Three Victories For Vermont In Two Weeks

Over the last two weeks we’ve seen some huge victories for the people of Vermont. First, the Senate passed a bill that would cut the cost of Mammograms in the state to a flat rate of $25 per person. This is huge. Why? Because in breast cancer, like any cancer, early detection is the key to a quick and healthy recovery.

Second, the House and Senate have now both passed S.209. Some of you may remember this bill as H.520, the Comprehensive Global Warming and Energy Effeciency bill that we all worked so hard to pass last year. The one main difference: There is no tax on Vermont Yankee. We’ll still see great things for renewable energy and for energy efficiency out of the bill. On this one specifically I want to thank you all for your hard work. It’s been a tumultuous year but in the end, we won.

Finally, the House. has passed a bill that would tighten regulations on lead used in housing. This bill specifically focuses on tenant housing like apartments. As many of you know Vermont has some of the oldest housing stock in the nation and while that makes for some beautiful homes, it also means there is quite a bit of lead out there. If passed by the Senate this bill will go a long way to help reducing the amount of that dangerous toxin in our homes.

None of these battles could have been won without you. Thank you for all you do.

Sean

Lead Bill In Dangerous Position In House

A bill that would protect children from lead in housing is currently before the House Human Services Committee and may be voted on as soon as tomorrow. While H.352 is a much needed next step, opposition from landlords may be leaving legislators in doubt. It is critical that an outspoken few not prevent us from protecting children from the dangers of lead.

Approximately 3,000 children in Vermont have dangerous levels of lead in their blood. Elevated blood lead levels can result in a variety of health problems and can damage the future development of children. As Vermont has some of the oldest housing stock in the nation, lead-based paint in housing is the primary source of lead poisoning in Vermont.

Our current law does not do enough to address this issue. We need a multi-pronged approach that is both practical and protective of our most vulnerable population. H.352 takes that approach by:

1) Further safeguarding the health of children in rental housing;
2) Expanding protections to children in owner-occupied housing as well as rental housing and;
3) Ensuring that all 1 and 2 year olds are screened for elevated blood lead levels.

Vermont is faced with a public health problem that we all must play a role in resolving. This means that landlords, homeowners, parents, the medical community, and the State of Vermont must all do our part to ensure that our children are safe and healthy.

You can let the members of the committee know that this bill is important to the children of Vermont by going here:
http://capwiz.com/vpirg/issues/alert/?alertid=10904081&type=CU

~Chairty

Holiday Help For Safe Toys

As the holiday shopping season is now upon us, parents are hitting the stores to find the perfect gifts for their young ones this winter. But before you whip out those wallets, there are some tips for toy safety that should be considered.

1) Choking is the most common cause of toy-related deaths. Parents and caregivers should avoid buying small toys or toys with small parts for children under 3 years old. If you have doubts about what “small” means, use the toilet paper roll test. If a toy fits into a cardboard toilet paper roll, than it can probably get lodged into your child’s throat.

2)Keep magnetic toys away from children under 6 years old. These magnets are not weak refrigerator magnets. These are powerful magnets that, if swallowed, can attract to each other in the body and can cause life-threatening complications. If your child swallows even one magnet, you should seek medical attention immediately.

3)Be cautious of potentially toxic toys. The recent recall of millions of lead-tainted toys has made the need for caution evident. If you’re worried that your child’s toy may contain lead, home lead test kits are available at hardware stores. It is your responsibility as the parent to make sure every toy that your child owns is safe. If you think a toy is dangerous throw it out! If you hear about a similar product to something you own being recalled get rid of the toy. Your child’s health is simply more important. You can find about recalled toys at www.cpsc.gov

4)Report dangerous toys to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. If you think a toy is hazardous, contact the CPSC and file a report. You can contact them at 1-800-638-2772 or at info@cpsc.gov.


To view our entire list of toy safety tips go to our Trouble in Toyland report or to our brochure on toy safety.

Have a safe and happy holiday!

Product Recalls and a Warm Welcome

(Quick note from the editor: Say hello to our newest member Charity Carbine! This is her first blog post, of which I’m sure there will be many many more. Welcome to the team Charity!)

As my niece’s birthday quickly approaches, I will soon be trolling the aisles of the local toy store in search of the perfect present. My guidelines for this annual purchase are simple: will this gift establish my dominance as the best aunt ever and will it poke her eye out. If the respective answers are yes and no, the item is a keeper.

Unfortunately, given the recent and massive recalls of toys tainted with lead paint, my purchasing philosophy must now be drastically altered. In the latest recall of Chinese-manufactured goods, toy giant Mattel found that 1.5 million of its products – including those modeled after popular children’s characters Big Bird, Elmo, and Dora the Explorer – contained lead paint. Not the first of its kind, this oversight calls into question the effectiveness of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), showcasing its lack of resources and inconsistent rules on lead. The incident also crystallizes the necessity for more stringent protections at both the national and state levels.

In this day and age, caring for children is complicated enough. We worry about them crossing the street, playing at the park, and talking to strangers. We shouldn’t have to worry that the toys we buy them are poisonous.

To find out which toys have been recalled go here; to learn more about VPIRG’s environmental health program go here. You can also check out the 8 steps we can take to make our children’s products safer here!

Charity Carbine
Environmental Health Advocate

Mercury – What a Difference a Week Makes:

Hey Folks – Some major developments in mercury. First the original bill was split in half – dental mercury-amalgam is still H 121. But the thermostat portion of the bill has become a separate committee bill – and will get its own number soon. Second– We had to make some compromises on H 121, but we hope to strengthen the bill again in another committee.

So, where do we stand? H 121 was unanimously approved by the House Fish, Wildlife and Water Resources Committee – the committee members worked hard and heard a lot of testimony – please thank them when you have a chance. The compromise - H 121 now requires dentists to have patients sign a consent form before receiving each procedure involving dental mercury-amalgam. It no longer contains the “outright” ban on dental mercury-amalgam BUT - see what you think about the informed consent, which reads as follows: "Dental amalgam contains approximately 50% mercury, a highly toxic element with potential human risks. Such product should not be administered to a child under 6 years of age or younger, pregnant women, or lactating women.”

Wow! This is powerful language and a great first step. Even a lobbyist for the Vermont Dental Society stated in the paper today that the wording implied a ban. Interesting enough, the E.D. for the Dental Society said dentists are worried that the wording might “scare them [patients] away from using amalgam.”

You think? We wonder, why dentists are afraid to let their patients have fully informed consent. Could it be that patients might realize that mercury placed in their mouths will get into their blood stream? Could it be that patients might be upset that they were never told before that their amalgam dental fillings contained mercury? The American Dental Association states, on an obscure section of their website, that mercury vapor may be released from chewing and grinding your teeth. And the U.S. FDA (Food and Drug Administration) states on their website: “When amalgam fillings are placed in teeth or removed from teeth, they release mercury vapor. Mercury vapor is also released during chewing.”

Hmmm, yes, this might dissuade someone from using mercury-amalgam fillings.

So, next steps. The bill is now likely to go to the House Human Services Committee. The other bill, on thermostat recycling, was also approved by the committee and provides for a $5 cash incentive for contractors that bring in old thermostats that contain mercury. Since current rates of recycling old thermostats are very low, we anticipate that this new change will dramatically raise the rates of recycling, thus preventing more mercury from ending up in landfills which becomes mercury released into our environment. More updates soon. Hey – have fun at your Town Meeting Next Week!

Lead:
Quick note - the ban on lead in consumer products bill, S. 152, was just introduced yesterday by Senator Lyons. Here’s the link for the bill.
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/legdoc.cfm?URL=/docs/2008/bills/intro/S-152.HTM
When it lands in a committee, we’ll let you know more.

Report From the Desk of Your Health Advocate: Jakki Flanagan

Environmental Health News: Update on Lead

Exciting update on lead – the latest is the new report from the Lead Task Force, Get the Lead Out of Vermont. This report is the result of extensive research conducted over the past year by various subcommittees of the Task Force. VPIRG was a member of the subcommittee that examined lead in consumer products. The Task Force was convened by the Attorney General and the Commissioner on Health.

Based on the task force's research, Vermont will now lead the nation by setting a significantly lower level of lead in the body to be considered lead poisoning. The previous standard was 10µg/dL (known as 10 micrograms per decileter) the new standard is now 5 µg/dL. What this means is that more children in Vermont will be identified as having levels of lead in their blood that are too high, and thus they will be referred for services.

Currently, even low levels of lead poisoning are known to cause behavioral disorders, lowered IQ, learning disabilities, hyperactivity, aggressive behavior, speech delay and hearing impairment, while high levels can cause severe mental disabilities, convulsions, coma or even death. The information from this report could help thousands of children in Vermont.

Dr. Lanphear, a national expert and leader on research investigating the affects of neurotoxins on children’s health, with a special emphasis on lead, spoke at the press conference in which the new report was released. Afterwards he made a presentation to Senate and House committees, in which he highlighted the fact that children - and adults - are adversely affected by lead in the body at levels which are much lower than was previously considered serious.

Dr. Lanphear also said he was very excited about the actions Vermont is taking on lead and that this new report, in particular the consumer products section, was the most comprehensive in the country.

VPIRG is currently working on legislation to phase-out or ban lead in a variety of children’s and consumer products. Get involved in these efforts by taking action with us today!