Governor Calls for BPA Action
Posted on Mar 3, 2010
Yesterday, Governor Deval Patrick announced new progress on the phase-out of BPA baby products. He directed the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) to prepare a regulation to ban the sale of household products containing BPA. The Boston Globe published a great story today on the Governor’s announcement. This is a big step forward towards protecting the health of all developing children!
We have all worked so hard over the past two years to get to this point. Thank you so much to everyone who helped thus far. Thousands of parents across the state have expressed outrage that they unknowingly fed their infants a hormone disrupting chemical in their baby formula and your voice has been heard.
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Take Action Now on Notorious Offenders!
Posted on Feb 25, 2010 How serious is Congress about reforming our Nation’s chemical laws?
Last week we told you about the congressional process in Washington, DC to reform our federal law that governs toxic chemical production and use, The Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA). Some of the chemicals under consideration are PBTs or Persistent, Bioaccumulative Toxins, which include some of the most notorious chemicals ever studied. These notorious offenders include: DDT, dioxin, mercury, cadmium, lead, mercury, the compound used to make Teflon and some flame retardants.
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In D.C. the wheels are turning for chemical policy reform
Posted on Feb 16, 2010
The effort to update and reform our toxic chemical laws is moving from the state level to the federal level and was kicked off with a US Senate hearing on Thursday February 4th. The Senate Subcommittee on Superfund, Toxics and Environmental Health held the hearing to find out what scientists know about chemicals that are affecting our health. This is the first step in the journey to overhaul the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA). TSCA is our federal law that governs toxic chemical production and use, but it is decades-old and in desperate need of updating.
In a crowded hearing room, Senators mulled over TSCA and seemed to be in agreement that current laws are inadequate to protect families and children from health effects linked to toxic chemical exposure. TSCA is due to be updated with new legislation in early 2010.
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Governor's budget funds Toxics Use Reduction Program
Posted on Jan 28, 2010Kudos to Governor Deval Patrick! In a step forward towards a victory for the public health and the environment, Patrick restored funding for the agencies involved in implementing the Toxics Use Reduction Act (TURA) program in his proposed fiscal year 2011 budget issued yesterday.
Particularly important is that in Patrick’s budget, money from fees paid by companies that use toxic chemicals, would be spent on funding the program to help them use and release fewer toxic chemicals. That’s what the TURA law intended (though it’s not what’s been done in recent years), Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow has pushed for this, and it is exactly what the Governor has proposed to do.
The Health Care Costs of Toxic Chemical Exposure
Posted on Jan 21, 2010 What if we passed the Safer Alternatives Bill in Massachusetts or reformed the Federal Toxics Substances Control Act, how much healthier would we really be? And how much money would we save in health care costs? A new report by the Safer Chemicals Healthy Families Campaign looks to answer just those questions.
The report authors gathered information from a variety of peer reviewed studies on the health effects of toxic chemicals which estimated that toxic chemicals cause a minimum of:
- 3% of developmental disabilities
- 5% of childhood cancer
- 10% of diabetes, Parkinson’s Disease and neurodevelopmental disorders
- 30% of childhood asthma
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FDA expresses "some concern" over BPA
Posted on Jan 15, 2010 Today the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced an update to its position on BPA (bisphenol-A), the toxic chemical that we are exposed to through baby bottles, sippy cups, infant formula and food can linings and many other sources.
FDA states that there is "some concern" about the safety of BPA for humans, and that they will work with other agencies to conduct further research. In conjunction with the FDA announcement, the US Department of Health and Human Services posted tips for parents to minimize children's exposure (such as to dispose of scratched or worn baby bottles).
The agency was criticized by its own science review panel for its 2008 determination that products containing BPA were safe but the new announcement says, Read more...MA DEP Commissioner signs principles for toxics reform
Posted on Dec 2, 2009
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner, Laurie Burt, joined forces with officials from twelve other states 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 to regulate toxic chemicals.
The Obama Administration and Lisa Jackson, Administrator of the EPA, recently acknowledged that a major overhaul of this decades-old law is imperative for public safety.
There is concern, however, about the way that the Administration is setting out to reform TSCA. Some advocates are concerned that the changes are proposed by EPA will results in endless government studies and gridlock, rather than action.
Read more...Join the Million Baby Crawl!
Posted on Nov 11, 2009 Seventh Generation, a company known for a focus on safe, non-toxic cleaning products, is sponsoring the Million Baby Crawl to to demand toxic chemical policy reform from Congress.
The Crawl consists of a virtual baby march. On the site, you can create a baby avatar to add to the march as fun way to show your support for a new law to protect us from health-harming chemicals.
Join us at the Crawl to Action:
Where: Burlington Mall - Kids Play Area, 75 Middlesex Turnpike, Burlington, MA
When: Wednesday, November 18th from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
What: Support toxic chemical policy reform, learn more about safe household products, enjoy family-friendly live entertainment and children's interactive activities, and receive free Seventh Generation products.
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...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...Toxic Chemicals found in bodies of Mass Nurse and Doctor
Posted on Oct 8, 2009 Earlier this year, Mimi Pomerleau and Sean Palfrey did a bold thing: they had their blood and urine tested for the presence of toxic chemicals.
Mimi is a OB nurse at Massachusetts General Hospital and an Assistant Clinical Professor at Lawrence Memorial Regis College. Sean is professor of pediatrics and public health at Boston University School of Medicine, and medical director of Boston's Lead Poisoning Prevention Program. Both participated in the Hazardous Chemicals in Health Care bio monitoring project conducted by Physicians for Social Responsibility.
Each of 20 doctors and nurses around the country were tested FOR 62 distinct chemicals in six categories: bisphenol A, mercury, perflourinated compounds, phthalates, polybrominated dipheynl ethers, and triclosan. These chemicals are used in products common to the health care setting, from baby bottles, hand sanitizer, and medical gauges, to industrial paints, IV bags and tubes and stain-resistant clothing.
Read more...EPA announces overhaul of nation's toxic law
Posted on Oct 1, 2009
The tides are changing! Tuesday night, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson announced that chemical management reform will be one of the top priorities of the Obama EPA.
In a speech in San Francisco, Jackson said the time had come to strengthen EPA’s authority to regulate toxic chemicals, which are ubiquitous in the environment and human bodies.
The nation’s toxic chemical law, the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) has been on the books since 1976 but has been woefully under-enforced. The EPA needs better tools.
Read more..."No Family History" at the Coolidge Corner Theater
Posted on Sep 25, 2009
One hundred and eighty-two thousand women will contract breast cancer this year. Forty-one thousand will die of it; every eleven minutes we will lose another woman to the disease. This documentary film makes these statistics real by following one woman who is diagnosed, treated and recovers from breast cancer. Robin demands to know why she got breast cancer, posing questions about their exposure to environmental toxics. Her intimate story brings the visually hidden experience of breast cancer into light, and motivates us to ask why so much illness and why don't we know how to stop it?
Join Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow and Director/Producer Sabrina McCormick for an exclusive showing of this powerful film.
Wednesday, October 14th, 7:00 PM
Coolidge Corner Theater
HealthyStuff.org: new information on toxic products
Posted on Sep 16, 2009 We have good news and bad news. Which do you want first?
Let's start with the good news: there is a new website, just launched, where you can go to get lots of information to help you deduce which products are safe and unsafe for you, your family, and ... your pets (more on that later). HealthyStuff.org is your one stop shop for information over 5,000 common items such as pet products, women’s handbags, back-to-school products, children’s toys, cars and children’s car seats. That's what's there now, and the list keeps growing!
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Join Book Club on August 25th!
Posted on Aug 12, 2009 On Tuesday, August 25 Stacy Malkan, author of Not Just a Pretty Face, will share her knowledge of safe cosmetics through a webinar! It will be hosted by our very own Cindy Luppi at Clean Water Action's Boston Office, where you will join a webinar run by Stacy Malkan, herself (so almost like being in your own living room).
When: August 25, 7:00 PM, webinar at 8:00 PM
Where: 262 Washington St. #301, Boston, MA 02108
The book tells the story of how the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics discovered toxic chemicals in our personal care products and their efforts to clean up the U.S. cosmetics industry. This is your chance to ask the author any questions you might have, learn to avoid toxic chemicals in your personal care purchases and learn how you can help change the cosmetics industry.
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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...Toxic Chemical in School Supplies
Posted on Aug 3, 2009 As September approaches, parents are preparing their children for school, yet most parents are unaware of the toxic plastic, PVC or vinyl, in their child’s backpack, lunchbox, binders, art supplies, and the list does not stop there. The Center for Health, Environment and Justice (CHEJ) released a new Back to School Guide to PVC-Free School Supplies today. This new guide gives parents recommendations for safer, PVC-free school supplies in over 20 product categories.
“This guide gives parents and teachers the guidance they need in a format that is easy to use and understand,” said Ellie Goldberg, Newton, Vice President of Legislation for the Massachusetts Parent Teacher Association (PTA).
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Save TURI Now!
Posted on Jul 24, 2009 For 20 years, Massachusetts businesses have had a unique resource to help them reduce their toxic chemicals use and release: the Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI). We are on the verge of losing this incredible resource; TURI’s funding was eliminated in the state budget. Please write to your state legislators now!
On June 29th, Governor Patrick signed the FY2010 state budget which, unfortunately, eliminated funding for the Toxic Use Reduction Institute (TURI) at UMass-Lowell. For the past two decades, TURI has worked with companies in Massachusetts to reduce their use of toxic chemicals and their toxic waste.
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CA Panel Decides BPA not Toxic
Posted on Jul 17, 2009 In California this week, a science advisory panel declared in a unanimous ruling that BPA should not be listed as a female or male reproductive or developmental toxicant. The science advisory panel in this case is the Developmental and Reproductive Toxicant (DART) Identification Committee and their job is to advise regulators in the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) on what chemicals should be put on a list.
The list in question is called Proposition 65, which was established by the state’s Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986. Proposition 65 demands that the state publish a list of chemicals known to cause developmental and reproductive toxicity.
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Tell Congress to Take Action on Toxic Chemicals!
Posted on Jul 10, 2009 Did you know that 82,000 chemicals are in use today in the U.S. and only around 200 of these chemicals have been assessed for their safety? In other words, thousands of toxic chemicals, which have not been tested for safety, have been added to products that you use everyday from children’s toys, food can linings, mattresses, make-up to shampoo! And now there are hundreds of scientific studies out there showing that these chemicals are ending up in our bodies.
In addition, the law governing toxic chemicals in the U.S., the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA), is 33 years old and completely outdated.
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CT first state to ban BPA in food cans, MA still lagging
Posted on Jun 10, 2009 Last week, Gov. M. Jodi Rell signed a bill that made Connecticut the first state to ban the chemical Bisphenol-A (BPA) from infant formula and baby food cans and jars, as well as the full range of reusable food and beverage containers! The BPA bill passed with only one vote cast in opposition. It was truly a bipartisan victory!
Now two Republican Governors, in Connecticut and Minnesota (did not include baby food cans), have signed laws banning BPA in children's products. The people of Massachusetts deserve the same protection as the people in these states. We don't even need to pass a law! So it should be much easier to do in Massachusetts.
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Letters to the Editor in the Globe
Posted on May 29, 2009 The Boston Globe published an article, “Harvard study backs bottle concern,” on a new study that shows notable amounts of bisphenol-A (BPA) leaching out of polycarbonate water bottles. This study is the first to definitively show that drinking from polycarbonate water bottles does increase levels of BPA in urine. Thus, polycarbonate water bottles are an important contributor to the amount of BPA in people’s bodies.
The last time the Globe published a story on BPA, we were successful at getting letters to the editor published. Therefore, we decided to try again this time, especially since we knew that industry groups would try to discredit the study with letters of their own.
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More News on BPA
Posted on May 21, 2009A new study released online on May 12th, 2009 in the journal of Environmental Health Perspectives tested the urine of 77 Harvard students for bisphenol-A (BPA) who drank cold beverages from polycarbonate beverage containers.
The study found that one week of polycarbonate bottle use increased urinary BPA concentrations by two thirds. Thus, regular consumption of cold beverages from polycarbonate bottles is associated with a substantial increase in urinary BPA concentrations irrespective of exposure to BPA form other sources.
Why is this important?
Read more...Call-In Day Success!
Posted on May 20, 2009Thanks to everyone that called the Governor's Office last Tuesday, May 12th and helped get friends, family, neighbors and co-workers to do the same. We had 140 plus people call the Governor and ask him to take action on toxics. We even had people say that when they called, the call volume was so high that they were too busy to take down names and addresses!
We are eagerly waiting for a response from the Governor's Office. Whatever happens, we have to keep up the pressure! Governor Patrick cannot get away with doing nothing on toxics: supporting neither the Safer Alternatives Bill nor a regulation on BPA in children's products! If we do not get a response very soon, we will be contacting you with our newest action. So stay alert!
Today is the Day to Call the Governor!
Posted on May 12, 2009We need you to call Governor Patrick RIGHT NOW and urge that he support both the Safer Alternatives Bill and a sales ban on bisphenol-A in children's products.
These two actions will not cost the state government significant funding, and will create a healthier community and future.
What to do right now: Call the governor at 617-725-4005
What to say:
Give your name, address, and phone number
I'm calling to urge Governor Patrick to Take Action on Toxics. We need him to ban BPA in children's products and actively support the Safer Alternatives bill (H-757 and S-442).
Once you're done, please tell us that you called! And one more critical step is to find other people who will call as well.
Call in Day May 12th - Take the Pledge
Posted on Apr 22, 2009 May 12th will be Call-In Day to Governor Patrick to protect our health from toxics. The Governor promised to support the Safer Alternatives Bill and to support the Department of Public Health in regulating toxic products, and now we are demanding action. We need to remind him of is pledge and urge him to ban Bisphenol A in children's products and actively support the Safer Alternatives Bill.
Let us know that you will make the call by signing a pledge today. Then help us make a bigger impact by getting your family, friends, and neighbors to do the same. Make sure to mark your calendars so you don't forget on May 12th to make the call to the Governor at 617-725-4005.
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Bad Grades Given to Food Companies
Posted on Apr 21, 2009
Fourteen of the largest public packaged food companies still use Bisphenol A (BPA) in their packaging despite studies linking BPA to developmental problems, cancer, heart disease and diabetes, according to a scorecard (PDF) released on April 21st, 2009 by shareholder groups.
Seven companies got a grade of “F”, including Campbell, Coca-Cola, Kraft, Hershey and Del Monte because they are not taking any action to protect consumers from BPA in their can linings or other packaging.
In fact, no food or beverage company got better than a “C”.
Read more...Letters to the Editor on BPA
Posted on Mar 30, 2009
Boston Globe coverage of the BPA issue continues!
On Sunday, March 29th, there were three letters to the editor published in the Globe supporting for a ban on BPA in children's products.
You can read the letters from: Mimi Pomerleau of Reading, Mary Dempsey of Bellingham, and Leo Sarkissian of the Arc of Massachusetts.
Industry groups seeking to dupe the public into thinking that BPA is safe also got two letters published. These were from representatives of the Grocery Manufacturer's Association and the American Chemistry Council.
Read more...No More Toxic Tub
Posted on Mar 12, 2009
It shouldn’t be too much to ask that baby products be free of toxic chemicals. This is apparently not the case: according to a recent report (PDF) released by Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and the Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow, dozens of commonly used baby shampoos and lotions contain hazardous ingredients, most prominently formaldehyde and 1,4 dioxane.
Companies argue that the amount of formaldehyde and 1,4 dioxane contained in these products is small enough to not cause any cause for concern. The use of these chemicals is so widespread, however, that many parents unwittingly use products that contain one or both of these chemicals every time they bathe their child.
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