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Michigan "Smoke-Free" Bill Passes
House & Senate
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(rvq55pnvwmugbp551sthpe45))/mileg.aspx?page=GetObject&objectname=2009-HB-4377
On December 10, 2009, House Bill 4377 passed in both the House and
Senate. This bill bans smoking in most public places statewide. It
is currently on its way to Governor Granholm’s desk to be signed
into law. [Source: Tobacco-Free Michigan]
'Tis The Season...To See What's In
Your Child's Toys
http://www.healthystuff.org/departments/toys/
HealthyStuff.org, a web-based project of The Ecology Center (a
Michigan-based nonprofit organization) has released their 3rd Annual
Consumer Guide to Toxic Chemicals in Toys. The website contains a
summary of their latest findings, along with a searchable database
which can be used to search for toys by brand, type, or keyword.
While Ecology Center researchers report that detectable lead has
been steadily decreasing in toys over the past few years, they claim
that nearly one-third (1/3) of all toys tested this holiday season
still contained one or more harmful chemical (including lead,
cadmium, arsenic, and mercury). So, before you brave crowded malls
and rows of eager, shopping cart-pushing customers fighting over the
latest, greatest toy for the special children in their lives this
holiday season, be sure to check out whether or not that particular
toy contains anything toxic.
Why Should A Stuffed Toy Hamster Need A Bill Of Health?
http://blog.saferchemicals.org/2009/12/why-should-a-stuffed-toy-hamster-need-an-11page-bill-of-health.html
Why should a stuffed toy hamster need an 11-page bill of health?
What’s antimony doing in a stuffed animal anyway? Why have Tinker
Bell’s wand, products of Santa’s Toys, a set of action figures, tiny
dinosaurs, monkeys, and doll clothes, all been declared unsafe for
children? Why should choosing a safe toy require a digitally
accessible database and the patience of a tenacious detective?
Just in Time for Gift Giving: Are Your Pet's Toys Toxic?
http://www.aspca.org/news/national/10-16-09.html#1
Whether your pet prefers squeaky rubber squirrels, stiff rawhide
bones or fuzzy mice, he or she undoubtedly loves to play with toys.
But is the source of your dog's or cat’s merriment safe? Many common
household products—including toys for children and pets—may contain
trace amounts of lead and other toxins. In most cases, however, the
levels of these ingredients in toys don’t pose a significant threat
to your furry friend.
Editorial: Senate Should Act on Toxic
Toy Bills
http://www.theoaklandpress.com/articles/2009/12/04/opinion/doc4b18e056f1968494598998.txt
Legislation passed by the Michigan House, but now bogged down in
the Senate, would require manufacturers to disclose what their toys
are made from. It sounds like a simple request. And while we’re not
excited about more legislative regulations, these seem to be needed.
We understand bottom lines are critical these days, but there
shouldn’t be much extra cost involved, and we’re talking about the
safety of our children.
Furniture Manufacturer Herman Miller
Among Those Leading Way in Phasing Out Chemical
http://www.hollandsentinel.com/news/x1758555711/Drive-underway-to-ban-controversial-chemical
Have you ever worried that flame-retardant chemicals in computers or
furniture might be hazardous to your health? A Brownstown lawmaker
does worry and wants Michigan to phase out the use of one such
chemical, deca-BDE. Deca-BDE is used in electronics and home
furnishings to make them difficult to burn.
Action Alert from LDA of America: Get
Neurotoxic Chemical bisphenol-A Out of Food & Beverage Containers
You've probably seen the latest headlines about the neurotoxic
chemical bisphenol-A (BPA) leaching into our food and beverages. On
Nov. 5th, Consumer Reports published a study looking at BPA levels
in 19 different name-brand foods and found that a diverse assortment
of canned foods, including some labeled as "organic" and "BPA-free,"
contained measurable levels of BPA. The study concluded that
children eating multiple servings per day of canned foods with BPA
could get a dose of BPA near levels that have caused adverse effects
in animal studies. A few days later, New York Times published a
compelling piece sounding the alarm on this hormone-disrupting
chemical. The science is clear. More than 200 peer reviewed studies
show that this extremely toxic, synthetic estrogen is so powerful it
can cross the placenta at parts per billion or parts per trillion
and negatively impact prenatal development, including brain
development. Adverse health effects associated with BPA exposure
include neurological problems causing changes in behavior, increased
risk of breast and prostate cancer, genital abnormalities in male
babies, early puberty in girls, and metabolic disorders such as
insulin resistance and altered fat metabolism. BPA can be found in
baby bottles, water bottles, food storage containers, and in epoxy
resins that coat the lining of metal food containers, including
infant formula cans. It is one of the most pervasive synthetic
chemicals in modern life with more than 2 billion pounds a year
produced in the US alone. Right now the Senate is considering S.593
- the BPA Act of 2009, legislation that would ban BPA from food and
beverage containers. Consider sending an email asking your Senator
to co-sponsor the Ban Poisonous Substances (BPA) Act of 2009. You
can also reach any Senator's office through the Capitol switchboard
at (202) 224-3121. |
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LDA of Michigan's Healthy Children
Project Speaks Out on Behalf of Breastfeeding Moms
Read HCP testimony
submitted in support of HB 5515.
LDA of Michigan's Healthy Children
Project Speaks Out on Proposed Phase Out of Chemical deca-BDE
Read HCP testimony
submitted in support of HB 4699.
Free Upcoming Conference Call
12/15/09: Autism and Environment: What do we know? What don't we
know?
Controversies surrounding
autism abound. Are the rates truly increasing or is the apparent
rise due to greater awareness and better diagnosis? What are the
causes of autism? How much is due to genetics and how much to
environment? Do vaccines play a role? Is it purely a neuropathology
or are other systems involved? Can we intervene to prevent autism or
reduce the severity? These questions and more will be addressed on
this call. The call will take place on December 15, 2009 from 2-3pm
EST. To participate, call toll free 1.800.868.1837 or1.404.920.6440
and enter passcode 956136#. To download the materials, visit
http://aaidd.org/ehi and click on
“next teleconference”. Look under “materials” for the documents
related to this call. For more information, contact Laura Abulafia
at Laura@aaidd.org.
Subscribe to "Toxic Times"
http://www.mnceh.org/toxictimes/news.php
"Toxic Times" is a periodic recap of the
top stories on toxics from the Michigan Network for Children's
Environmental Health. Download the latest edition at
http://www.mnceh.org/toxictimes/documents/TT_Nov18-Dec7.pdf.
CHE Partnership Calls
http://www.healthandenvironment.org/news/calls
You can also listen to previous calls,
download documentation and view call blogs at this website.
LDA of Michigan's Healthy Children
Project Offering Conference Co-Sponsorships
http://www.ldaofmichigan.org/conf.cosponsorships.pdf
LDA would like to co-sponsor up to three (3)
statewide conferences of 501(c)3 non-profit organizations which are
dedicated to children’s health issues and family memberships. Those
selected will receive $500 from the LDA HCP to help support their
overall conference. To learn more, download the
PDF information
sheet and
Microsoft
Word application form.
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Call toll free at
888-597-7809 or 517-485-8160