Why give to PIRG this Earth Day?
Together, we’re making a difference on a range of issues, from curbing plastic waste, to stopping the use of toxic pesticides, to winning progress toward an electric vehicle future.
Pesticides
The chemicals used to grow our food and maintain our parks and playgrounds are putting our health at risk.
The food we buy should be safe to eat, and our parks and playgrounds shouldn’t be filled with chemicals that put our health at risk, especially when those risks include cancer and developmental disorders. Choosing to buy organic, gardening without pesticides, and avoiding chemical fertilizers are all important, but only collective action will stop the use of these dangerous chemicals.
The Latest on Pesticides
The weed killer Roundup has been linked to cancer. It’s time to ban it.
Toxic PFAS chemicals are being sprayed on crops across the country
Updates
Today’s Pollinator of the Day: Birds
National Pollinator Week is here!
National Pollinators Week is coming up. Here’s what PIRG is doing.
Featured Resources
Save the Bees Web-Bee-Nar
Green schools guide
Guide to planting a pollinator-friendly garden
Glyphosate In Beer and Wine
Did You Know?
In the U.S., 26 million pounds of glyphosate, the main chemical ingredient in Roundup, are sprayed on public parks, playgrounds, schools and gardens in a year.
What We're Doing
We’re working to ban RoundUp in parks, playgrounds and other public spaces until it is proven safe. Learn more
As there is ever more to be done, I like that WashPIRG works to solve important issues while educating the public about them, and is playing an active role on many fronts.Frank Kroger, Member
Solving important issues while educating the public
The Latest
How the widespread use of a bee-killing pesticide is threatening our food supply
We rely on bees to pollinate more than 70 of the 100 crops that provide 90% of the world's food — but as our society uses more bee-killing "neonic" pesticides, bee populations are plummeting.
Statement: Supreme Court rejects Bayer’s appeal against Roundup ruling
The Supreme Court declined on Tuesday to hear an appeal by Bayer, allowing lawsuits claiming glyphosate, the main active ingredient in the weed killer Roundup, causes cancer to move forward. Bayer, the maker of Roundup, had appealed the case of Edwin Hardeman who said he developed cancer due to his use of Roundup on his property for decades. The court’s action upholds the ruling of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, which ruled in favor of Hardeman, upholding a $25 million judgment. The declined appeal opens the opportunity for thousands of similar cases to continue.
Statement: EPA says PFAS contamination in pesticides may violate federal law
In an effort to protect communities from PFAS contamination, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on Wednesday that the presence of PFAS contamination in pesticides could be a violation of a federal toxic chemical law, known as the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The EPA has signaled the presence of so-called “forever chemicals'' in pesticides could stem from the fluorinated containers used for storage and transportation.
Victory: EPA bans pesticide linked to brain damage in children
Team
Rusch
Emily
Rusch
Vice President and Senior Director of State Offices, The Public Interest Network