Toxic-Free Future
KEF & REACT
2010 Forecastle Music, Arts and Activism Festival
Waterfront Park July 9
in Louisville
KEF & REACT, members of the national coalition Safer Chemicals/Healthy Families, presented information on the desperate need to reform the Toxic Substances Control Act. They encouraged folks to sign postcards addressed to federal legislators urging them to help pass effective reform legislation.
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Additionally KEF gave a "Clean & Healthy Homes" demonstration.
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At left, KEF toxics & health intern Martina Jackson begins her demonstration of how to make a non-toxic window cleaner. Below, an audience participant admires the effectiveness of the non-toxic window spray she just used.  |
And REACT explained how air can be monitored
| Charles Pope and Eboni Cochran, of REACT (Rubbertown Emergency Action), both live in a Louisville community adjacent to a cluster of chemical plants called Rubbertown. At right, Charles, with Eboni's assistance, demonstrates how REACT uses a simple five-gallon bucket device to collect air samples, which are then sent to a lab to be analyzed for types and amounts of chemicals present. |
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The Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families coalition has released their animated video, "Toxic Chemical Lobby: Exclusive Leaked Footage."
Click here to access the video and learn how to take action.
The characters you meet in the video are cartoons, but the plot is ripped straight from the headlines. We need Congress to act now, to make sure the products we reach for, sleep on, and eat from every day aren’t loaded with toxic chemicals. You can help Congress stay strong in the face of chemical industry pushback but only if you speak out.
Rally for Environmental Justice
& TSCA Reform
Photo submitted by Eboni Cochran, of REACT (Rubbertown Emergency Action).
Sunday, June 20, KY residents calling for Environmental Justice and reform of the Toxic Substance Control Act in order to better protect the public and our environment from untested and unsafe toxic chemicals, gathered for a rally in Louisville.
Lack of Information about Dispersants Due to Failed Chemicals Policy
KEF Part of Safer Chemicals/Healthy Families Coalition Calling
on Congress to Address Dispersants in TSCA Overhaul
“We are rolling the dice with the health of workers & marine life in the Gulf by using dispersants we know very little about,” --Andy Igrejas, Director, Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families Coalition.
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05.18.10 Press Release Everyday Exposure to Dangerous Levels of Toxic Chemical Unavoidable for U.S. Families New Study Finds Foods Contaminated with Chemical Linked to Chronic Diseases on the Rise Sen. Feinstein, others demand BPA ban in Food Safety Bill |
 Martina Jackson-Haynes, of Berea, participated in the Bisphenol-A study. The green peas in one of the two cans she contributed were found to have the second highest level of the toxic hormone-disrupting chemical BPA of all the canned goods tested in the study. |
Quote from May 18th DC Press Conference:
"I don't know why the green peas Martina purchased from our local Wal-Mart registered the 2nd highest level of BPA of the canned foods tested, but I do know it's time to take action to stop BPA exposure now. I'm angry and frustrated that you can look at a can of food and not have a clue as to what toxics are inside. But I refuse to be paralyzed by the unknown. I know solutions can be found if there is the political will to find them."
--Elizabeth Crowe, KEF Ex. Director.
04.19.10 Press Release
Landmark Chemical Legislation Introduced
to Protect the Health of American Families
KEF joins in Support of the Bill,
But Seeks Improvements Before Enactment
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04.07.10 Press Release: Letter to Rep. Bobby Rush |
Report released by
"The Health Case for Reforming the
Toxic Substances Control Act"
01.21.10 Press Release
"New report demonstrates reductions in toxic chemical exposure would make Americans healthier, wealthier"
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Ashley and her mom are both cancer survivors. Ashley is concerned for the future health of her daughter. "It's my strong hope that someday all our children will know that the chemicals around them have been tested and proven to be safe for their health." |
KY Moms share their hopes |
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Did you know: Many household cleaners contain toxic chemicals linked to asthma & reproductive harm? But you can free your home from these unsafe chemicals! We’ll show you how. KEF presents |
Clean & Healthy Homes
A hands-on demonstration teaching YOU how to make
safe, inexpensive cleaning products.
Call us to schedule a demonstration for you and your friends
or for your church, social or civic group! 859-986-0868
- Each participant makes at least one household cleaner and
receives a packet of recipes for several more.
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A few participants in a "Clean & Healthy Homes" Workshop
held Jan. 20 Madison County Library -- Berea
Betsee Redden
Chanel Meadows 
Zac Danneman
Windows of Vulnerability: The Times in Our Life
When We Are Least Resistant to Toxic Exposures
 Click above to open brochure. |
KEF is ready to come to your To find out more information and schedule a presentation |
| Toxic Exposures and Our Health |  |
| Hazardous substances are everywhere—in our food and water, in household and health products we use each day, in our electronics and fabrics, and even in children’s toys and baby bottles. There are now 80,000 chemicals registered for commercial use—a 30% increase over 1979. According to recent testing, most Americans contain a chemical soup. | |
THE IMPACT of our exposure to an ever-increasing |
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And now science is showing that the timing of our toxic exposure has |
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What can we do to help turn this toxic tide in KY? |
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All across the country, people are working for change.
- Several state and local governments have already taken actions like banning bisphenol-A, phthalates and lead. Go to http://saferstates.org/ to find out what’s going on where.
- Groups are working together to push the US Congress to reform industry and regulatory processes;
- Retailers are getting the message: toxic products are not acceptable; safer substitutes are needed.
Here are some opportunities for you to take action in Kentucky.
KEF wants you to get involved!
- Endorse the Louisville Charter: A Platform for Chemical Reform. The Charter, named to honor the struggles of Louisville’s Rubbertown community, lays out the necessary steps for comprehensive chemical industry reform. (See below).
- Schedule a presentation on toxics and health for your organization, your religious or community group. KEF will use video and hands-on materials to inform folks on the problems of toxic exposures and involve you in the movement for change. Call us 859-986-0868. Ask for Lois or Elizabeth.
- Donate funds to keep the good work going. Your contribution to KEF will help us continue this critical work.
The Louisville Charter for Safer Chemicals
A Platform for Creating a Safe and Healthy Environment
through Innovation
Fundamental reform to current chemical laws is necessary to protect children, workers, communities, and the environment. We must shift market and government actions to protect health and the natural systems that support us. As a priority, we must act to phase out the most dangerous chemicals, develop safer alternatives, protect high-risk communities, and ensure that those responsible for creating hazardous chemicals bear the full costs of correcting damages to our health and the environment.
By designing new, safer chemicals, products, and production systems we will protect people’s health and create healthy, sustainable jobs. Some leading companies are already on this path. They are creating safe products and new jobs by using clean, innovative technologies. But transforming entire markets will require policy change. A first step to creating a safe and healthy global environment is a major reform of our nation’s chemicals policy. Any reform must:
Require Safer Substitutes and Solutions
Seek to eliminate the use and emissions of hazardous chemicals by altering production processes, substituting safer chemicals, redesigning products and systems, rewarding innovation and re-examining product function. Safer substitution includes an obligation on the part of the public and private sectors to invest in research and development of sustainable chemicals, products, materials and processes.Phase Out Persistent, Bioaccumulative, or Highly Toxic Chemicals
Prioritize for elimination chemicals that are slow to degrade, accumulate in our bodies or living organisms, or are highly hazardous to humans or the environment. Ensure that chemicals eliminated in the United States are not exported to other countries.Give the Public and Workers the Full Right-to-Know and Participate
Provide meaningful involvement for the public and workers in decisions on chemicals. Disclose chemicals and materials, list quantities of chemicals produced, used, released, and exported, and provide public/worker access to chemical hazard, use and exposure information.Act on Early Warnings
Act with foresight. Prevent harm from new or existing chemicals when credible evidence of harm exists, even when some uncertainty remains regarding the exact nature and magnitude of the harm.Require Comprehensive Safety Data for All Chemicals
For a chemical to remain on or be placed on the market manufacturers must provide publicly available safety information about that chemical. The information must be sufficient to permit a reasonable evaluation of the safety of the chemical for human health and the environment, including hazard, use and exposure information. This is the principle of “No Data, No Market.”Take Immediate Action to Protect Communities and Workers
When communities and workers are exposed to levels of chemicals that pose a health hazard, immediate action is necessary to eliminate these exposures. We must ensure that no population is disproportionately burdened by chemicals.
Dates must be set for implementing each of these reforms. Together these changes are a first step towards reforming a 30-year old chemical management system that fails to protect public health and the environment. By implementing the Louisville Charter and committing to the innovation of safer chemicals and processes, governments and corporations will be leading the way toward a healthier economy and a healthier society.
KEF's Issues
- Safe Chemical Weapons Disposal
- Clean Air, Clean Energy
- Toxic-Free Future
- Environmentally SustainableNeighbors/Depot
Healthcare in Bhopal
25 years after the worst
industrial disaster in history
September 2009 report "Endocrine-disrupting Chemicals" from the Learning and Developmental Disabilities Initiative of
Revealing the hidden consequences of
America’s love affair with its stuff.
NEW: "The Story of Cosmetics"
Check out this new safe shopping site:
Click above
A
16-minute video available free to help inform you & your community
about the hidden risks from chemical contaminants in our homes,
workplaces, the products we buy, and even our bodies
A Platform for Reform of the Toxic
Substances Control Act
News
Washington Post
08/02/10 "U.S. regulators lack data on health risks of most chemicals"
07/27/10 "Disputed chemical bisphenol-A found in paper receipts"
WPSD Paducah
05/18/10 "Toxic chemical found in canned foods"
WebMD
05/18/10 "Canned Food May Expose People to BPA"
USA Today
05/18/10 "Report: BPA makes canned food risky for pregnant women"
U.S. News & World Report
05/18/10 "BPA in Cans Poses Health Threat, Report Claims"
CNN Blogs
05/18/10 "BPA present in most canned foods, groups allege"
Green Wire
05/14/10 "W.H. cancer report spurs debate over impacts of chemicals, pollution"
Environment & Energy Daily
05/14/10 "Consumer, public health groups want all chemicals to undergo safety check"
04/16/10 "Lawmakers seek to move quickly on new toxics bill, but challenges remain
Environmental Defense Fund
04/15/10 Blog "Not just kids' play anymore: TSCA reform gets serious"
Greenwire
04/15/10 "Lautenberg introduces toxics reform bill, saying current regulation 'is broken'"
04/13/10 "U.S. EPA study fuels controversy, questions harm of BPA"
03/30/10 "Consumer coalition outlines goals for reforming toxics law"
Richmond Register
01/25/10 "KEF joins toxic law reform"
E&E Daily
12/04/09 "Legislation calls for endocrine disruptor research program"
12/03/09 "Toxics law revision should address emerging science, uncertainty, admin officials say"
12/01/09 "EPA chief to discuss toxics regs with Senate panel"
Greenwire
12/02/09 "Study finds large number of chemicals in minority newborns"
11/30/09 "FDA delays ruling on plastics additive"
11/17/09 "Health group finds high lead levels in toys"
E&E News PM
11/18/09 "EPA has 'sole authority' on endocrine testing -- OMB"
11/06/09 "House passes facility security bill 230-193"
Environmental Justice Resource Center
10/27/09 "Poisoned Communities Tell EPA to Address Legacy of Unequal Protection"
Richmond Register
10/78/09 "Berea group explores chemical impacts on women's health"
USA Today
09/17/09 "Lead, arsenic found in products from handbags to car seats"
E&E News PM
09/10/09 "Chemicals: CDC gives $5M for state biomonitoring programs"
Greenwire
08/04/09 "Chemicals: Mass. issues health advisory for BPA"
08/04/09 "Pesticides: EPA is asked to halt imports of food containing banned chemicals"
Associated Press
07/20/09 "Kids' lower IQ scores linked to prenatal pollution"
Greenwire
07/13/09 "Chemicals: Concentrations in mothers' milk don't decrease over time--study"
Richmond Register
03/18/09 "KEF: Purchase not favorable"
KEF Report
"Key Environmental and Public Health Issues Associated with the Purchase of the Parker-Hannifin Property by the City of Berea"
presented to the Berea City Council March 12
More Information
The Collaborative on Health and the Environment: a diverse network of more than 3000 individual and organizational Partners in 45 countries and 48 states, working collectively to advance knowledge and effective action to address growing concerns about the links between human health and environmental factors.
Environmental Working Group: This
EWG site provides a wealth of information on research and facts about
various health/toxic issues including children’s health, chemical
indexes, food and farming, and natural resources.
National Black Environmental Justice Network:
NBEJN
is a network of organizations and individuals that addresses critical
environmental and economic justice and health issues affecting African
Americans and persons of African descent around the world.
Is It In Us?: Is It In Us? is a project and report about chemical contamination in our bodies. Learn more about toxic trespass, regulatory failure & opportunities for action here.
Scorecard: The Pollution Information Site: This database provides an in-depth pollution report for your county, covering air, water, chemicals and more.
The Bisphenol-A Free Portal:
For all the facts on this hormone-disrupting chemical that appears in
everyday products and is considered to be harmful to human health and
the environment, be sure to visit this site.
Take Action
Center for Environmental Health and Justice: The Center for Health, Environment and Justice works to build healthy communities, with social justice, economic well-being, and democratic governance. One of their campaigns, such as “PVC, the Poison Plastic” or “Child Proofing Our Communities” may awaken the activist in you.
Making Our Milk Safe (MOMS): MOMS is working to build a massive movement of mothers and others to speak out against the presence of toxins in our environment, our bodies, and breast milk. Check out the toxic issues that are making news.
Healthy Child Healthy World: Inspiring parents to protect young children against harmful chemicals, Healthy Child Healthy World has published a book with simple steps to create a safe, clean, green home for your family. Take a look.
Women’s Voices for the Earth (WVE): WVE is a national organization that engages women to advocate for the right to live in a healthy environment. Their campaigns include “Safe Cleaning Products Initiative” and “Mercury and Public Health”
Skin Deep: Skin Deep is a safety guide to cosmetics and personal care products brought to you by researchers at the Environmental Working Group. Check the hazard rating for a wide range of personal products on their database.
Pure Prevention: A campaign from the Breast Cancer Fund and LUNA Bar to raise awareness about the environmental causes of breast cancer and empower us to live actively, healthy and well. This resource offers a list of clean living links.
The Soft Landing: You can shop here for a broad spectrum of safe baby products that are free of BPA, PVC & Phthalates.