by Jennifer Lance on February 3, 2010 · 0 comments
Photo by
Steve Snodgrass
Toxic Dump in Kings County, California causes birth defects.
As a parent of a child that was born with a birth defect, you ask yourself “Why?” In most cases, there are no clear answers, but for families in Kettleman City, California the cause may be a toxic dump. A federal inquiry of the dump has been launched by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has followed suit by calling for a “a thorough investigation” by state officials.
Aided by the environmental group Greenaction, residents filed a lawsuit to stop the expansion of the toxic dump in January 2010. In addition to the lawsuit, the group had been putting pressure on the governor to investigate “one of the nation’s largest hazardous waste dumps” for causing the birth defects in the community. The Silicon Valley Mercury News reports:
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by ECP Editors on September 18, 2008 · 1 comment
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/v/7Y6_7XHPUzs&hl=en&fs=1]
This week from our friends at ZapRoot: The FDA needs to have their heads examined. We respond to the numerous Chinese comments. Explore the world through Google Earth’s Environment section.
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The bad news about toxic children’s products never ceases. Recently, I learned that food packaging, such as used for candy and pizza, contains toxic perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs), specifically perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluoroctanoic acid (PFOA). As a general rule of thumb, if I can’t pronounce, I don’t want my kids exposed to it! Thankfully, neither does the California legislature.
What are PFCs?
PFCs are man made chemicals used for decades to make products that resist heat, oil, stains, grease and water. They are commonly used in nonstick cookware, stain-resistant carpets and fabrics, and food packaging. PFCs are found in packaging for fast-food sandwiches, french fries, pizza, baked goods, beverages, and candy to prevent staining and grease spots. There is evidence that these dangerous chemicals migrate to food from the packaging, especially when heated. According to the Environmental Working Group, PFCs are found in over 98% of American’s blood! [read the full article...]
by Derek Markham on December 13, 2007 · 2 comments
California stores are pulling children’s jewelry off the shelves after tests showed extremely high levels of lead in the products. The state’s Department of Toxic Substances Control ordered 11 retailers to remove over a dozen brands of jewelry after finding bracelets, rings, and necklaces with up to 600 times the legal lead limit.
The investigation follows a new law banning lead levels of over 600 parts per million in children’s jewelry that took effect on September 1. A similar law for adult jewelry takes effect March 1 of 2008. Jewelry is of particular concern because children often put items in their mouth.
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