toxic

High levels of lead found in Disney and Barbie toys.

Posted by Rehan Khalil on November 21, 2009   |   No Comments

A California consumer group tested about 250 products that were bought at major retailers and found that in seven of the toys the lead levels were far greater than the federal limits permitted.

The California Attorney General issued a safety warning in regards to the high lead levels found in the toys. The AG urged retailers such as, Wal-mart, Target, Sears and other stores to remove the products from their shelves immediately.

Also:

Other products that the center says have abnormal amounts of lead are the Kids Poncho and MSY Faded Glory Rebecca Shoes, both sold by Wal-Mart; Reversible Croco Belt sold by Target; Dora the Explorer Activity Tote sold by TJ Maxx; and Paula Fuschia Open-Toed Shoes sold by Sears.

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Boys exposed to chemicals are more girly study finds

Posted by Rehan Khalil on November 19, 2009   |   No Comments

The BBC has reported on a study found in the International Journal of Andrology:

Males exposed to high doses in the womb went on to be less likely to play with boys’ toys like cars or to join in rough and tumble games, they found.

The University of Rochester team’s latest work adds to concerns about the safety of phthalates, found in vinyl flooring and PVC shower curtains.

There has been a growing concern over the last few years about phthalates. DBP a specific type phthalate is banned in cosmetics, such as nail varnish in the EU since 2005.The use of the chemical is restricted in the U.S. and Canada has been monitoring the matter.

Again and again we see evidence that we are exposed to hazardous chemicals in various household products. Phthalates are found in almost all our products and are typically disguised under the heading “parfume”.

The Toronto Star also reported on the study.

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More About Bisphenol A (BPA)

Posted by Rehan Khalil on October 7, 2009   |   No Comments

By now you have probably heard a lot about Bisphenol A (BPA). BPA is a chemical used in the production of polycarbonate plastic and exposy resins.

According to Health Canada:

Polycarbonate is used in food contact materials such as beverage bottles, infant feeding bottles, food containers, processing equipment and other articles. BPA is often found in clear hard plastics and can be in the lining of some food cans.

According to Toxic Nation:

Bisphenol A is a hormone disruptor. Studies have linked low-dose BPA exposure with such effects as: permanent changes to genital tract; increase prostate weight; decline in testosterone; breast cells predisposed to cancer; prostate cells more sensitive to hormones and cancer; hyperactivity and obesity.

Since 2008 Canada has been the first country in the world to recognize the serious health hazards posed by BPA. As a result, the Canadian government considers BPA toxic under the Canada Environmental Protection Act 1999.

Subsequent reports regarding BPA have been investigated by the government. Since, newborn infants are most at risk this summer, June 26, 2009 the:

Government of Canada announced that it is moving forward with proposed regulations to prohibit the advertisement, sale and importation of polycarbonate plastic baby bottles that contain bisphenol A, otherwise known as BPA, to reduce newborn and infant exposure to this substance.

What is Health Canada doing about the problem? Click here.

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My Toxic Baby

Posted by Rehan Khalil on September 23, 2009   |   No Comments

The official movie website states, “welcome to the world of My Toxic Baby, a documentary about my search as a new mom for safe, sane and affordable ways to raise my child in a world embedded with toxic threats.

Furthermore, the movie, “isn’t a cautionary tale telling you the ‘do’s and ‘don’ts’ of healthy parenting.  Parents and mothers especially have enough to worry about without yet another voice making them feel inadequate.  This is a personal essay that aims to broaden the options that are made available to parents in the context of the chemical world we live in today.

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British Oil Company to pay billions for toxic waste dumping

Posted by Rehan Khalil on September 16, 2009   |   No Comments

A British oil trading company, Trafigura will pay out billions in compensation in a class action suit brought by over 30,000 people from the Ivory Coast who fell ill in what has been described as the worst pollution incident in decades involving the dumping of toxic waste.

The claimants who endured short term illness that included, diahorrhea, vomiting and breathing difficulties will receive, “several hundred pounds.” However, there still isn’t word yet on those that suffered life threatening effects and death.

The settlement seems to have been provoked by a United Nations report that suggested as reported by the Independent a “strong prima facie evidence that, the reported deaths and adverse health consequences are related to the dumping.”

The dumping was the result of a sub-contractor, Compagnie Tommy who disposed of tonnes of sludge waste inappropriately. The UN report also stated, that Trafigura, “failed to check the ability of its local contractor to deal properly with the waste.

Here is an interesting blog post on the topic.

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