Over the last month we’ve been glued to news reports about Tahlequah, the 22-year-old Southern Resident Killer Whale that carried her dead calf hundreds of miles for nearly three weeks. I had tears in my eyes more than once thinking about the baby orca that had deadly chemicals flowing from its mother to its body before it even had a chance to be born. We know that this is what happens with human babies too. Continue reading
Are there toxic chemicals in children’s products? The simple answer is “YES.” But the truth is that for most products and chemicals, it’s impossible to know because companies can keep the ingredients a secret. Continue reading
Today I’m a mix of emotions. The news out of DC is scary. I’m very concerned about the Trump Administration and what it means for our health and environment.
But I’m also resolved to fight even harder to protect our health in Washington state. I know that Toxic-Free Future’s work to pass stronger toxics policies at the state level is even more critical now with Trump in charge in DC. Continue reading
It’s that time of year again when makers of children’s products must disclose to the public if their products contain chemicals that aren’t good for kids health.
We analyzed the data from this recent round of reports. The news isn’t great: kids’ products sold in Washington state still contain far too many toxic chemicals. Continue reading
Finding out what chemicals are used in kids’ products is no easy feat. We know this first hand. We have our own scientists to figure out what chemicals are in products. Our scientists have used an XRF “x-ray gun” to test for lead and cadmium in toys, cut foam out of couches and baby products to test for toxic flame retardants, swabbed down money to test for BPA, and even cut pieces of plastic from TVs to test for flame retardants.
Of course you the consumer can’t do this kind of testing. Continue reading
The warm sweatshirt or fun pajamas your child is wearing could contain harmful toxic chemicals according to new chemical testing by the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology). The results of this testing add up to one conclusion – there are too many toxic chemicals in kids’ clothes. Continue reading
Update 11/8/15: Good news! After we alerted the Department of Ecology to possible violations of cadmium and phthalate standards in kids’ personal care products and clothes, Ecology said they will investigate to “establish a more comprehensive approach to hold manufacturers accountable for complying with both state and federal chemical regulations.” Read more.
This week we asked the Washington State Department of Ecology to investigate and take action against companies that appear to be violating state standards for cadmium and phthalates in kids’ clothing and personal care products. Continue reading
The last thing any parent wants to do is expose their child to something that could harm their health. Yet the lack of regulation on harmful chemicals in consumer products means parents may unknowingly expose their children to products containing harmful chemicals. Now over 6500 new reports filed by the makers of children’s products show the extent of the problem. Continue reading
It’s always gratifying to see something you planted bearing fruit, isn’t it? That’s how we’re feeling at WTC these days. After being an instrumental part in passing Washington state’s landmark Children’s Safe Products Act (CSPA), as well as a toxics-in-packaging law, we’re beginning to see just what is in the children’s products and packaging we bring into our homes. Continue reading