The Weekly Toxic Times

From the Michigan Network for Children's Environmental Health

News highlights from April 19 - April 25, 2008

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

Michigan News

Decision on Dow dioxin damage could take years

Bay City Times, Friday, April 18, 2008

“MIDLAND – Toxic releases by Midland-based Dow Chemical Co. have damaged the environment in the Saginaw Bay area, a federal official says. And it will take years, until 2010, or maybe 2015, before trustees in a federal process decide how Dow will compensate the area…”

http://www.mlive.com/news/bctimes/index.ssf?/base/news-11/1208531719100620
.xml&coll=4

     Another article covering topic:

     Dioxin plan looks to preserve, restore natural resources in Saginaw
     Valley

     Saginaw News, Friday, April 18, 2008

     http://www.mlive.com/saginawnews/news/index.ssf/2008/04/dioxin_plan_looks
     _to_preserve.html

Days of flushing medicine are over

Ann Arbor News, Friday, April 25, 2008

Article discusses a state-wide workshop that was recently held for water and environmental specialists on proper disposal techniques for pharmaceuticals.

http://www.mlive.com/news/annarbornews/index.ssf?/base/news-11/12091345
12281660.xml&coll=2

National News

It’s not easy being green

MSNBC, Monday, April 21, 2008

Dateline story comparing the levels and number of chemicals found in the systems of family members from two American households with contrasting lifestyles.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24230246/

Canada takes steps to ban most plastic baby bottles

New York Times, Saturday, April 19, 2008

“OTTAWA – The Canadian government moved Friday to ban polycarbonate infant bottles, the most popular variety on the market, after it officially declared one of their chemical ingredients toxic. The action, by the departments of health and environment, is the first taken by any government against bisphenol-a…”

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/19/business/worldbusiness/19plastic.html?_r=
1&oref=slogin

     Washington Post’s coverage of Canada’s decision:

     Canada bans BPA from baby bottles

     Washington Post, Saturday, April 19, 2008

     http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/18/AR200804
     1803036.html

Consumer Alert: Plastic in baby bottles may pose health risk

Scientific American, Monday, April 21, 2008

Article covering scientific findings on bisphenol A to date.

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=plastics-in-baby-bottles-may-pose-health-risk

Puzzle, precaution over plastic

Boston Globe, Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Article indicates CVS will stop selling plastics with bisphenol A and discusses the findings of Canadian and US agencies.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/04/23/puzzle_precaution_over_
plastic/

More U.S. retailers give BPA the boot

USA Today, Monday, April 21, 2008

Article mentions Toys ‘R’ Us, Wal-Mart, Nalgene, and Playtex will phase out sale or manufacture of products with bisphenol A.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-04-21-BPA-phase-out_N.htm

Autism risk linked to distance from power plants, other mercury-releasing sources

ScienceDaily, Friday, April 25, 2008

Article discusses a new study by the University of Texas Health Science Center which found a statistically significant association between distance from sources of mercury and autism risk.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080424120953.htm

Toxin bill raises hunters’ ire

Times Argus (Montpelier, Vermont), Thursday, April 24, 2008

Article discusses hunters’ opposition to a Vermont bill that would ban phthalates from children’s products because of its inclusion of a chemical called DINP.

http://www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080424/NEWS02/804240
343/1003/NEWS02

U.S. investigates artificial turf’s lead level

Washington Post, Sunday, April 20, 2008

“Artificial turf fields in the Washington area and elsewhere may be popular with players and managers who don't have to fret about bumpy terrain or constant upkeep. But now the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is beginning to investigate whether the trendy fields contain lead that could easily rub off and pose health hazards…”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/19/AR20080419
01668.html

Food dyes may protect against cancer

New Scientist, Friday, April 25, 2008

“Synthetic food dyes - long blamed for causing hyperactivity in children - may have a good side: some of them may protect against cancer…”

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg19826534.600-food-dyes-may-protect-
against-cancer.html?DCMP=ILC-hmts&nsref=news1_head_mg19826534.600

Ashland professor Jeffrey Weidenhamer warned of lead in keychains 16 months before recall

Plain Dealer (Cleveland, Ohio), Friday, April 25, 2008

Washington – The Consumer Product Safety Commission, struggling to improve its reputation, faces a new challenge with an Ohio professor's claim that the agency waited 16 months before recalling a product with an alarming level of lead.

http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1209198722136
090.xml&coll=2

Look beautiful naturally

ABC News, Thursday, April 24, 2008

Article discusses health and environmental concerns from beauty products.

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/BeautySecrets/story?id=4709730&page=1

Newspaper: FDA found concerns at Merck vaccine plant

Houston Chronicle, Thursday, April 24, 2008

“TRENTON, N.J. – Contaminated children's vaccines and other potentially serious concerns were spotted by federal regulators who combed Merck & Co.'s vaccine plant in the Philadelphia suburbs, according to a published report…”

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/health/5728715.html

International News

The other place bisphenol A lurks: our teeth

The Globe (Canada), Thursday, April 24, 2008

“Just when they thought they could breathe easy after years of controversy concerning mercury-based fillings, dentists are finding themselves at the centre of a new debate over the safety of the alternatives. An increasing number of dentists are using sealants and fillings that may expose patients to bisphenol A…”

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080424.wldental24/BN
Story/specialScienceandHealth/home

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

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