HBCAC Hits a Home Run with
Ban of
Toxic
Toys
On June 2nd, HBCAC volunteer, Amanda Roth, joined representatives from Clean and Healthy
New York and the League of Conservation Voters in giving strong testimony before the Suffolk County Legislature in support of Bill #1382-2015 sponsored by Legislator Kara Hahn, District 5. The bill bans the sale of toys containing toxic substances including lead, mercury, arsenic, antimony and cadmium.
Lead exposure contributes to long-term neurological damage including learning and behavioral problems, reproductive damage, and irreversible brain damage. It can also increase the risk of cancer.
High levels of mercury can affect brain development and slow the immune system. Arsenic is a known carcinogen. Cadmium and its compounds are highly toxic and exposure is known to cause cancer and targets the body's cardiovascular, renal, gastrointestinal, neurological, reproductive, and respiratory systems.
We are so pleased to report that this bill was unanimously passed and was signed into law by County Executive Steve Bellone on June 23rd. Breast cancer activists and environmentalists will continue to seek solutions to secure a bill in New York State that protects our families and children.
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"GREEN" "NON-TOXIC" "ECO-FRIENDLY" "ORGANIC"
Do These Words Guarantee Your Safety?
Prom is over and the summer has just begun, but don't forget about
that dress after the dry-cleaning! The beautiful dress you purchased may be more destructive than dazzling by releasing toxic chemicals into the air you breathe. Prevention is the Cure is proud to partner in the release of a "Green Paper" authored by Beth Fiteni, the Founder of Green Inside and Out Consulting. This paper helps the consumer understand the meaning behind the variety of "green" dry cleaning terms and how to be successfully aware of good and bad practices.
Read the Green Paper to find some of the Long Island dry cleaners who use alternatives to the common dry cleaning chemical known as "Perc" (perchloroethylene) - a likely carcinogen. Learn more about the various alternatives, the status of regulations for the dry cleaning industry, and policy recommendations.
Watch the discussion on your safer and safest alternatives to traditional PERC dry cleaning in this feature story by News 12's Long Island Naturally:
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GO GREEN for your SUNSCREEN
As you hit the beach, pool or backyard this summer, check the Environmental Working Group (EWG)
2015 Sunscreen Guide
to see how your sunscreen is rated and a list of healthy alternatives.
Safe ingredients to seek out include Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide and Avobenzone. As with all skincare, remember to also look at the inactive ingredients to avoid parabens and retinyl palmitate, also known as Vitamin A palmitate. Find the guide here!
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GOLF OUTING: Golfing for A Good Cause
On July 21st, Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition will once again be the beneficiary of the 11th Edge Electronics Annual Charity Golf Outing at the beautiful Stonebridge Golf Links Country Club in Smithtown. It exudes the excitement of any other golf outing and takes it to the next level. It would be wonderful if you could join us! Every individual counts helping HBCAC continue our vital programing.
This year, we celebrate 25 years of success at Edge Electronics, a top distributor of electronic products; electronic components and display solutions. HBCAC is fortunate that a dynamic, diverse group of amazing people like Debbie O'Rourke of Eventide, work with Edge and enthusiastically invest time in making the golf outing an annual success.
To donate items or services for auction, please call Melanie Robinson (631) 547-1518 or email friends@hbcac.org
To register or to find out more information please visit http://edgecharitygolf.com/
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FISHful Thinking:
One Fish, Two Fish, What's In Your Fish?
HBCAC is preparing to release a pamphlet translating scientific research on toxins in fish into a guide to healthy eating. It will focus on recommendations based on safe mercury levels in a variety of popular Long Island seafood. Quick and easy to read, this reference guide will help everyone to make good decisions, especially individuals in critical developmental stages, or "windows of susceptibility"- children, pregnant women, and women of childbearing age. We are keenly aware that exposure to environmental toxins during our lifetime may influence the health of the next generation. Keep an eye out for updates!
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S
tudents & Scientists Environmental Research Program
HBCAC is excited to once again sponsor high school students over the summer to work with renowned researchers in an effort to lend a hand in the discoveries about the effects of environmental triggers on our health. The students are presented with unique opportunities to expand their knowledge and make positive changes in the world as a young adult.
This year we are highlighting an outstanding Huntington High School student, Emily Shutman, and the work she will be doing with Dr. Daniel Madigan and his team at SUNY Stony Brook University, researching mercury levels in fish! SoMAS at Stony Brook is geared towards understanding the relationship between land, water, and sea.
Emily is coming on board, in Director Nicholas Fischer's laboratory, to do research in the field of oceanography at a perfect time to collaborate with us on our One Fish, Two Fish project!
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F
r
a
c
k
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n
g
U
p
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On June 4, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a 998-page, $33 million federal report on hydraulic fracturing aka "fracking" that was seen as favorable by those who support and those who are against "fracking". The EPA study states that while hydraulic fracturing activities had contaminated some drinking water supplies, the agency "did not find evidence" of "widespread, systemic impacts on drinking water resources" by the controversial oil and gas extraction process. HBCAC sees even the smallest risk as harmful and will continue to fight the dangers of "fracking" - both known and unknown.
Fortunately, New York State recognizes those same known and unknown dangers. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) reaffirmed the State's position banning "fracking" with the release of an Environmental Impact Statement on June 29. The conclusion is the prohibition of "fracking" is "the best alternative based on the balance between protection of the environment and public health and economic and social considerations."
The executive summary of the EPA study is available
here.
The NYSDEC Impact Statement is available here.
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Advocates Mentoring Advocates
New ties are forming
among
women looking to making a difference in their communities and spread environmental health facts through a combined effort with the Icahn School of Medicine at
Mount Sinai, Witness Project of Harlem, and the Great Neck Breast Cancer Coalition.
Joined with dynamic women advocates in NYC Harlem, we collaborated to ensure "Reaching Multicultural Communities; Advocates Mentoring Advocates" would expand our reach to solidify that science based information would be available to communities and folks in the Upper East Side. This project was funded by the NIEHS/NCI through the Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Program Opportunity Grant. Perhaps you would like to start a program in your area!
Check out the
toolkit!
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The POWER of Asking A Question
HBCAC's Karen Miller and GNBCC's Laura Weinberg collaborated with Principal Investigator Dr. Susan Teitelbaum,
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
to look at the effects of chemicals in combination.
The resulting study was published this June in
Environmental Health Perspectives
. "Paired Serum
and Urine Concentrations of Biomarkers of Diethyl Phthalate, Methyl Paraben, and Triclosan in Rats," looks at ingredients widely used personal care products.
EHP is a monthly peer-reviewed journal of research and news published with support from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.The research was funded by the NIEHS/NCI Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Program Opportunity Grant. Dr. Teitelbaum and Long Island activists have enjoyed a long and trustworthy relationship since the LI Breast Cancer Study Project in the 1990's. The complete paper is available online here!
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Fondly referred to as Kathy Lee
and Hoda, activists Laura Weinberg and Karen Miller were recently profiled by the NIEHS. "Their expertise and years of experience with community groups and in disseminating information on breast cancer prevention to women have been essential in translating research into meaningful information for communities." They have collaborated with numerous researchers to move mountains in the academic as well as public understanding of breast cancer education, risk reduction, and environmental factors. Their efforts go on to make real changes in legislation to secure a healthy future for our families. We are so proud of our Long Island women!! Keep an eye out for updates on the publication!
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Welcome!
HBCAC would like to extend a warm welcome to our new Administrative Assistant, Melanie Robinson. A recent Stony Brook University graduate, she is excited to start working on her career in the non-profit world. Working with HBCAC is a wonderful opportunity through which she will be able to help her local Long Island community. Using her knowledge and developing skills, she will take on projects to expand the general knowledge of Long Island residents on the significance and impact of environmental triggers in their daily lives.
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#Followus
#followus #preventionisthecure #hbcacinaction
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| "Lend a Helping Hand" continues to help those fighting Breast Cancer HBCAC continues to offer a program of services for Huntington town residents diagnosed with breast cancer. Services we offer through this program include:
- Food and medical transportation assistance
- Support group resources & professional resource guides
- Emergency breast cancer medication & surgical dressings
- Lymphedema compression garments
- Housecleaning services, stress-reduction (massage, yoga, etc)
So if you - or any Huntington resident you know - could use a "helping hand", be sure to contact us today. Call us at: 631-547-1518 or email: friends@hbcac.org. Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition, Inc. (HBCAC) is a registered 501(c)3 not-for-profit grassroots organization which was founded in 1992. HBCAC is dedicated to the ultimate eradication of breast cancer through education and awareness. Our mission is to focus on prevention methods while actively helping those who are faced with a positive diagnosis. To find out more or to donate, visit: www.hbcac.org
We have helped a numerous amount of Long Island women and their families to cope with the challenges that breast cancer brings. One of the first problems people face is an uncertain test from a doctor. Our office has done a wonderful job helping people to handle the situation and become proactive. The following is a thank you from a new friend who reached out for advice and took the time to write us a note!
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Dear HBCAC:
W
hen I was scared you picked up the phone.
Thank you for being there at a time I didn't know what to do or say. You helped me to be POSITIVE and I changed from being a passive patient to an active advocate. I got my doctor to call back (the same day) with my complete mammo results. Then I did what you suggested and asked to be called if there was a cancellation, my appointment changed to the next day instead of waiting a nervous week for a sonogram. What a relief: NON CANCEROUS LUMP!!! I would thank you from the bottom of my heart but for you my heart has no bottom! |
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