Toxic Chemicals

From before we are born until the time we die, we are repeatedly and regularly exposed to toxic chemicals with the potential to seriously harm our health. Toxic chemicals can be found in our homes, schools and workplaces – in products we use on a daily basis. We're fighting at local, state, and federal levels to fix our chemical laws and find safer alternatives to the chemicals in everyday products.

Test tubes, table of elements. Photo credit: Ben Schonewille / Shutterstock

Minnesota

It is time to protect MN communities from trichloroethylene (TCE)

After TCE, a dangerous chemical that can impact immune and reproductive systems, liver, kidneys, central nervous system, fetal development during pregnancy, and cause cancer, polluted White Bear Lake, our elected officials

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Recent Actions

Minnesota

Let's Protect Kids and Firefighters

In 2015, Minnesota made important progress by banning four of the most toxic flame retardants from our furniture and children’s products, but our work isn’t done. There are many other dangerous flame retardants, and they

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California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, National, Rhode Island

Tell America’s top retailers: Take action on toxic chemicals in your products!

The third annual Who’s Minding the Store? report card ranks 40 top retailers on their actions on toxic chemicals. Take action and send a message to the CEOs of all 19 retailers that earned Fs in this year’s report card.

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Connecticut

Take action to rid our homes of toxic flame retardants

Contact your legislators today and tell them to pass House Bill 5329, a bill that bans the sale of children’s products and residential upholstered furniture containing toxic flame retardants, this session

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California

Expand PFAS Monitoring to Protect Californians

PFAS are a family of approximately 4700 human-made chemicals that are incredibly effective at combating oil fires as well as repelling grease, water, and stains.

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English

Press Releases

May 6, 2019

Clean Water Action to Hold 33rd Annual Conference: “Unity and Action NOW”

Clean Water Action is holding its 33rd annual conference, Unity and Action NOW, on Saturday, June 8th at Wardlaw+Hartridge School in Edison, NJ.

Toxic Chemicals Publications

Toxic Chemicals Blog Posts

What Do We Need to Do About PFAS in California?

April 10, 2019

They’re in stain resistant carpets and clothing, cookware, some cosmetics, outdoor gear, and even dental floss. You may know them as Teflon®, or Scotchguard®. You have them in your body and they’ve been detected in 455 California drinking water sources thus far. I’m talking about a class of fluorinated chemicals, called PFAS, and they threaten California’s water and its people. Why haven’t we done more about them?

I love TJMaxx and Marshalls, but not their lack of safe products

April 7, 2019

Spring is finally here! It’s my favorite time of year, despite the unpredictable Massachusetts weather. Spring means greening foliage and blooming flowers. It also means shopping for all things spring -- and the first place I head to is Marshalls, or T.J. Maxx. These stores have great deals and a large selection. As a customer, neighbor (the parent company TJX is headquartered in Massachusetts), and activist I want to be able to say “and its wide collection of safe and non-toxic products” —but I can’t.

Simmons University Engages Students in Talks about Toxics

March 19, 2019

I’ve learned a lot about the dangers of exposure to toxic chemicals through flame retardants at Clean Water Action. They’re everywhere in our homes: in mattresses, furniture, even children’s toys.

This is a really important issue to be aware of, but there is a real lack of awareness amongst my fellow college students.