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.

Liquid in beakers
California

Tell the Water Board: Take Action on Hex Chrome!

Earlier this year the State Water Resources Control Board (the Board) planned to propose a final drinking water standard for Chrome 6 in the spring.  That has slipped to “late fall”, but there is no guarantee that is going

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Recent Actions

Massachusetts

Massachusetts legislators: Take action now to turn off the PFAS tap!

Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are chemicals that are toxic at very low levels, causing testicular and kidney cancer, high cholesterol, colitis, and immunosuppression, including reduced response to vaccines.

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Virginia

Tell Virginia legislators: Take action to control and prevent toxic pollutants that threaten our health

Now’s the time to raise your voice on key restrictions on toxic PFAS chemicals in Virginia. Urge legislators to pledge their support for these toxic pollution prevention priorities this session:

    Tell Virginia legislators: Take action to control and prevent toxic pollutants that threaten our health
    Maryland

    Petition: Protect Our Communities from Toxic PFAS Chemicals!

    Sign the petition to urge your legislators to keep toxic PFAS chemicals out of our product stream, out of our waterways, and away from us.

    Sign the petition to urge your legislators to keep toxic PFAS chemicals out of our product stream, out of our waterways, and away from us.
    Minnesota

    Ask Your Minnesota Lawmakers to Reduce PFAS & Lead Exposure

    Though Clean Water Action has been encouraged by bipartisan efforts to pass coronavirus relief and a law banning certain trichloroethylene (TCE) uses, there are many other public health priorities that were left unfinished

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    Related Toxic Chemicals Topics

    Toxic Chemicals Publications

    Toxic Chemicals Blog Posts

    Wins for Clean Water Across the Country
    November 18, 2021

    With your support, Clean Water Action is making a big impact for our water, health and communities across the country! Check out this roundup of the latest and greatest accomplishments. To support our programs, make a special contribution here. By speaking out together, our voices are heard!

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    Polluted Polly
    PFAS: A Whopper of a Problem
    November 15, 2021

    Public awareness of the dangers of PFAS chemicals (polyfluoroalkyl substances) has exploded in recent years. We now know that PFAS contributes to incidence of cancer, preeclampsia, immunosuppression, and more.. It does not break down, ever, and it’s accumulating in our homes, environment, and in our bodies.  This stuff is dangerous and it is everywhere! The companies that have been using these chemicals in their products have known the dangers for decades, but kept that hidden from the public. These chemicals are in our bodies, and they can wreak havoc. We did not get a choice about that.

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    Next steps to Phase Out PFAS in Connecticut
    October 26, 2021

    Connecticut became a national leader when we passed our priority PFAS (per and polyfluoroalkyl substances) bill this year.

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