Scientists, Researchers Call on Summer’s Eve to Remove Harmful Ingredients in Open Letter
Today, over 25 scientists, researchers and academics released an open letter urging New York-based consumer product goods manufacturer Prestige Consumer Healthcare, makers of Summer’s Eve, to eliminate toxic chemicals and disclose all ingredients in their iconic personal care brand. Circulated by national health non-profit, Women’s Voices for the Earth (WVE), the letter calls into question the ingredients found in Summer’s Eve products, including wipes, washes, powders, douches and sprays.
Governor Andrew Cuomo Signs First-in-Nation Period Product Ingredient Disclosure Into Law
New York is the first state in the nation to require period product makers to disclose ingredients. There is no federal requirement to do so, and only a few companies provide this vital information. A.164-A, introduced by Assembly Member Linda B. Rosenthal (D-Manhattan), and S.2387-B, introduced by Senator Roxanne J. Persaud (D-District 19), was signed into law this afternoon by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.
New Federal Bill Will Be the First in the Nation to Ensure That Beauty and Personal Care Products Are Safe for All
The Safe Cosmetics and Personal Care Products Act of 2019 is the only federal bill that holds cosmetic companies accountable for the safety of the ingredients in their products; requires supply chain transparency and industry sharing of safety data to help level the playing field for small, clean cosmetic companies; closes the federal labeling loophole that allows secret – often toxic fragrance chemicals – to hide in cosmetic products; bans most animal testing; and tackles the profuse exposure to toxic chemicals experienced by communities of color and professional salon workers.
New York Policymakers Pass Bill to Disclose Period Product Ingredients
New York is set to be the first state in the nation to require period product makers to disclose ingredients. There is no federal requirement to do so, and only a few companies provide this vital information. A.164-A, introduced by Assembly Member Linda B. Rosenthal (D-Manhattan), and S.2387-B, introduced by Senator Roxanne J. Persaud (D-District 19), passed both houses of the NYS legislature.
Health and Justice for the Environment and Our Communities
WVE was founded in 1995 to fill a much needed role and bring different voices to the environmental health movement. We recognized a failure to address the health impacts of gender oppression, and a structure that did not fully recognize the systemic connections between health, class, race, ability when it comes to the air we breathe, the water we drink and the conditions of our homes, our workplaces and our communities. Studies on toxic exposure and health were almost entirely limited to white men - ignoring the disproportionate and unique impact that exposure has not only on women and girls’ health and fertility, but also on people of color, workers, and the LGBTQ community.
Hidden Nanosilver in Period Products Is A Concern, Says Health Organization
Environmental health organization, Women’s Voices for the Earth (WVE), has released a new fact sheet that raises concerns about the use of nanosilver in menstrual products like period underwear and pads, calling particular attention to the antibacterial agent’s impact on important bacteria necessary for maintaining vaginal and vulva health.
Not all period underwear or menstrual pads are made with nanosilver, but unfortunately companies who make these products are not required to disclose their ingredients.
Women Move Summer’s Eve to Remove Dangerous Dyes from Vaginal Washes
In response to public demands, Prestige Brands has removed harmful colorants from their Summer’s Eve vaginal washes. This move follows national environmental health non-profit, Women’s Voices for the Earth (WVE)’s, public campaign highlighting concerns that colorants found in many vaginal washes come in contact with vaginal mucous membranes – violating the FDA’s use restrictions, and may adversely affect the health of people using these products.
California Right-to-Know Bill Seeks to End Toxic Secrets in Beauty and Personal Care Products
Fragrances and flavors are found in thousands of beauty and personal care products, yet there is no state or federal regulatory oversight of the safety of these ingredients. Furthermore no federal law requires the disclosure of fragrance or flavor ingredients to consumers, manufacturers or even regulatory agencies.
This labeling loophole allows dozens – sometimes even hundreds – of chemicals to hide under the word ‘fragrance’ on product labels.
Women’s Voices for the Earth Announces Amber Garcia as New Executive Director
National environmental health non-profit, Women’s Voices for the Earth (WVE), announced today the selection of Amber Garcia as their new Executive Director. Garcia brings extensive experience in grassroots voter engagement, community advocacy, youth leadership development, and reproductive justice to the position.
Women’s Health Organization Calls for The Clorox Company to Quit Toxic ‘Quats’ in Disinfecting Products
Environmental health non-profit, Women’s Voices for the Earth (WVE), is raising concerns about the use of antibacterial chemicals commonly found in disinfecting products like wipes, sprays, and all-purpose cleaners. Registered as pesticides with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), ammonium quaternary compounds — or “quats” — are linked to adverse health effects including asthma, dermatitis, reproductive harm, and the spread of antimicrobial resistance bacteria, often referred to as “super-bugs”.
As a major manufacturer of disinfecting products, WVE is calling on The Clorox Company to be a leader in product safety and eliminate quats from their products.