More than 80,000 synthetic chemicals have been produced for use in the US since World War II.  Yet very few of these have ever been adequately tested for their potential impact on our health.  Scientific evidence increasingly indicates that toxic chemicals contribute to this epidemic of diseases and disorders.  Clean Water Action is supporting “An Act for a Competitive Economy Through Safer Alternatives to Toxic Chemicals” which will establish a pragmatic, gradual approach to reducing health impacts from many toxic chemicals we are exposed to in everyday life.

Learn more about our everyday exposures to toxic chemicals, the details of the Safer Alternatives Bill and what you can do to help pass it.

Safe Products Made Safely is a set of 10 fact sheets covering the scientific, economic and common sense arguments for passing the Massachusetts Safer Alternatives Bill.  Each title is the link to the pdf.

1. Scientists Sound Alarm for Our Health.  A large body of scientific evidence demonstrates that toxic chemicals are causing unexpected health damage and contributing to widespread diseases and disorders.

Eight years after September 11th, sobering warnings remain unheeded regarding the vulnerability of U.S. chemical plants to terrorist attacks. Journalists across the country have repeatedly made their way into more than 80 chemical plants demonstrating the ease with which fence-line security can be penetrated. As President Obama said in 2006, "these plants are stationary weapons of mass destruction spread all across the country."

The potential for fatalities and economic disruption from an attack on one of these plants is staggering. A 2001 U.S. Army Surgeon General study estimated that in densely populated areas 900,000 to 2.4 million people could be killed or injured in a terrorist attack on a U.S. chemical plant in a densely populated area.

How and Why Clean Water Protections Are Being Weakened

Since the 1972 passage of the Clean Water Act in 1972, we have made great progress in cleaning up our nation's waters. But recently, longstanding protections have been rolled back and the Clean Water Act, considered one of the country's most successful environmental laws, is now failing to protect all of America's waters.

Get tips for a healthy lawn without toxic chemicals.

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Problem

Otter Tail Power Company, in conjunction with several other power companies, is proposing a major new source of air and water pollution for South Dakota and Minnesota. Otter Tail plans to more than double the output of the existing coalburning power plant at Big Stone by building a new $1.6 billion plant on the same site . Big Stone II. Coal pollution is a threat to our health and environment. Investing in a costly new coal-burning power plant wastes money and takes South Dakota away from safe, clean renewable energy from wind.

Toxic Coal Pollution

Plans for the proposed Big Stone II coal plant near Milbank, South Dakota call for using massive amounts of water. In addition to the 3.2 billion gallon surface draw approved last year, co-owners have now filed for another 3.2 billion gallons from groundwater. With concerns about pollution growing and spiraling costs for the proposed coal plant, excessive water demands add another reason to say no to Big Stone II. This huge demand for water could be disastrous for the local area and farmers - as well as Big Stone Lake. For many years, water discharge has exceeded recharge, and experts say that previous underground water levels are not likely to return because of increased demand on a limited resource.

Perchlorate is a chemical used in solid fuel for missiles and rockets. Small amounts of perchlorate are used in car air bags, electronics, fireworks and fertilizer. Since the 1950s, over 870 million pounds of perchlorate have been manufactured in the United States. As a result of its manufacture, use and disposal, perchlorate is being discovered in soil, groundwater, drinking water, and irrigation water around the country. Perchlorate also occurs naturally in the environment, and has been found in the Texas and in the Southwestern United States. Perchlorate is the main ingredient in missile and rocket fuel and has been found in ground and surface water throughout the country since the 1950's.

What are Perfluorochemicals (PFCs)?

PFCs were made by the 3M Company in Cottage Grove and in several other communities around the world. These chemicals were used in household and industrial products such as stain repellents, lubricants, fire retardants, fire suppressants and pesticides. Two of the most common uses of PFCs found in the home are the products Teflon and Scotchguard. Three types of PFCs have contaminated East Metro water systems, as well as Lake Calhoun and other metro area lakes. They are perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA).¹

Why is there concern about PFCs?