ToxicsWAtch Blog
Keeping a watchful eye on toxic chemicals and healthy solutions
Welcome to the ToxicsWAtch Blog! Here you'll find everything you ever wanted to know about the latest science on toxic chemicals, tips for finding safer products, and what you can do to help win policies to protect health and environment from harmful chemicals.
They Don't Play Fair
Today we asked the Department of Ecology to take immediate action to classify chlorinated Tris (TDCPP) as a chemical of concern for children. Please add your name to the petition telling the Department of Ecology now is the time to add TDCPP (chlorinated Tris) to the list of chemicals of concern for children.
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.
Are You Watering Your Organic Garden With Lead?
Ah, springtime! After a long dreary winter, it’s nice to get outside in the sun and start working in the garden. But did you know the hose you use to water that organic lettuce might be spouting lead and BPA as well? New testing of gardening tools by Healthystuff.org has revealed some alarming data.
This Is Unacceptable
Here in Washington state, we’re lucky to have some of the strongest laws that protect families from harmful chemicals. Although we’ve still got a ways to go, our state is considered a national leader on these issues. But we need real reform at the federal level too, so all families can live in a toxic-free environment.
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.
GiveBIG To WTC On May 2nd!
GiveBIG is coming up on May 2! Our goal is to raise $10,000 to protect health and the environment from toxic chemicals. Can we count on your support for our community’s biggest giving day of the year?
This Is Unacceptable
Here in Washington state, we’re lucky to have some of the strongest laws that protect families from harmful chemicals. Although we’ve still got a ways to go, our state is considered a national leader on these issues. But we need real reform at the federal level too, so all families can live in a toxic-free environment.
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.
BPA – You’re Going To Be Eating It Awhile Longer
The federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just served consumers a heaping helping of bisphenol A (BPA) by refusing to ban the hormone-disrupting chemical in food cans and other food packaging.
What We've Learned About My Brest Friend
We have received several inquiries about the My Brest Friend nursing pillow, which we found in our testing to contain two flame retardants, TDCPP and TCPP. We are confident that our results are accurate.
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.
Our Water, Ourselves
As I watch the rain strike the window, I am thinking about tap water. A raindrop falling in my yard will travel many miles, picking up pesticides from my neighbor’s yard and petroleum by products from the road before it even leaves my neighborhood. This is just the beginning. By the time a water drop gets down to the aquifer, where 60% of Washington residents get their tap water, it has picked up numerous chemical pollutants.
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.
