Tired of Toxic Chemicals? We’ve Got a Solution.
Posted April 28th, 2011 by Claire MoshenbergOver this past year, we’ve learned more and more about the problem of toxic chemicals. In 2010, the President’s Cancer Panel showed a link between exposures to toxic chemicals and rising cancer rates. (1) Six months later, new research from the Journal of Pediatrics showed that a recent rise in early puberty for girls is linked to exposure to endocrine disruptors, which are rampant in every day items, such as household cleaners and cosmetics.(2)
We know there’s a problem. Finally, we have a solution: The Safe Chemicals Act.
Ask your Senator to support comprehensive toxics legislation by cosponsoring the Safe Chemicals Act: http://action.momsrising.org/letter/NewTSCA1/
What is the Safe Chemicals Act?
The Safe Chemicals Act is a much needed update to our not-so-current toxics legislation, the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) of 1976. In 1976, we didn’t know as much about how toxic chemicals can migrate from the materials and products in which they’re used – including furniture, plastics, and food cans – into our bodies. Thirty five years later, The Federal Centers for Disease Control has found that the blood or tissues of almost every American carry hundreds of these chemicals, some present even before birth. Yet under the outdated TSCA, the EPA has only been able to require testing of a few hundred of the 62,000 chemicals that have been on the market since TSCA was passed 35 years ago, a number that has increased to 85,000 chemicals today. (3)
Moms are the push Congress needs to pass the Safe Chemicals Act. In the last three years, 18 states have passed 71 chemical safety laws.(4) It’s the hard work of people like you across the country that has made these changes happen. Now we can bring the momentum of these state successes to the national level.
Lets tell our Senators that it’s time to take a lesson from our home states and pass comprehensive chemicals reform for the entire country. Ask your Senator to cosponsor the Safe Chemicals Act: http://action.momsrising.org/letter/NewTSCA1/
Powerful voices in the health world are speaking up for an overhaul of the Toxic Substances Control Act, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Medical Association, the American Public Health Association, and the American Nurses Association.(5)They know that our broken chemical screening system puts our families at risk for cancer, learning disabilities, infertility, and more. And we know that when the health of our kids is at stake, there’s nothing we won’t do to keep them safe.
Don’t forget to ask your Senator to protect America’s families from toxic chemicals by cosponsoring the Safe Chemicals Act: http://action.momsrising.org/letter/NewTSCA1/
The Safe Chemicals Act would require the EPA to identify and restrict the most dangerous chemicals, and would require basic health and safety information for all chemicals as a condition for entering or remaining on the market. It would also work to reduce the burden of toxic chemical exposures on people of color and low-income and indigenous communities, and provide the EPA with the tools and resources it needs to identify and address chemicals posing health and environmental concerns.
We can’t protect our kids and families from toxics without updating legislation like the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The Safe Chemicals Act is that important update. Ask your Senator to cosponsor the Safe Chemicals Act: http://action.momsrising.org/letter/NewTSCA1/
And please share this link with your family and friends; the more voices we have, the stronger the message to Congress!
1) President’s Cancer Panel Report: http://deainfo.nci.nih.gov/ADVISORY/pcp/annualReports/index.htm
2) Puberty in Second Grade??: http://www.momsrising.org/blog/puberty-in-second-grade/?akid=2575.86216.qOAJ7z&rd=1&t=12
3) ” Safe Chemicals Act of 2011: Introduced Today, Legislation Would Protect American Families from Toxic Chemicals:http://www.saferchemicals.org/2011/04/safe-chemicals-act-of-2011-introduced-today-legislation-would-protect-american-families-from-toxic-chemicals.html
4) Healthy States Report, from Safer Chemicals Healthy Families: http://blog.saferchemicals.org/2010/11/healthy-states-protecting-families-from-toxic-chemicals-while-congress-lags-behind.html
5) “Pediatricians Urge Tougher Chemical Safety Law,” CNN: http://edition.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/04/25/toxic.chemicals/
6 Comments
May 17, 2011 at 12:51 pm by Elizabeth MorisakiRef.- Herbicide Tolerant cotton
Dear Moms.- I found that most of the American Cotton crops are transgenic and large part of these crops is herbicide tolerant, therefore most part of knitted goods, including knitted garments for babies and children are produced with this genetically modified cotton. I would like to know if there is any scientific research that has assessed the dermatological effects of garments made out of H.T. cotton.
One research I found is at WWF: http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/about_freshwater/freshwater_problems/thirsty_crops/cotton/transgenic_intro/transgenic_conclusions/
This study is dated March 2000, and warns about the environmental consequences of transgenic cotton crops and the need of further research.
My office e-mail address is emorisaki@corceli.com.pe. I work in textiles since 1986.
Best regards,
Elizabeth Morisaki
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May 3, 2011 at 12:43 pm by theresa trompkeI am very supportive of what you are doing..I wish a lot of people cared about toxins and health care like you guys do. I am very thankful for your heart on this issue.
I am a Health and Wellnes Rep and am working from home and helping other family’s switch stores. I work for a world class Health and Wellness company and I help people set up their own account so they can shop at home for things they need so I know how awesome it is to help others and help them learn about the toxins they are letting in their homes because they dont know anybetter. I wish i could boycott all the stores in this town because they dont know any better..
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April 30, 2011 at 11:19 pm by RihanaM.The potential for chemical reform is quite exciting, but it should be done in a way that doesn’t sacrifice millions of animals (for toxicity testing) in the name of better protection for human health and the environment. The revised bill should mandate and create market incentives to use nonanimal methods. We need to ensure that chemical testing is in line with the 21st century and relies on modern, human cell and computer-based methods that provide accurate data on how a chemical acts and what the impact on human health may be.
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Anita Reply:
May 1st, 2011 at 1:29 pm
Thanks for sharing these thoughts, RihanaM.
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I wish all moms would take the time to sign these and to push for safer chemical laws! So many moms I know just sigh and say “there is just too much to worry about” or “it’s not that big of a deal” or “what am I supposed to do about it”. We have to do something to promote change for the health and safety of our children. These chemicals are out of control and ruining the health of our families! Get educated. Vote with your choices of products. And urge tougher regulations!
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Anita Reply:
May 1st, 2011 at 1:27 pm
Your energy for this is great, Jennifer! Thanks for your comment.
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