News tagged with 'Heavy Metals'

Arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury were some of the heavy metals found in the 15 protein supplements tested by Consumer Reports.

The Zhu Zhu Pet testing methodology has caused a lot of controversy and a black eye for a new consumer group. Consumers can check more reliable, established consumer sites to find accurate information on the safety of this seasons hot toys.

This third annual consumer guide from The Ecology Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan finds one out of three children's toys still has measurable levels of heavy metals, though lead levels are declining. Use Their HealthyStuff.org to shop and a Lead Test Kit for the home may not be a bad idea either.

Lead exposure in children appears to permanently damage the brain this study finds, echoing previous findings that associate a lower IQ and criminal behavior and developmental exposure to lead.

The FDA does no testing of cosmetics or face paints  so a consumer group, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, has taken over that job, testing 10 products from a Halloween store. The results are scary, but consumers aren't left in the dark if they are informed.

Faux leather handbags found in many different retailers were found to contain high amounts of lead. The Center for Environmental Health purchased the bags in San Francisco Bay Area retaillers and found that brightly colored bags were the worse offenders, indicating the lead could be in the dye or the faux material.

The U.S. lags behind the European Union in regulating chemicals dumped into the environment. A new book by the Center for Investigative Reporting, says while the U.S. has registered about 80,000 chemicals for use, the UK requires they be assessed for their potential toxic effects. 

Detectable mercury levels are found in nine out of 20 samples of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). A followup study found mercury in one out of three HFCS-containing foods, typically found in barbecue sauce, jam, yogurt, and soda. 

More than 56 million Americans reportedly have drinking water with unsafe arsenic levels., a heavy metal that comes from rocks and industrial chemicals. A new study suggests a link between arsenic exposure and type 2 diabetes.