Whats in that water bottle youre drinking out of, or that dish youre feeding your child from. What about that chair youre sitting on, or that receipt you just got from the store?
Its hard to say.
We all assume that chemicals used to make ordinary products are tested for safety but they are not. From baby bottles made with bisphenol A (BPA) to carpets containing formaldehyde, dangerous chemicals are in our homes, places of work, and the products we use every day. With each new scientific report linking toxic chemical exposure to a serious health problem, it becomes more obvious that the law intended to keep harmful chemicals in check the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) of 1976 is not working.
Why? Well, as you can imagine the chemical industry doesnt want you to know if their products are toxic, because then, you know, you might not buy them! Remember how the tobacco industry tried for decades to discredit the science around smoking? They also dont want to be told not to sell a product because it can make people sick. A recent investigation by the Chicago Tribune on brominated flame retardants reveals how the chemical industry is deceiving the public, even under oath!
But our families cannot afford to keep living in this toxic economy, and we should not have to choose between the things we need to live a good life and our health.
Whats needed is a real law that protects the 99.99% of us who are exposed to toxic chemicals every day for the profit of the 1% that run the chemical industry. We need to fix the broken TSCA and move forward to a green and healthy marketplace that provides what we need without exposing us to the risk of cancer, birth defects, diabetes, or any of the other illnesses linked to toxic economy.
Folks from all over the country are headed to Congress next week to tell Congress to fix this law and protect our environment and our families. Please take a minute to give them your support by signing this petition.
