Food / Product Safety
Toxic flame retardant chemicals: Governor Brown’s fire safety regulation unveiled
Richard Holober: “…We are pleased Gov Brown has taken the important step forward to transform an obsolete regulation which follows the advice of safety experts, not chemical manufacturers.” Read More ›
California may kill the use of flame retardants in furniture
The new draft is in response to a directive issued by Brown to improve fire safety while reducing exposure to toxic chemicals. Smoldering objects such as cigarettes, heaters, and extension cords, rather than open flames, are the biggest source of household fires. Read More ›
Flame retardants may leach from your walls
by Stephanie M. Lee, San Francisco Chronicle
Couches throughout the nation have become notorious for containing flame-retardant chemicals that may do more harm than good. Now, it turns out, those chemicals may also be leaching from the walls that surround you. Read More ›
Proposed used-car window stickers may not help consumers
by Eric Evarts, Consumer Reports
Window stickers on used cars specify warranty terms and inform consumers of their rights. Those stickers are about to change and consumer advocates say the new ones take a step backward. Read More ›
Rolling back regs on fire retardants
by Dan Morain, Sacramento Bee
California has led the nation on many environmental issues. In this instance, the state led the nation into a dark hole, and filled it with substances linked to maladies such as cancer and neurological dysfunction. Read More ›
Group finds more fake ingredients in popular foods
by Jim Avila and Serena Marshall, Good Morning America
A new scientific examination by the non-profit food fraud detectives, the U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention, discovered rising numbers of fake ingredients in products from olive oil to spices to fruit juice. Read More ›
CFC-supported auto body repair regulations approved
The regulations were sought by CFC and other groups to protect consumers from physical and financial harm caused by defective or inferior aftermarket parts and to enhance insurer accountability in the claims process. Read More ›
Have a ‘food-safe’ holiday season!
Consumer Federation of America offers tips to consumers to have a food-safe holiday season this year. Read More ›
New studies find chemicals in furniture hard to avoid
by Stephanie M. Lee, San Francisco Chronicle
Gov. Jerry Brown wants to reduce toxic flame retardant chemicals permitted in furniture, but experts say damage has been done nationwide. Read More ›
Makers of flame retardants cut ties with industry front group
by Michael Hawthorne and Sam Roe, Chicago Tribune
Major manufacturers of flame retardants officially cut ties with an industry-funded front group that waged a deceptive campaign to fuel demand for the chemicals in household furniture, electronics, baby products and other goods. Read More ›
Sen. Boxer pushes for tougher toxics law
by Carolyn Lockhead, San Francisco Chronicle
Retired fire Capt. Tony Stefani, who contracted a rare form of pelvic cancer, told a Senate committee that there is evidence that flame retardants and other chemicals used in household products expose firefighters to a “toxic soup” after they extinguish fires. Read More ›
Chemicals in furniture target of Calif. lawmakers
by Victoria Colliver, San Francisco Chronicle
California can set the tone for a new furniture fire-safety standard to replace the decades-old requirement that had led to the use of toxic flame retardants in couches, chairs and baby product sold throughout North America. Read More ›
Big Breakthrough in Toxic Furniture
After five years of resistance from chemical manufacturers, we scored a breakthrough in the fight to remove toxics from furniture sold in California. Read More ›