TIP TALKS
The
Newsletter of the Toxics Information Project (TIP)
AUTUMN 2006
AUTUMN - SEASON OF OPPORTUNITY
Fall is my favorite time of year, and it brings to me a
wonderful tang of glorious possibilities.
It feels like, after the “lazy days of summer”, when the heat often
tends to slow motion, Autumn is a brisk, cool wake-up call. So many projects begin with the school year
and the end of vacation time! This is certainly true this year for
TIP. OPPORTUNITY IS KNOCKING! Examples:
Our bill to ban the use of lawn pesticides on the grounds of
schools and day care centers looks newly promising in the light of
Connecticut’s success. After legislation
enacted there in 2005, numerous schools are moving toward implementation. We now have a DVD being distributed by the
CT Department of Environmental Protection, on “Organic Land Care” - including
documentation of two schools that are effectively transitioning their playing
fields. We expect to use the 7 1/2
minute video to show people what can be, is being done. In a half-hour meeting with Gordon Fox, our
state representative & the RI House Majority Leader, we got assurances not
only of a $2,500 legislative grant (matching the one already provided by our
good friend State Senator Rhoda Perry), but of Gordon’s introduction of the
bill.
In response to the State Senate Resolution on /Less Toxic
Cleaning passed last session, the Department of Administration & the Dept.
of Environmental Management are forming a working group to seek implementation
of the call to transition to “green” cleaning materials and practices. We expect to work closely with them. Also, utilizing the network of contacts
gained through our Hispanic Health Education Initiative (HHEI), and service on
the Governor’s Commission on Disabilities (GCD) Legislation Committee, I will
be seeking a hospital/health care facility willing to try a demonstration
project exemplifying healthy indoor environmental quality. (“Greening” a school is another
possibility).
Meanwhile, for HHEI we are finding more materials already in
Spanish on the web, and are finishing up a basic flyer to be translated by Rita
Silva of the Genesis Center - on a volunteer basis - Thanks, Rita! Organizing large-scale trainings has proved
impractical, so we are will be working to set up times for me to talk with
small groups at the various health care facilities in our HHEI network. Erin Boles of Massachusetts Breast Cancer
Coalition (MBCC) is willing to come to RI to speak about environment and health
connections, and I am seeking partners to sponsor that. Afterwards, my hope is to be able to use the
power point presentation for additional events. Help with translators for such has been offered.
We were recently contacted by the National Neighborhood Day
organizer here in Rhode Island, seeking assistance with a project to clean up
and beautify abandoned or neglected areas in Providence. This will give us the chance to educate and
assist in creating beautiful - and pesticide-free - neighborhoods. We are waiting to hear whether two proposed
workshops will be approved for the 2007 RI Flower & Garden Show - one on
““Working with Nature—Making the Transition to Organic Landscaping” led by
Frank Crandall of Wood River Evergreens, Inc., the other a reprise of our
successful Organic Gardening Discussion held last Spring. If either is not done at the Flower Show, we
will schedule it for later in the Spring.
In any case, we’ll be at our booth with handouts, and some new books for
sale, ready to make
Finally, opportunity truly knocks in the increasing number of
calls and E-Mails from people with questions about toxics in their lives. I really enjoy doing research to find the
information that is needed!
Liberty Goodwin, TIP Director
JANUARY: Preparation
of 2006 RI Less Toxic Landscaping Resource Directory.
FEBRUARY: RI
Flower & Garden Show, Convention Center - (TIP booth, 4 days) and Urban Gardening Workshop, led
by Alex Knott of East Side Eden.
MARCH: Hearings
on S2627, H7256 - Minimum Indoor Environmental Quality Standards.
TIP
Organic Turf Management Workshop, Chip Osborne, Aspray Boathouse, Warwick.
RI
State Science Fair, Judging & Awards Ceremony. (Four TIP Special Awards given).
Breast
Cancer Forum, Brown University (Attended)
Accessible
Housing Workshop, Save the Bay. (Attended)
APRIL: NK
Spirit Day Environmental Fair, North Kingstown - (TIP Booth)
Meeting with Carol
Westinghouse, Inform, Inc. Cleaning for Health, and Noel Sullivan, Warwick
Schools Facilities Manager, at Winman JHS, Warwick.
Green
Cleaners Workshop, led by Carol of Inform, Rochambeau Library,
Providence
Hearing on
H 7095 (Indoor Environmental Quality)
Environment
Council of RI (ECRI) Lobby Day, (TIP Booth), RI State House
Brown
Earth Day, Brown University (Booth)
Earth Day
Breakfast of Champions, Clean Water Action, Aspray Boathouse (Attended)
Earth Day
Celebrations, Warwick Mall & Audubon Environmental Center (Two TIP
booths)
MAY School Nurse Teachers
Conference (TIP Table)
TIP School Toxics
Forum, RI State House, State Room. (Panel Discussion)
Hope for the Earth,
Miriam Hospital Event, Hope St., Providence (TIP Table)
Trading TIPs Organic
Gardening Discussion, Rochambeau Library, Providence
Spring Festival at
East Farm, URI, North Kingstown
(TIP Table)
Hearing on S2627, HHS Committee, IEQ bill
JUNE RI
Sustainable Living Festival, Apeiron Institute for Environmental Living
(TIP Booth & 2 workshops - “Going Organic - The Environmentally Friendly
Yard”, Carl Brodeur
Arborcare with Ropes 'n
Saddles, Inc. and “Tips on Less Toxic Pest Control - Two Perspectives”,
David Jones, Bio-Tech Pest Control; Ben Daniels, Ultimate Organics.
Hearing
on Pesticide Regulations, RI
Department of Environmental Management (DEM)
TIP
Hispanic Health Education Initiative, Women & Infants Hospital
(Planning Meeting)
AUGUST Progreso
Latino Family Health Fair, Jenks Park, Central Falls (TIP Table)
SEPTEMBER Health Fit
Expo, Convention Center, Providence (TIP Table - 2 days)
Greenshares
Field Day, URI, North Kingstown (TIP Table)
NOVEMBER TIP Fall
Get-Together & Pizza Party, Rochambeau Library, Providence
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ORGANIC
GIFT GIVING - MORE OPTIONS FOR A SAFER SEASON
Here’s a nearby resource for
attractive organic products we recently came across: FAIRLOOM: www.fairloom.org/index.php , E-Mail:info@fairloom.org,
P.O. Box 3050, Westport, MA 02790, Tel. (508) 264-2729. STATED MISSION: Enabling Brazilian families
to provide themselves with quality education, health, and
better living and working conditions.
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: Organic,
naturally dyed yarn, made in Brazil, is purchased with handicraft profits. ACCESSORIES: Hair Scarves $18, Purses & Clutch Bags $18, Cosmetic Purses
$22, Shoulder Bags $38. SCARVES &
SHAWLS: Scarves, $64, Bobbin Lace Shaw $320.
CAMISETTAS: Range from $180 to
$220.
TIPS FOR SAFE TOYS &
OTHER HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS
www.time.com/time/health/printout/0,8816,1566958,00.html
Worried about your children coming in contact with chemicals?
Here's one expert’s advice on keeping kids healthy
By MARGOT
ROOSEVELT
The growing
movement to restrict suspect chemicals in toys, baby bottles and other items
used by pregnant women and children under three, has left parents wondering
what they can do on their own to limit their kids' exposure to phthalates and
bisphenol A (BPA), so-called "endocrine disruptors" which can
interfere with hormones that regulate gender. Animal and human studies have
linked these substances to a broad swath of health problems, inlcuding prostate
and breast cancer, and altered genital development. "Virtually all of us
are regularly exposed to low levels of phthalates and BPA," says Shanna
Swan, a University of Rochester epidemiologist and an expert on endocrine
disruptors. "The risks from these products have not been firmly
established. But there are some measures we can take, until the use of these
chemicals in everyday materials and products is more aggressively
restricted."
Here is what she
recommends:
* * Children can
be exposed to phthalates by chewing on soft vinyl toys or similar products. So
dispose of all teethers, pacifiers, nipples, "sippy cups" and heavily
mouthed toys made of soft plastic, unless they are labeled as PVC-free or
phthalate-free.
** Dispose of
all clear, shiny plastic baby bottles, unless the manufacturer states they are
not made of polycarbonate (which is made from bisphenol A)
* * Don't
microwave plastic containers used for cold food storage — they often melt and
warp, because they are not designed to withstand the high heat of microwaving.
Avoid microwaving food in freezer cartons or on Styrofoam trays
** Choose
containers made of polyethylene, which is phthalate-free (although it may have
other additives). Instead, use microwaveable glass and ceramic cookware.
** Check the
bottoms of plastic containers for recycling codes and use ones with codes #1,
#2, # 4 (forms of polyethylene) and #5 (polypropylene) and avoid #3 (polyvinyl
chlorine, which contains phthalates), #6 (polystyrene) and #7 (most are
polycarbonate, which contains BPA),
** Use PVC-free
plastic wrap and never let it directly contact food. In fact, you may want to
avoid using plastic wrap — try waxed or parchment paper instead.
** Use filtered
drinking water (even bottled water may contain phthalates); only one phthalate
(diethylhexyl phthalate) is regulated in drinking water, and even that may, at
times, be present at higher than permissible amounts, since levels fluctuate
over time and water is tested only intermittently, while other phthalates are
not regulated at all. So consumers may decide to use a home water treatment
method. The best way to remove phthalates from drinking water is by using a
granular activated carbon (GAC) filter. There are no regulatory requirements
for phthalates in bottled water at all. The National Resources Defense Council
tested a number of brands of bottled water and some, but
not all , contained phthalates.
** Limit the use
of phthalate-containing personal care products. Phthalates are often used to
bind scent in personal care products, and some companies have removed some or
all phthalates from their products. More information about specific products
can be found at www.nottoopretty.org.
When in doubt, choose unscented shampoos, moisturizers and deodorants
** Search the
Internet for sites describing products you can purchase that are free of these
chemicals.
Back to the Future: Plastics
Made from Plants Instead of Toxic Chemicals
www.besafenet.com/pvc/bioplastics.htm
Did you know that before the chemical
revolution, our society was based on materials made from plants, such as corn,
soy and sugar beets? Plants, not oil,
used to be the primary raw material used to produce chemicals, paints,
construction materials, clothing, and other household materials. In fact, the first plastic ever developed
was a “plant based plastic,” a cotton-derived product designed to replace
ivory. Henry Ford was a proponent of
plant based plastics and he developed a demonstration vehicle in 1941 whose
seat covers, dashboard, wheel, and tires were made from plant based
materials. Unfortunately, this all
changed when the chemical industry hijacked the plastics market and introduced
low-cost toxic plastics made from oil.
A Positive
Shift in the Marketplace
But in recent years, the market
has changed dramatically, driven by both the rising price of oil and growing
concerns about the health and environmental impacts of plastics. Today, numerous manufacturers are beginning
to use or develop plastics made out of renewable materials, such as corn, sugar
beets, sugar cane, wheat, rice and sweet potatoes. Plant based plastics (also called bioplastics or biobased
plastics) can be produced using several different processes including starch
conversion, microbial conversion and genetic modification of plants.
In the U.S., the primary company manufacturing
bioplastics is NatureWorks, owned by Cargill.
They can produce 300 million pounds a year of a plastic called PLA, or
poly lactic acid, that is made from corn grown in Nebraska and Iowa. Starch from the corn is extracted and
converted into dextrose (sugar) and then into lactic acid by fermentation. The
lactic acid is further refined into pellets that can be made into different
end-products. Other companies
manufacturing plant based plastics include Dupont, BASF, Eastman, Proctor &
Gamble, and Cereplast.
Sales of NatureWorks’ plastics
have taken off in the past year, with large manufacturers and retailers
increasingly using them in their packaging and products. Companies like Newman’s Own and Wal-Mart are
using bioplastics in their packaging and products. The end plastic products, indistinguishable from those derived
from petrochemicals, are used to create food packaging, disposable cups and
forks, water bottles, auto parts, carpeting, compact discs, bedding materials,
and other consumer products.
In Europe, bioplastics are even
more popular. Consumption doubled
between 2001 and 2003. An Italian
company called Novamont manufactures a plant based plastic called Mater-Bi that
is used in many similar applications to PLA, including food packaging and
disposable food service items.
Production is expanding across the globe where capacity for biobased
plastics is around 800 million pounds, and is expected to top 1.3 billion
pounds by 2008.
Plant Based Plastics – An
Alternative to PVC, the Poison Plastic
Plant based plastics provide an alternative
to conventional plastics, especially for polyvinyl chloride (PVC), that relies
heavily on extremely toxic feedstocks and additives that have devastating
impacts on our health and environment through their production, use and
disposal. Many of the chemicals used in
PVC production are linked to cancer, birth defects, reproductive harm, and a
host of other health problems. In
contrast, biobased plastics are generated using renewable materials by converting
plants such as corn into plastic. The
production of bioplastics can help contribute to rural economic development,
providing a steady income for farmers.
It also uses fewer fossil fuels compared to petrochemical plastics, even
after accounting for the fuel needed to plant and harvest the corn or other
feedstocks.
Biobased plastics are also compostable, leading to many
environmental benefits. These plastics
won’t break down in regular landfills or in your backyard compost, but they can
be effectively composted in a large-scale facility (though not in leaf
composting operations), where it will degrade within 45 days. Compare this with conventional plastics that
can take over 100 years just to begin the degradation process.
Despite the
Benefits, Significant Challenges Remain
Despite numerous environmental
and health benefits of plant based plastics, significant environmental
challenges need to be addressed including the impacts of industrial
agricultural production, the use of harmful additives, and the impact on
recycling infrastructure and markets.
Conventional corn production uses significant amounts of toxic
pesticides that can adversely impact groundwater and surface water, leads to
soil erosion, and impacts soil production and wildlife habitats. In addition, much of the corn made into
NatureWorks’ plastic is genetically modified.
Many environmental organizations are working to address the use of
genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in NatureWorks’ feedstock.
One concern raised by recyclers
is the impact that bioplastics have on the recycling of conventional
plastics. Biobased plastics, such as
PLA, cannot be mixed with conventional plastic such as PET because the
materials are not compatible for recycling purposes. PLA itself can be recycled but at present, the infrastructure to
separate and recycle this material does not exist in the U.S. Until these problems are solved, the most
sustainable disposal option for biobased plastics is composting. Clear labeling of biobased plastics is
critical to ensuring that these materials are properly disposed of in
composting facilities.
Marketplace
Trends Favor Biobased Plastics
Despite these concerns, more and more
companies recognize the benefits and are switching to biobased plastics as they
become increasingly financially competitive in response to rising fuel
prices. Wild Oats became the first
grocery store in North America to switch to plant based plastics, at first
paying 50% more for biobased takeout containers. They took a chance and are now reaping the benefits as their
customers are drawn to purchasing compostable containers. Even with rising oil prices, they are paying
less today than they would for traditional plastic. Wal-Mart recently switched to biobased food packaging, involving
114 million produce containers, saving the equivalent of 800,000 gallons of
gasoline and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by over 11 million pounds.
You Can Help
Shift the Marketplace
The prospect of a plant based
economy, driven by biobased plastics, is incredibly exciting, and offers a
promising safer alternative to petrochemical plastics such as PVC. There remain important questions that need
to be answered about the environmental and public health impact of these
facilities. As we move forward, numerous
environmental, health-based, and sustainable agriculture groups including CHEJ
are working together to answer these questions and to encourage more companies
to switch to plant based plastics, and at the same time, ensure these plastics
are truly sustainable. Contact CHEJ if
you’d like to get involved in this growing campaign to ensure your family’s
products are safe for our children, homes, and communities.
Examples of Products Using Plant
Based Plastics
Plastic bags - BioBag
Water bottles - Biota Water
Disposable forks and knives -
Cereplast
Wall carpets - Interface
Cups for smoothies - Mrs. Fields
Brands
Electronics packaging and
products - Sony
Car floormats - Toyota
Produce packaging - Wal-Mart
Deli containers - Wild Oats
How Can I
Identify Biobased Plastics?
You
can help build support for safer products by supporting companies using
biobased plastics. Look for the
“NatureWorks” insignia generally found on the underside of PLA packaging such
as food cups and the “compostable” logo signifying a product is
compostable. Not all “compostable”
products are made from biobased plastics.
For More Information: Links to
key manufacturers and associations producing plant based plastics. The
Biodegradable Products Institute, Cereplast,
Metabolix, NatureWorks, Novamont.
HEALTHIER HOLIDAY FOOD
TIPS
ANTIBIOTICS IN
POULTRY MAY POSE RISK TO HUMANS
www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=76909
By Randy Dotinga, HealthDay Reporter
FRIDAY, Oct. 13
(HealthDay News) -- Could a turkey sandwich or a bowl of chicken soup be
hazardous to your health? Poultry has
that potential, according to research that suggests people who eat drug-treated
poultry may be at increased risk of developing antibiotic
resistance. Still, the findings are
preliminary and shouldn't make anyone stop eating chicken or turkey, the
study's lead investigator said.
"We don't want to suggest to anyone that they should alter their
diet based on this," said Dr. Edward Belongia, director of the Marshfield
Clinic Research Foundation's Epidemiology Research Center in Wisconsin. But federal regulators should consider the
results as they make rules about the kinds of drugs given to poultry, the
investigator added. At issue is the use
of virginiamycin, an antibiotic
used in farm animals to boost their growth.
The drug is
banned in Europe, but farmers are allowed to use it in the United States. Some studies have suggested that
virginiamycin can cause germs in poultry to become super-powered, much as
overuse of antibiotics in humans has made some people immune
to certain drugs. This phenomenon,
known as drug
resistance, happens when an antibiotic is used so often that germs mutate
around it. It's possible for drug resistance
to be spread through food. "When we consume food with organisms that have
resistance genes,
these genes can be transferred to our natural organisms, causing them to become
drug-resistant," explained Molly Marten, a clinical epidemiologist
at Scripps Mercy Hospital in San Diego who's familiar with the study findings.
Belongia and
colleagues launched their study to see if people who ate chicken or turkey
treated with antibiotics would themselves become resistant to an antibiotic
known as quinupristin-dalfopristin, or Synercid. Synercid treats disease caused by Enterococcus
faecium, germs that are normally found in the gut and can cause disease in
some cases. The illnesses caused by these germs are especially common in
hospitals among patients whose immune systems are weakened. The study authors looked for signs of drug
resistance by looking at enterococcus bacteria
found in stool
samples from 105 newly hospitalized patients and 65 healthy vegetarians, all
living in the Midwest. They also looked
for signs of drug-resistance in enterococcus bacteria found in 77 samples of
ordinary poultry from retail stores and 23 samples of poultry raised without
antibiotics.
The findings of
the study, which was funded by the federal government, are published in the
Nov. 1 issue of the Journal of Infectious Diseases. The researchers said they did not find any
sign that the humans had developed resistance to Synercid from eating poultry.
However, they said that "plenty" of drug-resistant enterococcus was
found in poultry treated with antibiotics, Belongia said. Furthermore, 38 percent of the hospitalized
patients had a genetic trait that might make it easier for them to develop
resistance to Synercid; none of the vegetarians had the trait. Patients who ate the most chicken seemed
most susceptible to developing immunity
to the drug, as did those who touched poultry.
Right now, this isn't a major problem because Synercid isn't used a
great deal, Belongia said. That means germs haven't had a chance to become
immune to it. "But that could
change," he said.
Belongia
believes that the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration should take the findings into account. In a written
statement, Belongia said that antibiotics should not be used to promote growth
in animals. "This research makes a
strong case for limiting the use of antibiotics in food-producing
animals," added Marten, the epidemiologist. "By using antibiotics for
strictly therapeutic
purposes (such as treating an infection),
rather than as a growth promoter, we will slow the emergence of drug-resistant
organisms in human populations."
SOURCES:
Edward Belongia, M.D., director, Epidemiology Research Center, Marshfield
Clinic Research Foundation, Marshfield, Wis.; and Molly Marten, M.P.H.,
clinical epidemiologist, Scripps Mercy Hospital, San Diego; Nov. 1, 2006, The
Journal of Infectious Diseases
TIP: Antibiotic-free poultry is sold at some
stores, such as Whole Foods Market & Stop & Shop.
THE “DIRTY DOZEN”
FRUITS AND VEGETABLES CONTAINING THE MOST PESTICIDES
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has produced
a new wallet-size Shoppers' Guide listing the 12 fruits and vegetables
that are the most contaminated with pesticides (the "Dirty Dozen"),
as well as those that generally contain the lowest amount of pesticides (the
"Cleanest 12"). The
information is based on nearly 43,000 tests conducted by the USDA and FDA.
The last EWG Guide was issued in 2003, and there have
been several revisions to the list. Carrots have been removed from the most
contaminated list, but lettuce has been added. Likewise, cauliflower is no longer listed
as one of the cleanest vegetables, but cabbage is now one of those
"clean" 12. An analysis
by the EWG estimated that consumers could reduce their exposure to pesticides
by almost 90 percent merely by avoiding foods on their "Dirty Dozen"
list.
A few members of that list include:
- Peaches
- Apples
- Sweet
bell peppers
- Celery
- Strawberries
- Spinach
Conversely,
the "Cleanest 12," according to the EWG, only expose you to less than
two pesticides per day, a huge difference from the 15 pesticides per day you'd
be exposed to with the fruits and vegetables on the "Dirty Dozen"
list. Among the cleanest fruits and vegetables you can buy at your grocery
store:
- Onions
- Avocado
- Pineapple
- Asparagus
- Broccoli
Go to: www.ewg.org/sites/foodnews/release.php
to get the FREE Environmental Working Group Shoppers’ Guide. Remember that the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) considers 60 percent of herbicides, 90 percent of fungicides and
30 percent of insecticides to be carcinogenic.
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GOOD NEWS: ACTION TAKEN IN OTHER COUNTRIES!
INDIA BANS GE FIELD TESTS:
India's supreme court has ordered a ban on all field trials of genetically engineered plants until further notice. The decision comes in response to widespread complaints by farmers and consumer groups, who pointed out that the safety claims made by the biotech companies were based on skewed studies the companies paid for themselves. Indian farmers are adamantly opposed to introducing any more biotech crops, in the wake of the widespread cultivation of a genetically engineered cotton variety patented by Monsanto that has caused widespread crop failures, driving thousands of Indian cotton farmers into desperate poverty. Since Monsanto's GE cotton was introduced, 20,000 bankrupt farmers have committed suicide. Learn more: www.organicconsumers.org/2006/article_2943.cfm
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HOLIDAY
TIPS FOR HEALTHY PETS
BIRD
SAFETY:
Excerpts From the Long Island Parrot Society
Website
www.liparrotsociety.org/dangerous.htm
PRODUCT: SCENTED CANDLES
According to an
article in the Indoor Air Quality Review, problems associated with scented
candles may result from the minute particulate matter dispersed by the
candles. Essential oils and chemicals are added to these candles to
create the scents. These are dispersed into the air as the candles
burn. The inhaled particles are small enough to pass through the human
body's 'filter system' (lungs) and become lodged in the tissues. Grey
marks, called 'ghosting' may appear on interior walls when scented candles are
used. The UC Berkeley Wellness Letter
(Feb. 2001) says that "Few studies have been done on whether burning or
incense have any effect on human health.
Most studies have simply looked at compounds released into the
air. These include some potent pollutants including benzene, toluene,
formaldehyde and polyaromatic hydrocarbons. Nitrogen dioxide and carbon
monoxide are also by-products of combustion. Burning candles can release fine particles as well
as soot and even heavy metals from certain cores and pigments. Avoid
candles with metal core wicks because they release lead. Keep rooms well
ventilated." Because birds have complex and sensitive respiratory systems,
I'd advise against using scented candles in closed areas where birds are
present. There have been some reports of birds dying after exposure to scented
or 'room freshening' candles.
PRODUCT: "TEFLON®"
Teflon® on your non-stick pans and your self cleaning oven are
DEADLY! It does NOT have to be burned
to emit the toxic fumes - overheating them kills! Since the toxic fumes are carried by air currents in your home,
all birds may not be affected. Opening
all windows when using Teflon® products could cause them to waft quickly
through the house affecting birds in far off rooms so opening windows does not
help. “Whatever
it takes to clean a pot is not worth killing your pets. If you have been lucky
and have been using your Teflon® or PTFE coated products despite the warnings,
remember that is exactly what you have been. LUCKY” For more Teflon®
warnings, see www.ewg.org/reports/toxicteflon/toxictemps.php
PRODUCT: CARPET DEODORIZER
To the member who asked about the Carpet Deodorizer, here is a note
from someone who had a BAD experience... Arm & Hammer Pet Fresh
carpet deodorizer: "My cockatiel
died after I used it. Company admitted
it's not recommended for use around birds.
They said they didn't need to put a warning on the product. I'm just broken hearted, and her mate is
just lost without her."
Susan Chamberlain, President, Long Island Parrot Society of NY, Inc. (3/01), P.O. Box
2754, North Babylon, NY 11703, Tel. (631) 957-1100 For a free
copy of The Inside Story A Guide to Indoor Air Quality (Publication #450), send
your name, address and request to:
Publication Request, Office of Information & Public Affairs, US
Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington DC 20207. Website: www.cpsc.gov
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FELINE SAFETY
Excerpted
From:: Christmas Safety Tips for Cat
Owners, www.cat-world.com.au/XmasSafety.htm
Holiday
Safety Tips for Small Pets, www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=18&cat=1914&articleid=3031
Pine needles can
puncture internal organs if eaten, they are also toxic to cats. If you have a real tree, make sure the drink
stand has plenty of water to prevent the tree drying out & losing
needles. It is important that your cat
isn't able to get to this water & drink it as it could result in
poisoning. The tree may also be
coated with potentially harmful fire retardant, fertilizer, or insecticide.
Tinsel, garland, flocking, and artificial snow can be dangerous. Never allow your pet access to poinsettia,
holly (leaves and berries), mistletoe, or other plants commonly used to
decorate during the holidays. Perfumes,
potpourri, adhesives, glues, aerosol sprays, and cleaning products can all be
toxic.
MORE GOOD NEWS - U.S. COMPANIES LEARNING FROM
EUROPE
NAIL POLISH MAKERS YIELD ON DISPUTED CHEMICAL
www.safecosmetics.org/newsroom/nyt_9_7_06.cfm
By Natasha Singer, The New York Times,
September 7, 2006
Bowing to
pressure from environmental groups and European lawmakers, several cosmetics
makers are removing a chemical from nail polish that is suspected of
interfering with the endocrine system.
Orly International and OPI Products have already started selling
reformulated nail polishes without the chemical, dibutyl phthalate. Sally Hansen plans to start selling
similarly reformulated products in 2007.
Some studies have linked exposure to dibutyl phthalate — a plasticizing
ingredient that has been used to increase flexibility in nail polishes as well
as medical equipment — with testicular problems in rats and humans.
The
chemical is banned from use in cosmetics in Europe and is considered a
reproductive toxin by California. A
study that examined nail polishes and perfumes, published in 2004 in The
Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, concluded that the amount of
exposure to dibutyl phthalate from these cosmetics is relatively small. The
study cautioned, however, that total exposure to the chemical from multiple
sources may be greater and requires further investigation.
Companies
are adjusting formulas even though beauty executives said the ingredient is
safe in the concentrations in which it is used in cosmetics. “We are reacting here to changing consumer
trends and a changing regulatory environment,” said Bruce MacKay, the vice
president for scientific affairs/R&D of Del Laboratories, the maker of
Sally Hansen. “In high concentrations in lab experiments, these materials may
be of concern, but there is no body of evidence that says this particular
ingredient is not safe in the concentration in which it is used in nail
products.”
But health
groups like the Breast Cancer Fund, an advocacy group in San Francisco that
focuses on the environment, said that phthalates are too risky to use in
consumer products. “If there is
evidence that an ingredient causes or is suspected of causing cancer or birth
defects, cosmetics companies should not be using it in their products,” said Kevin
Donegan, the group’s director of communications. “Phthalates have clearly been
demonstrated to cause harm.”
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TIP TALKS AUTUMN ISSUE, 2006
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