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Contact: Coming Clean, (802) 251-0203, info@comingcleaninc.org

AUGUST 22, 2013

Toxic Worries? SafeMarkets.org Helps Find Safer Products

New website contains info on toxic  chemicals in products; testing results

New York -- Information gathered by advocates investigating toxic chemicals in food, baby products, toys, furniture, construction materials and other consumer goods was unveiled on a brand new website today to help shoppers,  including families, builders, and others, learn how to identify potentially harmful products and find safer ones. SafeMarkets.org reflects the work of many organizations that are working to remove toxic chemicals from the marketplace and promote an economy based on safe, sustainable products.

“People assume that if a product is on store shelves, that it is safe, and unfortunately that couldn’t be further from the truth. While we wait for urgent reform of our nation’s chemicals regulations, it has fallen on moms and dads to become educated on how to protect themselves and their families from toxic chemicals in our homes, schools and hospitals,” explains Mike Schade, work group leader for the National Work Group for Safe Markets and markets campaign coordinator with Center for Health, Environment and Justice (CHEJ). “We have been sounding the alarm on toxic chemicals in back to school products for several years now, particularly lunchboxes, backpacks and other items made from vinyl-- a type of plastic with many hazardous ingredients including  phthalates which are linked to asthma and reproductive harm. Parents shopping for their children’s supplies can find links to CHEJ’s 2013 safer school supplies guide on Safemarkets.org”

“This new website is a one-stop shop to provide information for consumers, retailers and manufacturers that are demanding safer products,” adds Beverley Thorpe, also a WSM co-leader and consulting co-director for  for Clean Production Action (CPA). “Here at CPA, we’ve  developed  the ‘GreenScreen for Safer Chemicals’ that helps manufacturers and retailers figure out how to choose safer chemicals  for their products. This and our BizNGO Guide to Safer Chemicals helps companies adopt safer chemicals.   This new site will help companies find these resources and more.

"With toxic flame retardant chemicals in so many things, including upholstered furniture, many baby products, and so many other common household items, even some brands of soda, it's hard to get through the day without being exposed to them. These chemicals have been linked to neurological problems, infertility, endocrine disruption, even cancer. That's why it's crucial for consumers to educate themselves before they buy. This new site really has what we know all in one place." says Kathy Curtis, National Coordinator of the Alliance for Toxic Free Fire Safety.

“People of color are disproportionately impacted by toxic chemicals," explains Michele Roberts with the Environmental Health and Justice Alliance. "So it is particularly important for us to have access to information about toxics in products marketed to us. SafeMarkets.org is a good start for gaining information on many products in our homes. We look forward to information on personal care products marketed to ethnic markets to be included here in the future."

Jamie McConnell, director of programs and policy for Women’s Voices for the Earth and member of  Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. comments: “We’ve tested household products and found carcinogens and other harmful ingredients in cleansers, detergent, room fresheners and other everyday items used in many homes. SafeMarkets.org is helping to promote our reports and information and make them more accessible to consumers and businesses.”

Mia Davis, VP of Health & Safety at Beautycounter, who is expecting her first child, says "It is about time we have a one stop web page that helps parents find safer products for their families. More than ever, people understand how important it is to shop with companies they trust and to support businesses working to create truly safe products."

“This website is a great resource that helps consumers connect the dots between the choices they make every day to use healthier consumer products, and the choices they have when making big budget decisions about how to  build or renovate a healthy home," according to Bill Walsh, founder and executive director of the Healthy Building Network (HBN).  The new SafeMarkets site features a link to the Pharos Project, HBN's database for finding less toxic products used in building materials.”

By working to eliminate toxic chemicals in products we are helping to eliminate toxic chemicals in communities near and far.  Hazardous chemicals in consumer products begin in factories where workers and surrounding communities suffer ongoing exposure to toxic emissions from manufacturing and eventual disposal of these products.

More info: 

See SafeMarkets.org

The Workgroup for Safe Markets is a US-based collaborative of groups united by a common concern about hazardous chemicals in our homes, our bodies and our environment, and a common vision of a cleaner, healthier economy, working together through the Coming Clean Collaborative.

Available for Interviews

For media assistance:  Stephenie Hendricks 415 258-9151 stephdh@earthlink.net or Stacy Malkan, 510 848-5701, stacydmalkan@gmail.com.

Mike Schade, Mind the Store Campaign Director for Safer Chemicals Healthy, Families, mikeschade@saferchemicals.org

Beverley Thorpe, 416 358 5941, Bev@cleanproduction.org, Workgroup for Safe Markets co-leader and consulting co-director for  Clean Production Action (CPA).

Kathy Curtis, LPN, National Coordinator of Alliance for Toxic Free Fire Safety, clean.kathy@gmail.com, 518.708.3922. Ms. Curtis can address issue of flame retardants in furniture, baby products and other items.

Jamie McConnell, 406 543-3747,  jamies@womensvoices.org, director of programs and policy for Women’s Voices  for the Earth (WVE)m and member of Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.

Mia Davis, Vice President, Health & Safety, Beautycounter , mia@beautycounter.com, 617 942-8410 Mobile. 617 777-4792 Mia can address the market shift toward "greener" and "safer" skincare and cosmetics- the fastest growing segment of the $60 billion industry.

Bill Walsh, Executive Director, Healthy Building Network, bill@healthybuilding.net. 877-974-2767, www.healthybuilding.net.



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