Clean and Healthy New York

Assembly Committee Unanimously Advances Toxic Tris Ban

Bipartisan Action Shows That Children’s Health Knows No Political Bounds 

Albany, NY –In Tuesday’s NYS Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee, children’s health advocates awaited a debate on legislation that would expand last year’s law banning a chemical known as TCEP from children’s products.  The new legislation would include an additional toxic chemical, TDCPP, in the ban.  Both chemicals are commonly called “chlorinated tris” chemicals.  What they saw surprised and encouraged them: unanimous, bipartisan advancement of the legislation through the committee.

 

“The New York State Legislature led the way in 2011 by passing a bill I sponsored, the Tris-Free Children and Babies Act, the first of its kind in the nation. Although this was an important first step in protecting children from TCEP, one form of toxic Tris, it's clear that there is more work to be done to protect children from carcinogenic TDCPP, which is widely used and  harmful,” said Assemblyman Robert Sweeney, Environmental Conservation Committee Chair. "Why would we allow a chemical banned from children's sleepwear because of its toxicity to be used in other nursery items?  This legislation is one of my priorities for 2012," Sweeney added.

State Legislatures Tackle Toxic Chemicals to Protect Citizens

Lack of Federal Reform Makes State Laws More Urgent

In 2012, at least 28 state legislatures will consider legislation to address concerns over toxic chemicals in consumer products, according to a new analysis by Safer States, a national coalition of state-based environmental organizations. Bills to be introduced this year will cover a broad list of topics, including bans on toxic chlorinated Tris flame retardants and cadmium, and requirements that makers of consumer products publicly disclose chemicals in products.  

Hidden Hazards in the Nursery

Popular baby products, including nursing pillows and car seats, contain toxic chemicals linked to cancer, hormone disruption, and other health effects, according to a new report authored by the Washington Toxics Coalition and released today by Clean and Healthy New York. Children and families are exposed to these Tris chemicals when they escape from products and contaminate house dust and indoor air.

“Appallingly, this is just one study in a long line documenting toxic chemicals in the products families rely upon.  No parent would deliberately expose their baby in this way.  Product makers need to stop simply darting from one toxic chemical as it is banned to another,” said Bobbi Chase Wilding, contributor to the study and Deputy Director for Clean and Healthy New York. “Further state action is needed to end this toxic shell game. ”

Building NY's Healthy Economy & Environment

On December 6th & 7th the Legislative Office Building was abuzz with talk of building New York's Healthy Economy and Environment.  Led by Clean and Healthy New York, this two-day conference highlighted successes in making financial sound, and environmentally- and health- protective changes in academia, schools, businesses and the public sector.  The 8th annual NYS Environmental Excellence Awards were presented as part of the conference.

The Keynote address was given by David Calligeros, Founder of Remains Lighting, which has developed an innovative factory in Brooklyn, NY.  A former Environmental Excellence Award winner, David focused on the simple decisions his company made that saved money from the start - shades and fans instead of an HVAC system for a company that uses heat-producing machinery.  

He highlighted some choices that have longer-term payoffs: A roof that's green - both because of the plants that reduce storm water run-off and because of the solar panels that provide the factory's electricity needs.  Though the pay-off term was fairly long, David said, "I basically paid for nine years of electricity up front." After that, the system will provide electricity with minimal cost. 

The Mattress Matters: Toxic chemicals in crib mattresses

A report from Clean and Healthy New York finds a significant portion of the crib mattresses in the U.S. market contain one or more chemicals of concern. The report titled The Mattress Matters: Protecting Babies While They Sleep, also finds that a number of mattress makers have made significant strides in reducing chemicals of concern.

Specifically,  the report found:

52% of mattress models surveyed were made with conventional materials, including chemicals of concern.