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Cadmium in Kids’ Jewelry: 3 Ways to
Stay Safe
http://www.usnews.com/health/blogs/on-parenting/2010/01/14/cadmium-in-kids-jewelry-3-ways-to-stay-safe
Cadmium is an extremely toxic heavy metal. So what the heck is it
doing in children's jewelry? Children's jewelry was supposed to get
safer after a federal ban on the use of toxic lead in charms and
jewelry went into effect last year. But it's not illegal to make
children's products out of cadmium, despite the fact that it's
clearly dangerous. And now cadmium has shown up in inexpensive
children's jewelry, barely one month after a scare that Zhu Zhu
Pets, the "it" toy of the Christmas season, were contaminated with
antimony.
Walmart Pendants Recalled as Disney
Bans Cadmium
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/29/AR2010012902362.html
Federal consumer safety regulators on Friday announced the recall
of "The Princess and The Frog" pendants sold at Walmart stores
because of high levels of the toxic metal cadmium, an unprecedented
action that reflects concerns of an emerging threat in children's
jewelry. The recall affects two products, about 55,000 items in
total, sold exclusively by the world's biggest retailer for $5 each.
The action was taken voluntarily by Rhode Island-based jewelry
company FAF Inc., which did not respond to requests for comment.
Coalition Backs Tougher Regulation of
Toxic Chemicals
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10021/1030041-100.stm
A broad coalition of labor, health, environmental and faith-based
organizations is calling for tougher federal regulation of toxic
chemicals and the public's exposure to them.
Children More Likely to Have
Attention, Behavioral Problems When Exposed to Phthalates in Womb,
New York Study Says
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/news/phthalates-and-attention-deficits
Children exposed in the womb to chemicals in cosmetics and
fragrances are more likely to develop behavioral problems commonly
found in children with attention deficit disorders, according to a
study of New York City school-age children published Thursday.
Scientists said the findings uncovered a new problem that could be
related to phthalates - effects on a child’s developing brain. "More
phthalates equaled more behavioral problems," said Stephanie Engel,
an associate professor of preventive medicine at Mount Sinai School
of Medicine. "For every increase of exposure, we saw an increase in
frequency and severity of the symptoms," including attention
problems, poor conduct and aggression. The connection was only
detected for the types of phthalates used in perfumes, shampoos and
other personal care products, not the ones found in vinyl toys and
other soft plastics.
Michigan House Votes to Ban Deca, a
Toxic Flame Retardant
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(m1ijfqvvqtwdw2jgn2t13rq1))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=2009-HB-4699
The MI House passed HB 4699 by an
overwhelming margin of 94-6. This is a hugely impressive victory,
made possible only by the many contributions you have made. The bill
became much broader in the final days before it moved out of
Committee. It is now effectively a ban on all uses of deca in
Michigan by the end of 2013, with the exception of parts made at
anytime for cars made prior to 12/31/2013. For more information, see
the press release "Michigan House Overwhelmingly Passes Ban on Toxic
Flame Retardant" by the Michigan
Network for Children's Environmental Health.
Reductions in Toxic Chemical Exposure
Would Make Michigan and the Rest of the U.S. Healthier, Wealthier,
New Report Finds
http://ecocenter.org/press/releases/20100121.php
Evidence is strong and growing that
chemical exposures contribute significantly to the rise in many
chronic diseases, according to a new report synthesizing
peer-reviewed science released today. “The Health Case for Reforming
the Toxic Substances Control Act” finds that Michiganders and all
Americans would be healthier if exposure to toxic chemicals was
reduced. Michiganders could conservatively save over $150 million
annually in health care costs. As the debate rages over the costs of
health care and its reform, the report vividly illustrates the
opportunity to prevent disease and reduce health care costs by
overhauling chemicals policies.
Op Ed: Urge Sen. George to hold
hearing on Safe Products Act
http://www.mlive.com/opinion/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2010/01/letters_urge_sen_george_to_hol.html
Due to the hyper-politicized nature of nearly everything in
Michigan these days, there are certain pieces of quality legislation
that should be easy for lawmakers on opposite sides of the aisle to
agree upon but somehow never end up making it to the Governor’s
desk. The Children’s Safe Products Act is a good example. This
legislation would require large toy importers and manufacturers to
disclose whether products they sell in Michigan contain “chemicals
of highest concern.” Examples of such chemicals are mercury,
arsenic, cadmium, brominated flame retardants, Bisphenol-A (BPA),
and others.
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