Synthetic Blue

What causes some people to be more likely to generate static?

I seem to have phases where, for a few days, I discharge alot of static. I have even observed a blue spark when it discharges through something to earth (eg: a key to my garage door). This is without wearing synthetic clothing, most of mine is made of natural fibre. Often the static can go to earth through other objects, pets and people. What can cause this to happen and is it common?

I'm glad to hear that other people are having this problem. I was just actually google-ing this problem and your question came up. I'm glad it was an open question - so I could let you know that you're not alone with this problem, I've had it for quite some time.

As a matter of fact, I've had it as far back as I can remember. When I was in middle school, and the X-Men movie came out, talkin bout mutants and stuff, lol... at the risk of sounding like a nutcase/loser/nerd I really should stop now... but I'll continue. Because of that movie, I really started thinking that I had some kind of weird electric power haha. NEEDLESS TO SAY I don't feel like that anymore, lol. But it has become quite a pain.

I also believe I'm a little OCD - and I've developed a strange habit/ritual because of this (to add to my other habits/rituals lol). In high school, our door handles were metal and I got shocked nearly EVERY TIME I went to open one. So I began touching the wood of the door first, then opening the handle. And I've done that ever since, with all doors. Touch the door before opening it.

But NOW, it's gotten worse. When my alarm clock goes off in the morning, and I touch the "OFF" button, I shock myself and the clock shorts out! Can you believe it!? It's happened twice! The alarm resets to 12:00AM because of the shock! And today, when I went to get on my computer (right before writing this), I touched my desk (which is metal/glass), and I got shocked bad - and my computer (which was not on) began this strange error beeping that I've never heard before. And get this - my computer tower isn't even on/near my desk!

So I'm with you. I believe some people just emit more charges or have some kind of curse/vibe (for a lack of better terms at the moment) that makes them get shocked more often! AND IT SUCKS! lol.

I'm gonna research this some more and if I find out anything helpful to us, I'll let you know.

-Adam in NY

The Colour Blue is not Good for You!

How does the color blue make you feel? Do you associate blue with certain qualities or situations? How do you feel about food and drinks that are blue in color? Is this color safe and healthy for you and your kids?

Why you and your kids should void the color blue in your food and drinks. Because there is increasing evidence that food colourings cause hyperactivity, reflux, and gas in children. Some people believe that any parent who suspects their child's behavior and health is linked to foods containing bright food colorings, such as blue, should ban these from their diet. Foods which are causing concern include fizzy drinks, party cakes, luridly colored sweets and popular drinks.

Researchers examined the impact of six artificial colourings blue, yellow, carmoisine, red, tartrazine and ponceau. They found the activity of children who consumed a mixture of these colourings was measurably affected. Some food industries have already taken action to remove colourings from food and supermarkets have introduced labeling on products that are free from artificial colourings. Parents whose children show signs of hyperactivity and reflux might want to think about removing these artificial colours from their diets. Use of blue colourings should be restricted in all foods, not just those for children. Other additives below should also be eliminated from children¢s diets as well:

Tartrazine: Found in: Soft drinks, ice-cream, and sweets, fish fingers. What it is: Synthetic dye mixed with blue dyes to produce shades of green Effects: Linked to allergic reactions, migraine, gas and blurred vision. With benzoic acid may cause hyperactivity in children.

QUNOLINE: Found in: Sweets, soft drinks. What it is: Synthetic dye derived from coal tar? Also used in cosmetics and as pigment for tattoos effects: Linked to dermatitis. It is also believed to cause hyperactivity and temper tantrums in children.

SUNSET YELLOW: Found in: Sweets, yoghurts, packet bread crumbs, cheap jam. What it is: Coal tar dye Effects: Blamed for triggering stomach upsets, colic, nettle rash and swelling of the skin and has been linked for some time with hyperactivity in children CARMOISINE Found in: Sweets, yoghurts, ices, blancmanges, marzipan What it is: Coal tar dye Effects: Said to trigger reactions such as nettle rash and water retention in people allergic to aspirin. Campaigners have argued that it can cause hyperactivity and attention deficit disorder in children.

PONCEAAU: Found in: Sweets, tinned fruits, jellies, deserts, cough medicines. What it is: Derived from coal tar Effects: Linked to difficulties for asthmatics and for people allergic to aspirin, as well as being said to cause hyperactivity in children.

ALLURA RED: Found in: Sweets, soft drinks, and condiments. What it is: Coal-tar-derived dye, often mixed with yellow dyes to produce an orange colour Effects: Linked to adverse reactions to people intolerant to aspirin and to hyperactivity in children as well.A multitude of food colourings should be banned from use in food and drink products, which would force manufacturers to find healthy alternatives. The government should launch an investigation to re-evaluate the safety of all authorized food additives, with colours the first ingredients to be under review.

Maybe the food and beverage industry could supply data on food colours as part of a government review. Among the colours that should be reviewed are the infamous tartrazine, brilliant blue and sunset yellow, which some experts have linked to hyperactivity in children, asthma, migraines, reflux and certain rashes. Also in the spotlight is cochineal, a red dye obtained by crushing beetles. Many companies are unable to find a natural alternative to the artificial blue colouring. I read that a three year survey on the impact on children of additives such as blue, yellow and tartrazine had shown that children tested were better behaved when the substances were removed from their diet. But an independent expert stated this evidence was not conclusive.

Also, blue food colouring are popular in food and drinks because blue is described as a favorite color by many people and is the color most preferred by children. Blue is often described as peaceful, tranquil, secure, and orderly. Some weight loss plans even recommend eating your food off of a blue plate, but blue rarely occurs naturally in food aside from blueberries and some plums. Some researchers suggest that the color blue can also lower the pulse rate and body temperature. So maybe that is why food and drinks blue in color attract people to purchase them.

About the Author

Andrew is a father and author of numerous articles on childcare, education, natural health, parenting and pregnancy. He is a Western distributor of Colic Calm, the highly acclaimed all natural Gripe Water available for colic babies and baby gas. More information can be found by visiting http://www.coliccalm.com

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