Consumers Demanding Transparent Labeling, Toxics Regulation

Simple questions to ask when it comes to reducing toxics in your environment
By: Wellington Media
 
April 6, 2009 - PRLog -- One of the newest health trends is consumers demanding transparent labeling and government regulation to curtail toxics and pollution at the manufacturer level.  While U.S. federal laws do not currently regulate the vast majority of products sold, the public is becoming more aware of how ingredients, materials, and pollution affect their overall health – call it environmental health.  

“Toxics are currently found in nearly all consumer products – from food, electronics, household cleaners, clothes, water supplies, to personal care products.  And the vast majority of consumers have been oblivious to not only the harmful components or ingredients in these products but also even more unaware of polluting manufacturers that further contaminant our environment and surrounding habitats,” says Terra Wellington, actress, author, and blogger at momsandtheplanet.com.  

In the news has been Democratic Sen. Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey who has been actively involved in reinstating stronger requirements on the reporting of toxics released by manufacturers; he has also stated in the Wall Street Journal on April 2, 2009 that he intends to introduce a bill that would require businesses to provide the EPA with evidence that products would meet safety standards.

Wellington encourages consumers to educate themselves on what are the toxic chemicals they should stay away from and then seek out products that are non-toxic.  She also notes they also need to do a bit of research on the companies that supply them with the products they buy to determine how committed they are to non-polluting manufacturing processes.  

Here are some tips from Wellington – more information can be found in her book of The Mom’s Guide to Growing Your Family Green: Saving the Earth Begins at Home (St. Martin’s Press):

* Are all the ingredients or materials listed on the package? – For household and personal care products it is best if a material safety data sheet is also available online

* Is the product truly 100 percent biodegradable or recyclable at the end of its life?  -- If you can answer yes to one of these then the chance of toxics is probably reduced.  

* Does the product contain organic certification?  -- Choose organic whenever possible because any product that is certified organic will be better for the planet, its soil, its water, and you ... and will likely be non-toxic

* Do you know what is inside of the electronics you play with? -- Greenpeace.org has a yearly green guide that keeps track of which electronics manufacturers are doing better at reducing toxics in their products

* Where can you find the latest water test information for your city?  -- Your municipality needs to regularly publish results from drinkable water tests, including tests for pharmaceuticals in the water, and make goals to reduce contaminants

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Wellington Media is a Los Angeles-based media company. Terra Wellington is an actress and TV contributor and has most recently written for Family.com.
End
Source:Wellington Media
Email:***@terrawellington.com
Tags:Environment, MOMS, Health, Toxics, Family, Chemicals, Water, Electronics, Green, Parents, Biodegradable, Organic
Industry:Health, Environment
Location:Los Angeles - California - United States
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Page Updated Last on: Apr 06, 2009
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