EPA responsible for proving Chemical hazards to humans???

Hazardous chemical law overhaul would increase power of federal regulators. Environmentalists and health groups have long complained the TSCA is toothless and doesn’t provide EPA regulators enough power to restrict the use of hazardous chemicals. One significant change called for in the Senate bill and the House measure is to change law so that chemical companies would have to prove that their chemicals are safe for use.

EPA now has to demonstrate the chemicals are unsafe.  According to a summary of the bill Lautenberg’s office released, EPA has only required testing for about 200 chemicals of the 80,000 in the agency’s inventory. EPA has regulated only limited uses of five chemicals.

Industry lobbyists say they are willing to accept tougher federal enforcement in exchange for the growing number of state restrictions on chemicals. “We hope it can get done sooner rather than later,” said Keith Belton, a lobbyist with Dow Chemical Co.Dooley said in the statement, however, that the bill “undermines business certainty by allowing states to adopt their own regulations and create a lack of regulatory uniformity for chemicals and the products that use them.”

A Lautenberg aide said tougher federal chemical laws will negate the need for states to act.  “Sen. Lautenberg is a strong defender of the states’ ability to protect their citizens from environmental hazards, and the Safe Chemicals Act does that,” the aide said. “But the bill would also provide certainty and consistency for industry by establishing a strong federal program that will ease the political pressure on state legislatures to pass their own laws.”

Environmental groups offered more support for the legislation but said they would work to strengthen it further by forcing the most hazardous chemicals off the market sooner.

“Changing the existing law would make a significant difference in people’s lives by reducing daily exposure to toxic chemicals,” said Daniel Rosenberg,an attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council, in a statement. 

The BlueGreen Alliance, a coalition of labor and environmental groups, commended Lautenberg for introducing the legislation.

“Requiring the chemical industry to prove the safety of chemicals, and ensuring that workers are notified if a safety determination is not issued by EPA, are important to ensuring the health and safety of the public and workers,” the group said.


Hazardous chemical law overhaul would increase power of federal regulators - The Hill's E2-Wire

Sen. Lautenberg chairs a hearing on potentially toxic chemicals in consumer products.

February 2010

"It is suggested that 5% of cancers, 10% of Neuro Behavior Disorders, and 30% of Asthma cases in children are caused by toxic chemicals..."

Cleaning chemicals killing us?

Did you know that the skin absorbs a large portion of the products that it comes in contact with; cleaning products, lotions, perfume, and others. This absorption is in direct correlation with how much of the product is on the skin and the length of time it is on the skin. Cleaning chemicals are not only absorbed via the skin but also inhaled causing further absorption. Meanwhile on the label the product says; "Warning, Poison, Danger" yet we continue to buy these products...why? HABIT. Cigarette warning labels have evolved since 1966 and have included statements such as; "Smoking Causes Lung Cancer, Heart Disease, Emphysema, And May Complicate Pregnancy." The affect has been to decrease the rates of smoking in the past 45 years in a substantial way.

So I ask the question; if cleaning products had warnings like: "This cleaner can suppress the immune system" or "this cleaner has a suspected carcinogen as a main ingredient" would you still buy it? The problem is cleaning chemicals are KNOWN health hazards yet so few people truly are paying attention. So I ask; how can we change this? What are your thoughts on educating the masses on what bleach does to the body? Write your comments below.

In today's world you don't need cleaning products that are poisonous to get the job done. How about this as a means of understanding the dangers; If you have to put childproof locks on your cabinets because you are "Afraid" your child will get into the cabinet and consume poison you need to go green. Toxic cleaning chemicals are not any better than the green products that can be purchased or made for that matter. What they are is a danger to your health and that of your loved ones. While they clean the surface of dirt they leave VOC's behind on the surface and in the air to be absorbed by the body at a later date.


What chemicals should you be on the look out for? Here is a short list that isn't complete but will give you some idea. If all else fails don't buy it if it says danger, warning, poison, or anything along those lines. Here is the list:

1) Chlorinated phenols found in toilet bowl cleaners are toxic to respiratory and circulatory systems.
2) Diethylene glycol found in window cleaners depresses the nervous system.
3) Phenols found in disinfectants are toxic to respiratory and circulatory systems.
4) Nonylphenol ethoxylate, a common surfactant (detergent) found in laundry detergents and all-purpose cleaners, is banned in Europe; it has been shown to biodegradeslowly into even more toxic compounds.
5) Formaldehyde found in spray and wick deodorizers is a respiratory irritant and suspected carcinogen.
6) Petroleum solvents in floor cleaners damage mucous membranes.
7) Perchloroethylene, a spot remover, causes liver and kidney damage.
8) Butyl cellosolve, common in all-purpose, window and other types of cleaners, damages bone marrow, the nervous system, kidneys and the liver.

We could literally write a book about the health affects of cleaning chemicals but suffice it to say that the warnings on the labels are enough. "Poison" is a clear indicator. Now the question is what are you going to change? If you'd like more info on green cleaning products that are safe for you and your family read these articles:

Life without laundry soap

Green cleaning products list

As always we would love to hear your thoughts and how we can help you or someone you know. It literally only takes a small change to make a huge difference. Have a great and green day!

Have a green cleaning question?

If you have a cleaning how-to question, a green cleaning product question, or just want some helpful advice; comment below and we will get you an answer. We love to answer cleaning questions and look forward to hearing from you.

Dream2clean serves the Reno/Tahoe area with Green cleaning services for Residential and Commercial clients. Check us out at Dream2clean.com.

Fast Food Restaurant Puts Carbon Footprint on the Menu | Climate | GreenBiz.com

NEW YORK, NY — [Editor's Note: This article originally appeared on Edie News, and is reprinted with permission.]

Otarian, the first in a planned chain of vegetarian restaurants opened in New York this week, with two more locations planned for London later in the year.

Carbon reduction company Sustain measured the carbon footprints of each menu item for the company, which will appear alongside the footprint of a comparable meat dish.

The aim is to encourage customers to think about the impact of their food choices on the planet and understand the environmental benefits of reducing meat consumption.Items that represent the biggest carbon savings will be actively promoted to customers.

Working with food sustainability consultancy Eat England, Sustain has carried out comprehensive "cradle-to-grave" carbon footprinting, which calculates greenhouse gas emissions from each stage of the products' lifecycles.

This includes sourcing the raw materials for each ingredient, manufacturing, packing, transporting, cooking and disposal of the product.
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The calculations were performed according to PAS 2050 -- the U.K. Government's widely accepted carbon footprint specification.

Otarian founder Radhika Oswal, said: "With Otarian I hope to show that food can be delicious and good for the planet.

"If each vegetarian meal saves even one kilogram of carbon emissions or grain, or one litre of water or oil, the cumulative benefits of eating at Otarian can change the planet's current trajectory."

Jean-Yves Cherruault, environmental accounting manager at Sustain, said: "The work we have been doing for Otarian is very relevant given the ongoing debate about low carbon food choices.

"The carbon footprint assessment was instrumental in encouraging engagement with suppliers and identifying ways of reducing greenhouse gases from the menu.

"This hopefully marks the start of a new way of doing things for the restaurant industry."

Read more: http://www.greenbiz.com/news/