For General Media Assistance
Contact Coming Clean, (802) 251-0203, info@comingcleaninc.org.
Additional contacts are noted on individual news releases below.
2014
News Release, December 8, 2014
Local Families Deserve Toxic Free Toys This Holiday Season
(Albany, NY) Less than a month after a major report, Toxic Toys in Albany County,found dangerous chemicals in children's toys and products in Albany County, the County Legislature voted on legislation Local Law “J” to ban the sale of toys and products containing the most toxic chemicals. The law passed 35-4, enjoying broad bipartisan support. The bill now goes to the County Executive McCoy to be signed.
News Release, October 30, 2014
UN Experts: Pentachlorophenol should be eliminated globally
(Rome, Italy) A UN expert committee recommended the global elimination of pentachlorophenol – a pesticide used for wood treatment including utility poles. In its recommendation for the Stockholm Convention, the Committee cited pentachlorophenol’s persistence, bioaccumulation, long-range transport, and its toxic impacts. The Committee found wide availability of non-chemical alternatives that were much safer than pentachlorophenol. Governments around the world will decide on the recommendation in May 2015, but typically accept the recommendations of its expert committees.
News Release, August 28, 2014
Toxic Couch Chemicals — Right to Know Bill Passes State Legislature
(Sacramento) California became first in the nation this week to pass legislation that would require furniture labels to declare whether or not the product contains toxic flame retardant chemicals.
News Release, July 10, 2014
TTIP crosses the line on toxic chemicals for 111 NGOs
(Brussels/Washington DC) Analysis published today shows that government proposals for the chemical sector under a potential Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) agreement reflect those of the chemical industry, which would enable a Toxic Partnership on both sides of the Atlantic. The report coincides with a letter sent to negotiators today by over 111 organizations objecting to the inclusion of the chemicals sector in any of TTIP’s relevant chapters, including Regulatory Coherence and Investment.
News Release, June 6, 2014
(Washington, DC) The federal Interagency Working Group on Chemical Facility Safety and Security released its report to President Obama, which includes recommendations for actions to prevent chemical disasters like the April 2013 explosion in West, Texas that leveled an entire neighborhood. The recommendations from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) were finalized following an extensive stakeholder process including public Listening Sessions around the country.
News Release, May 1, 2014
(Washington, DC) A new report uses data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Census to demonstrate an association between lower average housing values, incomes, and education levels, and greater Black, Latino, and low-income populations living within chemical disaster “vulnerability zones” of 3,433 industrial facilities across the U.S.
News Release, March 11, 2014
(Washington, DC) The Environment and Economy Subcommittee of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee is having a hearing tomorrow (3/12/14) at 10:00 am in Room 2322 of the Rayburn House Office Building to discuss a draft bill, called “The Chemicals in Commerce Act,” that would weaken regulations on toxic chemicals.
News Release, March 3, 2014
New Republican House Bill “Chemicals in Commerce Act” (CICA) Promotes Environmental Racism
(Washington, DC) A new bill introduced by House Republican John Shimkus (R-Illinois) with the House Energy and Commerce Committee on Thursday, called “The Chemicals in Commerce Act,” would insure that regulations on toxic chemicals continue to disproportionately harm people of color.
News Release, February 28, 2014
State Experts Warn: Proposed “Chemicals in Commerce Act” Would Wipe Out Public Health Progress
According to state advocates, chemical industry interests are reaching deep into their well-documented bag of tricks with the draft “Chemicals In Commerce Act” released by Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL) this week. State experts see the draft as a vehicle for more secrets, more safety data loopholes, and faster introduction of untested chemicals—all disguised as “reform” of a badly outdated 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act.
News Release, February 27, 2014
Chemical Disaster in New Jersey? President Obama Executive Order “Listening Sessions”
(Newark, NJ) Hidden toxic chemicals that are manufactured, stored, and transported throughout New Jersey are the focus of the “Listening Sessions” in Newark, as directed by President Obama’s Executive Order 13650 - Improving Chemical Safety and Security. “Listening Sessions” are being held at various locations across the country. A chemical disaster in the New Jersey-New York area could kill or injure thousands of people within minutes according the US Naval Research Laboratory.
News Release, February 17, 2014
Chemical Disaster in Baton Rouge? President Obama Executive Order “Listening Sessions”
(New Orleans, LA) Hidden toxic chemicals that are manufactured, stored, and transported throughout Louisiana are the focus of the “Listening Session” in Baton Rouge, as directed by an Executive Order (EO) from President Obama called Executive Order 13650 - Improving Chemical Safety and Security. “Listening Sessions” are being held at various locations across the country.
News Release, February 11, 2014
Toxic Threats to People of Color; Gathering of Environmental Justice leaders in Denver
(Denver, CO) Juan Parras, executive director of the Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Services (t.e.j.a.s.) in Houston, TX, is on the front line of a chemical disaster wiping out the entire Manchester community in Houston. Hundreds of chemical storage facilities in Houston are located in low-income communities and communities of color. Parras explains, “Today is the 20th Anniversary of Executive Order 12898, to address Environmental Justice in 'Minority' and Low Income Populations, issued by President Clinton. We came to Denver to celebrate our successes, but more importantly, we came because the work is far from done.”
News Release, January 28, 2014
At Least 33 States to Consider Toxics Policies in 2014
This year, at least 33 states—more than half the nation—will step up as defenders of public health. They will take the toxic bull by the horns and consider policies addressing the untested and toxic chemicals in everyday products.
News Release, January 21, 2014
Chemical Disaster in Houston? President Obama Executive Order “Listening Sessions”
(Houston, TX) Hidden toxic chemicals stored and transported throughout Texas are the focus of the “Listening Session” in Houston, as directed by an Executive Order (EO) from President Obama called Executive Order 13650 - Improving Chemical Safety and Security. “Listening Sessions” are being held at various locations across the country. The EO was created in response to the West, Texas explosion that killed 15 people in April, 2013. Since then, there have been a multitude of plant explosions and train derailments. On January 9th, a West Virginia chemical spill devastated the watershed of 9 counties leaving 300,000 people without drinking water. Just before Christmas, an explosion near Mossville, Louisiana sickened motorists driving by the plant, sending them to the hospital.
News Release, January 6, 2014
(Sacramento, CA) In the wake of the chemical disaster that killed 14 in West, Texas, President Obama issued an executive order on August 1st, 2013, requiring the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Labor to coordinate their activities to propose new policies that will significantly enhance the safety and security of thousands of chemical facilities across the U.S.