Page 45 – Center for Environmental Health

Yuck! One Food I Will Never Eat

Mar 21, 2011Charles MargulisFood, Tips

After I wrote about some of the highly questionable practices in the beef industry, a colleague asked me if my kids eat fast food burgers. No, they don’t, I answered; in fact, I don’t think either of them (then ages three and eight) have ever had a hamburger, period....

Hey Feds: Manage Your Toxic E-Waste Responsibly!

Mar 11, 2011Charlie PizarroEnvironmental Justice, Laws & Regulations

The federal government is one of the largest purchasers of electronics in the United States. That means that every day our government generates untold tons of highly toxic, electronic waste. So here’s the $64,000 public health question: are our government agencies...

Sham “Organic” Shampoo – Dubious Labels on Personal Care Products

Mar 8, 2011Charles MargulisChildren's Health, Legal Action, Tips

The tremendous growth of the organic market has unfortunately fostered the growth of some fishy organic claims. In the organic food sector, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has strict standards, and organic certifiers are generally good about validating...

The Story of Citizens United v FEC is here!

Mar 2, 2011Ali Geering-KlineChildren's Health, Environmental Justice, General Insights, Laws & Regulations, Uncategorized

The Story of Stuff Project has released another illuminating short video this week, to launch the second season of the Story of Stuff. The new video, The Story of Citizens United v FEC “explores the crisis of corporate influence in American democracy and was inspired...

A Cleaning Industry Poll Concludes that the Public (gasp) Favors Antibacterial Products!

Mar 1, 2011Ali Geering-KlineChemical Industry, Children's Health, General Insights

Last month, the American Cleaning Institute and Personal Care Products Council conducted a “poll” of American consumers’ views on and uses of antibacterial soap, in nervous anticipation of the possible EPA ban on triclosan, the antibacterial chemical found in a...

Safer Bounce Houses on the Horizon

Feb 24, 2011Charles MargulisChildren's Health, Legal Action

In the news last week was this item: a bounce house caught a gust of wind, and took off, carrying two kids, one of whom was injured when the bounce house landed on a neighbors’ roof. We can’t stop the wind, but bounce house makers can eliminate risks to children from...

Styles for Less? More like Styles with Lead!

Feb 23, 2011Ali Geering-KlineChildren's Health, Legal Action

Yes, once again, the Center for Environmental Health has discovered another retailer selling lead-tainted jewelry . Styles for Less, a “junior and misses retail store”, markets to young “tween” and teenage girls, who are particularly at risk from lead exposures, as...

Dilbert Gets Greenwashed

Feb 16, 2011Ali Geering-KlineGeneral Insights

In light of our new “Greenwash of the Month” series, we’ve been keeping our eyes peeled for the best (well, we really mean worst), most ridiculous, obvious (and, not so obvious), cases of greenwashing. With all the companies trying to “go green” these days, we have to...

Fruitwashing: Kellogg’s Phony-Fruity Label Claims

Feb 9, 2011Ali Geering-KlineChildren's Health, Food, Tips

Pink strawberry frosted pop tarts. Now there’s a sweet Valentine’s Day treat for the whole family. Kids love them, and families and college students alike stock up on them for quick breakfast staples. Even better? Healthy pop tarts! Right now, stores are selling...

Greenwash of the Month: Earth Footwear

Feb 8, 2011Ali Geering-KlineChildren's Health, Legal Action, Tips

Let’s talk about shoes. Waltham, Massachusetts-based Earth, Inc. claims its Earth shoes are “good for the planet” and aggressively advertises the environmental benefits of their “vegan” shoes (with a “designed in the USA” American flag label right next to the plain...