Safer Chemicals
The Environmental Health Strategy Center works to replace unnecessary dangerous chemicals with safer alternatives.
BPA (also known as bisphenol A)
Learning disabilities, prostate cancer, and breast cancer are just a few of the concerns with BPA, a widely used, human-made chemical that wreaks hormone havoc early in life. Over five billion pounds of BPA are produced every year by Dow Chemical, Bayer, Sunoco, and other toxic chemical makers. Concern about the health threats of BPA has grown ever since BPA was discovered polluting the bodies of 93% of all Americans.
Chemicals in Cosmetics and Personal Care Products
Cosmetics and personal care products are one significant source of exposure to dangerous and untested chemicals. The average American adult uses 9 pesonal care products every day, exposing themselves to 126 different ingredients (including many industrial chemicals) that are applied directly to the skin.
Mercury
Mercury is found naturally in the earth, but just because it’s a natural chemical elements doesn’t mean it’s harmless. Mercury is a heavy metal with a long history of industrial and personal use—once in the human body, mercury acts as a neurotoxin, interfering with the brain and nervous system. Exposure to mercury can be particularly hazardous for pregnant women and small children.
Priority Chemicals
Of special concern are chemicals that people are exposed to that cause cancer, learning and developmental disabilities, reproductive harm, hormone disruption or that are PBT — persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic chemicals.
Brominated Flame Retardants (BFRs)
This chemical gang includes the PBDEs like Penta and Deca, which are long-lived in the environment, build up to higher and higher levels in the food web, and are toxic to the developing brain.
Lead Poisoning
The toxic metal lead still robs children of intelligence and accumulates in our bones posing life long threats to our health and next generations.
Phthalates
These common plastic additives wreak havoc with the sex hormone testosterone and damage male reproductive health.
PVC — The Poison Plastic
Vinyl plastic is toxic from cradle to grave. PVC is chock full of toxic additives like phthalates and lead, and releases chlorinated dioxins when produced and burned.