Dear EDF Staff EDF_Members@edf.org:

On your home page, you ask: "Do you want your kids growing up in a polluted environment?" And then flashes: "Help us keep them safe."

That's a good attention grabber . . . And you could do much to help keep children from growing up in a polluted world if you would help the Environmental Health Network publicize its petition before the FDA.

Too many folks feel so overwhelmed by all that is wrong with the environment that they go into freeze mode. Yet, if they but knew of the toxic chemicals used to manufacture the scented products they have been led to believe they need to have "clean" bodies, homes and workplaces, they'd know there was a lot they could do to protect their own little corner of the world . . . simply by eschewing the synthetic fragrances and using fragrance-free products.

Indoor air is more polluted than outdoor air according to the US EPA and they go on to state that we spend upwards of 90 percent of our time indoors. That time indoors -- and out -- tends to be surrounded by fragrances, which have been made with untested chemicals. http://www.epa.gov/iedweb00/index.html

If I've piqued your interest, I'd be most happy if you would read EHN's petition before the FDA, available at http://www.ehnca.org/www/FDApetition/bkgrinfo.htm

It seems to me that this issue is worthy of your attention. You'll be helping our seniors live out their years without the pulmonary problems associated with fragrances products and you will help our very young begin a more healthy life . . . maybe even live their lives as SIDS and asthma deaths could be related to the neurotoxicity of the ubiquitous fragrances. (Fabric softeners have caused me to have seizures and numbness from temple to jaw bone . . . I can only wonder about the effects upon infants!)

Sincerely,

Barbara Wilkie
(My convention is prevention)

The response:

From: Jennifer Coleman@EDF on 09/16/99 06:48 PM

Subject: Re: Endangered species is closer than you think!

Thanks for your inquiry! I'll be sure to pass your campaign regarding perfume and indoor air pollution along to our health staff. In the meantime, you may also be interested in our initiative to increase the public's access to information about hazardous chemicals in their everyday lives, including many consumer products. You can see the beginning of our efforts at http://www.scorecard.org

Our recent report "toxic ignorance" has also helped spur an agreement between the EPA and the Chemical Manufacturer's association to test for basic health effects of chemicals used in high production volume. You can read more here: http://www.edf.org/programs/Health/hpv_initiative.html

Please let me know if you have further questions or concerns. Again, I will be sure to bring your campaign to the attention of our health staff.

• Do Something Directly for
  Our Country - Our Children!
  xxx

• Synthetic fragrances:
  IAQ, health, access adversely affected
  xxx

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