Insights

Things can get ugly, complicated and personal when Congress debates reform of the long-broken Toxic Substances Control Act. Safer state experts help keep the mission clear; but we need individual voices to speak up, too. 

If someone were threatening to take away your rights, you’d talk to a lawyer. But what if someone were threatening to take away a right from your entire state? That’s when you call on the Attorney General. And the Attorneys General of California, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, Vermont and Washington all spoke up this week to defend their states—and public health—from a bad proposal.

Proposed chemical policy "reform" shuts state governments out of the process. But when you’re up against a really strong opponent, it just doesn’t make sense to keep your best players on the bench.

Call it a gift to the chemical industry. Call it an insult to state health and environmental authorities. But don’t make the mistake of calling it a “chemical safety” bill.

Brace yourselves: Safer States predicts that if you are in one of the 28 states stepping up to propose chemical policy in 2015, you can expect some high-stakes visitors in your state capitol.

There’s good news on the cover of a January 2015 Sunday Chicago Tribune. A health hazard hidden in most of our homes may be on its way out. What will it take to end the use of toxic flame retardants in furniture once and for all?

Shiny spin and slick graphics can't hide the truth — brominated flame retardants are dangerous.

U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer has introduced a bill to ban 10 toxic flame retardants from furniture and children's products. How did our nation wake up to the truth about these toxic chemicals? It took years of efforts from state legislators and hospitals, investigative reporters and furniture manufacturers. 

A new government report confirms that phthalates — chemicals in everything from rubber duckies to vindyl flooring — are dangerous. They recommend pulling certain phthalates off the shelf, and call for further study on the hazards of everyday exposure.

With a few short days of session left, New York State is poised join states around the country protecting children from toxic chemicals. The Child Safe Products Act would require manufacturers to let us know when dangerous chemicals show up in kids’ products, so consumers can make safe, informed choices, and phase out some of the worst-of-the-worst chemicals.