August '16 Tip Talks Newsletter
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ACTIONS
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FDA TO ACCEPT PUBLIC COMMENTS ON
ENDOCRINE-DISRUPTING
PHTHALATES IN FOOD UNTIL SEPT. 16.
http://action.ewg.org/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=2218&tag=201608Phthalate
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals permeate our environment and some of the worst are phthalates, which are linked to genital defects in boys, asthma, endometriosis and learning disabilities. They’re common ingredients in household plastics and personal care products. But here's what's really bad: They even contaminate our food. Phthalates are “plasticizers” and are commonly used in plastic food packaging and food handling materials, such as vinyl tubing.
Unfortunately, these chemicals don’t stay put. Instead, they leach into food and the FDA allows them as “food additives.” Time is running out to get these endocrine-disrupting chemicals out of our food. We have until Sept. 16 to submit comments to the FDA and we need all the help we can get, since you can be sure the chemical industry is doing all it can to influence the FDA and keep us unprotected from rampant phthalate contamination in our food.
GLYPHOSATE (ROUNDUP) IS SEEN AS BAD ROUND THE PLANET
WHY NOT HERE? DO WE WANT TO BE THE GLOBAL WASTE DUMP?
(Two separate petitions to EPA – Two minutes each to sign!))
Sometimes, dangerous pesticides get banned in the U.S., only to continue to be used in other countries with weaker safety standards. With Roundup, the U.S. could end up being the world’s toxic dump, if we don’t make our voices heard at the EPA. .France and Germany are getting rid of glyphosate formulations that are particularly dangerous after the European Food Safety Agency found that glyphosate formulations in combination with other chemicals have greater potential health risks than glyphosate on its own. Sri Lanka is banning imports of glyphosate due to the herbicide’s role in the country’s increasing number of chronic kidney disease (CKDu) cases.The Dutch parliament voted to oppose the European Union’s renewal of glyphosate’s permit and has banned its non-commercial use. In Brazil, the world’s largest user of pesticides, the Federal Public Prosecutor has asked for a ban on glyphosate. Click here for the Pesticide Action Network-UK’s list of places in the world, including U.S. cities, that have taken action to restrict the use of glyphosate, as of December 2015. TAKE ACTION! Tell the EPA: Don’t Re-Up Roundup! -:
2. ENVIRONMENT RHODE ISLAND
Glyphosate -- a chemical used in Monsanto's well-known product Roundup -- is the most widely-used herbicide in America, with 300 million pounds used annually, much of it in our cities, parks, and other public places. Right now there are as many questions as answers about the dangers of long-term, low-level exposure to glyphosate, but one thing is clear: Until we can be assured it's safe, we should stop using this herbicide altogether.
We're calling on the EPA to suspend use of glyphosate until it's proven safe. Add your name now.
CORPORATE MONEY DEFEATS GMO LABELING.
WHAT WOULD GANDHI DO?
(Actions that can use consumer power to overcome the threats to our health and environment from Corporate Interests! Many have succeeded already! READ THIS TO FIND OUT WHAT YOU CAN DO!
www.organicconsumers.org/essays/corporate-money-defeats-gmo-labeling%E2%80%94what-would-gandhi-do
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RESOURCES\
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MATTRESSES WITHOUT CHEMS
www.ecocenter.org/innovators-series-making-healthier-safer-mattresses-naturepedic-0Unable to find a mattress free of toxic chemicals for his grandchild, Barry Cik, Co-founder of Naturepedic, took an unusual step – he started his own mattress company in his garage. Learn how Naturepedic was able to solve a series of design challenges to make a safer mattress without hazardous flame retardants, phthalates, glues and adhesives, and antimicrobials.
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QUERY FOR TIP: RE: DENTAL FLOSS CAN ANYONE TELL ME IF ANY OF THESE INGREDIENTS ARE BAD? I asked the company for the ingredients of this product. It was like pulling teeth (pun intended), but you can see they finally gave me the list. CAN ANYONE TELL ME IF ANY OF THESE INGREDIENTS ARE BAD? Johnson & Johnson REACH waxed Dental Floss,mint flavor, Vendor ID number = 039704 From: consumerrelations@mccus.jnj.com Dear Gary, Thank you so much for replying back to us at Reach. We always appreciate hearing from our consumers. Below is a complete list of ingredients found in our Johnson & Johnson REACH Mint Waxed Floss: 100% Nylon yarn. White microcrystalline wax Mint Flavor Powder. Sodium Saccharin Wax (mineral-based).