Experts and advocates testify at Safer Alternatives Bill Hearing
Posted on Nov 10, 2009 On Monday November 2nd the Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow turned out in force for a hearing on the Safer Alternatives Bill at the Massachusetts State House. The hearing was held by the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture with Chairmen Representative William Straus and Senator Anthony Petruccelli presiding.
The Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow organized a powerful lineup of experts and advocates to testify in support of the bill. Those who testified came from a wide array of constituencies and areas of expertise including business, labor, those affected by illnesses linked to toxic chemicals, faith communities, scientists, economists, environmental and public health advocates, parents, and more.
Read more...The Safer Alternatives Bill
Posted on Feb 13, 2009
The Safer Alternatives Bill, An Act for a Competitive Economy Through Safer Alternatives to Toxic Chemicals, is sponsored by Representative Jay Kaufman (D-Lexington) and Senator Steven Tolman (D-Brighton). It will create a pragmatic and flexible program in Massachusetts to replace toxic chemicals with safer alternatives, wherever feasible.
In this economy, the bill is needed more than ever. The Safer Alternatives program will help Massachusetts businesses stay competitive on the global market which is rapidly moving towards a demand for safer products and services. The program will be funded by a fee on toxic chemicals brought into the state primarily by out-of-state firms.
Read more...Safer Alternatives Bill Co-sponsors 2009
Posted on Feb 13, 2009The following Representatives and Senators co-sponsored the Safer Alternatives Bill,H-757 & S-442 An Act for a Competitive Economy Through Safer Alternatives to Toxic Chemicals, in the 2009-2010 legislative session. If your Representative or Senator is a co-sponsor, please thank him or her!
State Representatives (total 98)
- Geraldo Alicea
- Willie Mae Allen
- Jim Arciero
- Cory Atkins
- Bruce Ayers
- Ruth Balser
Ask your legislators to co-sponsor the Safer Alternatives Bill
Posted on Jan 5, 2009
The Safer Alternatives Bill, sponsored by Representative Jay Kaufman and Senator Steven Tolman, will create a pragmatic and flexible program to replace toxic chemicals with safer alternatives, wherever feasible. In 2008 the bill passed the Senate but not the House and so this session we need your help to make sure that the bill passes both houses! Please call your state legislators today and ask them to co-sponsor the bill.
Step 1: Find out who your State Representative and Senator are if you don't know already.
Step 2: Find out if they have already co-sponsored the bill this session
Step 3: Place your calls
Read more...85 Representatives sign letter to Speaker DiMasi
Posted on Jun 23, 2008
In January 2008 the Massachusetts Senate passed the Safer Alternatives Bill unanimously.
The bill is now before the House Committee on Ways and Means. For the bill to be passed in the House, gaining the suport of Speaker Sal DiMasi is essential. To show the speaker the widespread support for the bill, three Representatives, Jaime Eldridge (D-Acton), Stephen Kulik (D-Worthington), and Thomas Conroy (D-Wayland) led 85 of their colleagues in the House in signing a letter of support for the Safer Alternatives Bill that was delivered to Speaker DiMasi in June 2008.
Read more..."New Shower Curtain Smell"
Posted on Jun 12, 2008
New Report: More Than 100 Toxic Chemicals Released From PVC Shower Curtains.
Legislators and Advocates Press for House Vote on Safer Alternatives Bill
Over 100 toxic chemicals associated with adverse health effects are released into the air from PVC vinyl shower curtains. These chemicals make up that "new shower curtain smell" unique to PVC vinyl shower curtains and shower curtain liners, according to "Volatile Vinyl: The New Shower Curtain's Chemical Smell," a new study released today by the Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow, and the Center for Health, Environment & Justice (CHEJ).
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...Legislative Priorities 2007 - 2008
Posted on Jan 6, 2008
Top Legislative Priority: The Safer Alternatives Bill
S-2481 - An Act Providing for Safer Alternatives to Toxic Chemicals
Sponsors: Representative Jay Kaufman (D-Lexington), Senator Steven Tolman (D-Brighton)
The Safer Alternatives Bill will establish a pragmatic, gradual approach to reducing health impacts from many toxic chemicals we are exposed to in everyday life.
This approach targets the worst toxic chemicals in Massachusetts—chemicals that are currently replaceable with safer alternatives for many uses.
Read more...Legislation to Curb Toxic Chemicals Sent to the Senate
Posted on Nov 5, 2007
In a decisive step towards protecting the public from the effects of unnecessary exposure to toxic chemicals, the Massachusetts Legislature’s Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture gave a “favorable report” to the An Act for a Healthy Massachusetts: Safer Alternatives to Toxic Chemicals.
The Safer Alternatives Bill, as it is commonly called, was proposed by the Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow in response to a growing body of scientific evidence linking exposure to hazardous chemicals to chronic diseases.
The Safer Alternatives Bill is designed to prevent diseases and disorders such as cancer, asthma, developmental or learning disabilities, infertility, diabetes and Parkinson’s.
Read more...Debate Underway on Legislation to Curb Toxic Chemicals
Posted on Jun 11, 2007
Bill Will Prevent Illnesses by Calling for Safer Alternatives.
Last week, officials in the European Union began implementing a major new law that will replace thousands of dangerous chemicals with alternatives.
Meanwhile, the debate has been renewed over legislation proposed in Massachusetts that would create a smaller scale program based on the same principles as the EU law. Supporters and opponents of "An Act for a Healthy Massachusetts: Safer Alternatives to Toxic Chemicals" (H-783/S-558) gathered at the State House on Monday to debate legislation that would protect public health and prevent disease by replacing toxic chemicals with safer alternatives.
Read more...Hundreds Push for Safer Alternatives
Posted on May 10, 2007
On Thursday (May 10th), in honor of Mother's Day, hundreds of concerned residents from across Massachusetts descended upon the State House to lobby their state legislators about the need to replace toxic chemicals with safer alternatives.
Scientists are increasingly finding links between chemicals often found in common household products like cleaners, cosmetics and plastic with a variety of diseases and disorders including cancer, asthma and learning disabilities. Among the attendees of the lobby day were parents, ministers, teachers, workers, students, health advocates, doctors and many others.
Read more...Safer Alternatives Bill Co-Sponsors 2007-2008
Posted on Feb 28, 2007
To find out who your legislators are go to www.wheredoivotema.com.
Representatives (80)
- Willie Mae Allen
- Cory Atkins
- Demetrius Atsalis
- Ruth Balser
- Garrett Bradley
- William Brownsberger
- Antonio Cabral
- Jennifer Callahan
- Linda Dean Campbell
- Christine Canavan
- Paul Casey
- Thomas Conroy
- Michael Costello
Majority of Legislators Support Safer Alternatives Bill
Posted on Jan 23, 2007As the European Union moves ahead with new reforms that modernize toxic
chemical policies, momentum builds in Massachusetts for similar measures that would replace commonly used toxic chemicals with safer alternatives. A majority of legislators in both houses of the Massachusetts legislature are co-sponsoring “An Act for a Healthy Massachusetts: Safer Alternatives to Toxic Chemicals.”
The bill, sponsored by Representative Jay Kaufman (DLexington) and Senator Steven Tolman (D-Brighton) initially targets 10 of the worst toxic chemicals found in common household products such as dry cleaning, pesticides, solvents, building materials, foam cushions, and electronics.
Read more...