A Decade of Success and Beyond...
Taking Lead out of Artificial Turf (2010)
CEH finalized legal agreements to end health threats from lead in artificial turf with the nation's leading maker and installer of artificial turf fields, Field Turf, and the Beaulieu Group, the leading supplier of indoor/outdoor grass to retailers including Home Depot, Ace Hardware and others.
Taking Lead out of Women's Fashion Accessories (2009)
A landmark CEH agreement with more than 100 companies, including Macy's, Sears/Kmart, Target, Kohl's, JC Penney, Guess, Victoria's Secret, Saks and others, set the first-ever legally binding standards eliminating risks to pregnant women and children from lead in handbags, purses, wallets and other fashion accessories sold in stores nationwide.
Eliminating the Largest Source of New Lead from the Environment (2008)
We forced Chrysler and the largest wheel-weight manufacturers to eliminate all lead from automobile wheel balancing weights in California. The weights fall from cars and release a half million pounds of lead annually into California's environment, contaminating drinking water. This is the first state-wide legal action to ban lead wheel weights in the United States, setting an important precedent for the elimination of lead weights nationwide.
Protecting Babies from Lead in Vinyl Bibs (2007)
The Center for Environmental Health forced Wal-Mart and Toys R Us to remove lead-contaminated baby bibs from store shelves. Going a step further, Toys R Us removed all vinyl bibs from its stores, protecting children not only from lead, but also from phthalates and other toxic chemicals in vinyl.
Taking Lead off Children's Lunch Menus (2005-07)
In 2005 Center for Environmental Health sued the manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of lead-contaminated soft, vinyl lunchboxes made for children. The lawsuit eliminated health threats to children from yet another unnecessary source of lead.
Ending Lead Poisoning Risks from Candy (2004-06)
Center for Environmental Health, working with the Environmental Health Coalition, eliminated lead in chili pepper and tamarind candies from Mexico. Major companies like Hershey and Mars changed their production practices, reducing another dangerous risk of lead poisoning for children here and abroad.
Exposing the Toxic Threat from Children's Jewelry (2003-06)
A Center for Environmental Health investigation exposed the threat of lead in children's jewelry. Our lawsuit spurred the largest product recall in U.S. history and led to a landmark agreement with Macy's, Disney, Target, Wal-Mart and over 80 other companies to protect children from unsafe and potentially fatal exposures to lead.
Helping San Francisco Lead the Way in Preventing Pollution (2002-03)
In a first for an American city, San Francisco implemented legislation drafted by Center for Environmental Health that called for greener purchasing--making the city's mammoth $600 million purchasing budget a force for safer, healthier products.
Eliminating Arsenic in Playground Structures (2001-03)
Center for Environmental Health forced major manufacturers of children's playground equipment to stop using arsenic-based wood preservatives, which expose children to dangerous toxins after only a few days of use.
Reducing Air Pollution in At-risk Communities (2000-04)
We forced companies to reduce or eliminate thousands of pounds of cancer-causing chemicals that were illegally spewed into the air in low-income neighborhoods near schools, parks, and daycare centers.
Protecting Infants and Children from Lead Poisoning (1999-03)
Citing the dangers of lead in baby powders and children's medicines, we sued Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, and other major drug companies, driving them to make their products safe.
Working with Hospitals to Purchase Safer Electronics (2001-03)
With Catholic Healthcare West, a major hospital chain, Center for Environmental Health wrote environmentally stringent standards for computer purchasing, recycling, and disposal, creating a market for computers made with safer materials.
Shutting Down a Toxic Medical Waste Incinerator (1999-01)
We helped shut down a medical waste incinerator that was polluting air and water with cancer-causing dioxins, less than a mile from the San Francisco Bay.
Setting the Standard for Lead-Free Water Filters (1997-98)
We exposed lead poisoning risks from home water filters that were actually adding lead to "filtered" water. Center for Environmental Health's lawsuits forced the entire filtration industry to adopt lead-free materials.
Protecting Kids from Toxic Inhalants (1996-97)
Center for Environmental Health took legal action to combat toluene, a brain-damaging chemical found in aerosol spray paints and sealing compounds. Our work led to the reformulation of products that teens were inhaling.
