Rhode Island is at Risk

• Exposure to diesel particulate matter increases emergency room visits for asthma and heart attacks, lung cancer and even premature death. Diesel pollution alscontributes to chronic bronchitis, cardiovascular disease, and decreased lung growth for children.
• 1 in 10 Rhode Island kids has asthma, and it is proven that diesel pollution can aggravate and cause asthma attacks.
• Providence County ranks in the worst 6% of all U.S.
  Contact Name: 

  Nicole Poepping
  Contact Phone: 

  1 401-331-6972
  Contact Email: 

  npoepping@cleanwater.org

Tidal Wave of Waste

Manufacturing Waste

Local Governments Left Holding the (Trash) Bag

When local governments took on responsibility for solid waste more than a century ago, household waste was primarily coal ash left over from heating and cooking. The rest was mainly food and a small amount of simple manufactured products like paper and glass. Today manufactured products and their packaging make up 75% of what we throw away.

Business as usual has meant that most manufacturers don't pay anything to cover the costs of waste disposal. In fact, they're designing products to be thrown away- and taxpayers are picking up the tab. The demands of waste management and recycling have changed with time. Local governments today are stuck with ever increasing costs for the recycling and disposal of computers, cameras, pharmaceuticals, batteries, and countless other consumer products.

Mercury Thermostats Threaten Rhode Island's Environment

• Mercury is highly toxic and persistent element and even a small quantity can cause serious health and ecological problems.
• Mercury containing thermostats release mercury into the environment when they are handled or disposed haphazardly.
• A single gram of mercury is enough to contaminate all of the fish in a 20-acre lake, making them unsafe to eat.
• Each traditional thermostat contains 3-5 grams of mercury

Most Rhode Islanders have a mercury ther