Going Public - Sharing News That I Think Is Good About Medical Care Available

Ruth Sandra Sperling
- Also RSS Designs In Fiber

Ah-h-h!  LIFE!

Different People use different ideas or symbols to express LIFE!  For me, whatever the reasoning - it is TREES - so The Image above of a Tapestry I Crocheted of A TREE in a Landscape has a lot to do with LIFE, for me!!!!!

For many in our world, a key part of our LIFE is getting the Medical Care right for us.

I do not usually discuss Medical Care here on my blog - mine - others - or generally in the world.  I feel it is an incredibly personal matter - not often something I write about publicly.

But I feel it is time to Share something broadly and publicly - and, for me, this is my place to do it - My Blog - Sort of My Own Online, Public Journal, where I discuss things I think should be PUBLIC.

Out of respect for others - and to strive for total accuracy - I will keep this relatively simple - A Quote from a Linked Reference - with a couple of other Links.  If you want to know more - you will have to go to the Links, Websites, Make Phone Calls, etc. to find out more.

When the following article was published on the ucla.edu website, I was thrilled.  I shared it in a number of places!!  The full significance of it in the world of medical care is yet to be seen, but based on knowledge I have - I cannot keep quiet about it!

"FDA APPROVES GAME-CHANGING MELANOMA DRUG THAT TURNS ON IMMUNE SYSTEM TO FIGHT DEADLY CANCERS"

It is "Immunotherapy" to fight Cancer - a whole different Game.

But there is something more I want to say - and it is about UCLA Health System - and I think the world should know.  Your response to it will be your own - well I know there will always be differences amongst people - but I, personally, think the following quote is important - it is from Page 1 of the SUMMER 2014 ISSUE OF THE MAGAZINE OF "UCLA HEALTH - DAVID GEFFEN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE" (you can get a PDF of it at the link)

"Community engagement is hardly new to the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA (DGSOM) and UCLA Health System.  Whether by overseeing the residency programs at two of Los Angeles County's major public hospitals, supporting student-directed mobile clinics and health fairs, providing staff for the Venice Family Clinic - the largest free clinic in the United States - or spearheading research projects under our Clinical and Translational Science Institute with the aim of erasing healthcare disparities in one of this nation's most demographically diverse urban areas, UCLA Health Sciences has been an essential part of the fabric of Greater Los Angeles for decades.  But in 2011, as we developed our strategic plan, we determined that community engagement needed to be elevated to one of our core missions along with education, research and clinical care.

"For UCLA Health Sciences, community engagement means improving health through solutions that address social, cultural and biological determinants, developing a comprehensive and diverse healthcare workforce and creating innovative healthcare-delivery models that maintain financial stability while serving all members of our community. ...." A. Eugene Washington, MD, MSc

[Note;  the emphasis in red of certain sections in the Quote is that of me, Ruth Sandra Sperling - and has nothing to do with the Magazine.]

For Info here are links for UCLA HEALTH SYSTEM and the 2 Los Angeles County Major Public Hospitals:

UCLA HEALTH

OLIVE VIEW-UCLA MEDICAL CENTER

HARBOR-UCLA MEDICAL CENTER

Harvest Season - My Last Trip to Pick My Own Fruit

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - Internet Shop of Handmade Items In Fibers








Mid-October now -- Harvest Season for sure -- but for the fruit trees, it is the end of the season of blooming and new fruit.


The local orchard where I have gone to pick fruit has closed its gates for this year.


Last Wednesday I went -- and even though I meant to be frugal and only pick half a bucket -- well, I couldn't help myself and I picked most of a bucket --


-- still some late peaches on the trees - just lucious -- have cut up at least half of them and put them in the freezer - a few fresh ones still in the fridge. I will at least have some frozen slices of peaches to thaw or put in smoothies for some weeks to come!


-- lots of late pears on the trees and I picked a bunch -- still hard and firm -- the people at the orchards say that is the best way to pick them -- maybe they will last! When I have bought them in the grocery stores they soften and turn dark almost right away. Just checked this morning - still firm in the fridge!!


-- Ah-h-h! The apples!! Just love the fresh apples picked off the tree -- again infintely better than the grocery store ones -- they said I picked some Fujis and Granny Smiths -- just love those tart Granny Smiths, but also love the slightly sweeter Fujis and Galas!!


I have been told that the Granny Smiths will last for 3 months or so in the fridge, so I'll be eating the Fujis first -- and I can always make some lucious apple sauce in my crock pot -- did that last January!!


Picking my fruit -- no matter if it is a little difficult physically for me to be walking around with a bucket of almost 20 pounds of fruit (LOL) -- is so much fun -- and I will miss it until next summer!!


Hope some of you others found some freshly-picked local fruit -- or got to pick some yourself!!

Quick, Easy, Pretty Healthy Lunch!!

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - Internet Shop of Handmade Items In Fibers


I like to get a bit creative with my cooking and stay healthy -- but when I am busy doing things all day and I don't have something already cooked in the refrigerator, I need to come up with a quick solution -- especially in the middle of the day for lunch.

On recommendation from a doctor years ago in the 1990's, I avoid using that apparently convenient appliance, the Microwave, for cooking foods, because of what those waves do to the foods when they cook it.

So, some time back I discovered this neat electrical appliance by Black and Decker that doubles as a Rice Cooker and steamer, with a good-sized steam basket. It is the Black and Decker Home 16-cup Multi-use Rice Cooker Plus, Model RC436 -- and I love it -- and now I don't know how I would live without it -- LOL!! I use it not only to make rice and steam things, but to make soups and meat and veggie dishes, etc., etc., etc.!!

So, a fairly quick lunch to throw together and just let cook is the following all steamed in the steamer basket of this Rice Cooker Plus!!

-- 2 chicken thighs, with or without the skin (up to you)
-- a bunch of basil leaves spread out over the chicken thighs
-- 2 cloves of garlic, cut in half (this actually should be optional if you don't want the garlic smell from lunch)
-- a half of a medium-sized onion, cut in quarters or other piece of vegetable in similar size
-- some soy sauce
-- some chili powder
-- any other herbs or spices you want to use - fresh or dried
-- a little salt either while cooking or put on after cooking
-- freshly ground black pepper after cooking

I put enough water in the main bowl of the Rice Cooker Plus for steaming for a while, but keep the level below the steam basket bottom. I make sure the Rice Cooker Plus is plugged in and warming up at this point. I arrange the chicken thighs and pieces of vegetables in the steamer basket. If you have the skin still on the chicken thighs, it is supposed to be better to put the halves of garlic cloves under the skin for cooking - some may not want to clook with garlic for lunch, but I like the taste of garlic and I like the cloves when they are steamed, so I use them in cooking this. Then I sprinkle a little soy sauce and the chili powder over the chicken and vegetables and put the Rice Cooker Plus on Cook.

Then you just leave it cook and steam until the chicken is at the right level of tenderness for you. Make sure the chicken is cooked all the way through. I like my chicken well-cooked to a very tender level.

Go off and do the other things you need to do and leave it -- then come back -- and you have a healthy chicken and veggies lunch!! I'm not sure how long it takes to cook the chicken as I just run in and check it until it is just right.

Also, for those of you who insist on having some carbohydrates with your meals, which I hear some people do, throw in the steamer basket a couple of smaller potatoes, pricked with a fork at the beginning!! Boy the potatoes will come out just yummy!!

And with it all in the steamer basket and not in the water, the meat and veggies keep most of the nutrients in them while cooking.

A quick, easy, pretty healthy lunch for a busy person!!


Ruth

MAKING YOUR OWN NATURAL DISINFECTING SPRAY

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - Internet Shop of Handmade Items In Fibers


Thanks to The Smart Mama, Jennifer Taggart at http://www.thesmartmama.com/bg/, I found a really simple natural disinfecting spray that I can make at home myself with ingredients I already have and like:

-- 2 cups water (preferrably distilled)
-- up to 3 teaspoons liquid castille soap
-- 1 teaspoon Tea Tree Oil
-- spray bottle

I get my Castille Soap from my local Trader Joe's Market.

The last time I bought Tea Tree Oil, I bought the Desert Essence brand at www.vitacost.com, but my local Trader Joe's Market has it, too.

All natural and simple to make -- and I can make it in the quantity that I want it.

I may not be a Mama, but I do this for myself and the others around me!!

Would you like to do this for yourself and yours?

Much better than some formula from the store with "who knows what" in it!!


Ruth

BE SMART ABOUT PLASTICS - BE AWARE OF DIFFERENT TYPES & FIND WAYS TO NOT USE THEM -- AS WELL AS RECYCLE THEM

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - Internet Shop of Handmade Items In Fibers


Being concerned about anything toxic affecting me medically, I have been being quite careful in a variety of things in my life.

One of the biggest areas to be concerned about is PLASTICS - because there still seems to be a lot that is either unknown or not fully researched or in research in the subject of PLASTICS - and what toxins they put in your foods, drinks or environment.

Being Smart About PLASTICS means keeping oneself informed.

This guide from pbs.org in PDF form is quite useful as far as the different types of plastics that you can find, especially as regards food packaging:

http://www.pbs.org/strangedays/pdf/StrangeDaysSmartPlasticsGuide.pdf

But you need to keep up somehow on what research is going on - I tend to check with certain organizations and individuals who I have quite a bit of trust in, because, unfortunately, there is false data in the world. Not being a chemist or other kind of scientist, I am not capable of evaluating the accuracy of research or testing - or evaluations by individuals. I try to get to the basic article written by the person doing the research or testing - or an article at least quoting them.

Most recently there is an article on the Internet about the possibility found in testing mineral water in PET plastic bottles (plastic #1) of an estrogen-mimicing chemical. This plastic has been previously considered to be safe and is also recyclable.

Here is the article: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20090312.BOTTLES12/TPStory/Environment

It quotes someone from the University where testing has shown "...consistent contamination of bottled water with a hormonally active substance leaching from PET, one of the world's most popular packaging materials." Another scientist who has done research on BPA's is quoted in the same article stating "...he worries about exposures to synthetic estrogens because they add to the natural female hormones already in people."

So, basically now I am worried.

It is kind of humorous - I have already been avoiding these PET bottles of water by using my own resusable water bottles (now stainless steel or glass ones) for environmental reasons -- it is better for the environment to not have to make and constantly recycle these bottles when you can reuse your own bottles. See my earlier post on "Breaking the Bottled Water Habit". Now, it appears that it may also be good to avoid them for health reasons, so I am going to continue avoiding them and more than before. I don't want to take the risks.

Reading and using the "By Number Guide to Plastics" may really be a good thing to do -- I recommend it both for health and environmental reasons.

There is so much PLASTIC out there in the food packaging business.

Based on what I have read including this article I read in 2005, http://deliciouslivingmag.com/greenliving/dl_article_1527/ , there are all kinds of reasons to avoid all kinds of plastics.

But I strongly urge everyone to especially watch out for the following:

1. Styrofoam cups for hot drinks like coffee and tea -- some restaurants still use them - they are made of styrene, which leaches into the hot drinks. It is plastic #6 and if you look on the bottom of the cup, it will have a triangle with a "6" in it. I am studiously avoiding such now.

2. Plastic bottles of what are considered healthy drinks, such as soy milk, I have seen in BPA plastic bottles. This plastic will have a triangle with a "7" on it. I found a bottle of Vitasoy soy milk in such a bottle. Not buying those any more.

Several Senators, including one of my own - California Senator Dianne Feinstein - are proposing a law banning BPA in all food and beverage containers. I read about it here: http://www.jsonline.com/watchdog/watchdogreports/41215752.html .

It is also in the Recent Headlines as of Sunday, March 15, 2009 on Senator Dianne Feinstein's own website: http://feinstein.senate.gov/public/

-- and here is the Press Release from her website: http://feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=NewsRoom.PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=01832CD5-5056-8059-76DB-C984D14B7FCE

I hope all food manufacturers stop using Plastics 3, 6 and 7 right away.

Maybe they will eventually have to stop using Plastic 1, too.

I guess we will see.

In the meantime -- you can take steps yourself and use your own reusable bottles for drinks - waters and teas. Some places will let you use your own bottles to get water or cold teas -- or use your own hot cups to get hot coffee and hot tea. I know some that do in my life: the Cafe at the Palmdale Transportation Center and the Plaza Deli and Grill in the UCLA Westwood Medical Plaza -- when I have asked at both, they were very nice about it and said yes.

So, for your own health -- and the health of our planet and our environment, be smart about PLASTICS -- AND GET YOUR OWN REUSABLE BOTTLES, SUCH AS AT HERE:

http://www.newdream.org/marketplace/nubius.html

I got my stainless steel water bottle at Walgreens, but I don't know if they always have them!!

And don't forget recycling all the PLASTIC that you can!!


Ruth

MERCURY IN OUR FOODS??!! WATCH OUT FOR TOO MUCH OF....

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - Internet Shop of Handmade Items
RSS Designs Wearable - Internet Shop of Wearable Items


I saw a post yesterday on someone's blog - I thought it was kind of funny because it was about High Fructose Corn Syrup and why it can not be so good for you - especially if you get too much of it -- and not because of the sugar or the calories.

But first I would like to give the links to three articles/documents on the Internet, so you can read them yourself before you read here any further.

1. Chocolate Syrup Laced With Mercury http://greenearthjourney.blogspot.com/2009/02/chocolate-syrup-laced-with-mercury.html

2. Institue for Agriculture and Trade Policy -- Not So Sweet: Missing Mercury and High Fructose Corn Syrup http://www.healthobservatory.org/library.cfm?refid=105026

3. Mercury from chlor-alkali plants: measured concentrations in food product sugar. http://www.ehjournal.net/content/8/1/2


If you have even just taken a look at these three Internet documents - or actually read them through, you will realize that there seems to be some danger of getting toxic levels of Mercury from eating foods with High Fructose Corn Syrup in them.

I am not a scientist who can do tests - or evaluate other's tests - but I can read and it looks to me like there is a possibility of a health issue here.

I avoid High Fructose Corn Syrup because it is a sugar, and for my own personal health issues, I don't eat much sugar (especially in liquid form) and I watch my carbohydrates - in other words, I strive to eat a low-carbohydrate diet (especially simple carbohydrates - I prefer complex ones)because of my own health problems.

But I am also worried about ingesting/absorbing too many toxins/toxic substances because of problems that could occur or could be exacerbated, so I will file away this information about possible Mercury in High Fructose Corn Syrup and will just do my very best to avoid foods containing it - as a safety measure.

I am a label-reader - I read labels for the ingredients in foods I buy!!

What other people do is their business, but the data is available!

Maybe the manufacturers of High Fructose Corn Syrup should just take a few additional measures themselves -- and make sure that their High Fructose Corn Syrup that is used for food just doesn't have any Mercury in it!!

To a healthier world!!


Ruth

PHTHALATES - I'VE KNOWN ABOUT THEIR DANGERS FOR 4 YEARS NOW

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - Internet Shop of Handmade Items
RSS Designs Wearable - Internet Shop of Wearable Items


It was sometime in February 2005 that I picked up a copy of Delicious Living Magazine and read the article, "Plastic Planet", which is still available online here: http://deliciouslivingmag.com/greenliving/dl_article_1527/index.html .

I recommend reading this article.

You see, I had been hearing around, as an environmentalist, that there were these dangers from some plastics - it was somehow tied into the whole issue of manufacturing them, which is a toxic industry anyway - and recycling them and not just putting them in landfills.

Also, when I found this article I read it all the way through and kept a copy of part of it for my own reference as the article has a "by-the-numbers guide to safety" - it gives the numbers of the plastics that have "no known health hazards" (1, 2, 4, 5) and the ones with "potential health hazards" (3, 6, 7).

#3, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC or vinyl) quote from the Feb. 2005 article:

"Some research has shown that the phthalates in PVC cling wraps (commonly used
in delis and supermarkets) and vinyl flooring are endocrine disruptors linked to
various health problems. Water and vegetable oils sometimes are bottled in
PVC, and many toys and baby teethers contain PVC."

So, this is the one with the phthalates.

But having recently been reading about vinyl showing with XRF testing to contain lead, I am now wondering if it also contains lead - and if the lead is leachable.

This article, "Plastic Planet" discusses many different issues - and using the plastics "...for what they were intended for and approved for."

Personally, I am careful for myself - have tried to be ever since reading this article -- avoiding 3, 6, and 7 plastics -- my vegetable oil (olive and sesame) bottles are glass!

My reusable water bottle is stainless steel - not plastic at all any more - and I rarely buy any drinks in plastic bottles when I am out any more, though I slip up occasionally - and I watch the number on the bottle.

(I also read the food labels for ingredients - part of watching my diet - this is me! LOL!)

I am glad that the CPSIA bans children's childcare/teething products (including synthetic fiber clothing items that contain phthalates) with phthalates in them - and I am glad that it is retroactive for existing inventory as of today.

I actually want products made with phthalates, styrene, BPA etc. taken out of the market place for everyone.

You would have a hard time convincing me that the manufacturers of plastic products did not have this information available to them years ago - and could have voluntarily stopped making products with these materials that are "potential health hazards".

-- And I rarely use that Microwave, sitting there cold and neglected on my counter, except to heat some water once in a while, if I have to - but never with any plastic containers. But that is another health matter to be covered another time.

Again - to a healthier world!!


Ruth

New documents from the CPSC regarding enforcing the CPSIA

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - Internet Shop of Handmade Items
RSS Designs Wearable - Internet Shop of Wearable Items


Since I posted comments about the CPSIA earlier, I thought that I would post some links to documents on various issues regarding the enforcement of this law as of Feb. 10, 2009 - only a few days away.

For those of us who craft in natural materials (wood, cotton, wool, surgical steel etc.) or "dyed or undyed textiles (not incuding leather, vinyl or PVC) and non-metallic thread and trim used in children's apparel and other fabric products, such as baby blankets", fortunately the CPSC has stated in the following News Release that we will not have penalties imposed against us as these items rarely contain lead over the lead limits in the CPSIA. If they find that someone had actual knowledge that products they manufactured/sold contained more than the lead limit, they will not be immune from prosecution.

I suggest that all concerned people read the documents at the CPSC website regarding this for their own information:

CPSC News Release: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09120.html

CPSC Draft Statement of Commission Enforcement Policy on Section 101 Lead Limits http://www.cpsc.gov/library/foia/foia09/brief/101lead.pdf

CPSC Record of Commissioner Voting on Draft Statement of Commission Enforcement Policy on Section 101 Lead Limits (unanimous 2-0) http://www.cpsc.gov/library/foia/ballot/ballot09/101lead.pdf


Also, there was the issue of whether the ban of phthalates per the CPSIA would cover existing inventory as of Feb. 10, 2009. The NRDC went to court on it and won.

Court Memorandum and Order: http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/nrdcopinion.pdf
(See pages 36 and 37 for Conclusion and Order)

Products with the phthalates as stipulated in the CPSIA are off the shelf as of Feb. 10, 2009, including existing inventory manufactured before Feb. 10, 2009!!

This I am really glad about as I have read for years of the dangers of phthalates and I take steps to avoid plastics known to contain phthalates for my own food/drink containers.

You might want to read the following at SimpleSteps.org - Green Living by NRDC: http://www.simplesteps.org/index.php?option=com_rssviewer&Itemid=49&link=court_agrees_phthalates_are_ba.html .

Again, I am thankful to the attornies at the NRDC for taking necessary legal action on an environmental issue that I deem important for all of us!!

As always - to a healthier world!


Ruth

The HANDMADE/CRAFTING WORLD - The New Law - CPSIA - Affecting My Corner Of It

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - Internet Shop of Handmade Items
RSS Designs Wearable - Internet Shop of Wearable Items


Not being an attorney or someone professionally involved in law-making or writing, I am generally careful of what to say about some things.

But this new law on Children's Products, the CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act) is going to have an affect on my little corner of the Handmade Crafting World - as well as all kinds of Children's Products all over the United States. YES - my little corner!!

I am seriously worried - not so much for me personally, as I am not professionally involved in a career requiring the selling or buying of Children's Products - nor do I have any children 12 years of age or younger.

BUT IN GENERAL, I SUPPORT LIMITS OF LEAD IN CHILDREN'S PRODUCTS - ESPECIALLY ITEMS A BABY OR CHILD MIGHT UNKNOWINGLY SWALLOW OR CHEW ON. ACTUALLY I SUPPORT A NON-TOXIC OR LOW-TOXIC ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL OF US HUMANS, WHICH IS GOING TO REQUIRE EDUCATION AND KNOWLEDGE AND, YES, SOME TESTING, SO WE KNOW WHAT CONTAINS LEAD AND DOESN'T.

It will affect the few crocheted and knitted items that I have made for children in that age range - my Baby Hats in my ETSY shop, RSS Designs Wearables, have been selling over the months and under the new rules of testing for lead in All Children's Products, their price would at the very least double (or maybe even more).

Possibly un-realistic in the market I am selling them in - after all, I am trying to make and sell Affordable Baby Hats as Baby Hats are good for the health of the babies and recommended!!

I am afraid that with the CPSIA as it is currently written, the word "Affordable" "goes out the window", so to say!!

So, unless there are some regulations regarding using yarn to make things - and some exemptions for testing, that small part of my ETSY shop will be empty on the effective date of Feb. 10, 2009 - or maybe a couple of days earlier. I am not taking any legal risks - and the regulations I am hoping for at some time will not be ready and effective by then.

When I am affected or interested in something from the Federal government, I have found it advisable to get the actual data and documents from the government. In the area of environmental laws and regualtions including Public Land Management (i.e. the Giant Sequoia National Monument where I went to a lot of US Forest Service Meetings on it), I read the actual documents from the US Forest Service, and though I check some professional's opinions, I rely on most facts from the US Forest Service documents themselves.

So, that is what I am doing on the CPSIA. I have this page (http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html) bookmarked and check it for new documents, General Counsel opinions, new items published in the Federal Register, etc. If you haven't looked at it, you might want to check it out and get informed.

As I crochet and knit some wearable children's items - or maybe a pillow or toy or bag for them - with either yarn or thread, what I am keeping an eye on and developing opinions on is:

-- component testing and using supplier certifications of lead content (not approved yet)
-- the apparel industry
-- the yarn/textile industry
-- how to get exemptions from testing for materials that I would use that I have already gotten data on and apparently have little or no lead in them and are within the limits of the CPSIA. (not approved yet).

Not being an attorney and not fully understanding how to inerpret some portions of this law, I am not sure if the CPSC can just write rules/regulations on the implementation of the CPSIA for me to get what I want - or if the CPSIA needs to be amended - or if we need some new laws from Congress.

Here are some of my opinions, but they are just that - opinions and personal ones at that!

1. The basic intent of the law (the CPSIA) is good -- I don't want dangerous level of leads in Children's Products that could dangerously affect kids.

2. The way the CPSIA is written for All Children's Products is a little general and will either require a huge amount of un-affordable testing or a large amount of legal clarifications and legal rule-making -- or it could end up in the courts with precedents from judges that could affect the implementation and enforcement of the law.

3. If rules are not made allowing exemptions from testing final products/units made with materials that have no known lead content (or just natural trace levels of it), those who cannot afford the testing will just stop making things, so there will be a lot of things, that are available for children now, that won't be after the effective date or enforcement of the CPSIA.

Some rules in progress at these links in the Federal Register:

http://www.cpsc.gov/businfo/frnotices/fr09/leadlimits.pdf (aka natural materials exemptions)


http://www.cpsc.gov/businfo/frnotices/fr09/leadprocedures.pdf (aka Notice of Proposed Procedures and Requirements for a Commission Determination or Exclusion)

http://www.cpsc.gov/businfo/frnotices/fr09/leadinaccessibility.pdf (aka Inaccessible Component Parts)

http://www.cpsc.gov/businfo/frnotices/fr09/leadelectronic.pdf (aka Exemptions for Certain Electronic Devices)

If you look at each of these documents, where to send comments by mail, fax or email is in the documents including the Date by which comments must be made. This is public commenting, in the Federal Register, so any public may send in comments!! I believe the deadline on all of these is Feb. 17, 2009 (notice this is the comment period and it ends after the effective date for the CPSIA of Feb. 10, 2009.).

There is also a PDF document regarding a request from the CPSC on comments regarding
"Mandatory Third-Party Testing for Certain Children’s Products Section 102 of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (“CPSIA”)" - http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/ComponentPartsComments.pdf -- and this has a deadline of Jan. 30, 2009.

4. I am not sure what exactly is going on in the retail markets of Children's Products, but with the General Counsel's opinions on existing inventory, retailers large and small may have a huge problem if they can't get certification of CPSIA compliance by Feb. 10, 2009 - or if a large part of their inventory fails testing (has too much lead in it) and cannot be legally sold. There are some dire predictions (businesses shutting down, bankrupcies, etc.) on the affect on the economy - we shall see what happens.

5. I think some things got left out when they wrote the original bill - I am of the opinion that the biggest matter left out was that suppliers to manufacturers at all levels, but particularly at the bottom level, must test and state the lead content of their supplies. I think that they must be required to put the actual lead content per some measure (ounce, yard, meter, etc.) on the labels/information for the products they are selling to assemblers/manufacturers. AFTER ALL, FOLKS, THE WHOLE POINT IS TO HAVE LEAD-FREE OR LOW-LEAD PRODUCTS FOR THE CHILDREN-IF YOU WANT TO BUY THINGS TO MAKE THINGS WITH NO OR LITTLE LEAD, YOU NEED TO KNOW THE LEAD CONTENT OF WHAT YOU ARE BUYING.

For me, this is a major issue, because all I am really doing with my crocheting and knitting of Children's Products is re-arranging the yarn or thread into something. I want it on the label if there is no lead content or how much lead per yard or per package, etc.

6. Also, though they are addressing this issue to some degree with the proposed rules I list in section #3 of this article above, there may be unnecessary testing required (duplicate testing of the same materials). If the materials that are being used to make something, even if dyed and treated, have no lead or just very low traces of lead (within the limits of the CPSIA) - and it is known and stated from the manufacturer of the materials - then the finished product should not have to be tested. As the law currently stands, the finished product has to be tested even if the components have been tested.

See this presentation to the CPSC on Jan. 22, 2009 from the The Craft Yarn Council Association and The National Needlearts Association regarding lead and phthalates in yarn: http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/crafts.pdf. This, in particular is siginificant to me with my crocheting and knitting.

In that document is information from testing of yarn and dyes in it. Apparently I don't have to worry that the yarns I have purchased - and probably the crochet threads, too - have too much lead in them to be used to make the Children's Products per the CPSIA limits for lead content, but I can't afford the testing of the finished product/unit and am waiting for Final Rules on these matters from the CPSC.

Hopefully there will be a way for even the dyed yarns and threads to be exempted from testing as long as I can get the information on lead content from the sellers of the yarn. (The natural materials exemption will cover the undyed cotton yarns I have.) But this will depend on supplier certifications being allowed and third-party testing being waived.

7. Also, I am of the opinion that XRF testing with GCC's - not necessarily third-party mandatory testing in accredited labs, which goes into effect in August 2009 - is enough for some Children's Products. But I don't feel qualified to legally state this. I am thinking of mostly smaller items and clothing/textile items. Larger items - especially items made with metals, etc. - should be professionally tested in a third-party accredited lab. Also, I am of the opinion that All Imported Items should require third-party testing in an accredited lab. I am not sure if allowing XRF gun testing without third-party accredited labs for some products would require an amendment of the CPSIA in Congress or if the CPSC can issue some ruling on this.

8. I think there is the possibility that a whole new separate law for the Children's Apparel Products would be a good idea. I think this law should include provisions for natural materials, materials that have no known lead content -- and should specifically ban items and attachments that have known lead content and can be swallowed or chewed on, like rhinestones, swarovski crystals, faux pearl buttons, some metals. Will all metals required for clothing, such as snaps and zippers, need to be made of surgical steel, which apparently does not contain lead -- or can they make some metals for these items that have no or very low lead? I have seen XRF gun testing results stating that some snap components are failing - having too much lead in one snap piece. It would need to be written so as to keep available in the market affordable clothing for children -- including in the Handmade market.

As someone in the Handmade market, which I support (www.buyhandmade.org), I want to continue to make Handmade Children's Products - and I want others to, too.

As an environmentalist and a supporter of a non-toxic environment for all, I want controls and limits on toxic, dangerous substances in products available for sale.

I recommend the following sites for information and data:

The Smart Mama (Jennifer Taggart) http://www.thesmartmama.com/bg/ - or Follow Her on Twitter (http://twitter.com/thesmartmama) - for a lot of information about the CPSIA and what fails and passes in XRF testing for lead.

As a member of ETSY, I have been following this on ETSY and in ETSY chats. Here is their latest action kit, which has a lot of good info, including contact info: http://www.etsy.com/storque/media/bunker/2009/01/CPSIA-Etsy-Resources.pdf


I recommend that individuals should do what they feel is right.

You can write and call your own Congressional representatives - but I believe that in addition to calling, it is effective to fax or mail substansive comments/opinions to their offices.

The Energy and Commerce Committee in the House of Representatives is the Congressional Committee responsible for deciding on re-visiting/amending the CPSIA. Currently, the Chairman is Congressman Henry Waxman, who I have found very good on environmental issues. Their phone number is (202) 225-2927 (I have called them) and their fax number (for faxing written comments/letters) is (202) 225-2525. I recommend calling and faxing written letters.

I would like to bring up one more point, which is something we all must face on this issue. Getting lead out of Children's Products is a good idea. I support this in general for the safety and health of children -- as an environmentalist and humanist. But this is going to require changes in manufacturing and selling of Children's Products - and it may result in some higher prices to consumers. In economics, there is discussion of "external costs to consumers", which the costs of dealing with health problems from lead exposure/poisoning would fall under. Getting the lead out of the products and so making the health risk of exposure to lead in dangerous levels much lower is called in economics "correcting for external costs". But this "correcting " will initally result in higher prices to the consumers for Children's Products -- but in the long run, with fewer external health costs because of lead exposure/poisoning because the risk is lowered significantly, the overall cost in the community may even out - when you consider the high cost of medical care.

But for this to work out in the economy, I think some changes are in order - waste of time and effort with duplicate testing of materials for lead content is going to cost us dearly.

I am hoping that in the long run, with some common-sense rulings, this will all work out --maybe even be cheaper - and healthier - in long run!!

But my biggest "beef" on this is that supplies to manufacturers in all sizes of business must have stated in their labeling what their lead content is per measure so everyone knows what they are dealing with in terms of what things have lead in them - like vinyl and faux pearl buttons, to name a few items than unexpectedly have huge amounts of lead in them way over CPSIA limits (read http://twitter.com/thesmartmama)!!

TO A HEALTHIER WORLD!!

Ruth

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - Internet Shop of Handmade Items
RSS Designs Wearable - Internet Shop of Wearable Items
RSS Crochet Thread Plus - Internet Shop of Crochet Thread


I am thankful for a lot of things.

To Internet friends:

Etsy - http://www.etsy.com/
Eco Etsy Street Team - http://ecoetsy.blogspot.com/
Design Style Guide - http://www.designstyleguide.net/
Etsy Thread Artists Team - just starting!!
Sherry - http://shaylyn629.blogspot.com/
My Followers and Those I Am Following on Twitter - http://twitter.com/rssdesigns



Some Enviornmental Groups who I personally know are making a huge difference for our planet and our lives:

The Nature Conservancy - http://www.nature.org/ - Private and Public Lands protection & restoration
Conservation International - http://www.conservation.org/ - Biodiversity Hotspots
Aldo Leopold Foundation - http://www.aldoleopold.org/ - The Land Ethic
The Wildlife Society - http://www.wildlife.org/
The Wilderness Society - http://www.wilderness.org/
National Resource Defense Council - http://www.nrdc.org/ - their attorneys have played a major role in legal battles protecting ecologically significant public lands and concerning Environmental Impact Statements and public lands management that I know about.
World Wildlife Fund - http://www.wwf.org/
Union of Concerned Scientists - http://www.ucsusa.org
Central Sierra Environmental Resource Center - http://www.cserc.org



For Health:

RBC Life Sciences - http://ruthssperling.rbclifesciences.com/Default.aspx
Vitacost - http://www.vitacost.com/
Covert Bailey Books and Products - http://www.covertbailey.com/index2.html
The Wolfe Clinic - http://www.thewolfeclinic.com/ - check their News & Information!!
UCLA HEALTH SYSTEM - http://www.uclahealth.org/


ALL OF THESE HAVE HELPED ME LEAD A BETTER LIFE!