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Watch Us on YouTubeState Legislatures Tackle Toxic Chemicals to Protect Citizens
Lack of Federal Reform Makes State Laws More Urgent
In 2012, at least 28 state legislatures will consider legislation to address concerns over toxic chemicals in consumer products, according to a new analysis by Safer States, a national coalition of state-based environmental organizations. Bills to be introduced this year will cover a broad list of topics, including bans on toxic chlorinated Tris flame retardants and cadmium, and requirements that makers of consumer products publicly disclose chemicals in products.
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Hidden Hazards in the Nursery
Popular baby products, including nursing pillows and car seats, contain toxic chemicals linked to cancer, hormone disruption, and other health effects, according to a new report authored by the Washington Toxics Coalition and released today by Clean and Healthy New York. Children and families are exposed to these Tris chemicals when they escape from products and contaminate house dust and indoor air.
“Appallingly, this is just one study in a long line documenting toxic chemicals in the products families rely upon. No parent would deliberately expose their baby in this way. Product makers need to stop simply moving darting from one toxic chemical as it is banned to another,” said Bobbi Chase Wilding, contributor to the study and Deputy Director for Clean and Healthy New York. “Further state action is needed to end this toxic shell game. ”
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.
NYS Senate and Assembly Pass Law to Protect Babies from Cancer-Causing Chemical
Advocates Laud Passage as First in the Nation, Call on Governor to Sign the "Tris-free Children and Babies Act"
Chemical Facing Ban Was Recently Found in 17% of Foam Baby Products Tested
(Albany) Organizations in the JustGreen Partnership hailed passage of S. 4085a/A. 6919a in the Senate today, following the Assembly's earlier passage of the bill. The "Tris-Free Children and Babies Act" would prohibit the sale of products containing a cancer-causing chemical called "TCEP" if they are meant for young children and babies. TCEP is no longer produced in Europe and has been identified by Canada as posing a risk to human health. In a recent scientific study, TCEP was found in 17% of foam baby products tested. (Including the padded seat cushion shown here.) These products include those on which babies spend the vast majority of their time, including nursing pillows, car seats, crib positioners, baby carriers, high chairs, and booster seats.
"It takes forward-thinking leaders like Assemblyman Sweeney and Senator Grisanti to pass the first state-level tris ban in the nation," said Kathy Curtis, Policy Director for Clean New York and co-coordinator of the JustGreen Partnership. "Until comprehensive, sensible chemical policy is a reality, we're glad we can depend on them to protect the health of New York's babies and children," Curtis added.
Read more...Toxic Chemicals Found in Baby Products
A study of products designed for newborns, babies, and toddlers – including car seats, breast feeding pillows, changing pads, crib wedges, bassinet mattresses and other items made with polyurethane foam – found that 80% of products tested contained chemical flame retardants that are considered toxic, according to a peer-reviewed study published in Environmental Science & Technology Journal. Other retardants discovered had so little health and safety data on them it is not possible to know their effects at this time. The same flame retardants found in some of the products are also found in children’s bodies and widely dispersed throughout the environment and in food.
Read more..."Safe Chemicals Act of 2011" Introduced!
Signaling their clear intention to protect families from toxic chemicals linked to serious health problems, Senators Frank Lautenberg, Barbara Boxer, Amy Klobuchar, Charles Schumer and others today introduced the “Safe Chemicals Act” to upgrade America’s outdated system for managing chemical safety. (Click "Read More" to watch video of Sen. Lautenberg talking about the bill.) The JustGreen Partnership, a collaboration of over 50 organizations representing a million New Yorkers, hailed the bill’s introduction and praised Senator Schumer for being an originating co-sponsor.
JustGreen Partners Advocate for Child-Safe Products
On Tuesday, April 12, the JustGreen Partnership met with policymakers in Albany, urging them to advance legislation to protect us from toxic chemicals in our daily lives. NYPIRG, WE ACT, Clean New York, the Learning Disabilities Association of NYS, Sierra Club, Environmental Advocates of NY, and Environmental Justice Action Group of Western NY met with Assemblymembers and Senators throughout the day.
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.
Read more...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
Advocates applauded Governor Paterson today for signing into law the Bisphenol A-Free Children and Babies Act to end the sale of bisphenol A-based baby bottles, sippy cups, pacifiers and straws as of December 1st of this year. Both houses of the New York State Legislature unanimously passed at the end of June. Today was the last day for the Governor to sign the measure.
New York is now the seventh state - and by far the largest in both population and economy - to pass phase out of BPA in young children's products, joining Connecticut, Maryland, Minneso
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It's Time to Call on Congress!
Beware: you may be shocked to learn that toxic chemicals aren't sitting around passively - they are wreaking havoc with our health and designing a PR campaign for survival! View the funny video Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families created to galvanize public support for Congressional action and have fun with a pretty serious issue. The characters you will meet in the video are cartoons, but the plot is ripped straight from the headlines. Enjoy and please share it with your friends, co-workers and family!
The statistics are startling. Of the 80,000+ chemicals used in commerce, about 62,000 were "grandfathered in" - assumed to be safe for ongoing use - when the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) was passed in 1976. Of those chemicals, only 200 have ever been fully tested for their impacts on our health and the environment. Only five chemicals have ever been banned - and none since 1990.
We now have a once in a generation opportunity to change that law. The Toxic Chemical Safety Act of 2010 was introduced in Congress. It aims to protect our families from harmful chemicals by overhauling our outdated chemical laws.
The House of Representatives is poised to act on toxic chemical legislation so your representative needs to hear from you!
We are organizing a call-in week July 19-23, to make sure our Representatives know that we want passage of a strong Toxic Chemical Safety Act. Please take a few minutes to make a call and encourage your friends, neighbors, co-workers and family members to do so as well.
This is our time to make toxic chemicals history! Let's tell Congress to vote for strong chemical policy reform. Please call your Representative during our call-in week - just follow this link for details.
BPA Bill Passes Assembly & Senate Unanimously
Both houses of the New York State Legislature have unanimously passed a bill to end the sale of bisphenol A-based baby bottles, sippy cups, pacifiers and straws as of December 1st of this year. The Senate passed the measure on Tuesday 61-0, with the Assembly following suit on Wednesday in a 113-0 vote.
If it signed by the Governor, New York will be the seventh state to pass phase out of BPA in young children's products, joining Connecticut, Maryland, Minneso
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Child Safe Products Act Gets Bipartisan Support in Senate
After a round of last minute debate, the NYS Child Safe Products Act (S. 7070/A. 10089)
passed through the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee yesterday.The bill has nine co-sponsors in the Senate and 51 co-sponsors in the Assembly. It would reduce the use of toxic chemicals in children’s products where safer alternatives are available, and provides a comprehensive framework for addressing the issue of toxic chemicals in children's products. 27 environmental health and justice groups have submitted memos supporting the legislation.
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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.
Read more...MOMS, LEGISLATORS, ADVOCATES CALL FOR NEW LAW TO PROTECT KIDS FROM TOXIC CHEMICALS
Business leaders, legislative leaders, moms with young children and advocates gathered today to call upon the state legislature to pass a new law that would require safer substitutes for toxic chemicals in children’s products. They presented a wide array of products now on the market that contain chemicals linked to serious diseases and disorders, including learning disabilities, infertility, and cancer.
The proposed law would direct the Departments of Environmental Conservation and Health to develop a list of chemicals of high concern, prioritize within that list based on their use in children’s products, determine if manufacturers use those priority chemicals in products they make, and evaluate whether safer solutions are available. When safer solutions are possible, the DEC could require their use.
Read more...Landmark Federal Legislation Introduced to Protect Families from Toxic Chemicals
As the U.S. debates the costs of health care and its reform and New York State continues to be in a fiscal crisis, “The Health Case” documents the enormous health care costs of treating cancer, learning and developmental disabilities, asthma and other diseases and conditions linked to chemical exposure, according to recent studies. By updating toxic chemical laws, the report found that Congress would reduce exposure to chemicals contributing to chronic diseases. 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. 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. This summer, declare your independence from toxic chemicals and then become part of the Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families campaign! The Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families campaign is a national effort to create the strongest, most comprehensive solution to fix the law that is failing to protect our families from toxic chemicals that harm our health and the environment. If you believe you have the right to be healthy, the right to work in a safe environment, and the right to know what chemicals are in your body, this is the national campaign you’ve been waiting for! 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. 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. The alarming health threat posed by endocrine-disrupting chemicals including phthalates and bisphenol A was clearly distilled Sunday in a column, It's Time to Learn From Frogs, by the New York Times’ Nicholas Kristof. Kristof, who often writes about global conflict, was drawn to the subject after viewing a documentary about polluted waters and the resulting reproductive deformations in frogs, fish and other wildlife living in the ecosystem. Kristof brilliantly connects these environmental happenings with a similar cause-and-effect playing out in humans. New York's BPA bill (Assembly Bill 6919b) passed 133 - 12, the E-waste bill (A. 7571) passed 121 - 22, and the exciting story of the day was the decaBDE victory. The bill (A. 7573) passed 141 - 2, after weeks of intense negative lobbying by the bromine industry. They generated a number of opposition memos. Assemblyman Joseph Saladino challenged the sponsor during debate by raising all of the industry arguments. New York State legislation requiring the phase out of Bisphenol A (Assembly Bill A6919b) from young children’s products and food containers builds on Suffolk County’s first in the nation ban on BPA in baby bottles and sippy cups, moving to protect our most vulnerable residents from the impacts of toxic chemicals. Bisphenol A has been linked to many different health affects at very low levels of exposure. The JustGreen Partnership applauded today’s introduction of landmark federal legislation to protect families from harmful chemicals. The “Safe Chemicals Act,” introduced by Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Congressmen Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Bobby Rush (D-IL), will overhaul the way the federal government protects the public from toxic chemicals.
“Federal action on toxic chemicals is long overdue. U.S. chemical policies should be protective of the population and place the onus for safety on the corporations making the product. This proposed reform is important progress towards the protection we deserve from toxic chemicals in consumer products.” said Thomas Lowe, RN, MPH, COHN-S, Health and Safety Representative for the New York State Nurses Association.
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Reforming laws on toxic chemicals could save billions
The Health Case for Reforming the Toxic Substances Control Act, a recent report by the Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families Campaign, shows that the U.S. has the opportunity to prevent rising rates of chronic disease and reduce health care costs by overhauling federal chemical policy. 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.
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.
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.Declare Your Independence from Toxic Chemicals!
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.Maine Identifies Toxic Chemicals
From www.saferstates.org:
Endocrine Disruptors Threaten our Reproductive Health
From www.saferstates.com:
Onward! BPA, DecaBDE and E-waste bills pass NY Assembly
Tuesday, May 5th was Earth Day Lobby Day, and the New York State Assembly passed all 12 environmental bills in their Earth Day package.Earth Day Accomplishment: Bills move through committee
After yesterday’s Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee hearing, New Yorkers are one step closer to protection from several toxic chemicals in consumer products. Led by Committee Chairman Robert Sweeney, bills on three JustGreen priority issues were reported out of the Assembly Committee.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.
Read more...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.
Read more...Cancer Causing Chemicals Contaminate Baby Bubble Baths
Despite label claims like “gentle” and “pure,” dozens of top-selling children’s bath products are contaminated with the cancer-causing chemicals formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane, according to a new report and product tests released today by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and the JustGreen Partnership. The chemicals are not disclosed on product labels because contaminants are exempt from labeling laws.
The Campaign study is the first to document the widespread presence of both formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane in bath products for children, such as shampoos and soaps. Formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane are known to cause cancer in animals, and are listed as probable human carcinogens by the US EPA. Formaldehyde can also trigger skin rashes in some children.
Read more...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.
Read more...Suffolk County Poised to Pull Toxic Baby Bottles
JustGreen Calls for State Action on Toxics in Kids Products
As of this Tuesday, February 10th, the federal government requires companies to limit lead and phthalates in products intended for children under the age of 12. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has delayed testing requirements, but companies are still required to remove children's products that exceed the standards of 600 parts per million of lead.
Today, JustGreen Partners gathered at the State Legislative Office Building to report on what they found on store shelves, and to renew their call for broader action to protect children from toxic dangers. The good news is that lead is not appearing in many of the kinds of products Clean New York previously found lead in during toy testing over past several years.
Read more...Budget Crisis in New York
Everyone is feeling the pinch of our worsening economic situation, and especially here in New York where so much of the state's revenue comes from Wall Street. In light of that, Governor Paterson has proposed drastic cuts to many programs, including environmental programs. In many cases, it can be said that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
In few cases is it so true - and in fact such an understatement - than when it comes to preventing toxic chemicals from getting into our environment and our bodies.
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