This was first reported  by the Wall Street Journal on January 9, 2010 and it is far too important not to write about. According to Dr. Mercola “the U.S. government is encouraging farmers to spread a chalky waste from coal-fired power plants on their fields to loosen and fertilize soil” .

Each year, the waste left over from burning coal generates 125 to 130 million tons of ash and sludge — enough to fill a million railcars. Currently, about 40% of that waste finds it way into new products and 60% is stored in ponds or pits, mostly on utility property.

Because there is a crack down on emitting acid rain causing chemicals into the atmosphere, most of what was once launched into our air, is now being stored on land, which inevitably leaches into our soil and water. This was the case with a spill from a coal ash pond near Knoxville, TN, just over a year ago. Thus the discussion about what to do with all this by-product. According to Dr. Mercola, “while the EPA and USDA are recommending the use of this toxic byproduct on fields, the Obama administration is also in the process of drafting the first federal standards for storage and disposal of coal wastes. The White House and the EPA are currently at odds over how to handle the more than 125 million tons of coal ash and sludge waste generated each year, reports the Wall Street Journal.”

What can we do?

The only solution that appears to be emerging is to buy local. Dr. Mercola reports that it appears the use of FGD gypsum may have trickled into organic farming as well, since it’s not considered a petroleum-based soil additive, which is forbidden in organic farming. We must therefore, bring this matter to the attention of our local, organic farmers. We must make our voices heard.

I really believe that the beneficiaries of our consumption of nutritionally void produce is the supplements industry. Over the last 20 years I can only imagine the increase in sales of multivitamins. The depletion of the nutrients in our soils plus the rise of GMO crops is leading to flavorless, nutritionally robbed produce; consequently forcing us to consume synthetic vitamins to bridge the gap. My solution? Shop local. I visit the Farmer’s Market twice a week and have since developed a relationship with the local, organic farmers from whom I purchase produce. It gives more meaning to your food to see the face of the person growing it. If you have the opportunity in your area give it a try. You can’t beat the taste of a fresh carrot!

I came across this interesting article referenced by Dr. Mercola:

According to new research, produce in the U.S. not only tastes worse than it did in your grandparents’ days, but also contains fewer nutrients. In fact, the average vegetable found in today’s supermarket is anywhere from 5 percent to 40 percent lower in minerals such as magnesium, iron, calcium and zinc than those harvested just 50 years ago.

Continue reading Veggies Just Aren’t as Healthy as They Used to Be