Podcasts about safer chemicals

Welcome to this episode of the Safer Chemicals Podcast, where we look into the EU indicator framework for chemicals, focused on improving chemical safety across Europe.The transition towards safer and more sustainable chemicals is progressing in some areas, while in others, it is just beginning. This is the finding of a first, joint Europe-wide assessment of the drivers and impact of chemical pollution by the European Environment Agency (EEA) and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). The benchmarking found that more work is still needed to reduce the impact of harmful substances on human health and the environment. We are joined by Leena Ylä-Mononen, the Executive Director of EEA and Sharon McGuinness, the Executive Director of ECHA. Together, they discuss the roles their agencies play in developing these indicators. This episode offers an in-depth look at how these agencies work together to support safer chemical management, highlighting the real-world impact of their work on environmental and public health.We'll explore the challenges faced during the project, the collaboration between various European institutions, and what future developments we might expect in the realm of chemical safety.BackgroundAccording to the joint EEA-ECHA synthesis report on the EU indicator framework for chemicals, the overall use of the most harmful chemicals (in particular those that are carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic) is still growing but more slowly than the overall chemicals market growth. Pressure is increasing to avoid the use of so-called substances of concern and to implement the principles of the safe and sustainable by design framework. There is a need to more effectively ensure that consumer products do not contain the most harmful substances, for example chemicals that are endocrine disrupting, that negatively affect the hormone system, or substances that are persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic, which present a risk for years to come even after their use has ceased.More data and information are needed to better understand human and environmental exposure to those most harmful chemicals and their impacts. Still, the indicators show clearly that the shift to safe and sustainable chemicals must continue and should even be accelerated.Listen to our episode for a deep dive into what the main findings of this initial assessment were and check the online dashboard for more details.Useful linksEU Agencies: more work needed to make chemicals safe and sustainable  - ECHA news, 17 April 2024Joint EEA-ECHA synthesis reportOnline dashboardGive us feedback **************Subscribe to our YouTube channelSubscribe to our Safer Chemicals PodcastSubscribe to our newsFollow us on:TwitterFacebookLinkedInVisit our website Disclaimer: Views expressed by interviewees do not necessarily represent the official position of the European Chemicals Agency. All content is up to date at the time of publication. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

This episode of the Safer Chemicals podcast, hosted by Adam Elwan from ECHA, dives into the work of the committees' work on the proposal to restrict per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in Europe. Adam is joined by Roberto Scazzola and Maria Ottati, chairs of ECHA's Risk Assessment and Socio-Economic Analysis committees as they discuss the first steps of forming scientific opinions on the restriction proposal.The episode also touches on the committees' work on other areas, such as the harmonised classification of lithium salts and the use of chromium VI compounds in key industries.Listeners will come away with a clearer understanding of the importance of scientific and technical robustness in the committee's work, and the Agency's commitment to ensuring chemical safety in the EU.Useful linksEpisode transcript More episodes on the committees for risk assessment and socio-economic analysis Give us feedback MoreMarch RAC and SEAC meeting highlights  - ECHA news, 20 March 2024Agenda of RAC's meeting   [PDF] [EN] Agenda of SEAC's meeting  [PDF] [EN] REACH restriction process Harmonised classification and labelling Risk Assessment Committee Socio-Economic Analysis Committee**************Subscribe to our YouTube channelSubscribe to our Safer Chemicals PodcastSubscribe to our newsFollow us on:TwitterFacebookLinkedInVisit our website Disclaimer: Views expressed by interviewees do not necessarily represent the official position of the European Chemicals Agency. All content is up to date at the time of publication.

In this episode of the Safer Chemicals Podcast, we take you on a deep dive into the world of chemical safety with a spotlight on scientific research needs for the regulatory risk assessment of chemicals. Päivi Jokiniemi speaks with ECHA's experts, Wim De Coen and Fleur van Broekhuizen, who give insights into the significance of scientific research in chemical regulation. Together, they explore the fundamental questions: Why is scientific research crucial for EU chemicals regulation, and what is ECHA doing to address the ever-evolving challenges in this field? Learn why scientific research is the cornerstone of ECHA's efforts, enabling the identification of chemical hazards, assessment of risks, and ensuring regulatory compliance. Get an inside look at ECHA's collaborative approach, where engagement with the scientific community is paramount. Understand how ECHA actively cooperates with researchers, fostering dialogue and knowledge exchange to drive chemical safety. Explore the Partnership for the Assessment of Risks from Chemicals (PARC), an initiative that allocates substantial funding to research projects aimed at enhancing regulatory practices and improving chemical safety. Discover the key areas of regulatory challenge highlighted in ECHA's recent report and gain insights into how increased scientific research can provide better protection against harmful chemicals, address chemical pollution in the natural environment, shift away from animal testing, and improve the availability of chemical data. Wim works as a head of unit in our Hazard Assessment Directorate and Fleur in the team coordinating ECHA's activities under PARC.  Useful links Episode transcript  Give us feedback Listen on YouTube  More ECHA report: Key Areas of Regulatory Challenge  ECHA identifies research needs for regulating hazardous chemicals - ECHA News 15 November 2023  More on this topic  ************** Subscribe to our YouTube channel Subscribe to our Safer Chemicals Podcast Subscribe to our news Follow us on: Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Visit our website  Disclaimer: Views expressed by interviewees do not necessarily represent the official position of the European Chemicals Agency. All content is up to date at the time of publication. 

This episode is part of a series, Funding To Fight Lead.A group of experts from government, banking, and advocacy recently gathered at the Reservoir Center in Washington, D.C. to discuss funding options and opportunities and how to advance the work. This episode features presentations from the event on topics including federal loan programs, activities at the municipal level, technical assistance for communities, use of bond financing, and resources to navigate funding. The speakers are:-Anita Thompkins, Director of Drinking Water Infrastructure Division at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency -Tom Neltner, Senior Director of Safer Chemicals at the Environmental Defense Fund-Carolyn Berndt, Legislative Director for Sustainability at the National League of Cities-Cynthia Koehler, Executive Director at the WaterNow Alliance-Nathan Anderson, Assistant Vice President at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago-Maureen Cunningham, Chief Strategy Officer at the Environmental Policy Innovation Centerwaterloop is a nonprofit media outlet. Visit waterloop.orgThis episode is made possible by support from the WaterNow Alliance and Environmental Policy Innovation Center and is sponsored by:-120Water offers cloud-based software and digital sampling kits to help water systems and states to execute lead programs. Visit 120water.com-LeadCopperRule.com helps utilities proactively manage lead communications and public information emergencies. Visit leadcopperrule.com-BlueConduit has developed cutting-edge, predictive machine learning software to effectively locate lead service lines. Visit blueconduit.com

Do the Safer Choice Programs reach internationally? Join Cleanfluencer Angela Brown and her guest Jennie Romer, EPA's Deputy Assistant Administrator for Pollution Prevention, as they take you on a journey to explore the global impact of Safer Choice Programs.  Discover the availability of Safer Choice products worldwide and be captivated by the program's influence beyond borders. Learn how Safer Choice is actively addressing the global plastic crisis and find out how you can contribute by adopting innovative, concentrated solutions. Watch as Angela is surprised as Jennie reveals the countries the program covers and the remarkable scope of its influence. Don't miss out on this opportunity to uncover the secrets behind Safer Choice's worldwide impact.  SAFER CHOICE PROGRAMS REACH CHAPTERS ------------------ 0:00 - Are Safer Choice products available in England? 0:33 - How are Safer Choice partner companies addressing the issue of single-use plastics? 0:48 - What are the benefits of using concentrated solutions and diluting them ourselves? 1:08 - How does the Safer Choice Program ensure the safety of different ingredients in cleaning products? 1:27 - What role does the EPA play in providing consumer guidance and assurance? 1:40 - Where can Safer Choice products be readily found for purchase? 1:59 - Aside from the United States, which countries have significant coverage by the Safer Choice Program? RESOURCES ------------------ Safer Choice Program by the EPA - https://www.epa.gov/saferchoice Safer Chemical Ingredient List (SCIL) - https://www.epa.gov/saferchoice/safer... FAQ about the Safer Choice Program - https://www.epa.gov/saferchoice/frequ... RECOMMENDED READING:  Can I Recycle This?: A Guide to Better Recycling and How to Reduce Single-Use Plastics - https://amzn.to/41Rqhn8 *** BOOKS BY CLEANFLUENCER ANGELA BROWN *** How to Start Your Own House Cleaning Company -  https://amzn.to/3jHk4GL The Ultimate Guide to Move In Move Out Cleaning - https://amzn.to/3zxfN0h (When available, we use affiliate links, and as Amazon Associates, we earn a commission on qualifying purchases.) *** RATE THIS PODCAST ***  https://ratethispodcast.com/askahousecleaner  *** TRAINING & CLEANING CERTIFICATION*** https://savvycleaner.com/join *** MOST REQUESTED LIST OF CLEANING STUFF I USE *** https://www.Amazon.com/shop/AngelaBrown  SOCIAL MEDIA --------------- *** CONNECT WITH ANGELA ON SOCIAL MEDIA ***  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AskAngelaBrown Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/AskAngelaBrown Twitter: https://Twitter.com/AskAngelaBrown Instagram: https://instagram.com/AskAngelaBrown Pinterest: https://Pinterest.com/AskAngelaBrown Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/AskAngelaBrown TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@askangelabrown Store: https://www.amazon.com/shop/AngelaBrown URL: https://AngelaBrown.com NEED MORE CLEANING HELP? ------------- *** GOT A QUESTION FOR A SHOW? *** Please email it to Angela[at]AskaHouseCleaner.com Voice Mail: Click on the blue button at https://askahousecleaner.com  *** PROFESSIONAL HOUSE CLEANERS PRIVATE FACEBOOK GROUP *** https://www.facebook.com/groups/ProfessionalHouseCleaners/ *** VRBO AIRBNB CLEANING FACEBOOK GROUP *** https://www.facebook.com/groups/VRBO.Airbnb.Cleaning/ *** LOOKING FOR A WAY TO GET MORE CLEANING LEADS *** https://housecleaning360.com SPONSORSHIPS & BRANDS ------------------- Today's #AskaHouseCleaner sponsor is #SavvyCleaner training and certification for house cleaners and maids. (https://savvycleaner.com/join) And your host today is #AngelaBrown - https://g.page/r/CbMI6YFuLU2GEBI/review *** ADVERTISE WITH US ***  We do work with sponsors and brands. If you are interested in working with us and you have a product or service that makes sense for the cleaning industry, here's how to work with us -https://savvycleaner.com/brand-deals *** SAVVY CLEANER BRANDS ***  SAVVY CLEANER - House Cleaner Training and Certification – https://savvycleaner.com/join VRBO AIRBNB CLEANING – Cleaning tips and strategies for your short-term rental  https://TurnoverCleaningTips.com  FUNNY CLEANING SHIRTS – Incentive and thank-you gifts for house cleaners and maids. https://FunnyCleaningShirts.com  HOARDING WORLD - Helping you change your relationship with stuff https://HoardingWorld.com CREDITS -------------------------- Show Produced by: Savvy Cleaner: https://savvycleaner.com Show Host: Angela Brown Show Editors: Kristin Ochsner & PJ Barnes Show Producer: Jenifer V. Holland #SaferChoicePrograms #HouseCleaners #SustainableCleaning #EcoFriendlyAlternatives #GreenCleaning #NonToxicCleaners #SaferCleaningProducts #EnvironmentalImpact #PlasticCrisis #ConcentratedSolutions #ResponsibleCleaning #ConsumerChoices #CleaningPractices #ProductLabels #ChemicalTesting #AngelaBrown #AskAHouseCleaner #SavvyCleaner #CleaningIndustry #CleaningTraining #HousekeepingTips #HealthyCleaning #CleaningSolutions

What are Safer Choice Cleaning Chemicals, and are they easy to find? Cleanfluencer Angela Brown teams up with Jennie Romer, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Pollution Prevention at the EPA, to explore the transformative potential of Safer Choice products. Join us as Angela and Jennie delve into the world of cleaning chemicals, uncovering the truth behind labels and the importance of transparency. Discover the vast array of Safer Choice-certified options in stores, offering ingredient safety, performance, and packaging excellence. Don't miss this empowering conversation between two influential voices in the cleaning industry. Tune in to gain valuable insights and make informed choices for a safer and healthier cleaning experience. SAFER CHOICE CLEANING CHEMICALS CHAPTERS ------------------ 0:00 - Do all cleaning chemicals actually deliver what their labels promise? 0:33 - Can you explain what the Safer Choice label represents and how it distinguishes certain products?  0:46 - How can consumers identify Safer Choice products in stores?  0:58 - What does it mean when a product carries the Safer Choice label?  1:12 - Do viewers already have Safer Choice products or Safer Choice-certified products in their homes or businesses?  1:30 - Are there specific criteria and standards set by the EPA that need to be met? 1:48 - Are there multiple brands to choose from regarding Safer Choice products?  RESOURCES ------------------ Safer Choice Program by the EPA - https://www.epa.gov/saferchoice Safer Chemical Ingredient List (SCIL) - https://www.epa.gov/saferchoice/safer... FAQ about the Safer Choice Program - https://www.epa.gov/saferchoice/frequ... RECOMMENDED READING:  Can I Recycle This?: A Guide to Better Recycling and How to Reduce Single-Use Plastics - https://amzn.to/41Rqhn8 *** BOOKS BY CLEANFLUENCER ANGELA BROWN *** How to Start Your Own House Cleaning Company -  https://amzn.to/3jHk4GL The Ultimate Guide to Move In Move Out Cleaning - https://amzn.to/3zxfN0h (When available, we use affiliate links, and as Amazon Associates, we earn a commission on qualifying purchases.) *** RATE THIS PODCAST ***  https://ratethispodcast.com/askahousecleaner  *** TRAINING & CLEANING CERTIFICATION*** https://savvycleaner.com/join *** MOST REQUESTED LIST OF CLEANING STUFF I USE *** https://www.Amazon.com/shop/AngelaBrown  SOCIAL MEDIA --------------- *** CONNECT WITH ANGELA ON SOCIAL MEDIA ***  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AskAngelaBrown Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/AskAngelaBrown Twitter: https://Twitter.com/AskAngelaBrown Instagram: https://instagram.com/AskAngelaBrown Pinterest: https://Pinterest.com/AskAngelaBrown Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/AskAngelaBrown TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@askangelabrown Store: https://www.amazon.com/shop/AngelaBrown URL: https://AngelaBrown.com NEED MORE CLEANING HELP? ------------- *** GOT A QUESTION FOR A SHOW? *** Please email it to Angela[at]AskaHouseCleaner.com Voice Mail: Click on the blue button at https://askahousecleaner.com  *** PROFESSIONAL HOUSE CLEANERS PRIVATE FACEBOOK GROUP *** https://www.facebook.com/groups/ProfessionalHouseCleaners/ *** VRBO AIRBNB CLEANING FACEBOOK GROUP *** https://www.facebook.com/groups/VRBO.Airbnb.Cleaning/ *** LOOKING FOR A WAY TO GET MORE CLEANING LEADS *** https://housecleaning360.com SPONSORSHIPS & BRANDS ------------------- Today's #AskaHouseCleaner sponsor is #SavvyCleaner training and certification for house cleaners and maids. (https://savvycleaner.com/join) And your host today is #AngelaBrown - https://g.page/r/CbMI6YFuLU2GEBI/review *** ADVERTISE WITH US ***  We do work with sponsors and brands. If you are interested in working with us and you have a product or service that makes sense for the cleaning industry, here's how to work with us -https://savvycleaner.com/brand-deals *** SAVVY CLEANER BRANDS ***  SAVVY CLEANER - House Cleaner Training and Certification – https://savvycleaner.com/join VRBO AIRBNB CLEANING – Cleaning tips and strategies for your short-term rental  https://TurnoverCleaningTips.com  FUNNY CLEANING SHIRTS – Incentive and thank-you gifts for house cleaners and maids. https://FunnyCleaningShirts.com  CREDITS -------------------------- Show Produced by: Savvy Cleaner: https://savvycleaner.com Show Host: Angela Brown Show Editors: Kristin Ochsner & PJ Barnes Show Producer: Jenifer V. Holland #SaferChoice #CleaningChemicals #EcoFriendlyCleaning #GreenCleaning #CleaningProducts #HouseCleaners #CleaningBusinesses #CleanerFuture #SustainableCleaning #IngredientSafety #ConsumerSafety #CleaningIndustry #TrustedBrands #HouseholdCleaning #EPAStandards #CertifiedProducts #CleaningTips #CleaningHacks #CleanLiving #CleaningInspiration  #CleaningExperts #CleaningCommunity #CleanHomeHappyHome #CleaningGoals #CleaningMotivation #CleanEnvironment #CleaningEducation #CleaningBestPractices #askangelabrown #askahousecleaner

Katja Vom Hofe, the Chair of the Enforcement Forum joins us to shed light on the discussions of the Forum in their November meeting.We talk about: The next REACH enforcement project that will investigate how companies fulfil their registration, authorisation and restriction obligations for products and chemicals they import from outside the EU. The publication of the Forum's future advice on the enforceability of new restriction proposals under REACH.Opportunities for expanding the role of the Forum and strengthening the control of imports as well as the enforceability of REACH restrictions, for example, in textiles or on the use of lead gunshot in wetlands as well as analytical methods relevant for the control of REACH duties.Next EU-wide REACH enforcement project to focus on imported products - ECHA news, 16 November 2022More:Report on the pilot project on cooperation with customs in enforcement of REACH restrictions and CLP labelling [PDF] [EN]Forum enforcement projectsEnforcement ForumMeeting agendasLegislationBackgroundThe Forum and the BPRS are a network of enforcement authorities from the EU and EEA. They are responsible for coordinating the enforcement of REACH, CLP, PIC, POPs and BPR chemicals legislation. Their aim is to protect peoples' health and the environment while ensuring a level playing field for companies on the EU market. The Forum met on 7-11 November and the BPRS on 16 November. The next Forum and BPRS meetings takes place in March 2023.**************Give us feedbackSubscribe to our YouTube channelSubscribe to our Safer Chemicals PodcastSubscribe to our newsFollow us on:*Twitter*Facebook*LinkedInVisit our websiteDisclaimer: Views expressed by interviewees do not necessarily represent the official position of the European Chemicals Agency. All content is up to date at the time of publication.

Katja vom Hofe, the Chair of the Enforcement Forum joins us. She is just out of the Forum's June meeting, and will be sharing the highlights.We talk about the Forum's upcoming and on-going enforcement projects, including preliminary results of an EU-wide project on REACH authorisation (REF-9) where inspectors conducted more than 450 inspections to control REACH authorisation requirements for substances of very high concern. Also in this episode, an update on the follow-up of a Forum project on online marketplaces. It looked at whether online sellers were giving enough safety information to customers when buying products with hazardous chemicals online and found a high level of incompliance. Listen to our earlier episode on the project results.Katja also talks about the Forum's work on harmonising the way member states report their inspections to ensure consistent numbers in the EU and gives insight into how the Forum prepares inspectors for upcoming projects through training and other support material.BackgroundThe Forum is a network of enforcement authorities from the EU and EEA. They are responsible for coordinating the enforcement of EU chemicals legislation. the REACH, CLP, PIC, POP and the Biocidal Product regulations with the aim of protecting our health and the environment while ensuring a level playing field for companies across the EU market.Give us feedbackMoreHighlights from June Forum meeting (ECHA news, 21 June 2022)Enforcement Forum: Who we are**************Subscribe to our YouTube channelSubscribe to our Safer Chemicals PodcastSubscribe to our newsFollow us on:TwitterFacebookLinkedInVisit our websiteDisclaimer: Views expressed by interviewees do not necessarily represent the official position of the European Chemicals Agency. All content is up to date at the time of publication. 

Bisphenols are widely used and many are also known endocrine disruptors, which means that they can affect the hormonal systems of people and animals.Bisphenol A, or BPA, is probably the most known chemical in this group. It has been used since the 1960s in many consumer goods like re-usable plastic tableware, plastic bottles, CDs and sports equipment, such as helmets.Due to its harmful properties, BPA's use has already been limited. But it's not a secret that when authorities have regulated one substance companies often switch to another substance with a similar structure – and many times, one that also has similar effects. This has happened, for example, with BPA in thermal paper where it has largely been replaced by Bisphenol S.Together with some EU Member States, we have been assessing the need to regulate bisphenols as a group. Our expert, Maarten Roggeman, joins us to explain how the assessment was done and what we can expect as next steps for managing their risks.Give us feedbackMore:Group assessment of bisphenols identifies need for restriction Subscribe:Subscribe to our YouTube channelSubscribe to our Safer Chemicals PodcastSubscribe to our newsFollow us on:TwitterFacebookLinkedInVisit our website

Learn from Alexandra McNair and Mike Schade of Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families, about what's hiding in common products, and why/how the Mind the Store campaign is working to make sure that what you buy at the store isn't toxic. FOLLOW Green Inside and Out Web: greeninsideandout.org Facebook: greeninsideout Instagram: @greeninsideandout Twitter: @greeninsideout MUSIC Opening: Maltese anthem on flute by Ray Furuta Closing: Alien Chatter

Martin Hojsík, a Slovak activist, environmental expert and Member of the European Parliament joins us for this episode.He is a Member of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety and Vice-Chair of the Committee of Inquiry on the Protection of Animals during Transport. He is the European Chemicals Agency's so-called 'liaison MEP', the one following the agency's work in the environment committee and overall in the European Parliament.In the European Parliament, his work focuses on chemical policies, including pesticides, pollinator protection, climate, and biodiversity financing. He has a lot of experience in environmental protection and climate change.Martin talks about EU chemicals policy: how the EU's Green Deal and Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability will help pave the way to a greener and safer use of chemicals in the future. He also talks about how the chemicals industry in Europe can become the global leader in innovation when it comes to safe and sustainable chemicals and how he sees the role of alternatives to animal testing in regulatory science. Give us feedbackMoreMore on Chemicals Strategy for SustainabilityMartin Hojsík - European Parliament**************Subscribe to our YouTube channelSubscribe to our Safer Chemicals PodcastSubscribe to our newsFollow us on:TwitterFacebookLinkedInVisit our websiteDisclaimer: Views expressed by interviewees do not necessarily represent the official position of the European Chemicals Agency. All content is up to date at the time of publication. 

In Part 2 of our mini-series on toxic chemicals in cleaning products, we  focus on the efforts of organizers, domestic workers and scientists to strive towards safe and healthy working conditions, as well as job security and benefits for those in the cleaning work sector. We speak with an organizer with the National Domestic Worker's Alliance, a chemical engineer working to ensure that safer chemicals are used in consumer products, and a founder of a worker-owned cleaning coop. All of these solutions combined are helping to ensure that domestic workers are respected and treated with dignity, have safe working conditions, and have a path to build economic security for themselves and their families.  TO LEARN MORE:Links to organizations mentioned in this episode:National Domestic Workers Alliance:  https://www.domesticworkers.org/Make the Road NY:  https://maketheroadny.org/Safe and Just Cleaners: https://safeandjustcleaners.org/Women's Voices for the Earth:  https://www.womensvoices.org/ALIA:  https://www.myalia.org/Toxics Use Reduction Institute:  https://www.turi.org/Brazilian Women's Group:http://verdeamarelo.org/bwg/Vida Verde:   http://verdeamarelo.org/vidaverde/Hand in Hand:  https://domesticemployers.org/Resources to identify safer cleaning products:US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Safer Choice:  https://www.epa.gov/saferchoiceUS Environmental Protection Agency DFE certified disinfectants:https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-labels/dfe-certified-disinfectantsMassachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI) List of Safer Disinfectant Products:  https://www.turi.org/Our_Work/Cleaning_Laboratory/COVID-19_Safely_Clean_Disinfect/Safer_Disinfecting_Products/List_of_Safer_Disinfecting_ProductsCity of San Francisco - SF Approved cleaning products:  https://www.sfapproved.org/cleaners-homes-small-businessesGreen Seal:  https://greenseal.org/EcoLogo: https://www.ul.com/services/ecologo-certificationCradle to Cradle Certified Products Registry:  https://www.c2ccertified.org/products/registryEnvironmental Working Group (EWG) Verified™:  https://www.ewg.org/ewgverified/cleaning-products.phpApps:Clearya:  https://www.clearya.com/Think Dirty:  https://thinkdirtyapp.com/Detox Me:  https://silentspring.org/detox-me-app-tips-healthier-living

Matt Prindiville is the CEO and Chief Solutioneer for Upstream®, a norms-disrupting non-profit sparking innovative solutions to plastic pollution and today's one-way “throw-away” society. In this role, Prindiville works with entrepreneurs, policymakers and culture hackers to ideate and accelerate the transition from single-use to reuse. His responsibilities include content creator, spokesperson, brand strategist, executive leader, fundraiser, and relationship cultivator. Prindiville is a recognized thought leader within the plastic pollution community and helped found the global Break Free from Plastic Movement, the Cradle2 Coalition and the Make It Take It Campaign; and spearheaded the establishment of the Electronics Takeback Coalition, the Multi-State Mercury Campaign, and Safer Chemicals and Healthy Families Coalition, where he worked on dozens of successful legislative policy campaigns. Most recently, he has advised the United Nations Environment Program on their plastic pollution strategies and written for The Guardian, GreenBiz, and Sustainable Brands among other publications. Prindiville's work has been featured in The Economist, The New York Times, Fast Company, on NPR's 1A, Jack Johnson's Smog of the Sea film, and 60 Minutes, among others. For more information visit UpstreamSolutions.org and www.mattprindiville.com. Follow Upstream on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube. For a podcast on the story of Upstream listen here. https://upstreamsolutions.org/ https://nexuspmg.com/

When it comes to getting toxic chemicals out of the products we use every day, the choices we make as consumers can only do so much. Yes, I firmly believe that the products we choose to spend our money on is a very important vote with our dollar. And it is often the first step in making the other changes that are also necessary: industry acceptance and government regulations.Truthfully, advocacy has never been something I've focused on. I wasn't “into politics” and didn't think my voice would really make a difference. That thinking has changed in recent years, and part of this shift was actually speaking with my friend Kerri Torrey. She was part of a group of Beautycounter consultants that trekked to our nation's capital to speak with lawmakers about the toxins found in personal care products.I got more curious about Beautycounter as a brand the more I started seeing about the work they were doing in advocacy and transparency. Kerri started sending me blog posts written by a woman named Lindsay Dahl. And I thought, whoa, this woman is brilliant, a force to be reckoned with, and often “I wish I'd written that!”And so it is with great excitement that today's episode is an interview with Lindsay about her advocacy work, our role in creating change, and where the beauty industry is headed.Lindsay Dahl is Beautycounter's SVP, Social Mission where she leads the safety, sustainability, advocacy and giving teams. She has been working for over 15 years to remove toxic chemicals from the products we use every day. Working at the intersection of activism, product safety, and sustainability, Lindsay takes a comprehensive approach to integrating social impact into everything at Beautycounter.Prior to joining the Beautycounter team, Lindsay spearheaded the passage of more than a dozen health protective laws at the state and federal levels, including the nation's first ban on the toxic chemical BPA from baby bottles and other landmark laws on chemicals like flame retardants, mercury, and phthalates. In addition, Lindsay created a nationally acclaimed program—Mind the Store—to encourage top retailers to remove toxic chemicals from products. This initiative led to comprehensive health protective policies from Fortune 500 companies such as Target, Wal-Mart, CVS, The Home Depot and Best Buy.While working in Washington, D.C., Lindsay was the Deputy Director of Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families, the country's largest coalition working to update federal laws on toxic chemicals. Additionally, she was lead strategist for the grassroots movement that ultimately led to the overhaul of toxic chemical regulations, the first since 1976.In this episode we cover:- What is activism and how consumers play a role- Strategies to affect change in regulations- The biggest challenges in toxics regulation reform and how to overcome them- The roles consumers, companies, and government each have in making safer products available for everyone- Lindsay's prediction on the future of clean beauty- 3 actionable tips to support the movement for healthier products to become the norm*****Green Product Forum: https://facebook.com/groups/greenproductforumInstagram: https://instagram.com/emma_greenathomeWebsite: https://greenathome.ca

The Whole View, Episode 464:  Forever Chemicals: What are PFAS? Welcome back to episode 464! (0:28) Science has shown, pretty unequivocally, how harmful these chemicals are for decades. It's not recent science. And what we see in modern days is regulatory agencies not being able to keep up with capitalism demands. This topic is difficult to see in something other than a "conspiracy" lens. But that is why it's important to Stacy and Sarah now, more than ever, to make sure they stick to scientific research as much as possible. There are specific areas known to have high levels of PFAS. If you know you're in one of those areas, it's possible to test your blood for your exposure levels. Stacy reminds the audience that she and Sarah are not medical professionals. So, if you have any health concerns around this topic, be sure to see a doctor.   What Are Forever Chemicals? PFAS are a class of man-made chemicals used to make products greaseproof, waterproof, and stain-resistant. (7:30) They are "forever chemicals" because they and their breakdown products are extremely persistent, lasting thousands of years or more. But, unfortunately, we have no way to speed up the breakdown, so they end up bioaccumulating in the environment and our bodies. Of the more than 9,000 known PFAS compounds, the U.S. uses 600 alone! Countless products, including firefighting foam, cookware, cosmetics, carpet treatments, and even dental floss, contain PFAS compounds. PFAS stands for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances- chemicals with at least one aliphatic perfluorocarbon moiety (e.g., -CnF2n-). PFAS includes multiple subclasses of chemicals: PFAA - perfluoroalkyl acids and perfluoroalkylether acidsPFOS - perfluorooctanesulfonic acid  PFOA - perfluorooctanoic acid (C8, used to make PTFE polytetrafluoroethylene, aka Teflon) PFAA precursors Fluoropolymers Perfluoropolyethers other (primarily less reactive) PFAS  The most consistent feature within the class of PFAS is that their perfluorocarbon moieties do not break down or do so very slowly under natural conditions. This is why PFAS have often termed "forever chemicals." Because PFAS are persistent, they accumulate or concentrate in the environment, including water, air, sediment, soil, and plants. Elevated levels of PFAS and their widespread presence in environmental media and drinking water stem from industrial sites that produce or use PFAS, airports, military bases (fire-training and response areas), landfills, wastewater treatment plants, and the spreading of PFAS-contaminated biosolids. Some PFAS are highly mobile in either air or water. This allows them to travel long distances from their sources.  It's important to note that we don't metabolize PFAS molecules. Sarah recommends this great article and this review for more information.    How Do They Harm Health? A better question might be how do they not harm health because their detriment is incredibly pervasive. (10:50) Data from toxicokinetic studies of PFAA indicate that they are generally well-absorbed after ingestion. After absorption, they distribute blood to organs and tissues that receive high blood flow, such as the liver, kidney, lung, heart, skin, testis, brain, bone, and spleen. Because PFAA can occupy sites on multiple receptors, proteins, and cell interfaces in the body, they can produce physiological effects across various tissues. Nine nuclear receptors are activated (controls gene expression), including PPAR-alpha, which controls fatty acid beta-oxidation and is a major regulator of energy homeostasis.  They also bind to a variety of serum proteins, including steroid hormones and albumins, which are transport proteins (e.g., vitamin D-binding protein)  Scientists have found direct links (with mechanisms identified) between PFAS exposure and kidney and testicular cancer, thyroid disease, liver damage, developmental toxicity, ulcerative colitis, high cholesterol, decreased fertility, pregnancy-induced preeclampsia and hypertension, and changes in hormone functioning. Immune dysfunction, such as Asthma, Osteoarthritis, Crohn's & U.C., R.A., Type 1 diabetes, Lupus, and M.S, are also linked to PFAS. PFAA and the Immune System Effects on the immune system are some of the most well-studied health effects of PFAA. (14:51) Multiple lines of evidence support PFAA as immunotoxicants and, more specifically, immunosuppressants at small administered doses in rodents and measured serum concentrations in humans.  Findings of suppressed vaccine response in humans and T cell-dependent antibody response in experimental animals led the U.S. National Toxicology Program (NTP) to classify PFOA and PFOS as presumed immune hazards to humans. In a recent draft toxicological profile, the U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) extended this finding to PFHxS and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDeA), identifying all four compounds as suppressants of antibody response in humans. They are also unregulated greenhouse gasses! Sarah explains that these chemicals are in our environment, all around, which makes them impossible to avoid. Also, there is data showing they can, in fact, be absorbed through the skin, not just when ingested, as many company websites indicate. Additional associations still need further study to identify mechanisms, but dose responses are very damning! Obesity & Diabetes: A Review of Epidemiologic Findings Association with risk of cardiovascular diseases Obesity (dose response) Type 2 diabetes Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease Cardiovascular disease Osteoporosis PFAS magnifies metabolic effects of poor diet PFAS Buildup and Our Bodies Even more worrisome, this study showed 100% of breastmilk tested contained PFAS. An analysis of the available breast milk PFAS data from around the world showed that while the phased-out PFOS and PFOA levels have been declining, the detection frequencies of current-use short-chain PFAS have been increasing (with a doubling time of 4.1 years). This is consistent with the idea that they are forever and build-up. So even with using less, we're still seeing a build-up over time. There is a ton of current legislation pending to limit and/or ban PFAS in cosmetics. For listeners who might not know, Stacy is a huge advocate for clean beauty and safer skincare. She works with Beauty Counter to help get safer products into consumer's hands and uses her background in government to lobby for safer beauty standards. With all the safer skincare legislation Stacy has seen in recent years, she decided to research the history of PFAS to see if even more legislation is necessary. It turns out- it is. Sarah has recently gotten into the "Dark History" YouTube series by Bailey Sarian. Episode 1 is on this very topic, "The DuPont Chemical Poisoning."  The film "Dark Waters" (which Sarah just watched with a free Showtime trial) is a not-quite-as-cool Erin Brokovich approach to going into detail.   History: Discovery to Litigation  Stacy runs through a quick timeline: (25:52) 1930 General Motors and DuPont formed Kinetic Chemicals to produce Freon. 1935 Dupont opened "one of the first in-house toxicology facilities" on the advice of a DuPont in-house doctor named George Gehrmann. The facility was meant to thoroughly test all du Pont products as a public health measure to determine the effects of du Pont's finished products on the "health of the ultimate consumer" and that the products "are safe" before going "on the market".  6 April 1938 a 27yo research chemist worked at the DuPont's Laboratory with gases related to DuPont's Freonrefrigerants. When an experiment he was conducting produced an unexpected new product: polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE), a saturated fluorocarbon polymer—the "first compound in the family of Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) marketed commercially." It took ten years of research before polytetrafluorethylene (introduced under its trade name Teflon) became known for being "extremely heat-tolerant and stick-resistant." 1950s 3M manufactures PFAS, according to the 2016 lawsuit brought against 3M, 3M had "disposed of PFCs, and PFC-containing waste at a facility is owned and operated in Oakdale, Minnesota (the "Oakdale Facilities")" during the 1950s. It contaminated residential drinking water wells with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and heavy metals. It later became a city park after extensive cleanup. 1951 "The DuPont chemical plant in Washington, West Virginia, began using PFOA in its manufacturing process." 1954 DuPont received an inquiry about C8's "possible toxicity." 1956 A study at Stanford found that "PFAS binds to proteins in human blood." 1960s DuPont knowingly buries hundreds of drums of C8 on the banks of the Ohio River  1963 The Navy began to work with 3M to develop aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF). 1961 A DuPont in-house toxicologist said C8 was toxic and should be "handled with extreme care." 1965 DuPont sent an internal memo describing preliminary studies that showed that even low doses of a related surfactant could increase the size of rats' livers, a classic response to exposure to a poison. 1970s 3M (appears to) discover PFAS accumulate in human blood. 3Ms own experiments on rats and monkeys concluded that PFAS compounds "should be regarded as toxic." 1976 The Toxic Substances Control Act provides EPA with authority to require reporting, record-keeping and testing requirements, and restrictions relating to chemical substances and/or mixtures. Certain substances generally excluded from TSCA include food, drugs, cosmetics, and pesticides. This list did not disclose any PFAS contaminants. 1983 3M announced their $6 million hazardous waste cleanup from their disposal processes.  1998 "Dark Waters" lawyer, Robert Billott, took a case representing Wilbur Tennant, a W.V. farmer, whose had a herd of cattle decimated by strange symptoms. 1998 The EPA was first alerted to the risks of PFAS—human-made "forever chemicals" that "never break down once released and they build up in our bodies." In a 2000 Times article, the EPA said that they first talked to 3M in 1998 after they were first alerted to 3M's 1998 laboratory rat study in which "male and female rats [received] doses of the chemical and then mated. When a pregnant rat continued to get regular doses of about 3.2 milligrams per kilogram of body weight, most of the offspring died within four days."  Summer of 1999 Bilott filed suit. 2000 a study widely detected PFOS in wildlife throughout the world" and that "PFOS is widespread in the environment." They said that "PFOS can bioaccumulate to higher trophic levels of the food chain" and that the "concentrations of PFOS in wildlife are less than those required to cause adverse effects in laboratory animals." 17 May 2000 3M stopped manufacturing "PFOS (perfluorooctanesulphonate)-based flurosurfactants using the electrochemical flouorination process," which is a "class of chemicals known as perfluorochemicals (PFCs). Stacy didn't even get into how the Navy and other public services used them to fight fires and increase environmental fire with Aqueous Film Forming Foams (AFFF). 17 May 2000 3M stops manufacturing Scotchgard because of their "corporate responsibility" to be "environmentally friendly." Their tests proved PFOS, an agent that 3M used in the fabrication of Scotchgard— which lingers in the environment and humans. Barboza said that 3M's "decision to drop Scotchgard" would likely affect DuPont's use of PFOAs in the manufacturing of Teflon. Their testing showed "it does not decompose, it's inert—it's persistent; it's like a rock." August 2000 Bilott discovers PFOA or C8 in DuPont's dumping sites Fall of 2000 Bilott gets access to 110,000 pages of documents dated back to the 1950s of DuPont's "private internal correspondence, medical and health reports and confidential studies conducted by DuPont scientists." March 2001 DuPont settled the lawsuit filed by Billot on behalf of Tennant for an undisclosed sum. Bilott sends a 972-page submission to directors of all relevant regulatory authorities: EPA and US AG demanding "immediate action to regulate PFOA 31 August 2001 Bilott files a class-action suit on behalf of thirteen individuals in the "Leach case." 23 November 2004 The class-action lawsuit settled and "established a court-approved scientific panel to determine what types of ailments likely linked to PFOA exposure." This led to thousands of residents then opting to pursue individual lawsuits after medical monitoring showed harm.  2005-2006 The C8 Health Project undertaken by the C8 Science Panel "surveyed 69,030 individuals" who had "lived, worked, or attended school for ≥ 1 year in one of six contaminated water districts near the plant between 1950 and 3 December 2004." 2006 The EPA brokered a voluntary agreement with DuPont and eight other major companies to phase out PFOS and PFOA in the United States. 2014 The EPA's Federal Facilities Restoration and Reuse Office (FFRRO) developed and published a fact sheet which provided a "summary of the emerging contaminants perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), including physical and chemical properties, environmental and health impacts, existing federal and state guidelines, detection and treatment methods. 2016 The EPA "published a voluntary health advisory for PFOA and PFOS," which warned that "exposure to the chemicals at levels above 70 parts per trillion, total, could be dangerous." 13 February 2017 The 2001 class-action suit that Bilott had filed against DuPont, on behalf of the Parkersburg area residents, resulted in DuPont agreeing to pay $671 million in cash to settle about 3,550 personal injury claims. These claims involved a leak of perfluorooctanoic acid—PFOA or C-8— used to make Teflon in its Parkersburg, West Virginia-based Washington Works facilities. DuPont denied any wrongdoing. Fall 2017 abnormally high levels of PFAS found in Belmont, Michigan, became one of the first places where PFAS contaminations caught the media's attention.[71] Wolverine Worldwide, a footwear company, was said to be the cause due to their use of Scotchgard to "treat shoe leather" and had dumped their waste in that area decades ago. 2017 PFAS are on Canada's 2019 chart of substances prohibited by the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA) and by Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2012. These substances are under these regulations because they are "among the most harmful" and "declared toxic to the environment and/or human health," are "generally persistent and bioaccumulative." The "regulations prohibit the manufacture, use, sale, offer for sale or import of the toxic substances listed below, and products containing them, with a limited number of exemptions." [72] 10 January 2018 According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services's Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), studies in humans with PFAS exposure show certain PFAS may affect growth, learning, and behavior of infants and older children, lower a woman's chance of getting pregnant, interfere with the body's natural hormones, increase cholesterol levels, affect the immune system, and increase the risk of cancer." 30 January 2018 three branches of the EPA exchanged chains of emails with OMB, DoD, HHS, and the Pentagon, to put pressure on the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). It aimed to censor a report that measured the "health effects" of PFAS that are "found in drinking water and household products throughout the United States." An email by an unidentified white house administration forwarded by OMB said that "The public, media, and Congressional reaction to these numbers is going to be huge. The impact to EPA and [the Defense Department] is going to be extremely painful. We (DoD and EPA) cannot seem to get ATSDR to realize the potential public relations nightmare this is going to be."  March 2018 The United States Department of Defense's (DoD) 's report to Congress said the test they conducted showed the amount of PFAS chemicals in water supplies near 126 DoD facilities "exceeded the current safety guidelines." [65] The DoD "used foam containing" PFAS chemicals "in exercises at bases across the country." The DoD, therefore, "risks the biggest liabilities" concerning the use of PFAS chemicals, according to Politico (published May 2018) 21 June 2018 The Department of Health & Human Services Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry(ATSDR) 697-page draft report for public comment, "Toxicological Profile for Perfluoroalkyls," was finally released. June 2019 Described as a "huge step toward cleaning up the prevalence of and prevent further contamination from PFAS chemicals in-ground, surface and drinking water," the Department of Environmental Services of the state of New Hampshire submitted a "final rulemaking proposal" for new, lower maximum contaminant levels. They then filed a lawsuit against Dupont, 3M, and other companies for their roles in the crisis in drinking water contamination in the United States. The lawsuit claims that the polluted water results from the manufacture and use of perfluorinated chemicals, a group of more than 9,000 compounds collectively known as PFAS.[2] September 2019, Andrew R. Wheeler, EPA Administrator, met with industry lobbyists and said that "Congressional efforts to clean up legacy PFAS pollution in the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal 2020" were "just not workable." Wheeler refuses to "designate PFAS chemicals as "hazardous substances" under the Superfund law." 1 October 2019 A lawsuit filed in the Merrimack County Superior Court by 3M and two others against the state aimed to prevent the new permitted levels for PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, and PFHxS from implementation.  4 October 2019 over 100 scientific experts representing many countries "recommended that a group of hazardous chemicals"—"Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), its salts, and PFHxS-related compounds"—be eliminated to better protect human health and the environment from its harmful impacts." 10 March 2020 EPA announced its proposed regulatory determinations for two PFAS in drinking water. In a Federal Register notice, the agency requested public comment on whether it should set maximum contaminant levels for PFOA and PFOS in public water systems.  April 2021: Landmark bipartisan legislation proposed to protect all Americans and our environment from harmful forever chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The package establishes a national drinking water standard for select PFAS chemicals, designates as hazardous to allow the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to clean up contaminated sites  https://debbiedingell.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2975 June 2021: No PFAS in Cosmetics Act introduced with bi-partisan support, coinciding with the publication of a study finding over half of cosmetics contain them. One study found toxic 'forever chemicals' widespread in top makeup brands. The act would require the Food And Drug Administration to ban the chemicals' use in such products within 270 days. June 2021 They also reintroduced the Personal Care Product Safety Act, a bill that would take a major step forward to update our laws governing cosmetics. These laws have largely stood unchanged since 1938. [caption id="attachment_45315" align="aligncenter" width="740"]Source: https://www.ewg.org/pfaschemicals/what-are-forever-chemicals.html[/caption] See this link for an even more detailed timeline of PFAS and toxic chemicals.   What Are PFAS In? PFAS functions in many capacities, including surfactants, friction reducers, and water, dirt, and oil repellents. (50:01) As such, they are used in a wide variety of consumer products to confer nonstick (waterproof, greaseproof, and stainproof) and low-friction properties.  Examples of products that contain or coated with PFAS include: Some grease-resistant paper, fast food containers/wrappers, microwave popcorn bags, pizza boxes, and candy wrappers  Nonstick cookware  Stain-resistant coatings used on carpets, upholstery, and other fabrics  Water-resistant clothing  Umbrellas, tents, any fabric that repels water (pet bed covers, some mattresses, shoes, etc.) Cleaning products  Personal care products (shampoo, dental floss) and cosmetics (nail polish, eye makeup)  Paints, varnishes, and sealants Electronics Some industrial glass and plastics PFAS are also used directly or as technical aids (dispersants and emulsifiers) in many industrial applications like metal coatings, lubricants for machinery, membranes, and firefighting foams.  PFAS are used in the synthesis of or as adjuvants in pesticides, in medical procedures and products, and in many other applications. PFAS in Cosmetics The FDA has a voluntary registration program (VCRP) which shows an overall decrease in use (about half from 2019 to 2020).  But their site states- "because registration and product listing are voluntary, this data cannot draw definitive conclusions about the types and amounts of PFAS present in registered cosmetics or to determine which cosmetics may contain PFAS but have not been registered in the VCRP." [caption id="attachment_45319" align="aligncenter" width="740"]Source: https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredients/and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas-cosmetics[/caption] The Environment and Water Supply Because of their widespread use, release, and disposal over the decades, PFASs show up virtually everywhere: soil, surface water, the atmosphere, the deep ocean—and even the human body.  The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Web site says that the agency has found PFASs in the blood of nearly everyone it has tested for them, "indicating widespread exposure to these PFAS in the U.S. population." Scientists estimated that more than 200 million people—most Americans—have tap water contaminated with a mixture of PFOA and PFOS. These are at concentrations of one part per trillion (ppt) or higher.   Problems with PFOA-Free (PFOS-free, PTFE-free) The most well-studied of these substances, PFOA, and PFOS, have been linked to various health problems. (59:45) Bad press and class-action lawsuits have put pressure on companies to discontinue the use of PFOA and PFOS, but not PFAS as a chemical class. The regulatory bodies have not kept up with the chemical industry either! When some major manufacturers phased out long-chain PFAS, most industries turned to structurally similar replacements. These include hundreds of homologues with fewer fluorinated carbons (short-chain PFAS) or other less well-known PFAS (e.g., per- and polyfluoroalkylether-based substances). Producers marked these replacement PFAS as safer alternatives because of their presumed lower toxicity and lower level of bioaccumulation in human blood. However, several lines of evidence suggest that short-chain PFAS are not safer alternatives.  Research demonstrated that short-chain PFAS can be equally environmentally persistent and are even more mobile in the environment and more difficult to remove from drinking water than long-chain PFAS. Bioaccumulation of some short-chain PFAS occurs in humans and animals. For example, fish research suggests they can do more than the long-chain compounds they aim to replace.  Short-chain PFAS also can be more effectively taken up by plants. However, a growing body of evidence suggests they are associated with similar adverse toxicological effects as long-chain PFAS. The ongoing accumulation of persistent chemicals known or potentially hazardous increases human and environmental health risks over an indefinite period. Look for PFAS-free specifically. It's not enough to be PFOA, PFOS, and PTFE-free.   What Can We Do About It? The problem with these chemicals is that there unavoidable. However, we can take steps to protect ourselves. (1:05:01) Make sure the makeup brands you're using test for safety! PFAS and toxic chemicals are the kind of thing someone wouldn't know about unless they checked and tested the product for them. If you shop Beautycounter, use code cleanforall20 for 20% off your purchase. Of course, you can always email Stacy for advice at stacy@realeverything.com! Avoid plastics and coated papers for food storage whenever possible. Also, avoid nonstick cookware or look for ceramic coatings that are PFAS-free, like Le Creuset or Greenpan or silicone liners. Filter your water. Stacy and Sarah love AquaTru, which they talked about in Episode 406. Also, be sure to think about other exposure areas, such as clothing, carpeting, etc. Call Your Representatives! April 13, 2021, House representatives introduced the PFAS Action Act of 2021, a comprehensive 40-page piece of legislation that would require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to take several significant PFAS regulatory actions. Keep Food Containers Safe from PFAS Act (H.R. 2727) is soon to be reintroduced by Michigan Rep. Debbie Dingell. Call your representatives to support the proposed environmental justice plan that specifically calls out forever chemicals, tackles PFAS pollution by designating PFAS as a hazardous substance, setting enforceable limits for PFAS in the Safe Drinking Water Act, prioritizing substitutes through procurement, and accelerating toxicity studies and research on PFAS." The new administration could carry out all of these goals unilaterally through executive action without Congress's cooperation. Dan Kildee (MI) and Brian Fitzpatrick are heading the bipartisan PFAS Task Force. They have a LONG list of people in the task force with goals.  No PFAS in Cosmetics Act Personal Care Product Safety Act Natural Cosmetics Act (not updated since introduced in 2019) Also, Stacy encourages you to text Better Beauty to 52886, which will cover these bases.  Support advocacy groups like Environmental Working Group, Toxic-Free Future | Science, Advocacy, Results, Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families, Earthjustice: Environmental Law: Because the Earth Needs a Good Lawyer | Earthjustice other local groups. EPA says reverse osmosis (but not filters, like Brita, unfortunately) removes PFAS.  Lastly, don't get suckered into PFAS detoxes! Currently, there is no established treatment for PFAS exposure. However, blood levels will decrease over time after a reduction in exposure to PFAS.         

When I started this podcast I made a wish list of guests, and today I couldn’t be more excited to bring a wish to life and have Lindsay Dahl on the show.  You may know Lindsay from her role at Beautycounter as the SVP of Social Mission. In this very big role,  she oversees safety, sustainability, quality, advocacy and giving. Lindsay has a long and impressive history working as a consumer safety advocate that includes the passage of more than a dozen health protective laws at the state and federal levels and the nation's first ban on BPA from baby bottles. Lindsay’s work as an advocate and educator reaches far beyond her day job. Through her website Lindsaydahl.com and her Instagram account, Lindsay shares science-based consumer safety guides, safer beauty products and how to find safer products for your home. Lindsay is one of my go-to-resources for all things health and safety, and I am beyond thrilled to have her as a guest.  About Lindsay Lindsay Dahl is Beautycounter’s SVP of Social Mission, where she leads the safety, sustainability, quality, advocacy and giving teams. A nationally recognized leader, Lindsay has been working for over 15 years to remove toxic chemicals from the products we use every day. Working at the intersection of activism, product safety, and sustainability, Lindsay takes a comprehensive approach to integrating social impact into everything we do at Beautycounter. Prior to joining the Beautycounter team, Lindsay spearheaded the passage of more than a dozen health protective laws at the state and federal levels, including the nation’s first ban on the toxic chemical BPA from baby bottles and other landmark laws on chemicals like flame retardants, mercury, and phthalates. In addition, Lindsay created a nationally acclaimed program—Mind the Store—to encourage top retailers to remove toxic chemicals from products. This initiative led to comprehensive health protective policies from Fortune 500 companies such as Target, Wal-Mart, CVS, The Home Depot and Best Buy. While working in DC, Lindsay was the Deputy Director of Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families, the country’s largest coalition working to update federal laws on toxic chemicals. Lindsay was also the lead strategist for a grassroots movement that ultimately led to the overhaul of toxic chemical regulations, the first since 1976. Resources Mentioned PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Beautycounter www.beautycounter.com

Learn from Mike Schade of Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families, about what is hiding in common products, and why/how the Mind the Store campaign is working to make sure that what you buy at the store isn't toxic. This episode of the Green Inside and Out Podcast is sponsored by Green Team LI. FOLLOW Green Inside and Out Web: greeninsideandout.org Facebook: greeninsideout Instagram: @greeninsideandout Twitter: @greeninsideout MUSIC Opening: Maltese anthem on flute by Ray Furuta Closing: Alien Chatter

Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks shares the birth of ECOS the brand that her father created 54 years ago while being an aspiring chemist and having an interest in protecting humans from chemicals on our planet back in the ’60s by creating safer cleaning products from his garage. Kelly shares the importance of diversity and empowering women in the workplace. In addition, Kelly shares 51% of our population is comprised of women, and how it’s important that more than 50% of ECOS executives are comprised of women.  Kelly is one of the very few women with a diverse background being Greek and African American to run a National cleaning products company.  ECOS is celebrating the 51st anniversary of Earth Day the theme this year for 2021 is Restore - Restoration - now 200 Countries celebrate Earth Day and over 1 billion people celebrate Earth Day. ECOS website in the link below shows you how to read labels and what to avoid. Some topics we cover: As of April 1st ECOS announced they are a “climate positive” manufacturer and partnering up with Green for All Skin issues, eczema, baby skin health, inflammatory responses how our bodies are fighting these toxins.   Leading a company that is environmentally responsible, socially responsible, and focused on environmental justice. So many GREAT insights in our conversation, here are two quick tips for you! Step one, do not buy cleaning products that do not list ingredients. Step two, ingredients that come from nature. We go over and break down simple terms for all to understand the importance of being greener in your everyday lifestyle and we break down the psychological reasons why it’s so important for you and your loved ones. “Committed to creating the cleanest and greenest products in the market place bc we believe everyone has the right to have a healthy home and we all have the right to a healthy shared planet” - Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks, President and CEO of ECOS “Cleaning products are critical to your long-term health.  They’re critical to planetary health but they're critical to your health and your families health and you have complete control.” - Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks, President and CEO of ECOS As President and CEO, Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks leads the strategy and production of environmentally friendly cleaning products at ECOS. She oversees four geographically diverse facilities across the U.S. as well as a European manufacturing platform. She has been widely recognized for her highly effective leadership at ECOS and her influential voice in the green movement, corporate social responsibility, and sustainable manufacturing. Vlahakis-Hanks has led ECOS to become a Climate Positive company and the first company in the world to achieve the sustainability trifecta of carbon neutrality, water neutrality, and TRUE Platinum Zero Waste certification. Her sustainable business practices have made ECOS a model for green business in the U.S. ECOS is a primary manufacturer that has received many awards for its innovations in safer green chemistry, including the U.S. EPA’s Safer Choice Partner of the Year four times. As an African American woman and the daughter of a Greek immigrant, Vlahakis-Hanks has made environmental and social justice a cornerstone of ECOS’s mission. She actively promotes a corporate culture of diversity and empowerment, ensuring that over 50% of her C-Suite and top executives are women. She supports a green economy by creating sustainable manufacturing jobs across the U.S. and offering strong employee benefits and a living minimum wage of $17 per hour, one of the highest in the industry. She also offers financial incentives to employees who make sustainable living choices such as purchasing a low-emissions vehicle or solar panels. Vlahakis-Hanks received her undergraduate degree at UCLA and an MBA at Chapman University Argyros School of Business and Economics. She has been featured on CNN, CBS News, ABC News, FOX News, NBC News, Bloomberg and Marketwatch and in publications such as Fortune, Entrepreneur and the Los Angeles Times. She has received many awards for her sustainable leadership, including Entrepreneur Magazine’s 100 Powerful Women in 2020 and Conscious Company’s World-Changing Women in Conscious Business Award. She is an active member of several boards, including the Environmental Media Association and the Chapman University Board of Governors, where she serves on the Diversity Task Force. She is active in industry councils and public policy advocacy, including the American Sustainable Business Council and the Companies for Safer Chemicals coalition, working to promote higher standards for consumer products to protect human health and the environment. She is also a member of YPO (Young Presidents’ Organization) and Abundance 360, Peter Diamandis’ select community of executives and entrepreneurs using exponential technologies to transform their businesses. Vlahakis-Hanks resides in southern California with her husband, teenage daughter, and rescue dog Mina.   Check out ECOS new website at www.ECOS.com and subscribe today to keep you in the loop and on top of mind on how you can keep creating healthier choices for your beautiful life. 500 chemicals to never put into your products, check out the NASTIES list here.   https://www.ecos.com/the-nasties/   Thrive Global article on Kelly  https://thriveglobal.com/stories/diverse-leadership-empowering-women-with-kelly-vlahakis-hanks/ Dream Corps Green for All https://www.thedreamcorps.org/our-programs/green-for-all/   Follow Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks https://www.instagram.com/kellyfromecos/ https://www.instagram.com/ECOScleans/ https://www.instagram.com/ecosgreece/   Follow Kyriaki Pick up my Poetry Book http://www.aloversfairytale.com A gift for you! A Lover’s Fairytale Spoken Word Music Video Playlist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EfPtI9MniE&list=PLQSdVfHrFOMY6B5rH-XQ6FLgUggAc2MD4&index=7   https://www.chonacas.com/ https://www.instagram.com/chonacas/  

“Everyone has the right to a healthy home.” – Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks This week on the Gooder Podcast I had the pleasure of talking with Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks, the President and CEO at ECOS. We discuss the innovations in ECOS and how they ensure sustainability in the company. We also learn about the trends that have come up in the natural cleaning industry, accelerated due to the pandemic. Along the way we learn the story of the transformation of a family legacy into a category champion and hear about an innovative leader who advocates for corporate social responsibility and sustainable manufacturing. In this episode we learn: - About the family history and legacy of ECOS.  - How far green science has evolved and its impact on product efficacy in home cleaning and personal care. - Reasons why consumers resist switching from traditional industrial cleaners to more people/planet/pet friendly cleaning products. - About product innovation and trends in the natural cleaning industry. - The behind-the-scenes efforts of developing one of the most disruptive environmentally friendly supply chains and its net-positive impact for consumers pocketbooks. - How Kelly’s commitment to diversity, inclusion and love inspires a brand that continues to break all the rules on its way to saving the planet. About Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks: As President and CEO, Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks, leads the strategy and production environmentally friendly cleaning products at ECOS. She oversees four geographically diverse facilities across the U.S. as well as a European Manufacturing platform. She has been widely recognized for her highly effective movement, corporate social responsibility, and sustainable manufacturing. Vlahakis-Hanks has led ECOS to become a Climate Positive company and the first company in the world to achieve the sustainability trifecta of carbon neutrality, water neutrality, and TRUE Platinum Zero Waste certification. Her sustainable business   practice has made ECOS a model for green business in the U.S. ECOS is a primary manufacture that has received many awards for its innovations in safer green chemistry, including the U.S. EPA’s Safer Choice Partner of the Year four times. As an African American woman and the daughter of a Greek immigrant, Vlahakis-Hanks has made environmental and social justice a cornerstone of ECOS’s mission. She actively promotes a corporate culture of diversity and empowerment, ensuring that over 50% of her C-Suite and top executives are women. She supports a green economy by creating sustainable manufacturing jobs across the U.S. and offering strong employee benefits and a living minimum wage of $17 per hour, one of the highest in the industry.  She also offers financial incentives to employees who make sustainable living choices such as purchasing a low-emissions vehicle or solar panels. Vlahakis-Hanks received her undergraduate degree at UCLA and an MBA at Chapman University Argyros School of Business and Economics. She has been featured on CNN, CBS News, FOX News, NBC News, Bloomberg and Marketwatch and in publications such as Fortune, Entrepreneur and the Los Angeles Times. She has received many awards for her sustainable leadership, including Entrepreneur Magazine’s 100 Powerful Women in 2020 and Conscious Company’s World-Changing Women in Conscious Business Award. She is an active member of several boards, including the Environmental Media Association and the Chapman University Board of Governors, where she serves on the Diversity Task Force. She is active in industry councils and public policy advocacy, including the American Sustainable Business Council and the Companies for Safer Chemicals coalition, working to promote higher standards for consumer products to protect human health and the environment.  She is also a member of YPO (Young Presidents’ Organization) and Abundance 360, Peter Diamandis’ select community of executives and entrepreneurs using exponential technologies to transform their businesses. Vlahakis-Hanks resides in southern California with her husband, teenage daughter and rescue dog Mina. Guests Social Media Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellyvlahakishanks/   Twitter: https://twitter.com/kvlahakis?lang=en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kellyfromecos/?hl=en Website: https://www.ecos.com     Show Resources: ECOS’ One-Step Disinfectant - Fragrance Free. ECOSNEXT™ Liquidless Laundry Detergent - Free & Clear. The University of California, Los Angeles is a public land-grant research university in Los Angeles, California. UCLA traces its early origins back to 1882 as the southern branch of the California State Normal School. Brown + Dutch was founded in 1996 when Alyson Dutch and her chocolate Labrador Rocky Brown found themselves starting a PR agency, quite by accident.  Walmart Inc. is an American multinational retail corporation that operates a chain of hypermarkets, discount department stores, and grocery stores from the United States, headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas. The company was founded by Sam Walton in 1962 and incorporated on October 31, 1969.    Sam's West, Inc. is an American chain of membership-only retail warehouse clubs owned and operated by Walmart Inc., founded in 1983 and named after Walmart founder Sam Walton.  Costco Wholesale Corporation is an American multinational corporation which operates a chain of membership-only big-box retail stores. As of 2020, Costco was the fifth largest retailer in the world, and the world's largest retailer of choice and prime beef, organic foods, rotisserie chicken, and wine as of 2016.  TerraCycle is a private U.S. recycling business headquartered in Trenton, New Jersey. It primarily runs a volunteer-based recycling platform to collect non-recyclable pre-consumer and post-consumer waste on behalf of corporate donors or municipalities to turn it into raw material to be used in new products.  Whole Foods Market, Inc. is an American multinational supermarket chain headquartered in Austin, Texas, which sells products free from hydrogenated fats and artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. A USDA Certified Organic grocer in the United States, the chain is popularly known for its organic selections. The Environmental Protection Agency is an independent executive agency of the United States federal government tasked with environmental protection matters. President Richard Nixon proposed the establishment of EPA on July 9, 1970; it began operation on December 2, 1970, after Nixon signed an executive order. Safer Choice helps consumers, businesses, and purchasers find products that perform and contain ingredients that are safer for human health and the environment. Green For All is an organization whose stated goal is to build a green economy while simultaneously lifting citizens out of poverty. It is a DC-based group that brings unions and environmentalists together to push for anti-poverty measures and a clean-energy economy. The Environmental Media Awards have been awarded by the Environmental Media Association since 1991 to the best television episode or film with an environmental message. YPO is a global leadership community of chief executives with approximately 29,000 members in more than 130 countries, according to the organization's 2019 YPO international fact sheet. Women's History Month is an annual declared month that highlights the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society. Daniel Pink’s Master Class: Teaches Sales and Persuasion. Kellogg Garden has operated as a family-owned and operated company. Established in 1925, they have remained a stable, steadfast family business guided by the core values of their founder, H. Clay Kellogg: integrity, innovation, loyalty, experience, commitment, and generosity. Beyond Green is a Certified B Corp making positive change easier by inspiring everyone to create a sustainable world. Rivian is an American automaker and automotive technology company founded in 2009. The company develops vehicles, products and services related to sustainable transportation. Publix was founded in 1930 in Winter Haven, Florida, by George W. Jenkins. Their mission is to be the premier quality food retailer in the world. Episode Sponsor - Retail Voodoo: A creative marketing firm specializing in growing, fixing and reinventing brands in the food, beverage, wellness and fitness industry. If your natural brand is in need of positioning, package design or marketing activation, we’re here to help. You can find more information at www.retail-voodoo.com

In episode 42 of The Charity Charge Show, Stephen Garten chats with Matt Prindiville, the Executive Director of UPSTREAM. Matt is a recognized thought leader within the plastic pollution community and advises the United Nations Environment Program on their plastic pollution strategies. He is one of the founders of the global Break Free from Plastic Movement and the founder of the Cradle2 Coalition and Make It Take It Campaign. He helped establish and advance the Electronics Takeback Coalition, the Multi-State Mercury Campaign, and the Safer Chemicals and Healthy Families Coalition. Matt has written for the Guardian, GreenBiz, and Sustainable Brands among other publications. He's been featured in the Economist, the New York Times, on NPR's 1A, Jack Johnson's Smog of the Sea film, and consulted with 60 Minutes on their plastic pollution special.

On this week's show, host Joel Goldberg gets an update on the coronavirus pandemic from Senior Correspondent Jon Cohen. In addition, Cohen gives a rundown of his latest feature, which highlights the relationship between diseases and changing seasons—and how this relationship relates to a potential coronavirus vaccine. Also this week, from a recording made at this year's AAAS annual meeting in Seattle, host Meagan Cantwell speaks with Alexandra Maertens, director of the Green Toxicology initiative at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, about the importance of incorporating nonanimal testing methods to study the adverse effects of chemicals.    This week's episode was produced with help from Podigy.   Listen to previous podcasts.   About the Science Podcast    ++  [Image: Let Ideas Compete/Flickr; Music: Jeffrey Cook]    Authors: Joel Goldberg; Jon Cohen; Meagan Cantwell   Listen to previous podcasts http://www.sciencemag.org/podcasts    About the Science Podcast http://www.sciencemag.org/about/podcast  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's show, host Joel Goldberg gets an update on the coronavirus pandemic from Senior Correspondent Jon Cohen. In addition, Cohen gives a rundown of his latest feature, which highlights the relationship between diseases and changing seasons—and how this relationship relates to a potential coronavirus vaccine. Also this week, from a recording made at this year's AAAS annual meeting in Seattle, host Meagan Cantwell speaks with Alexandra Maertens, director of the Green Toxicology initiative at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, about the importance of incorporating nonanimal testing methods to study the adverse effects of chemicals.    This week's episode was produced with help from Podigy.   Listen to previous podcasts.   About the Science Podcast    ++  [Image: Let Ideas Compete/Flickr; Music: Jeffrey Cook]    Authors: Joel Goldberg; Jon Cohen; Meagan Cantwell   Listen to previous podcasts http://www.sciencemag.org/podcasts    About the Science Podcast http://www.sciencemag.org/about/podcast 

Many weekend warriors don't know that a particular class of paint strippers containing two toxic chemicals pose major dangers even while using your typical safety equipment that have lead to over 60 deaths.  Learn about the problem and alternatives for safer products from Mike Shade, Campaign Director for Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many of us are wary of all the chemicals we can be exposed to in salons, and we do our best to minimize contact with them. Imagine if it was your job and you had to breathe them in and handle them every day! Listen to this Green Divas Health & Beauty podcast to get a greater awareness of salon toxins and what you can do to help salon workers.

2% of all chemicals are regulated for human safety and that is incredibly wrong. Join Lindsay Dahl (Deputy Director at Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families) and Lily Tse (Founder/CEO, ThinkDirty App) as we dive into the sketchy world of toxic chemicals, industry lobby groups, science suppression and more, and what you can do to make sense of it all and empower yourself to live a cleaner, healthier life. Survivor spotlight on Chris Wark,   See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

2% of all chemicals are regulated for human safety and that is incredibly wrong. Join Lindsay Dahl (Deputy Director at Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families) and Lily Tse (Founder/CEO, ThinkDirty App) as we dive into the sketchy world of toxic chemicals, industry lobby groups, science suppression and more, and what you can do to make sense of it all and empower yourself to live a cleaner, healthier life. Survivor spotlight on Chris Wark,  

A very special show with Andrew Revkin in the studio doing a Green Divas myEARTH360 report, some more great gardening advice, and a wonderful feature with Lindsay Dahl of Safer Chemicals, and our next in the Green Divas / What You Can Do water conservation series.

The environment sucks and causes cancer. True? False? What can we do? Let's find out on this episode of The Stupid Cancer Show with experts Lindsay Dahl (Deputy Director, Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families), Sarada Tangirala (Grassroots Coordinator, Campaign for Safe Cosmetics) and Nancy Buermeyer (Senior Policy Strategist, Breast Cancer Fund). Special guest Lori Thompson in the survivor spotlight.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The environment sucks and causes cancer. True? False? What can we do? Let's find out on this episode of The Stupid Cancer Show with experts Lindsay Dahl (Deputy Director, Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families), Sarada Tangirala (Grassroots Coordinator, Campaign for Safe Cosmetics) and Nancy Buermeyer (Senior Policy Strategist, Breast Cancer Fund). Special guest Lori Thompson in the survivor spotlight. 

Special Guest : Anne Brock, Blogger for FlourSackMama.com and Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families We invite Anne Brock, blogger for Flour Sack Mama and Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families, to discuss the importance of taking steps to avoid toxins in our homes and communities. Anne, a professional blogger, maintains a website that is rich in practical information and inspiration. Her down to earth philosophy is captured in her motto, Carry on Grandma's best traditions; improving on what we know better. Anne challenges us with these questions: "What if we could all breathe clean air, drink safe water and eat healthy food without spending a fortune on it? When will we get serious about preventing cancer and other terrible diseases, even if it means taking an honest look at everything in our environment? Why not spend a moment each day thinking of someone who might follow decades later in our footsteps or of anything bigger than ourselves?" Join us this Saturday 8:00 to 9:00 am to hear our discussion about simple living, ways to start protecting your family from toxic chemicals in everyday products, and what's happening with the Safe Chemicals Act.