December 2024 Newsletter
In this edition: A message from Bobbi | C+H turns 18! | Lead Free Kids NY prepares for the years ahead | Activist feature: Cooper Burkett | Reimagine Albany | Team Highlights | Take Action on Diaper Disclosure | News we are reading | Upcoming events
A Message From Bobbi
Dear Clean+Healthy supporters,
Since Election Day, it’s clear that the second Trump administration, along with the elected Congressmembers and Senators, will seek to push beyond the 100+ environmental rollbacks that were enacted between 2016-2020. We are certain that the petrochemical industry (along with so many others) are gearing up to take full advantage to put profit ahead of people and the planet even more.
Here is some good news: Americans overwhelmingly support environmental protections and regulations, and want that work funded - regardless of which Presidential candidate they voted for. The best news is that Clean+Healthy is ready for this: because our work in New York shifts national markets, in times like these we serve as a backstop against weakened federal policy.
We know the work ahead will face challenges, but we’re ready, and we know our work in 2025 will advance the vision we all share: a just, clean+healthy world where toxic chemicals are unthinkable.
With deepest gratitude and rolled up sleeves,
Bobbi Wilding, MS
Executive Director
Clean+Healthy
C+H Turns 18. October 2024 Gala
On October 30th, our team, colleagues, leaders, and friends got together for a fun evening celebrating Clean+Healthy’s 18th anniversary at Brown’s Revolution Hall in Troy, NY. This year, we recognized these amazing companies leading in innovative solutions:
Blueland innovates cleaning and personal care products to eliminate single-use plastic packaging and use benign ingredients, with 40 patents and patents pending.
Ecovative designs and grows sustainable materials directly from mushrooms that replace petrochemicals in packaging, foam, leather, bacon, and more, which can then be composted.
Naturepedic has been driving the mattress marketplace to be more benign since 2003. Their mattresses and bedding have robust certifications and they are always seeking better ways of making bedding healthier.
Representatives from Ecovative and Naturepedic joined Executive Director Bobbi Wilding for a “fireside chat” about the importance of being a leader in eliminating toxics from products, and how they drive innovation.
The night was filled with laughter, great conversations, and an energetic buzz in the air as folks connected. We are deeply grateful to the broad and diverse community of folks who are engaged in environmental health and justice advocacy. Thank you to all who have been part of the first 18 years of this work! We are excited for what the next 18 years will bring!
Lead Free Kids NY Prepares for the Years Ahead
Lead Free Kids New York (LFKNY) is a statewide coalition working to end New York’s fully preventable childhood lead poisoning crisis. We already won creation of a rental registry to track the presence of lead paint across the state, along with pilot funding for renovations, but more action is needed. That’s why LFKNY partners came to Syracuse for an in-person kick-off to our series of strategic planning workshops. Many thanks to the Community Foundation of Central New York for hosting the event! Sign up here to join this effort to protect New Yorkers from toxic lead: we share updates, opportunities to take action, and invitations to events!
Activist Feature: Budding
Documentarian Cooper Burkett
Congratulations to Cooper Burkett for creating a documentary “Forever Chemical” that was featured at the Woodstock Film Festival this year! Poisoned in his New York home at infancy, Cooper has faced the negative effects of lead - the original “forever chemical” - for his whole life. Now, he and his family are part of Lead Free Kids NY to pass legislation fighting for every child’s right to a lead-free home. The documentary includes interviews with legislators and Clean+Healthy’s Executive Director. Check out the trailer here.
Reimagine Albany
C+H is excited to work with the new Reimagine Albany (RA) project. With our partners, we’re working to create a healthier thriving Albany using the rare opportunity to change I-787, which now divides communities from the Hudson River. On October 5th, we held a US EPA training, on community benefits agreements and understanding the future I-787 landscape. On October 17-18 members of the RA team joined representatives from 14 cities to explore strategies for this work and ensure the project benefits - and does not displace - local residents and communities. We are excited to kick off work under a US DOT grant that will empower residents to envision a community that they want.
Our Reimagine Albany Partners: Capital Area Urban League, AVillage, Arbor Hill Development Corp., NAACP, South End Neighborhood Association, Albany Riverfront Collaborative
Team Highlight: Award to Bobbi Wilding
Congratulations to our Executive Director, Bobbi Wilding for being awarded the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester Harriet Susskind Rosenblum Advocate’s Spirit Award. Bobbi is celebrated for her insatiable drive to create a world where toxics are unthinkable, including her work on the Beauty Justice Act. This bill would eliminate cancer causing chemicals in personal care products that disproportionately impact the health of women of color. Clean+Healthy appreciates BCCR’s ongoing engagement in the JustGreen Partnership!
Take Action: Urge Governor Hochul to Sign the Diaper disclosure Act:
Diaper manufacturers are not required to disclose the ingredients they use in their products, which often include polypropylene, polyethylene, phthalates, bleaching agents, fragrances, and polymers chemicals. The Diaper Disclosure Act can change that!
Send a letter to Governor Hochul today to urge her to sign the Diaper Disclosure Act into law so that consumers can make informed decisions when choosing a product to purchase.
News We Are Reading
Click the Image to Check Out the Stories
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has mandated all lead service pipes in the United States be replaced within the next 10 years to eliminate lead consumption in drinking water which negatively affects thousands of children annually. The Biden Administration has secured $15 billion from the bipartisan infrastructure law, leading to the replacement of over 300,000 lead pipes.
Testing by our colleagues at Toxic Free Future shows that black-colored plastic used in kitchen utensils, children’s toys, and take-out containers can contain dangerous levels of toxic flame retardants. 70% of the tested products contained decaBDE, some as high as 1,200 times the legal limit. Exposure to such flame retardants are linked to cancer, infertility, and neurodevelopmental issues.
A recent study published by Environmental Research highlights health risks for skiers and snowboarders due to exposure to PFAS found in ski wax. 100% of people tested had PFAS in their bodies. Ski coaches had higher PFAS levels in their blood compared to the US average. Higher PFAS levels were also linked to elevated cholesterol.
Upcoming Events
Giving Tuesday 2024
Join us in the movement of generosity! Fuel the work to make toxic chemicals an unthinkable part of the past. Thank you for your early gift!
One click helps make our lives healthier!
C+H Holiday Party
On December 6th, we are holding a pre-holiday reception for friends and colleagues. We will be serving light snacks & drinks to connect and reflect on the year. Click here or email jasmine@cleanhealthy.org to RSVP.
Webinar: Go PFAS-Free for the Holidays!
Join us on December 10th for a conversation on how to avoid PFAS during the holiday season & how to find safe products, with guest Leah Segedie from MAMAVATION.
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