http://watoxics.org daily 1 2010-04-05T18:21:35Z http://watoxics.org/healthy-living/healthy-families/growing-up-green/theres-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. No publisher lmikesell Growing Up Green 2012-05-16T20:25:01Z News Item http://watoxics.org/toxicswatch/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. No publisher Laurie Valeriano Chemical Industry Toxic Tris 2012 Legislative Session, Toxic-Free Kids Act Safer Products Parents and Kids Safer Chemicals 2012-05-09T21:42:24Z News Item http://watoxics.org/toxicswatch/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. No publisher lmikesell BPA Environmental health Parents and Kids Organic 2012-05-16T23:37:44Z News Item http://watoxics.org/healthy-living/healthy-families/growing-up-green/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. No publisher lmikesell Growing Up Green Parents and Kids 2012-04-25T16:45:26Z News Item http://watoxics.org/toxicswatch/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! No publisher jill Toxic Flame Retardants 2012 Legislative Session, Toxic-Free Kids Act Activists 2012-04-17T21:25:29Z News Item http://watoxics.org/toxicswatch/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. No publisher lmikesell 2012 Legislative Session, Toxic-Free Kids Act 2012-04-12T21:34:03Z News Item http://watoxics.org/toxicswatch/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. No publisher lmikesell Environmental health Parents and Kids Waterways Toxic-Free Tips 2012-03-21T22:22:14Z News Item http://watoxics.org/toxicswatch/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. No publisher ivy Environmental health Heavy Metals Parents and Kids Safer Products 2012-03-20T19:17:52Z News Item http://watoxics.org/healthy-living/healthy-families/growing-up-green/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. No publisher lmikesell Environmental health Growing Up Green Safer Products 2012-03-14T22:32:08Z News Item http://watoxics.org/toxicswatch/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. No publisher lmikesell TDCPP 2012 Legislative Session, Toxic-Free Kids Act Parents and Kids Policy Makers Toxic Toys 2012-03-22T20:29:52Z News Item http://watoxics.org/take-action/were-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! No publisher lmikesell 2012 Legislative Session, Toxic-Free Kids Act Activists 2012-02-24T00:18:08Z News Item http://watoxics.org/toxicswatch/high-levels-of-arsenic-in-organic-baby-formulas-raises-concerns 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. No publisher lmikesell PBTs Environmental health Parents and Kids Pesticides 2012-02-23T18:18:45Z News Item http://watoxics.org/toxicswatch/alls-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. No publisher lmikesell Activists TDCPP Safer Chemicals 2012 Legislative Session, Toxic-Free Kids Act Parents and Kids Policy Makers Safer Products Toxic Flame Retardants Environmental health Chemical Industry 2012-02-22T23:11:12Z News Item http://watoxics.org/take-action/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. No publisher lmikesell Parents and Kids TDCPP Safer Chemicals 2012 Legislative Session, Toxic-Free Kids Act Activists Policy Makers Safer Products Toxic Flame Retardants Environmental health 2012-02-08T22:32:41Z News Item http://watoxics.org/toxicswatch/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. No publisher lmikesell 2012 Legislative Session, Toxic-Free Kids Act Activists Chemical Industry Environmental health 2012-01-30T22:08:44Z News Item