Toxic flame retardants have been making headlines again this year—from a chemical company suing California over its new flame retardant law to Coca-Cola removing chemicals linked to flame retardants from its beverages. Always of concern is the presence of these toxic chemicals in products designed and manufactured for babies, from mattresses to swings—basically the major […]
Coca-Cola announced on Monday that the company is moving to eliminate a controversial chemical used in many of its products after consumers expressed concerns, reports the Associated Press. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock The disputed ingredient, brominated vegetable oil (BVO) is used to regulate flavoring oils in the company’s citrus-flavored drinks, including but not limited to, Fresca and some […]
Americans who face the greatest threat from potential toxic chemical disasters are predominantly from low income and minority communities, a new report released by the Environmental Justice and Health Alliance asserts. Members of the Environmental Justice and Health Alliance at the Feb. 2014 EPA National Environmental Justice Advisory Council meeting in Denver, CO. Photo courtesy of Who’s in Danger? report […]
McDonald’s french fries are suspected of killing farm animals and poisoning wildlife and Minnesotans, including students and farmers. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock No, it’s not the high cholesterol or deep frying that’s in question—or the crappy ingredients (i.e., genetically modified oils, sugar and anti-foaming agents). It’s the pesticide drift that’s applied every five to seven […]
The Center for Environmental Health (CEH) announced today it has reached first-ever legal agreements with 26 major companies to discontinue using the cancer-causing chemical cocamide DEA in shampoo and personal care products. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock In August 2013, CEH brought lawsuits against companies selling products in California that contain cocamide DEA without a health […]
According to a recent study published in the American Chemical Society’s (ACS) journal Chemical Research in Toxicology, the chemicals triclosan and octylphenol are linked to the growth of breast cancer cells. Triclosan is an antibacterial and antifungal agent found in numerous commonly known household products. Octylphenol is a commercial solvent that can be found in […]
It is no secret that in the war against meat pathogens in commercial U.S. meat production, the pathogens are winning. The logical result of the tons of antibiotics Big Meat gives livestock (not because they are sick, but to fatten them up) is clear: antibiotics that no longer work against antibiotic-resistant diseases like staph (MRSA), […]
Are you feeling a little sluggish, even though spring is finally here? The truth is, we face toxins daily—out in the world and at home—from chemical flame retardants in our couches and carpets to toxic chemicals in consumer products, and from BPA in our food cans to toxic skincare products, and, of course a number of […]
Consumer advocate Erin Brockovich, dozens of military veterans and watchdog groups rallied yesterday to voice frustration over the federal government’s support of a known polluter in a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has taken the side of electronics manufacturer CTS Corporation in a court case yesterday that could strip […]