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.

Maryland

Join the Pollinator Protection Squad!

Three years ago, we were part of a coalition to ban consumer pesticides containing bee-killing neonicotinoids (neonics) in Maryland. This law went into effect on January 1, 2018.

Recent Actions

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.

Act Now

Minnesota

Tell Ulta, Sephora, and Sally Beauty: It’s time for a makeover

Beauty product retailers can use their purchasing power to ensure the products sold on store shelves are safe, but the top three companies received poor marks on consumer health. Ask these companies to become consumer health leaders in the beauty product sector today.

Act Now!

Connecticut

Protect families and farmers from toxic pesticides! Support HB 7346

Urge Connecticut legislators to support HB 7346, a bill that would ban the use of the toxic pesticide Chlorpyrifos in Connecticut.

Protect families and farmers! Support HB 7346

California

Tell the State Water Board to Protect CA Drinking Water From PFAS

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a family of approximately 4700 synthetic chemicals used in a wide array of products and industrial processes, including non-stick cookware, clothing, carpets, and industrial

Sign the petition!

English

Toxic Chemicals Blog Posts

Fighting for Environmental & Social Justice at Clean Water Action's 33rd Annual Conference

July 8, 2019

Say No to Toxic Receipt Paper!

May 24, 2019

T.J.Maxx is a popular shopping destination for many Bostonians because it offers a wide variety of products at often discounted prices. It is almost like a routine for me to pick up some vegan snacks at the Allston T.J.Maxx on weekends. Every time I go shopping, I have the habit of collecting receipts to keep track of my spending. But last week, when I went to TJ Maxx to buy my favorite blueberry protein bars, I suddenly found myself unsure what to do when the cashier handed me the receipt. You may wonder why.

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?