Re: [csda] Check out Cosmetics Safety Virtually Unregulated by Federal Law | Environme

[Guest guest]

<http://www.ewg.org/node/26544>Dear Friends --

Sunday was not only the 100th anniversary of Mother's Day, but it was

also the 9th anniversary of EHN's FDA Petition 99P-1340 -- the one

that first brought to light the toxins found making up six perfumes,

along with their MSDS sheets. The petition spelled out for the FDA

,and the world, the fact that fragrances were released to market

without substantiation of safety.

EHN wasn't acknowledged and never listened to by members of Congress,

or any other large groups, as we tried to get folks to understand the

significance of our findings. Betty and I had more luck communicating

with Europe than we did with anyone in the USA (except of course, the

already fragranced poisoned people). As you all know, we ALL can

thank Betty Bridges for doggedly pursuing the research that led to

the petition . . . had we been in the kitchen, I'd have been her sous

chef.

It was also that very petition that informed the world that

fragrances contain phthalates. Up until that time, the main body of

info on phthalates was that they were to be found in plastics and

nail polish. But it was EHN's FDA Petition 99P-1340 that spilled the

beans on phthalates used in fragrances to help make the scent last,

and last . . . and L A S T !

Of course the industry claims that the phthalates aren't harmful --

just as they claim all the chemicals as used in any one product

aren't harmful. BUT the industry doesn't have to prove they aren't

harmful either individually or in combination, as used in the wide

variety of fragrances. And, the industry is only self-regulated,

which is right up there with putting the fox in charge of the hen

house. Ain't a good idea, just in case anyone is wondering. And that,

my friends, is what EHN's petition was all about.

Betty and I also worked back channel with EWG, from time to time,

sharing our findings. I applaud them for taking the efforts further

than Betty, EHN or I ever could. Part of me will always wish, they

acknowledged Betty's efforts, but of course, that isn't the case. I

am thankful for the work they have done and the publicity they've

given to this form of systemic poisoning of all people -- users and

nonusers of fragrances, for as we all breathe the air . . . We ALL

are stakeholders when it comes to breathing.

I think it is past time due where we on the various lists give Betty

a tremendous round of applause and an email thank you for all her

efforts. Our very health and lives have depended on the work she has

done, which I firmly believe is the foundation for the greater

efforts done by EWG. (Yes, this is only my personal opinion and

should be viewed strictly as such.)

Best wishes,

barb wilkie

www.ehnca.org

>Cosmetics Safety " Virtually Unregulated " by Federal Law |

>Environmental Working Group

>

> " Medical research has made such progress, that there are practically

>no healthy people any more. " - Aldous Huxley

>

> " ....Perfume to you, to me is excrement. " - Pope

>

>

>I will not have my life narrowed down. I will not bow down to

>somebody else's whim or to someone else's ignorance. -bell hooks

>

>

>

>

>Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight?

><http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001>Get

>new twists on family favorites at AOL Food.

>

>

--

Join an LBAM info list . . .

Stop the Spray East Bay Info

<eastbayinfo@...>

Aerial Spraying for the Light Brown Apple Moth in

California is Dangerous to Our Health and Unnecessary

By Lieber, RN, Mayor City of Albany

http://www.californiaprogressreport.com/2008/03/aerial_spraying.html

Don't spray California

http://www.dontspraycalifornia.org/lbam.html

STOP THE SPRAY!

The state and federal governments plan massive toxic trespass.

They do not know -- and refuse to study -- what is known of the

adverse events suffered by the people, pets, wildlife.

For more info, visit Stop The Spray at

http://stopthespray.org/

Secondhand Scent: Accommodating People with MCS

36 min. Tape or DVD, available from Boston Self Help Center

$15 - $25 for individuals; $30 - $50 for agencies

Boston Self Help Center

1534 Tremont Street

Roxbury Crossing, MA 02120

Questions? 617.277.0080

For people around the world:

GREEN products, according to the

US Dept. of the Interior, " MUST NOT contain

petrochemical-derived fragrances. "

http://www.doi.gov/greening/sustain/trad.html

Air Fresheners: Something Rotten in the Air?

By Farino for MSN Health & Fitness

" ... Curiosity about anecdotal reports of negative responses

to synthetic scents prompted University of Washington

professor Anne Steinemann to conduct two epidemiological

studies about air fresheners. ... "

http://health.msn.com/health-topics/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100168251

I'll Have My Cosmetics with a Side of Infertility, Please

By Gehlert, AlterNet. Posted October 25, 2007.

An interview with Malkin whose new book is now out:

Not Just a Pretty Face: The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry (New

Society, 2007)

http://www.alternet.org/healthwellness/66074/

Read Mark Schapiro's new book, EXPOSED . . .

That means us! Those of us already living with MCS and

those yet to get some form of Environmental Illness! - bw

http://centerforinvestigativereporting.org/projects/exposed

And, what started a lot of the studies of fragrances?

EHN's Fragrance FDA Citizens' Petition Docket Number 99P-1340

http://users.lmi.net/~wilworks/FDApetition/bkgrinfo.htm

(or see the Environmental Health Network's site: http://www.ehnca.org)