States say "no way" to worst chemicals

Lead, cadmium, mercury, toxic flame retardants, DDT, and PCBs. These dubious chemicals are a dastardly bunch when it comes to harming our health and the environment. In fact, they belong to a class of chemicals called PBT chemicals (Persistant, Bioaccumulative, and Toxic) that many experts classify as some of the worst chemicals on the planet. Unfortunately, PBTs are all around us, in our environment, in our food, in products we have in our homes, and ultimately in our bodies.

The good news is that while the federal government has been slow to address these “worst of the worst” chemicals, several states, including Oregon, have been taking action for years to eliminate them from our lives. But, as our friends at Safer States point out in their latest blog on PBT chemicals, it's clear states can't continue to do it alone:

If there’s one thing we know about PBT chemicals, it's that they don't respect state borders—which is why it is critical that the federal government's policies work hand-in-hand with state legislation to keep Americans safe from these harmful toxins which risk the health of our families.

While we will continue to act on chemicals of concern in Oregon, we know that we really need a fix at the federal level. States have limited resources and lack the tools of federal agencies to drive a national program that is working toward a national solution.

Which is why we're closely following the recently introduced Safe Chemicals Act of 2011 and asking Oregon's Senators Wyden and Merkley to be co-sponsors. You can join us by asking them too!

Read Safer States' whole story of the impacts of these worst chemicals, what states have been doing, and why Congress may finally follow the states and do something meaningful to protect our health from these chemicals.