Prescription for Action The physician and health professional voice for a world free from nuclear threats and a safe, healthy environment for all communities. August 2011 | Volume 29 | No. 1 2nd Annual Toxies Red Carpet Awards for Bad Actor Chemicals While red carpet events are common in Tinsel Town, none are quite like “The Toxies.” On June 16th, 2011 at the Egyp- tian Theater in Hollywood, ten “bad actor chemicals” strutted their toxic way down the red carpet at this 2nd annual event! Using humor and sat- ire, environmental health ad- vocates have created The Toxies to take on the serious topic of toxic chemicals. By educating the public on the hazards of specific chemicals – referred to by scientists for years as “bad actors” – The June 15th, 2011 at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood, the winners of the 2011 Toxies take a vic- Toxies demonstrates how we tory group photo. From left to right: Perchloroethylene, Halogenated Flame Retardant, Lead, Per- can pull together as neighbor- chlorate, Triclosan, Mercury, Bisphenol-A, Dioxin, Methyl Iodide, Formaldehyde, Ana Mascareñas. hoods, workers, businesses continued on page 17 PSR-LA Helps Re-Launch the Anti-Nuclear War Head The Anti-Nuclear War Head, a unique and powerful sculp- ture, has an illustrious history in the anti-nuclear cause. It made its public debut on June 12, 1982 in New York’s Central Park, site of the largest rally against nuclear weap- ons to date, drawing over 1 million people. Now, nearly a generation later, artists Trast Howard and Keiko Yanagida are bringing them back. Howard, former director of the Contemporary Art Institute in Sapporo, Ja- pan, says: “Some art is of its time and some art is ahead of its time. When Keiko and I first saw the Anti- Nuclear War Head we knew immediately that it had a lot more good to do in this world.” The Anti-Nuclear War Head was sculpted by “Jimpi” Piercey in 1979 and was developed into an interna- tional symbol of peace by Harvey Hoffman in 1981. Hoffman and Piercey first exhibited the sculptures on the Great Lawn of Central Park during the historic 1982 rally to an enthusiastic reception, peaking interest and catching the eyes of all. “It was like a peace offering in a field,” says Howard. continued on page 15 C recycled paper In This Issue 2nd Annual Toxies— Red Carpet Awards for Bad Actor Chemicals……………………………………………...……page 1 PSR-LA Helps Re-Launch the Anti-Nuclear War Head………………………………………………..………..page 1 PSR-LA Sponsors and Passes BPA (Bisphenol-A) Ban for 617 S. Olive Street, Suite 200 Baby Bottles and Sippy Cups ………………………...…..page 3 Los Angeles, CA 90014-1629 Phone 213-689-9170 Farmworker Community Health and Pesticides in the Golden Fax 213-689-9199 State: Leadership or a Tarnished Record?……...……....page 4 Email [email protected] Telling the Story of Toxics and Health: ………..…….…..page 4 www.psr-la.org LA Health and Climate Symposium: Advancing Healthy and Resilient Communities In A Changing Board of Directors Environment…………………………………………….......page 5 Nancy Gibbs, M.D. Cumulative Environmental Impacts in Los Angeles: President Join Clean Up Green Up……….………………….…..…..page 5 Jimmy Hara, M.D. Health and the Nuclear Gamble Vice President by Bob Dodge MD……………………………………...…..page 6 Jose Quiroga, M.D. Treasurer Nuclear Power Reconsidered…………….……………….page 7 Neal Baer, M.D. New Paper from PSR-LA: Public Health and the Stephen L. Coles, M.D., Ph.D. Green Economy……………………………….....….……..page 8 Robert Dodge, M.D. Pesticide-Free Healthy Homes…….…..…………..……..page 9 Richard Jackson, M.D., M.P.H. California Needs Clean Cars for Cleaner Air……….…...page 9 Margaret Wacker, M.D. Sol Londe, M.D., Emeritus PSR-LA Stands Up to the EPA Over Smog in Los Angeles Basin……………………...…….………..…..page 9 Shirley Magidson, Emerita PSR-LA Ambassador Highlights……………………..….page 10 Richard Saxon, M.D., Emeritus "Rx for Survival 2011: Local Medical Students Empowered by SPSR Conference"……...……….…….page 11 “From Molecules to Movements” Conference: Joins High School Students, Community Organizations, Staff Businesses, with Dr. John Warner……….……….…….page 12 Martha Dina Argüello Executive Director Stopping Bad Chemistry……...………...…………..……page 13 Denise Duffield A New Generation of Activists Countdown to Zero Associate Director ………...………………………………………………..…..page 14 Ana Mascareñas Policy & Communications New Board Member Dr. Richard J. Jackson………......page 16 Coordinator New Staff — Patty Ochoa………….…...………………..page 18 Patty Ochoa Health and Environment Coordinator page 2 2011 California Legislative Victory: PSR-LA Sponsors and Passes BPA (Bisphenol-A) Ban for Baby Bottles and Sippy Cups PSR-LA has helped successfully pass a measure to prevent children’s exposure to the endocrine-disrupting chemical BPA (Bisphenol-A) in California. The state legislature now sends the bill to Governor Jerry Brown for is signature. BPA contaminates children’s food and drink when it leaches from plastic products like baby bottles and sippy cups. AB 1319, authored by Assemblymember Betsy Butler, would protect Cali- fornia’s children by eliminating BPA from baby bottles and sippy cups. PSR-LA has made passing a ban on BPA a top priority for three years running. Hundreds of our members and allies sent letters, made calls and visited legislators. Our work was critical in con- vincing legislators that this measure is needed in order to ensure all consumers have the right to choose BPA free alternatives. As the measured the Senate, PSR-LA Executive Director stated, Alicia Argüello, niece of PSR-LA Executive Director, Martha Dina Argüello, happy that “Today’s vote to eliminate BPA from baby bottles and sippy cups California’s BPA has passed! is part of re-asserting California’s leadership on environmental health protections. As physicians and health advocates, we need measures like AB 1319 to help reduce exposure to BPA since babies and children are most vulnerable to endocrine-disrupting chemicals.” PSR-LA has long advocated of preventing exposure to BPA, particularly for children, and we co- sponsored a similar measure last year. PSR-LA worked hard last legislative session on SB 797 (Pavley) to limit children’s exposure to BPA, which was defeated during the last night of the session. Last year we saw the incredible power of the chemical industry who made killing this bill a top priority. We need the powerful voice of health professionals to counter their efforts to stop this common sense prevention measure. A diverse coalition of health professionals, scientists, parents, and reproductive health and justice advocates supported this measure because it is one important step towards protecting children from ex- posure to BPA, a synthetic estrogen that has been linked to breast and prostate cancer, infertility, obesity, neurological and behavioral changes, autism and hy- peractivity — more than 200 peer- reviewed studies have shown links to harm. Other organizational sponsors of this year’s AB 1319 include Environmental Working Group, Black Women for Well- Last year, PSR-LA co-organized a “Toxic Baby Bottle Exchange” at St. John ‘s Well ness, and Consumers Union. Child & Family Center in the Pico Union neighborhood of Los Angeles. Above, par- ents hold a sign that reads, “My community has a right to BPA-Free Products.” Read more at www.psr-la.org/ab-1319. page 3 Environmental Health Pesticides Policy in California: Farmworkers, Health, and Failed Leadership Half of U.S. grown fruits, nuts, and vegetables come gaping holes still exist that pre- from California fields, which all depend on the hard vent such programs from actu- work of approximately 700,000 farmworkers. The ally protecting worker health. state’s approach to pesticide use has critical impli- An example of this problem -- cations for workers and their families, as well as the and recent progress made – rest of nation that often relies on the example of can be examined through a policies adopted in California. Unfortunately, many PSR-LA-co-sponsored bill that By Ana Mascareñas, challenges remain in implementation and enforce- was signed into law last year: Policy & Communications Coordinator ment decisions that affect the health of farmworkers The Farmworker Health Act and surrounding communities. The Golden State’s (AB 1963 – Nava). In 1974, California established reputation for leadership in environmental policy the Medical Supervision Program, which required and protection of farmworkers has also been se- employers to medically monitor farmworkers han- verely tarnished by the recent decision to register dling organophosphate and carbamate pesticides the soil fumigant methyl iodide. for changes in cholinesterase levels (ChE, which maintains normal nerve function). California’s Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) houses the CA Department of Pesticide This kind of biomonitoring is one of the only tools Regulation (DPR), which is responsible for evaluat- available to health professionals to monitor chronic ing, registering, and regulating all pesticides before pesticide exposure. While the 1974 program in- sale or use in California. County agricultural com- tended to flag pesticide exposure in workers missioners enforce actions and conduct trainings at through this regular testing, those results have not the local level, including inspecting the operations of been used for action. The 2010 Farmworker Health growers and pest control operators, conducting pes- Act creates a system of sharing the cholinesterase ticide incident investigations, and providing training test results with pesticide regulators and the State to pesticide applicators. Department of Public Health on an ongoing basis, which will allow the state and public to see warning While tracking and data collection is an important signs and prevent further pesticide exposure. step in California’s farmworker protection program, continued on page 12 Telling the Story of Toxics and Health: Ambassador Training PSR-LA organized a free speaker training at the end of 2010 , which gave an overview of local, state, and national chemicals policy and emerg- ing science, followed by a workshop on advocacy and speaking skills.