PROTECTING ACCESS TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION

RTKnet: Labels

TAKE ACTION: Tell Congress to Label Genetically Modified Foods! (Grassroots Network)

The Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act (HR 5577) calls for the labeling of genetically engineered food, which may negatively impact health. Potential risks of consuming genetically engineered food include birth defects, sterility, and "horizontal gene transfer," among other adverse effects. Contact your representative here, and defend your right to know!

(22 Jul 2010)

How Safe Are Your Cosmetics? New Bill Wants to Find Out (AOL News)

If passed, the newly introduced Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010 will be the first piece of legislation to give the FDA authority to regulate chemical use in toiletries, including required labelling of all ingredients, which is "even more crucial now as many manufacturers are using nano-sized chemicals such as titanium dioxide in their cosmetic and health products." Currently, industry claims ingredients to be confidential business information, so "it's only the public that's kept in the dark."

(21 Jul 2010)

San Francisco Cell Phone Users Gain Right-to-Know (Environmental Working Group)

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted to require retailers to post cell phone radiation emissions. EWG has a database so that users can find out how much radiation their phone transmits to the body, or their phone's Specific Absorption Rate (SAR).  EWG asserts, "consumers at least have a right to know their phone's SAR when making purchasing decisions."

(17 Jun 2010)

Fragrance Companies Withhold Chemical Information (CNN)

"Perfumes commonly list 'fragrance' as an ingredient, rather than naming the specific chemicals involved, withholding information that could cause allergic reactions and other health effects, a report released Wednesday asserts."

(13 May 2010)

TAKE ACTION - Support Food Labeling of GMOs (Food Democracy Now)

Stand up for your right to know what's in your food and stop a sneak attack on GMO labeling. Please sign this letter to FDA and USDA.

(27 Apr 2010)

EPA, DOE Attempt to Fix Energy Star Shortcomings (Environmental Leader)

"With recent reports of lax standards resulting in granting Energy Star labels to dubious products, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy are accelerating steps to bolster verification, testing and enforcement of the program." 

(15 Apr 2010)

GAO Faults Energy Star Label (GAO)

The Government Accountability Office (GAO), after a covert investigation of the EPA and Energy Department's Energy Star product labeling program, found that Energy Star is for the most part a self-certification program vulnerable to fraud and abuse, primarily because Energy Star does not verify energy-savings data reported by manufacturers.

(26 Mar 2010)

Most Personal-Care Products are Toxic (Durango Herald)

According to the Durango Herald, "Most toothpaste, skin lotions, sunscreens, shampoos, conditioners, soaps and cosmetics contain toxic substances you do not want in your body. All of these products also end up in our waterways to affect us a second time when we use the water." More product information is available at the Cosmetic Safety Database.

(10 Mar 2010)

More Time to Comment on Disclosure of Pesticide Ingredients (U.S. EPA)

In response to industry requests, the EPA has extended the public comment period on its proposal to require disclosure of pesticide ingredients, including so-called inert ingredients, until April 23, 2010. "Inert" ingredients can be extremely dangerous but are usually not dislosed on pesticide labels. Submit your comments here.

(25 Feb 2010)

Chemical Secrecy Keeps BPA in Food (Environmental Working Group)

Even makers of canned foods can’t necessarily find out if certain chemicals, including BPA, are in the liners of the cans they sell to millions of people every day.

(24 Feb 2010)