Why It Is Important to Use a Non-Toxic Ski and Snowboard Wax

Toxic ski and snowboard waxes pose both human health and environmental hazards. The most hazardous ingredient found in toxic waxes are perfluorocarbons (PFCs). Perfluorocarbons are fully fluorinated compounds, synthetically produced by combining a hydrocarbon (like paraffin wax) with perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). The acid strips the hydrogen atoms off the carbon backbone and replaces them with fluorine atoms. The term "fluorocarbon" refers to any carbon-based molecule which has been fully or partially fluorinated. Therefore, the terms "PFC" and "fluorocarbon" are often used interchangeably.

Fluorinated ski waxes (fluoros) are, thus far, the most durable and hydrophobic. The more hydrophobic a wax is, the better water repellency it has. It is well known that, in skiing, fluoros achieve the best times for racers. But what is less well known is that fluoros also have the highest health and environmental impact.

When fluorocarbons are exposed to high temperatures, toxic fumes are released. In ski and snowboard shops, technicians breathe these fumes. Prolonged exposure to the fumes of fluorocarbons is known to cause sever damage to respiratory passages, bloody noses, and increased levels of PFC in the blood. Some studies of such technicians have revealed PFC blood content levels up to 45% higher than the general population. PFC and PFOA are also known to be potent greenhouse gases.

The toxic impact of fluorinated waxes is further propagated when the wax is cast off from the base of skis and snowboards into the snowpack. In the spring, the toxins left by fluorinated waxes are carried down to watersheds as non-biodegradable, environmentally hazardous molecules. PFC and PFOA remain in the environment as persistent organic pollutants, and are not known to degrade by any natural processes. Results of animal studies of PFOA indicate that it can cause several types of tumors, neonatal death, and may have toxic effects on the immune, liver, and endocrine systems.

How many skiers does it take? Well, if one skier calculates how much wax he actually uses and leaves behind on the mountain over a season, it may not amount to much. However, it is the collective impact that is the problem. According to the National Ski Areas Association, the 2007-2008 ski season had 60.1 million skier days at resorts in the US. They estimate that between 1979 and 2009, the US has had at least 50 million skier days each year. That results in more than 1.5 billion pairs of skis and snowboards shedding wax into the snowpack for 30 years in the United States alone.

As the hazards of toxic waxes become more well known, conscientious skiers and snowboarders are becoming increasingly motivated to seek out non-toxic wax sources. Glide-on is one such alternative. Rather than toxic chemicals, Glide-on has an inert (environmentally neutral) polymer added that enhances its durability, speed and base protection. So you don't have to sacrifice performance for non-toxic. At Glide-on, we are proud to provide an excellent alternative to toxic ski waxes and we believe this will be the way of the future.

Why It Is Important to Use a Non-Toxic Ski and Snowboard Wax   

Why It Is Important to Use a Non-Toxic Ski and Snowboard Wax

Toxic ski and snowboard waxes pose both human health and environmental hazards. The most hazardous ingredient found in toxic waxes are perfluorocarbons (PFCs). Perfluorocarbons are fully fluorinated compounds, synthetically produced by combining a hydrocarbon (like paraffin wax) with perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). The acid strips the hydrogen atoms off the carbon backbone and replaces them with fluorine atoms. The term "fluorocarbon" refers to any carbon-based molecule which has been fully or partially fluorinated. Therefore, the terms "PFC" and "fluorocarbon" are often used interchangeably.

Fluorinated ski waxes (fluoros) are, thus far, the most durable and hydrophobic. The more hydrophobic a wax is, the better water repellency it has. It is well known that, in skiing, fluoros achieve the best times for racers. But what is less well known is that fluoros also have the highest health and environmental impact.

When fluorocarbons are exposed to high temperatures, toxic fumes are released. In ski and snowboard shops, technicians breathe these fumes. Prolonged exposure to the fumes of fluorocarbons is known to cause sever damage to respiratory passages, bloody noses, and increased levels of PFC in the blood. Some studies of such technicians have revealed PFC blood content levels up to 45% higher than the general population. PFC and PFOA are also known to be potent greenhouse gases.

The toxic impact of fluorinated waxes is further propagated when the wax is cast off from the base of skis and snowboards into the snowpack. In the spring, the toxins left by fluorinated waxes are carried down to watersheds as non-biodegradable, environmentally hazardous molecules. PFC and PFOA remain in the environment as persistent organic pollutants, and are not known to degrade by any natural processes. Results of animal studies of PFOA indicate that it can cause several types of tumors, neonatal death, and may have toxic effects on the immune, liver, and endocrine systems.

How many skiers does it take? Well, if one skier calculates how much wax he actually uses and leaves behind on the mountain over a season, it may not amount to much. However, it is the collective impact that is the problem. According to the National Ski Areas Association, the 2007-2008 ski season had 60.1 million skier days at resorts in the US. They estimate that between 1979 and 2009, the US has had at least 50 million skier days each year. That results in more than 1.5 billion pairs of skis and snowboards shedding wax into the snowpack for 30 years in the United States alone.

As the hazards of toxic waxes become more well known, conscientious skiers and snowboarders are becoming increasingly motivated to seek out non-toxic wax sources. Glide-on is one such alternative. Rather than toxic chemicals, Glide-on has an inert (environmentally neutral) polymer added that enhances its durability, speed and base protection. So you don't have to sacrifice performance for non-toxic. At Glide-on, we are proud to provide an excellent alternative to toxic ski waxes and we believe this will be the way of the future.

Why It Is Important to Use a Non-Toxic Ski and Snowboard Wax   

Why It Is Important to Use a Non-Toxic Ski and Snowboard Wax

Toxic ski and snowboard waxes pose both human health and environmental hazards. The most hazardous ingredient found in toxic waxes are perfluorocarbons (PFCs). Perfluorocarbons are fully fluorinated compounds, synthetically produced by combining a hydrocarbon (like paraffin wax) with perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). The acid strips the hydrogen atoms off the carbon backbone and replaces them with fluorine atoms. The term "fluorocarbon" refers to any carbon-based molecule which has been fully or partially fluorinated. Therefore, the terms "PFC" and "fluorocarbon" are often used interchangeably.

Fluorinated ski waxes (fluoros) are, thus far, the most durable and hydrophobic. The more hydrophobic a wax is, the better water repellency it has. It is well known that, in skiing, fluoros achieve the best times for racers. But what is less well known is that fluoros also have the highest health and environmental impact.

When fluorocarbons are exposed to high temperatures, toxic fumes are released. In ski and snowboard shops, technicians breathe these fumes. Prolonged exposure to the fumes of fluorocarbons is known to cause sever damage to respiratory passages, bloody noses, and increased levels of PFC in the blood. Some studies of such technicians have revealed PFC blood content levels up to 45% higher than the general population. PFC and PFOA are also known to be potent greenhouse gases.

The toxic impact of fluorinated waxes is further propagated when the wax is cast off from the base of skis and snowboards into the snowpack. In the spring, the toxins left by fluorinated waxes are carried down to watersheds as non-biodegradable, environmentally hazardous molecules. PFC and PFOA remain in the environment as persistent organic pollutants, and are not known to degrade by any natural processes. Results of animal studies of PFOA indicate that it can cause several types of tumors, neonatal death, and may have toxic effects on the immune, liver, and endocrine systems.

How many skiers does it take? Well, if one skier calculates how much wax he actually uses and leaves behind on the mountain over a season, it may not amount to much. However, it is the collective impact that is the problem. According to the National Ski Areas Association, the 2007-2008 ski season had 60.1 million skier days at resorts in the US. They estimate that between 1979 and 2009, the US has had at least 50 million skier days each year. That results in more than 1.5 billion pairs of skis and snowboards shedding wax into the snowpack for 30 years in the United States alone.

As the hazards of toxic waxes become more well known, conscientious skiers and snowboarders are becoming increasingly motivated to seek out non-toxic wax sources. Glide-on is one such alternative. Rather than toxic chemicals, Glide-on has an inert (environmentally neutral) polymer added that enhances its durability, speed and base protection. So you don't have to sacrifice performance for non-toxic. At Glide-on, we are proud to provide an excellent alternative to toxic ski waxes and we believe this will be the way of the future.

Why It Is Important to Use a Non-Toxic Ski and Snowboard Wax   

Why It Is Important to Use a Non-Toxic Ski and Snowboard Wax

Toxic ski and snowboard waxes pose both human health and environmental hazards. The most hazardous ingredient found in toxic waxes are perfluorocarbons (PFCs). Perfluorocarbons are fully fluorinated compounds, synthetically produced by combining a hydrocarbon (like paraffin wax) with perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). The acid strips the hydrogen atoms off the carbon backbone and replaces them with fluorine atoms. The term "fluorocarbon" refers to any carbon-based molecule which has been fully or partially fluorinated. Therefore, the terms "PFC" and "fluorocarbon" are often used interchangeably.

Fluorinated ski waxes (fluoros) are, thus far, the most durable and hydrophobic. The more hydrophobic a wax is, the better water repellency it has. It is well known that, in skiing, fluoros achieve the best times for racers. But what is less well known is that fluoros also have the highest health and environmental impact.

When fluorocarbons are exposed to high temperatures, toxic fumes are released. In ski and snowboard shops, technicians breathe these fumes. Prolonged exposure to the fumes of fluorocarbons is known to cause sever damage to respiratory passages, bloody noses, and increased levels of PFC in the blood. Some studies of such technicians have revealed PFC blood content levels up to 45% higher than the general population. PFC and PFOA are also known to be potent greenhouse gases.

The toxic impact of fluorinated waxes is further propagated when the wax is cast off from the base of skis and snowboards into the snowpack. In the spring, the toxins left by fluorinated waxes are carried down to watersheds as non-biodegradable, environmentally hazardous molecules. PFC and PFOA remain in the environment as persistent organic pollutants, and are not known to degrade by any natural processes. Results of animal studies of PFOA indicate that it can cause several types of tumors, neonatal death, and may have toxic effects on the immune, liver, and endocrine systems.

How many skiers does it take? Well, if one skier calculates how much wax he actually uses and leaves behind on the mountain over a season, it may not amount to much. However, it is the collective impact that is the problem. According to the National Ski Areas Association, the 2007-2008 ski season had 60.1 million skier days at resorts in the US. They estimate that between 1979 and 2009, the US has had at least 50 million skier days each year. That results in more than 1.5 billion pairs of skis and snowboards shedding wax into the snowpack for 30 years in the United States alone.

As the hazards of toxic waxes become more well known, conscientious skiers and snowboarders are becoming increasingly motivated to seek out non-toxic wax sources. Glide-on is one such alternative. Rather than toxic chemicals, Glide-on has an inert (environmentally neutral) polymer added that enhances its durability, speed and base protection. So you don't have to sacrifice performance for non-toxic. At Glide-on, we are proud to provide an excellent alternative to toxic ski waxes and we believe this will be the way of the future.

Why It Is Important to Use a Non-Toxic Ski and Snowboard Wax   

Three of the Most Important Words in Your Vocabulary

"I love you"... ? Well, those are three very important words, to be sure; but not the direct subject of today's dissertation (although, when talking about the Lord, we have to realize by now that 'Love' is never very far from center-stage). "Thy will be done"... ? Um, four words, but certainly no less crucial. "I am pregnant"... ? Uh-oh... but, no. The three very important words that each and every Christian must make a daily part of our thinking and lifestyle are... you ready? (drum roll)... "I don't care!"

"Are you kidding? That's why I'm irritated right now with my [husband, wife, son, daughter, mother, boss, mailman, pet iguana or whomever - you pick one and insert it here], because they don't care! You're saying it's alright for them to have that kind of attitude?!"No, I'm not saying that we - as family members and human beings - should not show loving and compassionate concern for each other. That isn't what I mean at all, and that's not the 'care' I'm talking about.

Let's take a quick look at the parable of the sower in Mark 4. Jesus lists 'cares' of this world as one type of thorn that grows up and chokes out God's Word from producing a crop. That 'care' is from the Greek word 'merimnao,' which means 'to be anxious about' or 'to take thought over' (Matthew 6:25, 28, 31, 34); and it carries a root connotation suggesting 'to the point of distraction.' In other words, to put it bluntly, it means 'to worry.'

Jesus Himself tells us to "take no thought" about what we have (or don't have) to eat or drink or wear, or how we're going to make the house or car payment next month, or about the cutbacks that are coming at work... or about anything else. Don't take those thoughts - don't receive them, don't just let them come in and hang around in your mind, bouncing from one lobe to the other. And, when Jesus (who is the Lord, by the way) tells us something like that, it's not realllly a suggestion; it's more like a command. Actually, it's exactly like a command. We, as Christians, are told - commanded - not to worry; don't engage in or entertain such thoughts at all.

How can we avoid such thoughts? That's easy; you can't. Let's take a moment to remember just what 'worried' thoughts are: they're simply Satan's way of whispering to you, trying to get you into fear and away from God's promises. It's therefore not so much a matter of "not ever having any 'worried' thoughts;" it's a matter of what we do with them if and when they come. Jesus said "don't take them" when they come - don't allow them to enter your mind and set up a base station there. You cast them out. Cast down those thoughts, imaginations, fear-filled words and everything else that shows up trying to exalt itself over what God says about your situation. You answer those thoughts - out loud - with counterpunches about Christ in you and God's love, grace and provision for you personally, in your situation right here and now! (John 17:23; 2 Corinthians 10:5; Philippians 4:19; Colossians 1:27)

Don't 'take' thoughts of worry, anxiety, destruction, lack, death or any other curse-borne crap lying down. Stand up against them, 'take' God's Word and begin beating the devil viciously about the head and shoulders with it. Then, when you're done, go the final step and cast all (and I did say all) of your cares, worries and anxieties over upon the Lord (1 Peter 5:7). Look, He's commanded us to do that. He's told us not to worry and given us the right not to have to. And, when we fully trust Him to handle all those things for us, the words "I don't care!" suddenly become music to our ears... and God's, too!

3 Steps to Find Rest When You're Weary   There Is A Civil War Coming In The Church!   Why Do Some Choose To Believe In God Without Any Proof?   The Presidency   How Can We Walk on Water?   Finding and Building Upon Our Sense-Of-Self