The Weekly Toxic Times

From the Michigan Network for Children's Environmental Health

News highlights from July 23 - July 29, 2008

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

Michigan News

Score one for Dow Chemical: In the EPA's Midwestern division, a pro-industry stalwart replaces a dioxin stickler

Gristmill, Monday, July 21, 2008

"Keen to keep sure such confrontations with powerful industry players from happening again, the EPA has named Lynn Buhl as Gade's replacement. The agency's press release paints Buhl as a diligent career public servant. But as this vintage 2003 Daily Grist entry shows, Buhl is a long-time industry stalwart."
gristmill.grist.org/story/2008/7/21/134650/419

Could the plastic in these toys be toxic? Petroleum-based chemicals under scrutiny

The Detroit Free Press, Thursday, July 24, 2008

"Europe, Mexico and two U.S. states ban them in toys and other children's products. Now a congressional committee is weighing whether the United States should institute a similar nationwide ban on phthalates, petroleum-based chemicals that make plastics flexible but are suspected of causing reproductive harm, particularly if young boys are exposed to them."
www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080724/FEATURES01/8072
40401/1025/PRINT

National News

Acura, Smart, Chevy Models Top List of Healthiest Cars Tested by Ecology Center

Edmunds.com, Tuesday, July 22, 2008

"Some automakers are increasingly going to great lengths to make the interiors of some of their models if not environmentally friendly, at least a bit wholesome. But others, well..."
blogs.edmunds.com/greencaradvisor/2008/07/acura-smart-chevy-models-top
-list-of-healthiest-cars-tested-by-ecology-center.html

'New car smell' becoming less toxic, report says

CNETNews.com, Monday, July 28, 2008

"Car interiors and car seats are becoming less toxic, although 'new car smell' continues to carry poisons linked to allergies and cancer, according to a report last week by the Ecology Center."
news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-10001060-54.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag
=2547-1_3-0-5

Toxic Car Interiors: Chemical dangers may lurk in new cars, children's seats

MarketWatch, Tuesday, July 22, 2008

"Love that new-car smell? The bad news is that chemicals contributing to that smell can be harmful, and have been linked to long-term health problems. The good news is that consumers have a new guide to figure out which cars are safer."
www.marketwatch.com/news/story/chemical-dangers-may-lurk-new/story.
aspx?guid=%7B70D0674F-CF46-44FA-ADC7-CBE608B05503%7D&
dist=msr_1

Lawmakers agree to ban toxins in children's items

Washington Post [Registration Required], Tuesday, July 29, 2008

"House and Senate lawmakers agreed to permanently ban three types of phthalates from children's toys and to outlaw three others pending a study of their health effects."
www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/28/AR2008072
802586.html

US state wages fight against toxic chemicals

Reuters, Thursday, July 24, 2008

"A new Maine law coincides with mounting concerns in the United States over chemicals found in everyday products, from cars to clothes, and follows similar European Union laws."
www.forbes.com/reuters/feeds/reuters/2008/07/24/2008-07-25T000308Z_
01_N17261555_RTRIDST_0_ENVIRONMENT-CHEMICALS-MAINE-
GENERAL-FEATURE-PIX.html

Bill targets toy safety

Chicago Tribune, Illinois, Tuesday, July 29, 2008

"Congressional negotiators settled months of debate over product safety on Monday, and in nearly every detail—including lead levels in toys, safety information for consumers and fines for violating the new rules—stricter standards won out."
www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-consumer-safety-29jul29,0,
3553091.story

Arctic gender imbalance

Living On Earth, Friday, July 25, 2008

"Only girls are being born in a village in Greenland. What is behind the growing gender imbalance in babies born around the Arctic Circle?"
www.loe.org/shows/segments.htm?programID=08-P13-00030&segmentID
=1

Fresh scent may hide toxic secret: Innocuous-sounding 'perfume' in detergents, air fresheners made with dangerous chemicals

Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Wednesday, July 23, 2008

"The scented fabric sheet makes your shirts and socks smell flowery fresh and clean. That plug-in air freshener fills your home with inviting fragrances of apple and cinnamon or a country garden. But those common household items are potentially exposing your family and friends to dangerous chemicals, a University of Washington study has found."
seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/371779_toxicfragrance23.html

In surprise move, EPA bans carbofuran residue on food

Washington Post [Registration Required], Friday, July 25, 2008

"The EPA announced yesterday that it will no longer allow residue of the toxic pesticide carbofuran on domestic or imported food, a decision that would effectively remove the chemical from the U.S. market."
www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/24/AR20080724
03495.html

Is your makeup killing you?

Desert Sun, California, Saturday, July 26, 2008

"U.S. lax on banning ingredients that could be harmful to human health."
www.mydesert.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080726/LIFESTYLES03
/807260306/1059/lifestyles03

Flak and Tan: Most sunscreens ineffective or pose a health risk, says group

Grist, Tuesday, July 22, 2008

"Some 85 percent of 952 sunscreens tested are ineffective or contain potentially harmful chemicals, says this year's annual sunscreen review by the Environmental Working Group. Of 144 sunscreen products distributed by the top three leading brands -- Coppertone, Banana Boat, and Neutrogena -- only one meets EWG's criteria for safety and efficacy."
www.grist.org/news/2008/07/22/sunscreen/index.html

Democrat vows bill to block 'Secret Rule' on workplace toxins

Washington Post [Registration Required], Saturday, July 26, 2008

"A congressional leader pledged yesterday to introduce legislation that would block an eleventh-hour proposal by the Labor Department that would make it more difficult to limit workers' exposure to chemicals on the job."
www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/25/AR20080725
00595.html

Kids and cell phone warning: U.S. advisory echoes Toronto Public Health's wireless phone concerns

The Toronto Star, Thursday, July 24, 2008

"The head of a U.S. cancer centre is urging that children not use cell phones, except in emergencies, because of a growing body of literature pointing to possible adverse health effects, including cancer."
healthzone.ca/health/article/466403

What's Lurking in Your Countertop?

The New York Times, Thursday, July 24, 2008

"Shortly before Lynn Sugarman of Teaneck, N.J., bought her summer home in Lake George, N.Y., two years ago, a routine inspection revealed it had elevated levels of radon, a radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer. So she called a radon measurement and mitigation technician to find the source."
www.nytimes.com/2008/07/24/garden/24granite.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

International News

EU clears baby bottle chemical despite Canada ban

EU Observer, Thursday, July 24, 2008

"A chemical commonly found in baby bottles and teethers that has been taken off the shelves in Canada is safe for European infants, the EU's food safety monitors have found."
euobserver.com/9/26534

Nanotechnology: Really, really small stuff that's really big

CBC Canada, Canada, Friday, July 25, 2008

"You may never have heard of it, but chances are some of the products you use make use of nanotechnology."
www.cbc.ca/health/story/2008/07/25/f-nanotech-health.html

Major asbestos suit kicks off in Tokyo

The Japan Times, Thursday, July 24

"What is believed to be the biggest asbestos-related litigation in Japan opened Wednesday at the Tokyo District Court with construction workers and relatives of deceased workers taking the stand to describe years of health problems that could have been prevented."
search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20080724a2.html

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Articles were researched and compiled by Beth Kerwin and Marci Baranski, MNCEH Interns.

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