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Report Released: Poison in Paint, Toxics in Toys
December 13, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, December 13, 2011 Contacts: Blair FitzGibbon: 202.503-6141; CJ Frogozo:310.570.2622; Amanda Sears: 207.699.5797 Poison in Paint, Toxics in Toys Shoppers Warned that Hormone-Havoc Chemicals Lurk in Products State Law Triggers Chemical Reporting, While Congress Lags Behind Portland, Maine – A report released today identifies for the first time more than 650 brand name products that contain two hormone-disrupting toxic chemicals. Based on new industry data, the report names plastic toys, such as PLAYMOBIL play figures and Chicco baby rattles, which contain BPA (or bisphenol A), the same toxic chemical already banned in plastic baby bottles and sippy...

Safe Chemicals Act Hearing Builds Momentum for Reform
November 17, 2011
For Immediate Release November 17, 2011 Safe Chemicals Act Hearing Builds Momentum for Reform Washington, DC - Today's Senate hearing on the Safe Chemicals Act was a milestone in the reform effort. Infertility, cancer, and learning disabilities are just some of the health problems linked to toxic chemicals that touch millions of American families. Senators should know that all those families are rooting for their success when they take this issue on. Senator Lautenberg and Senator Inhofe deserve enormous credit for the dialogue they have undertaken on reform over the last several months and the rare bipartisan atmosphere it has...

EPA Proposal to Expand List of Chemicals of Concern Applauded
August 22, 2011
EPA Proposal to Expand List of Chemicals of Concern Applauded Shows Need for Reform of the Toxic Substances Control Act The national Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families coalition praised the proposal made on August 18th by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to apply science-based criteria to expand its list of chemicals of concern that require action to protect public health and the environment. The coalition lauded EPA’s inclusion of criteria to target chemicals that are persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBTs) or which cause persistent exposure due to widespread use in consumer products. Once finalized, EPA will use the criteria proposed...

Concerned Moms, Nurses Launch “Stroller Brigades” to Protect Children Against Toxic Chemicals
August 10, 2011
For Immediate Release August 10, 2011 Concerned Moms, Nurses Launch “Stroller Brigades” to Protect Children Against Toxic Chemicals Jessica Alba Joins Effort, Calls on Presidential Candidates to Endorse Reform New Poll Shows Bi-Partisan Support in Key States Washington, DC – On Wednesday, concerned moms in 17 states are hosting “stroller brigades” to demand that Congress fix the nation’s broken system for protecting the public from toxic chemicals. The moms are supported by the American Nurses Association and other health organizations in a “National Day of Action” and by Actress Jessica Alba, herself a mother expecting her second child this month....

National Medical Association Joins the Campaign
August 10, 2011
Eight new national health and health professional organizations have joined an increasingly urgent nationwide call for new policies to reduce the use of toxic chemicals linked to serious diseases and disabilities. The organizations joined Safer Chemicals Healthy Families (SCHF), a coalition of nearly 300 health and environmental organizations, businesses and parent groups, advocating for reform of the Toxic Substances Control Act to require testing of chemicals for safety and health effects before they are used in products. The newest members of the SCHF campaign are: The National Medical Association, the Public Health Nursing Section of the American Public Health Association,...

Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families thanks Kathleen Sebelius
July 1, 2011
A study from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) called the Report on Carcinogens, confirmed for the first time that the U.S. government considers formaldehyde a known human carcinogen and styrene as a reasonably anticipated human carcinogen. The report gives a science-based analysis on substances in our environment that could put Americans at risk for cancer. Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families thanked HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and the Administration for releasing the study about the risk that toxic chemicals pose for our health. You can check out the letter here: June 23, 2011 Dear Madam Secretary: On behalf of...

This Father’s Day: 10 Things Men Can Do to Protect their Reproductive Health
June 15, 2011
Listen up, men! Believe it or not, every day you are exposed to a host of harmful or untested chemicals. These chemicals can be found in everyday items, from your vinyl shower curtain to your smartphone and wrinkle-free dress shirt. You’ve probably heard about women, especially pregnant women, taking steps to reduce exposure to these kinds of chemicals to protect their own health and the health of their children. But men and boys are also at risk—particularly for conditions related to sexual and reproductive health and fertility. Mounting scientific evidence demonstrates that exposure to chemicals in every day products can...

Autism & Toxic Chemical Exposure: What is the Relationship?
June 2, 2011
Listen to the June 7, 2011 teleconference: Autism and Toxic Chemical Exposure: What is the Relationship? Press Teleconference with Scientists, Parents and Chemical Policy Experts — Tuesday, June 7 — 1:30pm EST (10:30am PST) Almost 1% of 8-year-old children are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, a 10-fold increase over just a 15-year period. About 30% of this dramatic rise in autism cannot be explained by changes in the age of diagnosis and the inclusion of milder cases. Meanwhile, evidence has been accumulating that lead, mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), arsenic, toluene and other chemicals have a profound effect on the developing...

Jessica Alba and America’s moms call on Congress to pass Safe Chemicals Act
May 24, 2011
May 24, 2011 Washington, DC – Actress and activist Jessica Alba, a spokesperson for the Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families Coalition, joined leading public health experts on Capitol Hill today to ask key Members of Congress to co-sponsor the Safe Chemicals Act of 2011 (S. 847), recently introduced by Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ). Alba’s partnership with the coalition comes at a critical time when American consumers, specifically moms, are demanding government leadership on increasing protections from toxic chemicals. Due to out-of-date federal law, the Toxic Substances Control Act, consumers are often left in the dark on whether or not chemicals used...

Tens of Thousands Call on President Obama to Protect Americans from Cancer-Causing Chemicals
May 18, 2011
American Nurses Association, Breast Cancer Fund, League of Conservation Voters, Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network and Other Groups to Deliver Petition to White House with Over 70,000 Signatures Last May the Presidential Cancer Panel presented President Obama with a report detailing the science and policies around chemicals and cancer. They concluded that the contribution chemicals make to cancer risk has been greatly understated and urged the President to “most strongly use the power of your office” to eliminate human exposure to cancer-causing chemicals. One year later, little has changed. Of over 80,000 chemicals on the market today, only a few hundred...

New Study Finds Hazardous Flame Retardants in Products Made for Infants and Children
May 17, 2011
Pending “Safe Chemicals Act of 2011” Would Ensure Chemicals Are Safe Before Being Used in Products (Washington, DC) -- A study of products designed for newborns, babies, and toddlers – including car seats, breast feeding pillows, changing pads, crib wedges, bassinet mattresses and other items made with polyurethane foam – were found to contain multiple toxic chemical flame retardants, according to a peer-reviewed study published in Environmental Science & Technology Journal. Flame retardants are considered some of the most dangerous chemicals on the market, because they are persistent in the environment and bio-accumulate in people and wildlife. Adverse impacts of...

Chemical Workers Contradict Industry on Job Impacts of Safe Chemicals Act
May 12, 2011
New Economic Analysis Shows Federal Chemical Policy Reform Would Promote Innovation and Jobs (WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families, a coalition of nearly 300 environmental health groups, is urging Congress to take a close look at a new study released today which demonstrates that federal chemical policy reform can support job creation while protecting public health and the environment. The study produced by the Political Economy Research Institute (PERI) and commissioned by the BlueGreen Alliance, counters the chemical industry’s primary argument against updating the 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The Alliance includes both the United Steelworkers and the...

American Academy Of Pediatrics Joins Debate over Chemicals; Doctors Group Contradicts Chemical Industry on Provisions of Reform
April 25, 2011
Statement from Andy Igrejas, Director of the Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families Coalition: “We can now add the well-researched and trusted voice of the nation’s pediatricians to those calling for reform of the U.S. chemical law. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that a new law must prioritize children’s health by protecting children and their families from dangerous chemicals. With this recommendation, AAP has joined the nation’s leading health organizations, including the American Medical Association, the American Public Health Association, and the American Nurses Association, in calling for an overhaul of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), which is widely...

"Safe Chemicals Act of 2011" Introduced Today Legislation Would Protect American Families from Toxic Chemicals
April 14, 2011
April 14, 2011 Coalition News Conference on the Safe Chemicals Act (Washington, DC) -- Signaling their clear intention to protect families from toxic chemicals linked to serious health problems, Senators Frank Lautenberg, Barbara Boxer, Amy Klobuchar, Charles Schumer and others today introduced the "Safe Chemicals Act" to upgrade America's outdated system for managing chemical safety. (Click here to watch video of Sen. Lautenberg talking about the bill.) The Act responds to increasingly forceful warnings from scientific and medical experts -- including the President's Cancer Panel -- that current policies have failed to curtail common chemicals linked to diseases such as...

New Study on BPA in Food Packaging Draws Urgent Attention to Need for Safer Chemicals Policy
March 30, 2011
Toxic Chemicals BPA and DEHP in Canned Foods and Plastic Wrappings Not Currently Regulated Under Federal Law To see more about this study, visit Breast Cancer Fund. A peer-reviewed study released today by the Breast Cancer Fund and Silent Spring Institute, and published in today’s Environmental Health Perspectives, found that food packaging is a major source of exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates, both endocrine-disrupting chemicals with known links to cancer, infertility, early puberty and other serious health problems. In this unprecedented human study, researchers discovered an average drop of 60 percent in BPA levels when study participants ate...

Congress Gears Up Debate Over 35 Year-Old Chemical Law – Broad Coalition Urges Public Health Approach
February 1, 2011
Congressional Hearing on Toxic Substances Control Act Thursday, Feb. 3, 10 AM This Thursday, Feb. 3 Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) will reopen the debate over updating the 35 year-old law that governs federal chemicals policy by holding a hearing with key public health and industry experts. Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families – a coalition of nearly 300 environmental health groups – are urging that overhaul of the 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act includes: 1) Taking action to restrict those chemicals already known to be dangerous, including persistent and bio-accumulative chemicals; 2) Requiring health and safety information for all chemicals in order...

Toxic Chemicals and the Rise of Childhood Cancer: What is the Relationship?
January 19, 2011
Listen to the January 26, 2011 Toxic Chemicals and the Rise of Childhood Cancer: What's the Relationship? teleconference Press Teleconference with Leading Experts Wed, January 26, 1:00pm EST (10:00am PST) Since 1975 cancer in American children has increased, especially childhood leukemia and brain cancer. Meanwhile, 80,000 chemicals have been produced in the U.S. to create commonly-used products, which include known carcinogens such as asbestos, formaldehyde, lead, cadmium, trichloroethylene, and vinyl chloride, with virtually no government oversight. The use of toxic chemicals has risen dramatically in the last 50 years to a point that they are now ubiquitous in human bodies...

30 States Nationwide to Announce Upcoming Bills to Protect Kids and Families from Toxic Chemicals on Wed. Jan 19
January 18, 2011
States Attempt to Minimize Public Health Impact Of Dangerous Chemicals As Congress Lags Behind In response to continued public concern over the presence of dangerous chemicals in common household products, coupled with Congressional inaction on the matter, on Wednesday, January 19, legislators and advocates in thirty states across the country and the District of Columbia will announce legislation aimed at protecting children and families from harmful chemicals. Despite well-funded opposition from the chemical industry, 18 state legislatures have already passed 71 chemical safety laws in the last eight years by an overwhelming, bipartisan margin – with more to come this...

New UCSF Study Identifies Toxic Chemicals in Pregnant Women
January 14, 2011
Need for Reform of Outdated Toxic Substances Control Act More Urgent than Ever Before A new study by researchers at UCSF and published in today's Environmental Health Perspectives found that virtually all U.S. pregnant women carry multiple chemicals, including some banned since the 1970s and others used in common products such as non-stick cookware, processed foods and personal care products. Exposure to chemicals during fetal development has been shown to increase the risk of adverse health consequences, including preterm birth and birth defects, childhood morbidity, and adult disease and mortality, according to the research team. Meanwhile, the outdated federal law...

New Study Finds Hormone-Disrupting Chemical BPA on 95% of Dollar Bills Tested - Receipts Probable Source
December 7, 2010
Chemical Easily Transfers To Skin From Receipts, Study Says ATTN TV Reporters: B-Roll Available Upon Request A new study was released today giving new meaning to the phrase "toxic assets." "On the Money: BPA on Dollar Bills and Receipts", researched by the nonprofit groups Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families and the Washington Toxics Coalition, set out to investigate the extent to which thermal receipt paper containing bisphenol A (BPA) has permeated the market, and whether this hormone-disrupting chemical is escaping onto the money that lies close to these receipts in people’s wallets. Researchers found that half of the thermal paper receipts...

New Study Finds BPA on Dollar Bills
November 30, 2010
Toxic Chemical Rubs Off Receipts and Gets Absorbed by Skin, Report Finds ATTENTION REPORTERS: The “On the Money” report and B-Roll is available on an embargoed basis. Please call Shayna Samuels at 718-541-4785. On Wednesday, December 8, a new study will be released by the Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families Coalition and the Washington Toxics Coalition giving new meaning to the phrase “toxic currency”. The groups researched BPA – a hormone disrupting chemical linked to serious health problems such as cancer, infertility, and early puberty –in connection with something we touch every day: money and cash register receipts. “On The Money:...

Report Finds Toxic Toys Still Widely Sold at Toys R Us as 2010 Holiday Season Begins
November 18, 2010
National Commission of Inquiry Supports Recommendations in Toxic Toys R Us Report, Health, Environmental, Consumer& Labor Groups Demand Action by Toymakers, Retailers & Congress (WASHINGTON) – On Thursday, Nov. 18, health, environmental, consumer and labor groups released the findings of the 2010 Toxic Toys R Us Report to the National Commission of Inquiry into Toxic Toys, chaired by Peter Orris, MD. The report, available at www.toxictoysrus.com, was commissioned by the Center for Health, Environment & Justice and Teamsters Office of Consumer Affairs as part of a long-term effort by health, environmental, consumer and labor activists to hold Toys R Us...

States Lead on Toxic Chemical Reform While Congress Lags Behind, New Report Says
November 17, 2010
Republican Support for Safer Chemicals Policy Nearly Equals Democrats A first-ever analysis of votes on state laws aimed at protecting the public from toxic chemicals found that 18 states have passed 71 chemical safety laws in the last eight years by an overwhelming margin with broad bipartisan support. According to the report released today, of more than 9,000 votes cast by state legislators, 73% of Republicans and 99% of Democrats favored stronger protection of children's health and the environment from dangerous chemicals, with equal support from governors of each party. The report found that the pace of state policymaking on...

States Across the Nation Are Passing Sweeping Chemical Safety Laws, While Congress Lags Behind
November 8, 2010
New Report Documents 71 Recently-Passed Laws With Overwhelming Bipartisan Support — With More to Come in 2011 The 71 state chemical safety laws that have passed around the country in the last eight years will be documented in a new report: Healthy States: Protecting Families from Toxic Chemicals While Congress Lags Behind. These new laws have impacted products from baby bottles and toys, to water bottles and cosmetics, and put chemical manufacturers in the position of defending their industry. The report, by the Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families coalition and SAFER States, will be released on the organizations’ websites on Wednesday,...

Toxic Chemicals & Reproductive Health: What is the Relationship?
November 8, 2010
Press Teleconference with Leading Experts Thurs, November 18, 1:00pm EST (10:00am PST) Infertility. Early puberty. Decreased sperm counts. Breast & prostate cancers. These are just a few of the reproductive health problems that are increasing in the United States today. More and more evidence implicates that some of these increases are linked to our constant exposure to toxic chemicals, from the air we breathe, to the water we drink, to the everyday products we bring into our homes. But what exactly is the connection? Find out from scientists on the cutting edge of research on how chemicals such as phthalates,...

145 Scientists from 22 Countries Say Flame Retardants Pose Serious Health Risks and Limited Fire Safety
October 28, 2010
Experts from Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families Available to Comment on Policy Implications One hundred and forty five prominent scientists from 22 countries signed the first-ever consensus statement documenting health hazards from flame retardant chemicals found in home furniture, electronics, insulation, mattresses and other products. The "San Antonio Statement on Brominated and Chlorinated Flame Retardants" documents how these chemicals are likely to cause serious health harm, with limited fire safety benefit. The article is posted online today by Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP). (Full article at: http://www.ehponline.org/article/info:doi/10.1289/ehp.1003089.) "This is the latest example of the enormous gap between what scientists and health experts...

Lautenberg hearing with CNN's Sanjay Gupta highlights chemical threats to children
October 26, 2010
Polls Show Chemical Policy Reform Has Broad Bipartisan Support (Newark, NJ – Oct. 26) – Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) – who championed a bill to overhaul our outdated federal chemicals policy -- today chaired a hearing in his home state on toxic chemicals and children’s health. Witnesses at the hearing included: EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson; CNN’s Medical Correspondent Sanjay Gupta; New Jersey mother Lisa Huguenin who has a child with autism and an immune system disorder; and Frederica Perera, the Director of Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health. Last April Senator Lautenberg introduced the Safe Chemicals Act as an attempt...

New Polling Data Indicates Overwhelming Public Support for Chemicals Regulation
September 14, 2010
New public opinion research conducted by the Mellman Group in key electoral “swing” districts finds overwhelming public support for reforming our out-of-date system for managing chemicals. Respondents from across the political and demographic spectrum express serious concerns about everyday exposure to toxic chemicals and want to see stronger federal regulation. The findings indicate that, regardless of political affiliation, voters are much more likely to support a candidate for public office who promotes better health and safety standards for chemicals. Those polled ranked toxic chemicals high among issues that voters think is important for Congress to focus on – higher than...

Environmental Council on States Today Passed Resolution Calling for Sweeping Federal Chemical Policy Reform
August 31, 2010
The following statement can be attributed to Andy Igrejas, Campaign Director for Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families: “The Environmental Council of the States (ECOS) today passed a resolution calling for sweeping reform of federal chemical policy. (Download full resolution) "The states are way ahead of the federal government in regulating toxic chemicals. Congress would do well to listen to the practical advice of state environmental officials. “Many state environmental directors now have extensive experience in identifying and managing the worst chemicals. So it makes sense to move beyond the usual debate about whether the states or the federal government should regulate....

Recent Findings on Early Puberty in Girls Highlight Urgent Need for New Chemicals Policy
August 10, 2010
Findings Support Previous Studies Linking Hormone-Disrupting Chemicals to Early Puberty Environmental Health Advocates Urge Congress to Pass Pending Bills to Overhaul Toxic Substances Control Act A new study released yesterday in the journal Pediatrics found that girls are developing breasts earlier than ever, elevating their risk of breast cancer and other health problems. Exposure to chemicals that disrupt hormones, such as Bisphenol A (BPA), some preservatives, surfactants, and plastic additives may be among the contributing factors. “Young girls are exposed to dozens of potentially toxic chemicals on a daily basis,” said Ted Schettler, M.D., M.P.H., Science Director for the Science...

House Panel Tackles Chemical Legislation
July 29, 2010
Support for Reform from Scientists, Businesses, and Community Leaders (Washington, DC) – A House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee today held the first hearing on legislation to overhaul the 34-year-old Toxic Substances Control Act. The new legislation, The Toxic Chemicals Safety Act (HR-5820 Waxman/Rush), received strong support not only from environmental and public health advocates, but from a Pennsylvania manufacturer of construction products. The hearing comes after months of intensive work by the Committee with representatives of businesses, public health advocates, scientists, and community leaders. "There has never been more momentum to reform our federal chemical policy," said Andy Igrejas, Director...

Chemical Reform Battle Heats Up: Ads Today Highlight "Experiment" on American Families
July 28, 2010
Commerce Subcommittee Hearing on Thursday, July 29, Followed by Rally on the Mall (Washington, DC) -- A coalition of environmental health advocates are gearing up for a major overhaul of federal toxic chemical legislation, following last week's introduction of a bill to reform the 34-year-old Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The coalition is running ads in today’s Politico and Roll Call featuring a young family as unwilling subjects in a chemical experiment. In addition, tomorrow a hearing will be held in the House Energy & Commerce Committee about TSCA reform, followed by a rally on the mall highlighting the links...

Momentum Builds in Congress to Overhaul U.S. Chemicals Policy
July 22, 2010
New Bill Introduced Today Seeks to Reduce Toxic Chemical Exposure and Ensure Safety (Washington, DC) – Congressmen Bobby Rush (D-IL) and Henry Waxman (D-CA) today introduced a groundbreaking bill to overhaul U.S. chemicals policy in the House Energy & Commerce Committee. The "Toxic Chemicals Safety Act of 2010" is intended to overhaul the 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), which has failed to regulate chemicals in consumer products – even those that have known links to cancer, learning disabilities, asthma, reproductive disorders, and other serious health problems. "Today's legislation will reduce chronic disease in this country, a burden that scientists...

Chemical Reform Fight Goes Online; New Video Mocks PR/Lobbying Efforts by Industry
July 7, 2010
Public Health vs. Industry Debate Takes Center Stage in Pending Bill to Overhaul Toxic Substances Control Act Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families – a broad environmental and public health coalition - today released a new animated online video that exposes the chemical industry for undermining Congressional action on chemicals, even as they publicly declare their support for reform. “For the last year the chemical industry has expressed support for reform and taken bows for being forward thinking,” said Andy Igrejas, the director of Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families. “Yet they have relentlessly attacked reform efforts in Congress. We hope to expose that...

Hundreds of Environmental & Public Health Groups Call on Congress to Address Dispersants in Overhaul of Toxic Substances Control Act
June 10, 2010
Lack of Information about Dispersants in Gulf Due to Failed Chemicals Policy, Experts Say Details on specific provisions being called for by the Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families coalition (PDF) Listen to the press teleconference A coalition of 250 environmental and public health organizations today called on Congress to include specific provisions to ensure the safety of oil spill dispersants — more than one million gallons of which have now been released into the Gulf of Mexico – in the pending bill to overhaul the 34-year-old Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Under current law, government cannot compel dispersant makers to disclose...

Statement from Andy Igrejas on Business-NGO Forum
June 3, 2010
National Campaign Director of Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families Coalition on Forum about Safer Chemicals Policy Reform held on June 3, 2010 in Washington, DC We applaud the companies that use chemicals for deeply engaging in a day-long policy dialog about how to fix our broken federal chemical safety system. These "downstream" businesses stand to benefit greatly from new legislation to overhaul the federal Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976 (TSCA). Downstream companies are on the front lines of innovation in meeting consumer demand for safer products, cleaner materials and non-toxic chemicals. This forum represents a first step to recognize the...

EPA Senior Counsel Bob Sussman to Speak to Businesses, NGO's about Transitioning to Safer Chemicals
June 1, 2010
Pending "Safe Chemicals Act" Prompts Downstream Users to Discuss Implications at Washington, DC Forum Press Invited to Sussman Speech, Thurs, June 3, 9 am - 10:30 am EST Business leaders and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) will be gathering in Washington, D.C. June 3 - 4 to discuss how the proposed federal legislation to overhaul the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976 will affect companies who are downstream users of chemicals. The purpose of this forum is to: Hear the perspective of legislators, regulators and environmental public health advocates; Discuss the needs of downstream users, including the need for better data and...

New Study Finds Large Amounts of Dangerous Chemical BPA in Canned Foods
May 18, 2010
Urgent Need to Update Toxic Substances Control Act Greater Than Ever Before Earlier today a study was released by the National Work Group for Safe Markets showing that consumers are exposed to dangerous levels of bisphenol A (BPA) in canned foods. The study, No Silver Lining, tested 50 fish, fruits, vegetables, soups, sodas, and other cans, of which 90% had detectable levels of BPA. Exposure to low doses of BPA have been linked to illnesses that are on the rise in the US, including breast and prostate cancer, diabetes and heart disease, infertility, developmental and reproductive harm, and obesity. “BPA...

Faith and Environmental groups, parents ask for protections from toxic chemicals
May 7, 2010
Parents rally for safe consumer products as bill is introduced in Congress Houston- Parents and environmental groups rallied today outside Americas Plaza in Houston’s East Side asking for stronger protections from toxic chemicals in consumer products as a bill, called the Toxic Chemical Safety Act, starts its journey in Congress. Local groups, like Air Alliance Houston, Texas Campaign for the Environment and Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Services (TEJAS), are a part of a national coalition of 200 environmental and public health groups called Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families, working to reform outdated federal law. Parents met around a 25-foot inflatable rubber...

President's Panel Releases Groundbreaking Report Linking Toxic Chemicals to Cancer
May 6, 2010
Pending “Safe Chemicals Act” Needs More Public Health Protections to Reduce Carcinogens in Products, Communities After an exhaustive review, the President’s Cancer Panel (PCP) today released a report identifying chemicals in the environment as a significant contributor to cancer in the United States. Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families (SCHF)--a coalition representing more than 11 million health care professionals, environmental health advocates and concerned parents around the country—applauded the report and called for action on cancer-causing chemicals. “It’s official: we can’t win the war on cancer until we get serious about chemicals,” said Sarah Janssen, MD, PhD, MPH, Natural Resources Defense Council,...

Landmark Chemical Legislation Introduced to Protect the Health of American Families
April 15, 2010
Coalition of 11 Million Supports Bill, But Seeks Improvements Before Enactment A broad coalition of more than 200 public health and environmental organizations announced their support for the “Safe Chemicals Act of 2010”, introduced today by Senator Lautenberg and Congressmen Waxman and Rush. The long-awaited, landmark legislation would overhaul the way the federal government protects the public from toxic chemicals. “The Safe Chemicals Act goes a long way toward bringing chemical policy into the 21st century,” said Andy Igrejas, Director of Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families, on a press teleconference held today. “We look forward to working with Congress to strengthen...

Long-Awaited Legislation to Reform Federal Toxic Chemicals Policy to be Introduced This Week
April 14, 2010
Press Teleconference with Nation’s Leading Experts Offering Immediate Analysis, Thurs, April 15, 12:30pm EST (9:30am pst) (Washington, DC) On Thursday, April 15, Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Representative Bobby Rush (D-IL) are expected to introduce long-awaited legislation to reform the 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Experts from Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families – a coalition of over 200 organizations and 11 million individuals – will be offering immediate analysis on the science, politics, and implications for the chemical industry and consumer products. Under the current law, the Environmental Protection Agency has required testing of only a few hundred of the...

Environmental Justice Groups Tell Congress: Protect Us from Toxic Chemicals
April 8, 2010
Communities of color most at risk for health effects linked to chemical exposure (Washington, DC) Letters went to the Senate and the House today demanding stronger protections for disproportionately impacted communities of color, Indigenous communities, as well as low-income communities in the upcoming reform of U.S. laws governing toxic chemicals – the Toxic Substance Control Act of 1976 (TSCA). "From asbestos in our schools to the toxic toys on the shelves of the 99 cents stores to the harmful chemicals in the fish we catch and eat the health of residents in communities of color and low income communities are...

Grupos para la Justicia Medioambiental le Dicen al Congreso: Protéjanos de los Productos Químicos Tóxicos
April 8, 2010
Las comunidades de color más a riesgo de los efectos a la salud relacionados a la exposición a los productos químicos (Washington, DC) Hoy se les enviaron cartas al Senado y a la Cámara de Representantes exigiendo protecciones más fuertes para las comunidades impactadas desproporcionadamente de color, las comunidades indígenas, así como las comunidades de bajos ingresos en la reforma que se acerca de las leyes EEUU que gobiernan los productos químicos tóxicos – la Ley del 1976 para el Control de las Sustancias Tóxicas (TSCA, por sus siglas en inglés). "Desde los asbestos en nuestras escuelas hasta los juguetes...

Public Health Groups Challenge Industry on Chemical Policy Reform
March 30, 2010
Fundamental Differences Emerge As Congress Prepares to Introduce New Legislation Protest Today Outside GlobalChem Conference in Baltimore As leading chemical manufacturers met today for their annual GlobalChem conference in Baltimore, a coalition of 200 environmental and public health groups called on them to deliver a substantive platform to reform our federal toxic chemicals policy. The coalition — Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families (SCHF) — released a document outlining three fundamental differences between how the chemical industry vs. public health groups are defining reform of the Toxic Substances Control Act — a law whose modernization is imminent and long-overdue. Also today just...

Grupos para la Salud Pública Desafían a la Industria sobre la Reforma de la Política de los Productos Químicos
March 30, 2010
Diferencias Fundamentales Surgen A Medida que el Congreso se Prepara a Introducir Legislación Nueva Manifestación de Protesta Hoy Afuera de la Conferencia GlobalChem en Baltimore Cuando los fabricantes principales de los productos químicos se reunieron hoy para su conferencia anual GlobalChem en Baltimore, una coalición de 200 grupos medioambientales y para la salud pública les pidieron que emitieran una plataforma sustantiva para reformar nuestra política federal sobre los productos químicos tóxicos. La coalición – Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families (SCHF, por sus siglas en inglés para Productos Químicos Más Seguros, Familias Sanas, en español) – hicieron públicas tres diferencias fundamentales entre...

Battle for Toxic Chemical Policy Reform Heats Up as House and Senate Prepare for Hearings
March 2, 2010
Long-Awaited Bill to Reform 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act Expected Later this Month The battle is heating up between the chemical industry and public health organizations over how the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) will be updated for the first time since its original adoption in 1976. Currently there are 80,000 chemicals used in everyday products, and only 200 of these are required to be tested for safety. Meanwhile autism, cancer, reproductive disorders, asthma and other health problems linked to chemicals are on the rise. In the next two weeks both the House and the Senate will hold hearings on...

Saying Children Should Not Be Used as Guinea Pigs for Testing Effects of Toxic Chemicals, Senator Frank Lautenberg Announces Plans to Introduce a Safer Chemicals Bill Soon
February 4, 2010
WASHINGTON – In a crowded Senate hearing room, the law governing toxic chemical production and use was explored and determined to be inadequate to protect families and children from health effects linked to toxic chemical exposure. Witnesses from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Centers for Disease Control, as well as a concerned mother who was tested for levels of toxic chemicals in her body during pregnancy, called for the nation’s toxic chemical law, the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to be reformed to provide greater protection to families and children. Audio of Hearing Listen to the Senate Hearing Feb...

New report demonstrates reductions in toxic chemical exposure would make Americans healthier, wealthier
January 20, 2010
Congressional reform of toxics law could save billions in health care costs WASHINGTON – According to a new analysis released today, "The Health Case for Reforming the Toxic Substances Control Act," the U.S. has the opportunity to prevent rising rates of chronic disease and reduce health care costs by overhauling federal chemical policy. Evidence is strong and growing that chemical exposures contribute significantly to the rise in many chronic diseases, according to this new report synthesizing peer-reviewed science. As the U.S. debates the costs of health care and its reform, "The Health Case" documents the enormous health care costs of...

Nuevo reporte demuestra que menor exposicion a quimicos toxicos haria a los Americanos mas saludables, ricos
January 20, 2010
Reforma del Congreso de ley de tóxicos podría ahorrar billones en costos del cuidado de la salud WASHINGTON – Hay fuerte evidencia que muestra que la exposición a químicos contribuye de manera significativa al aumento de muchas enfermedades crónicas, según un nuevo reporte publicado hoy que resumió una serie de investigaciones científicas. "Razones de Salud para Reformar la Ley del Control de Sustancias Tóxicas" encuentra que los americanos serían más saludables si se redujera la exposición a químicos tóxicos. Mientras se debate el costo del cuidado de la salud en los Estados Unidos y su reforma, el reporte ilustra vívidamente...

FDA changes position on BPA: Agency acknowledges new science, concerns over effect on infants and children's health
January 15, 2010
The FDA says has “some concern” after assessing new scientific data on the affects BPA may have on the development of infants and fetuses. The agency says it will support voluntary efforts to take the chemical out of infant formula cans and baby bottles and encourage research into alternatives. It also reiterated the need to expedite further research and announced support for a "more robust regulatory framework" for BPA.

Toxic Chemical DecaBDE: EPA Says Phase It Out, Environmental Health Advocates Applaud and Ask for More Protection
December 18, 2009
WASHINGTON - The toxic chemical decabromodiphenyl ether (decaBDE), a brominated flame retardant that has been in the crosshairs of a coalition of states, scientists and public health professionals for nearly a decade, will be largely phased out of the United States marketplace, according to an announcement today from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). EPA has obtained commitments from decaBDE's two U.S. manufacturers and largest U.S. importer to stop producing, using, and importing the chemical by 2013. The phaseout represents a victory for public health, wildlife protection and the environment.

US Senate to hear testimony from three federal agencies about need to reform nation’s chemical law
November 30, 2009
The U.S. Senate will hear testimony from key government agencies related to the 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), the law that governs chemical use and safety at the federal level. The Environmental Protection Agency, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, and the Government Accountability Office will testify in support of the need for Congress to strengthen TSCA so that the government has better authority to prevent unsafe chemicals from entering the marketplace, amid health and safety concerns by consumers, businesses and state governments.

Congressional Hearing to Focus on How to Protect the Public from Toxic Chemicals
November 16, 2009
After a steady string of disturbing headlines in just the past week about chemicals and health – erectile dysfunction linked to BPA, which is found in everyday products, phthalates and mercury present in pregnant women - a Tuesday Nov. 17 hearing in Congress will examine how the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) should begin the task of reviewing tens of thousands of chemicals in widespread use.

Poll Finds Americans Very Concerned About Exposure to Toxic Chemicals
November 12, 2009
WASHINGTON – A poll conducted in August, 2009 by the opinion research firm Lake Research Partners found that Americans are very concerned with the way chemicals are regulated for consumer use in the U.S. The findings come as new legislation—an overhaul of the 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act—is expected to be introduced soon in both Houses of the U.S. Congress.

EPA Administrator Jackson Indicates Obama Administration Will Support Overhaul of Nation’s Toxic Chemical Law
September 30, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO – In a signal that the EPA has entered a new era, Administrator Lisa Jackson said the time had come to strengthen EPA’s authority to regulate toxic chemicals, which are ubiquitous in the environment and human bodies.