toxic chemicals

Canvassing on the streets of central Connecticut after the PFAS spills last summer, community members supplied an abundance of energy and motivation that lead to fantastic steps toward protecting our communities from PFAS chemicals. 

In our work at Clean Water Action we throw around a lot of statistics and chemical names which, if you’re not used to hearing them, all sound pretty much like “ethyl-methyl-bad-stuff.” Sometimes that’s really all you need to know: “there’s something bad there – stay away.” 

But one group of chemicals you really should know about is PFAS, aka “Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances”, aka “the forever chemicals.” To keep it simple, we’ve boiled down the facts for you in this handy infographic. Check it out!

At this point many people are aware of the dangers of the toxic flame-retardant chemicals that are applied to household products.  Now, widespread concern is turning into real action. Motivated by consumer interest, many manufacturers and retailers have been phasing out these chemicals and using safer, fire resistant materials. Thirteen states have already restricted the use of one or more flame-retardant chemicals.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) and other toxic chemicals found in many products, such as clothing, carpets, furniture, firefighting foam, adhesives, and food and beverage containers. PFAS-treated food packaging is a major source of human exposure to PFAS via contaminated food and drinking water.

Our work with Connecticut’s procurement agency is paying off. Connecticut will now restrict the purchasing of many food service ware and food packaging items that contain toxic per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS chemicals) and significantly reduce styrene (Styrofoam) and plastics. 

This week, we helped to release the 4^th annual Who’s Minding the Store? www.retailerreportcard.org report card grading 43 major retailers on their actions to keep toxic chemicals out of products and packaging.

We’re celebrating some big wins with our Mind the Store campaign work this fall! This campaign focuses on targeting major retailers and urging them to work with their suppliers to shift away from toxic chemicals in products, including the “forever chemicals” known as PFAS or per and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Recent highlights include: 

September 17, 2019: Home Depot announces it will no longer sell carpets or textiles containing PFAS chemicals.

How can your City green its procurement? Safer States developed a Sustainable Procurement Roadmap with sample policies and strategies for implementation. Both the Center for Environmental Health and the Responsible Purchasing Network are available for one-on-one technical support.

Clean Water is pressing the state of Massachusetts to develop systems to oversee the emerging nano-technology industry. 

Learn more about our fight to protect Connecticut's waterways from PFAS contamination.