May 2018 Tip Talks Newsletter

IN THIS ISSUE
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**LIB TALKS: TIP Grant Proposal Update,
Serious Toxic Concerns Ignored or Dismissed
by MSM, Preemption Problem Again!,
Odd Notes Re: "Air Fresheners"
**RI/CT/MA AREA RESOURCE: Chip Osborne, “Go Organic”
RI (& National) CONCERN/ACTION:
Seed Regulation Preemption
**GOOD NEWS: EU Court Backs Neonicotanoids Ban,
CT Passes Pesticide Misters Ban
**USEFUL RESEARCH & WARNINGS:
Air Freshener Hazards
**CLEVER CONSUMER CAMPAIGN:
SUMMERY RESOURCES & ACTION
Sunscreen Safety & Protection, Kids & Sunscreen,
Action vs. Oxybenzone in Sunscreens
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LIB TALKS
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**GRANT PROPOSAL UPDATE: We didn’t get the grants mentioned in April TIP TALKS, but our efforts continue , but our efforts continue – with some great partners. We are working to fund/find materials needed to build a special, unique, heat storing solar greenhouse (perfect for STEM/Environmental Curriculum) at the Greene School in West Greenwich, RI. And, YouthBuild in Providence is working with us on this project. Stay tuned for more on our progress. (Note: TIP would appreciate any contributions towards materials costs)

** SERIOUS TOXIC CONCERNS ARE MINIMIZED OR IGNORED BY THE MSM. Today, efforts continue to deal
with the flood of toxic chemicals to which we are subjected every day. And, mainstream media continues its failure to report honestly on that (fueled by the advertising revenue they depend upon, and the takeover of our medical system by corporate interests). One of our many contacts who suffers severely from chemical sensitivity sent me the link to an article in Newsweek magazine about MCS. The headline is a corporate monstrosity. Ironically, the article actually includes some info about the real sickness & misery
they want to dismiss. TIP encounters affected people, research & reports year after year. You may have some such info yourself to share (with Newsweek & with us).
READ AND RESPOND!
“What Is MCS? Multiple Chemical Sensitivity 'Affects Millions of Americans,' But It Isn't a Real Illness
http://www.newsweek.com/what-multiple-chemical-sensitivity-848712

ODD NOTES RE: "AIR FRESHENERS”: Years back, I learned that there was a problem with teenagers getting high on Glade! Funny? Yes – and No! Consider these from a quick search: www.drugrehab.us/news/huffing-a-dangerous-trend-for-teens/ and, even worse: www.foxnews.com/story/2009/07/16/coroner-indiana-teen-died-from-huffing-air-freshener.html

Also, at one point I discovered that “Air Fresheners” were on an EPA list of “hazardous waste”. I can no longer find that page, but my online query: “Are Air Fresheners Hazardous Waste?” came up with a bunch of entries that included these stinkers in that category. Check it out yourself – and read the “Air Freshener” info below in this TIP TALKS. I think you may agree with me that these are among the most deceptively named and sold products around. That’s why I always put their title in quotes.

**PREEMPTING SEED REGULATION: Looks like our RI legislature is on its way to prohibit local control
of seeds, including GMO crops. See RI Action for info & protest the bill.. My comment to legislators: “Urgent - this bill provision takes away all protection vs. toxic pesticides by removing our rights to do what the federal agencies will not! Opposing it is the clearest action you can take to side with people & environment vs. corporate interests. Whose side are you on?”
IN ANOTHER STATE? Watch out for similar efforts to prevent localities from protecting there citizens
and environment from the corporate polluters. (Note: If you are on this list, you do know that GMOs
& pesticides go together, like Amos & Andy.)

Blessings, Liberty G
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RHODE ISLAND/MA/CT AREA RESOURCE
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CHIP OSBORNE, OSBORNE ORGANICS
11 Laurel Street , Marblehead, MA 01945
Tel. 781-631-2468, E-Mail: co@osborneorganics.com
Website: www.osborneorganics.com
Consulting service for business, municipal,
institutional, & residential clients.
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RHODE ISLAND ACTION
Senate Bill No. 2361 SUB A BY Sosnowski, Miller, Goldin, Crowley, Felag ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY -- RHODE ISLAND SEED ACT (Provides that jurisdiction of all use of agricultural and vegetable seeds is vested exclusively in the director of the department of environmental management). For details, go to http://status.rilin.state.ri.us/ Select House Environment under Committee Inventory. It’s the first one on the list. To oppose it, contact the Environment
& Agriculture Committee via its clerk, Nancy Sullivan, 222-2381, Slegislation@rilegislature.gov
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GOOD NEWS
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BEE CRISIS: EU COURT BACKS
NEAR-TOTAL NEONICOTINOIDS BAN
www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-44151728
May 17, 2018 BBC The EU's top court has backed an almost complete EU-wide ban on the use of
three insecticides, which studies have linked to declining bee populations. Chemicals giants Bayer
and Syngenta had gone to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) hoping to get the restrictions on neonicotinoids overturned. …The three neonicotinoids to be severely restricted in the EU are: clothianidin, thiamethoxam and imidacloprid…. The ECJ ruling said the EU had correctly applied its "precautionary principle", which allows restrictions on chemicals even when conclusive evidence of harm is lacking.

A BAN ON PESTICIDE MOSQUITO MISTERS!
Reported by CT-based Environment & Human Health (EHHI) Legislation goes into effect in Connecticut on October 1, 2018 that bans the use of pesticide misters
as of January 1, 2019. The votes on this Bill (S.B.104) were: Unanimous in the Environment Committee, Unanimous in the State Senate , In the CT House - 149 voted "yes" -17 voted "no" and one absent.
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USEFUL RESEARCH & WARNINGS
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JOURNAL ARTICLE - AIR FRESHENERS - OVER 20%
OF THE GENERAL US POPULATION REPORT
ADVERSE HEALTH EFFECTS FROM AIR FRESHENERS.
Ten Questions Concerning Air Fresheners
And Indoor Built Environments
www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360132316304334
This article investigates the seeming paradox that products designed to improve the indoor environment can pose unintended and unknown risks. It examines the science, health, and policy perspectives, and provides recommendations and research directions. Excerpts:

Air fresheners can emit and generate a range of potentially hazardous air pollutants that can impair air quality. Even so-called green and organic air fresheners can emit hazardous air pollutants. Air freshener ingredients are largely unknown and undisclosed, owing to regulatory protections on consumer product ingredients and on fragrance formulations.

In studies, fewer than ten percent of all volatile ingredients are typically disclosed on air freshener labels or material safety data sheets. From an indoor air quality perspective, air fresheners have been indicated as a primary source of volatile organic compounds within buildings. From a health perspective, air fresheners have been associated with adverse effects, such as migraine headaches, asthma attacks, mucosal symptoms, infant illness, and breathing difficulties.

WHAT DO AIR FRESHENERS EMIT? Air fresheners emit over 100 different chemicals, including volatile organic compounds (terpenes such as limonene, alpha-pinene, and beta-pinene; terpenoids such as linalool and alpha-terpineol; ethanol, formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, and xylene) and semi-volatile organic compounds (such as phthalates) [25,29,40,46]. Air freshener emissions can also react with indoor oxidants, such as ozone (O3), hydroxyl radicals (OH), and nitrate radicals (NO3), to generate a range of oxidation products [29,35]. For instance, primary emissions such as terpenes can readily react with ozone to generate secondary pollutants such as formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, glycol ethers, free radicals (such as hydroperoxy and alkyl peroxy radicals), and ultrafine particles.
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** CLEVER CONSUMER (That’s you!)
CAMPAIGN REMINDER: TIP TALKS seeks to
increase your consumer IQ & abilities. Remember,
if you tell the supplier, retailer, or producer what
you will or won’t BUY, they care.
(Also share your knowledge with friends & family)
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SUNSCREEN SAFETY & PROTECTION
With confusing chemical names like zinc oxide, avobenzone & oxybenzone, it can be tough to tell the good from the bad when it comes to protecting your family from the sun's harmful rays.
And not all sunscreens are created equal. Sunscreen manufacturers use a wide array of ingredients to filter or absorb UV radiation, some of which can be harmful to your health That’s why EWG has analyzed hundreds of sun protection products to help you choose the best ones. If you plan on spending time in the sun this summer, make sure you’re prepared with EWG’s 2018 Guide to Sunscreens & sun safety tips:
www.ewg.org/sunscreen/?utm_source=201805SunscreenRelease2&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=201805SunscreenRelease2#.Ww1pL_VJkW5

KIDS & SUNSCREENS
There are a lot of kids’ sunscreens out there that may be convenient to apply, but contain worrisome ingredients or don’t provide adequate sun protection. Check out EWG’s Best Scoring Sunscreens for Kids, to help you find the right one for your family. See it at: www.ewg.org/sunscreen/best-kids-sunscreens/?utm_source=201805SunscreenRelease2&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=201805SunscreenRelease2#.WwnThPVJkW4

SUNSCREEN ACTION
EWG found that more than 60 percent of the non-mineral sunscreens it assessed contain oxybenzone
– a toxic chemical that is harmful to our health and our planet. Oxybenzone is linked to hormone disruption and allergic skin reactions, as well as the bleaching of coral reefs and coral death. This toxic chemical is found in the blood of nearly every American tested for it & has even been found in breast milk.

Oxybenzone’s harmful effects have led the Hawaii state legislature to pass a bill that would ban products that contain it. Sunscreen manufacturers and the Food & Drug Administration need to hear from all of us: We want sunscreen products that provide adequate protection from ultraviolet rays AND do not use potentially harmful ingredients. Help EWG get this hazardous ingredient out of sunscreens for good.
Go to: https://secure.ewg.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=2396&tag=201805SSRelease2OxyRe50&track=ACTION_Oxybenzone
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**BENEFIT TIP WHILE SURFING THE WEB at:
www.goodsearch.com/?charityid=818190
(Uses the Yahoo search engine)
**SHOP ONLINE AT AMAZON SMILE
Go to: smile.amazon.com/ch/14-1862385 to select
Toxics Information Project (TIP).as your charity,
to receive a donation. You already probably use
Amazon for various purchases, and it costs you
nothing to include us in your buying routine.
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** BEST OF ALL: Mail a check to TIP at the address below. (We are a tax-deductible organization)
Toxics Information Project (TIP) P.O. Box 40572,
Providence, RI 02940 Tel. 401-351-9193, E-Mail:
liberty@toxicsinfo.org Website: www.toxicsinfo.org
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