MPIRG Carleton College Students in Northfield News
(February 26, 2008) Minneapolis—Carleton College MPIRG students highlight the need to detoxify household goods in Northfield. The topic was featured in the March/April 2007 issue of Northfield News in an article titled “Students raise awareness of household toxins.” Jaci Smith, managing editor, wrote the article.
The article covers the MPIRG campaign “Detox Minnesota!” The goal of this campaign is to phase out products marketed to children that contain bisphenol A and phthalates, both of which can be found in common household goods like Nalgene water bottles, sippy cups for children, plastic toys and the lining of tin cans.
“There are more than 80,000 chemicals that have become widely used since World War II, about 200 of which have been tested in the United States, and just five of which have been banned,” said Jill Rodde of MPIRG, an organizer of the effort, in the article. “In contrast, the European Union is in the process of banning about 30,000 of those chemicals.”
Read Northfield News article (downloads PDF)
The Minnesota Public Interest Research Group (MPIRG) is a grassroots, non-partisan, nonprofit, student-directed organization that empowers and trains students and engages the community to take collective action in the public interest throughout the state of Minnesota. MPIRG works with nine colleges and universities in Minnesota. The current issues are the environment, fair trade, women’s rights and affordable housing/homelessness. Learn more at www.MPIRG.org.
BPA Found in Baby Bottles, Covered in Pioneer Press
The theme of MPIRG’s Detox Minnesota! campaign was covered today in the Pioneer Press in an article titled “Ban urged for chemical in plastic baby bottles: Minnesota lawmakers cite tests that raise concerns about potential health effects.” Jeremy Olson wrote the article.
The article covers toxins found in baby bottles, bisphenol-A (BPA). BPA was found in bottles made by well-known manufacturers and sold at large retail chains; 95 percent of bottles on the market have BPA. This toxin can disrupt hormones and lead to reproductive problems.
To learn more about toxins in household products, visit the Detox Minnesota! page.
Read Pioneer Press article (downloads PDF)
The Minnesota Public Interest Research Group (MPIRG) is a grassroots, non-partisan, nonprofit, student-directed organization that empowers and trains students and engages the community to take collective action in the public interest throughout the state of Minnesota. MPIRG works with nine colleges and universities in Minnesota. The current issues are the environment, fair trade, women’s rights and affordable housing/homelessness. Learn more at www.MPIRG.org.
MPIRG Makes Donation to Breaking Free
(January 10, 2008) Minneapolis—MPIRG was delighted to donate $5,000 to Breaking Free, a nonprofit that serves women and girls involved in systems of prostitution/sex trafficking and other battered women who have been involved in the criminal justice system.
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Cast of 2008 Vagina Monologues with Breaking Free, the recipient of money raised by this year’s production. |
“We are delighted to be able to make this contribution to Breaking Free,” said Martin Phillips, chair of the board of directors of MPIRG.
"The Vagina Monologues" by Eve Ensler was written to break the silence surrounding women's relationships with their bodies, to celebrate and empower women and to end sexual violence against women. So far MPIRG has raised more than $120,000 for women's shelters and advocacy programs.
The Minnesota Public Interest Research Group (MPIRG) is a grassroots, non-partisan, nonprofit, student-directed organization that empowers and trains students and engages the community to take collective action in the public interest throughout the state of Minnesota. MPIRG works with nine colleges and universities in Minnesota. The current issues are the environment, fair trade, women’s rights and affordable housing/homelessness. Learn more at www.MPIRG.org. |
