New Website: EWG Rates 14,000 Personal Care Products for Safety
November 2005, Environmental Working Group - Find out the safety profile of your deodorant, shampoo, lotions and other personal care products. Enivornmental Working Group's new database has more than 14,000 brand-name products listed.

U.S. PIRG Finds Toxic Flame Retardants and Plasticizers in Baby Products

November, 2005, U.S. PIRG – A new report shows that baby products may contain dangerous flame retardants and plasticizers. Some of these chemicals are banned in Europe.

October Headlines
Children's environmental health news in the headlines from newspapers and magazines around the country.

August / September Headlines
Environmental health news in the headlines from newspapers and magazines around the country.

EPA Emails Alerts to Prevent Skin Cancer and Asthma
October 7, 2005, Childrens Health Environmental Coalition -- Sign up for email alerts for air quality and UV radiation.

Switching to Organic Food Decreases Children’s Pesticide Exposure
October 5, 2005, Childrens Health Environmental Coalition -- You can reduce the level of pesticides in your child's body by switching to a diet of organic foods, new study shows.

Children Exposed to Secondhand Smoke Can Have Life-Long Breathing Problems
September 2005, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences -- The largest study of its kind shows that early life exposure to second-hand smoke can produce life-long respiratory problems, including chronic cough.

Allergy Rates Rise: More Than Half of the U.S. Population Test Positive for One or More Allergens
August 2005, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences -- More than 50 percent of the U.S. population tested positive to one or more allergens, according to a large national study published in the August issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. That's up from previous estimates of 30 percent of the population.

Lemon Eucalyptus Oil is an Effective Repellent, According to Consumer Reports
August 1, 2005, Children's Health Environmental Coalition -- Insect repellents containing the oil of lemon eucalyptus is an effective repellent, according to the August 2005 issue of Consumer Reports.

CDC Releases Extensive Survey of Americans’ Exposure to Environmental Chemicals
July 21, 2005, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention -- The Third National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals, released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), shows a significant decline in exposure to secondhand smoke and continued decreases in children’s blood lead levels. The report also suggests the need for more research into health effects of exposure to low levels of cadmium.

Low Levels of Ionizing Radiation May Cause Harm
June 29, 2005, National Academy of Science -- A preponderance of scientific evidence shows that even low doses of ionizing radiation, such as gamma rays and X-rays, are likely to pose some risk of cancer and heritable genetic defects, says a new report from the National Academies' National Research Council.

How Can I Reduce Chlorine in My Swimming Pool?
One swimming pool owner writes: I am concerned about the possible health effects of chlorine and chemicals used in our swimming pool. How can we reduce the chemicals without making the pool unsafe?

June/July Headlines
Environmental health news in the headlines from newspapers and magazines around the country.

Disinfectants for Day Care: How Do I Prove a Safer Disinfectant is Effective?
We’ve maintained that disinfectants aren’t necessary for our homes, but schools and day care center must do their best to be germ-free. One parent writes: Our day care program was forced to switch from a safer, herbal disinfectant to chlorine bleach. What can we do to prove the herbal disinfectant is effective?

Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer Face Health Problems
May 26, The National Academies -- Researchers at the University of Minnesota say that childhood cancer survivors are more likely to face health problems than their siblings.

May Headlines
Environmental health news in the headlines from newspapers and magazines around the country.

Prenatal Phthalate Exposure Damages Male Genital Development, Study Finds
May 27, 2005, Environmental Health Perspectives -- For the first time, researchers linked pregnant women's exposure to a nearly ubiquitous class of chemicals known as phthalates with adverse effects on genital development in their male children.

From Our Readers: Safe Play Sand?
A reader recently discovered a carcinogen warning on a bag of play sand. She asks: How can they sell such a product for children? Fortunately there is safe play sand on the market.

April Headlines
Environmental health news in the headlines from newspapers and magazines around the country.

U.S. EPA Recognizes CHEC with Children's Environmental Health Award
April 20, 2005, Children's Health Environmental Coalition -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency hs granted CHEC the 2005 Children's Environmental Health Recognition Award.

March Headlines
A list of links for interesting articles that appeared over the last month in newspapers and news magazines around the country.

Most Child Poisonings Result from Common Household Products, Says Government Agency
March 15, 2005, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Press Release - About 78,000 children under five years old visited U.S. hospital emergency rooms due to unintentional poisonings in 2003 - about one every seven minutes, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reported today. Most of these poisonings included products commonly found in the home.

Alert to Parents Links Mercury, Found in Fish, to Learning Disabilities

March 14, 2005, Clear the Air Press Release- In a new brochure, educational and learning disabilities advocates have linked fetal and childhood exposure to mercury with learning disabilities and other damage to the brain.

Meet Tom Houston, CHEC's New CEO!
March 2, 2005, Children's Health Environmental Coalition -- The Board of Directors of CHEC is pleased to announce the appointment of Tom Houston as its new Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Houston has a long and distinguished career as a leader of nonprofit organizations.

X-rays, Lead, Compounds on Grilled Food Among Agents Listed as Carcinogens by Government
February 24, 2005, Children's Health Environmental Coalition -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has released an updated edition of the Report on Carcinogens, adding lead, x-rays, several viruses, compounds on grilled foods, naphthalene and textile dyes to the list of "known" or "reasonably anticipated" human carcinogens. Children can be exposed to a number of these agents.

Mothers' Exposure to Air Pollutants Linked to Chromosome Damage in Babies
February 18, 2005, NIEHS Press Release -- A new study shows links pregnant woman's exposure to air pollutants to chromosomal damage in her baby. Such genetic damage may lead to cancer.

Secondhand Smoke Linked to Learning Deficits in Children
February 11, 2005, Children's Health Environmental Coalition -- New study shows that children's learning is hindered by exposure to tobacco smoke.

Smart Produce Guide from IATP Helps Parents Make Safe Choices
January 27, 2005 -- Want guidance on which fruits and vegetables contain the most pesticide residues and how to choose the safest? The Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy has got a guide for you.

Mercury in Our Food Featured on PBS' NOW on Friday, January 21
On Friday, January 21, 2005 at 9 p.m. on PBS (check local listings), NOW's David Brancaccio reports on the dangers of mercury in our food and examines how the government is falling short in protecting consumers.

Antibacterial Ingredient Shown to Cause Health, Environmental Effects, According to Beyond Pesticides Review
New review of triclosan, a popular antibacterial ingredient in cleaners, toothpastes, deodorants and other personal care products, shows that they can cause environmental and health effects.

US EPA Sponsors National Radon Action Month - Test Your Home This Month!
January is a good time to test your home for radon, an odorless gas that is the second-leading cause of lung cancer after tobacco smoke.

Sign Petition to Stop EPA From Testing Pesticides on Children
December 1, 2004, Pesticide Action Network North America -- Opposition to EPA plans to test pesticide impacts on children has forced the agency to postpone their study. However, the agency has not canceled the industry-funded study. Sign the PANNA petition to urge them to do so now.

Government Agency Finds That Pediatricians Need More Training on Environmental Health
October 21, 2004, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences -- Doctors and nurses need more environmental health training to prevent, recognize, and treat diseases caused by environmental exposures, according to a new study funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences . Experts recommend that medical and nursing schools add environmental health topics to training programs.

New Tests Show 21 Percent of US Women With Mercury Above EPA Limit
October 20, 2004, Greenpeace -- Interim results of Greenpeace’s Mercury Hair Sampling Project were released today by the Environmental Quality Institute (EQI) at the University of North Carolina-Asheville. The survey found mercury levels exceeding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's recommended limit of 1 microgram of mercury per gram of hair in 21 percent (126 out of 597) of women of childbearing age tested. Find out how to get tested.

Mother Fights to Prevent Children's Exposure to Chemical and Biological Agents in Military Tests
October 22, 2004, The CHEC Report -- Alan Adamsson's death from cancer spurred his wife, Bonnie, to action. Bonnie believes that Alan's childhood exposure to chemical and nuclear agents during military tests in Nevada and Utah led to his cancer. Recent plans to restart testing prompted Bonnie to act to prevent others from being exposed.

Child and Environmental Advocates Urge US Youth Soccer to Give TruGreen/Chemlawn Partnership the Boot -- Take Action Now!
October 5, 2004, Stop Commercial Exploitation of Children -- Citing concerns about exploiting children to market toxic products to their families, thirty prominent children’s and environmental organizations, including CHEC, sent a public letter to US Youth Soccer (USYS) asking them not to renew their sponsorship agreement with TruGreen/ChemLawn.

New Study: Northwest Women are Contaminated with Toxic Flame Retardants
September 29, 2004, Northwest Environmental Watch -- A new study shows that women in the Northwest have high levels of brominated flame retardants in their bodies.

Funds for Cleaner School Buses Available
Sept 29, 2004, Children's Health Environmental Coaltion -- A new program will provide funds for retrofitting school buses with cleaner technologies. Pass this article on to your school district soon.

More Bad News About Fish
September 3, 2004, Children's Health Environmental CoalitionFarmed salmon has more toxic flame retardants than wild and changing their diet to less toxic feed may mean lowered health benefits, according to recent studies. Fish advisories for local bodies of water have increased this year and nearly all fish in our lakes and rivers is contaminated with mercury.

Toxic Chemicals Found in Products But Not Always On the Label
August 10, 2004, Children's Health Environmental Coalition -- Toxic chemicals are widespread in consumer products often found in the home, according to a new report from the National Environmental Trust (NET). Laboratory tests show that many products contain ingredients that are not listed on their labels, even though they are considered toxic chemicals that are regulated as pollutants when they enter soil and air.

Eating Organic Reduces Pesticide Exposure, According to Report
August 8, 2004, Children's Health Environmental Coalition -- A May report from the Organic Center for Education and Promotion uses scientific data to support the argument that organic produce is healthier than conventional produce as far as pesticide residues are concerned.

Lake and River Fish Are Likely to Contain Mercury: Pregnant Women and Children Beware!
Clear the Air, August 4, 2004 -- In recent tests of fish caught from America’s lakes, rivers and streams, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found that every fish sample tested was contaminated with mercury, according to a recent report from Clear the Air coalition. Pregnant women and children should limit consumption to avoid health risks.

Miscarriage, Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities on the Rise in California and Nationwide: New Report
Children's Health Environmental Coalition, July 9, 2004--From conception to adulthood, children in California (and nationwide) are experiencing more developmental problems, from birth defects to early puberty. Environment California has just released a report which gathers together some staggering statistics.

Car Exhaust and Other Combustion Pollutants Damage Fetal DNA
June 25, 2004 -- A new study from Columbia University finds that babies in the womb are more sensitive to DNA damage from air pollution from cars and tobacco smoke than their mothers. Such damage Has been linked in prior studies to increased risk of cancer And reductions In fetal growth.

Americans are Walking Pesticide Receptacles, CDC Data Shows
May 19, 2004, Children's Health Environmental Coalition -- According to a new report from the Pesticide Action Network (PAN), all Americans have pesticides, such as 2,4-D and DDT, in their blood and urine. PAN analyzed data collected by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The most horrifying discoveries by PAN: Women and children have the highest levels of pesticides, and levels often exceed what is considered safe.

Two New Resources on Household Products and More
The Worldwatch Institute has published a consumer-oriented booklet that will help shoppers make environmentally-friendly choices when buying a range of products. The authors also describe the startling impact our choices have around the globe.

Bush Administration Gets an F in Kids' Health, Report Shows
April 17, 2004, Children's Health Environmental Coalition -- The Bush administration has failed to protect children from environmental toxins by missing key opportunities and has actually rolled back existing protections, according to the Children's Environmental Health Network (CEHN).

New Children's Environmental Health Website from WHO
April 17, 2004, Children's Health Environmental Coalition -- The World Health Organization (WHO) announced the launch of a newly designed and updated website geared specifically to children's environmental health (CEH) in early April.

Chemical Exposures Linked to 200 Diseases, Collaborative of Scientists Shows
March 27, 2004 -- Scientists at the Collaborative on Health and the Environment have summarized what is known about the causal relationship of certain chemicals to certain diseases in one database

Antibacterial Soap Doesn't Stop Infection Any Better Than Plain Soap
March 12, 2004, Children's Health Environmental Coalition -- Antibacterial soaps are no better than plain soap in preventing infectious disease, according to a recent study from Columbia University. It's probably because antibacterial products don't stop viruses.

Keep Safe from Mad Cow: How to Choose Safer Beef
January 7, 2004, Children's Health Environmental Coalition -- Though the chance of contracting mad cow disease in the U.S. is considered low, there are a few steps you can take to ensure that you do not consume tainted beef.

EPA Announces New Children's Environmental Health Website
November 4, 2003 -- A new website produced by the Environmental Protection Agency highlights children's environmental health.

New Second Edition Pediatric Environmental Health
October 30, 2003 -- The second edition of a useful pediatric environmental health handbook is released by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

EWG Issues Report Card on Foods with Pesticide Residues
October 21, 2003 -- Environmental Working Group has issued a new report on pesticides in produce. A wallet-size guide can help consumers make safer choices when shopping.

EPA and Environmental Health Perspectives Highlight Children's Issues During Children's Health Month
October 3, 2003 -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP) are focusing their October efforts on children's environmental health issues. Learn more about EPA's initiatives and access EHP children's health articles for free this month.

Innovative Program Tackles Potential Environmental Health Problems In Schools
October 01, 2003 -- A new program to encourage students to make their schools healthier has been launched.

Children are Exposed to Lead and Allergens in Day Care Centers, According to Government Reports
September 17, 2003, Children's Health Environmental Coalition -- Licensing doesn't mean that a day care center is safe from environmental hazards, like lead and asthma-triggers. A new government report shows that a significant number of day care centers in the U.S. contain lead and/or allergens that trigger asthma.

Dirty Diesel and Your Child's School Bus
July 31, 2003 -- As schools rev up buses for the new school year, children's advocates push for safer buses. Most of the nations's school buses are fueled with diesel. School buses release unhealthy emissions that can cause asthma and cancer.

To Protect Children from Dioxin, Expert Panel Recommends Dietary Changes and Government Action
July 14, 2003 -- Fetuses and infants are particularly vulnerable to dioxins because even at low doses, these potent chemicals can cause development effects. Because their exposure results from the dioxin in their mothers, an expert panel organized by the Institute of Medicine now recommends that the government advise the public on how to reduce dioxin exposure through food, our primary exposure route.

Teflon in a Sticky Situation
June 18, 2003 -- Nonstick pans making cooking and cleanup easier. But now scientists and others are raising concerns about the potential health risks associated with them. New evidence shows that the chemical used to make Teflon, made by DuPont, doesn't biodegrade, which means that it is now present in the environment and humans.

Plant This Fern to Remove Arsenic from Soil
June 2, 2003 -- There's a new way to safely and effectively remove arsenic from soil, and it's as "green" as can be.

Are Children Left Behind by the Bush Administration, New Report Asks
May 27, 2003 -- The Children's Environmental Health Network has reviewed the Bush Administrations record on children's environmental health and finds it lacking.

Flame Retardant Chemical Coming Under Fire
May 8, 2003 -- A new report from California Public Interest Research Group warns that a group of flame retardants called polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are posing a risk to children and the population at large. These chemicals are now being compared to the now banned PCBs, once used in electronics.

10th Report on Carcinogens: The U.S. Government Recognizes 228 Cancer-Causing Agents, Including Estrogen and Ultraviolet Light
April 24, 2003 -- The government's recent update of carcinogen list includes estrogen and ultraviolet light.

CHEC Writes to EPA About New Cancer Risk Assessment Guidelines. You Can Too!
April 4, 2003 -- CHEC has sent the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) a letter about the new cancer risk assessment guidelines. While these new guidelines will better protect children from cancer-causing agents, they don't go far enough. You can send your own letter via email from this article.

Phthalates Allowed in Toys Again, Despite Health Concerns to Kids
March 31, 2003 -- A government agency has ruled that phthalates used in soft toys for young children do not pose a risk to children. But children's environmental health advocates disagree.

New Government Guidelines Will Better Protect Children from Cancer Risks
March 20, 2003--Young children are 10 times more vulnerable to cancer-causing substances than adults. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has released its final draft of guidelines that will consider this in determining the cancer risk of chemicals that the agency reviews. This is a first time a regulatory agency has accounted for the difference between children and adults in assessing safety of environmental substances.

Action Alert: Support the Environmental Health Research Act of 2003
March 5, 2003--A bill to require increased research of hormone disruptors has been reintroduced in the U.S. Congress. It needs your support to ensure passage.

Collaboration as the Key to Protect Children: Highlights of NIEHS Conference
March 5, 2003--The NIEHS conference on children's environmental health focused on how scientists, advocates, healthcare providers and journalists could work together.

Prenatal Exposure to Air Pollution Proves Harmful
February 17, 2003 -- During pregnancy, a mother's exposure to air pollutants can harm the developing fetus, according to new research from Columbia University. The study links decreased birth weight and head circumference to some air pollutants, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and chlorpyrifos. In a separate study, Korean researchers find that infants are most affected by air pollution.

CDC Report Shows Level of Environmental Chemicals in Americans
February 9, 2003--An analysis of 2000 people by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveals the amount of exposure to environmental chemicals that Americans receive through their everyday activities. This "body burden" report shows that while exposure to regulated chemicals has declined, children are overexposed to many toxic chemicals.

Testicular Cancer Linked to Mothers' Exposure to Environmental Pollutants
January 31, 2003--Testicular cancer rates have been rising over the past few decades. A new study shows that prenatal exposures to endocrine-disrupting chemicals may cause the disease.

Most Schools Aren't Minimizing Pesticide Exposures, Study Finds
January 21, 2003--A study from Beyond Pesticides shows that most school districts nationwide have not adopted safer pest management and pesticide policies, despite encouragement from federal agencies.

Children's Blood-Lead Levels Declining, but Studies Show Exposure Causes Long-Term Risks
January 12, 2003--New national statistics show that lead levels in children are declining, but new studies emphasize that any exposure to lead can have an impact on a child's future. One study links lead exposure to delinquency and another shows that high levels of lead in adults can increase significantly the likelihood of mortality.

Exposure to Pesticides on the Farm Linked to Depression and Decreased Sperm Count
January 2, 2002--Farmers are routinely exposed to pesticides. Scientists are learning that the impact is not always obvious. Two new studies link pesticide exposure in farmers to increased depression and lowered sperm count.

Organic Food Lowers Children's Pesticide Exposure, Study Finds
Dec. 28, 2002-- Organic food tastes better and is better for the environment than conventionally grown food. A new study shows that organic foods lower pesticide exposure as well.

Produce PLU Codes Reveal If It’s Organic, Transgenic or Conventional
December 26, 2002--The little stickers and tags on fruits and vegetables can help you identify how they were produced.

Recall on Flea and Tick Products
December 19, 2002--The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced that Hartz Mountain Corporation has agreed to recall and relabel two of its flea and tick pesticide products for cats and kittens. Thousands of consumers had complained that the products caused adverse reactions in their pets, including skin irritation, convulsions and death.

Identify Community Environmental Hazards On EPA Website
December 3, 2002--A new government website can help you identify businesses that violate environmental regulations in your community.

November is Wood Smoke Awareness Month
November 20, 2002--It's time to learn what's creeping out of your fireplace. Toxins that go up in smoke include carbon monoxide gas and cancer-causing particulates. Burning a safer fire is possible, however.

Mercury Poisoning From Fish Consumption, Study Shows
A small San Francisco study shows that people who eat a lot of fish may also have mercury poisoning—including young children and pregnant women.

Cancer Rates Going Up, Not Down
November 13, 2002--Fewer people are dying of cancer, but the number of people getting it is going up and no one's exactly sure why. Exposures of toxins that start in childhood and continue for a long time may be one factor.

Autism's Rise Not Explained by Existing Theories, New California Study Finds
October 31, 2002--Scientists have found that a dramatic increase in the number of cases of autism is very real, but they have ruled out current explanations for the rise. This leaves the state without any information on why the rate of autism in California tripled between 1987 and 1998.

New USDA Seal Makes Identifying Organic Foods Easier
October 24, 2002--A new USDA seal for organic foods will let us know that what we think is organic, really is. The new seal and strict labeling language are backed by national standards that make organic production practices consistent nationwide.

Teen Smoking May Increase Breast Cancer Risk
October 18, 2002--New evidence to connect smoking to breast cancer, also shows that teenage girls may be particularly vulnerable to carcinogens in cigarette smoke.

PCBs and Dioxins May Cause Gender Differences in Children's Play
October 9, 2002--Many studies have shown that PCBs and dioxins have the ability to interfere or block hormone signaling in the body. The timing can be critical. In a recent study, researchers found that prenatal exposures influenced the way children play, reflecting gender differences, when they get older.

Cancer Risk is in the Air for California Babies
October 8, 2002--California is well-known as the nation's smoggiest state. A new report from the National Environmental Trust shows that babies in the state's metropolitan areas breathe in a lifetime risk for cancer within just a few days of being born.

Testing Shows that Old Pressure-Treated Wood Continues to Emit High Levels of Arsenic
September 6, 2002--Nationwide testing of decks, playsets and other outdoor structures made from pressure treated wood continue to pose risks to children up to 15 years after installation.

Boycott of Genetically Engineered Fish Announced
September 27, 2002--A nationwide boycott of genetically engineered fish has started out of concerns that bioengineered foods may cause harm to humans and could impact the environment negatively. Parents are particularly concerned about the impact of GE foods on children, because they may contain unknown allergens.

U.S. Senate Votes to Ban Mercury Thermometers
September 20, 2002--Broken mercury thermometers pose risks to young children and the environment. The U.S. Senate recently voted to ban mercury thermometers because of the dangers.

U.S. EPA's Scientific Review Shows Diesel Exhaust Poses Health Risks, Especially to Children
September 16, 2002--Inhaling exhaust from diesel engines can cause lung and other cancers in humans, according to a new health assessment conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Diesel exhaust has also been linked to asthma.

Smog in America: Rising Ozone Levels May Harm Children
September 10, 2002--U.S. PIRG has just released an overview of smog levels in every state, showing that despite the measures taken after the passage of the Clean Air Act, levels of ozone (smog) just keep rising. Children are more likely to suffer from asthma attacks during summer, when ozone is at its highest.

CHEC Writes to the U.S. EPA to Encourage More Stringent Standards for Dangerous Pesticides
September 10, 2002--The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's new framework for creating safety standards for organophosphate pesticides, which include some of the most dangerous pesticides to children, falls short. Read CHEC's letter to EPA, encouraging the agency to strengthen their methods to ensure that children are adequately protected.

Urban Children Are Exposed to High Levels of Pesticides in Schools, Parks and Housing Projects
August 28, 2002--A report from the New York State Attorney General raises concerns about excessive urban pesticide applications where many children spend most of their time—schools, housing projects and parks.

New Fertilizer Standards Will Regulate Use of Toxic Waste
August 15, 2002--For years, some hazardous waste producers recycled their toxic waste into fertilizers for lawn, garden and farm use. These fertilizers can contain dangerous heavy metals, such as lead and arsenic. The U.S. EPA has finally established regulations to keep at least some of these toxic wastes out of fertilizers. But consumers still need to be careful when choosing fertilizers.

Environmental Group Criticizes U.S. EPA's Efforts to Evaluate Pesticides As Required by the Food Quality Protection Act
August 8, 2002--The U.S. EPA announced the successful completion of two-thirds of the pesticide reassessments required by a 1996 law that was intended to improve the safety of food, especially for children. An environmental group, Natural Resources Defense Council, takes issue with EPA's claims.

Pregnant Women Should Limit Tuna Intake, U.S. FDA Now Says
July 26, 2002--A food advisory panel finds fault with guidelines on fish consumption for pregnant women, calling for warning women about the potential risks of tuna consumption during pregnancy.

Phthalates in Hair Spray, Perfume, Deodorant?
July 14, 2002--Phthalates, a group of hormone-disrupting chemicals used to soften plastics, have been found in many common beauty and personal care products. Pregnant women are the most at-risk, because phthalates can enter the womb and expose the fetus during critical periods of development.

Playgrounds Pose Safety Risks to Children
July 12, 2002-Playgrounds are the sites of many accidents. But some dangers are the playground could be avoided. These include the risks posed by lead and arsenic found in the building materials.

Quebec to Ban Pesticides
July 10, 2002--Quebec is the first government to ban the use of pesticides in both public and residential areas. The complete ban will be phased-in by 2005.

More than One-Quarter of U.S. Lake Fish is Toxic to Children
July 8, 2002--Fish consumption advisories for U.S. lakes and rivers are on the rise. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency warns that 28 percent of the nation's lakes contain fish contaminated with dangerous levels of PCBs, mercury, arsenic, dioxin and/or other toxic substances. These substances are particular damaging to young children's brains and many can block or mimic human hormones. They also cross into the womb, potentially harming developing babies.

Lead Contamination in Day Care Centers: One in Five New Jersey Day Cares Pose Health Hazard
June 30, 2002--Day care centers should be lead-free, but testing in New Jersey revealed that many licensed day care facilities are posing dangerous risks to young children. Lax inspections and licensing requirements may mean that some day care centers in other states are similarly contaminated.

Landmark Lead Law in Rhode Island: Lead Poisoning Prevention Required by Landlords
June 27, 2002--Rhode Island's new lead law puts a greater burden on landlords to provide lead-safe housing without penalizing tenants. Read about this and other landlord laws in this article.

New Books from CHEC Board Members
June 23, 2002--CHEC Board members, pediatricians Harvey Karp, M.D., and Philip Landrigan, M.D., each have written excellent parenting books this year. Raising Healthy Children in a Toxic World provides 101 tips on protecting kids from toxins in and out of your home. The Happiest Baby in the World shares a wealth of information on why babies cry and how to calm them down.

Off-Road Diesel Trucks Contribute to Serious Air Pollution
June 21, 2002--Off-road diesel-powered vehicles such a bulldozers and farm eqiupment spew out more fine-particle pollutants than all other types of diesel vehicles combined. Fine particles lodge deep in the lungs and may cause asthma in children.

Toxic Chemical Releases by Industry Drop, but Air Pollution Increases Cancer Risk, Two EPA Reports Say
June 16, 2002--Two reports from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have just been released. The first, the 2000 Toxic Release Inventory, shows that companies are releasing a smaller amount of toxic chemicals. But, the second, the National-Scale Air Toxics Assessment, reports that all Americans face a cancer risk that is 10 times the EPA standard of 1 in a million.

Cattle Growth Hormones in Waterways Could Be Causing Gender Distortion in Fish
June 11, 2002--Most cattle in the United States are treated with growth hormones. Recent research suggests that growth hormones that leach into waterways from animal feedlots could impact the reproductive organs of fish and other species.

Childhood Diseases Linked to Environmental Factors Cost the US $55 Billion
June 10, 2002--A new study compiles the costs of the childhood diseases that are linked to environmental factors. The amount we spend makes up nearly three percent of the total annual cost of all illnesses in the United States.

Is Your Favorite Beach Safe?
June 1, 2002--Water quality and erosion are increasing at many beaches in the United States, according to Surfrider Foundations annual State of the Beach report. Even your local beach may suffer from pollution. Before you plan your next beach outing, find out which beaches are safe and which fail, using the resources listed here.

Chemicals that Interfere with Hormones May Harm Humans
May 31, 2002--The final draft of a report issued by a prestigious international panel concludes that it is likely that endocrine disruptors cause health effects in humans. The European Union has launched a new research program, while a U.S. Representative seeks funds for similar research in the United States.

Canadian Agency Bans Some Common Insect Repellent Products, While Duke Scientist Shows Neurological Effects
May 24, 2002--The most popular insect repellents on the market contain DEET. However, the Canadian government has just banned some formulations due to the potential for overexposure that could result in damage to health. Recent studies on lab animals show that DEET may affect the brain, which could have serious consequences for children.

An Effective Weed Killer is in Your Pantry, USDA Discovers
May 16, 2002--Vinegar kills weeds quickly and effectively, according to tests conducted by scientists at the Agriculture Research Service.

Organic Foods Really Do Contain Less Pesticide Residue, Consumers Union Finds
May 14, 2002--Eating organic means eating fewer pesticide residues. A new study from Consumers Union and the Organic Materials Research Institute finds a significant difference between organic and conventional foods.

Poor Air Quality Especially Dangerous to Children, says the American Lung Association in New Report
May 4, 2002--The American Lung Association's new report, State of the Air: 2002, shows that half of the American population is exposed to dangerous levels of ozone. Kids are especially vulnerable to this air pollutant. Recent groundbreaking research also reveals that air pollution is as potent as secondhand smoke in causing heart disease and lung cancer. And scientists at U. of Michigan have discovered that ozone constricts blood vessels, harming those that already have heart disease.

Are We Making Our Kids Sick? Bill Moyers Asks in an Upcoming Television Special
April 26, 2002--A special edition of NOW, Kids and Chemicals, to be broadcast on PBS, Friday, May 10 at 9 p.m. (ET), features medical investigators and health officials engaged in the latest research on links between childhood illness and environmental contamination. The program also looks at families around the country who are coping with the consequences to their children of potentially toxic exposures.

Asthmatic Children are Frequently Exposed to Asthma Triggers at Home
April 30, 2002--A new survey of parents reveals that many asthmatic children are exposed to asthma triggers at home. Parents are infrequently educated about avoiding these triggers.

Atrazine Causes Sexual Abnormalities in Male Frogs;
Some Organotin Pesticides Found to Affect Immune System
April 19, 2002--A new study shows that the most common weed killer in the United States, used on corn and soybean fields, causes male frogs to develop remale reproductive organs, even at very low levels. "This is a red flag for children's environmental health," says Dr. Jennifer Sass, a Natural Resources Defense Council senior scientist. In other pesticide news, some organotin pesticides may affect the immune system.

Girl Scouts and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Collaborate on New Badge
April 16, 2002--To earn the new "Environmental Health" badge, Girl Scouts must learn about asthma, lead poisoning, clean water and sun exposure.

Clean Air Standards Triumph
April 10, 2002--The Washington D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals has denied the final challenges by business groups to more stringent air standards aimed at reducing smog and soot pollution and improving lung health for up to one million children.

Asthma Hospitalization Rates Declining in the U.S.
April 8, 2002--A new report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that asthma-related hospitalizations and deaths declined since 1995, but other asthma indicators, including the number of people with lifelong asthma, continue to rise.

Low Income Children's Access to Clean and Nutritious Food Cut in Farm Bill
April 4, 2002--A program that has helped mothers buy fresh food from local farmers at farmers' markets since 1992 may lose its funding.

Congress Asked to Hold Hearing on School Rash Outbreak
April 1, 2002--The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have investigated rash outbreaks in schoolchildren in 14 states over the past six months.

Legislation Proposed to Explore Link Between Disease and the Environment
March 28, 2002--Sens. Hilary Clinton and Henry Reid propose a nationwide health tracking system to determine if a correlation between some diseases and environmental factors exists.

U.S. Geological Survey Releases Study Exposing Water Contaminants in U.S. Streams
March 25, 2002--A government survey shows that many American streams are contaminated by pharmaceuticals, disinfectants, hormones and chemicals from household products.

Recent FDA Fish Consumption Advisory on Mercury Criticized
March 22, 2002--Environmental Working Group finds that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration fish consumption advisory on methylmercury, a potent neurotoxin that can cross the placenta to harm developing babies, excludes important advice on tuna. The FDA recommendations may have been impacted by fish industry interests, according to EWG.

Young Children Bear the Heaviest Burden of Environmental Disease
March 15, 2002--Three million children under the age of five die due to environmental hazards, such as air pollution and unsafe drinking water, and environmental accidents.

Trust for America's Health Releases Report on Birth Defects Tracking in the U.S.
February 27, 2002--Most states are doing a poor job of tracking and preventing birth defects, according to the Trust for America’s Health (TFAH).

EPA Announces Phase Out Of Arsenic Treated Wood
Industry agrees to phaseout of pressure-treated wood, and Home Depots and Lowes announce the end of its sale at their stores

New Study Warns of Dangers of Diesel Exhaust to Children
U.S. regulations don't protect school children from exposure to unsafe level of diesel exhaust, an asthma trigger and suspected carcinogen, new report says.

School Bus Pollution Ranked State by State
New report from the Union of Concernced Scientists gives poor marks to most states for efforts in cleaning up school bus emissions.

Flame Retardant Chemical Found in Humans and Fish
Scientists have discovered that a commonly used flame retardant is accumulating in human tissue, and it may be as harmful as PCBs.

Over 600,000 Students Attend School On or Near A Chemically Contaminated Site
Child Proofing Our Communities Campaign's newest report, Creating Safe Learning Zones, tells about the risks faced by a half million children who go to school in close proximity to toxic waste sites.

Study Links Air Pollution and Asthma in Children
Ozone is linked to the development of asthma in children in California.

Deal to Phase Out Pressure-Treated Wood Containing Arsenic
Wood preservative industry set to agree to phase out pressure-treated wood that is made with arsenic.