Michelle Naccarati-Chapkis just got done testing her kids' toys and souvenirs for harmful chemicals, and she is none too pleased. A holiday mug with a teddy bear -- "Perfect for hot chocolate on a snowy day," she reminisces -- tested positive for lead, arsenic and chromium at levels above what the federal government says is safe. A Mardi Gras-style necklace had high levels of the flame retardant bromine; a ball contained too much cadmium.
"Several items will be disposed of this week!" she said, lest her three kids, all under 12, are exposed to them any longer.
Naccarati-Chapkis is head of the national
Women for a Healthy Environment, headquartered here. With the Learning Disabilities Association, another locally headquartered group, they are co-sponsoring the Pittsburgh leg of the first ever National Stroller Brigade on Aug. 10. Parents with kids will march (or use strollers) along the North Shore and employ an XRF (x-ray fluorescence) analyzer gun for parents and caregivers to have children's jewelry, toys, electronics and other items tested for toxins.
She is hoping the event, part of the national Safe Chemicals, Healthy Families campaign involving about 20 such walks across the country, will inspire women to learn more about environmental risks and to approach their legislators about a solution.
As Naccarati-Chapkis points out, the last major law in this area was the 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act. Since then, 80,000 chemicals have been introduced. The Safe Chemicals Act of 2011, currently in the Senate, would would require pre-market testing and removal of the most toxic chemicals.
"It's really time for a sound policy that really protects public health and the environment," she says.
Do Good:
To register for free parking at this free event, call Michelle Naccarati-Chapkis at 412-420-2290 or
email her.
Writer:
Marty LevineSource: Michelle Naccarati-Chapkis, Women for a Healthy Environment
Image courtesy of Women for a Healthy Environment