Is Government Action Needed?

While some states are starting to take action on toxic chemicals, industry has used its considerable lobbying power to block efforts at national reform.  Even though safer alternatives to many toxic chemicals already exist, chemical companies continue to manufacture and use dangerous ingredients, with names nobody can understand or pronounce, threatening all of us.    

In addition to creating pollution from their manufacturing processes, companies are using toxic chemicals in an ever widening range of consumer products - from laptops to processed foods to mattresses.  As a result, toxic chemicals are showing up in unlikely places such as household dust and even human breast milk.   

To address these toxic threats, we need bold policies that replace toxic chemicals with safer alternatives; policies that compel polluters to pay for cleaning up past pollution;  policies that require companies to tell us when they are storing or releasing toxic chemicals or putting them in the products we purchase.   ..

Our Kids Are at Risk...

Because of their small size and rapidly-developing bodies, children  are often more susceptible to the health hazards of toxic chemicals  than adults.  Preventing exposure during critical times of  development is crucial for children.  Exposure to even small  quantities of toxic chemicals can cause permanent damage to a  developing fetus or growing child.

Healthy Choices: Can We Live Toxic-Free?

The Environmental Protection Agency's Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) program provides Americans with the some very good information about toxic chemicals released in their communities.    Unfortunately, in December 2006 the Bush administration limited the public's right-to-know about this pollution by giving some polluters a free pass on reporting their toxic emissions.    

There are currently NO compelling laws to ensure that we are told about all the toxins routinely put in our foods, household or personal care products.