Chemical Update: Chlorinated Tris

Blogger Profiles

News

Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Posted by Matthew Parker
(0) Leave A Comment

What do everyday household items like couches, armchairs, wall paint, baby carriers, wall hangings, and mattresses have in common? The answer is that they are all laced with a group of flame-retardants known as Chlorinated Tris. Once removed from children’s pajamas 30 years ago due to its toxicity, Chlorinated Tris is used with increasing regularity in many popular products, though it goes undisclosed by manufacturers.

Friday, July 18, 2008
Posted by Janelle Sorensen
(0) Leave A Comment

While the federal government drags its feet on chemical regulation and manufacturers and health groups continue to spar on human safety, Wal-Mart has suddenly emerged as the new FDA. Good news for Arctic animals who are finally experiencing a decline in their toxic body burden, but US kids are still at risk from coal, food coloring, and living near busy streets. In the end, global warming may be our biggest health threat.

• Surprise, surprise, the US is Lax on Chemicals. Thank goodness international trade is forcing manufacturers to assess safety according to the stronger EU rules in order to be able to continue selling there. Will they sell us the good stuff, too?

• The EPA currently tests drinking water for 90 contaminants. After reviewing 7,500 other contaminants, they have identified the worst 129 things that they’d like to test your water for. These include pharmaceuticals and chemicals used in cosmetics, perfumes, automotive coolants and pesticides. The list also covers explosives such as TNT, and rocket propellants that fuel the space shuttle such as perchlorate.

• Chemical companies and health groups spar on human safety as Congress continues to review an amendment to ban phthalates from certain products. The situation has been deadlocked since last December.

Monday, July 14, 2008
Posted by Christopher Gavigan
(0) Leave A Comment

It should come as no surprise to manufacturers, retailers, and regulators that, when given the choice, parents opt for plastics and products that do not contain hormone-disrupting chemicals. The real surprise is that while we wait for our government to catch up with our own common sense approach to protecting our children's health, they won't acknowledge mounting scientific evidence and require manufacturers to divulge what's in their products so we can make informed choices.

I can grudgingly tolerate the dogma of unfettered capitalism, simply because at this point it is so entrenched that to ask otherwise would be a waste of energy. I have totally exceeded my patience level with our government's pandering to corporations by, first of all, allowing them to use chemicals that have not been comprehensively tested for safety and, second of all, allowing them to hide product information from consumers.

Monday, July 14, 2008
Posted by Natalie Cadranel
(0) Leave A Comment

We need your help to urge House members to support a critical children's health measure—and to prove that our kids are more important than oil profits.

Right now, a bipartisan Congressional conference committee is deciding whether to include a ban on phthalates in toys in the Consumer Product Safety Commission Reform Act. Please write to the four members of the committee who are currently undecided or blocking the inclusion of the ban on phthalates in the CPSC Reform Act, and urge them to protect the health of America’s kids by voting yes on this amendment.

The Breast Cancer Fund has made it easy to act now. Visit their site to send pre-written faxes to the four committee members today.

Thank you!

Friday, July 11, 2008
Posted by Janelle Sorensen
(0) Leave A Comment

This week in the world: your life is worth less but your green home can win money, the benefits of Vitamin D and the risks of DEA, risky micromaterials and safer craft materials.

How much is your life worth? About a million dollars less than five years ago according to the US EPA. Though it may seem like a harmless bureaucratic recalculation, the devaluation has real consequences. The less a life is worth to the government, the less the need for a regulation, such
as tighter restrictions on pollution.
Micromaterials could pose health risks. A blue-ribbon scientific panel has waved a yellow flag in front of a rapidly expanding number of products containing nanomaterials, cautioning that the tiny substances might be able to penetrate cells and interfere with biological processes. Their small size, the report says, may allow them "to usurp traditional biological protective mechanisms" and, as a result, possibly have "enhanced toxicological effects."
Low Impact Living is about to wrap up a contest to find the lowest impact home. Submit your own home for a chance to win a $500 credit for green products and services. Also, they’ll be giving a second prize of $250 to a randomly-selected entrant, even if you’re at the very beginning of your green path! So, even if you’ve just started out, throw your hat in the ring and see where you stand!
From soy crayons to elephant poo-poo paper, Nature Mom describes the Eco-Art Supply solutions that will protect your pint-sized Picasso’s health.
Over at The Good Human there’s simple coverage of the chemical DEA (diethanolamine) that’s typically found in personal care products. Take a couple minutes to read this succinct summary of the potential toxicity of this common chemical.
Good old-fashioned sunshine is proving to have a variety of benefits including healthy tooth calcification and a reduction in Type-1 diabetes and cancer.

Thursday, July 10, 2008
Posted by Christopher Gavigan
(0) Leave A Comment

We are excited to introduce: EcoSearch.Org. It’s the first search engine dedicated to supporting charities attending to environmental awareness and preservation – donating 100% of profits, yes 100%. Healthy Child is one of the select few charities to benefit – along with Heal the Bay, Sierra Club, National Resource Defense Council, TreePeople, and Rainforest Alliance.

You can simply search on EcoSearch.Org just as they would any other search engine. The search results come directly from Google®, so they get the same high quality search results that they get from Google’s website. You can even add EcoSearch to your web browser’s search box. EcoSearch generates ad revenue, and generously donates 100% of its profits. For every million users, they are able to donate almost 15 million dollars to charity every year, so please visit EcoSearch.org and use it whenever you search!

Friday, July 04, 2008
Posted by Janelle Sorensen
(0) Leave A Comment

Does your sunscreen work? Probably not. An investigation of nearly 1,000 brand-name sunscreen products finds that 4 out of 5 contain chemicals that may pose health hazards or don't adequately protect skin from the sun's damaging rays. Some of the worst offenders are leading brands like Coppertone, Banana Boat, and Neutrogena. The Environmental Working Group offers their top ten sunscreen picks.
Fireworks are fun, but those lingering clouds of smoke are bad for the Earth and us. Scientists are finding new ways to make the rockets' red glare and bombs bursting in air more eco-friendly.
Popcorn bags face possible new rules. A state senator is proposing that California become the first state to ban a class of potential carcinogens used in some popcorn bags, pizza boxes and other grease-resistant food packaging.
Believe it or not, Chicken is Dunked in Chlorine. You’d better know where your meat comes from if you want to avoid unwanted chemicals.
Save The Planet, Lose The Guilt. Just because we all sin against the environment doesn't mean we should believe every "green" idea.
Your Laptop’s Dirty Little Secret. Phones and computers contain dangerous metals like lead, cadmium and mercury, which can contaminate the air and water when those products are dumped. The U.S. is by far the world's top producer of e-waste, but much of it ends up elsewhere — specifically, in developing nations where the poor, often including children, dismantle dumped PCs and phones, stripping the components for the valuable — and toxic — metals contained inside.
A look back at the last 50 years of studies reveals how phthalates in PVC can lead to asthma and allergies.
After years of denying there was anything even resembling an issue of concern here, the Food and Drug Administration has had an abrupt change of heart on mercury dental fillings.
The US EPA just launched a new website exploring how Climate Change may impact the Health of Children.

Thursday, July 03, 2008
Posted by Matthew Parker
(0) Leave A Comment

Have you ever stopped and thought about the amount of times you are exposed to plastics in a typical day? For most of us, the “morning ritual” may consist of showering with our favorite shampoo, using antiperspirant, checking our daily email while sipping on a cup of hot coffee (or our favorite energy drink), and packing our lunch in the most convenient plastic and Tupperware containers. Before we have been awake but one hour, we have unconsciously exposed ourselves to hundreds of plastics. But we rarely ask ourselves the question, will these common plastics have any adverse effects on our health or the health of our children? The outlook, while still somewhat cloudy, is nonetheless gravely dim. Chemicals used in the manufacture of plastics, such as bisphenol A (BPA), present in our everyday lives and activities, are shown to have detrimental effects on natural human development and growth, often referred to as endocrine disruption. Chemicals found in computer screens and car seats, shower curtains and shampoos, plastic water bottles and prophylactics are all putting us, and, more importantly, our children, at risk of developmental delays and reproductive obstacles, including, but not limited to, decreasing sperm counts and a higher susceptibility to certain cancers.

Friday, June 27, 2008
Posted by Janelle Sorensen
(0) Leave A Comment

A look back at health news this week. This week: updates on lead, pesticides, organic foods, allergies and pending legislation.

The Center for Environmental Health found lead in artificial turf and outdoor carpet sold by major retailers like Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Ace Hardware. They have filed a lawsuit in California compelling manufacturers and retailers to recall the toxic turf and stop using lead in their products.
A little bit of pesticide can go a long way – causing genetic disruption for generations. Speaking at the Rodale Institute, Dr. Warren Porter cited growing evidence that extremely low doses of pesticides can impact gene expression that could cause multi-generational effects.
The USDA refuses to admit what 50 million organic consumers know: organic food is healthier. While the agencies entrusted with safeguarding our food and health pass the potato, a fast-growing body of scientific literature suggests that the connection between farm practices and the healthfulness of our foods merits attention.
New evidence blames traffic-related pollution for increasing the risk of allergy and atopic diseases among children by more than fifty percent. What's more, the closer children live to roads, the higher their risk. You can reduce your own vehicle emissions (and save mucho dinero at the pump) by following these ten easy hypermile tricks.
The Kids Safe Chemical Act is still being reviewed by congress. Send your legislator a quick pre-written email to urge them to support this vital legislation. Make it even more powerful by personalizing the message.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Posted by Emily Lynne Ion
(0) Leave A Comment

The Home Depot announced an ambitious nation-wide recycling program for used compact fluorescent bulbs, or CFLs, the ultra-efficient light bulbs that are quickly replacing their standard incandescent counterparts. Disposing of CFLs, however, is problematic because they contain a small amount of mercury, a pollutant and neurotoxin. The Home Depot's initiative provides a safe and convenient means for consumers to recycle their old CFLs without worry about health hazards or environmental pollution.