Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families
A national effort to protect families from toxic chemicals.
Blog:
Massachusetts manufacturers reduce use of carcinogens
For many of us, cancer feels like it surrounds us – so many friends, family members, co-workers, and neighbors seem to be carrying this health burden in neighborhoods throughout our state, and throughout the nation. In Massachusetts, one hundred people on average are diagnosed with cancer every day. Since the mid 1980s cancer rates have risen 14% among men and 19% among women. The good news: due to a landmark law passed here in 1989, we’re making real progress in stemming this tide.
Think about the brain
As the US Senate begins consideration of the recently introduced Chemical Safety Improvement Act, I want them to think about the brain.
Most of us don’t think about our brains. It’s like thinking about our hearts beating or about the sun rising and setting each day.
The human brain develops in an incredibly intricate and elegantly orchestrated series of events. Brain cells (neurons) divide, migrate, differentiate and communicate. At birth, a baby’s brain has about 100 billion neurons that are in place and beginning to connect with each other, sending and receiving messages. The brain continues to grow and strengthen connections throughout childhood.
Wow. That’s a lot happening in just nine months. But that’s not the part I really want our Senators to think about.
“Toxies” chase down toxic chemicals
You may have already heard of the The Toxies – a satirical red carpet awards ceremony for “bad actor” chemicals. This multi-media campaign was created by the statewide coalition of non-profits, Californians for a Healthy and Green Economy (CHANGE) and led by Physicians for Social Responsibility-Los Angeles (PSR-LA). See highlights from the past award ceremonies here.
This year, we’re ditching those awards (which were probably toxic anyway!) and launching a new websisode series called, The Toxies: Exposed. Through seven short videos, we follow a daring investigative journalist as he chases down toxic chemicals and pollutants, raising awareness about toxics in our homes, schools, workplaces and
communities.
We’re hiring! Two positions announced
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Campaign Associate
Executive Administrative Assistant
About Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families
We are a dynamic and unique campaign working to protect American families from toxic chemicals. Our coalition includes over 450 organizations and businesses working together to reform out of date federal policies on toxic chemicals, educating the public about the dangers of toxic chemicals in consumer products and working with retailers to move the market towards safer materials.
Hazardous 100+ chemicals found in the Great Lakes
I am a Great Lakes enthusiast; in fact my love of the lakes is one of the driving forces that led me to this work. I spend my summer vacation on Lake Superior, took frequent camping trips along the North Shore of Superior in college, and have enjoyed friend’s weddings along the banks of Lake Michigan.
There’s something about the Great Lakes that hooks us. Whether or not you live in a Great Lakes state, if you’ve experienced their beauty you know how important it is to protect them.
That’s why dozens of Great Lakes organizations have come together to ask the nation’s top ten retailers to protect these valuable resources from toxic chemical pollutants. As part of the letter to retailers, the organizations attached a new fact sheet highlighting some of the new science around toxic chemical pollutants in the Great Lakes, including the nasty “PBT” chemicals that stay in the environment, to “emerging contaminants” like Triclosan, which are rapidly rising as Great Lakes pollutants.
Stupid Cancer Goes to Washington
Just when you thought you weren't depressed enough with the 24 hour news cycle regurgitating nonstop stories about the failure of our government to do anything, it can actually get worse—when you witness it first hand for the very first time. Yes, Stupid Cancer went to Washington and this is my comedy of terrors.
Notes on Wednesday’s hearing
Wednesday was a big day. For the first time this year, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee discussed what it will take to pass strong laws on toxic chemicals. So, why was this Congressional hearing such a big deal?
In May, Senator Vitter and the late Senator Lautenberg introduced a bi-partisan bill to reform our federal law on toxic chemicals. The bill as drafted, has serious flaws, but provided a rare political breakthrough against deep partisan gridlock. Today’s hearing was the first discussion on a path forward since the compromise bill was introduced.
Safer Chemicals twitter chat Part II
What a day! Today was a marathon, six hour long hearing in the Senate on a path forward on toxic chemicals.
We hosted a twitter chat which was full of rich discussion, questions and experts from across the country.
You can see highlights from the first part of the twitter chat here.
Safer Chemicals twitter chat: Part I
This morning was a whirlwind of fun on Twitter! During the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing on toxic chemicals, we led a twitter chat highlighting some of the key points made throughout the hearing and answered questions.
I was inspired to see how many people took time out of their busy day to tune in to the hearing and join our online conversation. We had several experts tweeting including our coalition partners at the Breast Cancer Fund, Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization, League of Conservation Voters and more.
To add to the excitement actors Jennifer Beals and Elizabeth Berkley joined the conversation as well.
SC Johnson’s secrets
Have you seen that SC Johnson commercial that’s on 24/7? The one about how they’re a family company committed to “honesty” and “transparency,” and that’s why they disclose all ingredients right down to fragrance? (Except that they don’t actually tell you which fragrance ingredients are in products…)
We spoofed it.
