Toxic threats
The chemicals used in everything from perfumes to cleaners to fertilizers should make our lives better — not harm our health or our environment.
There are more than 80,000 chemicals on the market in the United States, used in everything from perfumes and household cleaners to fertilizers and industrial solvents. Surprisingly, most chemicals go into use without testing their long-term impact on our health or the environment. We should make sure that any chemical in use is safe, eliminate any we know are dangerous, and when industries make a toxic mess, we should know right away, and they should pay to clean it up.
The Latest on Toxic threats
Statement: New rule will aid PFAS clean-ups
Has PFAS contaminated your beach?
Updates
Action to tackle PFAS pollution in Colorado continues
Colorado gets a ‘C+’ for efforts to get the lead out of water
During Lead Poisoning Prevention Awareness Week, experts share dangers, make recommendations to provide lead-free drinking water in schools
What You Can Do
Featured Resources
Superfund Back on Track
The Threat of “Forever Chemicals”
Who are the top toxic water polluters in your state?
“Chemical recycling”: What you need to know.
The Latest
Type
Parents and teachers call on EPA to ‘get the lead out’ at school
Groups representing millions of parents and teachers joined environmental and public health advocates to urge the EPA to get the lead out of drinking water at schools and child care centers.
Updated 2023 mid-hurricane season resource guide: data, resources & interview opportunities
The Atlantic hurricane season lasts from June 1 through November 30. This resource guide can help members of the media cover it more thoroughly and accurately.
Major PFAS manufacturer will pay more than $10 billion for clean-up
A major chemical company and producer of PFAS “forever chemicals”, 3M agreed to a $10.3 billion settlement with public water utilities last Thursday.
Colorado gets a ‘C+’ for efforts to get the lead out of water
CoPIRG Foundation highlights Colorado’s grade jumps in a report that ranks states on policies addressing lead in drinking water. The improved grade comes following a new state law that requires testing and remediation for some schools but Colorado still falls short in protecting kids from all lead in water. CoPIRG is calling on school districts to take additional action to fully protect kids from lead exposure, including adopting filter first policies and accessing available state and federal funding, something Vice President Harris emphasized in a recent visit to Colorado.
STATEMENT: EPA acts to protect drinking water from PFAS
New proposal would create first national limits on dangerous ‘forever chemicals’