For MASSPTA

By: Grassroots Environmental Education
Grassroots Environmental Education, a New York-based non-profit, announces the release of a comprehensive program to help administrators, staff and parents reduce or eliminate environmental exposures commonly found in schools which have been associated with increased risks of many chronic diseases. The solution-based program includes documentary videos, Q&A sheets, scientific abstracts and sample policies focused on reducing chemical toxins found in diesel exhaust, institutional cleaning products, turf pesticides and synthetic turf.

The ChildSafe School: Green Cleaning is a new 12 minute video produced by Grassroots Environmental Education which examines the unique vulnerability of children to environmental toxins, and explains why existing adult standards for green cleaning products are not sufficient to protect children's health. The video features interviews with a noted pediatrician and two school facilities directors who have developed and implemented child-protective green cleaning policies in their school districts.

Grassroots Environmental Education is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to educating the public about the relationship between environmental exposures and human health risks. Grassroots serves local and state governments, health care providers, school systems, community groups and other environmental groups and individuals nationwide.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is holding public hearings this week on a proposed regulation to ban the sale of toy jewelry with "dangerous levels of lead." This is not enough. Infants and children put all kinds of lead-contaminated items into their mouths, including toys, and the lead builds up in their bodies. 

MPHA, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow are urging DPH to ban the sale of all products intended for use by children under 12 which contain more than trace amounts of lead.

To take action, please visit AHT's Get the Lead Out web page and sign the petition.
Example: "Lead is toxic. No level is safe. We need policymakers and government officials to take responsibility to protect children and families from all products that contain known hazards that cause preventable diseases and disabilities.  Ellie Goldberg, MassPTA, Oct 31, 2007"

This week, Massachusetts PTA can help win two policies that will protect our children and communities from toxic chemicals -- the Safer Alternatives Bill and regulations banning lead in children's products. The Safer Alternatives Bill now has a new number it is:
S-2406

Safer Alternatives Bill
The Safer Alternatives Bill designates "Priority Toxic Chemicals" which are used in Massachusetts and are linked to chronic illnesses, birth defects, and learning and behavioral disabilities. It mandates a careful process to evaluate and then require safer alternatives to these chemicals where feasible, providing assistance to businesses in the transition.

Last week, the legislature's Environment Committee advanced the bill to the Senate Ways and Means Committee.  We can pass the bill in the Senate this fall, but only if our senators hear from us now!

Click here to email your state senator in support of the Safer Alternatives Bill.
Click here for more information.


Please forward this alert widely.

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Don't allow lead to become part of your holiday!

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Lead is in More than Just Paint Chips

• What You Can Do to Protect Your Children
• What the Sierra Club is Doing to Protect Your Children
• For More Information about Lead Poisoning and Children
• In the News

Federation Newsline Readers,
Click on http://fcsn.org/publications _resources/newsline/newsline .php to read the latest edition of Newsline: Fall 2007.
Included in this issue:
* Inclusive Schools Week
* Making Cents of Special Education Costs
* Preview of Visions of Community 2008
* Special Needs Trusts
* Accessible Textbooks
* Reauthorization of NCLB: Focus on Parental Involvement
* Financing Options for Adapted Vehicles
* Book Review, and much more!

SPEDWatch meeting to explore special education issues

SPEDWatch, Inc., will host a Community Meeting on Monday December 3 at the Yarmouth Town Library, 312 Old Main Street, South Yarmouth, from 10:30 am to 1:00 pm.  SPEDWatch is a statewide nonprofit watchdog group that is working to secure the educational rights of all Massachusetts schoolchildren with disabilities (ages 3-21.)  Executive Director Ellen Chambers will speak about the high rate of noncompliance with special education laws in the Commonwealth's public schools, the conditions that allow noncompliance to continue unchecked, and the disastrous consequences this has had for students. She will explain SPEDWatch's mission and their unique plan to address this silent crisis in our educational system. Ms. Chambers will also facilitate a discussion with parents who may have specific concerns about special education in their local communities, and will provide tips on how parents can effectively pursue change in their own school districts.

The meeting is free and open to the public. Registration is required by calling SPEDWatch at (978) 433-5983 or emailing info@spedwatch.org  

Building Successful Programs to Address Chemical Risks in Schools
(October 2007)
The EPA has added to its Schools Chemical Cleanout Campaign website ( www.epa.gov/sc3) a workbook with templates, tips and techniques to help those interested in building a program to address chemical management risks in schools.  This may be accessed on-line at http://www.epa.gov/sc3/pdfs /workbk.pdf .

CT Dept. of Health's Fact Sheet with EHHI's responses.

Nancy Alderman, President
Environment and Human Health, Inc.
1191 Ridge Road
North Haven, CT 06473
(phone)   203-248-6582
(fax)        203-288-7571
http://www.ehhi.org