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Story of the Safe Cosmetics Act
In the third story of our ongoing series, "Independence from Toxic Chemicals," Ryan Berghoff describes California's Safe Cosmetics Act, the first law in the country to address toxic chemicals in cosmetics.
Every day millions of people cover their bodies in a variety of cosmetics and personal care products hoping to look more attractive, but there is a price to pay for beauty (and I’m not talking about how expensive cosmetic products are). Independent testing in the United States and the European Union has determined that some cosmetic products contain substances known or suspected to cause cancer and reproductive toxicity that can harm the mother, fetus, and nursing children. Dangerous chemicals have a knack for showing up in our every day products, from toys that our children play with to the cosmetics in our bathroom cabinets, and that is why California has taken the lead in passing legislation to protect its residents.
Read more...The Power of Proposition 65: What you don't see
As part of our ongoing series, "Independence from Toxic Chemicals," Pamela King Palitz describes California's groundbreaking Proposition 65.
People love to poke fun at Proposition 65, the 1986 right-to-know law that requires manufacturers, retailers and other businesses to provide notice to Californians when they are being exposed to toxic chemicals. Everyone has seen the warning signs at the airport, or on a gas pump, or in a parking structure and thought, “Thanks for the warning, buddy. Really, though … do I have any choice about being here?”
Read more...Independence from Toxic Chemicals
On this Independence Day holiday we are kicking off our Independence from Toxic Chemicals Summer Series. If you’re reading this, you’ve probably heard about all of the exciting things happening in California right now as we strive to create a system that protects the health of our people and environment from toxic chemicals. A lot is in play and this series should provide background and context for these efforts.
Featured right, Bad Actor Chemical Perchlorate from The Toxies, helping us start this Independence Series with a bang.
In the weeks to come you will get a peek
Read more...Write a Letter to the Editor or Op Ed!
Are you passionate about helping CHANGE protect every Californian from toxic chemicals? If so, please consider writing and placing an Op Ed/Letter to the Editor in your local newspaper, magazine or alternative weekly.
To help you, you can download our fact-sheet on the subject: Download How to Write Op Eds and Letters to the Editor
Possible Op Ed/Letter to the Editor topics:
- Suggest DTSC, OEHHA and the governor implement strong regulations for AB 1879 and SB 509 that use CHANGE's principles
- Encourage the governor to sign SB 757 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...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...
New Study Finds Phthalates in Pregnant Women Harms Babies
A new study by researchers in Taiwan reveals that phthalates in pregnant women can damage the reproductive development in their daughters. Phthalates are organic chemicals produced from oil and are the most commonly used plasticizers in the world. (Source: http://www.phthalates.com/ index.asp?page=4) Other studies have found that phthalates can also damage the liver, kidneys, and lungs. California became the first state in the nation to ban phthalates and other toxic substances in toys in October 2007.
AB 1108, authored by Assemblywoman Fiona Ma and signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2007, took effect January 1st 2009.
Read more...Upcoming Green Chemistry Initiative Workshops
Looking to get off the sideline and get more involved with the Green Chemistry Initiative? The Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) is holding public workshops soliciting information from the community. The workshops will be held at the DTSC regional offices.
All the 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...California Needs More ‘Green Chemistry’ Action Heroes
Editor's Note: California's new "green chemistry" legislation will
set up online databases to inform consumers of dangerous products, but
won't take the products off the shelves. Ansje Miller, policy director
of the Center for Environmental Health and coordinator of Californians
for a Healthy and Green Economy (CHANGE) welcomes the initiatives but
has some reservations.
Marilyn Furer isn't a household name. Yet within weeks, this grandmother from Illinois did what our government seems unable to do: She got toxic baby products off store shelves.
Read more...
California Efforts to Ban Bisphenol A
Last year, CHANGE members, Breast Cancer Fund, Commonweal, and Environmental Working Group sponsored SB 1713, authored by Senator Carole Migden of San Francisco, to ban bisphenol A (BPA) in baby bottles, sippy cups, infant formula cans and baby food jars.
BPA, which is used to harden epoxy resin and polycarbonate plastics, has been recognized as a synthetic estrogen since the 1930s. In laboratory tests, trace BPA exposure been shown to disrupt the endocrine system and trigger a wide variety of disorders, including chromosomal and reproductive system abnormalities, impaired brain and neurological functions, cancer, cardiovascular system damage, adult-onset diabetes, early puberty and obesity.
Read more...