From the harmful impact of dishwasher pods to protecting kids from bad air in school, it’s tough to stay up-to-date on new legislation and safeguard our families from a growing list of toxic chemicals. Moms Clean Air Force helps navigate these concerns by simplifying complex topics in articles that connect the dots between harmful pollutants and our everyday lives, offering real-world solutions. The following are the seven most clicked on articles and deep dives that moms found useful:
1. Ask Mom Detective: Are Dishwasher Pods OK for the Environment?
Mom Detective articles are perennial favorites, which is why this article about dishwasher pods shows up in the No. 1 spot. While using pods offers perks like a reduction in the amount of water needed and a lower travel footprint, the main drawback is that most plastic used to enrobe pods does not break down and disappear. Instead, the particles end up in our environment. Check out tips for how to find the best dishwashing products and then take a look at the full Mom Detective series for more answers to questions about the toxic chemicals hiding in your stuff.
2. Here’s How to Improve Air Quality in Your Child’s School
Nearly 55 million children and 6 million teachers and other adults—approximately 1/6th of the U.S. population—spend significant time inside schools. While clean school air is essential, EPA estimates that half of students in the U.S. go to school in buildings that do not have an air quality management plan. Learn why children in communities of color and low-income communities are disproportionately exposed to these risks, as well as steps you can take to improve and manage school indoor air quality. And check out our Indoor Air Quality in Schools fact sheet for even more information.
3. PVC “Worst of the Worst” Plastic Pipes Threaten Health
Vinyl chloride was a huge issue for Moms this year, with Moms members sending more than 16,000 messages to EPA calling on them to ban this harmful petrochemical. When used in pipes in the form of PVC, vinyl chloride can contaminate drinking water, leading to a variety of health concerns. Unlined copper or stainless steel are safer options for replacing old lead pipes. Take a look at our Vinyl Chloride 101 fact sheet for more information about this human carcinogen.
4. For Kids, Gas Stoves Cause as Much Asthma as Secondhand Smoke
Gas stoves became big news this year when U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commissioner Richard Trumka Jr. said in an interview with Bloomberg the agency was considering a ban. Gas stoves have become a “hidden hazard,” he said. CPSC issued a request for information in March—the first step in improving gas stove regulations. Moms agree that this regulation is necessary since gas stoves can contribute to asthma attacks and other respiratory harm. In fact, an “eye popping” study found that as many as 650,000 children in the U.S. have asthma caused by breathing in toxic chemicals emitted by gas stoves. This is about the same number of kids who have gotten asthma from inhaling secondhand smoke.
5. At Senate Hearing, East Palestine Moms Want More Than ‘I’m Sorry’: Moms Make News (VIDEO)
Following the East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment on February 2, 2023, Moms helped to elevate the voices of community members impacted by the disaster. Moms members from East Palestine attended a U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) hearing on the disaster on March 9, and while there, spoke with several news outlets, from MSNBC’s Morning Joe and CNN to the Associated Press. Just a few weeks later, Moms volunteer Misti Allison, an East Palestine resident, was invited back to testify before the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. This Moms Make News article highlights important news coverage of Moms’ response to this disaster.
6. Shell’s Ohio River Valley Cracker Plant Gets an “F” Grade
The Ohio River Valley is a new hub for plastics manufacturing. Ethane gas fracked from the region is used to make mostly single-use plastic, such as food packaging. Moms Ohio River Valley organizer Rachel Meyer lives about eight miles from a huge Shell petrochemical plant, the largest plastics production facility in the Northeast. As a concerned Mom, Rachel joined a community watchdog group to hold Shell accountable for the pollution the plant releases. The group released a report card showing six failing or nearly failing grades for Shell’s first 100 days in operation.
7. The Inflation Reduction Act Is an Opportunity to Transform the Health of Latino Families
Moms across the country celebrated the one-year anniversary of the passing of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the largest climate legislation in U.S. history. Moms Nevada organizer and EcoMadre Mercedes McKinley penned a poignant opinion piece published in both Spanish and English about her personal struggles and how IRA funding is going to make a significant difference in people’s lives. She shares how this is an opportunity to ensure environmental justice for those exposed to smog and hazardous air, such as Latino families like hers, and other disadvantaged communities, which are disproportionately impacted by air pollution.
It’s impossible to know what 2024 will bring, but rest assured that Moms will continue to weigh in on the year’s most pressing air pollution and climate events. Here’s to another year of tackling tough questions, breaking down the latest research and sharing stories from Moms across the country.
TELL PRESIDENT BIDEN & EPA: MOVE QUICKLY TO FINALIZE STRONG POLLUTION PROTECTIONS