Explainer: What are PFAS?
What are ‘forever chemicals’? How did they end up virtually everywhere in our environment? And what does it all mean for our health?
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
Federal inaction on PFAS puts our food supply at risk
Reducing your child’s exposure to microplastic starts at breakfast
Updates
We’re making your voice heard on mercury pollution
REI commits to eliminating PFAS from its products
Newest climate deal would hold polluters accountable for toxic waste clean up
Featured Resources
PFAS found in America’s lakes and streams
Accidents Waiting to Happen
Accidents Waiting to Happen: Hazardous Materials by Rail
Accidents Waiting to Happen: Oil Pipelines
The Latest
Type
Has PFAS contaminated your beach?
As summer kicks into high gear and more families are hitting lakes and beaches around the country, the last thing on their minds is potential dangers lurking in the water.
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.
Mercury pollution from power plants threatens our health. New proposed EPA standards can help.
Fossil fuel power plants belch mercury and other toxic air pollutants into our atmosphere — but now’s our chance to seriously cut back this deadly pollution.
How you can help protect yourself and your community from toxic chemical plant pollution
The EPA has proposed new, stronger limits on toxic emissions from chemical plants. Your voice will help ensure the agency finalizes the strongest possible protections.
Why is Red Dye #3 still being used in our food?
Thirty years after Red Dye #3 was banned from use in cosmetics, this toxic additive is still being used to, for example, make freeze pops a brighter red. That's nuts.