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.

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?”

Resources and Fact Sheets

• Click the following link to download PDF on CHANGE's letter to the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC): Download CHANGE Letter to DTSC

• Click the following link to download PDF on CHANGE's Green Chemistry Fact Sheet: Download CHANGE Green Chemistry Fact Sheet FINAL

• Click the following link to download PDF on Green Chemistry Initiative Framework: Download CHANGE_GCI_framework FINAL

• Click the following link to download PDF on concerns for Maziar and DTSC: Download Concerns for Maziar 8-18-09

• Click the following link for CHANGE members' May 2009 concerns for Maziar and DTSC: Download GC_CHANGE_Members_Input

AMA advocates for improved U.S. chemical policy

By Sarah E. Brown

During their June 2008 Annual Meeting, the American Medical Association House of Delegates resolved to advocate for improved chemical policy and environmental health practices in the United States.

The AMA, founded in 1847 and incorporated in 1897, is the largest association of physicians and medical students in the United States.

The AMA publishes the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), which has the largest circulation of any weekly medical journal in the world.

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. 

2009 California Chemicals Legislation

This year the California legislature will consider a variety of issues including chemical policy reform. There are numerous bills in both the State Assembly and Senate aimed at reducing toxic chemicals, spurring safer alternatives and green chemistry solutions.

Download a PDF of the bills CHANGE is paying close attention to. Note, however, that the appearance on this list does not constitute an endorsement by CHANGE.

Cheat Sheet on Existing Chemicals Laws

On February 26, 2009 the US Congress held a hearing regarding the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). This is the 33-year old law in place that defines chemical policy in the United States. Not familiar with TSCA and why congress would be discussing the need for reform of this chemical policy? Here’s a cheat sheet.

Michael Belliveau of the Environmental Health Strategy Center in Maine has compiled a chart to help explain the differences between current chemicals policy outlined in TSCA, REACH the regulation system in place in Europe, and regulations in place in the SAFER states, including California.

How Safe are the Products You Use?

There are several good databases available on the Web to help you determine what's in the products you use and whether they are safe. While they don't include all products, it's a good start. Check out the following sites for these categories:

• For cosmetics, visit the Skin Deep Cosmetics Database.
• For toys, visit the Healthy Toys Database.
• For cars and car seats, visit the Healthy Cars Database.

7 Paths to Healthier Homes, Families, and Communities

1. Shop Smart

Because so much food is treated with pesticides, there's always a possibility that pesticide chemical residues remain. To be on the safe side, choose certified organic foods, and wash and peel fruits and vegetables. Reduce consumption of meat, dairy products, and fatty or predatory fish (because pollutants accumulate in fat), and eat low fat versions of these when they are consumed.  Do not put hot foods and plastics together (e.g., don’t microwave in plastic or store hot foods in plastic), because heat increases the likelihood of chemicals leaching from plastics into the food.