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Burning Questions: Furniture and Baby Supply Industries Hit With Prop. 65 Notices for Newly Banned Flame Retardant TDCPP

What started as an effort to make upholstered products safer for consumers has apparently backfired on the furniture and baby supply industries. In the past four months since Proposition 65 (Prop. 65) action has been allowed...more

California Environmental Law and Policy Update - April 8, 2013

In This Issue: Environmental and Policy Focus - EPA proposes rules to lower sulfur in fuel; Home Depot pays $8 million to settle California paint lawsuit; Center for Biological Diversity sues federal government over...more

CWP 4750 of 2013 [Hemant Goswami vs. Union of India]

PIL - Ban Identified Carcinogens

The Writ petition is about the unrestricted commercial availability of many substances which are labelled as Group 1 (Class A) or Group 2A/2B Carcinogens (Sure-shot Cancer causing agents) by the WHO IARC (International Agency...more

Proposition 65 Activity Heats Up On Flame Retardant

Tris (1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCPP) is a chemical used as a flame retardant by the furniture industry to meet flammability standards, including California’s TB 117. TDCPP is found in the polyurethane foam used in...more

Product Liability Advisory - November 2012: BPA Linked to Adverse Reproduction Effects in Rhesus Monkeys

A recent study published in the “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences” found that Bisphenol A (BPA) can adversely affect fetal development in rhesus monkeys. The study’s findings raise concerns regarding BPA...more

Compliance Update: REACH, Q4 2011

The latest enacted, amended, and revised REACH requirements; proposed REACH requirements; and REACH enforcement actions in Q4 2011. Includes proposed amendments and new restrictions on lead and mercury; recommendations on...more

Cleaning Up Misinformation About Cleaning Products

When it comes to the green revolution, you’re a conscientious soldier. You care about the effect consumer products have on your health and the health of the planet. You read labels. You understand that chemical use has...more

Dry Your Tears Over Baby Shampoo

Last week, Johnson & Johnson surrendered. After sustained pressure from consumer watchdog groups, the manufacturer has decided to eliminate from its baby products any preservatives that might release even trace amounts of...more

California Publishes New Draft of Informal Green Chemistry Regulations

Yesterday the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) convened a Green Ribbon Science Panel (GRSP) to continue work on the state's Green Chemistry initiative. Readers may recall from previous posts that...more

California Revamps Draft Green Chemistry Regulations for Safer Consumer Products

On October 31, 2011, the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (“DTSC”) issued informal draft regulations for Safer Consumer Products, making significant revisions from earlier drafts. DTSC will hold a workshop on...more

Consumer Product Alert: California Revives Green Chemistry Initiative with Draft Regulations that Impact Manufacturers, Importers,...

After a failed attempt last year that sent state regulators back to the drawing board, California is pushing forward with its own regulation of chemicals in consumer products. On October 31, 2011, the California Department of...more

California Takes Action on Bisphenol-A: What Is the Impact?

California has joined 11 other states in limiting the sale of selected products that contain the chemical Bisphenol-A (BPA). BPA is an industrial chemical used to make a hard, clear plastic known as polycarbonate, found in a...more

Governor Brown Signs Two Bills Intended to Protect Children From Toxic Exposures

In an effort to protect children (and, to a lesser extent, adults) from toxic exposure, California has banned the use of the controversial chemical Bisphenol A (BPA) in baby bottles and sippy cups, and has eliminated certain...more

Antibacterial Soap: Few Clear Benefits, Many Murky Questions about Safety

The chemical triclosan has been a popular ingredient in many household cleaning products despite the fact that its supposed antibacterial properties have not been proved. Making a questionable claim is one thing; promoting an...more

PCBs in Caulk and Light Ballasts: A Thorny Regulatory Issue for Schools and Others

Polychlorinated biphenyls (“PCBs”) are back in the news again. Though there is significant debate regarding the level of toxicity of PCBs, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has labeled PCBs a “probable...more

Local 2 Investigates Interviews Plant Explosion Attorney Rob Ammons About Deadly Explosions

Local 2 Investigates Interviews Plant Explosion Attorney Rob Ammons About Deadly Explosions By Robert Arnold Wednesday, November 10, 2010 HOUSTON -- When Local 2 Investigates began checking into a series of explosions in...more

Advertising Law - September 21, 2010

In This Issue: *SPECIAL FOCUS: EPA Decision Highlights Risks to Retailers Under FIFRA *NAD: Seventh Generation Should Modify, Discontinue Claims *FDA Warns Companies About Green Tea Claims *The Buzz on Google?s...more

EPA Decision Highlights Risks to Retailers Under FIFRA

A United States Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") administrative judge levied $409,490 in penalties against California-based retailer 99¢ Only Stores for selling pesticidal products that were either not registered with...more

California Issues New Green Chemistry Requirements for Consumer Products

In a highly anticipated new development, California’s Department of Toxic Substances Control (“DTSC”) submitted its Green Chemistry Proposed Regulation for Safer Consumer Products to the state Office of Administrative Law...more

Letter to Washington Governor Re Water Fluoridation

The fluoridation materials used to fluoridated drinking water are not tested or approved by any federal or state agency. Fluoridation materials are added to drinking water for health reasons - to prevent tooth decay, and so...more

Letter to Washington Governor Re Lead Problems with Water Fluoridation

The silicofluorides typically used to fluoridate water contain lead, leach lead from pipes and solder, and facilitate lead uptake by the human body. The Safe Drinking Water Act requires disclosure to the public regarding lead...more

Manufacturers of Consumer Products Face Extensive California Green Chemistry Requirements

In a highly-anticipated new development, California’s Department of Toxic Substances Control (“DTSC”) issued its draft Regulation for Safer Consumer Product Alternatives in order to implement its innovative Green Chemistry...more

Cadmium Levels in Consumer Products Scrutinized

According to recent news reports, cadmium has been reported by the Consumer Product Safety Commission("CPSC") and others as being present in many consumer products. Cadmium has been identified by the Center for Disease...more

Gadolinium Litigation

NSF: The Man-Made Disease, The Litigation Swell And The Lives Lost

Read the background on the disease, nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, gadolinium-based contrast agents and the renally impaired and the enormous litigation swell that has surfaced as a result. ...more

Greening of Consumer Products - April 29, 2009

IN THIS ISSUE: *EPA reinstates stricter toxic substances reporting requirements *Michigan bills would require disclosure of hazardous chemicals in toys *Legislation in New York would require regulation of baby...more