Safer Chemicals Healthy Families - Related News Items

There's More To Your Floor

If you have kids in the house, you know there’s more to your floor than just a pretty surface to walk on—it’s a primary play space for kids. Certain types of flooring can put children at risk for toxic exposures, so when it’s time to remodel, choosing a flooring material that won’t jeopardize indoor air quality and is easily cleaned is important to maintaining a healthy home. Here are some selection tips to help you shop.

Chemical Industry Tactics Hit New Lows

On Saturday, while sitting at my computer waiting to take my son to baseball practice, I was stunned to read that the main “expert” who opposed our Toxic-Free Kids Act had actually fabricated stories about burn victims in testimony to elected officials in other states—and been caught in the act by the Chicago Tribune. I am used to seeing the powerful chemical industry spend millions of dollars to protect widespread use of their chemical products, but the use of outright deceit marks a new low in their practices.

Top 10 Tips For Healthy Food

Current research shows it’s more important than ever to choose foods wisely for your family to reduce exposure to chemicals found in food processing, pesticides, and industrial pollutants that end up in the food chain. Follow these tips for dishing up healthy, delicious food at your table.

Avoiding Chemical Cuisine

Parents in a hurry might be tempted to rely on the convenience of processed food: pre-sliced and pre-packaged, ready to quickly toss into little hands for eating on the go. We’ve all heard the saying “you are what you eat,” and current research shows it’s more important than ever to choose foods wisely for your family. Scientists believe the single largest source of exposure to the hormone disruptors phthalates and bisphenol A is diet, likely by contamination through industrial food processing and packaging.

A Note From The Field: We Had Fun On the Toxic-Free Kids Campaign

It was such a bittersweet end to the 2012 legislative (regular and special) session - we were so close to passing the Toxic-Free Kids Act!! Even though it didn’t pass, what we’ve accomplished this year is nothing to shrug at. We went the distance in protecting kids from chlorinated Tris – taking on the well-funded industry lobby, nasty efforts by a front group, and even an intense snow storm!

The Toxic-Free Kids Act Fails To Clear Final Hurdle

After a long and hard-fought campaign, we're sad to report that the Toxic-Free Kids Act failed to pass the Washington State Legislature in the waning hours of special session this week. Unfortunately, now kids are left to sit and lay on toxic flame retardants for another year.

Top 10 Tips For Safer Cleaning

Now that spring is finally here, it’s time to scrub winter’s dust out of our homes and enjoy the flowers! But did you know that some ingredients in common cleaners are linked to allergies, asthma, and other long-term effects like reproductive harm and cancer? Get your house safely clean this spring by following these tips to make sure you use the safest cleaning products for both you and the environment.

Toxic Trinkets

What kid doesn’t want something fun and shiny, like a big ring or a rhinestone-studded tiara? Kids (and grownups!) love sparkly things, but you might want to think twice before buying those bargain earrings or play necklaces for your kids or yourself.

The Dirt on Common Cleaning Myths

New parents get advice on all sorts of topics, including cleaning: Use disinfecting wipes on every surface your baby touches and she’ll never get sick! Your kid’s hands aren’t washed clean until the soap smell proves it! In the media and at the store we’re deluged with messages on the best way for busy moms and dads to clean homes so that our kids are safe and healthy. Unfortunately some of these messages are misleading and end up selling us cleaning products with chemical ingredients that may do more harm than good.

Going Into Overtime

Despite the incredible support of thousands of parents, organizations, firefighters, healthcare professionals, and concerned citizens, the legislature failed to pass the Toxic-Free Kids Act during this year’s regular session. But we're not throwing in the towel just yet! The legislature is coming back and going into overtime with a 30-day special session starting today.

We're Almost There!

It’s been a whirlwind week. After our bill the Toxic-Free Kids Act (SSB 6120) was gutted in the Senate Ways and Means, it was voted on the Senate Floor, and then sped its way through the House Environment Committee and the Government Oversight and Appropriations committee, where it was strengthened!

Does That Formula Come With A Side Of Arsenic?

A new study revealing high amounts of arsenic in organic brown rice syrup has been all over the news this week. Brown rice syrup is used as a sweetener in many organic foods, and the discovery that their baby’s formula could contain dangerous levels of arsenic has sent many parents through the roof. The Dartmouth study, published in Environmental Health Perspectives, measured arsenic levels in infant formulas, energy shots, and cereal bars.

All's NOT Fair In Love And War

No one said the road to protecting children from toxic chemicals would be easy. It’s a fight worth fighting for, but it’s a fight nonetheless. We came face to face with what our opposition was capable of, in the form of a "front group” known as Citizens For Fire Safety (CFFS). This group will stop at nothing to defeat the Toxic-Free Kids Act as their latest tactic shows.

Help! The Chemical Industry Is Winning!

We’re shocked. Sad. And angry. Last night, the Toxic-Free Kids Act was voted out of committee, but with an amendment written by the chemical industry that removed the most important parts of the bill. Now, children won’t be protected from these cancer-causing Tris flame retardants and other toxic chemicals in toys, baby blankets, and other items, unless the Senate votes to strengthen the bill by next Tuesday.

28 States To Consider Toxic Chemicals Legislation In 2012

The past couple years have seen unprecedented changes in the toxic chemicals landscape across the United States. In the past nine years, over 80 chemical safety laws have been passed with an overwhelming margin of bi-partisan support in statehouses across the country.

UPDATE: Toxic-Free Kids Act Moves Forward

Neither snow, nor ice, nor wind, nor rain, could keep supporters of the Toxic-Free Kids Act from Olympia and the State Capitol last week. And it's a good thing because it was quite a week in Olympia for the legisaltion.

We Freak Out So You Don't Have To

Are you feeling a little stressed? The craziness of the holidays can be enough to stress anyone out. Add concerns about cancer-causing chemicals in nursing pillows to the mix and I could understand how that could push anyone over the edge. Everyone, especially parents, has a million things to consider when they think about the health of their families. Packing a healthy lunch, making time for kids, and getting kids to soccer practice will always be on a parent’s to do list—but worrying about about cancer-causing chemicals in car seats or baby blankets shouldn’t be. With your help, we can make it a thing of the past.

Tips To Avoid Toxic Tris

As you’ve probably seen in many of our recent posts, toxic Tris flame retardants are bad news. Exposure to Tris has been linked to cancer, hormone disruption, and nervous system harm. By being mindful with certain purchases, you can try to limit your family’s exposure to these dangerous chemicals and reduce your toxic body burden.

Healthy Holiday Gift Guide 2011

The holidays should bring fun and good cheer, not worries about whether toxic ingredients in toys or other products may harm our loved ones. Before you go shopping, check out our tips for picking out the healthiest gifts for children and others this holiday season:

Healthy Holiday Gift Guide 2011

The holidays should bring fun and good cheer, not worries about whether toxic ingredients in toys or other products may harm our loved ones. Before you go shopping, check out our tips for picking out the healthiest gifts for children and others this holiday season: