Toxic PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ threaten both humans and wildlife. It’s time to stop using them.
How our use of PFAS chemicals in manufacturing is putting our natural world in jeopardy.
Toxic threats
It’s up to us to protect our ecosystems and communities from toxic chemicals.
Most of the 80,000 chemicals on the market in the United States have been put into use without testing long-term consequences for the environment, or their impacts on our health. We should make sure that any chemical in use is safe, eliminate those we know are dangerous, and stop using any that are damaging healthy ecosystems. And if an industry makes a toxic mess, we should know right away, and they should be the ones to pay for cleaning it up.
The Latest on Toxic threats
Statement: Energy bill would wreak havoc on lands, waters and taxpayers
EPA, DOT to increase accountability, safety in wake of Ohio chemical train derailment
Updates
Groups challenge EPA’s failure to curb water pollution from plastic plants, oil refineries and other industries
Chemical train derailment highlights need for stronger safety rules to protect the environment
California eliminates toxic ‘forever chemicals’ in cosmetics and textiles
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The Latest
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Statement: PFAS Firefighter Protection Act takes on dangerous ‘forever chemicals’
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (NY) and Rep. Dan Kildee (MI-5) introduced the PFAS Firefighter Protection Act into the Senate and the House this week. The bill aims to ban firefighting foams made with a class of toxic chemicals commonly referred to as PFAS. Firefighting foams, frequently used at airports and military installations, are one of the major sources of PFAS groundwater contamination in the United States. The bill would ensure that such foams are no longer in use within two years from the date it is passed.
Statement: Assembly Environment Committee Passes Legislation To Limit Bee-Killing Neonics Pesticide
The California Assembly Environmental Safety & Toxic Materials Committee passed legislation (AB 2146) by a 6:2 vote this afternoon to ban most non-agricultural uses of the neonicotinoid class of pesticides, commonly known as neonics.
Statement: Clean schools program means cleaner, healthier future
Vice President Kamala Harris will announce on Monday a clean schools infrastructure program, which features grant funding for public school energy upgrades, money for electric school buses, and investments in rural schools.
Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan introduces bill to ban pesticides and protect pollinators
Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan introduced AB 2146 Tuesday to protect bees and other pollinators from five key neonicotinoid (neonic) pesticides. California beekeepers lost 41.9% of their colonies last year, one of the worst years on record. These pollinators are critical to many of California’s leading crops, worth $50 billion annually. A huge body of research links adverse health impacts and the decline in pollinator populations to the use of pesticides, particularly neonicotinoids.
One of the worst years for manatees ever
The end of 2021 marks one of the grimmest years for Florida manatees. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, nearly 1,000 manatees have died this year. That's more than double the five-year annual average.