Voters Want Leaders Who Will Fight for Safe Drinking Water, Clean Air and Their Communities
May 03, 2022
Today Safer States launched a new resource to help candidates understand how they can be part of the solution by promoting policies that protect communities from toxic threats and create incentives for safer materials.
Mark Hyland, Board Chair for Defend Our Health Speaks on PFAS in REI
April 28, 2022
Mark Hyland, Board Chair for Defend Our Health, has been an REI member since 1973. PFAS contamination is a huge problem in his home state of Maine where multi-generation dairy farms have closed forever due to this “forever chemical”. He is urging REI to step up to the plate and address PFAS in their products now rather than later.
Sen. Gillibrand and Rep. Kildee Introduce Landmark Bill to Protect Firefighters from Toxic PFAS “Forever Chemicals” Used in Firefighting Foam
April 28, 2022
On Monday, April 25, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (NY) and Representative Dan Kildee (MI-5) introduced the PFAS Firefighter Protection Act in the House and Senate to ban firefighting foams containing “forever chemicals”— PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). The bicameral legislation would prohibit the manufacture, import, and sale of all firefighting foam that contain PFAS for use in training and firefighting within two years of enactment. It would also ban the use of PFAS foams at airports by October 2024.
Maine Governor Signs First-in-Nation Law that Bans the Spreading of PFAS-Laden Sludge
April 22, 2022
On Wednesday, Maine Governor Janet Mills signed into law a bipartisan bill, LD 1911, that is the first in the nation to ban the spreading of sludge and sludge-derived compost as fertilizer. Sludge has been the source of widespread contamination from PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), known as “forever chemicals,” forcing family farms to shut down and poisoning drinking water wells of entire communities. The law bans the use of sludge as a soil amendment.
Vermont Governor signs first-ever state law that gives those impacted by toxic pollution the right to demand polluters pay for health monitoring costs
April 21, 2022
Today, Vermont Governor Phil Scott signed the first-ever state law (S. 113) that gives individuals the right to seek medical monitoring of diseases linked to toxic chemical exposures from corporate polluters. It would also allow the State of Vermont to sue the companies that make dangerous chemicals for the harm they cause to Vermont’s air, land, water, and public facilities. The law makes Vermont the first state in the nation to place in statute the responsibility of corporate polluters, instead of victims, to pay for medical monitoring for diseases linked to toxic chemical exposure.
It’s Time for Textile Certifications to Be Part of the PFAS Solution
April 19, 2022
Textile certifiers are lagging behind what is happening around the country as states and companies take action to address PFAS in textiles. Safer States, Natural Resources Defense Council, Toxic-Free Future, and nine other environmental organizations from around the country recently sent letters to the major textile certifiers AFIRM, bluesign®, OEKO-TEX® and ZDHC, urging them to update their standards to address the entire class of PFAS.
REI Earns ‘F’ Grade in New Scorecard on Toxic “Forever Chemicals” Commitments by Major Retailers
April 06, 2022
Today, NRDC, Fashion FWD, and U.S. PIRG Education Fund released a scorecard ranking PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) policy commitments from 30 popular retail and apparel brands, giving REI a failing ‘F’ grade for its incomplete commitment that excluded many PFAS (also known as “forever chemicals”). Conversely, competitor Patagonia earned a ‘B’—the highest grade of all the outdoor apparel brands surveyed—and is the only outdoor brand with a commitment to phase out all PFAS in all products by 2024.
Washington Governor signs bill aimed at phasing out PFAS “forever chemicals” by 2025 — the fastest PFAS timeline in the nation
March 31, 2022
Today, Washington Governor Jay Inslee signed a bill (HB 1694) into law that will tackle PFAS “forever chemicals” in a broad range of products on the fastest timeline in the nation, by 2025. Product categories include apparel, cosmetics, and firefighter personal protective equipment. Rep. Liz Berry (D-Seattle) sponsored the measure, which received broad bipartisan support.
Polluted Polly Applauds Burger King for Taking Action Against Toxic PFAS Chemicals
March 30, 2022
Hi friends, Polluted Polly here! We probably met last year as I launched my neighbor-to-neighbor push to ban toxic chemicals like PFAS, otherwise known as the ”forever chemicals,” in food packaging. I’ve traveled the country and met so many great friends and leaders, from state legislators working to pass laws that protect our health, to concerned families living with PFAS-contaminated water, to health professionals wanting to reduce exposure to PFAS especially during the time of COVID. I’ve learned a lot on my journey.
Don’t be Fooled by False Solutions to the Plastic Crisis
March 08, 2022
In a historic move, world leaders from 175 nations recently agreed to begin working toward an international agreement to address the entire lifecycle of plastic and create rules around its production, use, and disposal. In response, Unilever—a major corporation contributing to the problem—tweeted: “Plastic pollution is fixable, but the world needs a plan.”
So, what is their “plan” to address plastic pollution?
