Minnesota is now the first state to ban the use of toxic TCE in any facility required to have a state-issued air permit. At the same time, EPA fails to protect the public against toxic TCE, despite years of research showing its harmful impacts on human health. Trump EPA official Nancy Beck fought regulation of toxic TCE for most of her career, and yet, President Trump has nominated her to chair an important consumer watchdog agency, the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Minnesota
Eight reasons to actually celebrate on National Teflon Day
Today is National Teflon Day—but that is NOT cause for celebration. It is one of the worst “holidays” we can imagine because it’s the anniversary of the accidental invention of the first non-stick chemical that would eventually become Teflon in 1938. Since then, chemical companies have invented many other chemicals in the same class—per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). And these chemicals, which are used for stain, grease, and water resistance, have gone on the market with little to no testing, ending up in everyday products and contaminating our food, air, water, and bodies.
Although the Trump administration has fallen down on the job of protecting us from PFAS, public health advocates have worked alongside Congress, states, cities, and retailers to pick up the baton and run with it. And we’re making good progress!
Time to celebrate: States lead the way against toxic chemicals in products and packaging
For many states across the country, the 2019 legislative session has come to a close. And congratulations are in order for legislators and organizations across the country who have spearheaded the fight for new state laws to protect us from toxic chemicals!