The Weekly Toxic Times
From the Michigan Network for Children's Environmental Health
News highlights for the week of Friday, November 16, 2007
A recap of the top stories on toxins in Michigan, National, and International news.
Michigan News
Toy recalls: ‘Tis the season to be wary
Grand Rapids Press, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2007
Article discusses the concerns of Christmas shoppers and the actions of toys stores to protect consumers from toys with lead paint and other problems; articles states that more than 80% of toys are made in China.
http://www.mlive.com/business/grpress/index.ssf?/base/
business-5/1194765478111030.xml&coll=6
Saginaw River dioxin hot spot discovered
Midland Daily News, Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2007
“Preliminary test results show a previously unknown dioxin hot spot in the Saginaw River contains contamination levels 18 times higher than any location in the Tittabawassee River…”
http://www.ourmidland.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19022881&BRD=2289&PAG
=461&dept_id=472542&rfi=6
All 35 tested have household toxins
Detroit Free press, Friday, Nov. 9, 2007
“A project to test 35 people in seven states, including five Michiganders, for industrial chemicals common in household products found all had the toxins in their bodies – though none at levels posing immediate health concerns. Still, the chemicals shouldn't be in humans, but most people don't know they're being exposed, said Dr. Ted Schettler of Ann Arbor, physician for the study…”
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071109/NEWS05/711090317
Test reveals several toxins in body of state representative
Bay City Times, Friday, Nov. 9, 2007
Article does a good job of listing and explaining the chemicals found in Representative Terry Brown and his son’s body.
http://www.mlive.com/news/bctimes/index.ssf?/base/
news-10/1194625063163410.xml&coll=4
National News
Articles addressing biomonitoring study:
Scan shows everyday risk of toxic chemicals
Amherst Bulletin, Friday, Nov. 16, 2007
“State Rep. Ellen Story, D-Amherst, said Nov. 9 that she was among 35 people in seven states who tested positive for three chemicals linked to everything from birth defects to Parkinson's disease…”
http://www.amherstbulletin.com/story/id/67340/
Study shows woman has traces of 17 toxic chemicals in her system
Shore Line Times (local Connecticut newspaper), Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2007
“GUILFORD – A school nurse and mother who agreed to participate in a biomonitoring project to determine if any of 20 selected toxic chemicals were found in her body feels let down and angry at a food distribution system that is clearly full of dangerous holes. Tested samples of blood and urine revealed Karen Owens, a Guilford resident, has 17 of the 20 chemicals in her system - more than any of the other 35 women in seven states who agreed to participate in the project…”
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19020618&BRD=1630&PAG=
461&dept_id=7736&rfi=6
Local mother tests positive for toxins
Middleton Press (local Connecticut newspaper), Saturday, Nov. 10, 2007
“MIDDLEFIELD – Nancy Simcox never imagined she was poisoning herself, or possibly, her family. But Thursday, the Middlefield mother was told her body has toxins levels in it ranging above average. These averages, according to Simcox, are determined through random tests given by scientists in laboratories around the country…”
http://www.middletownpress.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19009560&BRD=
1645&PAG=461&dept_id=10856&rfi=6
Other articles:
Making toys is not child’s play
Socially Responsible Investing News, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2007
Articles discusses dangers to workers who make unsafe, recalled toys and discusses the efforts of shareholders to monitor what companies are doing to make manufacturing toys safer.
http://www.socialfunds.com/news/article.cgi/2415.html
Nail salon workers exposed to toxic chemicals, experts say in S.F.
San Francisco Chronicle, Friday, Nov. 16, 2007
Articles discusses testimony at a California hearing regarding risks to nail salon workers from exposure to toxins such as formaldehyde, toluene and phthalates.
Silent Spring will expand cancer probe
Cape Cod Times, Thursday, Nov. 15, 2007
Article discusses a Massachusetts NGO’s plans to study the level of toxins in the dust and air of Massachusetts homes (essentially, indoor air pollution). Articles discusses how the NGO’s smaller 2001 study was the first time indoor levels of many chemicals were tested.
http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071115/NEWS/711150322
Additional articles from last week:
Playing with danger: From toys to paint
American Medical News, Monday, Nov. 5, 2007
“Lead is such a well-known health hazard – perhaps even contributing to the fall of the Roman Empire – that it came as a shock to discover that toys handled by children could contain this toxin. Physicians are now dealing with the aftershocks. Just how dangerous is this exposure? That's the question physicians are being asked by parents…”
http://www.amednews.com/2007/hlsa1105
Toxic surprise: What we have inside us
Oregonian, Sunday, Nov., 10, 2007
Article discusses what chemicals showed up in Oregonians.
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/
news/119467774111330.xml&coll=7
International News
Ottawa investigates chemical found in baby bottles
CBC News (Canada), Thursday, Nov. 15, 2007
“The federal government is looking into whether bisphenol-A, a common chemical in hard plastic containers such as baby bottles, is harmful to humans. The assessment is part of a new toxics program announced a year ago by Stephen Harper's government. Health Canada hopes to have a ruling on the chemical within a year…”
http://www.cbc.ca/consumer/story/2007/11/15/bisphenol-risk.html
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