http://www.nrcm.org/rss.asp?f=4 NRCM Toxic Free Maine bdimond@nrcm.orgTue, 09 Feb 2010 08:12:19 EDTFuzzyRSS 1.0.1 http://www.nrcm.org/news_detail.asp?news=3485Maine could soon become the first state to require drug manufacturers to establish a system for collecting unused medications from consumers to keep the drugs from getting into the environment or falling into the wrong hands.The idea was endorsed by a legislative committee last month and could reach the full Legislature as soon as this week. If approved, it would strengthen Maine's position as a n...bdimond@nrcm.orgMon, 08 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EDT http://www.nrcm.org/news_detail.asp?news=3483Representatives from an environmental advocacy group and a company that distributes plastic pallets containing a toxic flame retardant told lawmakers Thursday they were close to reaching a compromise to phase out new pallet production "as soon as practicable."A bill introduced by House Speaker Hannah Pingree, D-North Haven, called for the end of the manufacture and sale of the ch...bdimond@nrcm.orgFri, 05 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EDT http://www.nrcm.org/news_detail.asp?news=3462AUGUSTA, Maine — State environmental officials began making their case Monday for a $200 million cleanup of the HoltraChem site in Orrington, arguing that contaminants in five outdated landfills threaten groundwater supplies and the Penobscot River.But attorneys for the factory’s former owners, Mallinckrodt LLC, questioned the necessity and safety of undertaking what would likely be on...bdimond@nrcm.orgTue, 26 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EDT http://www.nrcm.org/news_detail.asp?news=3459AUGUSTA — Maine was the first state to make manufacturers pay for the recycling of computer monitors, TVs and mercury thermostats.Now, some lawmakers want to expand that idea by creating standards to add more products to the list.Supporters told a legislative panel Friday that the standards – which also would be the nation's first – would reduce waste and pollution and save taxpa...bdimond@nrcm.orgSat, 23 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EDT http://www.nrcm.org/news_detail.asp?news=3455Senator Goodall, Representative Duchesne and members of the Natural Resources Committee.  My name is Matt Prindiville.  I am the Clean Production Project Director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine.  NRCM strongly supports LD 1568, and we thank Representative Pingree for bringing this issue to the attention of the committee and for her continued leadership on public and envi...bdimond@nrcm.orgFri, 22 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EDT http://www.nrcm.org/news_detail.asp?news=3456Senator Goodall, Representative Duchesne, and Members of the Committee.  My name is Matt Prindiville, and I’m the Clean Production Project Director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine.  NRCM strongly supports LD 1631, and we thank Representative Innes for bringing the bill to the attention of the Committee. LD 1631 builds off of the success of Maine’s product stew...bdimond@nrcm.orgFri, 22 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EDT http://www.nrcm.org/news_detail.asp?news=3410Two state agencies, the Department of Environmental Protection and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, earned our respect last year by designating 1,700 toxic substances as chemicals of high concern. Several environmental-health scientists whose research has identified such chemicals are the subject of two recent books: “The Body Toxic” by Nena Baker and “Poisoned Pro...bdimond@nrcm.orgWed, 06 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EDT http://www.nrcm.org/news_detail.asp?news=3392AUGUSTA — Maine's plan to be one of the first states to track and regulate toxic chemicals in toys and other children's products drew praise and criticism at a public hearing Thursday.Laura Thompson Brady of Hallowell was among the parents, physicians and other supporters who said it's time to make manufacturers disclose the presence of toxic chemicals in teething rings, dolls, car seats and...bdimond@nrcm.orgFri, 18 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.nrcm.org/news_detail.asp?news=3393“Today, Representative Pingree is moving forward to ensure Maine families and wildlife are protected from preventable diseases caused by the toxic chemical, deca-BDE.  The sooner this bill is adopted by Congress, the sooner our children’s health will be protected.“The scientific evidence is clear. Deca threatens childhood brain development, and can cause or contribute to lea...bdimond@nrcm.orgFri, 18 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.nrcm.org/news_detail.asp?news=3396Maine Congresswoman Chellie Pingree says she'll push ahead with legislation she introduced in the House this week to ban a toxic flame retardant, despite an 11th hour offer from a number of chemical companies to voluntarily phase out the use of deca-bromine in their products. Pingree says she'll press forward with the bill because voluntary chemical bans in the past have not always worked out as p...bdimond@nrcm.orgFri, 18 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EDT