Author: DeAnne Curran
Safer, Biobased Alternatives to Phthalates
Earlier this year, Mike Belliveau, Executive Director of the Environmental Health Strategy Center, spoke at the Midwest Bioeconomy and Safer Products Summit. His panel, “Phthalates: Science, Policy, and Safer Alternatives” focused on finding alternative solutions to harmful chemicals through green chemistry and biobased materials. Phthalates are a large group of chemicals that are widely used… Read more »
Nanocellulose Boosts Strength of Concrete
Nanocellulose (also called cellulose nano fibers or CNF) are tiny structural building blocks derived from biomass (like trees and plants). They have great potential for conversion to lightweight, high-strength, advanced materials. Research in and commercialization of nanocellulose is growing quickly in the U.S. and globally, with a 1,000 ton per day pilot facility at the University of Maine and the nation’s first commercial nanocellulose plant… Read more »
Biobased Chemical Market in U.S. to Expand Faster than Previously Thought
Globally, the market for biobased chemicals is growing by leaps and bounds. According to a recent report published by the National Research Council, the U.S. is on track to experience an upsurge in biobased chemicals even larger than anticipated. According to the Council’s report, “Industrialization of Biology: A Roadmap to Accelerate the Advanced Manufacturing of Chemicals,” advanced manufacturing of chemicals through biology… Read more »
Floored by toxic chemicals? You should be.
So you finally put that new floor in. What a fine looking addition to your home. The kids love sliding around on it. Too bad your flooring might make your family sick. If it’s laminate, those simulated-wood floor tiles made of layered plastic, you might be breathing in formaldehyde, a common chemical irritant that triggers… Read more »
For today, a stalemate with the chemical industry
We’re very proud of our state’s chemical safety law, the Kid Safe Products Act. We worked hard with parents, scientists, coalition partners and legislators from both sides of the aisle to get it passed in 2008, and to successfully protect the law from industry-led attacks in 2011. If you take a look around the country,… Read more »
When it comes to phthalates, the writing is on the floor!
The writing is on the wall. Or better yet, it’s on the floor. First Home Depot and then Lowe’s Hardware have made public pledges to phase out toxic phthalates from their vinyl flooring products in the next year and a half. This is incredibly good news for our health: phthalates are hormone-disrupting chemicals that wreak… Read more »
#RealReform!
You may have noticed the hashtag that keeps popping up wherever there’s discussion about overhauling our national chemical safety law. #RealReform. Compared with the long-lived fight to fix the broken Toxic Substances Control Act, #RealReform is pretty new to the scene. That’s because we’ve spent over a decade getting Congress to pay attention to the… Read more »