Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families Video

Our colleagues at the Safer Chemicals Healthy Families coalition seem to have stumbled on a top secret meeting of some of the most dangerous chemicals out there. They even caught it on tape!

Chemicals aren't sitting still - and neither should we! Each year, hundreds of thousands of pounds of known carcinogens, developmental toxicants, reproductive toxicants and other toxic substances are legally released into U.S. waterways. Many of these same pollutants also end up in our products and our food. Preventing the use of toxic substances from entering our water in the first place is by far the best approach to ensuring our waterways are clean and free of these harmful substances.

The federal legislation that was supposed to protect us from exposure to these toxic substances, the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) has been a colossal failure. There are currently more than 80,000 chemicals in use with 1,000 new chemicals added each year. Most chemicals were grandfathered in at the beginning. Since TSCA’s inception in 1976, the EPA has only restricted the use of five chemicals and has required testing for less than 200 chemicals. TSCA does not require that new chemicals be tested for safety, either. The egregious loopholes, the onerous burden of proof placed on the EPA, and the record of EPA inactivity, has left many believing that TSCA is the most ineffective environmental law in the country.

The time to reform TSCA is now! Bills are now being introduced in Congress that call for the overhaul and strengthening of TSCA. Watershed groups must weight in and tell Congress how important this is to our efforts. TSCA restricts the use of harmful chemicals in manufacturing, processing and distribution, but in so doing will prevent many of these toxic substances from being released into our waters. It’s critical that we send Congress a message to strengthen TSCA and ask that the most dangerous chemicals are taken off the market and only chemicals that are safe are permitted for use.

To take action click here, enter your zip code below the video and follow the instructions.

Also, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson has demonstrated leadership and made a commitment to reforming TSCA. Her strong statements about the importance of protecting people and the environment from unsafe chemicals are encouraging signs that substantial reform is possible.

It is critical that EPA support the strongest version of this legislation, one that includes taking swift action on chemicals we already know to be dangerous. The chemical industry is bound to seek to weaken this legislation. Please also let Lisa Jackson know your views by clicking here.

Thank you for your help with this important issue,
River Network
520 SW Sixth Ave, Suite 1130
Portland, Oregon 97204
(503) 241-3506 | www.rivernetwork.org

PS - The video above was made by the Safer Chemicals Healthy Families coalition, of which River Network is a proud member. Click here to find out more about SAFER and their work.