Governor issues Environmental Purchasing Executive Order
Posted on Nov 10, 2009 Thanks to an executive order issued by Governor Deval Patrick on October 27th, from now on the Massachusetts state agencies will be using their purchasing power to purchase products and services that are less toxic and more environmentally sustainable. The executive order directs the executive branch office and agencies to "...reduce their impact on the environment and enhance public health by procuring Environmentally Preferable Products and services (EPPs) whenever such products and services are readily available, perform to satisfactory standards, and represent best value."
This is a long awaited victory for the Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow. Since 2007 we have been pressing the governor for specific policy proposals to reduce toxic chemical use in Massachusetts, including in the area of state purchasing.
Read more...A good step towards protecting MA babies from BPA!
Posted on Aug 4, 2009 Yesterday the Massachusetts Department of Public Health issued a warning to parents and prospective parents: keep the chemical BPA away from your children, and stay away from it if you're pregnant.
According to a DPH press release, "DPH is specifically advising parents and caretakers of children up to two years old to avoid the use of products that contain BPA for making or storing infant formula and breast milk. DPH is further advising pregnant and breastfeeding women to avoid products that may contain BPA."
AHT has been calling on the state to ban BPA in children's products since last summer. The Massachsuetts DPH has the legal authority to ban the the sale of toxic household products that are hazardous to children. I know that all of us in the Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow and our citizen activists are glad that this warning has been issued, and we now we're eager for the next step (a ban!). Mia Davis of Clean Water Action articulated this sentiment in today's front page Boston Globe story:
Read more...Legislation to Reign in Toxic Chemical Use Passes in Senate
Posted on Jan 29, 2008Precedent-setting Safer Alternatives Bill Will Prevent Illnesses
Boston, MA - Today the Massachusetts Senate passed legislation that will safeguard public health by replacing toxic chemicals with safer alternatives. Supporters of An Act for a Healthy Massachusetts: Safer Alternatives to Toxic Chemicals (The Safer Alternatives Bill) praised the Senate's action that takes the bill one step closer to becoming law. The bill would also help Massachusetts expand trade with foreign markets that have recently tightened toxic chemical standards such as the European Union.
Led by Senator Steven Tolman (D-Brighton) and Senator Pam Resor (D-Acton), efforts to move the bill forward in the Senate gained momentum in the wake of last year's product recalls over hazardous ingredients such as lead in children's toys and lipstick.
Read more...AHT Victory! Mercury Products Bill Signed into Law
Posted on Jul 31, 2006
Photo: Elizabeth Saunders, Clean Water Action (center) stands surrounded by AHT activists for a news conference before delivering “toxic tuna” to Senators’ offices.
Mercury Phase-out Mandated: Mercury Products Bill Signed Into Law!
A 5 year campaign of the Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow ended with victory on Friday, July 28th when Governor Mitt Romney signed legislation to curb mercury pollution in Massachusetts. The bill, An Act Relative to Mercury Management, is among the strongest of an increasing number of state laws across the country that will dramatically reduce emissions resulting from the use of mercury-containing products.
