environmentalworkinggroupewg--2020-05-21--Three Fourths of Sunscreen Products Offer Inferior Protection or Contain Worrisome Ingredients

WASHINGTON – As states reopen and Americans leave their homes to venture outside , it ’ s important for them to remember to protect their skin from the sun ’ s harmful rays .
Today the Environmental Working Group released its 14th annual Guide to Sunscreens .
This year researchers rated the safety and efficacy of more than 1,300 SPF products – including sunscreens , moisturizers and lip balms – and found that only 25 percent offer adequate protection and do not contain worrisome ingredients such as oxybenzone , a potential hormone-disrupting chemical that is readily absorbed by the body @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that would make all sunscreens on U.S. store shelves safer , the Food and Drug Administration , the agency that governs sunscreen safety , is completing tests that highlight concerns with common sunscreen ingredients .
Last year , the agency published two studies showing that , with just a single application , six commonly used chemical active ingredients , including oxybenzone , are readily absorbed through the skin and could be detected in our bodies at levels that could cause harm .
“ It 's quite concerning , ” said Nneka Leiba , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ science .
“ Those studies don ’ t prove whether the sunscreens are unsafe , but they do highlight problems with how these products are regulated.
” “ EWG has been advocating for the FDA to review these chemical ingredients for 14 years , ” Leiba said .
“ We slather these ingredients on our skin , but these chemicals have n't been adequately tested .
This is just one example of the backward nature of product regulation in the U.S. ” Oxybenzone remains a commonly used active ingredient , found in more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in this year ’ s guide .
Oxybenzone is allergenic and a potential endocrine disruptor , and has been detected in human breast milk , amniotic fluid , urine and blood .
According to EWG ’ s assessment , fewer than half of the products in this year ’ s guide contain active ingredients that the FDA has proposed are safe and effective .
“ Based on the best current science and toxicology data , we continue to recommend sunscreens with the mineral active ingredients zinc dioxide and titanium dioxide , because they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recognized as safe or effective in their proposed draft rules , ” said Carla Burns , an EWG research and database analyst who manages the updates to the sunscreen guide .
Most people select sunscreen products based on their SPF , or sunburn protection factor , and mistakenly assume that bigger numbers offer better protection .
According to the FDA , higher SPF values have not been shown to provide additional clinical benefit and may give users a false sense of protection .
This may lead to overexposure to UVA rays that increase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cancer .
The FDA has proposed limiting SPF claims to 60+ .
EWG continues to hone our recommendations by strengthening the criteria for assessing sunscreens , which are based on the latest findings in the scientific literature and commissioned tests of sunscreen product efficacy .
This year EWG made changes to our methodology in order to strengthen our requirement that products provide the highest level of UVA protection .
“ Our understanding of the dangers associated with UVA exposure is increasing , and they are of great concern , ” said Burns .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ childhood , is very dangerous and a risk factor for all skin cancers , but especially melanoma .
Babies and young children are especially vulnerable to sun damage .
Just a few blistering sunburns early in life can double a person ’ s risk of developing melanoma later in life.
” EWG researchers found 180 sunscreens that meet our criteria for safety and efficacy and would likely meet the proposed FDA standards .
Even the biggest brands now provide mineral options for consumers .
Even for Americans continuing to follow stay-at-home orders , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important .
If you ’ re sitting by a window , UVA and UVB rays can penetrate the glass .
It is important to remember that sunscreen is only one part of a sun safety routine .
People should also protect their skin by covering up with clothing , hats and sunglasses .
And sunscreen must be reapplied at least every two hours to stay effective .
EWG ’ s Guide to Sunscreens helps consumers find products that get high ratings for providing adequate broad-spectrum protection and that are made with ingredients that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guide also includes lists of : Here are more quick tips for choosing better sunscreens : • Check your products in EWG ’ s sunscreen database and avoid those with harmful ingredients .
• Avoid products with oxybenzone .
This chemical penetrates the skin , gets into the bloodstream and can affect normal hormone activities .
• Steer clear of products with SPF higher than 50+ .
High SPF values do not necessarily provide increased UVA protection and may fool you into thinking you are safe from sun damage .
• Avoid sprays @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and they may not provide a thick and uniform coating on the skin .
• Stay away from retinyl palmitate .
Government studies link the use of retinyl palmitate , a form of vitamin A , to the formation of skin tumors and lesions when it is applied to sun-exposed skin .
• Avoid intense sun exposure during the peak hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m .
Shoppers on the go can download EWG ’ s Healthy Living app to get ratings and safety information on sunscreens and other personal care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out EWG ’ s sunscreen label decoder .
The Environmental Working Group is a nonprofit , non-partisan organization that empowers people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment .
Through research , advocacy and unique education tools , EWG drives consumer choice and civic action .

WASHINGTON – As states reopen and Americans leave their homes to venture outside, it’s important for them to remember to protect their skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Today the Environmental Working Group released its 14th annual Guide to Sunscreens.
This year researchers rated the safety and efficacy of more than 1,300 SPF products – including sunscreens, moisturizers and lip balms – and found that only 25 percent offer adequate protection and do not contain worrisome ingredients such as oxybenzone, a potential hormone-disrupting chemical that is readily absorbed by the body.
Despite a delay in finalizing rules that would make all sunscreens on U.S. store shelves safer, the Food and Drug Administration, the agency that governs sunscreen safety, is completing tests that highlight concerns with common sunscreen ingredients. Last year, the agency published two studies showing that, with just a single application, six commonly used chemical active ingredients, including oxybenzone, are readily absorbed through the skin and could be detected in our bodies at levels that could cause harm.
“It's quite concerning,” said Nneka Leiba, EWG's vice president of Healthy Living science. “Those studies don’t prove whether the sunscreens are unsafe, but they do highlight problems with how these products are regulated.”
“EWG has been advocating for the FDA to review these chemical ingredients for 14 years,” Leiba said. “We slather these ingredients on our skin, but these chemicals haven't been adequately tested. This is just one example of the backward nature of product regulation in the U.S.”
Oxybenzone remains a commonly used active ingredient, found in more than 40 percent of the non-mineral sunscreens in this year’s guide. Oxybenzone is allergenic and a potential endocrine disruptor, and has been detected in human breast milk, amniotic fluid, urine and blood.
According to EWG’s assessment, fewer than half of the products in this year’s guide contain active ingredients that the FDA has proposed are safe and effective.
“Based on the best current science and toxicology data, we continue to recommend sunscreens with the mineral active ingredients zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, because they are the only two ingredients the FDA recognized as safe or effective in their proposed draft rules,” said Carla Burns, an EWG research and database analyst who manages the updates to the sunscreen guide.
Most people select sunscreen products based on their SPF, or sunburn protection factor, and mistakenly assume that bigger numbers offer better protection. According to the FDA, higher SPF values have not been shown to provide additional clinical benefit and may give users a false sense of protection. This may lead to overexposure to UVA rays that increase the risk of long-term skin damage and cancer. The FDA has proposed limiting SPF claims to 60+.
EWG continues to hone our recommendations by strengthening the criteria for assessing sunscreens, which are based on the latest findings in the scientific literature and commissioned tests of sunscreen product efficacy. This year EWG made changes to our methodology in order to strengthen our requirement that products provide the highest level of UVA protection.
“Our understanding of the dangers associated with UVA exposure is increasing, and they are of great concern,” said Burns. “Sunburn during early life, especially childhood, is very dangerous and a risk factor for all skin cancers, but especially melanoma. Babies and young children are especially vulnerable to sun damage. Just a few blistering sunburns early in life can double a person’s risk of developing melanoma later in life.”
EWG researchers found 180 sunscreens that meet our criteria for safety and efficacy and would likely meet the proposed FDA standards. Even the biggest brands now provide mineral options for consumers.
Even for Americans continuing to follow stay-at-home orders, wearing an SPF product may still be important. If you’re sitting by a window, UVA and UVB rays can penetrate the glass.
It is important to remember that sunscreen is only one part of a sun safety routine. People should also protect their skin by covering up with clothing, hats and sunglasses. And sunscreen must be reapplied at least every two hours to stay effective.
EWG’s Guide to Sunscreens helps consumers find products that get high ratings for providing adequate broad-spectrum protection and that are made with ingredients that pose fewer health concerns.
The new guide also includes lists of:
Here are more quick tips for choosing better sunscreens:
Check your products in EWG’s sunscreen database and avoid those with harmful ingredients.
Avoid products with oxybenzone. This chemical penetrates the skin, gets into the bloodstream and can affect normal hormone activities.
Steer clear of products with SPF higher than 50+. High SPF values do not necessarily provide increased UVA protection and may fool you into thinking you are safe from sun damage.
Avoid sprays. These popular products pose inhalation concerns, and they may not provide a thick and uniform coating on the skin.
Stay away from retinyl palmitate. Government studies link the use of retinyl palmitate, a form of vitamin A, to the formation of skin tumors and lesions when it is applied to sun-exposed skin.
Avoid intense sun exposure during the peak hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Shoppers on the go can download EWG’s Healthy Living app to get ratings and safety information on sunscreens and other personal care products. Also be sure to check out EWG’s sunscreen label decoder.
###
The Environmental Working Group is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization that empowers people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment. Through research, advocacy and unique education tools, EWG drives consumer choice and civic action.


environmentalworkinggroupewg--2020-05-21--USDA Pandemic Bailout Funds Will Go to Largest, Wealthiest Farms

This week the Department of Agriculture unveiled a pandemic relief initiative that will give farmers $ 16 billion in direct payments .
Just like the Market Facilitation Program , or MFP , which gave $ 23 billion in subsidies to farmers in response to President Trump ’ s trade war , most of the money won ’ t go to small family farmers but to the largest and wealthiest farms , which need the money the least .
Millions of Americans are struggling with the economic repercussions of the coronavirus pandemic .
But whereas most families received only a $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 500 for each child , the largest farmers can now get up to $ 250,000 per person from the new Coronavirus Food Assistance Program , with farm corporations receiving up to $ 750,000 .
The individual stimulus checks went only to people who made less than $ 99,000 a year .
But 99,945 farms have each received Trump bailout payments totaling more than $ 99,000 .
Now farmers are once again eligible for taxpayer-funded government payments as long as they make less than $ 900,000 a year , or $ 1.8 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spouse .
In most cases the payments will far outweigh the meager stimulus checks for other Americans .
And none of that money will go to protecting farmworkers , whose working and living conditions leave them especially vulnerable to COVID-19 .
In a White House press conference announcing the new aid package , Farm Bureau president Zippy Duvall had the gall , in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary , to say , `` We 're the only group that comes to the White House without our hands out . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ payments in the past two years also received traditional USDA subsidies , or so-called disaster payments , for 32 consecutive years .
With similar rules in place for this newest farm bailout , big operations like these will continue to see their bank accounts padded with taxpayers ’ money : • Michael Brown & Sons of Lake Providence , La.
, has received more than $ 8.5 million in government subsidies since 1995 , including almost $ 518,000 in bailout payments last year .
• Frische Farms of Dumas , Texas , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ USDA subsidies since 1995 , including almost $ 960,000 in bailout payments in 2018 and 2019 .
• Molitor Bros. Farm of Cannon Falls , Minn. , has received almost $ 10.8 million in USDA subsidies since 1995 , including almost $ 1.4 million in bailout payments in 2018 and 2019 .
Although many small- and mid-size farmers are hurting because of decreases in crop prices and reductions in the processing capacities of meatpacking plants , the majority of the pandemic relief money will flow to the largest and wealthiest farms because , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ production : Farms that produced the most in 2019 will receive the largest payments .
As Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said on CBS ’ s “ 60 Minutes , ” when asked about the bulk of bailout payments going to wealthy landowners and mega farms , “ That ’ s just the way it happens.
” Or as Scott Faber , EWG ’ s senior vice president for government affairs , said , “ When Secretary Perdue recently warned farmers to get big or get out , no one could have imagined he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vision for American agriculture.
” These pandemic relief payments come on the heels of billions of dollars of MFP payments that paid farmers for lower crop prices resulting from Trump ’ s trade war .
New research shows that farmers were actually overcompensated by this program for what they lost during the trade war .
According to a study by Kansas State University , cotton farmers alone received 33 times what they lost in the trade war from the second round of the MFP for the 2019 crop year .
Wheat farmers got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and corn farmers 1.4 times what they lost .
And since MFP payments were also based on farm size , the largest farms received the most money .
For the second round of MFP , the top 1 percent of farms got 14 percent of payments and had average payments of more than $ 300,000 per recipient .
The bottom 80 percent of recipients , including small farmers , got only 25 percent of payments , with an average payment of $ 7,113 per recipient .
It ’ s good that the USDA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time of intense financial need .
But the agency can and should do more to help small farmers that are hurting the most , instead of continuing to funnel taxpayer dollars to large farms , Trump campaign advisors , DC lobbyists and wealthy `` city slickers . ''

This week the Department of Agriculture unveiled a pandemic relief initiative that will give farmers $16 billion in direct payments. Just like the Market Facilitation Program, or MFP, which gave $23 billion in subsidies to farmers in response to President Trump’s trade war, most of the money won’t go to small family farmers but to the largest and wealthiest farms, which need the money the least.
Millions of Americans are struggling with the economic repercussions of the coronavirus pandemic. But whereas most families received only a $1,200 stimulus check for each adult and $500 for each child, the largest farmers can now get up to $250,000 per person from the new Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, with farm corporations receiving up to $750,000.
The individual stimulus checks went only to people who made less than $99,000 a year. But 99,945 farms have each received Trump bailout payments totaling more than $99,000. Now farmers are once again eligible for taxpayer-funded government payments as long as they make less than $900,000 a year, or $1.8 million for a farmer and his or her spouse. In most cases the payments will far outweigh the meager stimulus checks for other Americans. And none of that money will go to protecting farmworkers, whose working and living conditions leave them especially vulnerable to COVID-19.
In a White House press conference announcing the new aid package, Farm Bureau president Zippy Duvall had the gall, in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary, to say, "We're the only group that comes to the White House without our hands out."
More than 22,000 agribusinesses that received bailout payments in the past two years also received traditional USDA subsidies, or so-called disaster payments, for 32 consecutive years. With similar rules in place for this newest farm bailout, big operations like these will continue to see their bank accounts padded with taxpayers’ money:
Michael Brown & Sons of Lake Providence, La., has received more than $8.5 million in government subsidies since 1995, including almost $518,000 in bailout payments last year.
Frische Farms of Dumas, Texas, has received more than $11.4 million in USDA subsidies since 1995, including almost $960,000 in bailout payments in 2018 and 2019.
Molitor Bros. Farm of Cannon Falls, Minn., has received almost $10.8 million in USDA subsidies since 1995, including almost $1.4 million in bailout payments in 2018 and 2019.
Although many small- and mid-size farmers are hurting because of decreases in crop prices and reductions in the processing capacities of meatpacking plants, the majority of the pandemic relief money will flow to the largest and wealthiest farms because, once again, payments are based on production: Farms that produced the most in 2019 will receive the largest payments.
As Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said on CBS’s “60 Minutes,” when asked about the bulk of bailout payments going to wealthy landowners and mega farms, “That’s just the way it happens.”
Or as Scott Faber, EWG’s senior vice president for government affairs, said, “When Secretary Perdue recently warned farmers to get big or get out, no one could have imagined he would use a pandemic to implement his vision for American agriculture.”
These pandemic relief payments come on the heels of billions of dollars of MFP payments that paid farmers for lower crop prices resulting from Trump’s trade war. New research shows that farmers were actually overcompensated by this program for what they lost during the trade war.
According to a study by Kansas State University, cotton farmers alone received 33 times what they lost in the trade war from the second round of the MFP for the 2019 crop year. Wheat farmers got 7.1 times, soybean farmers 2.4 times and corn farmers 1.4 times what they lost.
And since MFP payments were also based on farm size, the largest farms received the most money. For the second round of MFP, the top 1 percent of farms got 14 percent of payments and had average payments of more than $300,000 per recipient. The bottom 80 percent of recipients, including small farmers, got only 25 percent of payments, with an average payment of $7,113 per recipient.
It’s good that the USDA is trying to help farmers during a time of intense financial need. But the agency can and should do more to help small farmers that are hurting the most, instead of continuing to funnel taxpayer dollars to large farms, Trump campaign advisors, DC lobbyists and wealthy "city slickers."


environmentalworkinggroupewg--2020-05-21--As Meat Prices Soar in Pandemic, Try These Healthier High-Protein Foods

Meat and poultry processing plants are hot spots for COVID-19 outbreaks , constricting the supply chains for beef , chicken and pork – and sending their prices soaring .
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , last month saw the biggest increase in grocery prices in nearly 50 years .
Food prices rose across the board , but the sharpest increase – 4.3 percent from March to April – was for meats , poultry , fish and eggs .
In a poll conducted by National Geographic and Morning Consult , 33 percent of Americans surveyed say they are preparing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and limited options at grocery stores .
Even in normal times , meat costs more than many other high-protein foods : The Department of Agriculture ’ s survey of nationwide retail prices finds that per gram of protein , beef costs 28 percent more than eggs .
And during the pandemic , many plant-based sources of protein – such as lentils , beans and nuts – have not seen the price surges of beef , pork and poultry .
Price aside , USDA ’ s Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend a variety of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ seafood as the protein food choice in meals twice per week in place of meat , poultry or eggs , and using legumes or nuts and seeds .
.
.
instead of some meat or poultry.
” Eating large quantities of beef and processed meats increases your exposure to toxins and is linked to higher rates of health problems , including heart disease , cancer and obesity .
Another consideration is the impact on the environment and climate caused by the production of the billions of pounds of meat Americans eat each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pesticides , chemical fertilizer , fossil fuel , animal feed and water .
It also generates greenhouse gases and large amounts of toxic manure and wastewater that pollute groundwater , rivers , streams and , ultimately , the ocean .
And in this time of the coronavirus pandemic , amino acids , derived from both plant and animal proteins , are an essential part of our diet .
They not only help maintain our body mass but also form the cell membranes of important immune system cells that help fight viruses .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people is 50 grams , which can easily be achieved without relying solely on meat and poultry .
In fact , as the USDA dietary guidelines state , “ Teen boys and adult men also need to reduce overall intake of protein foods by decreasing intakes of meats , poultry and eggs and increasing amounts of vegetables.
” Put all these factors together , and it ’ s clear that now is an opportune time to bolster your health with cheaper and less polluting protein options .
Consider these when preparing meals to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : The leanest , greenest protein of all .
Lentils are also high in iron , zinc , folate , fiber and other nutrients , with about 18 grams of protein and 7 grams of iron per cup .
Beans : Rich in protein , iron , fiber and phytonutrients for cancer defense .
A single cup of most kinds of beans provides more than a quarter of the daily recommendation for protein – a cup of edamame , or boiled soybeans , provides 63 percent .
Buy dry beans instead of canned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BPA .
Chickpeas : A single cup provides more than 14 grams of protein , is an excellent source of iron and packs in half a day ’ s worth of fiber , helping to reduce “ bad ” cholesterol .
Check out this hummus recipe from chef Ann Cooper , author and advocate of healthy food for kids .
Tofu : A half-cup of tofu – a bit more than a quarter of a regular block – provides 10 grams of protein .
Tofu is an excellent source of the essential omega-3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important nutrients , including calcium , iron , magnesium , zinc and the antioxidant selenium .
Nuts : A great choice , providing fiber as well as the “ good ” fats that help lower cholesterol .
Protein content varies : A one-ounce serving of peanuts provides 7.3 grams of protein , whereas an ounce of cashews , pistachios , walnuts , hazelnuts or pine nuts provides four grams .
Because nuts have more calories than other plant-based proteins , USDA ’ s guidelines say they should replace other proteins , not be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whenever possible to keep sodium intake low .
Peanut butter : A terrific source of protein and a good source of fiber and other nutrients .
Two tablespoons of peanut butter provide about eight grams of protein .
Make sure to choose brands made with Valencia peanuts to avoid aflatoxins , and brands without added ingredients like partially hydrogenated oils or sugars .
Brown rice : A heart-healthy source of partial protein .
Consider pairing it with another complementary protein source , such as legumes .
Remember to boil it like pasta to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The gold standard of protein due to the complete amino acid profile .
One egg contains six grams of protein , and its production requires one-fourth less the greenhouse gas emissions than the same amount of beef .
Based on USDA research of nationwide retail prices , a three-ounce serving of ground beef costs 76 cents , but the same amount of protein from eggs costs 50 cents .
Pick eggs that are organic or pasture-raised or both , and look for certified humane .
Seafood : American adults average a little more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , despite expert recommendations to eat eight ounces , and consume on average 32 ounces of meat a week .
Swap out meat for seafood twice a week for a heart-healthy – and , when canned , affordable – source of protein .
Although frozen , fresh and local wild-caught are best , canned salmon and tuna are good options .
• Good Food on a Tight Budget lists our handpicked best 100 foods that pack in nutrients at a good price , with the fewest pesticides , contaminants and artificial ingredients .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ lists more than 80,000 products to help you find the healthiest and greenest plant-based proteins .
Each product in the database is rated based on nutrition , ingredient concerns and processing .
• Cooking at home is the best way to save money and enjoy good food .
Check out simple recipes from EWG ’ s Good Food on a Tight Budget .
And the cookbooks by Myra Goodman , Dr. Mark Hyman and chef Abra Berens are filled with delicious recipes that include these plant-based proteins .

Meat and poultry processing plants are hot spots for COVID-19 outbreaks, constricting the supply chains for beef, chicken and pork – and sending their prices soaring.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, last month saw the biggest increase in grocery prices in nearly 50 years. Food prices rose across the board, but the sharpest increase – 4.3 percent from March to April – was for meats, poultry, fish and eggs. In a poll conducted by National Geographic and Morning Consult, 33 percent of Americans surveyed say they are preparing more meatless meals because of higher prices and limited options at grocery stores.
Even in normal times, meat costs more than many other high-protein foods: The Department of Agriculture’s survey of nationwide retail prices finds that per gram of protein, beef costs 28 percent more than eggs. And during the pandemic, many plant-based sources of protein – such as lentils, beans and nuts – have not seen the price surges of beef, pork and poultry.
Price aside, USDA’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend a variety of protein sources for optimal health, including “seafood as the protein food choice in meals twice per week in place of meat, poultry or eggs, and using legumes or nuts and seeds . . . instead of some meat or poultry.” Eating large quantities of beef and processed meats increases your exposure to toxins and is linked to higher rates of health problems, including heart disease, cancer and obesity.
Another consideration is the impact on the environment and climate caused by the production of the billions of pounds of meat Americans eat each year, which requires large amounts of pesticides, chemical fertilizer, fossil fuel, animal feed and water. It also generates greenhouse gases and large amounts of toxic manure and wastewater that pollute groundwater, rivers, streams and, ultimately, the ocean.
And in this time of the coronavirus pandemic, amino acids, derived from both plant and animal proteins, are an essential part of our diet. They not only help maintain our body mass but also form the cell membranes of important immune system cells that help fight viruses.
The average daily recommended value of protein for people is 50 grams, which can easily be achieved without relying solely on meat and poultry. In fact, as the USDA dietary guidelines state, “Teen boys and adult men also need to reduce overall intake of protein foods by decreasing intakes of meats, poultry and eggs and increasing amounts of vegetables.”
Put all these factors together, and it’s clear that now is an opportune time to bolster your health with cheaper and less polluting protein options. Consider these when preparing meals to feed yourself and your family:
Lentils: The leanest, greenest protein of all. Lentils are also high in iron, zinc, folate, fiber and other nutrients, with about 18 grams of protein and 7 grams of iron per cup.
Beans: Rich in protein, iron, fiber and phytonutrients for cancer defense. A single cup of most kinds of beans provides more than a quarter of the daily recommendation for protein – a cup of edamame, or boiled soybeans, provides 63 percent. Buy dry beans instead of canned to avoid exposure to the endocrine-disrupting chemical BPA.
Chickpeas: A single cup provides more than 14 grams of protein, is an excellent source of iron and packs in half a day’s worth of fiber, helping to reduce “bad” cholesterol. Check out this hummus recipe from chef Ann Cooper, author and advocate of healthy food for kids.
Tofu: A half-cup of tofu – a bit more than a quarter of a regular block – provides 10 grams of protein. Tofu is an excellent source of the essential omega-3 fat ALA and is packed with other important nutrients, including calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc and the antioxidant selenium.
Nuts: A great choice, providing fiber as well as the “good” fats that help lower cholesterol. Protein content varies: A one-ounce serving of peanuts provides 7.3 grams of protein, whereas an ounce of cashews, pistachios, walnuts, hazelnuts or pine nuts provides four grams. Because nuts have more calories than other plant-based proteins, USDA’s guidelines say they should replace other proteins, not be added, and they should be unsalted whenever possible to keep sodium intake low.
Peanut butter: A terrific source of protein and a good source of fiber and other nutrients. Two tablespoons of peanut butter provide about eight grams of protein. Make sure to choose brands made with Valencia peanuts to avoid aflatoxins, and brands without added ingredients like partially hydrogenated oils or sugars.
Brown rice: A heart-healthy source of partial protein. Consider pairing it with another complementary protein source, such as legumes. Remember to boil it like pasta to reduce potential arsenic contamination.
Eggs: The gold standard of protein due to the complete amino acid profile. One egg contains six grams of protein, and its production requires one-fourth less the greenhouse gas emissions than the same amount of beef. Based on USDA research of nationwide retail prices, a three-ounce serving of ground beef costs 76 cents, but the same amount of protein from eggs costs 50 cents. Pick eggs that are organic or pasture-raised or both, and look for certified humane.
Seafood: American adults average a little more than 3.5 ounces of seafood a week, despite expert recommendations to eat eight ounces, and consume on average 32 ounces of meat a week. Swap out meat for seafood twice a week for a heart-healthy – and, when canned, affordable – source of protein. Although frozen, fresh and local wild-caught are best, canned salmon and tuna are good options.
More tips from EWG:


environmentalworkinggroupewg--2020-05-21--Three-Fourths of Sunscreen Products Offer Inferior Protection or Contain Worrisome Ingredients


environmentalworkinggroupewg--2020-05-22--EWG News Roundup (5/22): 2020 EWG Guide to Sunscreens, Johnson & Johnson End the Sale of Talc-Based

EWG News Roundup (5/22): 2020 EWG Guide to Sunscreens, Johnson & Johnson End the Sale of Talc-Based Baby Powder and More

This week EWG released our 14th annual Guide to Sunscreens .
EWG scientists reviewed 1,300 SPF products and found that only 25 percent offer adequate protection and do not contain worrisome ingredients such as oxybenzone , a potential hormone-disrupting chemical that is readily absorbed by the body .
On Monday , cosmetic giant Johnson & Johnson announced that it will soon end the sale of talc-based baby powders in the U.S. and Canada .
Talc and asbestos can form in the same parent rock , so cosmetics made with talc can be contaminated with the deadly carcinogen , which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans every year .
“ It ’ s good news that Johnson & Johnson will soon end the sale of talc-based baby powders in the U.S. and Canada , ” said Scott Faber , EWG ’ s senior vice president for government affairs .
“ Now other companies need to follow their lead.
” Following up on the Johnson & Johnson announcement , EWG called upon federal lawmakers to end the use of talc in all loose powders .
During the COVID-19 crisis , meat and poultry prices have skyrocketed .
EWG broke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ways to get high-protein foods .
Hair dyes have flown off the shelves during the pandemic-related shutdown due to salon closures throughout the nation .
To ensure people can choose dyes with the fewest ingredients linked to health harms , EWG recently added more than a hundred new hair dyes and bleaches to the Skin Deep® cosmetics database .
Finally , the Department of Agriculture unveiled a pandemic relief initiative that will give farmers $ 16 billion in direct payments .
Just like the Trump ’ s farm bailout , which gave $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ response to President Trump ’ s trade war , most of the money won ’ t go to small family farmers but to the largest and wealthiest farms , which need the money the least .
Here ’ s some news you can use going into the weekend .
CNN : How to safely avoid sunburn in the age of coronavirus But before you slather on some sunscreen , you might want to check out the 2020 list of safer sunscreens put out by the Environmental Working Group , or EWG , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Houston Chronicle : Why were rules on sunscreens put in the CARES Act ?
According to the Environmental Working Group , a nonprofit , nonpartisan research organization , the provision may have been included to keep sunscreen regulations status quo .
MindBodyGreen : The EWG 's 2020 Guide To Sunscreens Is Here : 6 Things To Know Before Slathering On Just in time for the Environmental Working Group ( EWG ) to release their 14th annual guide to sunscreens , where they assess more than 1,300 SPF products , sorting through all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should navigate the ever-expanding sunscreen market .
Reprinted by W3Live News .
Poosh : THE BEST MOISTURIZERS WITH SPF : 2020 Edition The EWG released its 14th annual guide to sunscreens today , where they highlight SPF options that have earned the EWG mark of approval .
“ This year researchers rated the safety and efficacy of more than 1,300 SPF products—including sunscreens , moisturizers , and lip balms—and found that only 25 percent of products offer adequate protection and do not contain worrisome ingredients , like oxybenzone , a potentially hormone-disrupting chemical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Popsugar : Stock Up For the Summer !
15 of the Safest Sunscreens For Kids and Babies The Environmental Working Group ( EWG ) 's recommendations for the best sunscreens for kids is considered somewhat of a definitive list of safe options , but how does it makes its decisions when it comes to health and safety ?
Reprinted by MSN .
Prevention : The Best Sunscreens for Kids and Babies in 2020 , According to Dermatologists This zinc oxide sunscreen is free of irritating chemicals , fragrances , parabens , phthalates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a National Eczema Association ( NEA ) Seal of Acceptance , indicating it ’ s suitable for those with sensitive skin .
The Environmental Working Group ( EWG ) gives the SPF 50 formula its highest rating .
Reprinted by Yahoo !
and MSN .
Purewow : The Best Sunscreens for Babies and Kids , According to Dermatologists Each year , The Environmental Working Group ( EWG ) releases their recommendations for the best sunscreens for kids , taking into account ingredient hazards and UV protection .
According to EWG analyst Carla Burns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that parents should avoid .
Romper : The EWG 's 2020 Safe Sunscreen Guide Reveals The Best Brands For Babies Luckily , the 2020 Safe Sunscreen Guide from the Environmental Working Group ( EWG ) is here , filled with tips for staying protected , research reports , and an overview on current sunscreen standards , including the best sunscreen options for babies in particular .
Romper : The EWG 2020 Safe Sunscreen Guide 's Top Picks For Kids Might Be New To You That 's why the 2020 Safe Sunscreen Guide from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could n't have come at a better time .
The annual report is packed with the latest scientific data and expert advice , including the best sunscreens for kids , and you might be surprised to see that your favorite brands are nowhere to be seen .
Treehugger : Keep your skin safe with the EWG 's 2020 Sunscreen Guide The Environmental Working Group 's 14th annual guide to sunscreens was published today , just in time for the hot summer weather that has finally arrived .
In order to create this latest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,300 sunscreens and SPF products ( including moisturizers and lip balms ) .
They found that only 25 percent `` offer adequate protection and do not contain Tampa Bay Parenting : EWG ’ s 2020 Guide to Sunscreens and Best Sunscreens for Kids The Environmental Working Group released its 13th annual Guide to Sunscreens and the findings are not much better than last year .
The EWG tested more than 1,300 sunscreen products and found that nearly two-thirds of them either do not offer adequate protection or contain ingredients they say could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( N.C. ) : How to protect from the sun To provide consumers with vetted choices , the EWG puts out a yearly sunscreen guide .
For its 14th Annual Sunscreen Guide , the group said it analyzed the ingredients and performance of more than 1,300 products with sun protection factors , 700 of which are marketed as beach and sport sunscreens .
Reprinted by the Lacrosse Tribune , Omaha World News , Opelika-Auburn News , and 8 other media outlets .
Carla Burns is a Research and Database Analyst with the Environmental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discusses the safety and effectiveness of sunscreens , including EWG ’ s review of more than 1,300 products that found only 25 percent offer sufficient protection and don ’ t contain ingredients of concern such as oxybenzone .
Men ’ s Health : The 12 Best Reef-Safe Sunscreens to Protect Your Skin Without Harming the Planet The Environmental Working Group also has rigorous standards in what they consider safe to use .
Look for their logos on packages to help easily identify products that they deem safe .
Reprinted by MSN .
Outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 This formula is hypoallergenic and highly rated for cosmetic safety by the Environmental Working Group .
It also rubs in easier than other all-natural formulas , so you can get your little one to playtime faster .
The non-nano zinc-oxide particles won ’ t harm coral .
Who What Wear : I Realized I Knew Nothing About Sunscreen , so I Got Dermatologists to School Me Raw Elements ' sunscreen is top-rated by the Environmental Working Group .
The gentle and moisturizing formula provides protection for up to 80 minutes .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nut-free for anyone with those sensitivities .
Business Insider : The best bug sprays and repellents The nonprofit Environmental Working Group ( EWG ) does not recommend using any bug spray on children under six months of age but suggests treating clothes with permethrin .
Parents : Healthy Food IS More Expensive .
So Now What ?
So I compare prices for organic and conventional fruits and vegetables , especially the ones that tend to have higher pesticide residues ( see the Environmental Working Group 's lists here ) .
The New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Talc-Based Baby Powder Sales in North America In a statement , the Environmental Working Group advocacy organization urged other cosmetic companies to stop using talc in loose powders .
The group said that it commissioned tests that last week found asbestos in two eye shadow palettes made with talc , marketed to children and sold on Amazon .
Reprinted by The Seattle Times ; WebsFavorites Washington Post : The Energy 202 : Oil services firm under federal investigation receives $ 6.8 million in coronavirus stimulus funds In a statement , the Environmental Working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ Now other companies need to follow their lead , ” Scott Faber , EWG ’ s senior vice president for government affairs , said in a statement .
USA Today : Does baby powder cause cancer ?
Johnson & Johnson stops selling talc powder after years of scrutiny The Environmental Working Group says that talc-based cosmetics can be harmful , noting that contaminated talc can cause health risks long after its use .
Reprinted byYahoo !
; USA Today affiliates In a statement , the Environmental Working Group advocacy organization urged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in loose powders .
In a statement released this week , the Environmental Working Group ( EWG ) commends the move , but urges other companies not be complacent .
EWG ’ s Skin Deep® online database lists 2,119 talc-based products , including baby powders .
The total includes more than 1,000 loose or pressed powders that could pose a risk of inhalation .
Common Dreams : EPA Chief Says Trump 's Evisceration of Regulations `` Make Things Better '' —But Forgets to Add `` For Polluters '' After EPA administrator Andrew Wheeler @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of environmental regulations does `` make things better '' in the world , Ken Cook of the Environmental Working Group responded by saying it appeared the Trump-appointed former industry lobbyist forgot to add the crucial caveat `` better—for polluters '' to his sentence .
The Fern Ag Insider : Coronavirus aid slanted against local food , says small-farm group The Environmental Working Group said the largest U.S. farmers got more than $ 300,000 each in 2018 and 2019 , while the smaller producers got an average of $ 7,113 .
Large coronavirus payments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family farm , ” said EWG ’ s Scott Faber .
The Fence Post : Farm groups : Thanks for aid , but send more Environmental Working Group Senior Vice President for Government Affairs Scott Faber said , “ This rule will pour gasoline on a raging fire in farm country .
Instead of helping small farmers on the verge of extinction , Secretary Perdue ’ s decision to increase payment limits for corporations to $ 750,000 will accelerate the decline of the family farm… ” The Environmental Working Group , which has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concern in cosmetics , praised the committee ’ s vote .
“ Today ’ s vote to ban 12 ingredients from cosmetics is just the first step in the legislative process .
But this vote is an important milestone in the history of cosmetics regulation , ” the group said .
“ To illustrate this core concern and to highlight the value of using epidemiological studies for chemical risk assessment , [ Environmental Working Group ] brings to the EPA ’ s attention a peer-reviewed scientific study , published by our team , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Associated with Disinfection Byproducts in United States Drinking Water , ' ” the group writes in its May 14 comments to EPA on the proposed science rule .
The Orange County Register : Spring cleaning ?
5 easy ways to make your home nontoxic There are helpful smartphone apps — including Think Dirty , EWG ’ s Healthy Living , Detox Me and GoodGuide — that can help reduce your exposure to harmful chemicals .
KDWN ( Las Vegas , Nev ) : Fighting COVID-19 or Fighting for the Environment ?
KDWN ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Have to be Made Lysol disinfectant spray , touted by the CDC as effective against fighting COVID , has received an “ F ” rating by the Environmental Working Group for its effects on the environment and human body as it contains “ MIPA-Borate , Ammonium hydroxide and petroleum gases .
Huff Post : How Long The Coronavirus Can Live On Makeup , And How To Clean It If you ’ re concerned about the makeup itself , most makeup contains preservatives to extend the shelf life of products and inhibit the growth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Environmental Working Group ’ s Skin Deep database .
The Skincare Edit : How to Choose a Face Cream : The Best and Worst Moisturizer Ingredients for Your Skin My favourite resource site is INCIDecoder , but you can also try CosDNA , Paula 's Choice Ingredient Dictionary or the EWG Skin Deep Database .
Environmental Working Group ( EWG ) verified , this vegan perfume is gender-neutral and formulated with aromatherapeutic essential oils .
The Mom Edit : Thinking About Trying Biossance ?
This Kit .
And all Biossance products @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
NBC News : New coronavirus bailout for farms will have winners and losers Still , most of the program ’ s funds found their way to the largest and most profitable farms , the Environmental Working Group found .
U.S. meatpacking plants , where hundreds have become infected , have also emerged as superspreading sites : counties with or near meatpacking plants have been found to have nearly twice as many Covid-19 cases as the national average , according to an analysis by the Environmental Working Group , a nonprofit organization .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have done more ' : Daughter of Marshalltown meatpacking plant worker blames JBS for his COVID-19 death Residents are twice as likely to contract coronavirus if they live in counties containing meatpacking plants or within 15 miles of a plant , according to the Environmental Working Group , a research and advocacy organization .
Reprinted by The Hawkeye ( Burlington , Iowa ) Iowa Starting Line : What Would Justice For Packing Plant Workers Look Like ?
Over 1,500 meatpacking workers have contracted the virus as of May 6 , according to an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in every five positive cases in Iowa is connected to a meat plant outbreak .
A report released Thursday by the Environmental Working Group , a nonprofit health and environmental organization , said that counties containing or within 15 miles of a meatpacking plant have had roughly double the cases than the U.S. average in other counties .
“ Environmental Working Group came out with a study they published yesterday that Iowa meatpacking plants rank number one in the nation for infections , and if you ’ re a county that has one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is almost twice that of what the national average is.
” Hartzler ’ s handouts aren ’ t limited to the PPP program .
Hartzler Farms Inc. has taken almost $ 1.2 million in crop subsidies since 1996 , according to a database compiled by the Environmental Working Group .
Reprinted by Kansas City Star ; Sun Herald ( Biloxi , Miss . )
; Belleville News-Democrat ( Ill. ) ; Idaho Statesman ; Fort Worth Star-Telegram ( Texas ) ; 13 additional media outlets NC Policy Watch : Nearly a billion birds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year According to the Environmental Working Group , an advocacy organization , these farms create 5 million tons of waste per year , which contain 175,000 tons of nitrogen and phosphorus .
Common Dreams : EPA Chief Says Trump 's Evisceration of Regulations `` Make Things Better '' —But Forgets to Add `` For Polluters '' EPA administrator Andrew Wheeler on Wednesday claimed his agency 's evisceration of environmental regulations does `` make things better '' in the world , Ken Cook of the Environmental Working Group responded by saying it appeared the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the crucial caveat `` better—for polluters '' to his sentence .
According to an Environmental Working Group survey , Michigan is home to more PFAS contamination sites than any other state in the U.S. Reprinted by FeedStuffs ; Water Quality Products Many of these outdated government regulations have been challenged by the Environmental Working Group , an environmental activist group .
They argue that legality does not equal safety .
These chemicals , called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances ( PFAS ) have been detected in water supplies across the country—and in our bodies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Group estimates that PFAS chemicals are detectable in all major U.S. water supplies .
Reprinted by The World News Monitor These days , however , the name has been cleverly repurposed by the Environmental Working Group , a nonprofit that compiles a virtual who ’ s who of conventionally grown produce with the highest and lowest amounts of pesticide residue .
Strawberries are number one on the EWG 's `` Dirty Dozen '' list in their 2020 Shopper 's Guide to Pesticides in Produce .
Reprinted by Blogarama According to Environmental Working Group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which serves more than 9 million people , was in violation of EPA drinking water standards from October 2014 to September 2017 .
Reprinted by The Citizen ’ s Voice and Republican Herald Online

This week EWG released our 14th annual Guide to Sunscreens. EWG scientists reviewed 1,300 SPF products and found that only 25 percent offer adequate protection and do not contain worrisome ingredients such as oxybenzone, a potential hormone-disrupting chemical that is readily absorbed by the body.
On Monday, cosmetic giant Johnson & Johnson announced that it will soon end the sale of talc-based baby powders in the U.S. and Canada. Talc and asbestos can form in the same parent rock, so cosmetics made with talc can be contaminated with the deadly carcinogen, which is responsible for the death of thousands of Americans every year.
“It’s good news that Johnson & Johnson will soon end the sale of talc-based baby powders in the U.S. and Canada,” said Scott Faber, EWG’s senior vice president for government affairs. “Now other companies need to follow their lead.”
Following up on the Johnson & Johnson announcement, EWG called upon federal lawmakers to end the use of talc in all loose powders.
During the COVID-19 crisis, meat and poultry prices have skyrocketed. EWG broke down some cheap, easy and healthier ways to get high-protein foods.
Hair dyes have flown off the shelves during the pandemic-related shutdown due to salon closures throughout the nation. To ensure people can choose dyes with the fewest ingredients linked to health harms, EWG recently added more than a hundred new hair dyes and bleaches to the Skin Deep® cosmetics database.
Finally, the Department of Agriculture unveiled a pandemic relief initiative that will give farmers $16 billion in direct payments. Just like the Trump’s farm bailout, which gave $23 billion in subsidies to farmers in response to President Trump’s trade war, most of the money won’t go to small family farmers but to the largest and wealthiest farms, which need the money the least.
Here’s some news you can use going into the weekend.
2020 EWG Guide to Sunscreens
CNN: How to safely avoid sunburn in the age of coronavirus
But before you slather on some sunscreen, you might want to check out the 2020 list of safer sunscreens put out by the Environmental Working Group, or EWG, a consumer organization that advocates for sunscreen safety.
Houston Chronicle: Why were rules on sunscreens put in the CARES Act?
According to the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization, the provision may have been included to keep sunscreen regulations status quo.
MindBodyGreen: The EWG's 2020 Guide To Sunscreens Is Here: 6 Things To Know Before Slathering On
Just in time for the Environmental Working Group (EWG) to release their 14th annual guide to sunscreens, where they assess more than 1,300 SPF products, sorting through all the available research to decipher how we should navigate the ever-expanding sunscreen market. Reprinted by W3Live News.
Poosh: THE BEST MOISTURIZERS WITH SPF: 2020 Edition
The EWG released its 14th annual guide to sunscreens today, where they highlight SPF options that have earned the EWG mark of approval. “This year researchers rated the safety and efficacy of more than 1,300 SPF products—including sunscreens, moisturizers, and lip balms—and found that only 25 percent of products offer adequate protection and do not contain worrisome ingredients, like oxybenzone, a potentially hormone-disrupting chemical that is readily absorbed by the body.
Popsugar: Stock Up For the Summer! 15 of the Safest Sunscreens For Kids and Babies
The Environmental Working Group (EWG)'s recommendations for the best sunscreens for kids is considered somewhat of a definitive list of safe options, but how does it makes its decisions when it comes to health and safety? Reprinted by MSN.
Prevention: The Best Sunscreens for Kids and Babies in 2020, According to Dermatologists
This zinc oxide sunscreen is free of irritating chemicals, fragrances, parabens, phthalates, and dyes, and was awarded a National Eczema Association (NEA) Seal of Acceptance, indicating it’s suitable for those with sensitive skin. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) gives the SPF 50 formula its highest rating. Reprinted by Yahoo!and MSN.
Purewow: The Best Sunscreens for Babies and Kids, According to Dermatologists
Each year, The Environmental Working Group (EWG) releases their recommendations for the best sunscreens for kids, taking into account ingredient hazards and UV protection. According to EWG analyst Carla Burns, oxybenzone is one of the ingredients that parents should avoid.
Romper: The EWG's 2020 Safe Sunscreen Guide Reveals The Best Brands For Babies
Luckily, the 2020 Safe Sunscreen Guide from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) is here, filled with tips for staying protected, research reports, and an overview on current sunscreen standards, including the best sunscreen options for babies in particular.
Romper: The EWG 2020 Safe Sunscreen Guide's Top Picks For Kids Might Be New To You
That's why the 2020 Safe Sunscreen Guide from the Environmental Working Group(EWG) couldn't have come at a better time. The annual report is packed with the latest scientific data and expert advice, including the best sunscreens for kids, and you might be surprised to see that your favorite brands are nowhere to be seen.
Treehugger: Keep your skin safe with the EWG's 2020 Sunscreen Guide
The Environmental Working Group's 14th annual guide to sunscreens was published today, just in time for the hot summer weather that has finally arrived. In order to create this latest version of the guide, researchers assessed 1,300 sunscreens and SPF products (including moisturizers and lip balms). They found that only 25 percent "offer adequate protection and do not contain
Tampa Bay Parenting: EWG’s 2020 Guide to Sunscreens and Best Sunscreens for Kids
The Environmental Working Group released its 13th annual Guide to Sunscreens and the findings are not much better than last year. The EWG tested more than 1,300 sunscreen products and found that nearly two-thirds of them either do not offer adequate protection or contain ingredients they say could be harmful to your health.
Winston-Salem Journal (N.C.): How to protect from the sun
To provide consumers with vetted choices, the EWG puts out a yearly sunscreen guide. For its 14th Annual Sunscreen Guide, the group said it analyzed the ingredients and performance of more than 1,300 products with sun protection factors, 700 of which are marketed as beach and sport sunscreens. Reprinted by the Lacrosse Tribune, Omaha World News, Opelika-Auburn News, and 8 other media outlets.
WaterLoop: Carla Burns on Choosing a Safe and Effective Sunscreen
Carla Burns is a Research and Database Analyst with the Environmental Working Group. In this episode Carla discusses the safety and effectiveness of sunscreens, including EWG’s review of more than 1,300 products that found only 25 percent offer sufficient protection and don’t contain ingredients of concern such as oxybenzone.
Men’s Health: The 12 Best Reef-Safe Sunscreens to Protect Your Skin Without Harming the Planet
The Environmental Working Group also has rigorous standards in what they consider safe to use. Look for their logos on packages to help easily identify products that they deem safe. Reprinted by MSN.
Outside: The Best Sun Protection Gear of 2020
This formula is hypoallergenic and highly rated for cosmetic safety by the Environmental Working Group. It also rubs in easier than other all-natural formulas, so you can get your little one to playtime faster. The non-nano zinc-oxide particles won’t harm coral.
Who What Wear: I Realized I Knew Nothing About Sunscreen, so I Got Dermatologists to School Me
Raw Elements' sunscreen is top-rated by the Environmental Working Group. The gentle and moisturizing formula provides protection for up to 80 minutes. It's also soy-, gluten-, and nut-free for anyone with those sensitivities.
Children’s Health
Business Insider: The best bug sprays and repellents
The nonprofit Environmental Working Group (EWG) does not recommend using any bug spray on children under six months of age but suggests treating clothes with permethrin.
Parents: Healthy Food IS More Expensive. So Now What?
So I compare prices for organic and conventional fruits and vegetables, especially the ones that tend to have higher pesticide residues (see the Environmental Working Group's lists here).
Johnson & Johnson Ends Sale of Talc-Based Powder
The New York Times: Johnson & Johnson to End Talc-Based Baby Powder Sales in North America
In a statement, the Environmental Working Group advocacy organization urged other cosmetic companies to stop using talc in loose powders. The group said that it commissioned tests that last week found asbestos in two eye shadow palettes made with talc, marketed to children and sold on Amazon. Reprinted by The Seattle Times; WebsFavorites
Washington Post: The Energy 202: Oil services firm under federal investigation receives $6.8 million in coronavirus stimulus funds
In a statement, the Environmental Working Group said it was “good news.” “Now other companies need to follow their lead,” Scott Faber, EWG’s senior vice president for government affairs, said in a statement.
USA Today: Does baby powder cause cancer? Johnson & Johnson stops selling talc powder after years of scrutiny
The Environmental Working Group says that talc-based cosmetics can be harmful, noting that contaminated talc can cause health risks long after its use. Reprinted byYahoo!; USA Today affiliates
Forbes: Johnson & Johnson ends talc-based baby powder sale in North America
In a statement, the Environmental Working Group advocacy organization urged other cosmetic companies to stop using talc in loose powders.
Treehugger: Johnson & Johnson will stop selling talc-based baby powder
In a statement released this week, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) commends the move, but urges other companies not be complacent.
WCCB Charlotte the CW (N.C.): Johnson & Johnson Ends Sale Of Talc-Based Baby Powders
EWG’s Skin Deep® online database lists 2,119 talc-based products, including baby powders. The total includes more than 1,000 loose or pressed powders that could pose a risk of inhalation.
Trump Administration
Common Dreams: EPA Chief Says Trump's Evisceration of Regulations "Make Things Better"—But Forgets to Add "For Polluters"
After EPA administrator Andrew Wheeler on Wednesday claimed his agency's evisceration of environmental regulations does "make things better" in the world, Ken Cook of the Environmental Working Group responded by saying it appeared the Trump-appointed former industry lobbyist forgot to add the crucial caveat "better—for polluters" to his sentence.
Trump Administration Farm Bailout
The Fern Ag Insider: Coronavirus aid slanted against local food, says small-farm group
The Environmental Working Group said the largest U.S. farmers got more than $300,000 each in 2018 and 2019, while the smaller producers got an average of $7,113. Large coronavirus payments “will accelerate the decline of the family farm,” said EWG’s Scott Faber.
The Fence Post: Farm groups: Thanks for aid, but send more
Environmental Working Group Senior Vice President for Government Affairs Scott Faber said, “This rule will pour gasoline on a raging fire in farm country. Instead of helping small farmers on the verge of extinction, Secretary Perdue’s decision to increase payment limits for corporations to $750,000 will accelerate the decline of the family farm…”
AB 2762: California Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act
Chemical Watch: Cosmetics industry backs California bill to ban dozens of chemical ingredients
The Environmental Working Group, which has long supported legislation to ban chemicals of concern in cosmetics, praised the committee’s vote. “Today’s vote to ban 12 ingredients from cosmetics is just the first step in the legislative process. But this vote is an important milestone in the history of cosmetics regulation,” the group said.
Cleaning Products
Inside EPA: EPA Critics’ Early Comments On Science Rule Urge Agency To Scrap Plan
“To illustrate this core concern and to highlight the value of using epidemiological studies for chemical risk assessment, [Environmental Working Group] brings to the EPA’s attention a peer-reviewed scientific study, published by our team, on the 'Analysis of Cumulative Cancer Risk Associated with Disinfection Byproducts in United States Drinking Water,'” the group writes in its May 14 comments to EPA on the proposed science rule.
The Orange County Register: Spring cleaning? 5 easy ways to make your home nontoxic
There are helpful smartphone apps — including Think Dirty, EWG’s Healthy Living, Detox Me and GoodGuide — that can help reduce your exposure to harmful chemicals.
KDWN (Las Vegas, Nev): Fighting COVID-19 or Fighting for the Environment? KDWN’S Dr. Daliah Says A Choice May Have to be Made
Lysol disinfectant spray, touted by the CDC as effective against fighting COVID, has received an “F” rating by the Environmental Working Group for its effects on the environment and human body as it contains “MIPA-Borate, Ammonium hydroxide and petroleum gases.
Skin Deep® Cosmetics Database
Huff Post: How Long The Coronavirus Can Live On Makeup, And How To Clean It
If you’re concerned about the makeup itself, most makeup contains preservatives to extend the shelf life of products and inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria or mold, according to the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep database.
The Skincare Edit: How to Choose a Face Cream: The Best and Worst Moisturizer Ingredients for Your Skin
My favourite resource site is INCIDecoder, but you can also try CosDNA, Paula's Choice Ingredient Dictionary or the EWG Skin Deep Database.
EWG VERIFIED®
Hello Glow: 10 Phthalate-Free Perfumes + Natural Fragrances We Love
Environmental Working Group (EWG) verified, this vegan perfume is gender-neutral and formulated with aromatherapeutic essential oils.
The Mom Edit: Thinking About Trying Biossance? This Kit.
And all Biossance products are proudly vegan, cruelty-free and EWG-verified.
COVID-19 and Farmworkers
NBC News: New coronavirus bailout for farms will have winners and losers
Still, most of the program’s funds found their way to the largest and most profitable farms, the Environmental Working Group found.
EWG’s Meatpacking Plants and COVID-19 Map
The Wall Street Journal: Superspreader Events Offer a Clue on Curbing Coronavirus
U.S. meatpacking plants, where hundreds have become infected, have also emerged as superspreading sites: counties with or near meatpacking plants have been found to have nearly twice as many Covid-19 cases as the national average, according to an analysis by the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit organization.
The Des Moines Register: 'They could have done more': Daughter of Marshalltown meatpacking plant worker blames JBS for his COVID-19 death
Residents are twice as likely to contract coronavirus if they live in counties containing meatpacking plants or within 15 miles of a plant, according to the Environmental Working Group, a research and advocacy organization. Reprinted by The Hawkeye (Burlington, Iowa)
Iowa Starting Line: What Would Justice For Packing Plant Workers Look Like?
Over 1,500 meatpacking workers have contracted the virus as of May 6, according to an Environmental Working Group analysis. About one in every five positive cases in Iowa is connected to a meat plant outbreak.
The Neighbor (Atlanta): Buena Vista County expecting jump in COVID-19 cases
A report released Thursday by the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit health and environmental organization, said that counties containing or within 15 miles of a meatpacking plant have had roughly double the cases than the U.S. average in other counties.
Radio Iowa: State Rep calls for legislative oversight of Test Iowa
“Environmental Working Group came out with a study they published yesterday that Iowa meatpacking plants rank number one in the nation for infections, and if you’re a county that has one near you, your rate for COVID is almost twice that of what the national average is.”
Farm Subsidies
(Reprinted from Associated Press) Miami Herald: Recent Missouri editorials
Hartzler’s handouts aren’t limited to the PPP program. Hartzler Farms Inc. has taken almost $1.2 million in crop subsidies since 1996, according to a database compiled by the Environmental Working Group. Reprinted by Kansas City Star; Sun Herald (Biloxi, Miss.); Belleville News-Democrat (Ill.); Idaho Statesman; Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Texas); 13 additional media outlets
North Carolina CAFO Poultry Map
NC Policy Watch: Nearly a billion birds producing five million tons of waste per year
According to the Environmental Working Group, an advocacy organization, these farms create 5 million tons of waste per year, which contain 175,000 tons of nitrogen and phosphorus.
Perchlorate
Common Dreams: EPA Chief Says Trump's Evisceration of Regulations "Make Things Better"—But Forgets to Add "For Polluters"
EPA administrator Andrew Wheeler on Wednesday claimed his agency's evisceration of environmental regulations does "make things better" in the world, Ken Cook of the Environmental Working Group responded by saying it appeared the Trump-appointed former industry lobbyist forgot to add the crucial caveat "better—for polluters" to his sentence.
PFAS Tap Water Contamination
Michigan State University: MSU announces new Center for PFAS Research
According to an Environmental Working Group survey, Michigan is home to more PFAS contamination sites than any other state in the U.S. Reprinted by FeedStuffs; Water Quality Products
Tampa Bay Times: It’s time to modernize drinking water standards
Many of these outdated government regulations have been challenged by the Environmental Working Group, an environmental activist group. They argue that legality does not equal safety.
Environmental Health News: PFAS-free firefighting foams: Are they safer?
These chemicals, called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been detected in water supplies across the country—and in our bodies. In fact, the Environmental Working Group estimates that PFAS chemicals are detectable in all major U.S. water supplies. Reprinted by The World News Monitor
Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce™
Oxygen: Oxygen's Guide to Pesticides in Produce
These days, however, the name has been cleverly repurposed by the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit that compiles a virtual who’s who of conventionally grown produce with the highest and lowest amounts of pesticide residue.
Marin Mommies: Make a Fresh Batch of Strawberry Lemonade
Strawberries are number one on the EWG's "Dirty Dozen" list in their 2020 Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce. Reprinted by Blogarama
Tap Water Database
Times-Tribune: Local professionals, utilities offer businesses tips for reopening
According to Environmental Working Group, New York City's water system, which serves more than 9 million people, was in violation of EPA drinking water standards from October 2014 to September 2017.
Reprinted by The Citizen’s Voice and Republican Herald Online


environmentalworkinggroupewg--2020-05-22--Congress Should Tap CCC Funds to Protect Farmworkers

WASHINGTON – To protect farmworkers from the risks posed by COVID-19 and support food supply chains , Congress should tap funds from the Commodity Credit Corporation to ensure farmworkers are protected .
“ Thanks to the leadership of Speaker Pelosi , the Heroes Act would provide farmworkers with critical protections , including mandatory worker safety standards , premium pay , paid sick leave , paid family leave and child care assistance , ” said Bruce Goldstein , president of Farmworker Justice .
“ Farmworkers are essential workers who are taking enormous personal risks to feed us , and we must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ considers whether to increase CCC funding to address the COVID-19 pandemic , legislators must make farmworkers a priority.
” “ We applaud Rep. Panetta and other legislators for making farmworkers a priority , ” said EWG President Ken Cook .
“ If Congress increases CCC funding , legislators must ensure that funds flow to states and organizations that protect and support farmworkers from COVID-19 .
Although the CCC is not the only source of funds Congress should tap , Congress created the CCC during the Great Depression to ensure our families have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not protected , basic staples could become scarce , and food prices could soar.
” “ The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the essential role of farmworkers in our nation ’ s agricultural and food systems and the hazards they confront every day for our food security .
As Congress provides the CCC with funding to support agriculture , the funding should prioritize prevention , testing and premium pay for farmworkers and their family members , and reduce their fear of what will happen if they become ill , ” Goldstein said .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 72 other House members can be found here : https : //panetta.house.gov/sites/panetta.house.gov/files/documents/2020.May_.22_CongressmanPanetta_Letter_Farmworkers.pdf

WASHINGTON – To protect farmworkers from the risks posed by COVID-19 and support food supply chains, Congress should tap funds from the Commodity Credit Corporation to ensure farmworkers are protected.
“Thanks to the leadership of Speaker Pelosi, the Heroes Act would provide farmworkers with critical protections, including mandatory worker safety standards, premium pay, paid sick leave, paid family leave and child care assistance,” said Bruce Goldstein, president of Farmworker Justice. “Farmworkers are essential workers who are taking enormous personal risks to feed us, and we must ensure they are protected. As Congress considers whether to increase CCC funding to address the COVID-19 pandemic, legislators must make farmworkers a priority.”
“We applaud Rep. Panetta and other legislators for making farmworkers a priority,” said EWG President Ken Cook. “If Congress increases CCC funding, legislators must ensure that funds flow to states and organizations that protect and support farmworkers from COVID-19. Although the CCC is not the only source of funds Congress should tap, Congress created the CCC during the Great Depression to ensure our families have a stable food supply. If farmworkers are not protected, basic staples could become scarce, and food prices could soar.”
“The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the essential role of farmworkers in our nation’s agricultural and food systems and the hazards they confront every day for our food security. As Congress provides the CCC with funding to support agriculture, the funding should prioritize prevention, testing and premium pay for farmworkers and their family members, and reduce their fear of what will happen if they become ill,” Goldstein said.
A link to the letter from Rep. Panetta and 72 other House members can be found here: https://panetta.house.gov/sites/panetta.house.gov/files/documents/2020.May_.22_CongressmanPanetta_Letter_Farmworkers.pdf


environmentalworkinggroupewg--2020-05-22--Choosing the Best Sunscreen for Your Kids

After a long spring of being cooped up indoors , everyone is itching to get outside and spend as much time there as possible .
This means a safe , effective sun protection strategy is more important than ever .
Just a few blistering sunburns in childhood can have lasting consequences , potentially leading to the development later in life of skin cancer and other skin damage .
But there are things you can do to help prevent your little ones from dangerous and uncomfortable burns .
One way to protect your child from sunburn is a safe and effective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an adequate amount and reapply it often .
There are hundreds of sunscreens to choose from and it ’ s hard to know which ones are safe and effective .
We ’ re here to help : Each year our team of scientists carefully assesses many of the options on the market and rates their safety and efficacy .
When you choose a sunscreen for your kids , there are a couple of things to keep in mind .
Infants under 6 months old should be kept out of direct sunlight .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make sure to cover them in protective clothing of a tightly woven fabric that fits loosely .
A stroller hood or umbrella should be used as extra protection .
Most sunscreen manufacturers recommend against using their products on children in this age group , so don ’ t make a habit out of it , but the American Academy of Pediatrics says that small amounts of sunscreen can be used on infants , if necessary .
For children older than 6 months , sunscreen is an important and necessary part of daily sun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s especially sensitive to irritating and allergenic ingredients .
We recommend testing a new sunscreen one day before use by applying a small amount to the inside of your child ’ s wrist .
If a rash develops , avoid using that product .
If you have trouble finding a sunscreen that doesn ’ t irritate your child , check with your pediatrician for advice .
We recommend you look for mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide .
If you choose a non-mineral sunscreen , try to find one with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Remember to apply it liberally and frequently .
Here are the 16 best-scoring sunscreens marketed specifically for use on children ( though they will work for adults , too ) : This list doesn ’ t include sunscreens that are sprays , have an SPF above 50+ or contain oxybenzone , fragrance or retinyl palmitate – all of which we suggest you avoid .
Remember , sunscreens are just one tool to protect against sunburns .
In addition to using safe and effective sunscreen , also make sure you protect your children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your child to wear as much protective clothing as possible , plus a hat , can significantly reduce their burn risk .
And don ’ t forget sunglasses !
Eyes aren ’ t immune to harmful UVA and UVB rays .
For more ways to stay safe in the sun , check out these sun safety tips .

After a long spring of being cooped up indoors, everyone is itching to get outside and spend as much time there as possible.
This means a safe, effective sun protection strategy is more important than ever. Just a few blistering sunburns in childhood can have lasting consequences, potentially leading to the development later in life of skin cancer and other skin damage. But there are things you can do to help prevent your little ones from dangerous and uncomfortable burns.
One way to protect your child from sunburn is a safe and effective sunscreen, so make sure to apply an adequate amount and reapply it often.
There are hundreds of sunscreens to choose from and it’s hard to know which ones are safe and effective. We’re here to help: Each year our team of scientists carefully assesses many of the options on the market and rates their safety and efficacy.
When you choose a sunscreen for your kids, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. Infants under 6 months old should be kept out of direct sunlight. If you must bring your baby outside, make sure to cover them in protective clothing of a tightly woven fabric that fits loosely. A stroller hood or umbrella should be used as extra protection.
Most sunscreen manufacturers recommend against using their products on children in this age group, so don’t make a habit out of it, but the American Academy of Pediatrics says that small amounts of sunscreen can be used on infants, if necessary.
For children older than 6 months, sunscreen is an important and necessary part of daily sun protection. Younger children have skin that’s especially sensitive to irritating and allergenic ingredients. We recommend testing a new sunscreen one day before use by applying a small amount to the inside of your child’s wrist. If a rash develops, avoid using that product. If you have trouble finding a sunscreen that doesn’t irritate your child, check with your pediatrician for advice.
We recommend you look for mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. If you choose a non-mineral sunscreen, try to find one with avobenzone, which offers good UVA protection. Remember to apply it liberally and frequently.
Here are the 16 best-scoring sunscreens marketed specifically for use on children (though they will work for adults, too):
This list doesn’t include sunscreens that are sprays, have an SPF above 50+ or contain oxybenzone, fragrance or retinyl palmitate – all of which we suggest you avoid.
Remember, sunscreens are just one tool to protect against sunburns. In addition to using safe and effective sunscreen, also make sure you protect your children’s skin with clothing. Getting your child to wear as much protective clothing as possible, plus a hat, can significantly reduce their burn risk. And don’t forget sunglasses! Eyes aren’t immune to harmful UVA and UVB rays.
For more ways to stay safe in the sun, check out these sun safety tips.