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Walmart to Limit Toxic Cadmium in
Kids' Products
http://www.wcnc.com/news/consumer/Wal-Mart-to-limit-toxic-cadmium-in-kids-products-92414509.html
The world's largest retailer revealed Monday that it has started
to crack down on the use of the toxic metal cadmium in children's
jewelry and other kids' products. The new policy doesn't affect
what's on the shelves of Wal-Mart stores right now. Instead,
children's jewelry and craft-making kits, toys and child-care
articles such as bibs and pacifiers manufactured as of April 9 are
being tested for cadmium, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said. Setting new
standards is a voluntary move. Though cadmium can harm bones and
kidneys and is a known carcinogen, there are no government
regulations on how much of it is allowed in children's jewelry.
Wal-Mart's decision was spurred by investigative reports by The
Associated Press that showed high levels of cadmium in some pieces
of children's jewelry, including several which Wal-Mart later
recalled.
Behavior Problems Associated With
Exposure to Phthalates Before Birth
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/newscience/prebirth-phthalate-exposure-associated-with-childs-behavior-problems/
A new study has found an association between children’s potential
for developing disruptive behavior disorders and exposure before
birth to the types of phthalates found in fragrances, shampoos,
lotions and cosmetics.
Report on School Safety: Wakeup Call
on Possible Cell Tower Danger
http://www.publicnewsservice.org/index.php?/content/article/13691-1
There is new evidence it's not just cell phones that might harm
children's health, but the invisible radiation from cell towers and
antennas sited near schools across the country. A four-year study
released on April 28th ranks children's potential exposure to
radiation at more than 6,000 schools in U.S. state capitols. Dr.
Magda Havas, author of the "BRAG Antenna Ranking of Schools," says
many cell antennas are located too close to schools. "In some
states, for example, there's more than 100 antennas within a
quarter-mile of the school. Now, that's very high levels of
radiation."
Leading Learning and Developmental
Disabilities Organizations Welcome Landmark Chemical Legislation
Introduced to Protect Health and Healthy Development; Coalition
Supports Bill, But Seeks Improvements
http://www.ldaofmichigan.org/ld-ddchemicalact4-22-10.pdf
Leaders in the learning and developmental disabilities sector
welcome the landmark “Safe Chemicals Act of 2010,” introduced today
by Senator Lautenberg and Congressmen Waxman and Rush. The event
marks a long path to legislation that would reform the way the
federal government protects the public from toxic chemicals,
currently regulated by the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976 (TSCA).
Safe Chemicals Act: Landmark Chemical
Legislation Introduced to Protect the Health of American Families
http://www.saferchemicals.org/safe-chemicals-act/index.html
Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Representatives Bobby Rush
(D-IL) and Henry Waxman (D-CA) have unveiled the Safe Chemical Act
of 2010, an ambitious bill aimed at revamping the 34-year-old Toxic
Substances Control Act of 1976. This is not the first time Congress
has attempted to fix our nation’s flawed system for regulating toxic
chemicals, but it is the first time that both chemical industry
lobbyists and public health advocates agree that we can’t delay
change any longer — the scientific evidence is too overwhelming; the
public outcry too loud. Learn more:
Study Says BPA Makes Mice Anxious,
Forgetful
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/newscience/early-life-bpa-exposure-affects-mice-anxiety-memory/
Mice exposed to low levels of bisphenol A (BPA) during early
development had impaired memory and altered levels of anxiety later
in life, finds a study published in the journal Synapse. These
behavioral effects could be related to the changes seen in certain
regions of the rodents' brains that control cognition and
impulsiveness. The results support a growing body of research that
suggests exposure to BPA early in life alters brain development and
affects behaviors in a number of ways. It also adds more evidence to
concerns about exposure of humans to BPA during fetal development
and infancy. The period of exposure in this study is similar to the
third trimester and right after birth in people.
SaferChemicals.org Says Congressional
Action Needed on a Chemical of High Concern: Bisphenol A (BPA)
http://www.saferchemicals.org/resources/bpa.html
There is growing agreement across the political spectrum that the
Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) of 1976 does not adequately
protect Americans from toxic chemicals. Congress has now begun to
hold hearings and consider legislation to address TSCA’s many
shortcomings. We believe that, to be effective, new legislation must
rapidly reduce or eliminate human exposure to chemicals of high
concern. These include chemicals strongly linked to causing cancer,
damaging developing fetuses, or harming the reproductive or nervous
system. Bisphenol A (BPA) is one such chemical. Learn about other
chemicals of concern at
http://www.saferchemicals.org/resources/chemicals/.
Michigan Network for Children's
Environmental Health Says "Tell Congress to Phase Out PBTs"
http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/1421/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=2414
Protect Michigan's Children and the
Great Lakes from Persistent, Bioaccumulative Toxins (PBTs). Some of
the most notorious chemicals ever studied - lead, PCBs, mercury,
DDT, Dioxin, and cadmium - are PBTs. Ask Congress to reform our
broken chemicals regulatory system and phase out the use of PBTs.
Is the Capitol Toxic? Study of Toxic
Chemicals in Capitol, Lawmaker Offices Just Released
http://www.ecocenter.org/press/releases/documents/CapitalDecaReport.pdf
Read the report "Flame Retardants in Michigan Legislative Buildings:
Levels of Deca-BDE, other PBDEs and metals in dust and furnishings"
from the Michigan-based Ecology Center. "Toxic chemicals are
pervasive in our consumer products and environment, and testing in
Capitol area buildings shows it. Bills to reduce toxic exposures
have advanced but are currently stalled because of partisan
politics."
New Resources on Pesticide Exposure
Available from the CHE Mental Health and Environment Working Group
Health Care Resource: Links Between
Pesticide Exposure and Mental Health:
http://www.healthandenvironment.org/?module=uploads&func=download&fileId=813
and Mental Health Effects Arising from Pesticide Exposure: A Guide
for Healthcare Providers and Mental Health Practitioners (3-fold
brochure):
http://www.healthandenvironment.org/?module=uploads&func=download&fileId=816
EPA Lead Paint Rule Requires
Certified Renovators and Work Practice Requirements
http://www.annarbor.com/business-review/epa-lead-paint-rule-requires-certified-renovators-and-work-practice-requirements/
On April 22, federal regulations began to require that
renovations of certain existing buildings be conducted by certified
renovation firms, using renovators with accredited training, and
following stringent new work practice requirements. The new lead
paint rule was issued in 2008 by the Environmental Protection Agency
under the Toxic Substances Control Act and is now in its last phase
of implementation. The 77-page rule is comprehensive and may apply
to anyone that performs renovations of target housing or
child-occupied facilities for compensation or dust sampling.
Which fish to eat? Study Finds Low
Mercury in Most Top-selling Seafood
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/newscience/which-fish-varieties-contribute-to-mercury-exposure-in-us/
Experts send a mixed message to consumers when it comes to eating
fish: it's good for your heart health but beware of the
methylmercury. A new way of organizing and ranking the pollutant's
levels in fish and shellfish may help consumers navigate this
apparent contradiction, according to the study's author.
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