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What are Toxic Chemicals?

Our homes, schools, workplaces, and even playgrounds contain products formulated with untested chemicals. Over 80,000 synthetic chemicals are currently registered for use and can be found in everything from cleaning products to shower curtains, construction materials to craft supplies, carpeting to computers. Some of these chemicals are known carcinogens and endocrine disrupters.

How can toxic chemicals harm you?

Some of the health problems linked to toxic chemical exposure include cancer, infertility, neurodevelopmental disorders, low birth weight, learning problems, birth defects, obesity, and asthma. Infants and children are especially vulnerable to the health impacts of toxic chemical exposure, because they are growing and changing so quickly and because of their behavior patterns.

We do not know the health impacts of most chemicals in our products because they have not been tested for safety before hitting store shelves. Meanwhile, hundreds of synthetic chemicals are detectable in our bodies, showing that we are routinely exposed to these substances.

What is the Safe Chemicals Act?

The Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Obama in 2016. This law was passed with overwhelming bipartisan support and is designed to help protect our children from exposure to toxic chemicals.

The Trump administration weakened the law.

Under the Trump administration, EPA hired chemical industry lobbyists and executives to implement the Safe Chemicals Act. Over the course of four years, Trump’s EPA undermined chemical safety through shoddy implementation of the law.

How moms are fighting to protect the Safe Chemicals Act—and how you can help.

Moms Clean Air Force is fighting for the strongest implementation of the Safe Chemicals Act because our children’s health is at stake. We are attending public meetings, submitting comments to rulemakings, and holding President Biden to his commitment to protect children’s health from pollution.

You can ask your retailers to step in where our government won’t. Go onto the Facebook page of your favorite retailer to leave a comment, or tweet directly to their corporate handle. Ask them: What are you doing to make sure that the products they sell are safe for children and families?

Select a subtopic to learn more:

  • Schools

  • Plastics and Petrochemicals

  • Household Products

Resources about Toxic Chemicals

  • Resources
  • Articles
Testimony: Melissa Nootz, Michelle McKnight, Amanda Dour, and Abbie Phillip, 2020 EPA Partial Consent Decree for Anaconda Superfund Site

Testimony

Testimony: Melissa Nootz, Michelle McKnight, Amanda Dour, and Abbie Phillip, 2020 EPA Partial Consent Decree for Anaconda Superfund Site

Testimony: Moms Clean Air Force Montana, 2020 EPA Partial Consent Decree for Anaconda Superfund Site

Testimony

Testimony: Moms Clean Air Force Montana, 2020 EPA Partial Consent Decree for Anaconda Superfund Site

Andrew Wheeler’s EPA: A Racist Agenda

Fact Sheet

Andrew Wheeler’s EPA: A Racist Agenda

Ethane Cracker Plants

Fact Sheet

Ethane Cracker Plants

The Healthier Classroom Checklist

Fact Sheet

The Healthier Classroom Checklist

Andrew Wheeler's Toxic Chemical Agenda

Fact Sheet

Andrew Wheeler's Toxic Chemical Agenda

Toxic Chemical Reform Q & A

Fact Sheet

Toxic Chemical Reform Q & A

10 Reasons We Need Toxic Chemical Reform

Fact Sheet

10 Reasons We Need Toxic Chemical Reform

How Oil and Gas Affect School Age Children

Fact Sheet

How Oil and Gas Affect School Age Children

Andrew Wheeler Nomination to Run EPA is Dangerous

Fact Sheet

Andrew Wheeler Nomination to Run EPA is Dangerous

Protect Little Lungs

Fact Sheet

Protect Little Lungs

Toxics Under Review

Fact Sheet

Toxics Under Review

See more resources about Toxic Chemicals »

Helping Children Cope with Covid

Article

Helping Children Cope with Covid

Mom Detective: Covid, Climate and Chemicals

Article

Mom Detective: Covid, Climate and Chemicals

President Biden's "All Of Government" Prioritizes Climate Change

Article

President Biden's "All Of Government" Prioritizes Climate Change

Toxic Baby Food and What You Can Do About It

Article

Toxic Baby Food and What You Can Do About It

Low Indoor Humidity Could Increase Your Child's Virus Risks

Article

Low Indoor Humidity Could Increase Your Child's Virus Risks

Welcome Back, Science

Article

Welcome Back, Science

Mom Detective: What to Do About Laundry and Plastic Pollution?

Article

Mom Detective: What to Do About Laundry and Plastic Pollution?

Climate Day: What a Difference a Week Makes!

Article

Climate Day: What a Difference a Week Makes!

New Leadership in Senate Creates Pathway for Pro-Climate Legislation

Article

New Leadership in Senate Creates Pathway for Pro-Climate Legislation

EPA’s Censored Science Rule Flouts Science and Public Health to Protect Dirty Industries

Article

EPA’s Censored Science Rule Flouts Science and Public Health to Protect Dirty Industries

Ending the Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Year With Hope and Joy for 2021

Article

Ending the Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Year With Hope and Joy for 2021

Biden Nominates Michael Regan, North Carolina Environment Regulator, to Head E.P.A.

Article

Biden Nominates Michael Regan, North Carolina Environment Regulator, to Head E.P.A.

Read more articles about Toxic Chemicals »

Helping Children Cope with Covid

Article

Helping Children Cope with Covid

Mom Detective: Covid, Climate and Chemicals

Article

Mom Detective: Covid, Climate and Chemicals

President Biden's "All Of Government" Prioritizes Climate Change

Article

President Biden's "All Of Government" Prioritizes Climate Change

Toxic Baby Food and What You Can Do About It

Article

Toxic Baby Food and What You Can Do About It

Low Indoor Humidity Could Increase Your Child's Virus Risks

Article

Low Indoor Humidity Could Increase Your Child's Virus Risks

Welcome Back, Science

Article

Welcome Back, Science

Mom Detective: What to Do About Laundry and Plastic Pollution?

Article

Mom Detective: What to Do About Laundry and Plastic Pollution?

Climate Day: What a Difference a Week Makes!

Article

Climate Day: What a Difference a Week Makes!

New Leadership in Senate Creates Pathway for Pro-Climate Legislation

Article

New Leadership in Senate Creates Pathway for Pro-Climate Legislation

EPA’s Censored Science Rule Flouts Science and Public Health to Protect Dirty Industries

Article

EPA’s Censored Science Rule Flouts Science and Public Health to Protect Dirty Industries

Testimony: Melissa Nootz, Michelle McKnight, Amanda Dour, and Abbie Phillip, 2020 EPA Partial Consent Decree for Anaconda Superfund Site

Testimony

Testimony: Melissa Nootz, Michelle McKnight, Amanda Dour, and Abbie Phillip, 2020 EPA Partial Consent Decree for Anaconda Superfund Site

Testimony: Moms Clean Air Force Montana, 2020 EPA Partial Consent Decree for Anaconda Superfund Site

Testimony

Testimony: Moms Clean Air Force Montana, 2020 EPA Partial Consent Decree for Anaconda Superfund Site

See more Toxic Chemicals resources »

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Moms Clean Air Force

We are a community of moms and dads united against air pollution – including the urgent crisis of our changing climate – to protect our children’s health.

Areas of Focus

  • What Is Air Pollution?
  • What is Climate Change?
  • What are Toxic Chemicals?

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