TOXICS & HEALTH + Additional Resources

[Guest guest]

Shan's Comment: you will be amazed when you see the Body Burden pdf file!

 

TOXICS & HEALTH

_http://svtc.etoxics.org/site/PageServer?pagename=svtc_toxics_and_health_

(http://svtc.etoxics.org/site/PageServer?pagename=svtc_toxics_and_health)

When we stop and take note, chemicals are everywhere in our lives - from

artificially scented orange cleaner, to fabric stain guard, right down to the

sticky part of an envelope. Many of these are known to be dangerous to human

health. Since 1982, when a San Jose mother discovered that her child had a rare

respiratory illness caused by exposure to high-tech manufacturing chemicals,

SVTC has been monitoring dangerous chemicals in our electronics, our homes,

and our environment and fighting for a toxic-free future.

Body Burden: learn how your body is affected by common industrial toxics! [

a pdf file that can only be accessed by clicking on the link on this

webpage]

1,000+ Chemicals Used in Electronics Production

Just one computer can contain hundreds of chemicals, including lead,

mercury, cadmium, brominated flame retardants (BFR’s) and polyvinyl chloride

(PVC).

Many of these chemicals are known to cause cancer, respiratory illness and

reproductive problems. They are especially dangerous because of their ability

to travel long distances through air and water and accumulate in our bodies

and the environment. _Learn more about toxics in electronics_

(http://svtc.etoxics.org/site/PageServer?pagename=svtc_toxics_in_electronics)

_http://svtc.etoxics.org/site/PageServer?pagename=svtc_toxics_in_electronics_

(http://svtc.etoxics.org/site/PageServer?pagename=svtc_toxics_in_electronics)

Are You Safe From Toxics in Your Home?

Though there are many obvious dangerous household chemicals such as drain

clog openers, bleach and certain cleansers, there are actually hundreds of

toxics throughout our homes that most of us are unaware of. From carpeting to

furniture fabric to mattresses, there is a wide array of toxics which can

cause asthma, reproductive problems, cancer and disrupt the nervous system.

_Learn more about household toxics _

(http://svtc.etoxics.org/site/PageServer?pagename=svtc_toxics_in_the_home)

_http://svtc.etoxics.org/site/PageServer?pagename=svtc_toxics_in_the_home_

(http://svtc.etoxics.org/site/PageServer?pagename=svtc_toxics_in_the_home)

Tour of Pollution, Illness and Death in Silicon Valley

The Silicon Valley holds the image of being at the forefront of the

high-tech revolution, but it has also been the first of many areas around the

globe

to suffer the dangerous consequences of high-tech pollution. The Silicon

Valley has 29 toxic EPA Superfund sites, the highest concentration in the

country, and has seen thousands suffer from illness, reproductive problems and

death

from toxic exposure to high-tech manufacturing chemicals. The area continues

to spend millions cleaning up this high-tech toxic legacy which is

disproportionately concentrated in low income communities of color.

_Take a " Toxic Tour " of Silicon Valley_

(http://svtc.etoxics.org/site/PageServer?pagename=svtc_silicon_valley_toxic_tour\

)

 

_http://svtc.etoxics.org/site/PageServer?pagename=svtc_silicon_valley_toxic_tour\

_

(http://svtc.etoxics.org/site/PageServer?pagename=svtc_silicon_valley_toxic_tour\

)

Green Chemistry: A Market Revolution Waiting to Happen

“Green†chemistry is the development of chemicals that are environmentally

benign. Currently, green alternatives have proven to be economically superior

and function as well or better than more toxic traditional options. When

hazardous materials are cut from processes, all hazard-related costs are cut as

well, significantly reducing hazardous materials handling, transportation and

disposal. Green Chemistry is currently an untapped opportunity for chemical

companies to develop and reap enormous market rewards _Learn about green

chemistry_

(http://svtc.etoxics.org/site/PageServer?pagename=svtc_green_chemistry)

_http://svtc.etoxics.org/site/PageServer?pagename=svtc_green_chemistry_

(http://svtc.etoxics.org/site/PageServer?pagename=svtc_green_chemistry)

Chemical Reform

People should feel safe in our homes and be able to purchase products

without unwittingly exposing our families to dangerous substances. Currently,

we

are left waiting for bad things to happen before action is taken. SVTC is part

of a movement to pass comprehensive chemical policy to prohibit the use of

known toxics and take a precautionary approach to new chemicals. This means

that companies cannot use chemicals in their production or products that they

cannot prove are safe. _Learn about chemical policy _

(http://svtc.etoxics.org/site/PageServer?pagename=svtc_chemical_policy)

_http://svtc.etoxics.org/site/PageServer?pagename=svtc_chemical_policy_

(http://svtc.etoxics.org/site/PageServer?pagename=svtc_chemical_policy)

For Additional Resources

_http://svtc.etoxics.org/site/PageServer?pagename=svtc_toxicsresources_

(http://svtc.etoxics.org/site/PageServer?pagename=svtc_toxicsresources )

for a list of websites and reports on Toxics and Health.

WEB SITES

Safer Products.org (a Project of Clean Production Action) has an interactive

“_Chemical House_ (http://www.safer-products.org/page.php?p=hous) ,â€

allowing users to click on different rooms and read how we are exposed to

toxins in

each area. _Click Here_ (http://www.safer-products.org/page.php?p=hous)

_Safer Products.org also has a_

(http://www.safer-products.org/page.php?p=hous & s=some) _n easy-to-understand

guide _

(http://www.safer-products.org/page.php?p=hous & s=some) to the dangerous

substances in our homes. _Click Here_

(http://www.safer-products.org/page.php?p=hous & s=some)

Minnesota’s Office of the Environment has an informative site describing how

to reduce exposure in the home. _Click Here_

(http://www.moea.state.mn.us/campaign/toxics/)

GREENPEACE has a campaign to eliminate toxic chemicals. _Click here _

(http://www.greenpeace.org/international/campaigns/toxics)

The Environmental Working Group Web Site has info about:

* _Toxics in our bodies_

(http://www.ewg.org/issues/siteindex/issues.php?issueid=5027) :

* _Toxics in our environment:_

(http://www.ewg.org/issues/siteindex/issues.php?issueid=5026)

* _Toxics in our food and water_

(http://www.ewg.org/issues/siteindex/issues.php?issueid=101) :

World Wildlife Fund has an informational page on toxics. _Click here _

(http://www.worldwildlife.org/toxics/)

Clean Production Action’s Campaign to eliminate toxic flame retardants.

_Click Here_ (http://%20%20http/www.cleanproduction.org/Flame.php)

European Environmental Bureau’s description of the REACH (Registration,

Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals) initiative _Click Here _

(http://www.eeb.org/activities/chemicals/)

REPORTS:

Toxic Dust Report by Environmental Working Group chronicles the high levels

of toxic fire retardants contaminate american homes. _Click Here_

(http://www.ewg.org/reports/inthedust/summary.php)

Brominated Flame Retardants in Dust on Computers: A 2004 report by the

Computer Take Back Campaign that makes the case for safer chemicals and better

computer design. _Click Here_

(http://www.computertakeback.com/the_problem/bfr.cfm)

Healthy Business Strategies Make Good Sense; A Clean Production Action re

port about harmful chemicals found in everyday products and some companies'

attempts to eliminate them from their products. _Click Here_

(http://www.computertakeback.com/the_problem/bfr.cfm)

Sick of Dust is a study outlining all of the major chemicals found in the

dust samples, their health risks, and the products in which they are found. The

report also ranks companies on their use of hazardous chemicals and reveals

fundamental changes needed to reform American chemical regulation to protect

our basic health and that of future generations. _Click Here_

(http://www.safer-products.org/page.php?p=dust)