Procter & Gamble to Reduce Toxic Contaminant
in Herbal Essences Shampoo New Product Tests reveal 1,4-dioxane in
Major Laundry Detergent Brands, Too
March 12, 2010 - Anaheim, CA – Today, at a press conference held adjacent to the Natural Products Expo West, the Green Patriot Working Group (GPWG), led by environmental health consumer advocate David Steinman, and the Organic Consumers Association (OCA), a watchdog group with over 850,000 members, announced that Procter and Gamble (P&G) and Steinman have reached an agreement in principle that P&G will reformulate its top-selling Herbal Essences brand to reduce levels of the carcinogenic contaminant 1,4-dioxane. The press conference also announced new 1,4-dioxane test results for twenty laundry detergents, of which notably some of the most popular mainstream brands—including Dial, Church & Dwight Co. and Procter & Gamble—had the highest levels overall.
Steinman presented a letter from counsel for P&G stating they will reformulate 18 products in P&G’s Herbal Essences line (which had tested as high as 24 parts per million) to reduce levels to or below 10 parts per million. P&G promised to complete the reformulation for 17 products before July 1, 2010 and for one product by the end of January 2011. The OCA, CSC and GPWG—all groups who have worked to increase awareness of 1,4-dioxane in consumer products—consider it a major step forward that industry giant P&G is positively addressing the problem of cumulative exposure to 1,4-dioxane from a variety of personal care and household cleaning products.
P&G’s promise of reformulation follows Steinman’s notices of intent to file a lawsuit against P&G in June, 2009 and December, 2009 regarding several P&G products. Similar lawsuits were filed against other manufacturers by the California Attorney General’s office in June 2008 for problematic levels of 1,4-dioxane found in other consumer products as established by California’s Proposition 65. The letter from P&G’s counsel states that, “[P&G] believes that each of its products, including each Herbal Essences branded product, complies fully with California’s regulatory scheme.”
Steinman and Ronnie Cummins, director of the OCA, also announced new laundry detergent test results from Steinman’s continuing study (begun in 2007) that has tested over 160 consumer products for 1,4-dioxane, which is a contaminant and therefore not listed on product labels. In 2009, Steinman tested twenty laundry detergents, including major “natural” and conventional brands. Steinman, who formerly represented the public interest on a committee at the National Academy of Sciences, talked about the problems of wastewater and groundwater contamination with 1,4-dioxane, when it comes from products such as laundry detergents.
The independent third-party laboratory, Exova, known for rigorous testing and chain-of-custody protocols, performed all testing. The press conference was held in cooperation with The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics (CSC), a national coalition of health and environmental groups.
ABOUT 1,4-DIOXANE
1,4-dioxane is generated as a byproduct of ethoxylation, a process used by some companies to provide mildness to harsh cleaning ingredients, which requires use of the cancer-causing petrochemical ethylene oxide. 1,4-dioxane is considered a chemical “known to the State of California to cause cancer” under Proposition 65, and is also suspected as a kidney toxicant, neurotoxicant and respiratory toxicant, among others, according to the California EPA. For more information, please visit www.1-4dioxane.com.
Contacts: Sheila Huettl, Green Patriot Working Group, sheila@greenpatriot.us, 310-455-8952 Stacy Malkan, Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, stacy@safecosmetics.org, 202-321-6963 Andria Ventura, Clean Water Action, aventura@cleanwater.org, 415-369-9160 x306
Green Patriot Radio Adopts Shoreline Drive in Long Beach, CA
Environmental radio show sponsors street near Aquarium of the Pacific
LOS ANGELES (August 11, 2009) - The Green Patriot Working Group announced today that Green Patriot with David Steinman, a weekly Internet radio show focusd on environmental issues and natural health, has adopted a half-mile stretch of Shoreline Drive in Long Beach, CA, near the Aquarium of the Pacific and the Queen Mary. In the Long Beach Adopt-a-Street program, sponsors pay for litter removal along the section of roadway that they sponsor.
Green Patriot Radio (GPR) is one of the first organizations to participate in the city’s Adopt-a-Street program, preceded by popular Adopt-a-Highway programs nationwide.
The Adopt-a-Street sign features the radio show’s website address (www.greenpatriotradio.com) and is located on southbound Shoreline Drive between Chestnut Place and Aquarium Way, across the street from the Pike at Long Beach (a shopping and entertainment center), just north of the Pine Avenue Pier, and across the harbor from The Queen Mary. The sign was adopted through Litter Removal Services of America.
Sheila Huettl, marketing director for the Green Patriot Working Group explains, “We chose to sponsor Shoreline Drive adjacent to the Aquarium of the Pacific because we wanted to reach Long Beach residents and visitors who have a special appreciation for nature and wildlife. We believe that all people with pro-environmental values will enjoy Green Patriot Radio, which covers a wide variety of environmental and natural health topics. We also wanted to select marketing venues that would be environmentally responsible and benefit the community. From an environmental standpoint, an Adopt-a-Street sign is superior to an electric billboard, for example. We were delighted when we learned that Shoreline Drive was available, as it’s a landmark in the city of Long Beach.”
David Steinman, host of GPR and founder of the Green Patriot movement, said, “I’m very proud that Green Patriot is a Adopt-a-Street sponsor, helping to keep Long Beach litter free. This is our first Adopt-a-Street sign, hopefully of many to come throughout America. We want to spread awareness about the show while helping to clean up America at the same time. As an environmental journalist, author, publisher and consumer advocate for over 12 years, I am greatly enjoying the radio show as an immediate venue to communicate with the public about breaking environmental issues every week.”
GPR features a wide variety of environmental topics—including marine life—and recently featured an interview with the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch program about seafood sustainability. The topics on GPR range from cutting-edge green innovation in transportation, energy, construction, and business to sustainability, climate change, preservation of wildlife, rainforests and land, to green investing, toxic consumer products, politics, green media, world trends, eco-fashion, and much more.
About Green Patriot Radio with David Steinman GPR is a weekly Internet radio show about environmental and natural health topics starring David Steinman, the award-winning author, investigative journalist and environmental health consumer advocate known as “America’s Consumer Cop”. Each week, Steinman interviews green business leaders, activists, politicians, celebrities, and experts on the environment and natural health. With his passionate and tenacious style, Steinman challenges his guests and educates his listeners, exhorting them to become Green Patriots and do what right for America and the planet. GPR was launched in 2008 and has 120,000 listeners per month. GPR is hosted by www,webtalkradio.net and is publicized through its official website www.greenpatriotradio.com.
About the Green Patriot Working Group The Green Patriot Working Group (GPGW) is a dedicated group of concerned citizens working to build a safe, secure future for America through environmental sustainability. In cooperation with Freedom Press Media, they have published 50 Simple Steps to Save the Earth from Global Warming (2008) and the upcoming 50 Simple Steps to Kick America’s Oil Habit (2009). GPWG is led by environmental health consumer advocate and author David Steinman. For more information, please visitwww.greenpatriot.usor call 800-959-9797.
Lotus Brands, Inc. Receives Green Patriot Company of the Month Award
Outstanding natural products company honored by the Green Patriot Working Group
LOS ANGELES (August 11, 2009) – The Green Patriot Working Group announced today they are awarding their elite Green Patriot® Company of the Month Award for August 2009 to Lotus Brands, Inc.
The Green Patriot Working Group, led by environmental health consumer advocate David Steinman, issues a monthly award to honor companies that are setting an outstanding example of corporate environmental and social responsibility. They have selected Lotus Brands as the Company of the Month for August 2009, due to their commitment to using natural ingredients, exceptional health and safety standards, and preservation of natural resources. Lotus Brands has become a standout company that was recently evaluated by the Green Patriot Working Group.
Steinman became familiar with Lotus Brands and their brand Life Tree® when he tested over 140 personal care and cleaning products for the petrochemical carcinogen 1,4-dioxane in studies between 2007 and 2009. (The studies were co-sponsored by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, the Environmental Working Group, and the Organic Consumers Association.) In many cases, the presence of the carcinogen was a surprise to manufacturers. In the first study, all dish soaps tested positive for 1,4-dioxane. However, Life Tree dish soap from Lotus Brands had the lowest level of 1,4-dioxane compared to all other conventional and “natural” and “organic” dish soaps tested. (Their level was so low, in fact, that another brand contained over 100 times the amount.) After receiving the study results, Lotus Brands promptly reformulated to completely remove the chemical from all of their Life Tree products.
“Clearly, Lotus Brands is dedicated to making its products completely safe and effective for consumers, while honoring their serious commitment to operate in harmony with nature,” says Steinman. “We have been noticing the admirable environmental mission of Lotus Brands and their growing presence and influence in the U.S. They are setting an excellent example by showing that excellent products can be environmentally safe and don’t need to contain toxic and harmful ingredients to be effective.”
The Lotus Brands family of brands includes Life Tree household cleaning products, Eco-DenT® premium oral care products, Ancient Secrets® nasal cleansing products, Light Mountain® natural hair color and Color the Gray, Lotus Press, and others. Life Tree was the first company in the U.S. to bring consumers a complete line of natural, biodegradable household cleaning products.All Life Tree products are formulated to biodegrade quickly and completely and contain no phosphates, chlorine, artificial colors or other environmentally harmful ingredients. Products such as Life Tree and Eco-DenT are sold at very high concentrations that require less packaging and less waste. The Ancient Secrets personal care products were selected from around the globe for being supportive of a natural lifestyle of optimal wellness and balance.
Lotus Brands president Santosh Krinskysaid, “Lotus Brands is thrilled to be recognized by the Green Patriot Working Group. Lotus Brands is dedicated to helping people move from the chemical consumer dependency system to a system with less pollution and natural resource consumption. Americans are living as if we have nine planet earths, yet we only have one. Lotus Brands realizes that we’re in an enclosed system. Instead of living as if we’re separate from our environment, from each other and from other species, we have worked to find products that create harmony with the environment. This acknowledgement of our efforts and our philosophy is much appreciated.”
About Lotus Brands, Inc.
Lotus Brands, Inc. is a majority woman-owned company started for the purpose of providing safe, effective and natural alternatives to people for maintaining their wellbeing in harmony with the planet. The brands and products sold by Lotus Brands address real consumer needs through solutions inspired by nature. For more information on the company and its products, please visit www.lotusbrands.com or call262-889-8561.
About the Green Patriot Working Group
The Green Patriot Working Group is a dedicated group of concerned citizens working to build a safe, secure future for America through environmental sustainability. In cooperation with Freedom Press, they have published 50 Simple Steps to Save the Earth from Global Warming (2008) and the upcoming 50 Simple Steps to Kick Our Oil Habit (2009). They are led by environmental health consumer advocate and author David Steinman, who hosts the weekly Internet radio show Green Patriot Radio with David Steinman. For more information, please call 800-959-9797.
Earth Friendly Products Receives Green PatriotTM
Green 100TMDesignation
Cleaning products brand joins list of 100 environmentally
responsible companies named by the Green Patriot Working Group
LOS ANGELES (July 28, 2009) – The Green Patriot Working Group announced today they are adding Earth Friendly Products to their elite list of Green Patriot™ Green 100™ companies.
The Green Patriot Working Group, led by environmental health consumer advocate David Steinman, maintains a list of 100 exemplary eco-friendly companies, also known as “The Green 100”, and has determined that Earth Friendly Products meets the requirements for inclusion. The Green PatriotGreen 100 companies are selected for their outstanding achievement or progress in ten pro-environmental categories and the strength of their overall influence on the marketplace, based sometimes on their size, but more often on their innovation, positive example and leadership. Earth Friendly Products has become a stand-out company that was recently evaluated by Green Patriot Working Group.
Steinman became familiar with Earth Friendly Products when he tested over 140 cleaning and personal care products for the petrochemical carcinogen 1,4-dioxane in studies between 2007 and 2009. (The studies were co-sponsored by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, the Environmental Working Group, and the Organic Consumers Association.) In many cases, the presence of the carcinogen was a surprise to manufacturers. After receiving the results of the first study, Earth Friendly Products promptly reformulated to completely remove the toxic chemical from all of their products.
“Earth Friendly Products is clearly dedicated to producing environmental friendly products that are completely safe for people and pets,” says Steinman. “We have been noticing the work of Earth Friendly Products and their growing presence and influence in the U.S. and abroad. They are setting an excellent example, by showing that products can be environmentally safe and don’t need to contain toxic and harmful ingredients to be effective.”
Earth Friendly Products are completely free of petrochemicals, bleach, ammonia, phosphates, formaldehyde, hormone-mimicking toxins, artificial fragrances or colors, and a long list of other harmful ingredients listed on the Earth Friendly Products website (www.ecos.com). Earth Friendly Products also doesn’t test on animals. They manufacture in the U.S. only and are careful to source sustainable ingredients, avoiding resources needed to sustain endangered wildlife. All of their products are 100 percent biodegradable and their containers are recyclable. They manufacture their own bottles to use the least amount of plastic possible, and they are transitioning to translucent #2 HDPE which is much less likely to end up in a landfill.
Earth Friendly Products has been a participant in the Environmental Protection Agency’s Safer Detergents Stewardship Initiative, or SDSI. They use only safe surfactants that break down quickly to non-polluting compounds, thereby helping to protect aquatic life in both salt and fresh water. Earth Friendly Products also donates a portion of their profits to pro-environmental causes, as well as a variety of social, health and educational causes.
Earth Friendly Products’ C.E.O. and owner Van Vlahakis said, “We are thrilled to add another nationally recognized designation to our list of credentials. We’ve invested hundreds of hours researching, developing and improving our product line to make it the best affordable eco-friendly product on the market. Receiving the Green 100 status is an exciting testament to our success.”
About Earth Friendly Products
Earth Friendly Products is the leader in the development and production of environmentally friendly cleaning supplies for household and commercial use with over 150 products distributed and sold in the USA, Canada, Europe, South America and Asia. All Earth Friendly products are created with only replenishable and sustainable plant-based ingredients that are safe for people, pets and the planet. The company proudly adheres to its strict “Freedom Code” in the manufacture of all its products. Earth Friendly Products is the recipient of the 2007 PETA Proggy Award for Best Line of Cruelty-free Household Products andthe Natural Home Magazine’s “Reader’s Choice Award” for Best Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products. For more information on the company and products, please visit www.ecos.com or call 800-841-3100 ext. 227.
About the Green Patriot Working Group
The Green Patriot Working Group is a dedicated group of concerned citizens working to build a safe, secure future for America through environmental sustainability. In cooperation with Freedom Press, they have published 50 Simple Steps to Save the Earth from Global Warming (2008) and the upcoming 50 Simple Steps to Kick America’s Oil Habit (2009). They are led by environmental health consumer advocate and author David Steinman, who also hosts the weekly Internet radio show Green Patriot Radio with David Steinman. For more information, please call 800-959-9797.
About the Green Patriot™ Green 100™
The Green Patriot Green 100 companies are the green business heroes of our day, leading by their examples of corporate environmental and social responsibility. These companies are recognized by the Green Patriot Working Group for their practices which help to protect the environment, thereby improving public health and strengthening America’s economy and national security, for our good and the good of future generations.
Some of the companies included are giants with global presence and a troubled history, and others are quite small, but all are currently taking important steps in terms of reducing greenhouse emissions, educating consumers about sustainability, and setting examples of green innovation and corporate responsibility. Companies are selected for the Green PatriotGreen 100 according to their outstanding achievement or progress in ten criteria, as listed here. For more information, call 800-959-9797.
Freedom Press Receives 2008 Best of Topanga Award
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
U.S. Local Business Association’s Award Plaque Honors the Achievement
WASHINGTON D.C., November 13, 2008 -- Freedom Press has been selected for the 2008 Best of Topanga Award in the Periodical Publishing category by the U.S. Local Business Association (USLBA).
The USLBA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USLBA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.
Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2008 USLBA Award Program focused on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USLBA and data provided by third parties.
About Freedom Press Freedom Press is a cutting-edge publisher of health and environmental titles located near Malibu, CA in beautiful Topanga Canyon. Founded in 1997 by owner and publisher David Steinman, Freedom Press also publishes The Doctors' Prescription for Healthy Living magazine and produces Green Patriot Radio with David Steinman.
About U.S. Local Business Association (USLBA)
U.S. Local Business Association (USLBA) is a Washington D.C. based organization funded by local businesses operating in towns, large and small, across America. The purpose of USLBA is to promote local business through public relations, marketing and advertising.
The USLBA was established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, chambers of commerce and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to be an advocate for small and medium size businesses and business entrepreneurs across America.
SOURCE: U.S. Local Business Association
CONTACT:
U.S. Local Business Association
Email: PublicRelations@USLBA.net
URL: www.USLBA.net
###
Record Audience Numbers on Green Patriot Radio
We are pleased to announce that our radio property "Green Patriot Radio with David Steinman" has passed 28,000 listeners per episode after only nine months on the air.
Each week, David Steinman interviews politicians, journalists, industry leaders, innovators and experts on topics of green living and natural health. "Green Patriot Radio" is hosted at www.webtalkradio.net, the second largest destination website for Internet radio in the country (thanks to repeated recommendations by Oprah Winfrey). Some individual "Green Patriot Radio" interviews are also featured at www.ecology.com, a media portal for environmentally conscious consumers.
Nine months in, David is continuing to develop his passionate and tenacious radio personality as the Consumer Cop with the help of his radio mentor Brad Saul who has 30 years of experience in the industry. Due to its success, "Green Patriot Radio" is expected to transition to national terrestrial radio in early 2009. "Green Patriot Radio" is the next successful arm of Freedom Press Media which includes "The Doctors' Prescription for Healthy Living" magazine, high-content websites (www.freedompressonline.com and www.greenpatriot.us), "Green Patriot Radio", national press conferences on consumer issues, and books on the environment and natural health.
A small sample of our radio guests from 2008 have included:
Deirdre Imus, President of the Deirdre Imus Center for Pediatric Oncology
Vince Haley, co-author with Newt Gingrich of "Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less"
Jordan Rubin, CEO of Garden of Life
Tom Newmark, CEO of New Chapter
Christopher Gavigan, executive director of Healthy Child Healthy World
Sophie Uliano, author of "Gorgeously Green"
Michael Brune, executive director of the Rainforest Action Network
Pete Altman of the Natural Resources Defense Council
Chris Pain, director of "Who Killed the Electric Car?"
Representatives from Toyota, Chrysler, American Honda and Tesla Motors
A representative from the Democratic National Convention
Representatives from the solar, wind, geo-thermal, nuclear and coal industries
We welcome you tune in and listen! Radio advertising and sponsorships are available at very reasonable rates. Please feel free to contact us for further information at 800-959-9797.
California Files Prop 65 Lawsuit Against Whole Foods, Avalon
Products and Other Brands Whose Products Tested Positive for Carcinogenic 1,4 Dioxane in Organic Consumers Association Study
OAKLAND, CA (June 10, 2008) - Reacting in part to a study released by the Organic Consumers Association (OCA) in March of this year, but also based on their own testing, the Attorney General of California has filed a major lawsuit against body care household-cleaning product companies whose products recently tested highest for the carcinogenic contaminant 1,4-Dioxane.
Under California’s “Proposition 65” consumer products that contain toxic levels of 1,4 Dioxane must have warning labels stating they may cause cancer. 1,4-Dioxane is typically produced as a byproduct when ingredients are ethoxylated with the petrochemical ethylene oxide, a process which has become standard practice for many cleansing and moisturizing products.
The suit, California v. Avalon Natural Products (manufacturer of the Alba brand), also names Whole Foods Market California (manufacturer of the Whole Foods 365 brand), Beaumont Products (manufacturer of the Citrus Magic brand), and Nutribiotic. It is unclear exactly which products manufactured by the aforementioned companies triggered the lawsuit, but all named companies have sold products that tested close to or in excess of 20 parts per million for 1,4-Dioxane in the OCA study released at the Natural Products Expo in Anaheim, CA in March.
The California Attorney General (AG) alleges these companies should have put warning labels on products containing high levels of 1,4-Dioxane, stating that they may cause cancer. The lawsuit states, “Plaintiff alleges that each defendant has known since at least May 29, 2004 that the body washes and gels and liquid dish soaps contain, 1,4-dioxane and that persons using these products are exposed to 1,4-dioxane.” Per Proposition 65, fines for mislabeled products are as high as $2,500 per day for each violation. FAQs about 1,4-Dioxane can be found at http://www.safecosmetics.org/faqs/dioxane.cfm
“These companies need to stop treating the inclusion of cancer causing chemicals in their products as 'business as usual' and reformulate before consumer confidence in the natural products and organics industry is permanently damaged,” says consumer activist David Steinman who conducted the OCA study and originally exposed the presence of 1,4-Dioxane in baby bubble bath products in his book Safe Trip to Eden and in a February, 2007 press conference with the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. (The press release can be found at www.safecosmetics.org/newsroom/press.cfm?pressReleaseID=21 .)
The AG’s complaint (which can be found in its entirety at www.organicconsumers.org/bodycare) states that California wants, “…preliminary injunctions, permanent injunctions, or other orders prohibiting the defendant(s) from exposing persons within the State of California to 1,4-dioxane without providing clear and reasonable warnings…”
“The OCA’s 1,4-dioxane study elevated the issue of fake ‘natural’ and ‘organic’ brands that utilize petrochemicals in their formulas in March, and now we are seeing labeling enforcement on a scale never seen before,” says OCA National Director Ronnie Cummins. “We used an independent laboratory and found that numerous ‘natural’ and ‘organic’ brands tested positive for 1,4-Dioxane, a cancer causing contaminant resulting from the petrochemical ethylene oxide being attached to one or more ingredients.”
Last week OCA sent a letter to companies named in the California lawsuit to see if they planned changes to their labeling or product formulations. None of the companies decided to formally declare they are reformulating or are adding warning labels.
Interviews with David Steinman or Ronnie Cummins can be arranged by contacting Adam Eidinger at 202-744-2671.
Carcinogen Found in Leading Brand "Organic" Personal Care Products
LONG BEACH, CA (March 14, 2008) - A newly released study, commissioned by the Organic Consumers Association (OCA), a watchdog group with over 500,000 members, and overseen by environmental health consumer advocate David Steinman (author of The Safe Shopper's Bible), analyzes leading "natural" and "organic" brand shampoos, body washes, lotions and other personal care products for the presence of the undisclosed carcinogenic contaminant 1,4-Dioxane. A reputable third-party laboratory known for rigorous testing and chain-of-custody protocols, performed all testing.
Ethoxylation, a cheap short-cut companies use to provide mildness to harsh ingredients, requires the use of the cancer-causing petrochemical Ethylene Oxide, which generates 1,4-Dioxane as a by-product. 1,4-Dioxane is considered a chemical "known to the State of California to cause cancer" under proposition 65, and has no place in "natural" or "organic" branded personal care products. 1,4-dioxane is also suspected as a kidney toxicant, neurotoxicant and respiratory toxicant, among others, according to the California EPA, and is a leading groundwater contaminant. Although previous studies have revealed 1,4-Dioxane is often present in conventional personal care products, this new study indicates the toxin is also present in leading "natural" and "organic" branded products, none of which are certified under the USDA National Organic Program. The products/brands tested are listed on the attached page with the level of 1,4-Dioxane detected, if any, along with ethoxylated ingredients listed on the label.
Some of the Leading Brands Found to Contain 1,4-Dioxane:
Both the OCA and Steinman are calling for misleadingly labeled "Organic(s)" brands which include ethoxylate ingredients or otherwise utilize petrochemicals in their ingredients, to drop all organic claims from their branding and labeling. "The practice of ethoxylating ingredients or using other petroleum compounds must end for natural personal care, and is that much more outrageous in so-called 'organics' brand products," says Ronnie Cummins, Executive Director of the OCA. "At a time when our nation is dangerously dependent on foreign oil and attempting to wean itself off unnecessary dependence on petroleum-based ingredients in major consumer products for national security reasons, it is self-defeating that we are literally bathing ourselves and our children in toxic petroleum compounds," says Steinman. "But consumers should also take heart in the emergence of a growing number of companies who've received the message and who are seeking to completely avoid petrochemicals in their cosmetic and personal care products. Your best bet is to purchase products whose ingredients you can pronounce or better yet are certified under the USDA National Organic Program."
Brands Found not to Contain 1,4-Dioxane: All USDA Certified brands tested in this study were 1,4-Dioxane-free, including:
Dr. Bronner's
Sensibility Soaps (Nourish)
Terressentials
All German Natural "BDIH" Certified brands tested were found to be 1,4-Dioxane-free:
A visit to any health food store unfortunately reveals the majority of products in the personal care section with "organic" brand claims are not USDA certified, and contain only cheap water extracts of organic herbs and maybe a few other token organic ingredients for organic veneer. The core of such products are composed of conventional synthetic cleansers and conditioning ingredients usually made in part with petrochemicals. According to market statistics, consumers are willing to pay significantly more for products branded "natural" or "organic" which they believe do not contain petrochemical-modified ingredients or toxic contaminants like 1,4-Dioxane.
To avoid 1,4-Dioxane, the OCA urges consumers to search ingredient lists for indications of ethoxylation including: "myreth," "oleth," "laureth," "ceteareth," any other "eth," "PEG," "polyethylene," "polyethylene glycol," "polyoxyethylene," or "oxynol," in ingredient names. In general, the OCA urges consumers to avoid products with unpronounceable ingredients. "When it comes to misbranding organic personal care products in the US, it's almost complete anarchy and buyer beware unless the product is certified under the USDA National Organic Program," says Cummins.
The study builds on the extensive survey conducted by Steinman for his book Safe Trip to Eden (Perseus Books 2007), in association with the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, the Breast Cancer Fund and the Environmental Working Group, which found that many mainstream children's bubble bath and shampoo products contain dangerous amounts of this undisclosed carcinogen.
Ecover Among One of "'50 Simple Steps' to Save the Earth from Global Warming"
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
LONG BEACH, CA (March 11, 2008) - Identified as one of the "greenest carbon neutral products sold today," Ecover has been listed as a resource in Freedom Press' latest release, 50 Simple Steps To Save The Earth From Global Warming.
50 Simple Steps To Save The Earth From Global Warming offers practically effortless ways in which consumers can change their daily habits to reduce their impact on the environment. Tips range from "Giving Green Gifts" to "Planting a Rooftop Garden" to "Using Petrochemical-Free Household Products."
"We're proud to have been included in this very important book," said Kipling Rutherford, Ecover Marketing Assistant. "Ecover has been manufacturing ecological household cleaners for more than 25 years. Every one of our products are plant and mineral-based for the least impact on the aquatic environment."
Petrochemicals are chemicals derived from fossil fuels (usually petroleum-based), a precious, and limited resource. In their original form, fossil fuels don't pose a threat to the environment, but when reformed, their altered state can become toxic to the environment and a person's health.
"I want to help people live the healthiest, most natural lifestyle possible," comments Heather Rowley, founder of EcoClean Albuquerque. "Getting back to nature is easy with products like Ecover that give you everything you want in a cleanser and nothing you don't want. Our eco-safe cleaning system wouldn't be so successful if it weren't for Ecover products".
From the raw materials, to the end product in the bottle - the Ecover lifecycle takes every consideration for making only a minimal impact on the environment.
ABOUT ECOVER:For over 25 years, Ecover has been producing products that adhere strictly to the World Health Organization's definition of heath, which incorporates the wellbeing of the whole person - both mental and physical - and the environment in which they live. Ecover is constantly innovating and pushing boundaries to create new and more effective products that have minimum negative impact on the environment, and consistently achieves extraordinary ethical standards with its products, management and production methods. For more information, visit http://www.ecover.com
CONTACT:
Kathy Kniss(626) 744-9178 x17
News Story on Carcinogen Found in Children's Bath Products
Steinman found that virtually all products tested, including very popular children's bath products, contained 1,4-dioxane at the following levels:
Alive! Expo - Seattle, WA - November 4, 2007, 1pm
"Living Healthy in a Toxic World" sponsored by Alive! Expo
Green Patriot™ Press Conference
On February 8, 2007, David Steinman and Freedom Press held a press conference at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., co-sponsored by the Environmental Working Group and the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.
They announced laboratory findings of the carcinogenic petrochemical 1,4-dioxane in more than 20 popular children's and baby's bath products.
In the conference, Steinman praised Green Patriot Green 100 and other companies who are choosing not to use petrochemical ingredients in their products. Click here for the press release.
Press conference speakers (left to right): Jane Houlihan, V.P. for Research,
Environmental Working Group; Devra Lee Davis, PhD, MPH, Director, Center for
Environmental Ecology, University of Pittsburg Graduate School of Public Health;
David Steinman; and Jeanne Rizzo, RN, Executive Director, Breast Cancer Fund.
Media Inquiries
To interview David Steinman, or for more information on the Green Patriot or Green 100brands, please contact:
Check out these recent interviews with David Steinman, the "Founder of the Green Patriot movement" as he discusses his latest book Safe Trip to Eden: Ten Steps to Save Planet Earth From the Global Warming Meltdown.
Read Organica magazine's glowing review of Safe Trip to Eden: Ten Steps to Save Planet Earth from the Global Warming Meltdown by David Steinman.
Environmental Health Consumer advocate David Steinman was interviewed on November 5, 2007 by Reporter Stella Inger (left) of KESQ Palm Springs in Coachella Valley, CA.
Steinman tested various cosmetics and bath products for the carcinogen 1,4-dioxane, a petroleum-derived contaminant considered a probable human carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Because it is a contaminant produced during manufacturing, the Food and Drug Administration does not require that 1,4-dioxane is listed as an ingredient on product labels.
We are pleased to announce that our radio property "Green Patriot Radio with David Steinman" has passed 28,000 listeners per episode after only nine months on the air.
