Environmental Risks

• Speak Out Against Hydrofracking
  Join Campaign for A Million Fracking Letters 
  Click here for more information

  Take a moment, let YOUR VOICE be heard to ban BPA.... EPA Considering New Toxicity
  
  Testing and Environmental Sampling for BPA 
  (click for more details)

  
  
  Our health is at stake; help ban hydrofracking Contact Governor Cuomo today either by phone or email Each voice makes a difference… Call 518-474-8390 or Emailhttp://www.governor.ny.gov/ contact/Governor ContactForm.php 
  (Click here for letter sample)
  
  
  
  

  Can Heavy Metal in Foods, Cosmetics Spur Breast Cancer Spread?
  Preliminary study suggests danger from prolonged exposure to cadmium
  MONDAY, April 23 (HealthDay News) -- Prolonged exposure to low levels of the heavy metal cadmium may fuel the growth of some breast cancer cells and encourage them to spread, preliminary research indicates. | See full story

• Breast Cancer and the Environment – Report from the Institute of Medicine (IOM)
  A new report from the Institute of Medicine (IOM), Breast Cancer and the Environment: A Life Course Approach, examines the existing literature about breast cancer risk posed by various environmental factors, highlights actions that offer potential to reduce risk, and recommends key areas for future research. December 9 2011 | See full story
• Report: More research needed on breast cancer, environment.
  A report calls for more research on the link between environment and breast cancer, and a need to explore the effects of toxic exposures,
  December 7 2011 | See full story
• Dangers of environmental contaminants for children and expecting women
  Dr. Philip J. Landrigan, MD, MSc, Director of the Mount Sinai Children's Environmental Health Center, speaks to the dangers of environmental contaminants for children and expecting women during a panel discussion at the NY Academy of Medicine, December 6 2011. | See full story
  

• National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Launches Their Roadmap To Protect Public Health!
  December 5 2011 | See full story
• BPA Lurks in Canned Soups and Drinks
  Studies have come forth regarding the chemical BPA used in the linings of tin cans. Take a moment for yourself and read the study out of Harvard School of Public Health, November 23, 2011. | See full story

• Cleaning Product Right-to-Know Act
  Washington, DC – Rep. Steve Israel (D – NY) announced the introduction of the Cleaning Product Right-to-Know Act, legislation that will require ingredient labeling for domestic, commercial and institutional cleaning products. Click link for more information. Rep. Israel Introduces Cleaning Product Right-to-Know Act, Legislation to Require Ingredient Labelin, November 18 2011 | See full story

• The Increase in Thyroid Cancer
  While the incidence of many cancers is declining, thyroid cancer is one that is steadily soaring, especially in women. It’s got everyone wondering why this hormonal powerhouse is taking such a hit. The increase could possibly be related to the use of dental x-rays and mammograms. The Thyroid Guard is not routinely used, be sure to ask for it next time you go for these exams | November 18 2011 See full story

• Chemicals, Pollution...and Cancer.
  With the World Health Organization hinting that cancer could unseat heart disease as the leading cause of death around the world, it’s no surprise that per capita cancer incidence is on the rise globally. In fact, cancer is the only major cause of death that has continued to rise since 1900. | November 14 2011 See full story

• Newly Published Research shows Early Onset of Puberty
  Newly released study adds further evidence that girls are entering puberty at an earlier age. As you may have heard and printed online today, pediatricians are evidencing girls are entering puberty as early as 7 years of age. | See full story
• Do cleaning products cause breast cancer?
  New results of research by Silent Spring Institute recently published in peer-reviewed journal Environmental Health found higher breast cancer risk among women who reported the highest cleaning product use; however, these results may be influenced by differences among women. Because of concerns that some cleaning products contain mammary gland carcinogens or endocrine disruptors, alternatives may reduce exposure to suspect chemicals. | See full story
• Study suggests widespread BPA Contamination of paper products, Bisphenol-A (BPA) seems impossible to avoid. It contaminates food, thermal receipts and drinks served in certain plastic bottles. A new study finds its reach goes even further. Researchers detected trace amounts of the estrogen-like compound in a wide variety of paper products most of us touch every day, including toilet paper, paper towels, newspapers and business cards. | See full story
• CDC scientist: tests needed on gas drilling impact, One of the government's top scientists says much more research is needed to determine the possible impacts of shale gas drilling on human health and the environment. "Studies should include all the ways people can be exposed, such as through air, water, soil, plants and animals," Dr. Christopher Portier wrote to The Associated Press in an email. Portier is director of the National Center for Environmental Health at the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. | See full story
• NIEHS Director Linda Birnbaum, PhD meets with Public Interests Partners
  

  The NIEHS Public Interest Partners joined in a conversation with NIEHS/NTP Director Linda Birnbaum, Ph.D., and staff Dec. 1 in Friendship Heights, Md. While the meeting featured engaging presentations on nanomaterials research by key NIEHS/NTP scientists, the gathering also offered Partners an opportunity to shape the afternoon agenda during an almost three-hour informal lunchtime conversation on a variety of topics…| See full story

• Hazardous Exposures to BPA Continue …
  Study: Public Exposed to Chemical Daily
  

  Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition, Inc. worked with Suffolk County Legislator Steve Stern, County Executive Steve Levy and full legislature to secure the first in the nation ban on toxic baby bottles containing BPA in 2009. Through the efforts of the New York State Breast Cancer Network, we also advocated in 2010 to have BPA banned in children's products in New York State Exposure to this chemical is not limited to children’s products; in fact, it’s used in the manufacturing of store cash receipts, linings of food cans and plastic containers. The use of BPA is pervasive and must be banned in consumer products we use everyday. November 1 2011 | See full story

• Dr. Gwen Collman, NIEHS in Environmental Health Perspectives.
  Dr. Collman addressed local high school science class, SC Cancer Taskforce, SC Child Care Council & met with SC Legislator Stern regarding concerns of the Long Island community. July 2011 | See full story
  
• HBCAC Featured in Long Island Business News
  Non-Profit Spotlight Column
  “PREVENTING BREAST CANCER” June 2011 | See full story
  
• Local Groups, Huntington and Great Neck Breast Cancer Coalitions Organize National Conference in NYC Inaugural Conference for Breast Cancer and Environment Research Program
  National breast cancer researchers, breast cancer advocates and over 35 high school students representing Great Neck and Huntington School Districts convened on November 18th for the inaugural conference of the Breast Cancer and Environment Research Program (BCERP) at the Roosevelt Hotel in NYC. | See full story
  
• From Kitchen to Cancer Coalition
  Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition started with four women and one goal (Oct 2010) | See full story
  
• OPINION: Consumers Deserve Information on Household Cleaners
  Ever wonder what's in the cleaners you use in your home? Most household-cleaner manufacturers keep the chemicals in their products a secret, so if you've ever searched for an ingredient list, you're likely to come up empty-handed. (Sept 2010) | See full story
  
• New Breast Cancer Committee to Establish Federal Research Agenda
  A newly formed advisory committee will develop and coordinate a strategic federal research agenda on environmental and genetic factors related to breast cancer. The 19-member Interagency Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Coordinating Committee (IBCERCC) was established by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), in collaboration with the National Cancer Institute (NCI), to review all breast cancer research efforts conducted or supported by federal agencies. | Read press release
  
• Newsday: Two LI women have long fought for bisphenol-A ban
  Long Islanders Laura Weinberg and Karen Joy Miller were campaigning against the plasticizing agent bisphenol-A, or BPA, long before it became a subject of legislative concern. | See full story
  
• Signed sealed and delivered
  Governor Paterson signs BPA-Free Children and Babies Act
  After an intense period of negotiations among New York State legislators, we have an historic victory for families across this state. Today New York State Governor Paterson signed the Bisphenol - A Free Children and Babies Act (S.3296H Thompson, Buffalo), and (A.6919D Englebright, Setauket )into law, making New York the first state to pass comprehensive BPA legislation. | July 30, 2010 See full story
  
• Newsday: Paterson Signs Product Laws Protecting Babies Safety
  By Delthia Ricks Gov. David A. Paterson has signed two laws affecting what babies put into their mouths and where they sleep.
  See full story
  
• Push To Strengthen Regs on Chemical Exposure
  On April 16, 2010, Judith Enck, EPA Director for Region 2, convened the first of many roundtable discussions with focus on diverse and priority environmental issues. | See full story
  
• HBCAC President Karen Joy Miller Wins EPA Award
  Congratulations to Karen Joy Miller, Laura Weinberg and Beth Fiteni, who recently received the 2010 U.S. EPA Environmental Quality Award. | See full story
  
• Giving to Charity or To Big Business?
  The odds are great that every person reading this article has been touched, either by being a survivor or through kinship or friendship, by the scourge of breast cancer. And that is why con artists know that setting up a “charity” with vague aims to help women with breast cancer and using paid telemarketers to cold call potential donors with a fast pitch that trades on the good names and reputations of legitimate non-profits is a good bet and a way to beat the system for profits all around. | See full story
  
• Newsday Features Look Before You L.E.A.P.
  Thank you to our friends at Newsday for spearheading a collaborative project of green resources. | See full story
  
• Swearing in of Judith Enck Jan. 22. 2010
  Judith Enck is appointed the Regional Administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 2, covering New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and seven Indian Nations. | See full story
  
• Support the BPA-Free Kids Act of 2009
  The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently expressed heightened concern about the health risks of bisphenol-A, or BPA, a chemical used in the production of many plastic household goods. | See full story