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Reducing chemical exposure could save California $700 million
State and Federal reform of toxics law would make Californians healthier, wealthier
OAKLAND–Cash-strapped California could save at least $700 million in health care costs if more stringent state and federal chemical policy helped reduce Californians’ exposure to toxic chemicals.
A new analysis released today,“The Health Case for Reforming the Toxic Substances Control Act,” finds that the state has the opportunity to prevent rising rates of chronic disease and therefore reduce health care costs. Evidence is strong and growing that chemical exposures contribute significantly to the rise in many chronic diseases, according to this new report synthesizing peer-reviewed science and economic analyses.
Read more...Plastics industry uses social media to mislead public
By Sarah E. Brown
Lies, propaganda, and hypocrisy—this is what we have come to expect from Bill Carteaux, President of the Society of the Plastics Industry, which represents manufacturers of thousands of products made with BPA with sales topping $6 billion per year.
Carteaux is leading industry efforts to stamp out public outcry for a ban of bisphenol A, a key ingredient in some hard, clear plastic products. Carteaux seems to have made it his mission to divert public attention from the numerous studies that have linked BPA to breast cancer, testicular cancer, reproductive deformities and neurological defects.
Read more...Do dolphins use soap?
Alarming discovery of antibacterial agent in wild Atlantic bottlenose dolphins shows need for improved chemical policy
An antibacterial agent commonly used in personal and household products has been found in bottlenose dolphins off the South East coast of the United States. Triclosan, which is commonly added to soaps, toothpastes, deodorants and other personal care products, as well as consumer products like socks, cutting boards, and garbage bags to help control bacteria, entered the waters through household sink wastewater.
Researchers report that this is the first time that a marine mammal is accumulating triclosan from water bodies where treated sewage is released. The study examined animals from rivers, an estuary, a harbor and a lagoon in South Carolina and Florida.
Read more...EPA Monitors Air Outside 4 California Schools for Toxics
In an unprecedented effort to help protect children from toxic air pollution around schools, EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson announced a list of schools, including four in California, that will undergo outdoor air monitoring. On March 31, 2009, EPA released a list of priority schools for air quality monitoring, as part of an initiative to understand whether outdoor toxic air pollution poses health concerns to schoolchildren.
The initial monitoring will take place at 62 schools in 22 states. As efforts to better regulate chemicals both in California and across the country move forward, this information will be critical in helping communities better understand the chemicals that children are exposed to when they go to school.
Read more...Cleaning Product Manufacturers Sued to Disclose Ingredients
On February 19th 2009 a group of environmental and health advocates filed a lawsuit that would force various well-known manufacturers of household cleaning products to make complete lists of ingredients available to the public. The New York based lawsuit is being filed on behalf of six state and national environmental and health groups, including the Sierra Club and American Lung Association against Proctor and Gamble, Colgate-Palmolive, Church and Dwight and Reckitt-Benckiser.
The lawsuit comes after efforts to get the companies to disclose the information on their own. Earthjustice, a nonprofit public interest law firm, filed the suit on the basis of an obscure 1976 New York law passed to limit phosphates in detergents.
Read more...California proposes to get BPA out
On February 23, California introduced SB 797 (Pavley) which would ban an estrogenic chemical called bisphenol A (BPA) from baby bottles, sippy cups and formula containers.
BPA was originally synthesized in 1936 as an estrogen replacement therapy, but since the 1940s it has been used mostly to manufacture hard polycarbonate plastic. It can be found in baby bottles, water bottles, coating for metal food cans, dental sealants and countless other products.
BPA has been shown in dozens of studies to disrupt the hormonal system and more than 130 studies suggest that BPA exposure at very low doses is linked to prostate and breast cancer, obesity, brain damage, lowered sperm counts and early puberty.
Read more...New Study Finds Phthalates in Pregnant Women Harms Babies
A new study by researchers in Taiwan reveals that phthalates in pregnant women can damage the reproductive development in their daughters. Phthalates are organic chemicals produced from oil and are the most commonly used plasticizers in the world. (Source: http://www.phthalates.com/ index.asp?page=4) Other studies have found that phthalates can also damage the liver, kidneys, and lungs. California became the first state in the nation to ban phthalates and other toxic substances in toys in October 2007.
AB 1108, authored by Assemblywoman Fiona Ma and signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2007, took effect January 1st 2009.
Read more...Study finds Chemical Risks in Your Home
The study, conducted by the Silent Spring Institute, measured chemical concentration in the bodies and homes of 120 subjects. The chemicals tested have been identified as compounds which mimic and disrupt hormone function. On average, 20 chemicals were found in each household.
Read more...How Safe are the Products You Use?
There are several good databases available on the Web to help you determine what's in the products you use and whether they are safe. While they don't include all products, it's a good start. Check out the following sites for these categories:
- For cosmetics, visit the Skin Deep Cosmetics Database.
- For toys, visit the Healthy Toys Database.
- For cars and car seats, visit the Healthy Cars Database.
7 Paths to Healthier Homes, Families, and Communities
1. Shop Smart
Because so much food is treated with pesticides, there's always a possibility that pesticide chemical residues remain. To be on the safe side, choose certified organic foods, and wash and peel fruits and vegetables. Reduce consumption of meat, dairy products, and fatty or predatory fish (because pollutants accumulate in fat), and eat low fat versions of these when they are consumed. Do not put hot foods and plastics together (e.g., don’t microwave in plastic or store hot foods in plastic), because heat increases the likelihood of chemicals leaching from plastics into the food.
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