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A clean and safe environment is every person’s birthright. It is not a commodity to be distributed based on purchasing power, nor a privilege to be distributed based on political power. Safeguarding the natural environment is inseparable from promoting social justice. All people have a right to a world free of exposure to harmful chemicals in our air, water and food, where children grow up healthy with every opportunity to thrive. We seek to build a healthy economy that provides good jobs producing clean products and services.
Thousands of toxic and poorly tested chemicals are used in our homes, schools and work places and released into the environment. Each newborn baby now carries a body burden of toxic chemicals that increases over a lifetime. Scientific evidence raises concern about the link between exposure to toxic chemicals and high rates of some cancers, learning and developmental disabilities, infertility and other serious health problems.
This requires a new approach that favors the use of safer substitutes for harmful chemicals and processes. Our government, business, academic and health leaders should take the following actions to prevent harm:
- Act on Early Warnings – When there’s credible evidence of harm, take protective action even when the exact nature and magnitude of the harm is not fully understood.
- Value Justice & Respect – Ensure that no group of people is disproportionately exposed to toxic chemical hazards.
- Choose the Safest Alternatives – Use safer technologies, materials, chemicals and innovative new solutions whenever they are available, effective and affordable.
- Eliminate the Worst Hazards – Phase out chemicals and other hazards that are long lasting in the environment, build up in the food chain and our bodies, or are known to cause cancer, genetic damage, birth defects or serious environmental harm.
- Put Safety First – Require industry to prove the safety of chemicals rather than waiting for government and the public to prove harm.
- Inform & Involve the Public – Ensure transparent decision-making with meaningful public participation in all matters affecting public health.
- Honor our Right-To-Know – Fully disclose all toxic chemicals present in consumer products.
(Adapted with gratitude and appreciation from the Louisville Charter for Safer Chemicals, Alliance for a Clean and Healthy Maine , and the Center for the Applied Study of Economics & the Environment)
