Corporate
greed wins over children’s health in Sacramento— For the past two years, EHC has led the fight to get lead-contaminated candies off store shelves in California to protect the health of all children. On Wednesday, June 30, 2004 the final death-knell was heard in Sacramento for legislation that would have protected children from consuming these candies. AB 2297, a bill introduced by Assemblymember Juan Vargas, would have expanded the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Act of 1991 to require the Department of Health Services to regulate the lead content of candy and to establish a standard for taking action if candy was contaminated with lead. After passing in the Assembly, the bill failed to gain approval of a majority of the Senate Health Committee on June 23, falling one vote short of the seven votes needed; it was not brought up for reconsideration at the final meeting of the Subcommittee on June 30. EHC vows to continue fight with Prop. 65 law suit Environmental Health Coalition will now focus its effort to protect children’s health through Proposition 65, a law requiring notification to the public of exposure to chemicals that cause cancer and other negative health effects. EHC filed a Notice to Sue to the California Attorney General last month because candy containing lead has no warning label. The Attorney General has 60 days to decide whether or not to pursue an action. TAKE ACTION NOW! Write or call the State Attorney General and urge him to take swift action under the rules of Proposition 65 to address leaded candy. Attorney General
Bill Lockyer Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper to express your outrage at the failure of this bill. Be concise and clear and include your full name and contact information. Union Tribune:
beth.barber@uniontrib.com For more information refer to the copy of our July 2, 2004 media release. |
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