The Weekly Toxic Times

From the Michigan Network for Children’s Environmental Health

News highlights from January 26 - February 1, 2008

A recap of the top stories on toxins in Michigan, National, and International news.

Michigan News

 

Research lags to test pollutants

Detroit Free Press, Friday, Jan. 25, 2008

Article discusses how lack of ability measure pollutants in the Great Lakes is connected to a lack of ability to stop violators of pollution laws.

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080125/NEWS06/
801250432/1008

 

Suit against Dow should be class action

Detroit Free Press, Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008

“A citizen lawsuit alleging damages caused by contamination from Dow Chemical Co. should become a class action, the Michigan Court of Appeals said in a decision released Friday.

Those who sued the chemical giant claim that dioxin from Dow's Midland plant got into the Tittabawassee River and contaminated their properties, reducing home values and making homes hard to sell…”

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080126/NEWS05/
801260377/1001/NEWS

 

Burning issue

MetroTimes Detroit, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2008

Article discusses public hearing held to discuss a lease agreement with a Resource Recovery Facility in Detroit at the corner of Russell Street and Ferry Avenue. The facility’s lease is up this upcoming summer and there is concern that it has caused asthma of nearby residents.

http://www.metrotimes.com/editorial/story.asp?id=12406

 

Berlin and Faro: First owner of house near toxic site got cancer

Flint Journal, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008

Article is about a possible connection between a Superfund site, well water, and cancer among a previous and current residents of a nearby house.

http://blog.mlive.com/flintjournal/newsnow/2008/01/berlin_and_farro_first
_owner_o.html

 

Company tests products for lead

Ann Arbor News, Friday, Jan. 25, 2008

Article is about Michigan county health departments offering lead testing, not a company.

http://www.mlive.com/news/annarbornews/index.ssf?/base/news-10/
1201275799229890.xml&coll=2

National News

 

Head-lice drug promotions halted

USA Today, Thursday, Jan. 31, 2008

“The sole U.S. maker of an insecticide-based treatment for head lice has stopped promoting the product after a sharply worded warning from the Food and Drug Administration that its marketing misled consumers by downplaying the rare, but serious, risks of the treatments…”

http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20080131/1a_bottomstrip31
_dom.art.htm

 

Deal seen for lice shampoo ads

Chicago Tribune, Friday, Feb. 1, 2008

“A Morton Grove-based maker of a prescription shampoo to treat head lice said Thursday it expects an agreement "in the next few months" with federal officials that will allow the company to resume advertising the drug…”

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-fri_licefeb01,0,7073331.story

 

States may restrict lice treatments

USA Today, Thursday, Jan. 31, 2008

“Lawmakers in at least three states [New York, Michigan, and Minnesota] are considering restricting the use of treatments for head lice and body mites that contain the insecticide lindane, raising questions about whether states can regulate products approved by the Food and Drug Administration…”

http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20080131/a_lindaneinside31.art.htm

 

Fighting for safety

Washington Post, Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008

Article discusses regulatory battle between the chemical and furniture industries over flame retardants.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/25/
AR2008012503170.html?sub=AR

 

The chemicals within

Newsweek, Saturday, Feb. 4 edition, 2008

Article discusses the use of and dangers associated with Bisphenol A, phthalates, and deca-BDE.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/105588

 

Green groups target toxic toys

Kennebec Journal (Maine), Friday, Jan. 25, 2008

Article discusses legislation being proposed in Maine about toxins in children’s products.

http://morningsentinel.mainetoday.com/news/local/4692595.html

 

Bill would remove toxic chemicals from toys

The Day (Connecticut), Thursday, Jan. 31, 2008

Article discusses legislation being proposed in Connecticut about toxins in children’s products

http://www.theday.com/re.aspx?re=55696055-c490-43f8-8523-d5f44a993345

 

Bill seeks to get lead out of toys

Omaha World Herald, Friday, Feb. 1, 2008

Article discusses legislation being proposed in Nebraska about lead in children’s products

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10246936

 

Heat causes chemical to leach from plastic

USA Today, Not dated

Article discusses a University of Cincinnati study finding that hotter liquids lead to more leaching of Bisphenol A regardless of the age of the bottles.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-01-29-plastic-chemical_N.htm

 

Harmful pesticides found in everyday food products

Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Wednesday, Jan. 39, 2008

Thorough article discusses a new study published in Environmental Health Perspective about organophosphates found in the saliva and urine of children eating conventional produce but not when those same children ate organic produce.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/health/349263_pesticide30.html

 

Lawmakers urge Mattel to remove lead from all toys

Boston Globe, Thursday, Jan. 31, 2008

“LOS ANGELES – Dozens of federal lawmakers are demanding that Mattel, Inc., the world’s largest toy maker, stop selling toys that contain any amount of lead, claiming the company is not going far enough to address safety concerns. The demand was contained in a letter released yesterday..."

http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2008/01/31/lawmakers_urge_mattel
_to_eliminate_lead_from_all_toys/

 

You sweat, but toxins likely stay

Los Angeles Times, Monday, Jan. 28, 2008

Article discusses saunas as a method of detoxifying and indicates that it is not an effective way of getting rid of chemicals, like pesticides and other commonly used chemicals, in one’s body.

http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-he-skeptic28jan28,1,5398316.story

 

Smoking in car ban gets initial ok

Salt Lake City Tribune, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008

Article discusses a bill passed by Utah’s senate to ban smoking in a car with children 5 or under.

http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_8105700

 

International News

 

Commission proposes strict limits on chemicals in toys

EurActive (Europe), Monday, Jan. 28, 2008

“New toy safety measures proposed by the Commission primarily aimed at banning toxic chemicals have received a cautious welcome from European consumer organisations amid fears that they do not ensure adequate protection for children…”

http://www.euractiv.com/en/health/commission-proposes-strict-limits-chemicals-
toys/article-169891

 

Harmful food additives that trigger hyperactive behaviour in children must be banned, say MPs

Daily Mail (UK), Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008

Article discusses political action in Canada about the connection between some food additives, like artificial colors, and hyperactivity in children due to the additives ability to prevent some nutrients from being absorbed by children.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=
511414&in_page_id=1770&in_a_source

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Articles were researched and compiled by Diane Sherman, MNCEH Intern.

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