Toxics Reform Bill Debuts in Senate

Posted April 11th, 2013

Montana Senators Cosponsor Bill to Protect Kids and Families

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 10th, 2013

Contact:
Jamie McConnell, Women’s Voices for the Earth, 406-543-3747
Sarah Cobler, Montana Conservation Voters, 406-581-2284

Missoula, MT –Today Montana’s Senators Baucus and Tester joined 25 other U.S. Senators introducing the Safe Chemicals Act of 2013. The legislation would provide long overdue fixes to the nation’s broken chemical policies and limit the use of unsafe chemicals linked to cancer and other illnesses.

With toxics turning up in furniture, soup cans, baby lotion and thousands of other products, the bill is viewed as essential by some of the nation’s top health and environment groups. The 37-year-old Toxic Substances Control Act that is currently in place is riddled with loopholes that permit harmful ingredients into every corner of the home.

“Our cabinets and cupboards are filled with products containing toxic substances that are dangerous and it’s absolutely preventable” said Chantel Scheiffer, Bozeman mom and board member for Montana Conservation Voters. “Our senators are champions for kids and families in Montana, and it is time for Congress to pass the Safe Chemicals Act.”
The Safe Chemicals Act would go a long way toward protecting Americans from chemicals that are linked to reproductive and developmental disorders, cancers and other illnesses that are costly to treat and often preventable. Specifically, it would:

• Require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to identify and restrict the “worst of the worst” chemicals.

• Require basic health and safety information for chemicals.

• Upgrade scientific methods for assessing chemical safety.

• Arm the EPA with the authority it needs to restrict chemicals that pose health and environmental concerns.

• Provide incentives to grow the green chemistry industry.

“Hundreds of chemicals are drifting unchecked into our bodies, chemicals that are strongly linked to a whole host of diseases including asthma, autism, and cancer.  When you look at the numbers of how these diseases have been on a steady rise over the last several decades, it raises questions.  As a nurse, you have to ask yourself, how many fewer patients would walk through our doors if we weren’t constantly exposed to toxic chemicals in everyday products?” said Kelli Barber, co-chair of the Nurses Workgroup for Health Care Without Harm.

Hundreds of Montanans across the state have spoken up for safer chemicals by emailing, writing letters and signing petitions urging Senators Baucus and Tester to support strengthening chemical policy laws in the U.S.
“This is an issue that is very important to women in Montana and we’re pleased that Senators Baucus and Tester have responded to their concerns,” said Jamie McConnell, director of programs and policy at Women’s Voices for the Earth.

Several groups in Montana support passing stronger chemical policies including: Health Care Without Harm, Montana Conservation Voters Education Fund and Women’s Voices for the Earth. http://www.womensvoices.org/campaigns/safe-chemicals/

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Toxics Reform Bill Debuts in Senate

Posted April 10th, 2013

Montana Senators Cosponsor Bill to Protect Kids and Families

For Immediate Release:
April 10^th, 2013

Contact:
Jamie McConnell, Women’s Voices for the Earth, 406-543-3747
Sarah Cobler, Montana Conservation Voters, 406-581-2284

MISSOULA, MT – Today Montana’s Senators Baucus and Tester joined 25 other U.S. Senators introducing the Safe Chemicals Act of 2013. The legislation would provide long overdue fixes to the nation’s broken chemical policies and limit the use of unsafe chemicals linked to cancer and other illnesses.

With toxics turning up in furniture, soup cans, baby lotion and thousands of other products, the bill is viewed as essential by some of the nation’s top health and environment groups. The 37-year-old Toxic Substances Control Act that is currently in place is riddled with loopholes that permit harmful ingredients into every corner of the home.

“Our cabinets and cupboards are filled with products containing toxic substances that are dangerous and it’s absolutely preventable” said Chantel Scheiffer, Bozeman mom and board member for Montana Conservation Voters. “Our senators are champions for kids and families in Montana, and it is time for Congress to pass the Safe Chemicals Act.”

The Safe Chemicals Act would go a long way toward protecting Americans from chemicals that are linked to reproductive and developmental disorders, cancers and other illnesses that are costly to treat and often preventable. Specifically, it would:

• Require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to identify and restrict the “worst of the worst” chemicals.
• Require basic health and safety information for chemicals.
• Upgrade scientific methods for assessing chemical safety.
• Arm the EPA with the authority it needs to restrict chemicals that pose health and environmental concerns.
• Provide incentives to grow the green chemistry industry.

“Hundreds of chemicals are drifting unchecked into our bodies, chemicals that are strongly linked to a whole host of diseases including asthma, autism, and cancer.  When you look at the numbers of how these diseases have been on a steady rise over the last several decades, it raises questions.  As a nurse, you have to ask yourself, how many fewer patients would walk through our doors if we weren’t constantly exposed to toxic chemicals in everyday products?” said Kelli Barber, co-chair of the Nurses Workgroup for Health Care Without Harm.

Hundreds of Montanans across the state have spoken up for safer chemicals by emailing, writing letters and signing petitions urging Senators Baucus and Tester to support strengthening chemical policy laws in the U.S.

“This is an issue that is very important to women in Montana and we’re pleased that Senators Baucus and Tester have responded to their concerns,” said Jamie McConnell, director of programs and policy at Women’s Voices for the Earth.

Several groups in Montana support passing stronger chemical policies including: Health Care Without Harm, Montana Conservation Voters Education Fund and Women’s Voices for the Earth. http://www.womensvoices.org/campaigns/safe-chemicals/

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Toxic Chemicals in Cosmetics, Shampoos, Targeted by Congress

Posted March 25th, 2013

Federal legislation introduced today will ensure all cosmetics are safe

For Immediate Release: 
March 21st, 2013

Contact:        
Margie Kelly, 541-222-9699, mkelly@breastcancerfund.org
Shannon Coughlin, 415-336-2246, scoughlin@breastcancerfund.org

WASHINGTON – While natural body-care products represent the fastest growing segment of the cosmetics market, your local pharmacy shelves are still full of products laden with toxic chemicals linked to cancer and reproductive harm. To address this problem, today, Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., and Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass., introduced the Safe Cosmetics and Personal Care Products Act of 2013, which would give the Food and Drug Administration authority to ensure that all personal care products are free of harmful ingredients. Existing law, which has not been significantly updated since 1938, has loopholes that allow chemicals linked to cancer, birth defects, learning disabilities and other illnesses in products we use on our bodies every day.

“The cosmetics industry has an ugly problem: make-up, shampoos, and lotions are contaminated with toxic chemicals that harm health,” said Janet Nudelman of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. “Products used every day by men, women, and children contain unsafe chemicals, whether it’s baby shampoos contaminated with cancer-causing formaldehyde, lead in lipsticks or mercury in skin creams. The Safe Cosmetics and Personal Care Products Act of 2013 will give the beauty industry a much-needed make-over,” said Nudelman.

Because of the growing consumer concern about hazardous chemicals, the natural products sector has been the fastest growing segment of the cosmetics market—even during the recession. This segment is expected to top $11 billion by 2016. Yet industry self-regulation is not working when it comes to making safe shampoos, lotions or diaper creams. Carcinogens, as well as chemicals that harm reproduction and development, can be found in common cosmetics and personal care products made for women, men, and children.

“The simple truth is everyday products that women, men, and children use contain ingredients that can cause cancer as well as reproductive and developmental harm,” said Rep. Schakowsky. “Consumers think the Food and Drug Administration is a watchdog preventing harmful ingredients from being in their shampoos, cologne, makeup, deodorants, lotions, and other products, but the truth is, the FDA has little power under current law.  This bill will remedy that by giving FDA the authority to create and enforce a safety standard that will get harmful toxins out of our products.”

Rep. Markey applauded the bill:  “The last thing you want to worry about first thing in the morning is whether the products that make us and our children clean and comfortable also contain cancer-causing chemicals. From diaper cream to deodorant, our medicine cabinets are filled with personal care products that may contain harmful ingredients. This bill will help close the gaping holes in federal law that allow companies to use potentially untested and unsafe ingredients in cosmetic and personal care products. Consumers deserve to have confidence that the products they use every day use will not harm them.”

The legislation will:

• Phase out ingredients linked to cancer, birth defects and developmental harm
• Create a health-based safety standard that includes protections for children, the elderly, workers and other vulnerable populations
• Close labeling loopholes by requiring full ingredient disclosure, including salon products and the constituent ingredients of fragrance, on product labels and company websites
• Give workers access to information about unsafe chemicals in personal care products
• Require data sharing to avoid duplicative testing and encourage the development of alternatives to animal testing
• Provide adequate funding for the FDA Office of Cosmetics and Colors so it has the resources it needs for effective oversight of the cosmetics industry
• Level the playing field so small businesses can compete fairly

“Families shouldn’t have to bring a toxicologist with them to the make-up aisle to feel safe,” said Cindy Luppi, Clean Water Action’s New England Director. “We stand in support of modernized personal care product policies together with a host of small business innovators who share our concern that the U.S. is lagging behind other countries across the globe in terms of safety.”

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics has raised awareness of toxic dangers lurking in common products intended for women and children including lead in lipstick and formaldehyde in baby shampoo. However, toxic chemicals are equal opportunity contaminants, with men’s products hosting a number of dangerous chemicals. A search of the Skin Deep Cosmetics Database finds that at least five men’s hair products, including men’s hair color and conditioner, contain lead acetate, which is banned or found unsafe for use in cosmetics in Canada and the European Union. The state of California recognizes lead acetate as a developmental and reproductive toxicant. Five men’s hair dyes contain toluene, which is a volatile petrochemical that is a potent neurotoxicant and a possible carcinogen. Twelve products, including dandruff shampoos, contain coal tar, which is a carcinogen that is banned or found unsafe for use in cosmetics in Canada and the EU. More than 170 eye makeup products contain the colorant carbon black, which is not approved by FDA for cosmetics used around eyes.

“When there are cancer-causing chemicals and neurotoxins in the products we’re using on our skin every day, you know the regulatory system is broken,” said Nudelman. “Industry self-regulation just isn’t working. This bill recognizes that consumers have a right to safe personal care products and that companies have a responsibility to ensure their products are safe.”

Advocates for consumers and workers support the new legislation. Jamie McConnell, Director of Programs and Policy at Women’s Voices for the Earth said, “This bill provides commonsense protections for not only consumers but those working in the salon industry who are exposed to toxic chemicals on a daily basis. For example formaldehyde is a chemical that has been banned for use in professional hair straighteners in other countries, but because of our lax laws, is still permitted in the U.S. Passage of this bill is long overdue.”

For more info: http://www.womensvoices.org/campaigns/safe-cosmetics-salons/safe-cosmetics-act/

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics is a national coalition of more than 175 nonprofit organizations working to protect the health of consumers and workers by eliminating dangerous chemicals from cosmetics. Steering committee members include Women’s Voices for the Earth, Breast Cancer Fund, Clean Water Action, and Commonweal. www.safecosmetics.org

Fragrance Allergies Common Unsuspected Culprit in Skin Conditions, Report Finds

Posted February 19th, 2013

Environmental Health Group Advocates for Immediate Disclosure of Secret Fragrance Ingredients

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Feb. 20, 2013

CONTACT:
Alexandra Scranton, alexs@womensvoices.org, 406-396-1639
Sian Wu, swu@colehourcohen.com, 206-701-4734

MISSOULA, Mont. – A new report by the women’s health advocacy group Women’s Voices for the Earth has found that allergic reaction and sensitivity to fragrance chemicals in cleaning and personal care products affects millions of Americans. According to the report Secret Scents: How Hidden Fragrance Allergens Harm Public Health, fragrance in household and personal care products is one of the most frequently identified allergens.  However, since companies are not required by the FDA or EPA to disclose fragrance ingredients, it is difficult for dermatologists to pinpoint specific fragrance allergens among the hundreds of ingredients that make up a scent.

Fragrance allergy usually manifests itself in the form of red bumps, blisters, itchiness and blotchiness of the skin.  Frequent exposure to fragrance allergens can lead to chronic dermatitis.  Fragrance can also exacerbate asthma. But because of lack of disclosure of fragrance ingredients, dermatologists face an uphill battle in identifying what is causing a patient’s reactions, making it difficult for the patient to avoid the allergen in question.

“Every day too many women suffer from reactions to the secret chemicals used in fragrances in their household products,” said Alexandra Scranton, Director of Science and Research for Women’s Voices for the Earth. “We need to know what chemicals are used in scented products so we can make informed choices to protect our health.”

The report notes that allergic contact dermatitis, once a rare skin condition, is now quite common among children, and eczema has seen worldwide increases in the last decade. Overall, girls have higher rates of sensitization than boys.  Women, who are more likely to use more perfumed personal care products and cosmetics, are 200-300 percent more likely to have fragrance allergies than men. They are two times more likely to report adverse symptoms from exposure to fragrance.  The disproportionate impact on women is likely due to women’s considerably greater exposure to fragranced products throughout their lives.

The most common cosmetic products associated with fragrance allergy are deodorants, perfumes and lotions. The most common fragrance allergens found in cosmetic products are geraniol and eugenol, which give off rose and clove-like scents. The most common fragrance allergens in cleaning products are limonene and hexyl cinnamal, which give off orange and floral scents.

“Fragrance exposures from personal care products and cleaning supplies are having a major effect on public health,” says Anne Steinemann, PhD, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Public Affairs, at the University of Washington. “Plus, the risks are widespread, because fragrance is so difficult to avoid.”

Secret Scents found that annual costs to insurance companies and Medicaid for treatment of contact dermatitis and eczema in the U.S. totaled $1-3.8 billion dollars. More than 70 percent of patients with eczema seek professional medical care for their condition, and nearly one-fifth of fragrance allergy sufferers take sick leave from their work due to their condition.

Choosing fragrance-free products is an unrealistic option for allergic consumers. The report found that fragrance is found in 96 percent of shampoos, 91 percent of antiperspirants and 95 percent of shaving products. Although most companies including fragrances in their products do not reveal allergens in the U.S., they do disclose the presence of 26 common fragrance allergens for their products sold in the European Union.

A survey by WVE found that some companies in the U.S. do voluntarily provide this information to their customers, but few cleaning product companies do, although they purchase about half of the total fragrance ingredients sold worldwide. Seventh Generation, a leader in the “green” products category, has been disclosing all fragrance ingredients, including allergens, since 1990.

“We’ve always believed that consumers have the right to know what’s in the products they buy,” said Ashley Orgain, manager of Corporate Consciousness for Seventh Generation.  “We also take great care in the ingredient choices that we make so we are proud to list them on our labels.”

Women’s Voices for the Earth is calling on other cleaning product companies to begin disclosing allergens immediately.  Sunshine Makers, the makers of the popular Simple Green cleaning products, announced today that it has begun disclosing allergens in its products on their web site.

Carol Chapin, Vice President of Research & Development for Sunshine Makers, Inc. says, “While we understand the desire for, even the importance of, fragrance in cleaning products for many consumers, we also understand that there is a growing population who have allergies to some fragrance components.  To address this growing concern, we have committed to list fragrance allergens within the ingredient disclosure information already found on our online consumer product Detail pages found at www.simplegreen.com.  In addition, the Simple Green product line offers some products that are allergen-free.”

“We are pleased to see companies like Sunshine Makers recognize the value of disclosing fragrance allergens found in their products to their consumers,” said Erin Switalski, Executive Director of Women’s Voices for the Earth.  “We encourage other companies to follow the example set by Sunshine Makers. Furthermore, we hope that the disclosure of fragrance allergens is a first step for complete fragrance ingredient disclosure.”

Major cleaning product companies Procter & Gamble, Clorox, and SC Johnson & Son have refused to disclose allergens in their U.S. products, even though each of these companies disclose the allergens in their products in the E.U.

Two legislative solutions were introduced in Congress that will require greater ingredient transparency in consumer products.

The Cleaning Product Right to Know Act, which will be introduced this year by Rep. Steve Israel (D-NY), will require that cleaning products disclose all ingredients, including fragrance ingredients and allergens on the label. The Safe Cosmetics Act would phase out chemical ingredients linked to cancer, birth defects and developmental harm and require fragrance ingredients to be disclosed.

Additionally, the research in this report demonstrates the public health need for more information about the chemicals to which people are exposed. The Safe Chemicals Act, which was introduced in Congress last year, would require the chemical industry to disclose essential information on health and safety data on chemicals, including the chemicals that make up fragrance.

Women’s Voices for the Earth is a national organization that works to eliminate toxic chemicals that harm women’s health by changing consumer behaviors, corporate practices and government policies. To download the report and other materials, go to www.womensvoices.org/science/reports/secret-scents.

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Tide Reformulates Detergents to Reduce Cancer-Causing Chemical

Posted January 25th, 2013

Advocacy group Women’s Voices for the Earth and Consumers Claim a Public Health Victory

For Immediate Release
Friday, January 25, 2013

Contact:
Sian Wu, 206-701-4734, swu@colehourcohen.com
Alex Scranton, 406-396-1639, alexs@womensvoices.org

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – On Jan. 24 Procter & Gamble, makers of Tide and Tide Free & Gentle detergents agreed in a California court to significantly reduce the levels of the chemical 1,4 dioxane in its laundry products. I,4 dioxane is classified as a known carcinogen under Proposition 65 in California. Women’s Voices for the Earth, the women’s environmental health advocacy group that has been calling on P&G to remove the carcinogen, claimed a public health victory.

“We’re glad that P&G is finally taking responsibility for this toxic contamination in their products,” said WVE director of science and research, Alexandra Scranton. “It’s obvious that it is possible for companies to manufacture products without 1,4 dioxane. We believe all companies should do the same to protect public health.”

1,4 dioxane is a known cancer-causing chemical that has been linked in animal studies to increased risk of breast cancer. In November of 2011, WVE published the report Dirty Secrets: What’s Hiding in your Cleaning Products? with independent testing results revealing 1,4-dioxane at 89 parts per million in Tide Free & Gentle and 63 ppm in Tide. Tens of thousands of people subsequently called on the company to demand they make their top-selling detergents safer by removing the chemical.

Following the report, As You Sow, an Oakland-based nonprofit organization that promotes corporate responsibility through shareholder advocacy and innovative legal strategies, filed a lawsuit against Procter & Gamble for violating levels of 1,4 dioxane in their detergents without a warning label under Proposition 65, the California state law governing toxic chemical exposure in consumer products.

On Jan. 24, a Superior Court Judge signed the consent judgment on the case, resolving As You Sow’s claims against P&G.  In the consent judgment, P&G has agreed to reformulate its detergents to reduce levels of 1,4 dioxane to below 25 parts per million.

“When we learned that Tide Free & Gentle — a product marketed to mothers as a healthier choice for their children — contained high levels of a carcinogen, we knew women would be outraged,” said Cassidy Randall, campaign and outreach manager for Women’s Voices for the Earth who led the organization’s campaign against the company. “Of course women expect Tide to work well.  But they also expect it to do so without putting their family’s health at risk.  They called P&G out on that, and the company listened.”

WVE member, mother of three and blogger Lori Alper began a Change.org petition in February, 2012, asking P&G to strip 1,4 dioxane from Tide detergents. The petition received more than 78,000 signatures.

“It’s so gratifying to know that my petition brought more than 78,000 voices together to alert the public that Tide contained a cancer-causing chemical and motivated P&G to make a change,” said Lori Alper, blogger at Groovy Green Livin. “I wanted to show people that we can make a difference when we believe in something, and I’m glad that P&G finally listened to consumers and took action to reduce 1,4-dioxane.”

P&G will complete the reformulation process by September of 2013. It’s unlikely that old versions of the product will remain on the shelves for long after September. Although Procter & Gamble has signed the agreement in California, the company is likely to distribute the new reformulated product nationwide.

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Women’s Voices for the Earth is a national organization that works to eliminate toxic chemicals that harm women’s health by changing consumer behaviors, corporate practices and government policies. www.womensvoices.org

Who’s Naughty and Who’s Nice?

Posted December 11th, 2012

How retailers respond to consumer demand for safe personal care products

For immediate release:
Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Contact:
Cassidy Randall, (406) 543-3747, cassidyr@womensvoices.org

**Graphics available; Experts available for interviews**

Missoula, MT – When it comes to their commitment to cosmetics safety, some retailers are naughty and some are nice; some lead the market trend toward safer products and some lag behind. To get to the bottom of which stores consumers should support with their dollars as they shop for non-toxic stocking stuffers and which should get coal, today the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics released a report, Retailer Therapy: Ranking retailers on their commitment to cosmetics safety, putting a spotlight on Walmart, Target, Macy’s, CVS, Walgreens, Costco, Kroger and Whole Foods Market.

Women’s Voices for the Earth, co-founder of the national Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, conducted surveys at local Walgreens, CVS, Target and Walmart stores in Missoula.

“All women should have access to safer products, whether they shop at Whole Foods or at Walmart. But this report shows that’s not the case,” said Erin Switalski, executive director of Women’s Voices for the Earth. “We need regulations in place that put common sense limits on toxic chemicals, so that safer personal care products are available to women regardless of income or geography.”

Whole Foods Market is by far the leader, garnering nine out of a possible ten “kisses” in the ranking, because of its policy of screening out more than 400 chemicals of concern from its premium products; offering an extensive range of safer alternatives; and communicating its safety commitments and progress clearly to the public. At the other end of the spectrum, garnering only one kiss, is Macy’s, which stated that government regulations are adequate to address cosmetics safety and that it trusted its vendors to ensure the products the company sells are safe. The company has a very limited selection of safer alternatives, with some of its stores not offering any alternatives at all. CVS trailed Whole Foods with five kisses, followed by Walgreens and Target with four, and Walmart, Kroger and Costco with three.

“Retailers that sell personal care products are the gatekeepers of safety for their customers,” said Janet Nudelman of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and the Breast Cancer Fund. “If the nation’s biggest retailers commit to stop selling cosmetics with toxic chemicals linked to disease, manufacturers who want to keep selling to those retailers will comply. There is a rich history of retailers using their purchasing power to effect positive market change. When retailers said no to BPA in baby bottles or to old-growth lumber, the market responded.”

The $50 billion personal care product industry in the United States is largely unregulated, meaning products you buy at your local retailer—from baby shampoo to lipstick to moisturizers—can contain chemicals linked to cancer, birth defects, infertility and other chronic diseases.

This report provides vital information to consumers, including:

• which retailers screen the personal care products they sell for harmful chemicals
• which have addressed the safety of their private label brands
• which promote and expand the sale of safer alternatives; and
• which help customers understand their store’s commitment to health and safety.

The report reflects critical market trends, showing which retailers are responding to the growing demand for safer personal care products, which represent the fastest growing segment of the cosmetics market, which is expected to top $11 billion by 2016, due to rising consumer concern about hazardous chemicals in cosmetics.

The Campaign collected data for the report through direct communication with the companies, searches of their websites and corporate responsibility reports, and in-store shopper surveys conducted by volunteers from organizations in Alaska, California, Connecticut,  Florida, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Oregon and Pennsylvania.

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Please contact Cassidy Randall at (406) 543-3747, cassidyr@womensvoices.org to arrange interviews with report authors, survey shoppers, cosmetics manufacturers, consumer advocates, Congressional champions for safe cosmetics, and others.

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics is a national coalition of more than 175 nonprofit organizations working to protect the health of consumers and workers by eliminating dangerous chemicals from cosmetics. www.safecosmetics.org. Steering committee members include Women’s Voices for the Earth, Breast Cancer Fund, Clean Water Action, and Commonweal.

California Superior Court Gives Brazilian Blowout 30 Days to Reformulate or Remove Products from Marketplace

Posted December 3rd, 2012

Company must reformulate to meet California’s Air Quality Standards

For immediate release:
December 3, 2012

Contact:
Alexandra Scranton, Women’s Voices for the Earth, 406-396-1639, alexs@womensvoices.org,
Catherine Porter, California Healthy Nail Salon Collaborative, 510-393-2358, catherineaporter@gmail.com

Los Angeles—The California Superior Court, County of Los Angeles, issued an order on November 29, 2012 requiring the manufacturers of Brazilian Blowout hair straightening solution, GIB, LLC (GIB) to stop selling its product in California within 30 days and prove that its new, reformulated product meets California Air Quality Standards. According to the attorney general’s court papers, testing by three different laboratories shows that GIB’s hair straightening product violates California air quality law and emits smog-forming pollutants at levels higher than allowed by the California Air Resources Board. Formaldehyde, a human carcinogen, is a major ingredient in Brazilian Blowout.

“The move to pull the original Brazilian Blowout formula from the market is a victory for women’s health,” said Alexandra Scranton, on behalf of the National Healthy Nail and Beauty Salon Alliance. “Brazilian Blowout continues to expose salon workers to cancer-causing chemicals and it clearly violates California’s air pollution standards.”

In a previous settlement agreement with California Attorney General Kamala Harris’s office, GIB agreed to stop deceptively advertising the product as formaldehyde-free and put caution stickers on their product advising users that it releases carcinogenic formaldehyde gas. The company also agreed to participate in further testing to evaluate whether its Brazilian Blowout product violated California air quality laws and reformulate its product if it were found in violation.

Three independent laboratory tests showed that Brazilian Blowout releases high levels of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and in violation of its previous agreement with the State of California, GIB had refused to either reformulate Brazilian Blowout or remove it from the marketplace. Following that refusal, the California Attorney General’s Office asked the California Superior Court to remove Brazilian Blowout from the market on October 9, 2012.

According to the California Air Resources Board, VOCs are an important component in the formation of ground level ozone, a major part of California’s smog problem. The Board’s air quality standards require that Brazilian Blowout contain no more than six percent VOCs by weight. Testing by two independent labs approved by the company, and testing by the Board, found Brazilian Blowout contained between 8.1 percent and 11.49 percent of regulated VOCs by weight.

“We applaud the attorney general for vigorously pursuing an action against this manufacturer who evidently believes it can ignore the law without repercussion. A cosmetic product should never contain formaldehyde, a known carcinogen and respiratory irritant. It’s reassuring that the original formula of Brazilian Blowout, due to violating air quality laws, will no longer be around to harm consumers and hair salon workers in California,” said Catherine Porter with the National Healthy Nail and Beauty Salon Alliance.

Stylists who regularly perform Brazilian Blowout treatments are exposed to formaldehyde gas at levels well in excess of the state’s Proposition 65 warning threshold, according to the California AG’s lawsuit.

“As a hairstylist that has been seriously affected by Brazilian Blowout, I know firsthand just how dangerous this product is. Getting the original Brazilian Blowout formula off the shelves will be a big win for salon workers who have suffered irreparable health problems due to exposure to this product,” said California salon worker Jennifer Arce.

According to the California Attorney General’s office, the California Air Resources Board will test the reformulation of Brazilian Blowout by December 15 to ensure the product meets the VOC limit of six percent.

Brazilian Blowout has been banned in Canada and at least four other countries, including Germany, France, Ireland and Australia, but is still allowed to be sold in the U.S. The federal Safe Cosmetics Act, introduced into the U.S. House of Representatives in July 2011 by Reps. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.) would ban chemicals known to cause cancer from cosmetics, as many other countries have already done.

“This dangerous product never should have been on the market to begin with,” said Janet Nudelman on behalf of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. “But because of lax U.S. regulation, countless stylists and salon patrons have been exposed to harmful levels of formaldehyde.  Unfortunately, Brazilian Blowout is just one of many examples of why Congress needs to pass the Safe Cosmetics Act.”

The National Healthy Nail and Beauty Salon Alliance is encouraging people who have experienced health symptoms after being exposed to Brazilian Blowout-style hair straighteners to write letters to the Food and Drug Administration through this website:
http://bit.ly/zEFMXB

The Alliance has been joined by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics in asking the FDA to remove Brazilian Blowout products from the marketplace and to ban formaldehyde from all hair straightening products.

More info: http://www.womensvoices.org/campaigns/brazilian-blowout/

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Founded in 2007, the National Healthy Nail and Beauty Salon Alliance (Alliance) works to increase the health, safety, and rights of salon workers by reducing toxic chemical exposure and engaging in strategic movement building, policy advocacy, and media efforts nationwide.  The Alliance is a joint project of Women’s Voices for the Earth (WVE), the California Healthy Nail Salon Collaborative (the Collaborative), and the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF). http://nailsalonalliance.org/

California Attorney General’s Office Says Brazilian Blowout Products Violate California Air Quality Law, Must be Removed from Marketplace

Posted October 22nd, 2012

Company violates agreement with State of California

For immediate release:
October 22, 2012

Contact:
Jamie Silberberger, 406-543-3747, 406-531-1811 (cell), jamies@womensvoices.org

Los Angeles—The California attorney general is asking a Superior Court in Los Angeles to order the manufacturers of Brazilian Blowout hair straightening solution, GIB, LLC (GIB) to stop selling its product in California. According to the attorney general’s court papers, testing by three different laboratories shows that GIB’s hair straightening product violates California air quality law and emits smog-forming pollutants at levels higher than allowed by the California Air Resources Board. Formaldehyde, a human carcinogen, is a major ingredient in Brazilian Blowout.

“Brazilian Blowout continues to expose salon workers across the U.S. to cancer-causing chemicals, and now the product has also been shown to violate California’s air pollution standards,” said Jamie Silberberger, on behalf of the National Healthy Nail and Beauty Salon Alliance. “This company believes it’s above the law – it’s time to pull Brazilian Blowout from the market.”

In a previous settlement agreement with California Attorney General Kamala Harris’s office, GIB agreed to stop deceptively advertising the product as formaldehyde-free and put caution stickers on their product advising users that it releases carcinogenic formaldehyde gas. The company also agreed to participate in further testing to evaluate whether its Brazilian Blowout product violated California air quality laws and reformulate its product if it were found in violation.

Despite three independent laboratory tests showing it releases high levels of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and in violation of its agreement with the State of California, GIB has refused to either reformulate Brazilian Blowout or remove it from the marketplace. According to the California Air Resources Board, VOCs are an important component in the formation of ground level ozone, a major part of California’s smog problem. The Board’s air quality standards require that Brazilian Blowout contain no more than six percent VOCs by weight. Testing by two independent labs approved by the company, and testing by the Board, found Brazilian Blowout contained between 8.1 percent and 11.49 percent of regulated VOCs by weight.

“We applaud the attorney general for vigorously pursuing an action against this manufacturer who evidently believes it can ignore the law without repercussion. It just doesn’t make sense to us that a cosmetic product should ever contain formaldehyde, a known carcinogen and respiratory irritant.  But It’s reassuring thatBrazilian Blowout, due to violating air quality laws, might soon no longer be around to harm consumers and hair salon workers in California,” said Catherine Porter with the National Healthy Nail and Beauty Salon Alliance.

Stylists who regularly perform Brazilian Blowout treatments are exposed to formaldehyde gas at levels well in excess of the state’s Proposition 65 warning threshold, according to the California AG’s lawsuit.

“As a hairstylist that has been seriously affected by Brazilian Blowout, I know firsthand just how dangerous this product is. Getting Brazilian Blowout off the shelves will be a big win for salon workers who have suffered irreparable health problems due to exposure to this product,” said California salon worker Jennifer Arce.

The California attorney general’s office has asked the California Superior Court to order GIB to cease all sales of Brazilian Blowout within 30 days of the court issuing its order.

Brazilian Blowout has been banned in Canada and at least four other countries, including Germany, France, Ireland and Australia, but is still allowed to be sold in the U.S. The federal Safe Cosmetics Act, introduced into the U.S. House of Representatives in July 2011 by Reps. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.) would ban chemicals known to cause cancer from cosmetics, as many other countries have already done.

The National Healthy Nail and Beauty Salon Alliance is encouraging people who have experienced health symptoms after being exposed to Brazilian Blowout-style hair straighteners to write letters to the Food and Drug Administration through this website:
http://bit.ly/zEFMXB

The Alliance has been joined by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics in asking the FDA to remove Brazilian Blowout products from the marketplace and to ban formaldehyde from all hair products.

More info: http://www.womensvoices.org/campaigns/brazilian-blowout/

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Founded in 2007, the National Healthy Nail and Beauty Salon Alliance (Alliance) works to increase the health, safety, and rights of salon workers by reducing toxic chemical exposure and engaging in strategic movement building, policy advocacy, and media efforts nationwide.  The Alliance is a joint project of Women’s Voices for the Earth (WVE), the California Healthy Nail Salon Collaborative (the Collaborative), and the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF).

Led by Representative Rehberg, Congress Once Again Attacks Program to Identify Cancer-Causing Chemicals

Posted September 5th, 2012

Scientists, Physicians, Consumer Advocates, Business Community, Parents Outraged 


For immediate release:
September 4, 2012

Contact:
Alexandra Scranton, (406) 396-1639, alexs@womensvoices.org

Missoula – Representative Denny Rehberg has authored a rider for the Labor, Health and Human Services (LHHS) funding bill for 2013 that would effectively deny funding for the Report on Carcinogens (ROC) produced by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS).  The Report on Carcinogens (ROC) is an informational report on chemicals that are “known” or “reasonably anticipated” to cause cancer in humans and provides essential information to the public.  Many chemicals listed in the report are in products that have historically been used in schools, day care centers, and sold to the public for use in the home.

A letter signed by dozens of organizations representing thousands of parents, consumers, veterans, and environmental health advocates was delivered to Representative Rehberg and other key members of Congress today asking that the language that would defund the annual Report on Carcinogens be removed from the LHHS FY2013 Appropriations bill.

A similar letter was delivered directly to Congressman Rehberg, signed by members of the Montana Coalition for Safe Chemicals.  Led by Women’s Voices for the Earth, a national environmental heath group based in Montana, the Coalition includes businesses, public health organizations, medical professionals, conservation groups and parents’ groups.

“The National Toxicology Program declared both styrene and formaldehyde to be human carcinogens in their latest Report on Carcinogens,” stated Alexandra Scranton, Director of Science and Research at Women’s Voices for the Earth.  “But instead of working with businesses to find affordable and safer alternatives that protect workers and the public from these chemicals, the chemical industry has gone on the attack, funding consultants to manufacture doubt and skepticism about the science used in the report.  The latest trick is getting Representative Rehberg to offer this bill rider, thereby denying funding for the next version of this critical report.”

According to the Montana Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan, cancer is the second-leading cause of death among Montana residents, after diseases of the circulatory system such as heart disease and stroke. Each year, an average of 4,690 Montana residents are diagnosed with some form of cancer, and an average of 1,890 die from cancer. It is estimated that 42,000 Montana residents are cancer survivors.

“The Report on Carcinogens is respected throughout the U.S. and around the globe as a public health resource,” states the letter delivered today to Congressman Rehberg. “We strongly urge Congress to continue to support the work of NIEHS and NTP, and respectfully request that you retract the proposed Report on Carcinogens rider and keep any additional legislation – whether in individual spending bills or comprehensive spending packages – free from any such riders.”

The Republican controlled House had summoned the Director of NIEHS, Dr. Linda Birnbaum, to defend the nation’s top program that identifies cancer-causing chemicals at a Hearing in April.

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Women’s Voices for the Earth is a national organization that works to eliminate toxic chemicals that harm women’s health. www.womensvoices.org

New Report Finds Hidden Toxic Chemicals Linked to Asthma and Birth Defects in Children’s Back to School Supplies

Posted August 27th, 2012

Lab tests reveal higher levels than deemed safe in toys
New guide to safer school supplies released

For immediate release:
August 27, 2012

Contact:
Cassidy Randall, (406) 543-3747, cassidyr@womensvoices.org

MISSOULA – A new report reveals toxic chemicals linked to asthma and birth defects that are banned in toys were found to be widespread in children’s vinyl back-to-school supplies.

Twenty different children’s school supplies were shown in laboratory tests to have elevated levels of toxic phthalates in popular Disney, Spiderman, and Dora branded school supplies, including vinyl lunchboxes, backpacks, 3-ring binders, raincoats, and rain boots. All of the products were purchased during the 2012 “back-to-school” shopping season.  One product tested, the Amazing Spiderman Lunchbox, contained an estimated 27,900 ppm of the phthalate DEHP.  If this product were a children’s toy, it would be over 27 times the federal limit for toys.    Another product, the Dora the Explorer Backpack, contained phthalate levels over 69 times the federal limit for toys.

“Parents shouldn’t have to worry that their children are being exposed to hidden toxic chemicals like phthalates in products they use every day,” said Erin Switalski, Executive Director of Women’s Voices for the Earth, a national environmental health organization based here in Missoula. “This report underscores the urgent need to pass the Safe Chemicals Act to place common sense limits on harmful chemicals, and I’m proud that both of Montana’s senators are in support of this legislation.”

Phthalates are a class of chemicals that are hazardous at even low levels of exposure, and have been linked to birth defects, infertility, early puberty, asthma, ADHD, obesity, and diabetes.  According to testing by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children face the highest exposure to these hazardous chemicals.  As a result of the widespread use of phthalates in vinyl plastic products, they have been found in the air and dust of our homes and schools, and our bodies, blood and breast milk.

“Our investigation found elevated levels of toxic phthalates widespread in children’s school supplies.  Unfortunately, while phthalates have been banned in children’s toys, similar safeguards don’t yet exist to keep them out of lunchboxes, backpacks and other children’s school supplies,” says Mike Schade from the Center for Health, Environment & Justice (CHEJ), author of the new report, Hidden Hazards: Toxic Chemicals Inside Children’s Vinyl Back-to-School Supplies.

The new report, Hidden Hazards: Toxic Chemicals Inside Children’s Vinyl Back-to-School Supplies, found:

• 80% (16/20) of children’s back to school supplies sampled contained phthalates.

• Since the phthalates are not chemically bound to the vinyl, they can migrate from within the products to the surface. Children may be exposed to elevated levels of these toxic substances by using these school supplies.

• The phthalates DEHP, DnOP, DMP, and DBP were detected in children’s back-to-school supplies.

• 75% (15/20) of children’s back-to-school supplies contained levels of phthalates that would be in violation of the federal ban for toys, if these products were considered toys.

• 65% (13/20) of children’s back to school supplies sampled contained measurable levels of DEHP.

• 55% (11/20) of children’s back to school supplies sampled contained more than one phthalate, indicating children are exposed to multiple phthalates from vinyl back to school supplies.

• None of the products sampled contained labels indicating the products contained phthalates.

“It is disturbing that millions of young children are being exposed to these toxic chemicals with no regulations to protect them,” said Judy Braiman of the Empire State Consumer Project, co-publisher of the report.

The Safe Chemicals Act would require that chemicals be proven safe before they end up in products like children’s toys, household cleaners, furniture, and other consumer products. It would also require that chemical safety be based on exposure to vulnerable populations, such as children, pregnant women, and workers.

The Act passed out of the Environment and Public Works Committee last month with the support of Senator Baucus. Public health advocates are urging the Senate to bring the bill to a floor vote this fall.  The next step in passing this critical public health legislation would be a floor vote in the Senate after the August recess.

The Back-to-School Guide to PVC-free School Supplies, also released today, features a listing of safer alternatives to phthalate-laden vinyl products in over 40 different product categories, from backpacks and binders to lunchboxes and electronics.

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Women’s Voices for the Earth is a national organization that works to eliminate toxic chemicals that harm women’s health by changing consumer behaviors, corporate practices, and government policies. http://www.womensvoices.org

ATTENTION REPORTERS: For a copy of the reports and photos of school supplies that were tested, go to: www.chej.org