baby directly after C-section birth. This is called vaginal microbial transfer, and it might help protect against immune and metabolic disorders, to which C-section babies are very susceptible.

It will take several years to confirm whether the procedure can help in the protection of newborns from diseases, but it is an important study in terms of our understanding of the importance of the microbiome.

So what can we do to keep our microbiomes healthy? If you eat a relatively plant based diets with occasional fermented foods and probiotics, your microbiome should be thriving. A healthy microbiome means a healthy body, so make sure to take care of your body’s own microbes!

Spring 2016 N° 2 | 25

A Family Trying to Keep Smilin’

By Cassidy Lowell KeepSmilin’4Abbie is a foundation dedicated to reducing the number of fatalities caused by allergies and anaphylaxis, an acute and severe allergic reaction that may induce the rapid onset of symptoms such as skin rash, nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, and shock, which can lead to death if not immediately treated by epinephrine. The foundation was created by the Benford family from Hopkinton, Mass. who lost their daughter Abbie to food allergy complications a few days before her 16th birthday. The Benford family believes that their daughter could have been saved by early detection of anaphylaxis and is dedicated to finding a solution that could help save the lives of others. They founded KeepSmilin4Abbie to fund research on early detection of anaphylaxis, spread awareness on the severity of allergies, and provide scholarships.

and cardiac arrest can occur within twenty minutes of the first sign of symptoms. Emergency epinephrine injectors, more commonly known as EpiPens, are typically used to quickly treat an allergic reaction while waiting for emergency services to arrive. However, due to the rapid onset of symptoms, EpiPens are sometimes not enough to treat the reaction in time.

One of the ways KeepSmilin4Abbie strives to reduce anaphylaxis-related deaths is by funding research into wearable devices that can detect anaphylaxis before the reaction becomes too severe to treat. The Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University is leading a research team to investigate issues regarding the beginning stages of allergic reactions. www.keepsmilin4abbie.org

According to Food Allergy According to the Wyss website, Research and Education, a food allergy sends somethe research team is working on detecting biochemone to the emergency room every three minutes. ical and physiological signs that indicate the start of Anaphylaxis is most often caused by food allergens, anaphylaxis. With this information, they hope to debut can also be caused by other allergens such as bee velop technology that will be able to recognize those stings, medications, or latex. It can occur when the signs and automatically inject a dose of epinephrine body creates an immune response to an otherwise before any symptoms occur. harmless allergen it is exposed to, and it can affect multiple parts of the body. Breathing and blood

This early detection will give more time to circulation can both be affected during anaphylaxis, people who experience anaphylaxis to get emergency which is always serious and often life-threatening. medical attention that could save their lives. The development of this kind of technology could save the

The problem with detecting and treating lives of thousands of otherwise healthy people like anaphylaxis is that it is solely based on symptoms, Abbie. which can sometimes be misdiagnosed or noticed too late. Anaphylaxis symptoms can occur very suddenly, and the symptoms can range from a skin rash to an upset stomach to difficulty breathing and swallowing. Serious complications like airway blockage

26 | MindScope Science Magazine

STUDENT STORIES

Where are they now—Kristie Flaherty Interview by Ariana Savage tics Branch in Washington, D.C. In this position, I do database management using SQL and generate statistics on what each industry is producing and using in the economy.

What was your favorite class at Simmons? Why?

I loved all of my classes at Simmons! I’d say the most helpful course was Linear Algebra, as I’ve used it consistently since graduation. I also loved Statistics with Professor Goldman! He knew how to bring excitement to statistics.

What inspired you the most at Simmons?

The people. Being in the Simmons atmosphere motivated me to push myself to the fullest. I left Simmons believing I had the power to change the world!

What was your most memorable moment at Simmons?

Name: Kristie Flaherty Year of Graduation: 2012 Major: Mathematics and Economics Fun fact: In my first job post-Simmons, I was sent to Brussels, Belgium on my first day of the job to survey prices and determine the cost-of-living index.

What have you been doing since graduation?

I graduated from Simmons in 2012 and worked for a Simmons alumna, Cynthia Kagno, at Associates for International Research, Inc (AIRINC) for two and a half years. I was a data production analyst producing cost-of-living reports for companies who send their employees on assignments around the world. In the fall of 2014, I began my Master’s degree in Applied Economics at the University of Massachusetts Boston and will be graduating this May. This past January I was offered a position with the Bureau of Economic Analysis in their Input-Output Statis-

My most memorable moment would actually have to be the summer before I entered Simmons.

Professor Menzin called me to discuss careers in mathematics and statistics. I had not declared a major or interest, but Professor Menzin talked me into studying mathematics. If that phone call had never happened, who knows what I would be doing with my career now!

What is one advice you would give to Simmons Students interested in pursuing a scientific career?

Network. Network. Network! It’s hard to imagine a job you’ll want to pursue when you can’t imagine what your everyday work will entail. Ask alums or others in the field to shadow them for the day or come in for an informational interview. Also, whenever you negotiate salary (which you should always do), make sure to get it in writing!

Spring 2016 N° 2 | 27

Where are they now—Mandy Wong Interview by Ariana Savage reau of Justice Statistics (BJS): the National Corrections Reporting Program (NCRP) and the Federal Justice Statistics Program. The main responsibilities of my job are managing data and performing quality checks.

When data is submitted by the federal agency, I use SAS software to process the data. When processing data, I produce two final datasets. One dataset contains personally identifiable information (PII) and the other dataset contains no PII. The purpose of the dataset without PII is to later conduct public research without identifying the offender. Therefore, while I process the data and create the dataset without PII, I remove all variables that reflects any personal information. After the data is processed, I create statistical tables summarizing the number of offenses at several levels of criminality.

You may find these tables in the annual federal justice statistics reports on the Bureau of Justice website.

Name: Mandy Wong Year of Graduation: 2015 Major: Biostatistics Fun fact: My favorite food is lobster! In order for me to enjoy lobster at its best, the lobster must be steamed. Then I must have 1 stick of melted butter per lobster. It will not be perfect without a splash of fresh lemon juice in that butter. I can eat a maximum of 4-1.25 lb lobsters per sitting. I am also a crazy cat lady. I love cats!

What have you been doing since graduation?

First, I would like to start off by thanking Dr. Gary Gaumer, who is a health economist in the Simmons School of Management. The reason why I am a research assistant at Abt Associates Inc today is that Dr. Gaumer has referred me to his former colleagues to work in the U.S. Health division. Thank you so, so much Dr. Gaumer!

I am currently a research assistant at Abt Associates Inc. I work in the Behavioral Health Group (BEHAVE) of the U.S. Health Division (USH), on two criminal justice projects contracted by the Bu28 | MindScope Science Magazine

Within the last ten months, I have grown to program proficiently in SAS and Stata. Many free programming opportunities were available at work so that I could improve my programming skills.

I have learned to build many strong, professional relationships within the company. My current goals are to participate in ongoing analyses and to join one more project related to public health and epidemiology.

What was your favorite class at Simmons?

All of my classes were enjoyable. My best class experience was with Professor Goldman. I have taken Statistics, Biostatistics, Regression, and two independent studies with him. What I loved about his classes is that he does not use any textbooks (Professor Goldman, you have saved all of your students so much money from buying textbooks)! He puts in so much time to create his set of notes for class. I still use his notes today at work. Besides the notes, he has helped me discover my passion for biostatistics.

I had always avoided statistics classes since everyone claimed that the classes were hard to understand.

Well, not for me. I absolutely love statistics! Professor Goldman has made me realize that I can use my

strong statistics skills to analyze big issues in public health.

What are some advice you would give to Simmons Students interested in pursuing a scientific career?

I also want to highlight that I enjoyed taking classes with Professor Brown. He tells a lot of interesting stories that are important to make good life decisions. He helped me think about how to approach problems in a unique, strategic way. The most important advice that I have walked away with is to become a good listener and be able to repeat what I’ve heard accurately in my own words. That has taken me a long way!

Take advantage of everything at Simmons.

The best thing about Simmons College is that the school is small and we have fewer students compared to other schools. That allows more student-professor interactions. Professors are able to make more time for individual students. Interact with your professors! Ask them questions! Start a conversation! You can only learn more from them. The professors really do make themselves as available as possible to help students. They show that they care about the students too. I definitely took advantage of that.

If you are going to graduate in May, you can never start applying to jobs too early. I started applying to jobs in September prior to graduation. My goal was to have a job before graduation. Every week, I made sure to apply to 20–50 jobs. By March, I had a total of eight interviews and three offers. It is definitely not easy to find a job. Starting the search early means that you can give yourself more job options to pick from when you leave school. The Monday after graduation, I went straight to work. I could have taken some time off to travel, but let’s be honest, we are too broke to travel as students.

What inspired you the most at Simmons?

The Math Department inspired me the most at Simmons. They endlessly exposed us to many different career paths using math. The professors always invite alums back so that we can interact with students. Knowing that I can apply biostatistics in my career in many different ways really motivated me to learn more about the public health field and set realistic goals for myself. Although I may not be doing work in public health, that is okay. I get to learn several programming languages and practice doing analyses that will heavily contribute to my experience. My next goal is most likely to go to graduate school. My goals would not be the same if I had not learned so much from the Math Department at Simmons.

What was your most memorable moment at Simmons?

My most memorable moment at Simmons is graduation. Never had I ever thought that I was ever going to graduate. When I was a junior, I learned the hard way that Biochemistry was not for me. I had no idea what I wanted to do. A few professors spent a lot of time to hear about my strengths and interests. They encouraged me to talk to Professor Goldman and discuss whether the field could be a possibility for me. Professor Goldman was very blunt and honest. He told me that it would be very difficult to finish my major in time. In my second semester of junior year, I decided to change my major to Biostatistics. With great support from the Math Department, I was able to graduate on time! It was unbelievable to me that I was able to take all the required courses in a short period of time and graduate. Graduation meant that I did it—I had completed all of my requirements within those four hard years in order to graduate and get that diploma. It was a really expensive diploma, but I finally have it!

Also, use the Office of the Dean of Student Life as much as you can. I wish that I had discovered them in my first year at Simmons. They help you with everything—and I do mean everything. They also make an effort to help and are willing to go out of their way for you. I worked with the Assistant Dean, Raymond Ou, for two years. His schedule is always packed with meetings with students. Even when I didn’t need help, I would still go meet with him to talk. He helped me view situations from different perspectives. We discussed good decision making skills. We reflected on the decisions that we have made and how we could make improvements for the future. Now, I feel that I have become a better me. I am great at setting myself up for success. I am completely different from who I was when I first entered Simmons College as a freshman.

Last advice, sleep early—it really does help you focus better!

Spring 2016 N° 2 | 29

Living with GERD

By Ariana Savage

Elisabeth Kübler-Ross once said: “The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.”

This quote has given me so much hope not to give up on my dreams and to practice resilience through my educational journey. While my friends from high school were finishing their junior year and internships, I was preparing myself mentally and physically for my third stomach surgery.

My first surgery was a splenic cyst removal

30 | MindScope Science Magazine

in sixth grade, and that is when all my gastrointestinal issues started. I suffered from Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) after that. I stopped getting treatment for the pain and seeing my doctors for it when I was dealing with a more acute issue. I have been in recovery for over six years now; I had to throw myself into a twelve-step program to save my life and stop my battle with addiction. By neglecting my physical health and focusing on my mental health, it had caught up with me.

After many tests, the doctors decided that surgery was the best option for preventing esophageal cancer from becoming a future development. It was also necessary for improving my quality of life.

I was sick throughout the night with GERD and developed insomnia from waking up so often. There were weeks when I could not get out of bed or eat

anything more than a protein shake for the day. The pain was so excruciating that it left me feeling incredibly defeated.

My second surgery was a partial fundoplication and hiatal hernia repair. A hiatal hernia occurs when part of the stomach pushes upward through the diaphragm. The partial fundoplication involved cutting a sliver of the upper curve of my stomach and wrapping it around my esophagus, so that the stomach acid could not travel any further. This was my second stomach surgery, and I knew that the recovery was going to be much more painful than the actual surgery.

There were many days that I just wanted to lie in bed and feel sorry for myself. I fell so behind and didn’t know how to move forward to create a life for myself. I didn’t know why it was taking so long to heal, or why I couldn’t eat and could barely move. I once again needed many tests to figure out what was going on. I had developed a paraesophageal hernia and needed another surgery. My stomach had slid up into my chest, and if it got tangled with my diaphragm, the consequence could be fatal. I felt like a ticking time bomb and was petrified to be going into my third surgery after two that hadn’t been that successful.

I was so grateful that the third surgery was successful! However, shortly after the surgery, I began to experience symptoms of GERD again. I had more testing, and now had to deal with chronic pain requiring daily medication. The nerve damage created sensitivity in that area. After accepting that this is the life I have been granted, I wanted to get back to school and be educated. I took a few classes at community college and did extremely well in the science classes. I also enjoyed them since I felt so passionate about the subject. My mind was made up: I was going to go back to school to become a gastroenterologist.

I went for a tour and interview at Simmons and instantly fell in love with everything! It was the only school I applied to and I was convinced that it was the only school for me. I was so excited when

I was accepted and started my journey here. Just as expected, Simmons has been one of my best experiences. It has given me hope and purpose to fulfill my dreams of helping people suffering from similar conditions I had to deal with.

I think my biggest challenge while being in school is reminding myself to be grateful and remembering all that I have been through, while trying to not get too overwhelmed. I am still part of the twelve-step program for recovery, which is my number one priority. Without my recovery, I would not be able to do anything else in my life. Sometimes, I wonder how I could succeed with everything that is on my plate with homework, exams, meetings, all the while maintaining my mental and physical health.

This is when I pause and remind myself of what a gift my life is. If I didn’t experience the struggle of addiction, surgeries, and pain I never would have wanted to pursue this path.

Life has thrown me so many curveballs and I continue to face them, tackle them, and I know that nothing will stop me. I am determined, driven, and have nothing to lose. I never believed that I would ever be in this position. I don’t give up, I move forward and try my best. It is not worth falling apart and crying over a poor exam grade. I have experienced so much worse that I know I will be able to rise above it and still succeed.

It will be such a gift when I am able to help others who have been in my situation. One of my doctors told me that. “patients make the best doctors.” That makes perfect sense to me. I will know how my patients feel; I have felt the symptoms, pain, and stress of dealing with this condition. I believe I will fight for them as much as I can because I would never want anyone to be in that pain. My doctors have saved my life and I cannot wait to do the same for others. Empathy cannot be taught in medical school. To make someone feel like they are not alone when they feel at their lowest point is such a privilege. For me to go through everything that I have to save someone’s life one day is one hundred percent worth it.

Spring 2016 N° 2 | 31

My Battle with a Rare Autoimmune Disease

By Shen Gao

What comes into your mind when the topic of “rare disease” is mentioned? Is it leukemia? Huntington’s disease? Tourette’s? Or perhaps spinal muscular atrophy? There are over 6000 rare diseases identified to date, and one of them is Takayasu Arteritis. I was diagnosed with Takayasu Arteritis in the spring of 2009. Prior to diagnosis, I had been suffering from frequent headaches, backaches, and stomach pains following a cold that lasted over two weeks. I was taken to the hospital, where a series of examinations were performed. These included CAT scans, blood work, and many other tests which I cannot even remember.

At first, doctors could not figure out what was going on from the results of the testing. Often, I was sent home after each test with no information as to what was happening to my body. At one point, my father took me directly to the emergency room, just because we were tired of waiting, and wanted 32 | MindScope Science Magazine

doctors to put immediate attention to my symptoms.

After I went through an MRI, the mystery had finally been revealed—it was Takayasu Arteritis.

Otherwise known as Pulseless Disease, Takayasu Arteritis manifests in patients through varying systemic symptoms—such as fever, night sweats, weight loss, in addition to a diminished or absent pulse, as well as angiographic features shown through medical imaging procedures such as MRIs. Originally discovered in the eye, Takayasu’s disease is a type of vasculitis, a disorder that encompasses blood vessel inflammation. In the case of TA, often times the aorta and its main branches are affected.

This was exactly what was going on with my body. The MRI showed that some of my blood vessels were constricted, which is one way that lead to inflammation. My left radial pulse (wrist) and left dorsalis pedis artery pulse (foot) were weak and hard to find and have remained that way even to this day,

although with a significant improvement since then.

For months, I had been suffering from weight loss as a result of a lack of appetite. Results from my blood work showed a high count of sed rate (erythrocyte sedimentation rate), a classic indicator of inflammatory activities. All these symptoms pointed to Takayasu Arteritis, and my family and I were both saddened and grateful for my diagnosis.

I was put on treatment immediately after diagnosis. The initial treatment consisted of Cytoxan, a drug administered through an IV drip, often used for the treatment of cancer. I was officially going through chemotherapy. I threw up during every treatment, which an ordeal in and of itself. Simultaneously, I was put on many oral drugs, the most important of which is prednisone.

Prednisone was a blessing and a curse on many levels. Like the drug Cytoxan, prednisone was designed to virtually wipe out my immune system, especially with the dosage I was prescribed. This is due to Takayasu’s disease being autoimmune in nature—my body was attacking its own cells, thinking they were foreign and malicious. The amount of prednisone I was taking restored my lost appetite in unexpected, tremendous amounts. I ate an average of 4-5 meals a day, never quite feeling full after each meal. My indicator of my being full seemingly started to come from my stomach’s fullness, instead of my brain signaling I was full. I gained weight very quickly. I also developed a “moon face” and an “apple belly.” These were both side effects of prednisone. Being a corticosteroid, it regulates the body’s balance of water and sodium, and causes water retention, leading to my swollen face and belly.

Other side effects of prednisone include mood changes. I sank into a period of depression, often staying up late into the night and crying myself to sleep, if I got any. I struggled to find motivation to get out of bed every day and didn’t want to go to school. When I would manage to get to school, I was sad and would often cry during class. It was a period of darkness and pain that I will never forget. Sometimes, I thought about ending my own life, but knew that suicide wasn’t the answer. There were so many things I wanted to do, and ultimately, it was my goal of creating a successful life for myself later down the line that kept me going. I refused to let my illness de-

fine me. I arranged for myself to see a clinical social worker, and I gradually got out of my depression.

Over time, my condition improved. A few months in, the Cytoxan was replaced with a less invasive form of biotherapy drug, Remicade (infliximab).

Soon after that, my prednisone dosage started to taper, per doctor’s instructions. This concurrently helped with my improvement from depression.

Since my initial diagnosis and treatment in 2009, I have suffered a couple more flares, which ended up being manageable. Throughout the years, doctors tried a series of drug treatment options for me, including Humira, methotrexate, and other forms of oral drugs. None of these stand-alone experimental drugs proved to be as effective as Remicade in my treatment.

Currently, I am on a combination of Remicade, prednisone, and methotrexate. I receive monthly Remicade treatment, in addition to methotrexate.

With the addition of methotrexate, my doctor is looking to change my treatment plans so that I get to go longer without infusion treatment. My prednisone dosage has tapered down to a very small amount, to the point that it has very little observable side effects to my body. However, I am on many other drugs that supplement my physical well being, including my bones, stomach, and blood pressure.

All in all, I am a very lucky patient of Takayasu Arteritis. Currently, my condition is very stable. I do not experience many symptoms aside from the occasional burst of chest pain, which in my case has been an ongoing nuisance, the cause of which could not be pinpointed. For a condition that is potentially deadly, I am grateful to be able to lead a normal life – with the occasional doctor’s visits and infusion treatments.

What’s more, it’s important to remember that symptoms vary in the patients suffering from the same disease, and every rare disease has a different biological and possibly mental impact on the patient.

It is important to recognize the differences in patients’ needs in terms of treatment options, support, and care.

Spring 2016 N° 2 | 33

REVIEWS

Cowspiracy Review

By Alex Kemna Do you happen to sometimes lie in bed wondering about the impact our lifestyle may have on the environment? Have you ever wondered about the impact your diet may also have? That’s what Cowspiracy attempts to show by bringing to light the truth behind the animal agriculture industry.

This documentary explores the factory farming industry and the detrimental impact animal agriculture has on the environment. This thought-provoking documentary takes a look into the impacts of raising animals for the production of meat, milk, and eggs and how big-time environmental corporations attempt to justify it.

Kip Andersen, director and star of the documentary, attends many appointments with authoritative figures who play a role in the environmental movement. Throughout his journey, we discover that animal agriculture has been minimally discussed and practically avoided as a topic of discussion among powerful environmental movement organizations, a shocking discovery as it is the primary source of environmental atrocities such as pollution and deforestation.

However, we learn that approximately 91%

of the deforestation in the Amazon rainforest is due to raising livestock for animal agriculture and that the production of one pound of beef takes about 2,500 gallons of water, we realize that agriculture as it exists today cannot be sustainable for the future and can only accelerate environmental degradation. Indeed, this contributes to more than half of America’s annual water consumption, as compared to domestic use, such as showers and dishwashing, which only contribute to 5%.

To learn more about the impacts of animal agriculture, Andersen also visits a small family-run farm and considers the idea of sustainability through smaller scale meat production. However, he comes to the conclusion that there is no real solution to making animal agriculture sustainable.

This documentary makes you reevaluate your everyday choices and leaves you wanting to do more to help save the environment and lead a more sustainable lifestyle. It is a must see documentary and one to share with friends and family.

Cowspiracy is available on Netflix and for download on Cowspiracy.com.

Image: cowspiracy.com

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STINK! & Environmental Sustainability

By Alex Kemna, Kristen Doucette from his daughter’s newly purchased pajamas. Discovering that they actually contained toxic chemicals which were banned decades ago led him on a journey to uncover the secrets behind the chemical industry in the U.S. and the way they have impacted our health and environment. He goes to great lengths to meet with experts, members of Congress, and even lobbyists to document what happens both before and after a product containing industrially synthesized chemicals is put on the market.

Image: stinkmovie.com

This past February, the Toxic Consumables Boston Course brought film director Jon Whelan and his documentary Stink! to the Simmons Campus for a premiere screening and Q&A session. Over a hundred students and faculty attended the event, emphasizing the interest the Simmons community has for environmental sustainability and the toxicity of everyday personal care products. It was a great opportunity to share the message and information this documentary provides with the whole campus, and will hopefully encourage more students to switch out products that contain toxic chemicals and do their own investigation to become in control of what their bodies are exposed to.

Viewers learn that toxic chemicals, including carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, and allergens could be lurking in their everyday personal care products. The documentary highlights that only 12 out of the over 100,000 chemicals that are on the market in the U.S.are banned. Additionally, the documentary explores the “fragrance loophole” which gives manufacturers the right not to divulge the detailed lists of ingredients in their products under the argument that it would be disclosing an original secret recipe. Whelan tracks down notorious lobbyists pushing for looser restrictions on the chemical industry and tries to confront them about their true underlying motives. This documentary will make you want to go home and check which carcinogens and endocrine disruptors are in your products!

The movie was very informative and brought into light important topics that aren’t common knowledge to everyone in the U.S. If you’re concerned about your personal care products and your overall well-being, you should highly consider watching this entertaining and thought-provoking documentary. It is available online to watch through iTunes and Amazon, and is now also available for free for Simmons students and faculty on kanopystreaming.com!

In Stink!, Jon Whelan is a concerned father trying to find the source of the bad smell emanating Spring 2016 N° 2 | 35

This year with MindScope Check out pics from the launch of our first issue!

On February 24, 2016 Mindscope celebrated its inaugural issue of the magazine with a campus-wide launch party. It was with great pride the members of Mindscope presented the first science publication at Simmons College. We were pleasantly surprised with the great turnout of both students and faculty, who came to support us in our work to strengthen the science community at our amazing school.

We were honored to have in attendance our MindScope faculty advisors Dr. Bruce Gray and Dr. Michael Berger, who have been supporting us since the beginning of our adventure. Thank you to everyone else who attended the event and we look forward to seeing you all at our upcoming events!

—Ariana Savage

From left to right: Professor Bruce Gray Professor Rich Gurney Leila Bellou Professor Jennifer Canfield Professor Michael Berger Professor Jason White

From left to right: Alexandra Kemna Toni Gonzales-Riano Ariana Savage Leila Bellou Kristen Doucette Shen Gao Laura Plaza Grisanty

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Or simply make friends while discussing exciting news in science?

Join MindScope!

We are always looking for: writers, editors, graphic designers, webmasters, photographers, artists & scientists!

Get in touch with us by e-mail at: mindscope@simmons.edu or through our website: simmonsmindscope.org follow us: facebook.com/simmonsmindscope twitter: @mindscopemag