Energizing the Chemical Reform Debate
The more we learn about the 80,000-100,000 unregulated chemicals out there, the more we realize how dangerous some are to our health. There is growing evidence linking chemical exposure to infertility, pregnancy loss, adverse birth outcomes, various cancers and other health issues. Can you believe that the steepest rise in infertility in past 13 years—an increase of 41%—has been for women 25 and under? It’s time to clean up these chemicals.
State by state, environmental health advocates are pushing for chemical reform and now Vermont has joined that effort. Representative Willem Jewett is sponsoring bill H.484, an act relating to the regulation of toxic substances. This bill is a common-sense first step to removing toxic chemicals from everyday products, getting important chemical information into the hands of consumers and retailers, and engaging market forces to encourage innovation and safer technology.
PPNNE’s Senior Public Affairs Director, Chris Quint, testified in support of this bill today. Here’s an excerpt from his testimony: