Greenlist Bulletin
From the Toxics Use Reduction Institute
at the University of Massachusetts Lowell
January 17, 2014
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This is the weekly bulletin of the TURI Library at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Greenlist Bulletin provide s previews of recent publications and websites relevant to reducing the use of toxic chemicals by industries, businesses, communities, individuals and government. You are welcome to send a message to mary@turi.org if you would like more information on any of the articles listed here, or if this email is not displaying properly.
|
| IC2 Alternatives Assessment Guide |
On January 8, 2014, the Interstate Chemicals Clearinghouse (IC2) and participating states announced the release of the IC2 Alternatives Assessment Guide (Guide). The Guide is the product of 20 months of effort by IC2's members.
An alternatives assessment is a set of tools that manufacturers, product designers, businesses, governments, and other interested parties can use to make better, more informed decisions about the use of toxic chemicals in their products or processes. The IC2 collaborated with businesses and non-governmental organizations on the development of the Guide.
Read IC2's press release (pdf).
Access the Guide (pdf).
|
|
|
|
| F.D.A. Questions Safety of Antibacterial Soaps |
Author: Sabrina Tavernise
After years of mounting concerns that the antibacterial chemicals that go into everyday items like soap and toothpaste are doing more harm than good, the Food and Drug Administration said on Monday that it was requiring soap manufacturers to demonstrate that the substances were safe or to take them out of the products altogether.
The proposal was applauded by public health experts, who for years have urged the agency to regulate antimicrobial chemicals, warning that they risk scrambling hormones in children and promoting drug-resistant infections, among other things. Producers argue that the substances have long been proved to be safe.
For a primer on these chlorinated antimicrobials, see the presentation, slides, and fact sheet on www.sixclasses.org |
| A Little Story About the Monsters In Your Closet |
A new investigation by Greenpeace has found a broad range of hazardous chemicals in children's clothing and footwear across a number of major clothing brands, including fast fashion, sportswear and luxury brands.
The study follows on from several previous investigations published by Greenpeace as part of its Detox campaign, which identified that hazardous chemicals are present in textile and leather products as a result of their use during manufacture. It confirms that the use of hazardous chemicals is still widespread -- even during the manufacture of clothes for children and infants.
Read Greenpeace's publication targeted for a general audience, "A Little Story About the Monsters in Your Closet" (pdf).
|
| Occupational safety and health criteria for responsible development of nanotechnology | |
Authors: P.A. Schulte, C.L. Geraci, V. Murashov, E.D. Kuempel, R.D. Zumwalde, V. Castranova, M.D. Hoover, L. Hodson, K.F. Martinez
Organizations around the world have called for the responsible development of nanotechnology. The goals of this approach are to emphasize the importance of considering and controlling the potential adverse effects of nanotechnology in order to develop its capabilities and benefits. A primary area of concern is the potential adverse impact on workers, since they are the first people in society who are exposed to the potential hazards of technology. Occupational safety and health criteria for defining what constitutes responsible development of nanotechnology are needed. This article presents five criterion actions that should be practiced by decision-makers at the business and societal levels-if nanotechnology is to be developed responsibly.
|
| Cancer Prevention for the Next Generation |
Authors: Mary C. White, Lucy A. Peipins, Meg Watson, Katrina F. Trivers, Dawn M. Holman, and Juan L. Rodriguez
Given the continued growth in the number of persons with cancer in the United States, the primary prevention of cancer remains an urgent public health priority. As the field of cancer prevention continues to mature and scientific knowledge evolves, it is imperative to challenge the status quo and embrace new approaches to cancer prevention. In this commentary, [the authors] summarize recent trends and some of the scientific advances that have been made over the past few decades regarding the complex process of cancer development and the interaction of individual and social risk factors. [The authors] examine some of the assumptions and terminology that have characterized cancer prevention approaches for more than a quarter century and the impact of these assumptions and our use of terminology. [The authors] propose that it is possible for today's youth to experience lower cancer incidence rates as adults compared with previous generations. To accomplish this goal, a more transdisciplinary and multifaceted approach is needed, adapted as appropriate for different populations and stages of life. The greatest improvements in cancer prevention may occur as a result of innovative, multilevel interventions that build on the expanding scientific evidence base.
Read more... |
| Exposure to Chemicals and Radiation During Childhood and Risk for Cancer Later in Life |
Authors: David O. Carpenter and Sheila Bushkin-Bedient
Purpose: Many chemical carcinogens are in food, water, air, household products, and personal care products. Although genetic susceptibility is an important factor in how an individual responds to exposure to a carcinogen, heritable genetic factors alone account for only a minor portion of cancer rates.
Methods: [The authors] review the evidence that early life exposure to carcinogenic chemicals and ionizing radiation results in elevations in cancer later in life.
Results: Because cells are rapidly dividing and organ systems are developing during childhood and adolescence, exposure to carcinogens during these early life stages is a major risk factor for cancer later in life. Because young people have many expected years of life, the clinical manifestations of cancers caused by carcinogens have more time in which to develop during characteristically long latency periods. Many chemical carcinogens persist in the body for decades and increase risk for all types of cancers. Carcinogens may act via mutagenic, nonmutagenic, or epigenetic mechanisms and may also result from disruption of endocrine systems. The problem is magnified by the fact that many chemical carcinogens have become an integral part of our food and water supply and are in air and the general environment.
Conclusions: The early life onset of a lifelong exposure to mixtures of multiple environmental chemical carcinogens and radiation contributes significantly to the etiology of cancer in later life.
|
| CDC: W. Va. water crisis 'a dynamic and evolving event' | |
Authors: Ken Ward Jr. and David Gutman
CHARLESTON, W. Va. -- Federal health officials on Thursday defended their recommended 1-part-per-million threshold for acceptable levels of "Crude MCHM" in West Virginia drinking water, but also said they continue to gather data on the chemical's potential health impacts.
"This is a dynamic and evolving event," said Dr. Vikas Kapil, chief medical officer for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Environmental Health.
Read Daniel Rosenberg's post about the implications of the West Virginia spill for efforts to update the Toxic Substances Control Act on the NRDC staff blog.
|
| Timberland, Seventh Generation take green chemistry mainstream |
Authors: Monica Becker and Amy Perlmutter
Since 2005, a group of chemical companies, brands, retailers, bio-based startups, government agencies and NGOs have worked to advance green chemistry practices in their organizations and more broadly, in the economy.
Now 10 organizations from the Green Chemistry & Commerce Council (GC3), including Timberland, Valspar and Seventh Generation, will spearhead a one-year collaborative project aimed at bringing green chemistry into the mainstream.
The development follows the growing awareness of green chemistry, the design, manufacture and application of chemical products that reduce or eliminate the use and generation of hazardous substances. Segetis, a small bio-based chemical manufacturer, for example, has introduced a solvent made from waste wood trimmings and corn stalks that is now used to power Seventh Generation and Method cleaning products, delivering performance previously unheard of in green cleaning.
Read more... |
| EPA Awards Almost Half a Million in Funding to Three Universities for Projects to Reduce Pesticide Risk Including Risks to Bees/Louisiana State, Penn State and University of Vermont at the forefront of groundbreaking technology |
WASHINGTON --Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced agricultural grants for Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices to reduce the use of potentially harmful pesticides and lower risk to bees all while controlling pests and saving money.
"These collaborative projects can provide innovative solutions to reduce pesticide risks to pollinators and crops," said James Jones, assistant administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. "Initiatives such as these will encourage others to adopt promising technologies and practices across the nation to reduce pesticide risks while maximizing crop production and protecting public health."
IPM relies on easy-to-implement, environmentally-sensitive practices that prevent pests from becoming a threat. These practices involve monitoring and identifying pests and taking preventive action before pesticides are used. If pesticides are needed, methods such as targeted spraying may be used. These grants will expand public-private stewardship efforts and reduce pesticide risk in agriculture.
Read more... |
| Good news/bad news: Some phthalates down, some up | |
Author: Lindsey Konkel
Scientists have documented for the first time that several phthalates -- controversial chemicals used to make vinyl and fragrances -- are declining in people while several others are rising. The study, published today, is the first comprehensive, nationwide attempt to document trends in exposure to these widely used chemicals over the past decade.
The researchers said the results suggest that manufacturers may be reformulating products in the wake of a federal regulation and environmental groups' campaigns.
Three compounds banned in U.S. toys and other children's products in 2008 have declined. But since other phthalates are increasing, it's possible that industries have substituted them in some products.
Read the original study in Environmental Health Perspectives, "Temporal Trends in Phthalate Exposures: Findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2001-2010."
|
 |
| Please send a message to mary@turi.org if you would like more information on any of these resources. Also, please tell us what topics you are particularly interested in monitoring, and who else should see Greenlist. An online search of the TURI Library catalog can be done at http://library.turi.org for greater topic coverage.
|
Greenlist Bulletin is compiled by:
Mary Butow
Research and Reference Specialist
Toxics Use Reduction Institute
University of Massachusetts Lowell
600 Suffolk St., Wannalancit Mills
Lowell MA 01854
978-934-4365
978-934-3050 (fax)
mary@turi.org
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
