PVC in your baby’s bath toys? That’s personal. BPA in the canned food you serve your family? That’s personal. Formaldehyde in your dress shirts? That’s personal.
What better way to deal with a personal issue like your family’s health than to write a personal letter to your member of Congress asking them to support toxic chemical reform? With new legislation to reform the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) introduced to Congress, now is a critical time to ask your members of Congress to get involved.
We’ve talked with Congressional staffers and they told us that while mass email campaigns and computer-driven petitions do have value, they are not as compelling as personal letters or emails. In today’s fast-paced, digital age, a more personal means of communication is what really stands out. When a member of Congress gets a personal letter from a constituent, they know the issue is a matter of great importance.
Please consider writing a personal note to your Senator today! It is critical that we get your Senators as co-sponsors of the Safe Chemicals Act of 2011, a law that will protect your family from toxic chemicals.
We’re making it easy by providing letter writing tips and even a sample letter for you to follow if you prefer. To look up names and contact information for your Senators, enter your zip code at Congress.org. For most offices you can write your email via a contact form on the Senator’s website. Fret not, this email will actually be read!
With your help we can make toxic chemical reform a reality in 2011.
Thank you,
Lindsay Dahl
Deputy Director, Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families
What to write about:
- As your Senator to co-sponsor the Safe Chemicals Act of 2011.
- Talk about why you personally care about this issue. Are you tired of trying to shop for safe products?
- Current federal law is failing to protect public health, workers, communities and our environment.
- New science shows that chemicals are linked to a host of serious health consequences like cancer, learning disabilities, asthma and chronic disease.
- Toxic chemicals are disproportionately affecting certain populations including pregnant women, low income communities and communities of color.
- Chemicals should be proven safe before they are used in consumer products.
- We need government leadership to protect American families, co-sponsor the Safe Chemicals Act today!
Letter writing tips:
- Be Direct – State your purpose for writing
- Make It Personal – State why the issue matters to you, your family and your community
- Ask for Action – Clearly state the outcome you expect
- Keep it Brief and Polite!
Sample letter:
Dear Senator _____________,
I am thrilled to learn that a new bill to protect my family from toxic chemicals has been introduced in the Senate. I’m tired of having to worry about toxic chemicals in my consumer products, home and environment. Proposed legislation would put common sense limits on toxic chemicals and would take great steps to protect my family.
I am writing to urge you to co-sponsor the Safe Chemicals Act of 2011.
As your constituent I care deeply about protecting my family’s health. Our federal system for assessing chemical safety is sorely out of date, and the result has put an unfair burden on consumers like me to make smart decisions.
We need strong government leadership to protect American families. By co-sponsoring the Safe Chemicals Act of 2011 you will show us that preventing cancer, learning and developmental disabilities and chronic disease is a priority.
It’s time for common sense limits on toxic chemicals. Thank you for your careful consideration of this important bill.
Sincerely,
