Women's Health/Environmental Legislation-Maloney Bill Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit willi@netserver.web.net Sun Nov 16 12:47:07 1997 November 11, 1997 This message is an action alert for those of you who've indicated an interest in knowing more about tampon safety, women's and environmental health issues and the "Politics of Tampons." If you have received this message in error, please accept our apologies. Representative Carolyn Maloney (D-NY-14) introduced a "Women's Health Act" (H.R.2900) to the 105th Congress on November 7, 1997, to require the National Institues of Health to determine risks to women who use tampons, including risks of endometriosis, Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS), infertility, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, and pelvic inflammatory disease. This historic legislation documents evidence of toxic residues in tampons, the link between synthetic fibers in tampons and Toxic Shock, women exposed to dioxin from tampons made with chlorine treated fibers, and states that DIOXINS ARE A WELL KNOWN CANCER CAUSING AGENT IN ANIMALS AND PROBABLE HUMAN CARCINOGEN! Maloney reminded Congress of a 1989 FDA scientific report which warned that the dioxin exposure from tampons dwarfed "possible exposures from all other medical devices," and stated that "the most effective risk management strategy would be to assure that tampons, and menstrual pads, for good measure, contain no dioxin." She asked, "Why is it acceptable to have this toxic substance in tampons -- despite the advice of an FDA scientist to the contrary." Carolyn Maloney even went on to hint at problems within the FDA, "When I -- as a member of Congress -- requested the information (FDA requires tampon manufacturers to monitor dioxin levels in their finished products), the FDA told me it was proprietary information and could not be released. It should be noted that the dioxin tests relied upon by the FDA are done by the manufacturers themselves, who not surprisingly insist their products are safe. Some of my constituents say this is the equivalent of the fox guarding the hen house." Ms. Maloney stated, "American women have a right to know about any potential hazards associated with tampons and other related products." As Carolyn Maloney says, "women are still being forced to take the word of the industry-sponsored research that their products are completely safe." Shockingly, Proctor&Gamble, the company who made the deadly 'Rely' tampons (ordered removed from the market by law in 1980), has bought the company that makes Tampax tampons last summer! Women, sisters, cousins - Carolyn Maloney needs help to protect the health of women and future generations. Only a handful of Congressional representatives have come forward to co-sponsor bill H.R. 2900: Louise Slaughter, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Bernie Sanders, Sheila Jackson Lee, George Brown, Eddie Bernice Johnson, Sidney Yates, Donna Christian Green, Ron Dellums, Patsy Mink, Bill Pascrell, Juanita Millender MacDonald, and Eliot Engel. YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! - Call your Congressperson now, and tell them that you want them to support H.R. 2900. - Ask them to look at the bill carefully, and ask them for a RESPONSE! - Forward this message to all the women you know; make copies for women who don't have email! - New Yorkers: go to Rep. Maloney's press conference at NYU Medical Center: 11a.m. Sun. Nov. 16th. (more info: 212/832-6531, 202/225-7944) This bipartisan bill is beyond parties and politics -- it's about getting accurate health information to all women in America. Thanks for taking time to read this message, and for your continued interest in women's health. We've waited long enough for action to protect our health (people like Dr. Tierno have been warning us for over 17 years!), while dioxin-related diseases like cancer, endometriosis and Toxic Shock make us suffer and die. Women united, will finally get real answers, and get those dangerous products off the shelves! In health, Willi Nolan ======================================================================== "Never doubt that a group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world: indeed its the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead Terra Femme web site favorites: "The Politics of Tampons" Health Info & References: Ordering: **SUPPORT WOMEN-RUN ETHICAL BUSINESS NOW! ** 416.539.8548 ================================================================= NY Transfer News Collective * A Service of Blythe Systems Since 1985 - Information for the Rest of Us 339 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10012 http://www.blythe.org e-mail: nyt@blythe.org ================================================================= nytfem-11.22.97-01:55:01-8815