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Plastics and Petrochemicals

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Moms Clean Air Force is working on three campaigns related to plastics, from toxic chemicals in our homes to large-scale industrial pollution:

“Chemical Recycling”

This misleading practice is greenwashing at its worst. In recent years, plastics industry lobbyists have been promoting an old incineration method as a new way to solve the plastic pollution crisis. They are calling the process “chemical recycling” or “advanced recycling,” even though nothing gets recycled. Instead, the trash that enters a so-called “chemical recycling” facility is burned, creating harmful air pollution. Learn More

"Chemical Recycling" 101

Fact Sheet

"Chemical Recycling" 101

Letter to Congress About Federal Plastic Incineration Bill, September 19, 2022

Letter

Letter to Congress About Federal Plastic Incineration Bill, September 19, 2022

"Advanced Recycling" Is Scary

Video

"Advanced Recycling" Is Scary

"El reciclaje avanzado" es uno de los trucos más aterradores

Video

"El reciclaje avanzado" es uno de los trucos más aterradores

Take Action


Petrochemical Pollution

The ubiquity of plastics and other petrochemicals comes at a steep cost to our health, especially for those living near production and processing facilities. Most petrochemical production facilities are located in Texas and Louisiana, but there are others in virtually every state, including a growing number in the Ohio River Valley. In April 2023, EPA proposed standards to cut pollution from more than 200 of the biggest, most toxic chemical manufacturing facilities in the country. Thousands of Moms Clean Air Force members submitted comments to EPA during the spring 2023 public comment period, calling on the agency to strengthen the rule. We expect these standards to be finalized in late 2023.

What to Know About the Petrochemical Industry: Q&A

Q&A - Expert Report

What to Know About the Petrochemical Industry: Q&A

Letter to EPA About Draft National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution, July 31, 2023

Letter

Letter to EPA About Draft National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution, July 31, 2023

Petrochemical Pollution <br>and Our Health

Fact Sheet

Petrochemical Pollution
and Our Health

Take Action


Vinyl Chloride

Vinyl chloride is a toxic petrochemical used to make polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic, a material used in all manner of household items from shower curtains to flooring to siding. Vinyl chloride is a known human carcinogen that causes liver cancer as well as leukemia, lymphoma, brain cancer, and lung cancer. Moms Clean Air Force is calling on EPA to ban vinyl chloride under the Toxic Substances Control Act.

Vinyl Chloride 101

Fact Sheet

Vinyl Chloride 101

Ohio Train Derailment Highlights Toxic Plastic Pollution

Article

Ohio Train Derailment Highlights Toxic Plastic Pollution

Take Action

WHY WE CARE

Plastics are made of fossil fuels combined with PFAS, phthalates, heavy metals, and other toxic chemicals. They are the biggest category of “petrochemicals.” Plastics are everywhere, and plastics production is expected to triple over the next 40 years. Many plastics are used for mere minutes, but their impact can leave a mark for centuries to come. Plastics are piling up in our landfills and oceans, incinerators are turning waste plastics into toxic air pollutants, and consumer products are leaching chemicals into our bodies. Moreover, the creation of plastics will contribute up to 19% of global climate pollution by 2040.

HEALTH IMPACTS

Chemicals in plastics have been linked to a range of health issues, including neurodevelopmental disorders, asthma, allergies, reproductive harm, endocrine disruption, and cancer. Burning plastics releases chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects, and other serious health harms. These include benzene, cadmium, dioxins, arsenic, lead, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and mercury.

Plastics production is expected to triple
over the next 40 years.

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE

Plastics are produced in some of the nation’s most underserved communities, blanketing neighborhoods in carcinogenic air pollution. Systemic racism has created practices that force people of color to live closer to industrial facilities and often in neighborhoods already overburdened by industrial air pollution. While air pollution is a threat to everyone, the impacts are not felt equally. For example, Black communities with greater exposure to air pollution have higher than average childhood asthma rates, and Black children have a 500% higher mortality rate from asthma than white kids.

BACK STORY

Moms Clean Air Force’s work on plastics and petrochemicals is a natural extension of our ten-plus years fighting pollution from fracking and methane. Plastic is made from ethane, a fracking by-product, and petrochemical manufacturing facilities are often located near existing oil and gas operations. In 2021, we supported the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act, the most comprehensive plan ever introduced in Congress to address the plastic pollution crisis, and we will continue to work with Congress on solutions that address the environmental injustices created by the buildout of petrochemical facilities in communities of color and low-income communities.

Moms Clean Air Force also supports state-based efforts to cut pollution from petrochemical facilities. Our organizers in the Ohio River Valley, Louisiana, and Texas are demanding that their elected officials and agencies show leadership in holding these facilities accountable.

More Articles and Resources

  • Articles
  • Resources
  • Take Action
Ask Mom Detective: Are Dishwasher Pods OK for the Environment?

Article

Ask Mom Detective: Are Dishwasher Pods OK for the Environment?

The Plastics Industry Must Be Held Accountable: Stop Endangering Our Families’ Health

Article

The Plastics Industry Must Be Held Accountable: Stop Endangering Our Families’ Health

Misti Allison Inspires Moms Across the Nation to “Find a Way”

Article

Misti Allison Inspires Moms Across the Nation to “Find a Way”

Harnessing Mom Power to Create Local Change

Article

Harnessing Mom Power to Create Local Change

The Plastic Industry’s Scariest Trick

Article

The Plastic Industry’s Scariest Trick

“Chemical Recycling” Is Not the Solution to Plastic Pollution

Article

“Chemical Recycling” Is Not the Solution to Plastic Pollution

Toxic Vinyl Chloride in Children's Toys Must be Banned

Article

Toxic Vinyl Chloride in Children's Toys Must be Banned

Lessons from Hosting a Podcast on Plastics and Petrochemicals 

Article

Lessons from Hosting a Podcast on Plastics and Petrochemicals 

Meeting the Moment: How Moms Are Fighting for Seven Important EPA Rules

Article

Meeting the Moment: How Moms Are Fighting for Seven Important EPA Rules

Moms Are in Washington to Tell EPA to Ban Vinyl Chloride

Article

Moms Are in Washington to Tell EPA to Ban Vinyl Chloride

Keep Vinyl Chloride Out of Communities

Article

Keep Vinyl Chloride Out of Communities

“A New War on Cancer” Focuses on Prevention, Especially for Children

Article

“A New War on Cancer” Focuses on Prevention, Especially for Children

Read more articles about Plastics and Petrochemicals »

"Chemical Recycling" 101

Fact Sheet

"Chemical Recycling" 101

Vinyl Chloride 101

Fact Sheet

Vinyl Chloride 101

Dioxins 101

Fact Sheet

Dioxins 101

What to Know About the Petrochemical Industry: Q&A

Q&A - Expert Report

What to Know About the Petrochemical Industry: Q&A

Moms Attend Senate Hearing About Ohio Train Disaster

Video

Moms Attend Senate Hearing About Ohio Train Disaster

PFAS 101

Fact Sheet

PFAS 101

"Advanced Recycling"

Fact Sheet

"Advanced Recycling"

Petrochemical Pollution <br>and Our Health

Fact Sheet

Petrochemical Pollution
and Our Health

Ethane Cracker Plants

Fact Sheet

Ethane Cracker Plants

Información básica sobre el reciclaje químico

Fact Sheet

Información básica sobre el reciclaje químico

"El reciclaje avanzado" es uno de los trucos más aterradores

Video

"El reciclaje avanzado" es uno de los trucos más aterradores

A Plastic People: Petrochemicals, Climate Change, and Our Health, Episode 5

Podcast

A Plastic People: Petrochemicals, Climate Change, and Our Health, Episode 5

See more resources about Plastics and Petrochemicals »

Tell President Biden and EPA: Move Quickly to Finalize Strong Pollution Protections

Petition

Tell President Biden and EPA: Move Quickly to Finalize Strong Pollution Protections

Tell Congress: Protect Our Families From Plastic Incineration Pollution

Petition

Tell Congress: Protect Our Families From Plastic Incineration Pollution

Tell EPA: Ban Dangerous Vinyl Chloride

Petition

Tell EPA: Ban Dangerous Vinyl Chloride

Tell EPA: Protect Our Communities From Plastics Incineration Pollution

Petition

Tell EPA: Protect Our Communities From Plastics Incineration Pollution

Tell President Biden and EPA: Protect People From Plastics Industry Pollution

Petition

Tell President Biden and EPA: Protect People From Plastics Industry Pollution

Tell EPA: Plastic Is Not a Biofuel

Petition

Tell EPA: Plastic Is Not a Biofuel

"Chemical Recycling" 101

Fact Sheet

"Chemical Recycling" 101

Vinyl Chloride 101

Fact Sheet

Vinyl Chloride 101

Dioxins 101

Fact Sheet

Dioxins 101

What to Know About the Petrochemical Industry: Q&A

Q&A - Expert Report

What to Know About the Petrochemical Industry: Q&A

Moms Attend Senate Hearing About Ohio Train Disaster

Video

Moms Attend Senate Hearing About Ohio Train Disaster

PFAS 101

Fact Sheet

PFAS 101

"Advanced Recycling"

Fact Sheet

"Advanced Recycling"

Petrochemical Pollution <br>and Our Health

Fact Sheet

Petrochemical Pollution
and Our Health

Ethane Cracker Plants

Fact Sheet

Ethane Cracker Plants

Información básica sobre el reciclaje químico

Fact Sheet

Información básica sobre el reciclaje químico

Ask Mom Detective: Are Dishwasher Pods OK for the Environment?

Article

Ask Mom Detective: Are Dishwasher Pods OK for the Environment?

The Plastics Industry Must Be Held Accountable: Stop Endangering Our Families’ Health

Article

The Plastics Industry Must Be Held Accountable: Stop Endangering Our Families’ Health

See more Plastics and Petrochemicals resources »

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Moms Clean Air Force

We are a community of 1.5 million moms and dads united against air pollution – including the urgent crisis of our changing climate – to protect our children’s health.

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