Share Our Content
Follow Us on Twitter
Find Us on Facebook
Watch Us on YouTubeCHANGE (Californians for a Healthy & Green Economy)
A growing coalition of environmental health, policy, labor, environmental justice, interfaith, and other organizations who are working to create a better system for regulating toxic chemicals in California.Community voices, especially low-income and communities of color, are vital to the process of determining how chemicals should be regulated in California.
Workers, low income and communities of color are disproportionately-impacted by the health effects of chemicals in the environment and in products. We recognize that these efforts will only be worthwhile if community voices are at the table helping craft solutions to the problem. We are in the process of bringing more communities of color to participate in the process and invite you to join us.
Do dolphins use soap?
Alarming discovery of antibacterial agent in wild Atlantic bottlenose dolphins shows need for improved chemical policy
An antibacterial agent commonly used in personal and household products has been found in bottlenose dolphins off the South East coast of the United States. Triclosan, which is commonly added to soaps, toothpastes, deodorants and other personal care products, as well as consumer products like socks, cutting boards, and garbage bags to help control bacteria, entered the waters through household sink wastewater.
Researchers report that this is the first time that a marine mammal is accumulating triclosan from water bodies where treated sewage is released. The study examined animals from rivers, an estuary, a harbor and a lagoon in South Carolina and Florida.
Read more...What is a Green Job in the Solar Industry?
With all of the buzz around Green Jobs, one member of CHANGE, the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition (SVTC) decided to create The Green Jobs Platform for Solar. The platform outlines a green job as one that goes beyond the traditional definition of simply being good for the climate, but one that is healthy for the environment broadly as well as the worker’s health and takes into account the entire lifecycle of the job.
Unfortunately, solar panels are full of toxic materials, and many are produced overseas. If the job is truly green, it has to be that way from start to finish.
Read more...
California Senate Passes Ban on BPA
With a vote of 21-16, the California State Senate approved a ban on the use of a chemical in food and beverage containers that scientists say can harm childhood development.
Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a chemical that was developed in the 1930s as a synthetic estrogen. It was soon supplanted by another estrogen, DES, but then someone discovered that it could be the building block of polycarbonate plastic. Companies started using it in baby bottles, water bottles, teething rings, food can linings, dental sealants, epoxy resins, CDs, eyeglass lenses, carbonless ink & many other things.
Read more...Lead Wheel Weights Ban Passes CA Senate
Today the California Senate voted 21 to 13 to phase out Lead wheel weights in California. SB 757 is co sponsored by CHANGE members Center for Environmental Health (CEH) and Clean Water Action (CWA). This bill bans the use of lead wheel weights in the state of California. Currently lead from wheel weights is the largest new source of lead pollution, putting 500,000 pounds of lead into our state waterways every year.
SB 757 makes lead wheel weights illegal after January 2010, removing this large source of pollution from the environment. Information on how this ban keeps Californians safer can be found on the CEH Website.
Read more...DTSC Postpones More Green Chemistry Initiative Workshops
Upset that you missed the the last Green Chemistry Initiative Workshop. The Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) is holding two more public workshops soliciting information from the community. These new workshops will be held at the DTSC regional office in Berkeley and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.
These new meetings have the same time 10:00am-3:00pm, it’s just the location that changes. Meetings like these are an important place for those interested in the Green Chemistry Initiative, to voice their opinion. See the CHANGE Platform for Help with Talking Points.
Email CHANGE with any additional questions and let us know you'll be there.
Read more...
