|
Protect Children From Pharmaceutical
Lindane
Lindane
is the active ingredient in some products used to treat head lice
and scabies. Health professional organizations throughout Michigan
have supported action to phase out pharmaceutical use of lindane in
Michigan.
HB 4569
allows use of
lindane in pharmaceutical products in Michigan only under the
supervision of a physician in his or her office.
Learn more
about Lindane,
download the fact sheet from MNCEH and
support
HB 4569 today!
Additional Fact Sheets from the Michigan Network
for Children's Environmental Health
PBDEs:
http://www.mnceh.org/documents/DECAfactsheet-03-10.pdf
About the Network:
http://www.mnceh.org/documents/MNCEH%20Flyer.01.16.pdf
Baby's Toxic Bottle: Is Your Baby's
Bottle Potentially Harmful?
http://www.chej.org/documents/BabysToxicBottleFinal.pdf
A new study “Baby's Toxic Bottle: Bisphenol A Leaching from
Popular Baby Bottles,” released by environmental health groups in
the U.S. and Canada demonstrates the toxic chemical bisphenol A
leaches from plastic baby bottles when heated.
Wal-Mart to Pull Bottles Made With
Chemical BPA
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/17/AR2008041704205.html?hpid%3Dsec-business&sub=new
Wal-Mart will stop selling baby bottles made with the
controversial chemical bisphenol A in its U.S. stores early next
year, a spokesman said yesterday. The world's largest retailer had
announced Wednesday that it was immediately halting sales of baby
bottles, sippy cups, pacifiers, food containers and water bottles
made with BPA in its Canadian stores amid speculation that the
country's health department would soon declare the chemical unsafe.
The moves follow Monday's release of a draft report from the U.S.
National Toxicology Program that expressed concern that BPA, which
is used to make plastic, could cause behavioral changes in infants
and children and trigger the early onset of puberty in females.
Guide to Infant Formula and Baby
Bottles
http://www.ewg.org/reports/infantformula
Liquid infant formula from the top manufacturers is sold in cans
lined with a toxic chemical linked to reproductive disorders and
neurobehavioral problems in laboratory animals, according to an
investigation by Environmental Working Group (EWG). The chemical is
almost as common in the packaging of powdered formula, with 4 of the
top 5 companies acknowledging its use.
Timeline: BPA from Invention to
Phase-Out
http://www.ewg.org/node/26291
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a plastics chemical invented nearly 120
years ago and currently used in enormous amounts to manufacture hard
plastic water bottles and to make epoxy linings of metal food cans,
like those for canned infant formula. Although its long-time use in
consumer products has come with assurances of its safety from
industry, studies conducted over the past 20 years now show it to be
not only a ubiquitous pollutant in the human body - it contaminates
nearly 93% of the population - but also a potent developmental toxin
at very low doses.
How To Limit Your Bispenol A (BPA)
Exposure
from the Washington Post, April 15, 2008
-
Look for BPA-free toys, baby bottles
and containers. There's been a recent explosion of such
products, which may often carry a higher price tag.
-
Reduce your use of canned food; eat
fresh or frozen foods instead. Bisphenol A has been found in the
lining of canned food tins.
-
If you use hard polycarbonate
plastics (Nalgene bottles, baby bottles, sippy cups), do not
heat them or use them for warm or hot liquids. Heating plastics
to high temperatures may promote the leaching of chemicals out
of containers and into the food or liquid they hold. Freezing
plastics poses no such risk.
-
Instead of polycarbonate and PVC
plastics, consider using alternatives such as polyethylene
plastic -- also labeled as PETE or recycling code #1, #2 (HDPE)
and #4 (LDPE). Polypropylene (recycling code #5, or PP) is also
considered a safe choice. Recycling code #7 may mean the product
contains BPA.
-
Do not wash polycarbonate plastic
containers in the dishwasher with harsh detergents.
Safer Plastics for Drinking Use
Safest plastics include polypropylene
(#5 PP), which is not known to leach harmful substances. Other
plastics that are not known to leach are #2 HDPE and #4 LDPE. These
plastics are made without toxic additives and are highly recyclable.
Safer bottled water and beverage containers:
-
Most 1, 1.5 and 2 liter bottled
water containers are made from #1 and #2 plastic
-
#4 Brita Fill & Go Water Filtration
Bottle
-
#2 Rubbermaid Pitchers (colors)
-
#5 Rubbermaid Chuggables Bottles
-
#5 Rubbermaid Sippin' Sport Bottles
-
#5 Rubbermaid Cool Contours "Chug"
Style Bottles
-
#5 Rubbermaid Water Bottles
Safety Guide to Children’s Personal
Care Products
http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/special/parentsguide/
This new children's products safety guide helps parents navigate
around bogus claims and find safer products with fewer ingredients
linked to allergies, cancer, and other concerns for children.
Baby Care Products: Possible Sources
of Infant Phthalate Exposure
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/newscience/2008/2008-0204sathyanarayanaetal.html
Phthalate exposure is widespread in infants and use of baby care
products appears to be contributing, according to an analysis of
babies' urine. Greater use of lotions, powders and shampoos were
associated with higher phthalate levels. The associations were
strongest in younger infants. The scientists who conducted the study
recommend that parents wanting to decrease phthalate exposures for
their infants should reduce the use of baby products unless needed
for medical purposes. The US does not require product labels to
indicate phthalate content.
Carcinogens Found in "Organic"
Personal Care Products
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/04/05/carcinogens-found-in-quot-organic-quot-personal-care-products.aspx
A new study commissioned by the Organic Consumers Association (OCA)
found that many leading "natural" and "organic" brand shampoos, body
washes, and lotions contain the carcinogenic contaminant
1,4-Dioxane. 1,4-Dioxane is considered a chemical "known to the
State of California to cause cancer.” It is a byproduct of the
cancer-causing petrochemical Ethylene Oxide, which is used as part
of a short-cut process called Ethoxylation, which makes harsh
ingredients milder. 1,4-Dioxane is also suspected of being a kidney
toxicant, neurotoxicant and respiratory toxicant, among others,
according to the California EPA. It is also a leading groundwater
contaminant.
MI
Report: Smoking Ban Won't Hurt Economy
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080415/NEWS06/80415061
A total ban on smoking would not economically harm Michigan
restaurants and bars and would protect both customers and employees
from diseases caused by second-hand smoke, a new report concludes.
“The evidence is overwhelming, there is no net effect on the
industry,” said Ken Sikkema, who led the study by Public Sector
Consultants of Lansing. He called the study the most complete review
of smoking bans in other states and research of the effects of
second-hand smoke. |
Call toll free at
888-597-7809 or 517-485-8160