Women's Voices for the Earth

Last updated
Women's Voices for the Earth
AbbreviationWVE
Formation1995;28 years ago (1995)
Type Nonprofit
85-0501011
Focus Environmentalism, feminism, women's health
Headquarters Missoula, Montana
Board Chair
Aimée R. Thorne-Thomsen
Executive Director
Amber Garcia
Aimée R. Thorne-Thomsen; Dr. Nicole Acevedo; Boma Brown-West; Debra Erenberg; Cynthia Gutierrez; Amanda Klasing; Monica Schrock; Kyra Naumoff Shields; Karen Wang
Website https://womensvoices.org

Women's Voices for the Earth (WVE) is a feminist, women-led, North American environmental organization that specializes in research and advocacy regarding toxic chemicals used in products that disproportionately impact women's health, including cosmetics, menstrual care products, professional salon and cleaning products. WVE is a non-profit organization (501(c)(3)) whose mission is to amplify women's voices to eliminate toxics that harm communities and health. [1] With its inclusive vision of environmental work WVE has become a hub for visionary feminist environmentalism that recognizes the systemic connections between health, class, race, and the environment. Addressing the inter-connectivity of these various channels of exposure to toxic chemicals has been key to WVE's approach which is multi-scalar: targeting consumer behaviors, corporate practices, and government policies. [2]

Contents

History

Women's Voices for the Earth (WVE) began in Missoula, Montana in 1995 in response to a lack of diversity in the environmental movement. Early work focused on local issues including, reducing pesticide spraying by state and local agencies, addressing air pollution from a nearby mill, and stopping a proposed goldmine on Montana’s Blackfoot River. In 2007, WVE went national to address toxic chemicals exposures through production, distribution, use and disposal of products.

Accomplishments (Highlights)

[3]

2020

• Passes the Cosmetic Fragrance and Flavor Ingredient Right to Know Act of 2020 (SB312-Leyva), [4] making California the first government in the world to require the public disclosure of hazardous fragrance and flavor ingredients.

2019

• Passes bill A.164-A/S.2387-B in New York (introduced by Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal and Senator Roxanne Persaud), making it the first state in the nation to require period product makers to disclose ingredients. [5]
• Moves Summer’s Eve to remove harmful colorants from their vaginal washes, as well as specific preservatives linked to cancer. [6]

2018

• Passes worker and consumer health bill in California, AB 2775 [7] (Assemblymember Ash Kalra), requiring manufacturers to disclose ingredients on the labels of professional cosmetics with co-sponsors, California Healthy Nail Salon Collaborative, Black Women for Wellness and Breast Cancer Prevention Partners
• Releases new data on fragrance ingredients, [8] revealing a third of all fragrance chemicals currently in use are either known to be toxic, or considered potentially toxic by scientists around the world.
• Releases in-depth investigative report on the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) [9] Panel’s failure to protect the public and manufacturers.

2017

• Moves Procter & Gamble, the world’s largest consumer products company, to voluntarily start disclosing all fragrance ingredients above 0.01% in their products, including period care products, cleaning and personal care products. [10]
• Passes state bill SB 258, The Cleaning Product Right to Know Act of 2017, [11] which requires disclosure of ingredients used in institutional and household cleaning products on product label and online.
• Hosts a rally in Washington, DC with support of Congresswoman Grace Meng to increase awareness of the need for menstrual care product safety. [12]

2016

• Commissions and releases a GreenScreen for Safer Chemicals analysis of the fragrance chemical, Galaxolide, revealing the chemical is highly toxic to aquatic life and persistent, meaning it does not break down easily in the environment.
• Files a joint lawsuit with Environmental Working Group (EWG) against the Food and Drug Administration for its failure to protect the public and professional salon workers from dangers associated with popular hair straightening treatments.
• Petitions the FDA to address harmful colorants in vaginal washes, highlighting that colorants found in some washes come in contact with vaginal mucous membranes – violating the FDA’s use restrictions. [13]

2015

• Moves two of the world’s largest manufacturers of menstrual care products — Procter & Gamble and Kimberly Clark — to start disclosing ingredients used in their tampons and pads. [14]
• Releases first of its kind report, Unpacking the Fragrance Industry: Policy Failures, the Trade Secret Myth and Public Health, [15] on the failures of the fragrance industry’s self-regulated safety program.

2014

• Convinces SC Johnson & Son to disclose all fragrance ingredients down to .09% in their products.
• Releases Beauty and Its Beast: Unmasking the Impacts of Toxic Chemicals on Salon Workers a report that documents the impact of exposure to toxic chemicals on salon worker health.
• Organizes the third annual Healthy Salons Week of Action in Washington DC, with salon workers, to collectively advocate for increased salon worker health, safety and rights.

2013

• Moves Procter and Gamble to reformulate and drastically reduce the carcinogen 1,4 dioxane from their laundry detergents.
• Releases Chem Fatale: Potential Health Effects of Toxic Chemicals in Feminine Care Products.

2012

• Releases Secret Scents: How Hidden Fragrance Allergens Harm Public Health, moving Simple Green, Clorox, and Reckitt-Benckiser to agree to disclose hidden allergens in fragrance.
• Convinced Johnson & Johnson, one of the largest cosmetic companies in the world, to phase out chemicals that can cause cancer and harm health from all of its products in 57 countries.

2011

• Convinced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Occupational Safety and Health Administration to issue a warning letter and hazard alert on the formaldehyde-containing Brazilian Blowout hair straightening :treatment.
• Convinced Clorox to become the first mainstream cleaning product company to disclose all ingredients in their products, including a master list of :fragrance ingredients, and to remove synthetic musks.

2010

• Convinced Simple Green to remove phthalates and synthetic musks from products.
• Released "Not So Sexy" on toxic chemicals in leading perfumes and cologne and "No Silver Lining" on BPA in common canned goods.
• Advocated for introduction of Safe Cosmetics Act in Congress.

2009

• Convinced SC Johnson & Son to disclose all of the ingredients in their cleaning products on a :website and to remove phthalates from all their products.
• Released "Disinfectant Overkill", a report on the health impacts linked to overuse of disinfectant products.
• Co-sponsored the research convening "Framing a Research Agenda for Change: Advancing Worker Health and Safety for the Cosmetology and Nail Salon :Communities"
• Joined Earthjustice in suing four leading cleaning product manufacturers for failing to follow a New York law that requires them to disclose the ingredients they use in their products

2008

• Set an industry precedent for ingredient communication by influencing the Soap and Detergent Association and the Consumer Specialty Products Association to release a voluntary ingredient communication plan, paving the way for broad consumer right-to-know efforts.
• Reached more than 14,000 women in their homes through the creation of the Green Cleaning Party Kit, a tool to educate and activate women on toxic chemicals in cleaning products.
• Released "A Little Prettier" on companies' declining use of phthalates in personal care products and cosmetics.

2007 & Prior

• Co-founded the National Healthy Nail Salon Alliance, a network of some 35 organizations, scientific researchers, advocates and government agencies working to protect and improve the health and welfare of women working in the nation's nail salons.
• Helped found and lead the national Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, a national coalition of organizations working to protect the health of consumers and workers by requiring the health and beauty industry to phase out the use of chemicals linked to cancer, birth defects and other health problems, and replace them with safer alternatives.
• Helped convince OPI Inc., the largest global manufacturer of nail products for salons, to eliminate several major chemicals of concern from their nail polish products.
• Co-founded Coming Clean Collaboration, a national network of more than 60 organizations working to change the practices of the chemical industry.
• Participated in regional and national studies of women's breast milk to examine the presence of toxic flame retardants and PCBs.
• Organized a successful grassroots campaign, with hundreds of women in Montana and Idaho, to convince Albertsons Inc., one of the nation's leading :supermarket chains, to post visible warnings about mercury contamination in fish.
• Helped found and lead the Montana Women Vote Project (MWV), which registers and educates new voters during election years.
• Closed down or scaled back incinerators, labs and power plants, in conjunction with women at the grassroots level in Montana, Idaho and other states.

Current Campaigns & Programs

[16]

Legislative work

Requires all manufacturers of tampons, pads, menstrual cups and period underwear to disclose ingredients.
The bill directs the National Institute of Health to research the impact ingredients in menstrual and intimate care products (including products like tampons, pads, wipes, washes and douches) have on women's health.
Aims to increase transparency in period care products, but continues to restrict vital ingredient information necessary to protect public health.
Requires manufacturers to disclose ingredients deemed toxic by authoritative bodies in flavor and fragrance ingredients to the California Safe Cosmetics Program.

Filed a citizen’s petition asking the FDA to review the safety of hair straighteners and health risks these products pose to salon workers.

Market campaigns

Given the widespread use of menstrual care products, the unique route of exposure, and the lack of regulatory oversight, WVE is working to eliminate toxic chemicals from the $3 billion U.S. period and intimate care products market.
In May 2020, Johnson & Johnson (J&J) announced it will stop selling its popular talc-based baby powder—which is linked to ovarian cancer in the US and Canada. However, J&J refuses to stop selling this dangerous product globally.
Calling out harmful marketing and toxic chemicals found in Summer’s Eve wipes, washes, powders and sprays.
Several leading brands of hair straightening products have been found to contain high levels of formaldehyde (up to 10%) even when labeled "formaldehyde-free." Formaldehyde gas can be severely irritating to the eyes, nose, and throat, and long term exposure to formaldehyde in the workplace has been linked to increased risk of cancer.

Highlights health impacts from the use of antibacterial chemicals commonly found in disinfecting products like wipes, sprays, and all-purpose cleaners, and offers guidance for safer, certified and effective alternatives.

Action Groups & Workshops

Virtual conversations about menstruation that center and de-stigmatizes the way we talk about, understand & experience safe, healthy periods.

A national action group of concerned people who want to help eliminate or reduce public exposure to quats in places like schools, gyms, apartment buildings, public work places and more.

Reports & Fact Sheets

WVE reports, fact sheets and resources [29] on health risks associated with chemicals of concern found in menstrual care product, cleaning products, professional salon products, safe cosmetics, as well as in-depth analysis of regulating bodies.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cosmetics</span> Substances applied to the body to change appearance or fragrance

Cosmetics are constituted mixtures of chemical compounds derived from either natural sources, or synthetically created ones. Cosmetics have various purposes. Those designed for personal care and skin care can be used to cleanse or protect the body or skin. Cosmetics designed to enhance or alter one's appearance (makeup) can be used to conceal blemishes, enhance one's natural features, add color to a person's face, or change the appearance of the face entirely to resemble a different person, creature or object. Due to the harsh ingredients in makeup products, individuals with acne-prone skin are more likely to suffer from breakouts. Cosmetics can also be designed to add fragrance to the body.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tampon</span> Feminine hygiene product to absorb menstrual flow by insertion into the vagina

A tampon is a menstrual product designed to absorb blood and vaginal secretions by insertion into the vagina during menstruation. Unlike a pad, it is placed internally, inside of the vaginal canal. Once inserted correctly, a tampon is held in place by the vagina and expands as it soaks up menstrual blood. However, in addition to menstrual blood, the tampon also absorbs the vagina's natural lubrication and bacteria, which can change the normal pH, increasing the risk of infections from the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, which can lead to toxic shock syndrome (TSS). TSS is a rare but life-threatening infection that requires immediate medical attention.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cosmetology</span> Study and application of beauty treatment

Cosmetology is the study and application of beauty treatment. Branches of specialty include hairstyling, skin care, cosmetics, manicures/pedicures, non-permanent hair removal such as waxing and sugaring, and permanent hair removal processes such as electrology and intense pulsed light (IPL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Menstrual cup</span> Feminine hygiene device worn inside the vagina during menstruation

A menstrual cup is a menstrual hygiene device which is inserted into the vagina during menstruation. Its purpose is to collect menstrual fluid. Menstrual cups are usually made of flexible medical grade silicone, latex, or a thermoplastic isomer. They are shaped like a bell with a stem or a ring. The stem is used for insertion and removal, and the bell-shaped cup seals against the vaginal wall just below the cervix and collects menstrual fluid. This is unlike tampons and menstrual pads, which absorb the fluid instead.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Feminine hygiene</span> Personal care products for menstruation, vaginal discharge etc.

Feminine hygiene products are personal care products used during menstruation, vaginal discharge, and other bodily functions related to the vulva and vagina. Products that are used during menstruation may also be called menstrual hygiene products, including menstrual pads, tampons, pantyliners, menstrual cups, menstrual sponges and period panties. Feminine hygiene products also include products meant to cleanse the vulva or vagina, such as douches, feminine wipes, and soap.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nail polish</span> Lacquer applied to fingernails and/or toenails

Nail polish is a lacquer that can be applied to the human fingernail or toenails to decorate and protect the nail plates. The formula has been revised repeatedly to enhance its decorative properties and to suppress cracking or peeling. Nail polish consists of a mix of an organic polymer and several other components that give it colors and textures. Nail polishes come in all color shades and play a significant part in manicures and pedicures.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Air freshener</span> Product used to mask odors

Air fresheners are consumer products that typically emit fragrance and are used in homes or commercial interiors such as restrooms, foyers, hallways, vestibules and other smaller indoor areas, as well as larger areas such as hotel lobbies, auto dealerships, medical facilities, public arenas and other large interior spaces. Car fresheners are used in automobiles. As a source of odors, specific deodorizing blocks are made for toilets and urinals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hairdresser</span> Person whose occupation is to cut or style hair

A hairdresser is a person whose occupation is to cut or style hair in order to change or maintain a person's image. This is achieved using a combination of hair coloring, haircutting, and hair texturing techniques. A Hairdresser may also be referred to as a 'barber' or 'hairstylist.'

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1,4-Dioxane</span> Chemical compound

1,4-Dioxane is a heterocyclic organic compound, classified as an ether. It is a colorless liquid with a faint sweet odor similar to that of diethyl ether. The compound is often called simply dioxane because the other dioxane isomers are rarely encountered.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cloth menstrual pad</span> Cloth pads to prevent menstrual fluid from leaking onto clothes

Cloth menstrual pads are cloth pads worn in the underwear to collect menstrual fluid. They are a type of reusable menstrual hygiene product, and are an alternative to sanitary napkins or to menstrual cups. Because they can be reused, they are generally less expensive than disposable pads over time, and reduce the amount of waste produced.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shower gel</span> Liquid products used for cleaning the body

Shower gel is a specialized liquid product used for cleaning the body during showers. Not to be confused with liquid soaps, shower gels, in fact, do not contain saponified oil. Instead, it uses synthetic detergents derived from either petroleum or plant sources.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ingredients of cosmetics</span> Ingredients used in makeup

Cosmetics ingredients come from a variety of sources but, unlike the ingredients of food, are often not considered by most consumers. Cosmetics often use vibrant colors that are derived from a wide variety of sources, ranging from crushed insects to rust.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nail salon</span> Beauty salon specialising in nail care

A nail salon or nail bar is a specialty beauty salon establishment that primarily offers nail care services such as manicures, pedicures, and nail enhancements. Often, nail salons also offer skin care services. Manicures are also offered by general beauty salons, spas, and hotels. People who work at nail salons are usually called nail technicians, manicurists, or nailists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ecotoxicity</span>

Ecotoxicity, the subject of study in the field of ecotoxicology, refers to the biological, chemical or physical stressors that affect ecosystems. Such stressors could occur in the natural environment at densities, concentrations, or levels high enough to disrupt natural biochemical and physiological behavior and interactions. This ultimately affects all living organisms that comprise an ecosystem.

Brazilian hair straightening is a semi-permanent hair straightening method done by temporarily sealing a liquid formaldehyde or derived from formaldehyde and a preservative solution into the hair with a hair iron.

A soap substitute is a natural or synthetic cleaning product used in place of soap or other detergents, typically to reduce environmental impact or health harms or provide other benefits.

Unlike the National Organic Program in the United States, there is no legal definition of the word "natural" for food and consumer products. The Food and Drug Administration continues to follow the policy it set in 1993: "FDA has not established a formal definition for the term 'natural', however the agency has not objected to the use of the term on food labels provided it is used in a manner that is truthful and not misleading and the product does not contain added color, artificial flavors, or synthetic substances. Use of the term 'natural' is not permitted in the ingredient list, with the exception of the phrase 'natural flavorings'."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cosmetic packaging</span> Packaging for cosmetics

The term cosmetic packaging is used for cosmetic containers and secondary packaging of fragrances and cosmetic products. Cosmetic products are substances intended for human cleansing, beautifying and promoting an enhanced appearance without altering the body's structure or functions.

A migrant nail salon worker is a nail technician, manicurist, esthetician, or masseuse working in a Migrant, often Asian–owned nail salon in America. These workers are typically women who have immigrated from South Korea, though there are also Latina and Chinese immigrants employed by these shops. The majority of women who work in these nail salons are paid low wages, exposed to dangerous chemicals because of weak regulations, and develop complicated relationships with their clients, largely due to language differences and contradicting views on what constitutes quality customer service. Most Korean-owned nail salons are located in New York, and in reaction to a 2015 New York Times exposé documenting corruption within the state's nail salon industry, Gov. Andrew Cuomo created the New York State Nail Industry Enforcement Task Force, and signed into law stricter salon regulations and required the posting of wage bonds.

The Robin Danielson Feminine Hygiene Product Safety Act is a proposed act of the United States Congress, directing the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to research the possible health risks of menstrual hygiene products made with dioxins, synthetic fibers, chemicals such as chlorine or fragrance irritants. It also called for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to monitor dioxin levels in similar hygiene products.

References

  1. ↑ "Mission + Vision - Women's Voices for the Earth". womensvoices.org. Retrieved 2015-04-29.
  2. ↑ "Who We Are - Women's Voices for the Earth". womensvoices.org. Retrieved 2020-10-09.
  3. ↑ "Accomplishments - Women's Voices for the Earth". womensvoices.org. Retrieved 2020-10-09.
  4. ↑ "Cosmetic Fragrance and Flavor Ingredient Right to Know Act of 2020". senate.ca.gov.
  5. ↑ "A.164-A/S.3287-B". www.nysenate.gov.
  6. ↑ "Women Move Summer's Eve to Remove Dangerous Dyes from Vaginal Washes". womensvoices.org.
  7. ↑ "AB 2775". chemicalwatch.com.
  8. ↑ "Toxic Chemicals Used in Fragrance". womensvoices.org.
  9. ↑ "Report: Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)". womensvoices.org.
  10. ↑ "Procter & Gamble to share its fragrance ingredients as consumers push for more transparency". www.cnbc.com. 30 August 2017.
  11. ↑ "How the 'Cleaning Product Right to Know Act' affects your business". bizjournals.com.
  12. ↑ Rabin, Roni Caryn (24 May 2017). "Period Activists Want Tampon Makers to Disclose Ingredients". The New York Times .
  13. ↑ "Rep. Grace Meng Letter to FDA on unsafe colorants in washes" (PDF). meng.house.gov.
  14. ↑ Abrams, Rachel (26 October 2015). "Rep. Under Pressure, Feminine Product Makers Disclose Ingredients". The New York Times .
  15. ↑ "Is "Fragrance" Making Us Sick?". motherjones.com.
  16. ↑ "Projects - Women's Voices for the Earth". womensvoices.org.
  17. ↑ "H.R.2268". congress.gov. 11 April 2019.
  18. ↑ "H.R.3865". congress.gov. 22 July 2019.
  19. ↑ "AB 1989 is Not Enough to Protect the Health of People Who Menstruate". womensvoices.org. 30 September 2020.
  20. ↑ "Cosmetic Fragrance and Flavor Ingredient Right to Know Act of 2020". senate.ca.gov.
  21. ↑ "Citizen's Petition to the FDA". womensvoices.org. 27 January 2020.
  22. ↑ "Menstrual & Intimate Care Products".
  23. ↑ "Johnson & Johnson's Toxic Talc".
  24. ↑ "Summer's Eve Removes 10 Toxic Ingredients". 4 March 2021.
  25. ↑ "Formaldehyde in Brazilian Blowout, Hair Straighteners".
  26. ↑ "Are you cleaning with pesticides? Quit the Quats".
  27. ↑ "Workshop: Our Stories, Our Flow".
  28. ↑ "People Against Quats #QuitQuats".
  29. ↑ "Reports & Fact Sheets". womensvoices.org.
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