Since the outbreak of COVID-19 began in the United States this spring, many families have increased their use of disinfectants for routine cleaning at home. And, according to new research by Indiana University scientists, one undesirable result has been greater exposure to potentially harmful chemicals in the home.
The following letters were sent to the Senate Commerce Committee’s Chairman Roger Wicker and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell, opposing the nomination of Nancy Beck to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
In Seattle, we are proud to be the home of Denis Hayes, founder of Earth Day and current President and CEO of the Bullitt Foundation. Denis recognized decades ago how critically important it is to end the unnecessary use of dangerous chemicals that contribute to chronic disease. Now more than ever, this must be a public health priority because people with chronic diseases are at increased risk of dying from COVID-19.
Now that we are spending more time at home to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, many are wondering how to safely and effectively clean house to prevent infection. We are fortunate that our partners at Women’s Voices for the Earth have done the research, which we’ve adapted into three safer cleaning tips.
Editor’s Note: This post was written by Beth Kemler of Safer Chemicals Healthy Families.
Today is National Teflon Day—but that is NOT cause for celebration. It is one of the worst “holidays” we can imagine because it’s the anniversary of the accidental invention of the first non-stick chemical that would eventually become Teflon in 1938. Since then, chemical companies have invented many other chemicals in the same class—per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). And these chemicals, which are used for stain, grease, and water resistance, have gone on the market with little to no testing, ending up in everyday products and contaminating our food, air, water, and bodies. Scientists have found links between PFAS chemicals and health problems such as cancer, hormone disruption, and harm to the immune system. Some PFAS never break down in the environment, leading scientists to call them “forever chemicals.” Continue reading
Contacts: Laurie Valeriano, Executive Director of Toxic-Free Future – 206-200-2824; Jaime Smith, Grit City Strategy & Communications (on behalf of TFF) – 253-334-5670
(Olympia, WA) – Gov. Jay Inslee today signed legislation that puts Washington State at the forefront of the effort to phase out PFAS in firefighting foam. The state Legislature in 2018 passed a first-in-the-nation ban on the sale of PFAS-containing firefighting foam for most uses, but exempted some of the biggest contributors such as oil facilities, chemical plants and airports. The Safer Firefighting Foam Act signed today eliminates those exemptions and creates the strongest state ban in the country. Continue reading
MEDIA CONTACT: Jaime Smith, (253) 334-5670, jaime@gritcitystrategy.com
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Fast-casual chain Sweetgreen has announced it is phasing out per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in its bowls by the end of this year. The company is working with the packaging company Footprint on an alternative that it has already begun to roll out in some stores.
CONTACT: Laurie Valeriano, Executive Director of Toxic-Free Future – 206.200.2824, or
Jaime Smith, Grit City Strategy & Communications (on behalf of TFF) – 253.334.5670
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OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State Senate today overwhelmingly approved a bill that closes several major gaps in the state’s effort to phase out toxic PFAS chemicals in firefighting foam. HB 2265 already passed the House last month and now heads to Gov. Jay Inslee for his signature. Continue reading
CONTACT: Erika Schreder or Carina Wells, Toxic-Free Future | 206.632.1545
OR James Boyd, Indiana University O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs | 812.856.5490
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(Seattle, WA) – Toddlers and young children spend much of their day crawling, playing and climbing. For parents and childcare providers, that means constant mopping and dusting to keep floors and furniture clean and safe. But a new peer-reviewed study suggests high levels of dangerous contaminants known as PFAS are finding their way into childcare centers through the very products intended to keep children healthy. According to a Washington State proposal, regulators tasked with phasing out PFAS aren’t planning to look at those products—yet. Continue reading
CONTACT: Laurie Valeriano, Executive Director of Toxic-Free Future, 206-200-2824, OR Jaime Smith, Grit City Strategy & Communications (on behalf of TFF), 253-334-5670
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OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State House of Representatives passed a bill Sunday that strengthens the state’s ban on toxic PFAS chemicals in firefighting foam. Continue reading