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Blog

Claire Moss

Thursday, February 18, 2010

U.S. chemical regulation is not protecting human health as it should. Take action! The Scoop will keep you up-to-date on the latest news and ways to get involved. Check out our Policy Section, for further information about national and state initiatives.

Cadmium
Have you heard that cadmium, high on the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) hazardous substance list, has found its way into children’s jewelry?

Cadmium is a substitute for lead, which was banned from toys and jewelry in 2008. The good news is there are other less-toxic substitutes available, such as zinc. However, a loophole in the law means using cadmium is legal:

If the items were painted toys, they would face a recall. If they were industrial garbage, they could qualify as hazardous waste. But there is currently no cadmium restriction on jewelry so all of these products are currently legal to sell and purchase in the United States.

To make sure the toxic metals are avoided in children’s jewelry, a bill to ban them was introduced February 4th by Senators Franken, Gillibrand and Schumer.

Senator Fran Pavley, who helped ban lead in California, has introduced a bill to prevent products with cadmium from being sold in California.

Take Action: Learn more about cadmium and the product recalls. Contact your representatives in support of the bill – children’s jewelry should be found safe before it is allowed onto store shelves and into our homes.

TSCA
When manufacturers merely swap one toxic ingredient for another instead of finding a safe alternative, they’re misrepresenting a seemingly sincere commitment to reform. A comprehensive policy is needed, and reforming the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) effectively could do just that.

Two weeks ago I detailed a Senate hearing on exposure to chemicals. Listen to the hearing, here.

If you’re still confused about TSCA and why it must be overhauled, read this excellent article from the Environmental Working Group.

John Wargo talks about TSCA reform and how it relates to plastics. Plastics, like pesticides, are risky products, and safe manufacturing requires oversight.

Further explanation of the FDA confidentiality policy that I mentioned in the last update can be found here.

Take Action: Have you contacted your legislature yet? Do your friends and family know about the concerns of development and chemical exposure, and how this is related to TSCA reform? Share the information and get them involved!

National Children’s Study
Have you heard about the National Children’s Study? The first of its kind, this longitudinal study will follow children from prenatal through age 21. Through the course of the study, they hope to find critical information to further isolate the causes of autism, ADD and asthma.

Learn about how they are finding participants and what is involved.

It's so easy to feel overwhelmed about toxins and their widespread impact. But take note of the legislation mentioned above - there can and will be positive change in chemical policy. Check out our Public Policy section, where you'll find further information about national and state initiatives. Get your friends and family involved by discussing chemicals and the lack of chemical regulation. Stay positive and come back for an update in two weeks!