California officials are warning foragers after an outbreak of poisoning linked to wild mushrooms that has killed one adult and caused severe liver damage in several patients, including children.

The state poison control system has identified 21 cases of amatoxin poisoning,
likely caused by death cap mushrooms, the health department said Friday.

The toxic wild mushrooms are often mistaken for edible ones because of their appearance and taste.

“Death cap mushrooms contain potentially deadly toxins that can lead to liver failure,”
Erica Pan, director of the California department of public health, said in a statement.
"Because the death cap can easily be mistaken for edible safe mushrooms,
we advise the public not to forage for wild mushrooms at all during this high-risk season.”

One adult has died and several patients have required intensive care, including at least one who might need a liver transplant.

Wet weather fuels the growth of death cap mushrooms,
and officials warn against any wild mushroom foraging to avoid confusion.
Residents in central California’s Monterey county became ill after eating mushrooms found in a local park, according to county health officials.
Another cluster of cases were in the San Francisco Bay Area, but state health officials warned that the risk is everywhere.
theguardian.com/us-news/2025/d…

10 Natural And Non-Toxic #FabricSofteners For #HealthyLaundry

July 10, 2024

"One of the often-overlooked avenues of exposure is our laundry process, where conventional fabric softeners can introduce an array of #SyntheticChemicals to our clothes—chemicals that come in direct contact with our skin.

Whether you’re looking to prioritize your health, protect the environment, or both, transitioning to natural and non-toxic fabric softeners is an excellent step forward. Here’s our list of 10 remarkable alternatives to soften your fabrics, leaving them comfortable and fragrant without compromising on your well-being or the planet’s health.

The Problem With Conventional Fabric Softeners

Conventional fabric softeners, whether they are liquid softeners or #DryerSheets, are formulated to deliver multiple effects, such as making clothes feel softer, reducing static cling, and imparting a pleasant fragrance. To achieve these outcomes, they contain a mixture of chemicals, many of which can potentially be harmful. Here’s how conventional softeners can contain allergens and preservatives:

Fragrance: One of the most notable features of fabric softeners is the scent they leave on clothes. The term “fragrance” on an ingredient label can be a composite of numerous chemicals, many of which are undisclosed due to trade secrets. Some of these chemicals, like #phthalates (used to prolong the life of the scent) or synthetic musks, can be allergenic or even toxic. For example, some individuals can develop allergic reactions to specific fragrance components like Limonene, Linalool, and more.

#Quats (Quaternary ammonium compounds): These are used in fabric softeners for their softening properties. They can coat the fabric to make it feel softer. However, some quats are known to be potential allergens and can be harmful to the respiratory and reproductive systems.

#Preservatives: To extend the shelf life of fabric softeners and prevent the growth of bacteria or mold, preservatives are added. Some common preservatives in fabric softeners include #isothiazolinones, which are known to be potent #SkinAllergens. These compounds can cause skin reactions in some people, especially with prolonged exposure.

Colors or Dyes: To make the product visually appealing, some fabric softeners might contain artificial colors. Some of these dyes can be allergenic to certain individuals and might contain impurities linked to health concerns.

Other ingredients: Depending on the brand and formulation, fabric softeners may contain other chemicals or ingredients that can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

Problematic Preservatives

#Isothiazolinones are known allergens found in many consumer products, including conventional liquid detergents. Notable isothiazolinones to avoid include:

benzisothiazolinone
méthylisothiazolinone
méthylchloroisothiazolinone
octylisothiazolinone

How Can You Make Your Clothes Soft Without Risk?

#WoolDryerBalls: They are cost-effective, reusable, and help soften clothes by lightly agitating them in the dryer. They can also smooth out clumps in pillow fillings.

Water Softening Systems: Installing one can alleviate the hardness of the water, which can make clothes feel softer after washing.

Use Natural & Non-Toxic Fabric Softeners

Learn more:
theconsciousinsider.com/natura…

#SolarPunkSunday #Laundry #SaferProducts #AnimalProducts #Wool #HouseholdProducts

Democratic senator Patty Murray of Washington state has condemned the Trump administration
after she alleged that an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) “attack dog” mauled one of her constituents.
Senator Murray said Wilmer Toledo-Martinez suffered “horrific” injuries while ICE agents detained him in November.

“An ICE agent lured Wilmer out of his home under false pretenses,
posing as a construction worker who claimed to have hit Wilmer’s car and needed him to step outside to verify,”
Murray said in a statement.
“Another agent, accompanied by a dog, was hiding nearby and released the dog on Wilmer shortly after he stepped outside.”

Murray said Toledo-Martinez,
who was brought to the US at age 15 and is undocumented,
was not resisting arrest or attempting to flee
when the dog attacked.

He is being held at the Northwest ICE processing center, Murray said.
She said Toledo-Martinez was detained in front of his wife and two young children, who are all US citizens – and she called for his immediate release.

“Following the attack, Wilmer was left shaking and dizzy, and at one point his vision went black, yet he was denied medical care for hours,” Murray said.
“He was eventually taken to a hospital, where he received stitches for his injuries.
He was prescribed antibiotics and additional medication, but the antibiotics were not provided immediately, and the other medication was never provided"
theguardian.com/us-news/2025/d…