IN THIS ISSUE
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**LIB TALKS: Busy Time, Much Good Work, Substitutes Emerge,
PFAS (The Sticky Sort of Toxics), EMF & Pesticide Notes, Pets
Suffer from Glyphosate Too.
**RI/MA AREA GOOD NEWS Safer Paint Stripper Developed at UMass Lowell
**RI/CT/MA AREA RESOURCE: Klinkman Solar Design (KSD), Providence, RI
**OTHER GOOD NEWS: Vermont Says “No” to Herbicided Lake
**TWO ACTIONS VS. PFAS: Protect Drinking Water, Get Companies to Pay for Cleanup
**CLEVER CONSUMER PESTICIDE ACTION: Get Pesticides Out of Breakfast”,
**EMF INFO & ACTION: Cell Phone Radiation Concerns & Protection
**PROTECTING PETS: Two Reports re: Glyphosate Found in Popular Pet Foods
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LIB TALKS
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**BUSY TIME, MUCH GOOD WORK TO BE DONE: As indicated in the October TIP TALKS, we are researching and compiling much info on our prime targets of pesticides & EMFs. However, other important concerns are also on our watch.
**THE PFA MONSTER: Long recognized for the toxicity of Teflon “non-stick” fry pans (the toxins stick in your body and kill pet birds), PFAs are now being targeted for even more contamination of our drinking water and bodies. (Note: All should follow the simple creed – fry or sauté with cast iron pans, cook with stainless steel pots).
**SUBSTITUTES ARE EMERGING: As more and more toxic substances in a variety of products are being “outed” as bad guys, manufacturers and retailers are scrambling for less stinky options. This is a good
thing, though consumers need to be careful – some substitutes are good, but others can be worse than
the original. (BPS replacing BPA in can liners, for example). Keep up with info provided by honest
sources (like us).We’ll be keeping an eye on the alternative paint strippers described in this TIP TALKS,
to see if they are the real deal.
**NOVEMBER EMF NOTES: TIP is involved with a small group of EMF-concerned folks here in RI to find
ways to educate about the dangers and possible protection. Some of that info is included below.
We are also looking into possible film or speaking events on EMFs.
**NOVEMBER PESTICIDE NOTES: The bad news is that pesticides are being shown to be ever more omnipresent – and sickening to living creatures. The good news – awareness – and pushback – is growing quickly. (See the report re: Lake Iroquois). We’ll keep you posted on news and actions.
**PETS JOIN THE COMPLAINT DEPARTMENT: Who wants Round-Up (& Glyphosate) in their pet’s food? Nobody should. Learn about the problem, and some tips on how to avoid the toxic stuff via two items at the bottom of this TIP TALKS.
**SEASON’S GREETINGS – and Hopes for Health! Blessings, Liberty G
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RI/MA AREA GOOD NEWS
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SAFER ALTERNATIVE TO TOXIC PAINT STRIPPERS TO GO TO MARKET
Co. to Bring Formula Developed at UMass Lowell to Consumers
LOWELL, Mass. – Consumers will soon have a safer alternative to dangerous paint strippers that have claimed dozens of lives around the country, thanks to a new formula developed by Toxics Use Reduction Institute researchers at UMass Lowell. The new product will be available on store shelves through a licensing agreement between the university and SRD NEWGEN, announced today by UMass Lowell and the company. It will be marketed under the Super Remover brand and will be available on store shelves within a few months. The invention came about because of the dangers posed by conventional paint strippers containing methylene chloride, which has been implicated in the deaths of dozens of people who are believed to have been overcome by toxic fumes while using products containing the chemical, also known as dichloromethane and DCM.
Earlier this year, the EPA announced plans to finalize a ban on the use of methylene chloride in paint-stripping products. Some retailers – including Home Depot, Lowe’s, Sherwin Williams and Walmart – have already committed to take such products off store shelves. TURI, propelled by increased health and safety concerns for consumers using methylene chloride-based paint strippers, began researching safer alternatives to the toxic solvent in 2015.
The researchers’ goal was to not only find a safer solution, but one that would appeal to professionals and consumers because it is as effective in removing paint as those containing the dangerous chemical. Over the course of the research by the TURI team – which included UMass Lowell faculty & students – three existing safer chemicals were identified that, when combined in a certain ratio, remove most paint coatings within 20 minutes, comparable to the time it takes for products that contain methylene chloride.
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RHODE ISLAND/MA/CT AREA RESOURCE
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KLINKMAN SOLAR DESIGN,
Paul Klinkman & Liberty Goodwin, Providence, RI
Creating unique alternatives to toxic, dirty fossil fuels!
See: www.klinkmansolar.com for info about the KSD solar greenhouse
being built at The Greene School in West Greenwich, RI, and the opportunity
for a heavy hot water or heat user to receive a free solar heat/HW system
(just move and connect on your site),
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OTHER GOOD NEWS
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STATE (VERMONT) DENIES HERBICIDE TREATMENT
FOR INVASIVE MILFOIL IN LAKE IROQUOIS
(Shared by Toxics Action Center)
Oct 11, 2018 State environmental officials have rejected a plan to use a powerful chemical herbicide to control an invasive water weed in Lake Iroquois in Chittenden County, saying the potential environmental damage did not justify its use. Josh Mulhollem, the state’s aquatic invasive species management coordinator, said the Lake Iroquois decision is noteworthy. “This is the first time, at least in recent memory, where an herbicide application treatment was flatly denied,” he said. "There were other, less intrusive options other than the whole-lake chemical treatment which was proposed." Mullhollem is an environmental scientist and studied the plan to kill Eurasian water milfoil in the 229-acre lake.
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TWO ACTIONS VS. PFAS
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PROTECT OUR DRINKING WATER FROM TOXICS
(Shared by Toxics Action Center)
Everyone deserves clean water. But that isn’t the case for communities across the country whose water is contaminated by the toxic Teflon chemicals known as PFAS or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. PFAS are found in everyday products like non-stick Teflon pans along with firefighting foam used at military bases across the country. These chemicals are linked to kidney disorders, cancers and other serious health conditions and are estimated to be in the drinking water of over 110 million people in the U.S. alone. It’s time for real action on PFAS. We are calling for a strong, enforceable national drinking water standard to require cleanup of PFAS contamination and restore safe drinking water to every community affected by this toxic crisis. Sign the petition and support a national standard to protect our drinking water.
MAKE THEM PAY: DEMAND CHEMICAL MAKERS
PAY TO CLEAN UP TOXIC NONSTICK POLLUTION
(Shared by the Ecology Center)
Chemical manufacturers 3M and DuPont (now Chemtours) have created a public health crisis and we need to hold them accountable for this nonstick nightmare. PFAS. They’re a class of nearly 5,000 chemicals used in nonstick, stain-resistant, and waterproof coatings in numerous everyday products. They’re associated with kidney and testicular cancer, hormone disruption, liver and kidney toxicity, harm to the immune system, and reproductive and developmental toxicity. And they’re now in the blood of nearly every American, including newborns. Persistent nonstick PFAS chemicals are all around us--and they’re causing a health crisis.
Despite having sufficient information to know about the dangers posed by certain PFAS chemicals for decades, chemical companies did not report all of their findings, but instead continued manufacturing the chemicals. Now, PFAS are in our food, water, environment, and bodies. An estimated 110 million Americans may have PFAS-contaminated drinking water.
Michigan taxpayers are already paying $23.2 million for costs associated with PFAS contamination, including testing, monitoring and technical assistance at more than a dozen sites across Michigan. Nationally, it will cost billions to clean up the nonstick nightmare.
Shouldn’t the big chemical companies who made this mess be responsible for cleaning it up? Please join us in demanding 3M and Chemours pay up to clean up their mess. All Americans deserve access to safe drinking water and healthy communities. SIGN THE LETTER HERE:
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EMF INFO & ACTION
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DOES CELL-PHONE RADIATION CAUSE CANCER?
(A view from Consumer Reports)
As the debate over cell-phone radiation heats up, consumers deserve answers
to whether there’s a cancer connection
EWG CELL PHONE RADIATION CONCERNS
(Excerpts from a list of articles by Environmental Working Group
Find links to all at: www.ewg.org/key-issues/consumer-products/cell-phones
REPORTS ON THE HEALTH EFFECTS
www.ewg.org/release/landmark-federal-study-clear-evidence-linking-cellphone-radiation-cancer
Despite Health Concerns, FCC and States Clear the Way for Next-Generation Wireless Networks
EWG Comments on Peer Review of NTP's Draft Technical Reports on Cellphone Radiation
Italian Study Links Cellphone Radiation to Heart and Brain Tumors
EWG Comments to NTP on Cellphone Radiation Study
Federal Research Raises Flags about Cancer Risks from Cellphone Radiation
It’s Official: California Issues Caution on Cell Phone Use
Cellphone Safety: Industry Pushes to Strip Local Control of High-Speed Networks
Six Questions About Cellphone Radiation and Your Health
THOUGHTS ON PROTECTION FROM CELL PHONE RADIATION
California Cautions Cell Phone Users: Keep Your Distance
Easy Ways to Reduce Kids’ Exposure to Cell Phone Radiation
Your Cell Phone Case May Increase Your Radiation Exposure
Cell Phone Cases Can Increase Radiation Exposure Up to 70 Percent
Tuesday, March 3, 2015 Most cell phone cases are so badly designed that they partially block the antenna, making the phone work harder to transmit a signal and intensifying the radiation that strikes the user’s head and body, a new Environmental Working Group analysis shows. Read More
Does Your Cell Phone Case Raise Your Radiation Exposure?
Belgium Boosts Cell Phone Radiation Safeguards
Cell Phone Radiation Varies By Wireless Carrier
Tuesday, November 12, 2013 In recent years, a series of studies have shown that a consumer’s choice of wireless carrier may be more important than the cell phone itself in determining how much radiation will reach the user, according to a new analysis by researchers at the Environmental Working Group.
EWG and 11 Other Health,Consumer Groups Call for New Cell Phone Radiation Standards
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** CLEVER CONSUMER (That’s you!)
CAMPAIGN REMINDER: TIP TALKS seeks to
increase your consumer IQ & abilities. Remember,
if you tell the supplier, retailer, or producer what
you will or won’t BUY, they care.
(Also share your knowledge with friends & family)
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UPDATE: NEW TESTS FROM EWG SHOW THAT GLYPHOSATE
CONTINUES TO CONTAMINATE BREAKFAST FOODS.
Two months after its groundbreaking report on glyphosate in cereal, EWG has just released the results
from a second round of testing. They are shocking. Every single sample tested positive for glyphosate. Despite public outcry, Quaker and General Mills still claim there's nothing to worry about. Join EWG,
and tell food companies to get cancer-causing pesticides like glyphosate out of our food!
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PROTECTING PETS
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BREAKING NEWS: DOES YOUR PET FOOD CONTAIN ROUNDUP?
“Since 1996 and the introduction of GMO Foods, I have discovered a phenomenal change in pet health. Additionally, the average life span has been cut in half.” Veterinary Surgeon, Dr. Geoffrey Broderick.
Shocking results have just come in showing how much glyphosate is in your pets food! If you or someone you know have not made the switch to non-GMO or organic pet food, you MUST read this new report. We are the first organization to test such a wide range of popular pet food brands.
Get the new IRS report, safe pet food guide & exclusive videos for FREE, here:
HERBICIDE GLYPHOSATE FOUND IN PET FOODS
Susan Thixton, September 30, 2015 Concerning information shared with us by Dr. Michael Fox and research scientist Dr. Anthony Samsel. Glyphosate In Pet Food Can Have Deadly Consequences.
From Dr. Michael Fox My concerns about this herbicide, among others, getting into the food chain and in what we consume ourselves, feed to farmed and laboratory and zoo animals, and to our dogs and cats have been recently confirmed. Research scientist Dr. Anthony Samsel, Deerfield, NH has shared some of his findings prior to his scientific report being published. Using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), the accepted EPA method of analysis, he found levels of glyphosate ranging from 0.022 – 0.30 mg/kg in cat and dog foods. Brands evaluated, all of which tested positive, were in manufactured cat and dog foods from several manufacturers: Purina Cat Chow Complete, Purina Dog Chow Complete, Purina Beyond Natural-Simply Nine, Rachel Ray Zero Grain, Rachel Ray Nutrish Super Premium, Iams Proactive Health, 9 Lives Indoor Complete, Friskies Indoor Delights.
Dr. Samsel informs me that the pet food industry “adds NaNO2 (sodium nitrite) to some pet foods as a preservative. This is very common and in the presence of glyphosate is deadly. Glyphosate reacts continuously over time with NO2 and produces N-Nitrosoglyphosate which is a nasty carcinogen along with phosphonic acids AMPA and MAMPA. Another scary scenario is Nitrite formation (NO2) from nitric oxide (NO), which is the end product in cells of animals e.g. like macrophages & result of Nitrous acid formation which reacts with glyphosate resulting in N-Nitrosoglyphosate. This is another reason why this stuff needs to be immediately pulled from the market”.
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TIP IS SMALL, ACTIVE, INFORMATIVE, NEEDY
There is a great need to update our website, as more and more good information cries to be shared and quick links are the best means. Unfortunately, our usual Legislative Grant was eliminated this year for political reasons, despite the small amount - $1,500. This was very needed support for our activities, especially the web work. Unlike many organizations, we don’t pester folks with multiple calls for money, but I do ask today that anyone who can contribute any amount, please – this is the time. Donations are tax-deductible.
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**BENEFIT TIP WHILE SURFING THE WEB at:
www.goodsearch.org (New Site)
(Uses the Yahoo search engine)
**SHOP ONLINE AT AMAZON SMILE
Go to: smile.amazon.com/ch/14-1862385 to select
Toxics Information Project (TIP) as your charity, to receive a donation.
You already probably use Amazon for various purchases,
and it costs you nothing to include us in your buying routine.
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** BEST OF ALL: Mail a check to TIP at the address below.
(We are a tax-deductible organization)
Toxics Information Project (TIP) P.O. Box 40572,
Providence, RI 02940 Tel. 401-351-9193, E-Mail: