To V or not to V

Though hearts may be full on Valentine’s Day, some wallets may be empty. No thanks to the global recession that is threatening to put Cupid out of job.

To V or not to V, that is the question. Recession may be taking a bite out of Valentine’s Day, making even the incurable romantics hopelessly blue, but love still makes the world go around. So, tons of Valentine cards with all those schmaltzy love messages will still sell like the proverbial hotcakes (in the US, the business of selling Valentine cards is next only to Christmas cards). Valentine cards will still be signed, sealed, delivered all over the world. Of course, Valentine e-cards are faster than snail mail and perhaps just as romantic.

Most consumers will still buy the traditional favorite V-Day gifts, such as flowers, chocolates — or even jewelry (if you have a big heart and a matching humongous budget) — but in downsized versions, like maybe just three roses instead of a dozen or a big bar of Toblerone instead of a box of Lindt chocolates. 

The lovestruck but cash-strapped will still be shopping for the perfect Valentine gifts for their loved ones, but they will be smarter as they’re restricted by budgets and fixed amounts. The down-to-earth will opt for practical gifts like a live plant instead of cut flowers for Mom, a special friend, a favorite teacher, a boss, a co-worker, etc. Why, if it’s a rose plant, with tender loving care, it would have produced blooms by the next Valentine!

Other top Valentine gift ideas for these tough and stressful times are spa gift certificates to ease life’s stresses, CDs of romantic songs to relax with after a hard day’s work, or even tickets for two to the Peter Cetera Valentine concert at the Araneta Coliseum.

There are the homemade gifts, too, you can make yourself. Like, if you can, why not bake brownies or cupcakes for Mom? Of course, last year, you gave Mom a wrinkle remover, and the year before that, the wrinkles.

Couples will still be dining out, but the more practical ones will opt for a homecooked dinner. It’s worth the effort because you don’t have to worry about the kids, about battling traffic, reserving seats in your favorite restaurant (which is probably booked solid), and getting home too late.

But of course, it’s business as usual on Valentine’s Day. As the president and CEO of the National Retail Federation in the US Tracy Mullin says, “A bad economy won’t stop Cupid, but it might slow him down.”

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From love bug to germs

From the love bug, let’s go to germs. The bad news is people’s fear of germs has led to a rise in the number of products containing triclosan [5-chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenol], a bactericide. Despite a growing body of research indicating that triclosan is an endocrine-disrupting contaminant, a new US EPA assessment of the chemical finds little cause for concern.

Scientists have found that the germ killer triclosan disturbs thyroid function — it can cause bullfrogs to mature too quickly. EPA released its reregistration eligibility decision for triclosan last Oct. 29, concluding that all uses of the bactericide may be renewed, except for use in paint, which was voluntarily withdrawn by the manufacturer. Triclosan is added to a surprising array of products, such as computer keyboards, toys, clothing, toothpaste, mattresses, and cutting boards.

Because it is used in large amounts, is fat-loving, and bioaccumulates, scientists have zeroed in on the chemical. Says Cathy Propper, an endocrinologist at Northern Arizona University, “There is clear evidence that triclosan is getting into the environment, and into wildlife and human plasma and tissue.” 

According to Propper, an increasing number of studies suggest that triclosan affects androgen and thyroid hormone function in vertebrates. It also changes nitrogen fixation and growth patterns in microbial communities and plants.

To that, Heather Hamlin, a reproductive endocrinologist at the University of Florida, adds, “Many of triclosan’s endocrine effects, which are well documented in aquatic animals, take place at concentrations many times lower than levels that are currently found in some natural water bodies, including water that could end up in drinking-water supplies.”

What’s particularly unsettling is the fact that thyroid hormone controls metabolism and affects nearly every cell in the body.“Given the mounting scientific evidence that triclosan has the potential to harm endocrine function in animals, there should be concern that similar results could be occurring in human populations as well,” stresses Hamlin.

Propper notes that EPA is to be commended for accelerating the next round of the registration review process for triclosan to 2013, but the expedited timetable hints there is significant concern about the product that may not be reflected in this round’s final decision. Wildlife and lab animals are often sentinels of impending dangers to human populations.

“And I think there is enough evidence (in this case) that the precautionary principle should be implemented,” she points out.

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