Assembly Schedules Hearing on Toxics in Kids Products

The New York State Assembly committees on Environmental Conservation, Health, and Consumer Affairs and Protection are holding a public hearing on the Child-Safe Products Act, and the broader subject of toxic chemicals in children's products. The public is invited to attend and speak - and our Assemblymembers need to hear from parents and others concerned about children's health.

Join JustGreen Partners as we call for the Child-Safe Products Act to be made into law!

Where: 250 Broadway, New York, NY - Assembly Hearing Room

When: 10 am, Monday, December 5, 2011

To testify: Fill out this form, and call Steve Liss at 518-455-5787.

Full details about the hearing can be found here.

30 States Consider Bills to Protect People from Toxics

In response to growing public concern over dangerous chemicals in common household products and continued Congressional inaction, on Wednesday, January 19th legislators and advocates in 30 states across the country announced plans to introduce legislation aimed at protecting children and families from harmful toxic chemicals. Despite well-funded opposition from the chemical industry, 18 state legislatures have already passed 71 chemical safety laws in the last eight years by an overwhelming, bipartisan margin – with more to come in 2011. 

On the Money: BPA Found on Receipts, Dollar Bills

A new study was released today giving new meaning to the phrase “toxic assets.”  On The Money: BPA on Dollar Bills and Receipts set out to investigate how widely stores use thermal receipt paper containing bisphenol A (BPA), and whether this hormone-disrupting chemical is escaping onto the money next to these receipts in people’s wallets.   

Researchers found that half of the thermal paper receipts tested had large quantities of freely available BPA; 95% of the dollar bills tested positive for lower amounts.  Unlike BPA in water bottles and other products, BPA on thermal paper isn’t chemically bound in any way: it’s a powdery film on the surface of receipts.  Data from this report indicate that this highly toxic chemical easily transfers to our skin and likely to other items that it rubs against.

States Lead on Toxic Chemical Reform While Congress Lags

A first-ever analysis of votes on state laws aimed at protecting the public from toxic chemicals found that 18 states have passed 71 chemical safety laws in the last eight years by an overwhelming margin with broad bipartisan support.   According to the report released today, of more than 9,000 votes cast by state legislators, 73% of Republicans and 99% of Democrats favored stronger protection of children’s health and the environment from dangerous chemicals, with equal support from governors of each party.  The report found that the pace of state policymaking on chemicals has more than tripled in eight years.

Advocates, Lawmakers Laud Governor for Signing Bill to Protect Children from Toxic Bisphenol A

BPA Bill Passes Assembly & Senate Unanimously

It's No Silver Lining - BPA in Can Linings Leaches into Common Foods

Eating common canned foods is exposing consumers to levels of bisphenol A (BPA) equal to levels shown to cause health problems in laboratory animals, according to a new study released today by The National Work Group for Safe Markets, a coalition of public health and environmental health groups. The study, No Silver Lining, tested food from 50 cans from 19 US states and one Canadian province for BPA contamination. Over 90% of the cans tested had detectable levels of BPA, some at higher levels than have been detected in previous studies.

The canned foods tested were brand name fish, fruits, vegetables, beans, soups, tomato products, sodas, and milks, which together represent “real-life” meal options for a wide range of North American consumers. The cans were purchased from retail stores and were chosen from report participants’ pantry shelves, and sent to an independent laboratory for testing. One can of DelMonte green beans had the highest levels of BPA ever found in canned food, at 1,140 parts per billion.

Hazardous Chemicals in Health Care Professionals

Physicians for Social Responsibility, along with JustGreen Partner Clean New York, SAFER States partners in nine other states, Health Care Without Harm, American Nurses Association and the Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families campaign, released a new biomonitoring report, Hazardous Chemicals in Health Care: A Snapshot of Chemicals in Doctors and Nurses.  

20 doctors and nurses from ten states donated blood and urine samples which were tested for six categories of chemicals (62 individual chemicals in all) and the results were disturbing - though sadly, not surprising.  Each of the 20 participants had at least five of the chemical categories, and at least 24 individual chemicals.  All participants had the same four categories and the same 18 individual chemicals in their bodies.

Albany and Schenectady Counties Pack 1-2 Punch for BPA

This week the Albany and Schenectady County Legislatures each voted to ban the sale of baby bottles and sippy cups made with the toxic chemical bisphenol A.

Both bills passed unanimously and had tremendous support from legislators. In Albany County the ban was co-sponsored by 28 out of 39 legislators. In Schenectady County 12 of the 15 legislators co-sponsored the ban.

Albany County Executive Michael Breslin is expected to sign the bill soon, and it will go into effect on January 1, 2010.

In Schenectady County, the law will go into effect 90 days after Sue Savage, Chair of the County Legislature, files it with the Secretary of State, which is standard for all County bills.

Massachusetts Issues Public Health Warning on BPA

Earlier this week, Massachusetts public health officials issued a public health warning to inform consumers about the risks of Bisphenol A (BPA) exposure, after an exhaustive year-long literature review. They are also still considering a ban on some BPA-based products.

The Department of Public Health (DPH) warning has caught attention nationwide, and provides additional support as we continue our efforts in New York and nationally to protect families and phase out BPA.

Supporters view the warning as an important first step for MA, but caution that products in stores should still be BPA-free.

Maine Identifies Toxic Chemicals

From www.saferstates.org:

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection and the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention last week released a list of chemicals of "high concern" for their effects on human health, including phthalates andbisphenol A.

Release of the list, which was mandated by the state's 2008 Kids Safe Products Act, is an essential step in protecting residents from toxic chemicals in consumer products. Environmental Health Strategy Center Executive Director Michael Belliveau said the historic step should send a message to manufacturers and the market that these chemicals must not be used.

It's Official: Suffolk County Exec Signs First-in-Nation BPA Bill

In the picture: Front row (L-R) U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, County Executive Steve Levy and Legislator Steve Stern. Back two rows (l-r): Helene Aronson, Suffolk County Child Care Council; Pat LaCata West Islip Breast Cancer Coalition; MaryJoan Shea, Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition; Laura Weinberg, Great Neck Breast Cancer Coalition, William Zhou, Paul D. Schreiber H.S. & Great Neck Breast Cancer Coalition; Karen Joy Miller, Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition; Stephen Boese, NYS Learning Disabilities Association; Donna Jurasits, Babylon Breast Cancer Coalition; Dr. Humayun Chaudhry, Suffolk Health Commissioner; and Carrie Meek Gallagher, Suffolk Commissioner of Environment and Energy.

Advocates call on County Exec. Levy to Protect Babies from BPA

Suffolk County residents gathered today with children’s health advocates from across the state at a hearing for the Toxin-Free Toddlers and Babies Act, to call on County Executive Steve Levy to sign the important initiative to safeguard children’s health.  Earlier this month, the Suffolk County Legislature took the groundbreaking step of unanimously passing the bill, 18-0, sponsored by Legislator Steve Stern (D-Huntington, 16th L.D.) (Intro. 1017), becoming the first jurisdiction in the nation to restrict the use of bisphenol A (BPA) in children’s products.  

“We applaud County Executive Levy for his strong leadership in cancer prevention and protecting public health.  We look forward to him signing this bill,” Legislator Stern said.

Suffolk County Unanimously Passes First BPA Baby Bottle Bill

Suffolk County, NY, has become the first jurisdiction in the nation to ban bisphenol A in baby bottles and sippy cups. The county’s legislature passed the ban with a unanimous vote on Tuesday, according to a story in Newsday.

The bill’s sponsor, Steve Stern, said the intention is to protect young children from the health effects of BPA. "There are plenty of viable, cost-effective and safe alternatives," he said. The ban applies to products marketed to children younger than the age of 3.

This effort was spearheaded by JustGreen Partners Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition, Prevention is the Cure, and Great Neck Breast Cancer Coalition.

Suffolk County Poised to Pull Toxic Baby Bottles