By Cindy Luppi, New England Regional Director
Exciting news: state legislatures are starting to ramp up across the country...and a majority of them,
at least 33, are considering bills to regulate toxic chemicals. Clean Water Action is leading the charge on this issue in California, Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, and Minnesota. It's inspiring to see momentum spreading nation-wide.
You might be asking "why the big push?" or "why now?" There are a number of factors coalescing to focus lawmakers on this issue like never before. One huge reason is large retailers like
Target and
Walmart are setting new standards that will ultimately block products containing some of the worst toxic chemicals from their shelves. These new policies are rippling out across the industry and are helping to change the status quo. Most importantly, they send a message that safer products are feasible - and the innovation economy is taking note. Companies like Proctor & Gamble have announced phase-outs for bad actor chemicals like triclosan, phthalates and phosphates. Others are following suit, creating a demand for new policies that include incentives and support for the forward-looking companies making these strides.
Another reason we’re seeing State legislators jumping in is because the chemical safety reform push at the federal level continues to proceed at a
glacial pace. Theses state representatives and senators have the ability to push health protections forward for their states more quickly. This provides near term relief for local residents while we all battle on federally.
We’re winning in the states. According to an analysis by our partner SAFER States, the chemical industry’s multi-million dollar lobbying efforts have failed to smother health initiatives in 34 states! Over 200 new policies to address hazardous chemicals in consumer products have been put in place during the last decade. Interestingly a majority of these state policies have been adopted with bipartisan support, and have been signed into law by both Republican and Democratic governors. This is consistent with public polling over the years that clearly demonstrates
support across party lines for these common sense public health protections.
And here’s another factor - The cost of treating preventable disease that could be saved if we break the cycle of contact with toxic chemicals that make us sick. Dr. Philip Landrigan, Chairman of the Department of Preventative Medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine puts it most directly:
"We know that these chemicals are reaching people. We know that chemicals can cause disease. Those diseases cost money."
For our part, Clean Water Action believes that this kind of chemical reform is an integral tool in the battle to stand up for clean water and community health. The tragedy continuing to play out in
West Virginia reminds us that all water -- from tap water to rivers to oceans to neighborhood brooks -- is a precious resource we need to protect at all costs. Please join us in pressing in your home state for these common sense reforms to protect our health and stimulate green chemistry innovation.
