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.

How do your favorite retailers rate on toxic chemicals?
National

Tell retailers to take action on toxics!

Because of demand from consumers like you, retailers are taking unprecedented action to protect customers from toxic chemicals.

Act Now!

Recent Actions

Virginia

Urge the Virginia General Assembly to Take Action on PFAS in Drinking Water

Clean Water Action and our allies have led efforts during this year’s General Assembly session to address toxic per and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) substances by pressing for legislation to study the occurrence of these chemicals in Virginia’s public drinking water, and to address sources of human exposure.

Urge the Virginia General Assembly to Take Action on PFAS in Drinking Water
California

Get toxic PFAS out of food packaging!

McDonalds is doing it. Taco Bell is doing it.  Whole Foods is doing it. New York and Washington States are doing it.

Take Action!
Rhode Island

Contact your legislators today to tell them to protect Rhode Islanders from toxic PFAS

You’ve been hearing from us for years about the dangers of PFAS and why it's so important that our Rhode Island legislators enact policies to remove these chemicals from our food packaging. We finally have the opportunity to get a PFAS bill (HB5356 and S110) over the finish line, but your representatives need to hear from you.

Take Action! Send your representatives an email telling them why this legislation is so important to you!
Rhode Island

Tell legislators to keep toxic chemicals like PFAS out of our food packaging!

PFAS or per and poly-fluoroalkyl substances can be toxic to humans and yet they are found in our food packaging (pizza boxes, bakery paper, microwave popcorn bags, and more).

PFAS been linked to:

Take Action! Tell legislators to keep toxic chemicals like PFAS out of our food packaging.

Related Toxic Chemicals Topics

Toxic Chemicals Publications

Toxic Chemicals Blog Posts

MA_PFAS_Water_Blog by Ben
Living with PFAS in the Water
June 21, 2021

97% of Americans already have traces of PFAS in their blood, making it clear that this is an issue that everyone has a stake in. Drinking clean water is a basic human right. Whether it is you, or someone you love that is in the 97%, we must all take action today.

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chemical plant
Testimony Opposing "Chemical Recycling" A5803
June 14, 2021

Statement by Maura Toomey, Zero Waste Organizer for Clean Water Action before the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee Opposing A5803

June 14, 2021

Thank you for the opportunity to testify on this bill. Clean Water Action strongly opposes A5803, which would exempt plastic material processed at advanced plastic processing facilities from solid waste and recycling regulations, and urges the bill’s sponsor Assemblyman McKeon to pull this bill.

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MD-mosquitos-canva
Minimizing Mosquito Exposure (without pesticides!)
May 2, 2021

Mosquito season is upon us yet again! There are some steps you can take to minimize your exposure to mosquitoes without relying on mosquito spray programs. While pesticide spray programs may seem like the best choice, they do pose health and environmental risks even when used as directed. Synthetic pyrethroids can worsen respiratory symptoms, organophosphates are linked to neurodegenerative diseases, and these pesticides are toxic to bees, pollinators, and other beneficial insects (as well as birds, fish, and amphibians - natural predators of mosquitoes!).

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