Our Work

Empire State Consumer Project (ESCP) is especially concerned with children's health and with educating parents on important public health issues that affect their families.  We believe that consumer awareness coupled with corporate responsibility will increase the demand for toxic-free goods.  This will create a safer, healthier community and environment for our children and for future generations. 

Adult laxatives and safety for children - Visit our website, https://laxativekids.weebly.com/ 

for all information. 

ESCP filed an FDA Citizens Petition to study the effects of polyethylene glycol 3350 laxatives (such as Miralax and others) in children. The petition was granted in 2014 with a study at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. The study will determine if PEG 3350 breaks down into the toxic chemicals ethylene glycol (EG) and diethylene glycol (DEG) in the body, resulting in numerous psychiatric events in children. The FDA also found EG and DEG in samples of PEG 3350 products it tested in 2008. ESCP has also asked the FDA to test for nutrient depletion, changes in gut biology that affect the brain, and metabolic acidosis caused by laxative use, which may also be contributing to neuropsychiatric events in children. To view the petition, go to:
http://www.regulations.gov/#!searchResults;rpp=25;po=0;s=fda-2012-p-0566;fp=true;ns=true.


Lead and arsenic in vinegars - see the links below for information on our joint letter with Food and Water Watch to the FDA on our findings of alarming levels of lead and arsenic in red wine vinegars we tested. https://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/2021/05/24/alarming-lead-arsenic-levels-found-in-popular-vinegar-brands/

https://www.wxxinews.org/post/consumer-groups-say-alarming-levels-lead-and-arsenic-found-some-major-vinegar-brands?fbclid=IwAR2zroBYTAgn0zjRHs1Mm0xOk-DhOqzQ7C0L4OjX9Fr39IGILH_-AKcibIo

Artificial Turf - In 2007, ESCP tested ingredients of artificial/synthetic turfs and found numerous toxics, including high levels of arsenic, cadmium and the phthalate DEHP. The study is posted on the website at Institute of Health and Environment at University of Albany Medical School, under Emerging Environmental Issues (http://www.albany.edu/ihe/emerging.htm).

Arsenic in products made with apple juice concentrate from China. Starting in infancy, many children drink these products daily. In 2012, ESCP worked with Food and Water Watch and Consumers Union and our scientists to ask the FDA to create standards on arsenic in apple juice. After meeting with FDA, a standard of 10 ppb for arsenic in apple juice was granted (our testing showed 55 ppb).

Heavy metals in consumer products, especially those used by children. In 2010, Empire State Consumer Project, Sierra Club and Center for Environmental Health petitioned the US Environmental Protection Agency and the US Consumer Product Safety Commission to set cadmium standards for children's jewelry.

As they become available in the community, safe disposal options for products containing heavy metals. ESCP has proposed to Monroe County NY that the County create safe disposal options for children's jewelry containing cadmium. At the time, it was determined that incineration was the only option and we continue to seek safer options that will not result in additional pollution. We encourage businesses to recycle responsibly using certified e-Steward or EPA R2 recyclers, so that electronics are not disassembled unsafely locally or shipped to unauthorized recyclers overseas.

Lead in painted products, including toys and food related products. ESCP tested numerous retail totes under the NYS Hazardous Packaging Law and found Wegmans totes exceeded heavy metal limits for lead. Consumers were requested to bring the lead tainted totes back to Wegmans for replacement.

Pesticides. Pesticide risk awareness has been one of our most important issues. Judy Braiman, ESCP President worked with local environmental groups to advocate for Monroe County to sign on to the NYS Neighborhood Notification Program. 

Unsafe use of plastics with foods. See our Important Links page for information about plastics which are considered safe for storing food and those that may leach BPA, phthalates, styrene, etc. under certain conditions.

Unsafe toys. In 2019, we held Judy Braiman'sr 48th Children's Product Safety news conference. In 1983, Judy's survey of unsafe toys resulted in the recall of 38 million premium toys distributed in Happy Meals by a fast food restaurant because of a choking problem with small parts.

In 1993, the Safe Crib and Car Seat Coalition was founded by Judy Braiman.  It is one of only two groups in the country dedicated to giving safe cribs and car seats to needy families. Since its founding, SCCSC has distributed 1884 cribs and 460 car and booster seats.

Lead in lunch boxes. 30% of lead poisoning is from sources other than paint chips. In 2005, Judy Braiman’s testing of lunch boxes led to the recall of vinyl lunch boxes across the country.

In 2002, Judy Braiman tested pressure treated wooden playground equipment and found that most municipal playgrounds contained very high levels of CCA Chromium, copper and arsenic. A new New York State law was passed to ban pressure treated play structures in municipalities and led to the closing of a number of playgrounds statewide.

In 1975, after consumer complaints of illness following the use of Rely tampons, Judy Braiman alerted the US Food and Drug Administration to withdraw the tampons from the market. In 1980, the Centers for Disease Control linked Toxic Shock Syndrome to Rely Tampons. After that, Procter and Gamble pulled them from market. Now we have new standards for tampons.

In 1983 Empire State Consumer Project petitioned the FDA to ban the TODAY contraceptive sponge. It was subsequently dropped from the market after consumer complaints of illness. At this time, the product is not being marketed.

Judy Braiman, President

 

Advisor to U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

U.S. Department of Commerce (co-authored the minority report on Tort Reform)

FDA Advisory Council on Vaccine Safety

FDA Microbiology Device Panel: Office of Technology Assessment of U.S. Congress

Co-Host of WXXI show Let the Buyer Beware

Reported the consumer news on WXXI 1980-1981

Hosted 3WG radio Let the Buyer Beware.

Featured on PBS News Hour Who's Minding the Store 2010

Featured on CNN Toxic Childhood 2010

Co-authored Consumer Reports first Toy Buying Guide

Received Private Sector Initiative Award from President Ronald Reagan in 1985

Educational videos; Asbestos Hazards in School 1982 and Tampons, Are They Worth the Risk? 1983

Helped set new standards for arsenic in fruit juices 2013

Worked with the Associated Press on cadmium in children's jewelry series of articles.