Toxic Chemicals

From before we are born until the time we die, we are repeatedly and regularly exposed to toxic chemicals with the potential to seriously harm our health. Toxic chemicals can be found in our homes, schools and workplaces – in products we use on a daily basis. We're fighting at local, state, and federal levels to fix our chemical laws and find safer alternatives to the chemicals in everyday products.

Beakers. Photo credit: Africa Studios / Shutterstock

California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, National, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island

PFASs Chemicals – Protecting Our Drinking Water And Our Health

PFASs is a class of human-made chemicals which includes Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances These chemicals are very long-lived, which means that they remain in the environment and in humans and wildlife for a very long time. Two of these chemicals, PFOA and PFOS are relatively well known, and manufacturers have voluntarily stopped producing them. However, PFOA and PFAS continue to be detected at contaminated sites, in water, and in our bodies.

Recent Actions

California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, National, Rhode Island

Tell America’s top retailers: Take action on toxic chemicals in your products!

The third annual Who’s Minding the Store? report card ranks 40 top retailers on their actions on toxic chemicals. Take action and send a message to the CEOs of all 19 retailers that earned Fs in this year’s report card.

Act Now

Connecticut

Take action to rid our homes of toxic flame retardants

Contact your legislators today and tell them to pass House Bill 5329, a bill that bans the sale of children’s products and residential upholstered furniture containing toxic flame retardants, this session

Act Now!

Minnesota

Tell Your Legislator to Protect the health of Children and Firefighters!

Minnesota has made progress in getting some of the most toxic flame retardants out of our furniture and children’s products, but our work isn’t done. Other dangerous flame retardant chemicals still lurk in our households.

Take action!

Rhode Island

Take Action! Urge Legislators to Keep Toxic Chemicals like PFAS out of Food Packaging!

Contact your legislators today to tell them to keep toxic chemicals like PFAS out of our food packaging!

Keep Toxic Chemicals like PFAS out of Food Packaging!

English

Press Releases

Charlie Baker vetoes bill to protect kids and firefighters from toxic flame retardants

BOSTON—Today environmental, public health and worker advocates blasted Governor Charlie Baker for running out the clock on a much watched bill to protect children and firefighters from exposure to toxic flame retardants. Baker’s failure to sign the bill amounts to an automatic veto.

January 2, 2019

Under the wire: Mass. legislature sends bill to Governor’s desk that will protect children and firefighters from toxic flame retardants

“This is a huge new year’s gift to all Massachusetts families and in particular firefighters,” said Elizabeth Saunders, Massachusetts Director for Clean Water Action and board member of the Alliance. “These chemicals have been putting our children and firefighters at risk for decades and it’s high time that they are removed from the products that we bring into our homes. We’re counting on Governor Baker to join the legislature in prioritizing protection for our most vulnerable by signing this bill into law.”

December 6, 2018

Clean Water Action applauds Governor Murphy, Attorney General Gurbir Grewal and DEP Commissioner Catherine McCabe on Environmental Justice Initiative to target polluters

Camden, NJ – Clean Water Action applauds the Murphy Administration’s announcement at 1 pm today of eight lawsuits filed across the state to hold polluters accountable in environmental justice communities, including Camden and Newark.

CT Capitol building flickr.com/craigfildes cc

Protecting Our Health from Toxic PFAS Chemicals

January 15, 2019

At the 2018 annual Safer States meeting, state leads, scientists, lawyers and advocates from across the U.S, discussed the stark reality of the health and environmental impacts of per and polyfluorinated chemicals, commonly referred to as PFAS.

Plastics and toxics in baby products

January 8, 2019

My spouse and I are expecting our first child in the spring. Needless to say, our friends and families are very excited, and we are receiving a lot of advice and insight. One of the most frequent nuggets we have been getting goes something like this: “It really starts to get fun and exciting when you get to put together your baby registry!”

Large group of people as seen from above. Credit: Stockernumber2 / iStock

Massachusetts Flame Retardant Bill Passes! Make Sure Governor Baker Signs It!

January 2, 2019

Exciting news! Massachusetts is on the cusp of a big victory for public health - and we need your help to get there. The Massachusetts House and Senate voted on New Year’s Day to protect children and firefighters from toxic flame retardants! For this to become law, the Governor must sign the bill by January 11^th. Please call Governor Baker Today!