Category Archive:

Policy & Regulation

Our coalition is working to repair our broken chemical policy system to protect against toxic chemical exposures.

EPA paint stripper rule will leave workers’ lives at risk

Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its final rule on methylene chloride in paint strippers. The Trump administration’s final rule will ban consumer uses and sales of these dangerous paint strippers while continuing to allow commercial sales to contractors and other professionals.

by

Bi-partisan group of senators introduce PFAS Action Act

Superfund clean up site

Washington, DC — On Friday, a bipartisan group of senators introduced legislation (S.638) to classify fluorinated chemicals (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as “PFAS”) as hazardous substances under the Superfund law (Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act or CERCLA).

by

Toxic paint strippers: Ace Hardware (finally) acts; Trump EPA stalls

Ace Hardware store

On Monday, Ace Hardware Corporation became the 13th U.S. retailer to publicly commit to stop selling and distributing paint removers that contain the toxic chemicals methylene chloride and N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP). 

by Sujatha Bergen, Mike Schade and Daniel Rosenberg

Trump administration PFAS “action” plan doesn’t act quickly enough

This morning, the EPA announced its federal PFAS action plan. In response, Safer Chemicals Healthy Families Director Liz Hitchcock issued the following statement.

by

What the Trump EPA should do to tackle the PFAS pollution crisis

Tomorrow morning, the EPA will release its first federal PFAS management plan.

by

State legislatures take on PFAS as Trump EPA lags

(Portland, OR) – In an effort to fill regulatory gaps left by the federal government, states are stepping up to protect public health from harmful chemicals, according to an analysis by Safer States.

by

Trump’s EPA sued for failure to finalize ban on deadly paint strippers

gavel

Victims’ families, public health advocates to make case EPA unlawfully allows chemical linked to dozens of deaths to remain on the market.

by

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency moves to finalize ban on deadly methylene chloride in paint strippers

EPA building

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency indicated that it will finalize a long-delayed ban on the use of methylene chloride in paint strippers for consumer use by advancing the measure to the White House Office of Management and Budget for final approval.

by

Senate Approves: Alexandra Dunn named Assistant Administrator for EPA chemicals office

Yesterday the U.S. Senate confirmed Alexandra Dunn’s nomination to be Assistant Administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP) at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In response, Liz Hitchcock, Director of Safer Chemicals Healthy Families issued the following statement:

by

New study finds nonstick PFAS chemicals in takeout packaging at top grocery stores

Takeout container

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Takeout food packaging from several leading U.S. grocery stores is likely treated with harmful PFAS chemicals, according to a new study released today by Safer Chemicals Healthy Families and Toxic-Free Future. PFAS are highly persistent and toxic chemicals whose widespread use has contaminated drinking water across the country.

by