I am sending this message as a save-the-date for a fun, meaningful action that the Alliance for a Clean and Healthy Maine is organizing for May 13th at 12:00 noon in Monument Square.
Here's the skinny:
-There are over 80,000 chemicals used in products in the United States today, that have yet to be tested for human health safety. Science is telling us that many of these chemicals are getting into our bodies, and that some are linked to cancers, diabetes, obesity, learning disabilities, behavioral problems and reproductive disorders.
-In 2008,. Mainers passed the landmark Kid-Safe Product Act to get toxic chemicals out of children's products. Under this law, the state had to identify a list of "chemicals of concern"
- In June 2009, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection released a list of 1700 chemicals of high concern.
-The DEP is expected to slate only very few of these chemicals for phasing out of products in Maine.
-The Environmental Health Strategy Center and our partners in the Alliance for a Clean and Healthy Maine are going to push for as many of these chemicals of high concern to be placed on the fast track for phase out.
-We are going to ask the EPA to set a high goal of phasing out 40 chemicals, like Bisphenol-A, phthalates, perflourinated chemicals - as soon as possible.
So: On May 12th at 12:00 in Monument Square in Portland, we are going to organize an action with over 40 participants - one person each for the 40 harmful chemicals we want our state to take out of our everyday products. It may be a "Price is Right" themed event....imagine the music and then, "BPA, Come on Down!". But we are still working out those details.
We will need at least 40 people who can take an hour on Thursday, May 13 to take part in this fun, first-of-its-kind in Maine, event. I am writing to you today so that you can start thinking if this is something you would like to do - or to start thinking about others you know who may be able/willing to take part.
Thanks for your time - and please contact me with any questions, comments, or if you need more information on how to get involved.
Kristine
Kristine Jenkins
Outreach and Organizing Director
Environmental Health Strategy Center
565 Congress Street, Suite 205
Portland, Maine 04101
207-699-5799
kristinej@preventharm.org
www.preventharm.org
