Blog Archives
Portable Classrooms
As You Sow initiated an enforcement actions against many national manufacturers, lessors and distributors of portable classrooms regarding indoor air emissions of formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds from construction materials that required a warning under Proposition 65. MORE
Poly-Vinyl Chloride
Poly-vinyl chloride, commonly referred to as PVC, is a synthetic resin commonly used in plastic products. It is hazardous from production, through its usage, and as a waste product. PVC is found in common consumer products such as toys, athletic shoes, packaging, computer parts, credit cards, garden hoses, shower curtains, upholstery, carpets, and plastic cables. MORE
Mercury in Fish
As You Sow and Sea Turtle Restoration Project found alarmingly high levels of mercury in some fish which we purchased and tested in 2003. The two groups subsequently initiated actions against several major grocery store chains and one large seafood restaurant chain regarding the mercury levels in certain fish being sold or served to consumers without any warning. MORE
Lead in Jewelry
As You Sow began purchasing and testing costume jewelry from a variety of retail outlets during 2003. In early 2004, As You Sow issued notices of violation to 16 retailers of such items and concurrently learned that a colleague organization, Center for Environmental Health, had also recently issued similar notices. These cases were taken over by California’s Attorney General. As You Sow and Center for Environmental Health worked closely with the Attorney General’s office in prosecuting this litigation, was diverted to voluntary mediation. MORE
Dental Amalgam
Dental amalgam is a material used in a variety of dental restorations including most fillings, crowns and bridges. Since millions of dental patients in California were being regularly exposed to levels of mercury requiring a warning under Proposition 65, As You Sow initiated actions in 2001 against large dental offices around the state over the use and implementation of dental amalgam restorations. MORE
Bisphenol A
Bisphenol A (BPA) is used to make polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins. It is commonly found in polycarbonate plastic bottles, canned food linings, cash register receipt tape, and dental sealants. An increasing body of scientific evidence indicates that BPA is a potent neural, developmental, and reproductive toxicant, with the ability to impact fetal and infant development. Studies have linked exposure to extremely low doses of BPA to increased risk of breast and prostate cancer, impaired immune function, obesity, diabetes, early onset of puberty, hyperactivity, aneuploidy, and other disorders. MORE
CFL Labeling
The most popular alternative to incandescent bulbs is compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). They have become the poster-child for how the average consumer can help stop global warming, but these bulbs present a few environmental challenges. Consumers must be informed of the toxic mercury content in CFL bulbs and proper cleanup procedures in case of accidental breakage. MORE
DuPont – GMOs – 2011
Disclosure of material information is a fundamental principle of our capital markets. Investors, their confidence in corporate bookkeeping shaken, are starting to scrutinize other possible “off-balance sheet” liabilities, such as risks associated with activities harmful … MORE
Abbott Laboratories
Abbott Laboratories is the maker of Similac Isomil infant formula, which contains both GMO corn and soy products. Abbott’s Decision to Offer GMO-Free Baby Formula Applauded by As You Sow Following Three Years of Shareholder … MORE
DuPont – GMOs – 2013
Resolved that shareholders request the Board of Directors to review and report to shareholders by November 2013 on the company’s internal controls related to potential adverse impacts associated with genetically engineered organisms,including: Adequacy of current … MORE
Carcinogens in Tide Laundry Detergent
On January 24, 2013, Procter & Gamble, the world’s largest consumer products company, settled a lawsuit filed by As You Sow to enforce California’s Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act. As You Sow brought the suit against P&G for selling laundry detergents, including Tide, containing the carcinogenic chemical 1,4-dioxane without giving consumers a legally required warning that the products contain cancer-causing chemicals. MORE
Other Initiatives
Read about our other initiatives in Environmental Health.
Coca-Cola – BPA – 2012
Shareholders request the Board of Directorsto publish a report by September 1, 2012,
at reasonable cost and excluding confidential information, updating investors on how
the company is responding to the public policy challenges associated with BPA, including
summarizing what the company is doing to maintain its position of leadership and public
trust on this issue, its role in adopting or encouraging development of alternatives to
BPA in can linings, and any material risks to the company’s market share or reputation in
staying the course with continued use of BPA. MORE
Smoke Free Movies
Smoke Free Movies is a project of the University of California, San Francisco that identifies the link between tobacco advertising and movie production and seeks to protect the health of teens by reducing smoking in … MORE
Prop 65 News
Prop 65 News is a publication focusing on regulatory, litigation and scientific developments in Proposition 65.
Prop 65 Clearinghouse
Prop65clearinghouse.com provides timely information and resources for the Proposition 65 community, including reports, customized research, conferences, and consulting services.
Office of the Attorney General for the State of California
The California Attorney General’s office enforces Proposition 65 as well as oversees the enforcement activity by private parties and other public agencies. The Attorney General’s website provides a database of notices of violations that have … MORE
Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment
OEHHA maintains the list of chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer or reproductive harm. OEHHA’s website provides information about the listing process, the current list of chemicals, and the regulations implementing … MORE
Consumer Product Safety Commission
The CPSC is the federal agency charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury and death from over 15,000 types of consumer products. The CPSC works to protect consumers from products that … MORE
California Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch
The Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Act of 1991 declared that childhood lead exposure is the most significant childhood environmental health problem in California. As a result, this division of California’s Department of Health Services is … MORE
Healthcare Without Harm
Healthcare Without Harm is a global coalition of 443 organizations in 52 countries working to protect health by reducing pollution in the health care industry.
Environmental Working Group
The Environmental Working Group is a non profit public interest watchdog that investigates and expose threat to the environment and human health and finds solutions.
Center for Health, Environment & Justice
The Center for Health, Environment & Justice (CHEJ) is a nonprofit organization that works with the environmental health and justice movement to eliminate harmful toxic exposures. CHEJ advocates responsible corporate behavior and governmental reforms to … MORE
Center for Food Safety
The Center for Food Safety (CFS) is a non-profit public interest and environmental advocacy membership organization that challenges harmful food production technologies and promotes sustainable alternatives.
Campaign for Safe Cosmetics
The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics is a coalition of public health, educational, religious, labor, womens, environmental and consumer groups whose goal is to protect the health of consumers and workers by requiring the health and … MORE
Breast Cancer Fund
Breast Cancer Fund is a national organization focused on identifying the causes of breast cancer and preventing the disease. They are a founding member of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.
American Medical Association
The American Medical Association helps doctors help patients by uniting physicians nationwide to work on the most important professional and public health issues. They are part of a group of concerned organizations calling on film … MORE
American Lung Association
The American Lung Association is a voluntary health organization aiming to prevent lung disease and promote lung health. They are part of a group of concerned organizations calling on film producers to R rate movies … MORE
Safeway
Safeway Inc. is an American supermarket chain. It is the second largest supermarket chain in North America and the 11th largest retailer in the U.S. As You Sow has engaged with Safeway on issues related … MORE
DuPont
Chemical giant E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (commonly referred to as DuPont) is a major life science company involved in the production of genetically engineered seeds and also owns Pioneer Hi-Bred, producer of … MORE
Abbott Laboratories – GMOs – 2013
As You Sow asked Abbott Laboratories to adopt a policy of removing genetically engineered organisms (GMOs) from its nutritional products, to adopt the interim step of labeling, and to prepare a report to shareholders on … MORE
Slipping Through the Cracks: An Issue Brief on Nanomaterials in Foods
Slipping Through the Cracks is designed to inform companies, investors, and consumers about the emerging use of engineered nanomaterials in food and food related products. It highlights the potential risks of nanotechnology for companies who are knowingly or unknowingly using it in their products and for public health. MORE
Coca-Cola
The Coca-Cola company is an American multinational corporation that manufactures, retails, and markets nonalcoholic beverages, concentrates and syrups. As You Sow has engaged with Coca-Cola on issues related to consumer packaging and bisphenol A. Read … MORE
Infant Formula: Baby’s First GMOs
YAHOO! – May 7, 2013 – We talk a lot here about labeling of genetically modified ingredients. The fact is, we can probably surmise that tasty bag of snack chips likely got its start in … MORE
Abbott Labs, DuPont Reject Investor Proposals To Eliminate GMOs
SUSTAINABLE BRANDS – May 1, 2013 – Abbott Laboratories last week rejected a proposal from shareholders to remove genetically modified organisms (GMOs) from its natural products, which includes its Similac baby formula.
Pressure Mounts to Remove GMOs from Infant Formula; Abbott Laboratories Shareholders Set To Vote on Non-GMO Policy
TRUTHOUT – April 29, 2013 – Shareholders of Abott Laboratories will vote on whether the manufacture of Similac, a leading brand of infant formula, should adopt a policy of sourcing ingredients that have not been … MORE
Investors Want Baby Formula Free of GMOs
SOCIAL FUNDS – April 25, 2013 – Here in Vermont last month, the state’s House Agricultural Committee voted by a substantial margin in support of proposed legislation that would require labels on food products that … MORE
DuPont, Abbott Investors Vote on GMO Resolutions
ENVIRONMENTAL LEADER – April 24, 2013 – DuPont shareholders today will vote on a resolution on genetically engineered seeds while Abbott Laboratories’ shareholders Friday will ask the company to remove GMOs from its infant formula … MORE
Doughnuts Dusted with Nanopowder? Blech!
SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN – April 15, 2013 – There are nanosize particles in your food. Does this make you nervous? Food companies have been interested in using nanotechnology to intensify flavors and make products creamier without … MORE
GMOs and Pesticides
Raising awareness about the risks of GMOs with the food, beverage, and grocery industries and encourage transparency on their efforts to find and use alternatives. MORE
