The Weekly Toxic Times

From the Michigan Network for Children's Environmental Health

News highlights for the week of Friday, November 9, 2007

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

Michigan News

Study finds dangerous chemicals in common goods: 5 Michiganders among those tested

Detroit Free Press, Thursday, Nov. 8, 2007

“A project to test 35 people in seven states, including five Michiganders, for industrial chemicals common in household products found that all those tested had the toxic substances in their bodies…”

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200771108019

Are dangerous chemicals in your Body?

WLNS TV 6, Thursday, Nov. 8, 2007

“It's a scary thought – the idea that there may be toxic chemicals inside our bodies that we don't even know about. A study showed that is definitely the case. The study found that these chemicals are posing major health threats, meaning the time to act is now…”

http://www.wlns.com/Global/story.asp?S=7332486

National News

Consumer alert: Fears of toxic plastics

CNN This Morning, American Morning, Thursday, Nov. 8, 2007

“You know we’ve been talking this morning about the chemicals that are used to make plastics, so many of the products that we use everyday, and a lot of people are worried. There is a growing movement about concern about what is actually in them and whether or not you can find toxic-free products and whether to not you’re willing to pay a little bit more for them…”

http://www.vmsdigital.com/MyFiles.aspx?Onum=FFD83152-65ED-
4780-9AA1-CF60572A887C

Bio-monitoring toxins

WNYC US Public Radio, Friday, Nov. 8, 2007

“Judy Robinson, works for the Environmental Health Fund, and conducted a study to monitor people around the country for various toxins. Heather Loukmas a participants in the study.”

This segment should be available for download beginning on Saturday, Nov. 9.

http://www.wnyc.org/shows/bl/episodes/2007/11/09

U.S. baseline for bisphenol A

American Chemical Society’s Environmental Science and Technology, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2007

“A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) survey of more than 2500 U.S. residents shows that nearly everyone in the country carries bisphenol A (BPA) in their bodies and that children carry the highest burden…”

http://pubs.acs.org/subscribe/journals/esthag-w/2007/nov/science/nl_bpa.html

U.S. officials pull Chinese-made toys with “date-rape” drug

L.A. Times, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2007

“Millions of Chinese-made toys have been pulled from shelves in North America and Australia after scientists found they contain a chemical that converts into a powerful "date rape" drug when ingested. Two children in the U.S. and three in Australia were hospitalized after swallowing the beads…”

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/
la-na-recall8nov08,1,5382379.story

U.S. plans tougher inspections of imports

Washington Post, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2007

“Following recent recalls of Chinese-made tires, toothpaste and toys, the Bush administration yesterday announced a plan to improve the safety of what Americans buy and eat by intervening before imports reach the United States. The plan is something of a departure for the administration, which has generally opposed increasing regulation…”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/06/
AR2007110602149.html

Target will reduce PVC use

Wall Street Journal, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2007

“Amid pressure from consumer, health and environmental groups, Target Corp. said it is reducing its use of the plastic polyvinyl chloride in packaging and children's products, such as lunch boxes and bibs…”

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119431301352883368.html

Toys recalled due to lead paint

AP, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2007

“WASHINGTON (AP) – More than 405,000 children's products made in China, most of them toy cars, were recalled Wednesday for containing dangerous levels of lead, a government safety group announced…”

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hMyx5Wj8kuBQcJncBycqoRRFl4KwD8SP3PN81

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