The End of an Era?

"When Clark Foam started, it was a far different California," says surfboard blank provider Gordon Clark, owner of Clark Foam in Calfornia, who was recently shut down due to a series of ongoing environmental and safety concerns. "Businesses like Clark Foam were very welcome and considered the leading edge of innovation and technology. Somewhere along the way, things have changed."

Yeah.

Like somewhere along the way you started using toxic chemicals that cause reproductive problems in your workers.

Toluene diisocyanate, or TDI, is primarily used as a chemical intermediate in the production of polyurenthane products. Toluene diisocyanate is extremely toxic from acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) exposures. Acute exposure to high levels of toluene diisocyanate in humans, via inhalation, results in severe irritation of the skin and eyes and affects the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and central nervous systems (CNS). Chronic inhalation exposure to toluene diisocyanate in humans has resulted in significant decreases in lung function in workers, an asthma-like reaction characterized by wheezing, dyspnea, and bronchial constriction.

Animal studies have reported significantly increased incidences of tumors of the pancreas, liver, and mammary glands from exposure to toluene diisocyanate via inhalation. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified toluene diisocyanate as a Group 2B, possible human carcinogen.

It's funny where money will take you. From tree to sea. From Foam to sea. From Foam to tumors of the pancreas and liver.

Maybe the next time you paddle out, give a thought to Juan out in California who dedicated the last 45 years to sucking in toluene diisocyanate at Clark Foam.

And catch one for him.

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Okay, that was dramatic. I'm not blaming the surf industry. There are SO many companies that are not up to par on enviromental and safety regulations.....it's just ironic that surfing is just you and the water....and surfers are so concious of leaving the ocean as they found it.....and little did they know.....the price some were paying for that.

Bottom line is people:

Think about what you're putting into your body and be concious of where things come from.