Sevin degrades completely in about a month and the products of this decomposition are not poisonous. You keep citing UK this and EU that but I am not all that interested in regulations in the UK other than as a curiosity. They really have no bearing on American law. There are a lot of bans and restrictions on EU citizens that do not apply to Americans. I think you need to do a little more homework, particularly looking outside the formal tests in the US. You appear to dismiss the research done by other governments out of hand as a 'curiosity' which implies they have no real world value. I suppose this is a viable position if you believe the US rules and everyone else drools, but of not then... The US is one of the most capitalist nations in the world and as such is more influenced by corporate lobbies than most other nations. (No, I am not some Marxist, in fact I lean more toward libertarianism (particularly civil libertarianism) as a political philosophy than any other). I simply recognize the undue influence corporations have on US policy makers than they do in other nations. Sevin is flat out illegal in many countries, but available for you and I in the US to spray on our food. MMMMM... Sevin seasoning. It's a known human carcinogen, but the EPA/USDA say it is OK if used as directed. Trouble is every time the under funded and under staffed USDA/EPA test they find produce with much higher than approved pesticide residue. They simply do not test much due to funding issues. Sevin is also known to be a cholinesterase inhibitor which means it screws with insect, mammalian and human nervous systems. I would like to link to a study done by Cornell which starts off poo-pooing concerns over the use of Sevin, but frankly admits it causes reproductive issues in dogs Here is the quote: "We do know that carbaryl is quite toxic to honey bees, certain beneficial insects such as lady beetles, and parasitic wasps and bees, certain species of aquatic insects, and some forms of shellfish such as shrimp and crabs. Care must be taken when using carbaryl in areas where these organisms exist." Extensive evidence indicates that carbaryl does not cause cancer or genetic changes in animals(in spite of it being listed as a carcinogen and reproductive disorder causing chemical). Carbaryl has also been extensively tested for its effect on reproduction and the occurrence of birth effects (we call this teratogenic potential). Experiments have been conducted on various strains of rats and mice, and on hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, rabbits, dogs, sheep, and monkeys. Adverse effects have occurred only in dogs." Hmmm.. so is the average homeowner/gardener more likely to have a sheep as a pet or a dog? Having lost a golden retriever at the age of seven to a pesticide company using a product known to cause tumorous cancers in dogs I don't just look at the estimated human toxic effects (and in the US they are all estimated or use applicators), I look at the effects to other living things I have on my property from good bugs, to pets to kids. I have found the US EPA/USDA to list things as perfectly safe to humans that other countries consider *known* to mess up humans and have thus banned. While the US studies are damning enough, other nations with less corporate influence are reaching other conclusions. Canada found that Sevin: It causes birth defects in mammals, especially dogs. It worsens the condition of people with hypertension and people on anti-depressant drugs. It impairs the function of the pituitary gland, the thyroid gland, and the reproductive system. It causes hyperactivity and learning disabilities in mammals. It could increase the chance of heart attack in people with weak hearts. The main break-down product, nitrosocarbaryl, which is easily created in the human gut, is a potent cancer-causing agent.(this contradicts your information that says:"Sevin degrades completely in about a month and the products of this decomposition are not poisonous.") (note: I am quoting a Canadian government study) It causes irreversible chromosomal damage to human DNA (the genes in our cells). Assuming one is the type to believe the US regulatory agencies are the best in the world, there are plenty of reasons to avoid Sevin. Assuming one understands how extensively the US government and regulatory agencies are influenced by corporate contributions one might wish to take a look at the determinations other nations such as Canada and various European nations have reached. Like I said, in many nations outside the US Sevin is flat out banned. In the US it is considered safe to spray on food. Go figure. Ultimately we will all do as we wish. My only hope is we will all do so with sound information at our disposal so we can make reasonable, educated, informed decisions.

I use a neti pot (aka 'nasal irrigation') for general sinus health. Since I started about 2 years ago, my chronic sinus issues have improved by 80%. I mix 1/4 tsp salt (with a little bicarbonate) per cup of water, heat for about 12 seconds in the microwave to make it approximately body temperature, and put it in a neti pot and pour it through one nostril, out the other. This helps moisturize the sinuses, flushes allergens, and improves the health of the cilia and mucous membranes. Some neti practices include adding a drop or two of vegetable oil (sesame or sunflower) to moisturize when humidity is low, or use of diluted herbal teas with salt to directly treat the sinuses. I bought my neti pot at a major pharmacy chain near my house - it included basic instructions and 50 or 100 premixed saline packets (nice for travel). Now I mix my own salt and the cost per day is a fraction of a cent. There is a short book on Neti by David Frawley that covers the subject in more depth. Good if you Really have sinus issues, but not necessary if you just want to do the basic saline rinse from time to time. Here is a link that might be useful: Neti page at Wikipedia

> Great followup on "Kurt" - except it doesn't address any of the relevant points I raised. The doc in question is a cardiologist, makes inaccurate statements about hormonal therapy, uses testimonials instead of hard evidence and promotes a form of home lab testing in which he apparently has a financial interest, and which sounds highly dubious as to accuracy of results ... You are welcome to look at a clinical experience backed up by lab results as mere 'testimonials' - I think that there is a demonstrated link between low T3/T4 and elevated cholesterol, and I think that in many people, correcting an iodine deficiency is enough to restore the T3 and TSH levels to normal.... which is why I posted a link to that. As to his financial interests in the products he advocates, I don't know and don't pretend to know. On the radio yesterday, there was a discussion about doctors who make hundreds of thousands of dollars referring their patients to imaging clinics they own ... that type of possible conflict of interest seems to be rather common, and the medical boards don't seem interested in taking any action to stop it. I would not be surprised if "Kurt" actually does believe that levels of hormones like T3 and vitamin D and testosterone can be important in the development of heart disease, and that the testing is an accurate, cost-effective way to identify whether or not there might be a problem with any of these. But you would have to ask him. >> It remains true that taking iodine supplements is not the way to treat Hashimoto's thyroiditis - and could even be harmful. We have already established that large amounts of iodine can have negative effects - there is no dispute there. Where we have not agreed is related to smaller doses - it is my position that iodine deficiency can make any form of hypothyroidism worse, and reasonable amounts of iodine may be useful for some with hypothyroidism. Nope, we don't know that coconut oil had any effect in this regard. Beyond the unreliability of testimonial evidence in general ... Look, Magoo, the literature review I linked to above is not 'testimonials' - it was put together from dozens of studies related to MCTs and coconut oil - it found these compounds can in fact increase metabolic rate ... the shorter chain compounds enter cells without need for transport, and they burn faster and hotter than other fats. That word 'testimonial' seems to hold magical import in your psyche - you apparently think that calling any argument you disagree with a 'testimonial' proves that it is untrue (even when it is not even a testimonial)! This has nothing to do with the unreliability of testimonies - it is about an individual patient adjusting their lifestyle to feel better - a big difference, but something you can't understand since it is all so abstract and by the book for you. You deny that the patient can be aware of their own condition, or do anything constructive about their...

I previously thought when it comes to my issues with mucus and breathing that I was alone. Like most of you, I have been through the bouts with all the doctor visits over the past months. I have been to the pulminologist, the E.r, had three chest x-rays all clear, had an endoscopy, ct scan, and even an ultrasound. It keeps me in amazement that each test tells me nothing is wrong. I felt confused hoping each time that i would be told "we found the problem," only for the doctor to tell me it might be stress related and possibly in my head. After spending enough money to fund a small war, I finally went to the dentist. I had not known before that gum disease or periondental disease could cause many malfunctions within the body. One being respiritory and lung malfunction. it seems that the teeth and gums can cause the body to produce toxins that invade the blood and organs... especially the lungs. These toxins cause the body to produce excess mucus. Especially for those of us who have been living with asma, bronchitis, or any form of copd. So, please, if yo have gone to every length and have found what seems to be no answer, go to a dentist and have them check for gum disease. If you have it, chances are it has caused your respiratory issue. (This should be noted that this is stated as an opinion and your individual results may vary). GO SEE YOUR DENTIST... PLEASE