In Case You Missed It...

While many of us were on vacation, some big news was announced over the summer, involving some very well known brands....

AUGUST

Johnson & Johnson announces phase out of “chemicals of concern”
Probably the most publicized news of the summer was Johnson & Johnson's announcement that All ( yes all! ) of their products will be reformulated to either completely phase- out or reduce 6 " chemicals of concern."

Here are the specifics:

Products/Brands involved

All of Johnson & Johnson products at a WORLD WIDE level, which include (among others)
- Johnson's baby lotion and bath products and No More Tears shampoo
- Desitin for diaper rash,
- Neutrogena, RoC, Clean & Clear and Lubriderm of Aveeno, Purpose

Chemicals of Concern Being Phased-Out
Parabens (used as a preservative):

Baby products: will phase out the use of all parabens from their baby care products.
Adult products: the use of parabens in new products will be restricted to methyl, ethyl and propyl parabens. All other types of parabens will be phased out in all their adult products.

Formaldehyde (used as a preservative )

Formaldehyde is a probable human carcinogens; as well as a skin, eye and respiratory irritant

Baby: will phase out formaldehyde releasers from all baby products.
Adult: will phase out formaldehyde releasers in adult products, making rare exceptions for adult products only when alternatives are not feasible or safe in formulation with other ingredients

1,4 Dioxane

Probable human carcinogen. While not being completely phased out will be reducing levels of 1,4 dioxane to below 10 parts per million in products

Pthalates

In cosmetics, phthalates give hairsprays a flexible film, help fragrances last longer, and make nail products resistant to chipping. Endocrinedisruptors.
Baby: all baby products worldwide are now phthalate-free, and will remain so.
Adults: in 2006 they stopped using DEP (diethylphthalAte ) in new adult products, and are committed to phasing it out of all other adult products that still contain it

Triclosan

The most commonly used antibacterial ingredient in consumer products worldwide.
Baby: none of their infant or baby products worldwide contain triclosan
Adult: the company claims to be committed to phasing out triclosan altogether and thus are researching new alternatives to be able to do so.

TIMELINE
2013: Johnson & Johnson baby products will be free of these chemicals by the end of 2013 at a worldwide level.. so for now still opt to buy your trusted 'green and nontoxic' brands.
2015: Adult products will be reformulated by the end of 2015

Are you concerned about other products you might have at home?
EWG's Skin Deep Database is a great place to search for your products and see if the ingredients they contain are considered to be of low toxicity or high toxicity

JULY

Safe Chemicals Act passed!
26 years have passed since the US government made any major updates to our nation’s main law regulating toxic chemicals. During these last 2.5 decades, under the current law, more than 80,000 chemicals have been permitted for use in the country having never been tested for toxicity to humans, not to mention children and fetuses. Finally, this summer, a major stride.

On July 25, the Safe Chemicals Act passed the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works committee....now it's headed to the Senate floor.

Its future facing Senate is grim, since every Republican Senator on the Committee opposed the measure. If you would like to encourage your Senator to support the bill clickhere, input your zip code and send a (pre-written) message to your local Senators. Two clicks is all it takes!

Why is this such huge news?
The Safe Chemicals Act is hoping to replace the very outdated Toxic Substance Control Act of 1979 which is responsible for allowing chemicals to be used in consumer products without having first showing proof of being safe for human use. The Safe Chemicals Act is the reason it is SO hard to get a chemical banned, even when there is mounting evidence of toxicity. Not even the EPA can ban a chemical it considers a potential carcinogen under this outdated law.All of this would change under the new law.

Graco Commits to Banning Toxic Flame Retardants
After a 2011 study published on Heathlystuff.org showed that Graco manufactured one of the most toxic car seats, and mounting consumer pressure, Graco confirmed this July that they will be banning and monitoring four hazardous flame retardants. Specifically Tris chemicals, TDCPP and TCEP, TCPP as well as Firemaster 550.

* Orbit Baby makes car seats and all of their products without hazardous flame retardants. Britax has also committed to eliminating all of these chemicals by the end of 2012

JUNE

After Campbell's Soup received high praise for vowing to eliminate BPA from their can lining in March, Healthy Child Healthy World called them out for failing to disclose what new chemical would be replacing BPA in the can linings. As they put it "Let’s be clear. None of us signed petitions, called manufacturers, sent letters to legislators, spread the word to friends about the dangers of BPA only to have manufacturers “solve” the problem by saying they were going “BPA-free” while switching to a chemical that was just as bad – or worse - for our health. "

No word from Campbell's yet, but a good alternative to avoid BPA? Choose glass or ceramic or stainless steel when you can and eat fresh (ideally organic) produce.