Tag: Alliance for a Clean and Healthy Maine

RadioActive 5/17/12

Producer/Host: Meredith DeFrancesco

Issue: Environmental and Social Justice

Program Topic: Reform of national toxics protections

Key Discussion Points:
a) While Maine residents and law makers try to pass stronger measures to protect public health against toxic chemicals, like Bisphenol-A, they also look towards reform at the federal level.
b) There are reportedly 84,000 chemicals used in commerce. Since the Toxic Substances Control Act was passed in 1976, only 200 have been tested, and only 5 restricted. The requirement is that the government prove that chemicals are harmful, not that the manufactures, like Dow and Dupont, prove that they’re safe,
c) Numerous health, medical and other organizations in Maine are pushing for the passage of the federal Safe Chemicals Act. In April, Maine’s legislature passed a unanimous resolution to call on the US Congress to reform the Toxic Substances Control Act. On May 22nd, a Maine delegation will join the stroller brigade in Washington DC to call on Congress to pass the Safe Chemicals Act.

Guest: Mike Belliveau, exc. director of the Environmental Health Strategy Center, www.preventharm.org, founding organizational member of Alliance for a Clean and Healthy Maine, www.cleanandhealthyme.org

Call In Program: no

RadioActive 5/10/12

Producer/Host: Meredith DeFrancesco

Issue: Environmental and Social Justice

Program Topic: Action in Maine to eliminate Bisphenol-A (BPA) from consumer products

Key Discussion Points:
a) In 2008 Maine passed the Kids Safe Products Act. In 2010, Maine passed a law banning the hormone disrupting plastic additive, BPA, from baby bottles, sippy cups and other reusable plastic containers.
b) Maine law also now requires baby food manufacturers to list whether BPA is used in their container lids. Not all companies are complying, though BPA is present. It is also used in the lining of food cans. Citizen movement is pushing for further action on BPA.
c) The LePage Administration, who has vigorously opposed action on BPA, demoted of Department of Environmental Protection employee, Andrea Lani, for testifying at a legislative hearing in defense of strong BPA protections. Lani just won a settlement against the state, but no longer holds he position overseeing the Safer Chemicals in Children’s Products Programs.

Guest: Mike Belliveau, exc. director of the Environmental Health Strategy Center, www.preventharm.org, founding organizational member of Alliance for a Clean and Healthy Maine, www.cleanandhealthyme.org

Call In Program: no