Obesity: What do chemicals have to do with it?
It's no secret that the United States is battling overwhelming issues with obesity. Current statistics show that 34% of Americans are clinically obese, and 68% are overweight1, and the federal government has found that a third of American children are...Read More...
States join together to get rid of the worst-of-the-worst chemicals
Persistent, bioaccumulative toxics, commonly known as PBTs, are a group of toxic chemicals that are joined together by some common features. Common PBTs in our lives include mercury, DDT, cadmium, lead, and several groups of chemicals including PCBs, toxic flame...Read More...
Cancer and our Environment: States leading the fight
Dear Mr. President: Though overall cancer incidence and mortality have continued to decline in recent years, the disease continues to devastate the lives of far too many Americans. In 2009 alone, approximately 1.5 million American men, women, and children were...Read More...
Safer States: News Round-Up
There has been a lot of toxics news coming from the states lately. The Safer States organizations have been doing an amazing job of protecting their state's citizens through legislation restricting toxic chemicals. Moreover, elected officials have been hearing the...Read More...
Focus on Minnesota
This week, we checked in with Peter Starzynski, Coalition Coordinator for Healthy Legacy. This is an organization that supports the passage of laws and policies in Minnesota that will help its citizens lead healthy, toxic-free lives. BPA BAN Last May,...Read More...
Minnesota becomes the first state to ban BPA!
Minnesota has become the the first state in the nation to pass a ban on bisphenol A (BPA). An incredible grassroots campaign powered by a diverse coalition of parents, scientists, environmentalists, and health advocates shut down the chemical industry's efforts...Read More...
Minnesota poised to be first state to ban BPA from baby products
A bill that would ban bisphenol A (BPA) in baby bottles and sippy cups passed the Minnesota State Senate last week, 55-8, and just passed the State House yesterday, 126-5. The bill was passed with outstanding bi-partisan support. Now it’s...Read More...
BPA bills on the move in key states
Bills that would ban bisphenol A from children’s products are scheduled to make their way through key committees and legislative bodies during the next week. Although Suffolk County, New York passed its ban on BPA in baby bottles earlier in...Read More...
The politics of bisphenol A in Minnesota
Our friends at Healthy Legacy sent along this blog post about the effort to ban bisphenol A (BPA) from baby bottles and sippy cups in Minnesota. The post was written by Megan Gamble at MN Publius. She makes the point...Read More...
Out of state groups lobby for toxic chemicals in Minnesota
You know how we've been hearing a lot about chemicals in children's toys? BPA in baby bottles? Formaldehyde in baby shampoo? Well, the American Chemistry Council (ACC), a trade group representing the world's largest oil and chemical companies has set...Read More...
"Gentle" kids' bath products have cancer-causing chemicals
Most of the conversation around toxics has been around BPA in baby bottles and lead in toys, however a new study conducted by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and Minnesota-based Healthy Legacy shows that leading brands of personal care products...Read More...
BPA found in soda cans
That the synthetic sex hormone BPA can be found in baby bottles and some water bottles is well known. State and federal legislation, actions by state attorneys general, and market forces have been engaged in the effort to get BPA...Read More...
BPA exposure puts girls at risk for breast cancer
A new study has shown that exposure to bisphenol A at levels lower than what the Environmental Protection Agency currently says is safe increases the risk of girls developing breast cancer as women. The study was conducted on rats, whose...Read More...
Online videos offer latest science on toxic chemicals
If you want to get up to speed on the latest science about the link between toxic chemicals and human health, two short videos available online provide excellent tutorials on the issues. The first is an 8-minute interview with John...Read More...
Chicago takes on BPA while FDA continues to defend its use
An editorial in the Chicago Tribune on Feb. 11 praises city aldermen for sponsoring a resolution to ban children’s products made with bisphenol A (BPA), a synthetic sex hormone linked to breast cancer, diabetes, male infertility, and other health problems....Read More...
Toy safety law takes effect today
A new federal law regulating lead and phthalate levels in children’s toys takes effect today. The law is a big step forward for children’s health and safety. After today retailers cannot sell toys with more than 600 parts of lead...Read More...
Minnesota legislators to address toxics in children’s products
Today marks a great day for children’s health, as two important bills are introduced into the Minnesota legislature. Healthy Legacy, a public health coalition representing over one million Minnesotans, is partnering with concerned parents across the state to support the...Read More...
High fructose corn syrup's not-so-sweet surprise: mercury!
There's been ongoing debate about the healthfulness of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), but no one talked about mercury contamination. Until now, that is. Two new reports issued Jan. 26 show that commercial HFCS is routinely contaminated with mercury, as...Read More...
Over 1,500 new toys tested for toxic chemicals results released for 2008 holiday shopping season
In response to the overwhelming demand for information about toxic chemicals in toys, Healthy Legacy and the Michigan-based Ecology Center are releasing their second annual guide to help parents make informed decisions this holiday season. In addition to listing the...Read More...
Healthy Legacy
Healthy Legacy promotes healthy lives by supporting the production and use of everyday products without toxic chemicals. We advocate for consumer education, business leadership, and protective policies to advance safe alternatives in Minnesota. Healthy Legacy promotes: Consumer education Healthy Legacy...Read More...
Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
In the mid-1980s, family farmers across America were in the fight of their lives. Prices had dropped below the cost of production. Family farmers were told they were inefficient and they had to either get big or get out. Deeply...Read More...
New guides to safe plastics and children’s products released
New science on the chemical bisphenol A (BPA), found in many plastic and children’s products, links elevated BPA concentrations to an increased risk for heart disease, diabetes and liver abnormalities. This compelling new science has made the search for safe...Read More...
