Protecting What's Right

“Going Green” is becoming one of the biggest social trends out there, and a popular symbol of this newfound environmental empathy is the synthetic, reusable grocery bag.

However, some of these “environmentally friendly” bags, now a top seller at upscale grocery stores, have been found to contain lead.

There is no evidence that these reusable bags pose an immediate threat to the public, but there have been reports from across the country that these fashionable bags, mostly made in China, contain potentially unsafe levels of lead. Contaminated bags have been identified at a number of stores, including CVS, who recalled thousands of its bags in September.

Some recent studies even suggest that the lead in certain bags may pose long-term environmental risks, such as seeping into groundwater after disposal or, over time, the lead-containing pain from the bag could flake off and come in contact with food.

Though this information is still preliminary, more investigation needs to be done into the potentially harmful effects of these supposedly environmental-conscience bags.

The pesticide Temik (aldicarb) is being phased out following an assessment by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that it poses a health risk to infants and young children.  Temik’s manufacturer, Bayer AG, has agreed to stop production of the pesticide by December 31, 2014.

Temik is commonly used on citrus and potato crops.  Farmers will no longer be allowed to use the pesticide on those crops after the end of 2011.  Its label will also be changed to reduce the use of Temik on soybeans, peanuts, and cotton.  The manufacturer will also put new measures in place to protect shallow water wells in the Southeastern U.S. from Temik groundwater contamination.  After production stops in 2014, farmers will be able to use existing supplies until August 2018.

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The California Attorney General’s Office has filed suit against manufacturers of children’s bounce houses, after testing revealed dangerous levels of the toxic metal lead in vinyl used in such products.

The tests, conducted on dozens of bounce houses by the California-based Center for Environmental Health, found that the lead levels in the popular toys far exceeded federal limits.

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According to a startling new report by the Environmental Working Group, high levels of bisphenol-A (BPA)—a chemical that consumer advocates are trying to have banned from food and beverage containers—can be found in an unlikely source: paper receipts.

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Yet another recall of children’s cadmium-tainted jewelry has been announced by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The latest recall involves jewelry distributed by Tween Brands sold at children’s stores Justice and Limited Too, as well as online at shopjustice.com.  The 19 styles of necklaces, bracelets and earrings are in the shape of butterflies, hearts, peace signs, cupcakes and crowns.  Some have the words “Best Friends Forever.”  They sold for $7.00 – $16.00 between November 2008 and February 2010.

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Occupational health specialists are concerned that chronic exposure to chemotherapy drugs by health care workers may cause cancers and other health conditions.  Studies dating back to the 1970s have linked exposure to chemotherapy drugs to an increased rate of certain types of cancers in health workers.  It is believed that such health workers are chronically exposed to chemotherapy drugs through frequent contact with the drugs through mixing them, accidental spills, and other means.

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The California Assembly has passed a bill to ban the plastic additive Bisphenol A (BPA), which is used as a liner in food and beverage cans and in hard plastic containers like baby bottles and cups.  The bill would ban BPA by January 2012 in feeding products for children under the age of three, and in all infant formula by July 2012.

The bill will next return to the Senate, which previously passed its own version, for a reconciliation vote.  If passed, it will go to the governor to be signed into law.

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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently proposed new rules that would greatly reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide that cross state lines.  The Clean Air Transport Rule, if adopted, will begin reducing emissions from power plants in 31 states and the District of Columbia by the year 2012.

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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has tightened a 2008 rule to help prevent lead poisoning, by eliminating an opt-out exemption for homeowners who do not have small children.

The lead rule requires all construction contractors performing work on homes, schools, and child care facilities built before 1978 to follow strict containment and cleanup guidelines designed to protect building inhabitants from lead exposure if the job may disturb lead-based paint.  Lead is a known neurotoxin, especially in young children.

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