Obama-sponsored Mercury Storage Bill Sent to White House

by The Environmentalist Staff

A bipartisan bill sponsored by Senator Barack Obama that will ban the sale of toxic mercury abroad in 2013 has been sent to the White House for signature:

Stockpiles of toxic mercury kept by industry soon will be stored safely in the United States instead of ending up on the world market where it might pollute the environment.

Under bipartisan legislation Congress sent to President George W. Bush Monday for his expected signature, mercury exports would be banned in 2013 and the Energy Department would be required to store the heavy metal permanently.

The bill's chief sponsor, Sen. Barack Obama, introduced the bill in response to a 2005 [Chicago] Tribune series about mercury contamination in fish.

"We know that mercury can cause serious developmental problems in children and problems affecting vision, motor skills, blood pressure and fertility in adults," Obama said in a statement. "While the United States has improved its efforts to collect and contain mercury, this country remains one of the leading exporters of this dangerous product."

Senator Obama, in conjunction with other lawmakers, had previously worked to obtain an agreement from the Energy Department earlier this year to keep its own 2,600,000 lb stockpile off the market. This new legislation will address both the Energy Department's stockpile and the mercury used by industry by requiring its permanent stockpile within the United States.

The Obama bill passed the Senate on Friday. It is co-sponsored by Democratic Congressman Rep. Tom Allen, of Maine, and Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski, of Alaska. Continued...

[1] [2] read more...

Toxic alert: Bottles, Cans and BPA

by Janet Ritz

with The Environmentalist Staff

As reported in this June 2007 article , the EU banned of the use of the chemical, bisphenol A (BPA) (along with 3,000 other chemicals) last year, after they identified BPA as an endocrine disrupter. Now, nearly one year later, a report from the National Institute of Health's Toxicology Unit has agreed with their conclusion:

A chemical called bisphenol A, which is in hard, clear polycarbonate plastics like those used to make many baby bottles, certain reusable water bottles, and even containers for canned foods, may pose health risks. Specifically, the federal government's National Toxicology Program expressed concern that BPA exposure could cause neural and behavioral abnormalities in fetuses, infants, and children.

Since that announcement, Canada has proposed a BPA ban, and retailers Toys "R" Us and Wal-Mart both said they plan to stop selling BPA-containing baby bottles, according to USA Today. Playtex also said it would stop using BPA in its products, and Nalgene, a maker of durable plastic water bottles, said it intends to do the same.

An endocrine disruptor is a substance that alters the function of the endocrine system and consequently can cause adverse health effects to an organism and/or its progeny. Endocrine disrupters interfere with the endocrine system in (at least) three ways...

[1] [2]

Latest Recall News - Aqua Dots, Bindeez, Curious George Dolls, Cargill and more...

by Janet Ritz
Martin Muse

Aqua Dots in US/Canada and Bindeez in Australia have been pulled from the shelf following the discovery that a chemical used in the product metabolizes as the "date-rape" drug, GHB (gamma hydroxy butyrate), which can induce unconsciousness, seizures, drowsiness, coma and death:

Naren Gunja from Australia's Poisons Information Center said the drug's effect on children was "quite serious ... and potentially life-threatening."

The recall was announced by the Consumer Product Safety Commission on Wednesday several hours after published reports about the recall in Australia.

Link

Two US children are reported to have been in a coma from exposure to Aqua Dots (ingesting the beads) and three children in Australia are reported is sick from ingesting Bindeez. The product has been pulled from the shelves in Canada, the US and in Australia, but may still be in homes or available through other outlets. Do not buy them. If you have them already, here is information from CPSC with instructions:

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Aqua Dots

Units: About 4.2 million

Distributor: Spin Master, of Toronto, Canada

Hazard: The coating on the beads that causes the beads to stick to each other when water is added contains a chemical that can turn toxic when many are ingested. Children who swallow the beads can become comatose, develop respiratory depression, or have seizures.

Incidents/Injuries: CPSC has received two reports over the past several days of children swallowing Aqua Dots. A 20-month-old child swallowed several dozen beads. He became dizzy and vomited several times before slipping into a comatose state for a period of time, was hospitalized, and has since fully recovered. A second child also vomited and slipped into a comatose state and was hospitalized for five days.

Description: The recalled toy is a craft kit which allows children to create various multi-dimensional designs using small colored beads. The beads fuse together when sprayed with water. The recall applies to all models of Aqua Dots. The product is available in various different kits with accessories such as a drying fan, applicator pen, design templates for the beads, and spray bottle. The product is labeled for ages 4+.

Sold at: Mass merchandisers nationwide from April 2007 through November 2007 for between $17 and $30.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled toy away from children and contact Spin Master to return for free replacement beads or a toy of equal value.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Spin Master at (800) 622-8339 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.aquadotsrecall.com

An important note to anyone entertaining the idea of utilizing these toys to acquire GHB: this chemical is metabolizing as a stronger form of the drug whose impact cannot be measured.

Don't use it.

For everyone else: If you have Aqua Dots or Bindeez, get them away from your children immediately!

Other news: Curious George Plush Dolls have been voluntarily recalled by Marvel Toys:

Marvel recalling plush 'Curious George' dolls
After passing four lead tests,110,000 plush dolls with plastic faces were recalled for excessive levels of lead after the company re-tested its entire product line. Link.

Images of the dolls are available here. If you have these toys, take them away from your children immediately and contact the company about obtaining a refund here.

Tainted meat news: The E. coli recalls keep coming. As reported in this post, five million General Mills frozen pepperoni pizzas were recalled last week (check your freezer), and now one million pounds of frozen Cargill ground beef patties, meat loaf and other forms of beef have been recalled for possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination.

Cargill products under recall include the following brands:

• Century Farm
• Giant 75/25
• Giant Eagle
• Shop Rite
• Stop & Shop
• Wegmans
• Weis Premium Meats
• Meat Loaf Mix
• 85/15 Coarse Ground Beef
• Ground Beef Chuck for Chili
• Price Rite

A full list with product details is available here.

More on past recalls here.

subscribe - link - read more