The Weekly Toxic Times
From the Michigan Network for Children's Environmental Health
News highlights from the week of Friday, December 14, 2007
A recap of the top stories on toxins in Michigan, National, and International news.
Michigan News
The following are two of many articles and op-eds on the Dow/dioxin issue this week.
Dow chemical submits clean-up offer to EPA
Bay City Times, Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2007
“Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm has dismissed questions that Dow Chemical Co.'s past negotiations with her office have stalled dioxin cleanup along the Tittabawassee and Saginaw rivers…”
http://www.mlive.com/news/bctimes/index.ssf?/base/
news-10/1197395157302520.xml&coll=4
Keep push on for dioxin cleanup
Detroit Free Press, Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2007
Op-ed on Dow’s dioxin pollution in Michigan.
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071211/
OPINION01/712110323/1068/OPINION
Senate lets smoking go on in bars, restaurants
Detroit Free Press, Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2007
“LANSING – A proposed ban on smoking in all workplaces, including bars and restaurants, appears dead. Tuesday's action by the Michigan Senate could squelch a decade-old effort by advocates to rid public places of smoking. Restaurant and bar owners say a ban would infringe on their rights and could cost them customers…”
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071212/NEWS06/712120408/1001/NEWS
Court tosses carmakers’ suit against California
Detroit News, Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2007
“WASHINGTON – The auto industry has lost another court battle in its bid to stop California and 13 other states from imposing a 30 percent reduction in vehicle tailpipe emissions by 2016.
In a 57-page opinion issued late Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Anthony Ishii upheld the right of California and the states that have adopted its tough emissions rules to do so, throwing out a challenge by Detroit automakers…”
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071212/UPDATE/712120473
Muskegon County to offer free lead tests
Muskegon Chronicle, Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2007
“Get the lead out. That's the message this holiday season from the Muskegon County Health Department, which is offering free tests next Wednesday to check for lead contamination in toys and children.”
http://blog.mlive.com/chronicle/2007/12/muskegon_county_to_offer_free_lead_tests.html
Sugar and salt de-ice city streets
Saginaw News, Monday, Dec. 10, 2007
“The search for a better snow-melter led Frankenmuth to try a little sugar along with its salt. The city is spreading a sugar beet juice-based concoction called Geo-Melt on its streets to combat ice. The mixture of sugar beet juice and granular salt is less corrosive and works in lower temperatures than other methods, said city Department of Public Works Superintendent Randy Braeutigam. This is the second year the community has used the solution to treat its 28 miles of roads…”
http://blog.mlive.com/saginawnews/2007/12/the_search_for_a_better.html
Spotlight on HealthyToys.org
The launch of HealthyToys.org generated tremendous media coverage with hundreds of print, radio and TV stories around the country and world. Below are a few of the highlights locally and nationally.
Toy safety data released on web site
Washington Post, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2007
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/04/AR2007120402030.html
Senator pushes toy reform, tests find more lead
Washington Post, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2007
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/05/AR2007120502365.html
Over one-third of toys in tests contain dangerous chemicals
Wall Street Journal, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2007
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119682744734514137.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
Contaminated toys still on market
WNBC, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2007
http://www.wnbc.com/news/14778113/detail.html
Advocacy group finds high lead content in some toys
Market Watch, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2007
Study says lead common in toys
CNN Money, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2007
http://money.cnn.com/2007/12/05/news/companies/bc.toxictoytests.ap/index.htm
Creative consumer: Leadfree toys for the holidays
ABC News, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2007
http://abcnews.go.com/Business/Consumer/story?id=3969959&page=1
Contaminated toys still on market
WDIV Detroit, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2007
http://www.clickondetroit.com/family/14777164/detail.html
Consumer guide to toxic chemicals in toys to be released in time for holiday shopping season
WXYZ Detroit ABC, Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2007
It gets worse: 35% of toys contain lead
WXYZ Detroit ABC, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2007
http://www.wxyz.com/news/local/story.aspx?
content_id=1cc2bb93-fe5e-43da-a2bb-b2b7f7173d2c
Group releases result of toxic toy tests
Fox 2 Detroit, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2007
My daughter put lead in her mouth
Detroit Free Press, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2007
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071205/NEWS06/712050415
Followup to article above:
Toys-R-US won't sell plastic food for now
Detroit Free Press, Thursday, Dec 6 2007
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071206/NEWS06/712060423
Testing toys for toxins
Detroit Free Press, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2007
(No URL available.)
Testing toys for toxins
Detroit News, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2007
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071205/BIZ/712050398
Parents get help detecting toxins
Flint Journal, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2007
Environmental group’s web site lists hundreds of toys; some contain harmful chemicals
Bay City Times, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2007
http://blog.mlive.com/watershedwatch/2007/12/environmental_groups_web_site.html
or
http://www.mlive.com/baycity/stories/index.ssf?/base/
news-10/11968714518720.xml&coll=4
Toy tests detect lead and chemicals Ecology Center drives big study
Ann Arbor News, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2007
http://blog.mlive.com/annarbornews/2007/12/toy_test_detect_lead_and_chemi.html
or
http://www.mlive.com/news/annarbornews/index.ssf?/base/
news-25/1196883603308640.xml&coll=2
Toy tests not alarmist, they’re informative
Ann Arbor News, Monday, Dec. 10, 2007
http://www.mlive.com/columns/aanews/index.ssf?/base/
news-1/1197299445200850.xml&coll=2
Q&A: Doctor gives safe toy tips
Ann Arbor News, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2007
http://blog.mlive.com/annarbornews/2007/12/qa_doctor_gives_safe_toy_tips.html
or
http://www.mlive.com/annarbor/stories/index.ssf?/base/
news-25/11971844708920.xml&coll=2
Other National News
DeLauro seeks tougher toy standards
Connecticut Post, Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2007
Article discusses U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro’s (D-CT) legislation that would reduce lead standard to 40 ppm in kids’ products.
http://www.connpost.com/localnews/ci_7695883
Chemical in infant formula cans sparks concerns
ABC News, Monday, Dec. 10, 2007
Article reviews opinions of public health advocates, academics, and the FDA regarding dangers associated with bisphenol A.
http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=3968851
Lead founding toy jewelry
L.A. Times, Thursday, Dec. 13, 2007
“Stores across California have pulled lead-tainted children's jewelry from their shelves after state investigators found bracelets, rings and necklaces contaminated with as much as 600 times the legal limit of the poisonous element…”
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-lead13dec13,1,5353175.story
Chemicals used as fire retardants could be harmful, researchers says
Science Daily, Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2007
“Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), chemicals used as fire retardants, can be found in numerous items in the home, such as the television, computer, toaster and the sofa. Now, as reported in a KNBC story on Nov. 28, they are being found in alarming concentrations, in human blood and breast milk – a potentially major concern for human health…”
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071210162904.htm
A gas under pressure
Wall Street Journal, Monday, Dec. 10, 2007 (subscription needed to read entire article)
“The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is considering broadly regulating hydrogen sulfide, a common gas that smells like rotten eggs and has been increasingly linked to a variety of health problems for people living and working near petroleum, confined livestock, paper and landfill operations. Hydrogen sulfide has long been known to be deadly in high concentrations. However, growing scientific evidence shows the gas may also have health effects at low levels…”
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119733944293820332.html
Cutback in disclosure of toxic chemicals
Houston Chronicle, Friday Dec. 14, 2007
Article discusses a GAO report findings on EPA’s reduction of requirements for reporting on toxic chemical releases for the Toxic Release Inventory last December.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/fn/5373415.html
State beefs up mercury warnings
Boston Globe, Thursday, Dec. 13, 2007
“Underscoring a growing concern with mercury poisoning, the state Department of Public Health is preparing this week to release 13 new fish consumption advisories, a sign that mercury contamination in bodies of water may be worsening across the state. Primarily a residual effect of industrial plants in the Midwest…”
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/12/13/state_beefs_up_mercury_warnings/
Old nuclear lab near Simi Valley is closer to making Superfund list
L.A. Times, Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2007
Article discusses a spot in Ventura County, California that may be listed on the Superfund list due to water and soil contamination from trichloroethylene and radioactive chemicals from years of nuclear testing.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-rocket11dec11,1,1134793.story
Toy lead tests help to raise awareness
Wausau Daily Herald (Wisconsin), Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2007
Article discusses public toy testing being held at a cellular store in Wisconsin.
http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/
20071212/WDH0101/712120572/1981
Testimony: Documents misstated safety at BP plant.
Houston Chronicle, Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2007-12-14
“GALVESTON – An engineer who handled BP air quality permit applications as a state employee testified Tuesday he learned after he joined BP's payroll that the documents contained inaccurate or incomplete safety and emissions information about the company's Texas City refinery…”
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5368991.html
China agrees to post U.S. safety officials in its food factories
New York Times, Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2007
“XIANGHE, China – China and the United States, seeking to ease the furor over the safety of food exports, signed an agreement Tuesday calling for a greater American role in certifying and inspecting Chinese food products, including an increased presence of American officials at Chinese production plants…”
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/12/business/worldbusiness/12trade.html
International News
Lingering toxins continue to cause cancer
Vancouver Sun (Canada), Thursday, Dec. 13, 2007
“Banned pesticides and other toxic chemicals lingering in the environment put people at an increased risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma, according to a B.C. Cancer Agency study. The study – the largest of its kind ever done on the link between the illness and contaminants such as polychlorinated biphenyls and agricultural products such as herbicides, insecticides and fungicides – will be published in the International Journal of Cancer this week..”
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?
id=90e51e11-d69c-44c0-a45f-a1569cb261d4&k=81453
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