Chemicals and Toxic Substances

Hair straightening chemicals associated with uterine cancer risk-Black women may be more affected
Women who use chemical hair straighteners, dyes, bleach, and perm chemicals are at a higher risk for uterine cancer according to a new report from the National Institutes of Health. In the study, 33,497 U.S. women from ages 35 –...
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3 Reasons to Say “No” to E-Cigarettes
We stand with Kaiser Permanente, urging you to say “no” to e-cigarettes. Despite being advertised as a “safer” alternative to regular tobacco products, many electronic cigarettes still contain toxic chemicals and are not proven to help anyone quit smoking. Learn...
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New York Nail Salon Workers Exposed to Toxic Chemicals
A New York Times investigation that exposed the exploitation of workers has brought to light many issues within the industry. In addition to dismal pay wages and excruciatingly long workdays, manicurists are exposed to a range of toxic substances every...
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Federal Warning Issued of Silica Danger in Stone-Countertop Industry
Federal agencies have published a new Hazard Alert for workers in stone countertop manufacturing and installation at risk of silica inhalation. In February 2015, two federal work-safety agencies issued a new Hazard Alert about the health dangers to workers in...
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Two Bills Introduced to U.S. Senate to Protect Public from Asbestos
Since the “Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act (S.697) was introduced into Congress last week, senators, health and safety organizations, and the victims of toxic substance exposure have come forward to express opposition to the proposed bill. In addition...
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The So-Called “Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act”
Have you heard of the Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act (S.697)? The name might be a little deceiving, as the proposed bill is considered to be worse than the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), which has been in...
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California Bill Would Raise Minimum Legal Smoking Age to 21
A bill proposed by Senator Ed Hernandez (D-West Covina) has recently been introduced to the California State Senate, proposing to raise the legal smoking age to 21. Currently, smokers need to be 18 in order to purchase and consume tobacco...
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New California Bill Would Ban E-Cigarettes in Public Settings
A new bill introduced into the California State Senate proposes to ban the use of e-cigarettes in public spaces. Introduced by state Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), the bill intends to extend the restrictions of e-cigarettes to match current laws...
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Questions Raised about Safety of Electronic Cigarettes
The tide seems to have turned against traditional tobacco products in most circles. It is becoming less prevalent among teens and less socially acceptable generally. In order to escape this stigma many users have turned to electronic cigarettes as a...
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Cigarettes are Hazardous to Your Health Day 2015
Today, January 11, marks “Cigarettes are Hazardous to Your Health Day” for 2015. Can you believe that big tobacco companies have known this fact for over fifty years? Since the 1950s, tobacco companies knew of the dangers of their products...
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