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.

Test tubes, table of elements. Photo credit: Ben Schonewille / Shutterstock

Minnesota

It is time to protect MN communities from trichloroethylene (TCE)

After TCE, a dangerous chemical that can impact immune and reproductive systems, liver, kidneys, central nervous system, fetal development during pregnancy, and cause cancer, polluted White Bear Lake, our elected officials

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Recent Actions

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!

Connecticut

Protect families and farmers from toxic pesticides! Support HB 7346

Urge Connecticut legislators to support HB 7346, a bill that would ban the use of the toxic pesticide Chlorpyrifos in Connecticut.

Protect families and farmers! Support HB 7346

California

Tell the State Water Board to Protect CA Drinking Water From PFAS

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a family of approximately 4700 synthetic chemicals used in a wide array of products and industrial processes, including non-stick cookware, clothing, carpets, and industrial

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Massachusetts

Let's Ban Toxic Flame Retardants Together-Write to your Legislator

Please contact your state legislators now and ask them to protect our health from toxic chemicals.

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English

Press Releases

May 6, 2019

Clean Water Action to Hold 33rd Annual Conference: “Unity and Action NOW”

Clean Water Action is holding its 33rd annual conference, Unity and Action NOW, on Saturday, June 8th at Wardlaw+Hartridge School in Edison, NJ.

Toxic Chemicals Publications

Toxic Chemicals Blog Posts

What Do We Need to Do About PFAS in California?

April 10, 2019

They’re in stain resistant carpets and clothing, cookware, some cosmetics, outdoor gear, and even dental floss. You may know them as Teflon®, or Scotchguard®. You have them in your body and they’ve been detected in 455 California drinking water sources thus far. I’m talking about a class of fluorinated chemicals, called PFAS, and they threaten California’s water and its people. Why haven’t we done more about them?

I love TJMaxx and Marshalls, but not their lack of safe products

April 7, 2019

Spring is finally here! It’s my favorite time of year, despite the unpredictable Massachusetts weather. Spring means greening foliage and blooming flowers. It also means shopping for all things spring -- and the first place I head to is Marshalls, or T.J. Maxx. These stores have great deals and a large selection. As a customer, neighbor (the parent company TJX is headquartered in Massachusetts), and activist I want to be able to say “and its wide collection of safe and non-toxic products” —but I can’t.

Simmons University Engages Students in Talks about Toxics

March 19, 2019

I’ve learned a lot about the dangers of exposure to toxic chemicals through flame retardants at Clean Water Action. They’re everywhere in our homes: in mattresses, furniture, even children’s toys.

This is a really important issue to be aware of, but there is a real lack of awareness amongst my fellow college students.