Monthly Archives: September 2017

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TELL THE FDA: Protect Consumers! Nneka Leiba, EWG


Tell the FDA: Protect Consumers and Ban 1,4-Dioxane! | Act Now

Most of us know to be careful when picking personal care products. Checking labels for common hazardous ingredients like parabens, phthalates and triclosan is a good start. But what about the nasty chemicals that aren’t listed on labels?

That’s right, not all hazardous chemicals make it onto the ingredient panel. Sometimes contaminants or impurities are introduced into personal care products during the production process. Since they are not technically “ingredients,” companies are not required to make their presence known. Case in point? 1,4-Dioxane, which the Environmental Protection Agency has classified as a likely human carcinogen, linked to tumors in the liver and kidney damage.

There is absolutely no reason why companies can’t remove 1,4-dioxane from personal care products, but right now the Food and Drug Administration doesn’t require them to do so – even though the chemical is linked to cancer and serves no purpose in cosmetics.

Sens. Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand are petitioning the FDA to prohibit the presence of 1,4-dioxane from personal care products, and EWG is proud to join them in this fight. But in order for the FDA to hear us loud and clear, we need YOU with us too, Friend.

TAKE ACTION: Tell the FDA to protect consumers from 1,4-dioxane – a carcinogenic chemical contaminant in many cosmetic products!

1,4-Dioxane can be found in shampoos, foaming soaps, lotions and laundry detergents, but without regulations it’s hard to determine how many products contain 1,4-dioxane and how to avoid it. An analysis by EWG has revealed that the vast majority of personal care products may contain chemical contaminants like 1,4-dioxane. A recent survey of our Skin Deep® cosmetics database found more than 8,000 products with ingredients produced through ethoxylation, the manufacturing process that forms 1,4-dioxane. The bottom line? 1,4-Dioxane contamination may be harmful and is way too common.

Cosmetics companies have known about the dangers of 1,4-dioxane contamination for years. Way back in 1982, the industry-backed Cosmetic Ingredient Review Panel noted that companies were aware of the problem and were making an effort to lower or remove 1,4-dioxane from their products. Thirty-five years later and we still have no way of knowing whether or not our favorite products contain this hazardous contaminant. It’s time for the FDA to step up and take action to protect consumers!

Join EWG today. Tell the FDA it’s time to hold cosmetics companies accountable and BAN 1,4-dioxane contamination from personal care products.

Thanks for standing with us, Friend.

Nneka Leiba
Director of Healthy Living Science, EWG

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a message from Patty Murray& Betsy DeVos’ first report card: Support pattymurray.com


 

Believe it or not, it’s almost September — back to school time once again.

And while students, teachers, and parents probably aren’t worried about report cards just yet, we thought someone deserved a report card on her performance so far: Education Secretary Betsy DeVos.

It’s been seven months since she was confirmed (after the closest vote in history for a cabinet secretary), and we know she had big plans for America’s schools — so before we head into the new school year, let’s look at where we stand. Share this graphic on Facebook with your friends and family today and show them how Betsy DeVos is failing parents, students, and teachers across the country.

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So we can see that even though Secretary DeVos took on a full course load in her first semester as Education Secretary, it seems she might not be up for the task. But because a change in major isn’t really something she’s looking for right now, we think she’s owed an explanation of her failing grades.

    • Education Budgeting 101: Secretary DeVos’ proposed education budget confirms her extreme ideological commitment to public school privatization — and it would come at the expense of millions of students around the country, from preschool to college and beyond. Her proposed budget would weaken communities by eliminating funding for afterschool programs, grant aid for struggling college students and teacher and principal training programs, and so much more. First Semester Grade: F.
    • Education Policy 101: Confusion is the name of the game with Secretary DeVos and has been since her confirmation hearing — where she suggested that guns should be allowed in schools to protect students from things like, grizzly bears. It seems like she’s not entirely sure how to implement the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), and she’s sending mixed signals to local superintendents and state education leaders. First Semester Grade: F.
    • Civil Rights 101: Secretary DeVos has made it clear through her actions that she isn’t committed to do everything she can to protect all students’ safety and civil rights. From her proposed cuts to the Office for Civil Rights, to rolling back Title IX protections intended to protect students from sexual assault, to overturning the rule protecting transgender students, and so much more — Secretary DeVos has moved the Department of Education away from the critical goal of promoting civil rights and student safety. First Semester Grade: F.
    • Writing 101: Given how little she answered in her hearing, many of us have been sending her letters asking some tough questions about what she is doing and how she is doing it. But the vast majority of our letters go unanswered! Either Secretary DeVos doesn’t have the answers, or she just doesn’t want to tell us about them in writing. First Semester Grade: Incomplete.
  • Principles of Business Management: You would think that even though Secretary DeVos has no specific education experience of her own, she might bring some business best practices to the table — like hiring the right folks and staffing up quickly. Wrong: She’s still the only Department of Education top-level employee confirmed by the Senate, and she only has two other nominees waiting for confirmation. First Semester Grade: F.

So many of us are teachers, parents, and students ourselves, and we know how difficult it can be to make up for a bad first semester. Only time will tell what’s next for Secretary DeVos, but for the sake of our students — I hope she turns it around.

Share this graphic today with your friends and family on Facebook, and let them know that Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is failing students, teachers, and families.

Thanks,

Team Patty

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FDA/USDA ~~ August 2017 Alerts&Safety pg.2


~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Important laws you’ve never heard of
This message is the latest in a series of efforts to help amplify citizen voices in service of political accountability and transparency in America.
Friends …

Next week, Congress returns to Washington to start tackling a long list of tasks. Will the federal government remain funded after September? What relief will be provided for the Hurricane Harvey recovery efforts? Can our elected leaders successfully tackle the complexities of tax code reform?

Though Congress has yet to secure any major legislative achievements this year, President Trump has signed 50+ bills into law since his inauguration. With plenty of legislative efforts at play, more laws will be passed before the end of the year that could directly affect you and your family.

Before recess comes to an end, read up on a few legislative efforts that are being powered by petitions on Change.org but may not be on your radar.

You’ll read about folks like Robert, whose campaign has pushed for investments in our nation’s infrastructure since the water crisis in Flint, Michigan. He believes Congressional action is necessary to protect public health and prevent similar crises in other towns and cities before it’s too late. If you agree, sign his petition here.

Lawmaker and media attention will likely focus on the big ticket items this fall, including the important work to help Gulf Coast residents recover from Hurricane Harvey. You can bring greater public attention to these causes right now by lending your signature and ongoing support.

Thank you,

Justin L.
U.S. Campaigns Team