States lead the fight against toxic chemicals lurking in cosmetics
Lead, arsenic, cadmium, formaldehyde, mercury. These are some of the toxic ingredients that are found in products that we put on our skin, in our hair, and on our lips that ultimately make it into our bodies where they can...Read More...
Toxic flame retardants: In our homes, our dust, our lives
Updated October 13, 2011 Toxic flame retardants are one of the most common sources of toxicity in our homes and our lives. They are used on everything from computer casings, to furniture, to carpeting, to children's products. "The problem is,...Read More...
Women Heroes in the Safer States
May is a month focused on women—the month started out with Mother's Day, and the week of May 8 is National Women's Health week, established to empower women to make their health a top priority. Toxic chemicals are an increasingly...Read More...
Formaldehyde in straightening products? CA and OR say "No Way!"
California Attorney General (and Governor elect) Jerry Brown has filed suit against the maker of the "Brazilian Blowout" -- an expensive treatment which straightens hair. The suit alleges that the company did not warn customers or workers who come in...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...
Flame Retardant Report on NPR
This month, The Environment Report ran a series of stories about flame retardants which were broadcast on NPR affiliates throughout the country. The stories clearly summarized the threat that flame retardants—-also known as PBDEs—-play in our everyday lives. PBDEs accumulate...Read More...
Washington State mom testifies before Congress
In November, we told you about the Earliest Exposures Report -- a report which described the test results of pregnant women who were tested in Washington, Oregon and California. Despite their best efforts, the mothers-to-be tested with high levels of...Read More...
Deca phase-out throughout the United States
We at SAFER states are thrilled with two major developments on the phase out of toxic flame retardants. As a result of action in the SAFER states over the last several years and often mentioned here, the EPA has negotiated...Read More...
13 states dictate principles for toxics reform
Officials from thirteen states joined forces today to dictate a set of eight guiding principles to be used for reform of the Toxic Substances Control Act, or TSCA -- a law from 1976 which provides the EPA with the authority...Read More...
States' Principles on Reform of the Toxic Substances Control Act
On December 2, 2009, 13 states dictated principles for the reform of the Toxic Substances Control Act. Officials from California, Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington signed the principles. Read...Read More...
Pregnant moms are exposed to toxic chemicals
The Washington Toxics Coalition yesterday released a study which is being called the first of its kind. The project tested nine pregnant women from Washington, Oregon and California for levels of toxic chemicals in their bodies, and thus being exposed...Read More...
PSR report: Toxic chemicals in health care workers
Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR) released an important study last week. They studied the toxic chemicals found in 20 health professionals for a first-ever look into chemicals in their bodies. The sample study tested major chemical types in ten Safer...Read More...
Connecticut’s BPA ban moves forward
Connecticut came closer to becoming the first state to ban bisphenol A from food and beverage containers Tuesday. The ban passed an important hurdle when a legislative committee unanimously endorsed the bill, according to a story in Forbes. While legislators...Read More...
Toxic flame retardants - and their defenders - in the news
Two new studies released this week raise concerns about the widespread contamination of the environment and human health from brominated flame retardants. Flame retardants are found in every day items from sofas to televisions and computers to mattresses. Yet the...Read More...
BPA legislation moves forward in states
In the wake of the nation’s first ban on bisphenol A (BPA) in children’s products passing in Suffolk County, NY, several trailblazing states are pursuing their own bans of the toxic chemical. California and Washington are in a crowded field...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...
Nation's first BPA ban passes unanimously
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...Read More...
State groups to release second annual consumer guide to toxic chemicals in toys for 2008 holiday shopping season
In response to the overwhelming demand for information about toxic chemicals in toys, the Michigan-based Ecology Center and groups across the nation are releasing their second annual guide to help parents make informed decisions this holiday season. In addition to...Read More...
Healthy Toys consumer guide to be released on Dec. 3
HealthyToys.org will release its second annual report revealing the chemical content of children’s toys on Wednesday, Dec. 3. The Michigan-based Ecology Center tested more than 1,500 toys for toxic chemicals, including lead, arsenic, cadmium, and PVC. Consumers visiting the HealthyToys.org...Read More...
