Washington State finds “regrettable flame retardant substitutions”

Why companies need to do hazard assessments of alternatives … Testing for flame retardants in general consumer and children’s products by the state’s Department of Ecology found many “regrettable substitutions.” … …

US EPA releases final TCE risk assessment—2nd final assessment in 38 years under TSCA authority

Since 1976, when Congress enacted the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) the EPA released its second final risk assessment for trichloroethylene (the first risk assessment covered asbestos). It focuses on the health risks from TCE exposure through… …

UNEP says measuring plastics use will reduce companies’ environmental impacts

Environmental impacts of plastic use are a business liability, says a new report from the Plastic Disclosure Project, United National Environment Program and business consultants Trucost. By quantifying plastics use, the report suggests, companies… …

Illinois bans plastic microbeads in personal care products

Who thought it was a good idea to put small, plastic beads that last forever in products that go down the drain? Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed the nation’s first bill banning the manufacture and sale synthetic plastic microbeads in… …

France urges quick action on Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs)

Europeans continue to expect government leadership on toxic chemicals. France has told the EU:  It’s time to act. There is ample scientific evidence that endocrine disrupting chemicals are harming human health. Disagreements and delays on… …

Adidas 99% PFC-free by 2017

On the path to halogen-free products … Sportswear manufacturer Adidas announced that its products will be 90% perfluorinated and polyfluorinated chemical (PFC) free by June 15, 2014, 99% PFC-free by 2017 and 100% PFC-free by 2020 – and… …

Clothing brands commit to limiting chemical releases

Companies participating in the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals Program (ZDHC) have commited to limiting discharges of about 150 hazardous chemicals used in manufacturing. The companies have already agreed to eliminate nonylphenols, halogenated… …

Panera Bread says “no” to artificial food additives

Panera Bread announced that food served in its 1800 bakery-cafés will be free of artificial additives by the end of 2016. Panera says this decision is part of its ongoing commitment to clean ingredients and transparency. Artificial trans fats,… …

Kaiser Permanente says “no” to flame retardants in furniture

Are flame retardants necessary for furniture? Acting in response to the association of flame retardants with cancer, reproductive, developmental and other adverse health effects, Kaiser Permanente announced it will no longer buy furniture containing… …

France warns against exposure to five widely used reproductive toxicants and endocrine disrupting chemicals

The French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) is calling for reduced exposure – particularly for pregnant women and in the workplace – to three widely used chemicals recognized as reproductive… …