It’s Now or Never for this Congress to Show Leadership on Toxic Chemicals
With only a short time left before the November elections, it's time for Congress to step up and pass the Safe Chemicals Act. Illinois PIRG is calling on Congressional leadership to pass a law that would strengthen laws to protect us from toxic chemicals that are far too prevalent in our homes and communities.
On Tuesday, September 4th, Illinois PIRG, along with over 430 organizations and businesses, called on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to bring the Safe Chemicals Act to the floor of the Senate for a vote.
A large body of science, amassed over the last several decades, links exposures to certain chemicals found in our homes, workplaces, consumer products and environment to the rise in some cancers, including childhood and young adult cancers, as well as learning and developmental disabilities, early puberty, asthma, infertility and Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.
Due to our weak federal laws on chemicals, American families are routinely exposed to toxic chemicals in their homes and communities. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the vast majority of pregnant women in America have many toxic chemicals in their blood, which can be transferred to their developing fetuses. This is simply unacceptable.
The
time
has
come
for
Congress
to
act
on
the
Safe
Chemicals
Act. Illinois PIRG, along with our coalition partners, urge the Senate leadership to finally bring this bill to a vote and place common-sense limits on toxic chemicals.
