posted Feb 1, 2012, 10:57 AM by Nancy Swan
Join and "Like" "Children's Environmental Protection Alliance" and "Toxic Justice" on Facebook and on Linked In for
news, commentary, and opportunities to protect children from hazardous
environmental and chemicals.
"Safe" by US standards means no
ill effects on a grown, health, heavy weight man. The US government fails
to provide standards of chemical and environmental safety for women and
children. Chemicals levels and compounds that will
not injure a man, can kill a young child. Dangerous products are
used in homes and salons on children without any warning or regulation.
Children are also exposed when they accompany adults to salons or are
near use of these products.
Products that are marketed to women and children contain insufficient warning labels. Few people bother to read warnings on
packaging. If the product cannot be safe for
children, they should be removed from the market or users should be
subjected to regulation and enforcement.
African-American and
African-Caribbean women surveyed used products that contained chemicals
that are commonly referred to as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs),
which have been linked to various reproductive effects and birth
defects, breast cancer and heart disease. -- “Racial/Ethnic Differences in Hormonally-Active Hair
Product Use: A Plausible Risk Factor for Health Disparities,” Journal of Immigrant Health
 sfbayview.com“Take
the kinks out of your mind, instead of out of your hair,” said Marcus
Garvey. Black women today who strive to take his admonition to heart are
in a better position than their sisters of the past. Research focusing
on the products used in African-American beauty salons – and homes – is
increasi... |
posted Jan 31, 2012, 11:58 AM by Nancy Swan
[
updated Jan 31, 2012, 5:21 PM
]
Empire State Consumer Project Center for Health, Environment and Justice Healthy Schools Network
The photo shows the disregard for safety of workers and bystanders, and children in classrooms with opened windows. The chemicals being sprayed during the school day are so lethal that during the K2000 scare, they were deemed some of the most deadly in the nation and plants were shut down. Over a half million people died as a result of exposure to this same chemical in the Union Carbide/Bhopal India tragedy, considered the world's worst industrial disaster. The land remains polluted and people of India continue to suffer as a result.
As a teacher, my neurological and respiratory system was seriously and permanently damaged by spray-on-foam roofing (I.P.Inc.) and sealant (Carboline) applied during school day. Despite claims of injuries to children and teachers, the owner, Jim English, refused to stop spraying the chemicals. More than two dozen children were also seriously injured by the cancer causing chemicals. School officials and the Defendants denied our claims of injury by accusing the injured of mass hysteria and by giving false information, published in the Sun Herald, that the EPA reported that the chemicals were nontoxic. Teachers were threatened by non-renewal of their yearly contracts into siding with the school and the applicator and against me. LeRoy School students and their parents are David's going against Goliath industries. I offer the following questions and the true story Toxic Justice in addition to those posted in the Press Release below.
Questions for the White House to answer.
How can President Obama back up his agenda to improve educational performance in U.S. Schools when school boards and school officials fail to protect schoolchildren from environmental and chemical hazards known to impair learning? Minorities and lower income students are particularly at risk. The CDC reports that asthma rising to epidemic proportions among students and teachers. Kids can't learn if they are absent and sickened at school. School officials do not have to tell parents that their child was exposed to hazards environmental or chemical products used or stored at school. Nor do school officials have a duty to warn of environmental and chemicals risks. Prior to the application of the roofing chemicals at my school, two tankers of the highly toxic and flammable chemicals were parked next to the school cafeteria for more than two weeks while children were present. I was told that the two tankers carried enough chemicals to kill everyone in the city. The applicator lied that the tankers contained only water, but later admitted under sworn testimony that the tankers contained isocyanate, toluene, and other deadly chemicals.
How can Michelle Obama back up her agenda to reduce child obesity through healthy school lunch programs, but say nothing when those meals made from products containing pesticides, prepared, stored, served from and served onto toxic plates and in toxic containers that are proven to cause health problems, including obesity?
2012 Presidential Election: Which one of the Presidential Hopefuls will be first to recognize and provide a solution to the growing problem of Toxic Schools in the U.S. and Toxic Justice for the injured?
For Immediate Release: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 Contacts: Judy Braiman, ESCP, 585-383-1317, judybraiman@frontiernet.net Anne Rabe, CHEJ, 518-732-4538, annerabe@msn.com Claire Barnett, HSNetwork, 202-543-7555, CBarnett@healthyschools.org LE ROY SCHOOL STUDENTS NEUROLOGICAL ILLNESS SPREADS, GROUPS REQUEST AGENCIES TO FULLY INVESTIGATE ENVIRONMENTAL, VACCINE AND OTHER POSSIBLE SOURCES Release Letters Sent to State and Federal Environmental, Health and Education Agencies (Rochester/Albany,
NY) Environment, consumer and environmental health groups, backed by Le
Roy, NY parents, today urged federal and state agencies to conduct a
full investigation of all possible sources for the outbreak of a
neurological disorder affecting school children at the Le Roy high
school in Genesee County. The coalition of groups released Freedom of
Information Act letters and other letter requests to the NYS Department
of Health (DOH), Le Roy Central School District, NYS Department of
Environmental Conservation (DEC), NYS Education Department (SED) and
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The letters requested that
there be a transparent environmental investigation to look into whether
there is any contamination from gas wells on the school property, a
nearby Federal Superfund site, a State Superfund site, a delisted State
Superfund site, past insecticide and pesticide uses, and other school
facility environmental conditions. In addition, the letters asked how
the DOH investigated vaccines, infections and communicable diseases as
possible causes. Judy Braiman, President, Empire State Consumer Project,
said "We ask children in school to show their work when
problem-solving. Now we are asking the agencies to "show your work."
Among other issues, we are asking about the qualifications and
independence of the health professionals initially consulted. Earlier
this month, the DOH declined to share their evidence, and labeled the
illness "conversion disorder." That is a diagnosis of exclusion. They
need to fully assess all factors such as vaccines, infections and
communicable diseases or environmental exposures, before saying the
multiple cases are attributed to a mass hysteria." Parents of two ill Le Roy school students, Jim Dupont and Beth Miller,
stated: "We are overwhelmed by the complex problems now facing too many
families and their affected children. We hope that full, appropriate,
and speedy investigations will help prevent more illnesses. Parents need
backup: we appreciate the help because we absolutely cannot do this on
our own. Environmental conditions need to be investigated, before they
are ruled out." Claire Barnett, Executive Director, Healthy Schools Network,
said, "We are alarmed by the early rush to judgment. The school's
January 2012 environmental reports are so narrow and so generic they
could not give any school anywhere a "clean bill of health," let alone
Le Roy, which was built on swampy land, operates gas wells, and is near
State and Federal Superfund sites. Independent qualified
professionals in pediatric environmental health and in indoor
environments and in outdoor environments are needed.
Anne Rabe, Campaign Coordinator, Center for Health, Environment & Justice,
said, "The state and federal agencies need to fully investigate all
possible toxic exposure pathways that could be impacting students and
school personnel. We hope that this is not the case, but toxic
exposures cannot be ruled out until adequate environmental testing is
done. The community needs a transparent environmental investigation plan
conducted by the agencies and school. If the school is burning raw gas
laced with toxic contaminants, then ambient air testing of the gas
wells, school boiler stack and the school's indoor air needs to be
done. Soil and water testing of the school property is needed to ensure
that rumors of past industrial dumping in the area, as well
as the nearby State Superfund Lapp Insulator site, delisted State
Superfund Target Products site, and the Lehigh Valley Derailment Federal
Superfund site, which created contaminated groundwater in the past, has
not polluted the school property." The
Empire State Consumer Association, Healthy Schools Network and the
Center for Health, Environment & Justice, filed Freedom of
Information Act letters and other letter requests with the Le Roy
Central School District, DOH and SED asking them to investigate
environmental factors, such as carbon monoxide, the possible impact of
the nearby TCE-contaminated Federal Superfund site, gas wells and raw
gas uses onsite, occupational health complaints, as well as DOH’s
management of the investigation. CHEJ also released its request to EPA
Region 2 and DEC regarding the Superfund site, four mile plume of highly
toxic TCE in the groundwater, and four gas wells. The Network also
released its request to the SED on Le Roy school facility inspections Links to all the documents are below,
Both the Le Roy district and SED have initiated responses, as has DEC.
Over the weekend, the Le Roy district posted a new public statement
about the outbreak, indicating it was participating with various
agencies to assess environmental and other factors. Empire State Consumer Project,
works to reduce the use of pesticides and other chemicals toxic to
human and environmental health and well-being of all consumers,
especially children. www.kindersafe.org FOIA to Le Roy CSD - http://tinyurl.com/7hqgy4d FOIA to NYS DOH - http://tinyurl.com/7y36s8v Healthy Schools Network,
the nation's leading nonprofit promoting children's environmental
health in schools through research, award winning public education and
assistance for parents, personnel and schools, and policy advocacy. www.HealthySchools.org FOIA to NYS Education Department (SED) - http://tinyurl.com/6tx55v8 Center for Health, Environment, and Justice,
a national environmental health organization working with communities
to prevent harm from toxic exposures, provides technical and organizing
assistance and public education, and organizes national and state
environmental health campaigns. www.chej.org Letter to EPA Region 2 - http://tinyurl.com/6p4gbqk Letter to DEC regarding Federal Superfund site and TCE groundwater plume, and active gas wells - http://tinyurl.com/7nw7vw8 |
posted Sep 11, 2011, 3:24 PM by Nancy Swan
[
updated Sep 29, 2011, 11:50 PM
]
U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate has scheduled a status conference in the case for Sept. 23. The
plaintiff in the lawsuit, USF&G Insurance Co., asked for the
conference, saying the litigation has been on hold since December 2010
because of the criminal case against former attorney Paul Minor and
former Harrison County Chancery Judge Wes Teel . . .
Minor, 65, and former Harrison County Circuit Judge John Whitfield,
49, had their sentences reduced, too, but they remain in prison.
Whitfield is not a party in the USF&G lawsuit. In asking for
the status conference, USF&G said the criminal matters have been
taken care of and the civil lawsuit should move forward. The status conference requested by USF&G has one huge flaw. USF&G was not the sole victim of the Minor/Whitfield/Teel bribery (gift)
scheme. Therefore USF&G cannot evidence of sole propriety to any or all damages
resulting from the Minor/Whitfield/Teel bribery/fraud/racketeering convictions. Testimony under seal in the
MInor/Whitfield bribery case evidences that Paul Minor had several cases
before Judge John Whitfield during the time Minor was paying cash
($150,00) to Judge Whitfield and on which Judge Whitfield ruled in
Minor's favor. Paul Minor and his partner in the Swan vs. Carboline
case, Judy Guice, both admitted (audiotaped) to at least three ex parte
meetings with Judge Whitfield with the intent to influence Judge
Whitfield's decision. From 1998 - 11/2000 the Swan v Carboline
was also being heard by John Whitfield. Also being heard was the
consolidated case of almost two dozen former chemically injured students
and teachers of Long Beach Middle School, Mississippi. According
to a recorded statement by Carboline's Defense attorney Harry Allen
Esq.of Gulfport, a "technical" problem had prohibited the consolidated
students case from receiving insurance proceeds. From the time Judge
Whitfield was assigned my case in 1998 and up to the present, he has
helped Paul Minor cover up the theft of settlement funds in the Swan
case, to use as bribes for himself, and used to pay off litigants in
another case. Copies of court documents, judicial and bar
complaints, and correspondence signed by Paul Minor, Judy Guice,
attorney John Hester, and judge and former judge John Whitfield from
1998 to 2002, including bar complaints will be posted on the blog page
of www.toxicjustice.com in the coming weeks prior to the Sept. 23 proposed hearing by Judge Wingate. These
documents are sealed and remain in affect in the Harrison County
Circuit Court, including the threats by John Whitfield in an attempt to
insure my silence. |
posted Aug 3, 2011, 11:12 PM by Nancy Swan
Please request the subscription for this page with the name change. This will avoid confusion as the changes are made to both the Toxic Justice website and to the Children's Environmental Protection Alliance (Children's EPA) website and blog at http://www.childrensepa.org
Your patience is appreciated while we undergo some changes.
|
posted Jul 19, 2011, 10:40 PM by Nancy Swan
[
updated Sep 29, 2011, 11:54 PM
]
Please copy and paste this link into your Facebook or email and share on Twitter. RT from ToxicJustice on Twitter. The following edited email was sent to me with the request that it be forwarded. Spray on Foam Roofing and Coating chemicals are deadly and are being advertised by manufacturers and applicators as well as respected building organizations as a "green" product. They may save energy cost, but is it worth it to save oil to pay for it with our lives and health? Not mentioned is that this product is flammable unless re-coated periodically with a flame resistant coating. Home sellers are not required to tell buyers that it is necessary and expensive to re-coat. It is also chemically dangerous for the inhabitants of the house and nearby homes and businesses.
PLEASE
WATCH THIS VERY IMPORTANT TV REPORT REGARDING A NIGHTMARE THAT HAPPENED TO US
AND COULD POTENTIALLY AFFECT ANYONE:
Local TV News Report regarding a DEMILEC spray foam insulation
job that went horribly wrong:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSi3dCegiy8
We researched this
product for over one year and never saw anything negative about it. So we (and
others that this has happened to) were totally unprepared for what occurred. We have
been in contact with MANY all over the country that have suffered through a
similar catastrophic failure of a spray foam insulation installation. What we
have learned is:
- The manufacturer WILL DENY that there could EVER be a
problem with their product.
- The installer's liability insurance company WILL DENY
coverage based on a "Pollution Exclusion" clause.
- That leaves it up to the installer who VERY WELL MAY
OFFER NO HELP WHATSOEVER.
It
costs THOUSANDS to install and TENS OF THOUSANDS to remove, and THAT IS NO
GUARANTEE THAT YOU WILL EVER BE ABLE TO REOCCUPY YOUR HOME AGAIN! The chemicals
are SENSITIZING AGENTS that can cause severe breathing problems and even
chemical sensitivity. We know of individuals who tried to remove the foam and
were sicker than they were before and had to walk away from their home.
There is a strong push
today to save energy and many people are considering installing this same type
of spray foam insulation in their attic (there are other manufacturers of a similar product as well.)
Those individuals could be your FRIENDS OR RELATIVES.
Also, think about
buildings where groups of people regularly meet (say for example
groups of 75-180 people.) We know of a local meeting place that had
chemical and odor issues (not as bad as ours) and some attendees had
the same health problems that we did. WHAT IF ONE OF THESE BUILDINGS SUFFERED A
CATASTROPHIC FAILURE AND WAS RENDERED USELESS?
Also, think of buildings
where larger groups meet (say up to 2,000 at a time.) WHAT IF ONE OF THESE
BUILDINGS SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE AND WAS RENDERED USELESS?
|
posted Jun 29, 2011, 1:16 PM by Nancy Swan
[
updated Sep 30, 2011, 12:00 AM
]
The following is a copy of my letter sent to Alabama Governor Robert Bentley, who is also a physician. Original source Children's Environmental Protection Alliance and Community Forums
To:Governor Robert Bentley Via: Vice Taylor, Director of Constituent Services
From: Nancy Swan
Mobile, AL 36608
Dear Governor Bentley:
Please do not sacrifice the safety of children by encouraging children
and pregnant women of unborn children to participate in clean up of
disaster areas.
The leading story on today's (6/28/11) print edition of the Mobile Press Register is " Bus from Mobile brings helping hands from St. Luke's school to tornado battered Tuscaloosa."
The photo below shows children removing debris, their only protection
from possibly contaminated materials and air is thin latex gloves. As a
physician, you are aware that high school students under the age of 18
are children, despite their appearance as young adults.
Governor Bentley, your encouragement and subsequent praise of child
disaster areas workers serves to increase participation in disaster area
clean up may endanger even more children with long term, serious,
health problems. Like me, an unwarned toxic chemical survivor, their
sacrifice may cost them a life of 24 hour pain, and for some, a life of
despair.
Sources requested: The EPA has recognized that children are more susceptible to environmental hazards, just as they are to medications.
According to U. S. EPA,
Children are more vulnerable to
environmental exposures because their responses to toxic substances, both in
severity and in the nature of the adverse effect, can differ markedly from
those of adults.
- The rapid
development of a child's organ systems during embryonic, fetal, and
early newborn periods makes children vulnerable when exposed to
environmental toxicants. Children breathe more air, drink more water,
and eat more food per kilogram of body weight than adults. An infant's
respiratory rate is more than twice an adult's rate. Children’s habits
(e.g., hand to mouth contact) also make them more susceptible to
environmental hazards, especially dust. Since children spend
up to 80-90 percent of their time indoors, it is paramount to make every
effort to minimize potential dangers. These particular vulnerabilities of infants, preschool and young
children may be of particular importance to consider where childcare
centers are integrated or adjacent to elementary or other schools.
- Children experience periods of growth and organ
development which can be adversely affected by exposures to toxic
substances.
- Children with chronic
illnesses such as asthma may experience increased vulnerability to
environmental toxicants. Asthma continues to be a significant problem
among school age children.
Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit PEHSU
The Pediatric
Environmental Health Specialty Units (PEHSU) Network encourage families,
pediatricians, and communities to work together to ensure that children
are protected from exposure to environmental hazards.
Fact sheets and Publications warning health
care professionals, and the community, parents, and pregnant women about
danger of oil chemicals during response to the BP Oil Spill. Note:
During the BP oil crisis and when at most risk for contact with
contaminants, the public, parents of children, nor clean up workers were
not warned about toxicity of crude oil.
- Advisory about Gulf Oil Spill, for patients (August 2010)
- Advisory for Gulf Coast Parents and Community Members
Children are at Risk
Environmental pollutants are especially harmful to children. They eat,
drink, and breathe more than adults on a pound for pound basis. A
child’s nose and mouth are closer to the ground than the nose and mouth
of an adult; so children more easily breathe in pollutants in the air,
which may accumulate close to the ground if they are heavier than air.
Because children play on the ground, they are more likely to have skin
contact with pollutants than adults. Toddlers may crawl and as a result,
may get contaminated soil, sand and other substances on their hands and
clothes. It is normal for toddlers to put their hands in their mouth so
they will accidentally get more toxic substances in their bodies than
older kids and adults.
Emergency Planning and Community
Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA):The EPCRA requires states and local
governments to have a plan in place to alert citizens of chemical accidents.
The local governing bodies are required to create emergency planning districts,
and response plans including transportation routes and notification procedures.
It is inexcusable for U. S. and state officials responding to disasters
to continue to fail or refuse to alert citizens of dangerous chemicals
in disaster areas. Alabama governors has consistently failed or refused
to promptly and effectively alert
- the public of potential for exposure to and injury from
environmental, materials, and chemical hazards present in disaster
areas, and
- adults, parents, school administrators,
youth groups, organizations and others responsible for child safety that
the EPA has acknowledged that children under 18 are more susceptible to
injury from exposure to environmental and chemical hazards.
Alabama has failed to alert its citizens by notification in accordance
with the Right to Know, nor were children prohibited in the clean up
area during the BP Oil Disaster. Illness among adult clean up workers and children exposed to BP contaminates had been
diagnosed until months after the BP disaster. Exposure
to environmental and chemical hazards can take years to present and
more agonizing years before diagnosis and proper treatment and can lead
to permanent and
serious disease.
I was seriously and permanently injured hazardous chemicals while teaching middle school in Mississippi during a spray on foam roofing project
applied during school hours. Hundreds complained and had to have
eyeglass lenses replaced. Two dozen children were seriously injured.
Two of the chemicals, methyl diphenol isocyanate (MDI) and toluene
diisocyanate (TDI) had been recognized by OSHA as causing permanent
damage to humans. I have permanent damage from burns and scarred lungs,
surgical removal of part of my respiratory
system, vocal chord damage, damaged eyes, brain damage damage ,
peripheral nerve damage, and
am in permanent pain from neuropathy. I was forced to watch my
students being poisoned by these chemicals and prevented from protecting
them by school officials who refused to protect us. Instead of
administering emergency medical care in accordance with OSHA, we were
ridiculed as a cover up took place. I wish a state official had done
for me and the injured children what I am asking of you.
As a result of my injury, I am founder and director of Children's Environmental Protection Alliance (Children's EPA) and Community Forum and am an activist and partner for more than a dozen health and environmental organizations. In 2010, I hosted three CDC/ATSDR Community Conversations on Public Health and Chemical Exposure. Toxic Justice is my book and story and the incentive which initiated six proclamations, one signed you you this year making April 11, 2011 National National Healthy Schools Day (NHSD). Governor Riley signed similar proclamations in 2008 and 2010. In 2010 and 2011, Governor Barbour (MS) and in in 2011 Governor Bill Haslam (TN) signed similar NHSD Proclamations.
I hope that you will make prompt and
public decision to prohibit child volunteers under the age of eighteen
from participating in Alabama disaster areas. Thank you for your consideration. Please contact me if you need any further documentation or information. Sincerely, Nancy Swan (signature) --
Nancy Swan
 Author of Toxic Justice: A Teacher's True Story of Her Chemical Injury and Battle for Justice
Website: Toxic Justice
 Organization: Founder and Director Children's Environmental Protection Alliance
|
posted Jun 15, 2011, 4:49 PM by Nancy Swan
[
updated Jun 26, 2011, 5:05 PM by Thomas Swan
]
My former lawyer and former Judge John Whitfield (bad guys in my true book, Toxic Justice) should have been sentenced to more than a hundred years, according to fed guidelines for their remaining crimes. Federal Judge Henry Wingate reduced their sentences the least possible, after being forced to abide by a recent US Supreme Court decision known as " The Skilling Decision." The USSC decision resulted in vacating (eliminating) Minor and Whitfield's bribery conviction by changing the Webster's definition of "bribery." Just to let you know only certain people can get away with bribery. Now, cash & gifts thro 3rd party payoffs and expensive perks given to Judges and Politicians in exchange for influence and favors does NOT constitute bribery. Dictionary editors take note: You must revise the word "bribe" to "bribe >verb dishonestly persuade (someone [except judges and politicians]) to act in one's favor by paying them or giving other inducement." JACKSON, Miss. -- Former Mississippi attorney Paul Minor was
re-sentenced Monday to eight years in prison in a judicial corruption
scheme involving two ex-judges, who also were ordered back to federal
lock-up. U.S. District Judge Henry T. Wingate rejected the men's
appeal to be sentenced to time already served in the case. But Minor and
former Harrison County judges Wes Teel, 60, and John Whitfield, 48, all
will serve less time than when originally sentenced in 2007. All are in
prison now. For CBS news commentary on Skilling decision <http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504564_162-20008770-504564.html |
posted Apr 18, 2011, 3:21 PM by Nancy Swan
[
updated Apr 18, 2011, 3:26 PM by Thomas Swan
]
Safe Chemicals Act of 2011- Call your Senators to save our children from environmental and chemical exposure and injuries.
Reposted from Children's Environmental Protection Alliance, Director Nancy Swan
If Safe Chemicals Act of 2011 would
have been in effect in 1985, I would still be teaching and looking
forward to retirement funds. Instead I suffered sometimes unbearable
pain, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for more than 25 years. I would not
have had my scarred sinuses surgically removed, my lungs and brain
damaged, nor would I have had to wear leg and hand braces to do what
others take for granted. I would not have had to endured 6 surgeries
because of the chemical poisoning and medical treatment costing more than $200K in medical bills. To read about my book, a summary of my story, and
read the first chapter of Toxic Justice, click on this link to my other
website, Toxic Justice.
If
not for your sake, for the sake of your child or loved one, make a
call, write a quick note , or click on the links below to let your
Senator you want them to support the Safe Chemical Act of 2011. A few
minutes of your time may save a lifetime of hardship, pain, and
suffering. Paste below is a copy of an email I received from Lindsay Dahl, Deputy Director, Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families
Senator: Be our hero, co-sponsor the Safe Chemicals Act of 2011
![Ask your Senator to be a superhero]() Today
we have exciting news to share; Congress is poised to take a meaningful
step to protect you and your family from toxic chemicals. We need your
help to make sure your Senators know that fixing the toxic chemicals
law is important to American families!
We
know you're tired of having to worry about which products in your home
are safe and which ones may contain toxic chemicals like lead,
formaldehyde or dangerous plastic additives. So are we. We believe
Americans shouldn't need a Ph.D. in chemistry to make safe purchases at
the checkout counter. The just introduced Safe Chemicals Act of 2011
would require chemical makers to prove their chemicals are safe before
they are allowed in our homes, schools, and workplaces.
Click here to take action!
Just
as we have laws against people breaking into our homes and threatening
our safety, we can have laws against chemical intruders that enter our
bodies. Without our knowledge or consent, these toxic intruders put us
and our children at risk. Science is linking toxic chemical exposures to
all kinds of serious diseases and disorders, including childhood
leukemia and brain cancers, breast and testicular cancer, neurological
disorders like autism and Alzheimer's, and fertility problems.
We
need you to tell your Senator to co-sponsor this important piece of
legislation. By signing up as a co-sponsor, your Senator can show their
commitment to putting common sense limits on toxic chemicals.
Will you take a minute to ask them to co-sponsor the Safe Chemicals Act?
If you prefer to make a two-minute call to your Senator, please call the Capitol switchboard at: (202) 224-3121.
Thanks
for your continued support. Asking your Senators to co-sponsor the Safe
Chemicals Act is an important step towards safer products, stronger
businesses and healthier families! |
posted Apr 9, 2011, 3:58 PM by Nancy Swan
[
updated Apr 12, 2011, 11:06 AM by Thomas Swan
]
| Guest Blog: Renee Blanchard, Save Our Gulf Coordination, Waterkeeper Alliance
|
|
"April 20 will mark the one year memorial of the
Deepwater Horizon explosion. I'm currently working for the Waterkeeper
Alliance and we need help from like-minded communities and organization's
to help raise awareness during this week. Please consider sending out a message to your community, friends, and supporters. One
issue that is extremely important is the public health crisis that is
growing on the
Gulf coast. With 1.8 million gallons of toxic dispersants and 250
million gallons of crude oil released into the the Gulf of Mexico. No
one knows the long term consequences of this toxic cocktail. Oil clean
up workers and people who live in communities close to where oil washed
ashore are becoming ill. We must make sure all Clean Water Act penalties
return to the Gulf coast. Right now there is no mandate that this will
happen. And we need your help to make this happen. Below I have
pasted a sample email alert that you can modify and use as you like. I
have also pasted a sample letter to congress. I have more sample
writing, such as an op-ed and social media posts, if you are interested."
Let me know if I can help you in anyway. Renee Blanchard Save Our Gulf Coordinator Waterkeeper Alliance --------------------------------------------- Sample Email Alert to Supporters
Dear friend,
On April 20, 2010, the Deepwater Horizon well exploded 50
miles off the coast of Louisiana. Eleven men lost their lives that day. On
April 22, the rig sank into the Gulf of Mexico, triggering 87 days of
uncontrolled oil discharges to the Gulf.
From April 20 to July 18, it is estimated that 250 million
gallons of
oil were released into our environment. The long term consequences to
our health and our environment of this toxic cocktail remain unknown.
[Insert
why your organization cares [or you care] about the Gulf coast.]
There is no federal legislation that requires BP’s Clean
Water Act fines return to the Gulf coast where they belong. The Clean Water Act fines could mean a
more complete restoration for our ecosystem and our communities. But only if
they go back to the Gulf coast, where the disaster took place.
Please urge your Congressional delegation to ensure that no
less than 80 percent of Clean Water Act fines return to the Gulf coast for
ecological restoration.
An unexpected disaster can happen in any community, and when
it does we must stand united to restoring impacted communities.
Take action right now to stand by the people of the Gulf
coast.
Thank you,
[Your
name] and contact information and signature, if applicable
Sample Letter to Congress
Your name, address, and date
Dear [insert
legislator’s name],
On April 20, 2010, BP’s Deepwater Horizon well exploded 50
miles off the coast of Louisiana. Eleven men lost their lives that day. On
April 22, the rig sank into the Gulf of Mexico. Oil discharged into the Gulf of
Mexico from the well-head until July 18. During these 87 days, it is estimated
that 250 million gallons of oil was released into our environment.
The amount of crude oil released and toxic dispersants
applied to the Gulf is unprecedented. We have no idea what this toxic cocktail
has done or will continue to do to our nation’s largest seafood source, our
bodies or the environment.
[Insert
your organization’s mission and any possible link to the restoration and
recovery of the Gulf coast. For example, the use of toxic dispersants effect
all our communities in the form of seafood safety, the issues surrounding the
non-disclosure of chemical ingredients and their unknown health impacts, etc.]
I am writing to urge you to support that all Clean Water Act
penalties resulting from the BP oil disaster be returned to the Gulf coast for
fair, equitable and appropriate restoration. The oil is not gone and Gulf coast
communities have not been made whole again. The media has largely left and the
national spotlight has moved on to other stories, but the Gulf coast still
needs your help.
I may not live on the Gulf coast, but [ and] I continue to stand
with my fellow Americans who are on the frontlines of this continuing public
health and environmental disaster. They need our help and you must ensure that at
least 80 percent of Clean Water Act penalties return to the region for
ecosystem restoration.
Thank you for your time,
[Your
name] including signature, if applicable
--
From Nancy Swan, Administrator of Children's Environmental Protection
Alliance. I received this above message because I am subscribed to the
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To post to this group, send email to schoolsiting@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/schoolsiting?hl=en. |
posted Apr 5, 2011, 9:02 PM by Nancy Swan
[
updated Apr 5, 2011, 9:23 PM by Thomas Swan
]
In honor of National Healthy Schools Day, Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour
proclaimed the week of April 11, 2011 as Healthy Schools Week and April
11, 2011 as Healthy Schools Day in the state of Mississippi. This is Governor Barbour's second consecutive year to honor National Healthy Schools Day, which is sponsored by Healthy Schools Network, the US EPA
and over 2 dozen major health and school organizations. The
proclamation was sponsored by Healthy Schools Network volunteer and
speaker Nancy Swan and co-sponsored by Mississippi resident and businesswoman, Mrs. Shelia Pace. National Healthy Schools Day is also supported by Children's Environmental Protection Alliance adm. Nancy Swan
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS,
materials used in building construction and conditions resulting from
property damage, or even poor maintenance and upkeep, can result in indoor air
pollution that could jeopardize a person's health; and
WHEREAS, many
of the sources of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) problems (i.e. formaldehyde, mold,
radon, etc.) can be easily prevented and corrected by simple measures, and
WHEREAS, Mississippi is dedicated
to enhancing and preserving the safety, health, and well-being of our children,
especially in the school environment; by protecting Indoor Air Quality; and
WHEREAS, our
schools are the building blocks of our communities and the keystone of our
future; and
NOW
THEREFORE, I Haley Barbour, as Governor of the great Sate of Mississippi,
do hereby proclaim the April 11, 2011 as
Healthy Schools Day
And
April 11, 2011 through April 17, 2011 as
Healthy Schools Week
in
the state of Mississippi,
and call community awareness to improving the environmental quality of our
schools and protection our school children and personnel from toxic injury.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have
hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Mississippi to be
affixed.
DONE in the City of Jackson on the 28th day of March in the year of
our Lord two thousand and eleven and in the anniversary of the United States of America,
the two hundred and thirty-fifth.
HALEY BARBOUR
GOVERNOR
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