The Center for Environmental Health
Wishes You a Happy and Healthy Valentine's Day
In This Issue
We are grateful to all of you who have made a
contribution to our 10th Anniversary Campaign! Thanks to your support, CEH has
raised just over half of our $200,000 goal – funds we will use to support new initiatives
in 2007 and beyond.
And if you haven't made your contribution yet, it is still not too late to make
a donation. Contributions to the campaign will be matched by our Tenth
Anniversary Honorary Committee. To make a tax-deductible gift to CEH, click
here.
What comes to mind when you think of Valentine's
Day? For many, flowers and chocolate are among the top answers. And since
people are likely to be buying both over the next week, we asked nationally renowned
pesticide expert Caroline Cox (CEH's research director) to share her thoughts
on the health impacts of the flower and chocolate industries.
What we learned was alarming: Of the ten pesticides most widely used to grow
greenhouse flowers in California,
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that four cause cancer, three
are toxic to fish, one depletes stratospheric ozone, one causes birth defects,
and one is toxic to the nervous system. In cocoa growing, a 2006 study found
that most of the commonly used pesticides are classified as 'moderately' or
'highly' hazardous by the World Health Organization and have been banned or
restricted in many countries.*
The bottom line is that conventionally produced flowers and chocolates require
the use of appallingly toxic and dangerous pesticides.
But there is also good news: you have more organic options than ever for
flowers, chocolates, and other Valentine's treats. Global Exchange is once
again featuring its Fair Trade
Valentine's Day Action Kit. And below you'll find sources for you to
consider as you shop for flowers and chocolate on Valentine's Day and beyond.
*If you're curious, the study is A. A. Tijani, "Pesticide Use Practices
and Safety Issues: The Case of Cocoa Farmers in Ondo State, Nigeria,"
J. Hum. Ecol., 19(3) 183-190 (2006)
Your local farmer's market
California Organic Flowers,
530-891-6265 (Tell them you were referred by CEH and they will donate 10% to
CEH!)
Manic Organics Flowers,
678-377-8258
Diamond Organics, 888-ORGANIC
Where to find Organic Chocolate
- Local candy makers
- Equal Exchange
- Chocolove xoxox
- Dagoba
- Rapunzel
- 365 Organic
- Green & Blacks
- 3400 Phinney Chocolate Factory
- Sunspire
- Endangered Species Chocolate
- Newman's Own Organics
- Premium Thompson Organic
- Terra Nostra Organic
Celebrating a Decade of Success!
The year was 1996. Bill Clinton occupied the
Oval Office. Enron was said to be a sound place to invest your money. The
Macarena was performed by people who were not trying to be funny. It was a
different era.
It was a time when lead, arsenic, and other highly dangerous toxins were found
in items like diaper creams, baby powders, hair dye, lunchboxes, children's
jewelry, playground equipment, and a host of other everyday consumer products
that people bought and used, assuming they were safe. Then in 1996, CEH came
along and began working to change that.
This year marks our 10th Anniversary, and CEH is planning to celebrate our
first decade of far-reaching public health victories with a special
celebration. Stay tuned for more details.
When we hear about cloned animals, most of us
think of science fiction, or perhaps our thoughts turn to Dolly, the sheep that
just ten years ago was the first mammal to be cloned. But now, the biotech
industry is attempting to weave this reckless and untested technology into the
fabric of our daily lives.
Despite widespread scientific concern about the safety and animal welfare
issues that accompany cloning, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has
announced it plans to approve milk and meat from animal clones this year. Even
worse, the agency says that labels will not be required on food from clones, so
you will have no way to avoid these untested, experimental foods.
Animal cloning companies are hoping that unlabeled food from their
laboratory-made animals will sneak its way into supermarkets without consumer
complaints. That's why CEH is spearheading a drive to flood the FDA with
official public comments in opposition to cloned food.
To read the answers to frequently asked questions about cloned food and to
download a letter you can send to the FDA, click here.
To watch a 30-second video on cloned food, click here.
Paul Adelstein and Cecil Corbin-Mark Join the CEH Board of Directors
One reason behind CEH's success is our board of
directors – a committed group that includes national leaders in philanthropy,
environmental justice, environmental health, green business, and other fields.
As the body responsible for overseeing and steering the organization, our board
strives to provide CEH with a regular infusion of new ideas, perspectives, and
energy.
Over the past few months CEH's board has appointed two new members who boast
impressive credentials and a passion for CEH's mission: Cecil Corbin-Mark and
Paul Adelstein.
Mr. Corbin-Mark is a nationally respected leader in the environmental justice
movement. He is the Director of Programs of West Harlem Environmental Action –
a proven and effective environmental justice organization committed to
empowering the West Harlem community.
Mr. Adelstein is a successful actor who has appeared in stage, television, and
major motion picture productions. He can currently be seen in the television
program Prison Break. In addition, Mr. Adelstein is longtime supporter
of CEH and a strong advocate for environmental health.
Both are delighted to have the opportunity to serve on CEH's Board of
Directors, and they are looking forward to working with our other board members
– Marni Rosen, Antonio Diaz, Larry Smith, Kathy Gerwig, Katie Silberman, Julie
Parker-Benello, Michael Dorsey, Anuja Mendiratta – to help shape CEH's next decade
of public health victories.
Finally, we bid a fond farewell to longtime CEH Board member Karleen Lloyd, who
stepped down at the end of 2006 after fulfilling multiple terms. We will miss
her incredible expertise, wonderful humor and passion for environmental
justice, and wish her all the best in her future endeavors.