Meet Jessica, she won over the governator

In 2005, Jessica Assaf built a campaign to lobby senators and the California governor’s office to pass SB484, a bill that requires cosmetics manufacturers to inform the Department of Health Services if their products contain carcinogens or other toxic substances.

Jessica was shocked to learn that many personal care products contain chemicals that have been linked to cancer and reproductive ailments. Working with the Teens for Safe Cosmetics Campaign, Jessica created “Operation Beauty Drop” during which large bins were placed in public malls for teenagers to drop off their toxic beauty products. The collected products were sent back to the manufacturers with a petition signed by the teens demanding the reformulation of products without toxic chemicals.

As support for Jessica’s program grew, so did her belief that she could institute change on a larger scale and in individuals’ lives. With four of her friends, Jessica lobbied senators and the California governor’s office to pass SB484, a bill that requires cosmetics manufacturers to inform the Department of Health Services if their products contain carcinogens or other toxic substances. After the successful and unexpected passage of SB484 on October 7, 2005, she organized a Teens for Safe Cosmetics Summit educating teens from around the country on how to conduct their own safe cosmetic campaigns. Over thirty students took part in the workshops and began their own projects in their communities.

Link

Some info on Toxic Mold Awareness Month

Here are some upcoming events in conjunction with National Indoor Mold Awareness Month (September). Activities include a talk show that you can connect to via your computer.

(Note: There’s good stuff in here on events to raise awareness about toxic mold, but the post is slightly disjointed. I’ve tried to clean it up a bit and add some live links so it’s easier to read and access info. Post is snitched from a group called TWUSEA and the Homeless Underground based in Seattle.)

The Governors from the following states have signed the National Indoor Toxic Mold Awareness Month (NITMAM) Proclamation! We would like to thank the Governors from Pennsylvania , Mississippi , Florida , Michigan and Nevada (one week beginning September 21, 2008) for declaring National Indoor Toxic Mold Awareness Month in their states.

The following Governors have denied the National Indoor Toxic Mold Awareness Month Proclamation in their states: North Carolina , Texas and Tennessee.

We have Indoor Toxic Mold Representatives from Pennsylvania, Mississippi, Florida, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina, Texas, Tennessee, California (2 reps), Arizona, Illinois, Oregon, Iowa, Wisconsin, and 1 International Representative from Bermuda.

If you are interested in being an Indoor Toxic Mold Representative or want to help with planning events in those states where the proclamations were signed, please send an email to nitmam@nimsociety.org.

UPCOMING NITMAM EVENTS!

YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS EPISODE 12 OF THE NATIONAL INDOOR MOLD SOCIETY INTERNET TALK SHOW!

The NIMS Internet Talk Show will continue with the theme of celebrating the National Indoor Toxic Mold Awareness Month (September 5 to October 5, 2008).

You will also hear from William Croft, DVM, PhD, Medical Pathologist. He has been called the The Father of Molds/Mycotoxins.

Scheduled Time: Date: Sat, September 13, 2008 Time: 08:00 PM EDT

How to participate:

Join from your computer:

1. Click here to join the call or just listen along http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/talkCast.jsp?masterId=31030&cmd=tc

2. Become a TalkShoe member (Sign-up for talkshoe and download talkshoe live to listen, chat, and ask questions live) http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/userCreate1.jsp

Call in:

Dial: (724) 444-7444

Enter: 31030 # (Call ID)

Enter: 1 # or your PIN

Next NIMS Internet Talk Show: September 20, 2008 Time: 08:00 PM EDT

William Croft, DVM, PhD, Medical Pathologist

[...] In 1986, Dr. Croft published the first paper on indoor mold poisoning in the North American Continent and demonstrated the fingerprint for Trichothecene Mycotoxins in animals and humans. This study was in part funded by the United States Army. He has completed 15 autopsies, 9 adult humans and 6 children, clearly demonstrating pathology caused by inhalation versus ingestion of these mycotoxins. Dr. Croft has studied, and observed over 6,500 people demonstrating signs and symptoms of mycotoxin poisoning and has determined the stages for inhalation mycotoxicosis. Dr. Croft has studied this disease for 25 years on a pathological basis and in an effort to allow others to become aware of the disease; he is willing to share what he has learned concerning this environmental disease.

SUMMARY OF PRESENTATION:

Dr. Croft will discuss the answers to the question: He will discuss various topics from the history of fungi, the definition of molds and mycotoxins, cross-contamination, stages of the disease, and trichothecene mycotoxicosis.

CONTACT DR. CROFT:
For more information about Dr. Croft and his services:
Website: www.edgi.org
E-mail: doccroft@hotmail.com
Office: (608) 274-1618

NITMAM EVENTS IN TENNESSEE :

[...] SIMPLY SHARON will be at Barnes and Noble Booksellers 1701 Mallory Lane, Brentwood, TN 37027 at a LOCAL AUTHORS RECEPTION, THURS September 18, 2008 from 6-8pm.

Please forward this to all you know and come on down and say hello to SIMPLY SHARON!

Her book, IT’S ALL IN YOUR HEAD will be sold that night for $17.99. Be sure and have her sign it before you leave! [...]

IT’S ALL IN YOUR HEAD brings to life the painful realism of toxic injury due to mold /mycotoxin exposure as well as addressing the social stigma of the horrendous myth that mold is nontoxic. [...]

TENNESSEE INDOOR TOXIC MOLD AWARENESS WEEK SEPTEMBER 21- 27, 2008

Monday, Sept. 22 to Wed. Sept. 24 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. CST
SAV-A-LOT
700 Highway 100
North Park Shopping Center
Centerville, TN 37033

Thursday, Sept. 25 to Sat. Sept 27 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. CST
Krogers
143 Henslee Drive
Dickson, TN 37033

For more information about Sharon Pawlak, a.k.a Simply Sharon and events in Tennessee, visit her websites www.moldmadness.com and www.myspace.com/simplysharonspeaks.

Girl’s perfume sends 11 students to hospital

Welcome to our world.

Eleven middle school pupils and a driver were taken to a hospital Thursday after a girl dropped a bottle of perfume on the bus.

The McLaughlin Middle School students and driver complained of nausea and dizziness.

The principal said it’s against the rules to bring perfume or glass on campus, so even though it appeared to be an accident, the girl probably will be disciplined.

Link to FOXNews

Link to photo by squacco on flicker

Blog Talk Radio: College with chronic illness

How to get help and respect from administrators and faculty

National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week is held annually in September and uses a blog radio forum for online seminars on topics about living with chronic illness. Topics range from relationships and advocacy to college and career. Host is Lisa Copen, founder of NICIAW, who also hosts Hope Endures Radio, a program of Rest Ministries.

Here’s a very interesting Blog Talk Radio show about how to navigate college while dealing with a chronic illness. I returned to finish my university degree at age 42 and struggled greatly with the closed in classrooms, especially for testing. The biggest advice I can give you: Talk to your professors about your needs! Once I did that, things became much more manageable for me. I wish I’d had this radio show to listen to before I started! Great info.

Don’t miss this very informative show with Lynn Royster, the Director of the Chronic Illness Initiative at DePaul University’s School for New Learning. It’s a unique program designed to help chronically ill students obtain a college education. In addition, she designs and teaches courses in conflict management, adult psychology, and writing.

Dr. Royster also serves as Vice Chair of the CFIDS Association of America, Inc. and as Board Secretary of the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, and Chemical Sensitivity Coalition of Chicago. She received her B.A. from the University of Michigan, her M.A. from Prescott College, her J.D. from George Washington University, and her Ph.D. from the Union Institute and University.

Link

South African university nurtures innovation in safer consumer products

Progressive thought and innovation is happening all over the world. Here’s a new program at Nelson Mandela Metropoitan University that encourages students of chemical technology to develop less toxic consumer products. The program then goes one step further, supporting and nurturing both new product and inventor through production and marketing. Wow.

SNEEZE-FREE perfumes, hair straighteners without the burn, food preservatives that are natural and safe - all these products, and more, may be making their way onto supermarket shelves thanks to an innovative new degree at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University.

InnoVenton, the university‘s Institute for Chemical Technology, recently launched the country‘s first BSc Honours degree in formulation science.

Essentially, students are being taught the basic scientific principles behind the blending and mixing of products - and will then have to blend their own usable product which may be commercialised.

“Up until now, the formulation of new products has mostly been by ‘trial and error‘ with most people learning as they go along,” said lecturer and programme co-ordinator Dr Nicole Vorster. “But there are basic scientific principles that can be applied - we felt there was a need for a course providing some theoretical background .”

The course covers all consumer products - from food and cosmetics to paints and plastics. Depending on the products they formulate, students may be able to start their own businesses or could even walk into jobs overseas.

“Many of the products on supermarket shelves contain ingredients which, while effective, are not always as safe as they could be - one of the course objectives is to formulate safer, environmentally-friendly alternatives,” Vorster said.

InnoVenton is celebrating the commercialisation of its first product, RepelloX, in June which has paved the way for other products to follow suit, said Vorster. RepelloX, an insect repellent, was formulated by student Ilse Asquith during her chemistry Master‘s studies.

Pushing for the commercialisation of RepelloX was InnoVenton director Professor Ben Zeelie who was also the driving force behind the new Honours degree. “The formulation science course has been my dream since 2001. Seeing it come into being is an achievement for all of us,” he said.

The first students to enrol on the course - four women from various industries - are completing the course part-time over two years. From next year, the course will be offered full-time over a year.

Khwezikazi Mkentane, a lab technician in the food industry, can‘t wait to manufacture her own cosmetic line, ranging from hair products to perfumes. “My own experience with hair products has emphasised the need for less harsh chemicals that one can use regularly without damaging your scalp.”

When it comes to perfume, she has found she is allergic to some of the chemicals used.

“Instead of complaining about them, why not make something for the more sensitive people who love to look and smell good without the trauma of sneezing the entire day!”

Vorster said: “We‘re moving away from the traditional academic role of universities. It‘s a new and exciting time - especially in South Africa where there is a need to create jobs. It will be great if we can get that right.”

Link