I am proud to say that I have begun an active group blog on the environmental networking site commonground - entitled, “Environmental Risk Trends Group.” Commonground has over 5,000 environmental professionals from across the country contributing information every day regarding environmental issues and solutions to complex problems.

The Environmental Risk Trends Group will contain updates on the latest environmental trends across the country (and of course Massachusetts).  Open discussion is encouraged and various environmental professionals have already joined the group including: insurance companies, property developer/manager, environmental non-profits, environmental consultants and others.

Please visit the site and join the discussions!

Ed

Most my posts on environmental issues will involve corporate risk and liability.  However, given the nearing Chrismas and holiday season, I thought it would be appropriate to begin with the reality that in the year 2008 we still have toxic toys.  Healthytoys.org issued a recent press release indicating lead was found in 20% of the products tested.  Additional toxic chemicals include arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and bromine.  Toys included Hannah Montana jewelry (Makayla- my 5 year old daughter loves her …) and other low cost toy jewelry.  Guess its nothing but diamonds for Makayla …

• On a corporate level - those companies that manufacture or distribute electronic product (including toys) and export to the EU or Asia are subject to eco-compliance directives which prohibit 6 specific chemicals (lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, and fire retardant PBBs and PBDEs).  If a corporate is non-compliant, your product can be removed from the marketplace.  More to come on this topic …