For Consumer Questions:

734-663-2400 x 105

For Press Questions:

Glenn Turner, 917-817-3396
Shayna Samuels, 718-541-4785
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Advisories and Releases

** ATTN TV REPORTERS: B-ROLL AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST **
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, Sept. 16, 1 pm EDT
CONTACT: Shayna Samuels, 718-541-4785 or Glenn Turner, 917-817-3396

Leading Environmental Organization Releases First-Ever Guide
to Toxic Chemicals in Pet Products at www.HealthyStuff.org

High Levels of Lead, PVC and Hazardous Flame Retardants
Found in Pet Beds, Tennis Ball, Chew Toys, Collars and Leashes

Pets Extremely Vulnerable to Toxic Chemical Exposure Due to Small Size
and Ingesting Dust that is Heavily Contaminated

(September 16, 2009 - Ann Arbor, MI) - Today the Ecology Center released the first-ever guide to toxic chemicals in pet products at www.HealthyStuff.org.  Researchers tested over 400 pet beds, chew toys, stuffed toys, collars, leashes and tennis balls.  Since there are no government standards for hazardous chemicals in pet products, it is not surprising that there were alarming levels of toxic chemicals found.

"Pets are involuntary canaries in the coalmine in terms of chemical exposure," said Jeff Gearhart, Research Director at the Ecology Center.  "Pets, like children, have higher exposure to chemical hazards and our data shows pet products are far more likely to have hazardous chemicals than children’s toys."

Chemicals of primary concern include: bromine (associated with brominated flame retardants); chlorine (indicating the presence of polyvinyl chloride, or PVC and phthalates); lead; and heavy metals.  HealthyStuff.org tested for these chemicals based on their toxicity, persistence and tendency to build up in people, animals and the environment.  Such chemicals have been linked to reproductive problems, developmental and learning disabilities, liver toxicity and cancer.

45% of pet products tested by HealthyStuff.org had detectable levels of one or more hazardous chemicals, including:

  • One-quarter of all pet products had detectable levels of lead. 
  • 7% of all pet products had lead levels greater than 300 ppm -- the current Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) standard for lead in children’s products.
  • Nearly half of pet collars had detectable levels of lead; with 27% exceeding 300 ppm -- the CPSC limit for lead in children’s products.
  • One half (48%) of tennis balls tested had detectable levels of lead. Tennis balls intended for pets were much more likely to contain lead. Sports tennis balls contained no lead.

These findings are part of a larger effort to test toxic chemicals in everyday products. In addition to pet products the Ecology Center tested cars, children’s carseats, back-to-school supplies, women’s handbags and more.  All of the results can be found at www.HealthyStuff.org.

"These chemical hazards are as real for pets as they are for humans," said Gearhart.  "While there are some protections in place for children, there is no regulatory system in place to protect our pets from these hazards."

To sample the pet products, experts at the Ecology Center used a portable X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) device, which identifies the elemental composition of any material in less than 60 seconds.  

Bromine:  Associated with the use of brominated flame retardants, BFRs are added to plastics in order to impart fire resistance.  Levels of some BFRs in cats are up to 23-times higher than humans. Some BFRs have been associated with thyroid problems, learning and memory impairment, decreased fertility, behavioral changes, and other health problems. 

Lead: Lead is sometimes used as an additive in plastics.  Exposure can lead to a number of potential health effects including brain damage, and problems with the kidneys, blood, nerves, and reproductive system.  It can also cause learning and behavioral problems.  Lead exposure and poisoning in pets is common and can be an indicator of lead hazards in homes and products.

Reforming the Toxic Substances Control Act

In response to increasing consumer demand for safer products, Senator Frank Lautenberg and Representative Bobby Rush are expected to introduce a new bill this Congressional session to reform the outdated Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) – the current federal law for regulating chemicals.   These reforms would phase out the most dangerous chemicals from the manufacturing process; require industry to take responsibility for the safety of their products; and use the best science to protect vulnerable groups.  To date the EPA has only required testing on about 200 of the more than 80,000 chemicals that have been on the market since the law was passed 33 years ago. 

"A Made in the USA label should be a guarantee, not a warning," said Charlotte Brody, National Field Director for Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families, a coalition working toward toxic chemical policy reform.  "This database of products is further proof that our system of testing and regulating toxic chemicals is broken. We have an opportunity to reform federal law this year and start putting common sense limits on harmful chemicals to protect the health of Americans."

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***ATTENTION JOURNALISTS:  For copies of B-Roll, photos, or to arrange interviews with experts please call Shayna Samuels at 718-541-4785.


NEWS ADVISORY for Wed. Sept. 16, 2009

Extensive New Database on Toxic Chemicals in Consumer Products to Be Released at www.HealthyStuff.org on Wednesday September 16 at 1 pm est

Lead, Arsenic, PVC & Hazardous Flame Retardants Found in Pet Products, School Supplies, Cars, Children's Car Seats, Women's Handbags and More

New Efforts to Reform the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Expected This Congressional Session

For the past several years the Michigan-based Ecology Center has spearheaded groundbreaking research on toxic chemicals in children's toys, cars and car seats, alerting consumers to the dangers of lead, cadmium, mercury and other hazardous chemicals found in everyday products. Now, the group is releasing brand new test data on over 900 products on a new site - www.HealthyStuff.org . In total, the new site will be home to over 15,000 test results on over 5,000 common items including pet products, women's handbags, back-to-school products and more. Blog-friendly widgets and a mobile phone optimized application

In response to increasing consumer demand for safer products, the federal government is gearing up for reform of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). These reforms would phase out the most dangerous chemicals from the manufacturing process; require industry to take responsibility for the safety of their products; and use the best science to protect vulnerable groups.

WHAT: Press Teleconference to Release HealthyStuff.org and Announce New Efforts in Business and Government to Respond to Consumer Demand for Safer Products

WHEN: Wednesday, September 16, 1:00 pm est (10 am pst)

HOW: Call: 800-768-5901 Password: 6632400

WHO:
  • Jeff Gearhart, Research Director at the Ecology Center, who developed HealthyStuff.org, HealthyToys.org and HealthyCar.org.
  • Charlotte Brody, National Field Director for Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families, a groundbreaking coalition of diverse groups united by their common concern about toxic chemicals in our homes, places of work, and products we use every day.
  • Joan Blades, co-founder and President of MomsRising.org, a grassroots online activist organization that mobilizes millions of parents around toxic chemicals in children's products, among other issues. She is also co-founder of MoveOn.org.
  • Mark Rossi, PhD is Research Director for Clean Production Action and founder of the Business-NGO Working Group for Safer Chemicals and Sustainable Materials. Rossi has a PhD in Environmental Policy from MIT.

** ATTN JOURNALISTS: Advance access to HealthyStuff.org is available on an embargoed basis. For the password please contact Shayna Samuels at 718-541-4785.

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