Are We Extreme?

August 14, 2012

In June, Cal Dooley of the American Chemistry Council called legislation to protect American families from toxic chemicals "extreme." Since then, we've heard from people all over the country who disagree—they know that caring about toxic chemicals isn't extreme. It's not partisan, and it's not political. It's a human issue. And, for some clergy members, it's even more than that.

The Reverend Laura Everett is the executive director of the Massachusetts Council of Churches. She says that safeguards aren't extreme—they're necessary, and tie into the spiritual work she does every day.

"Safer chemicals are urgently needed if we're going to protect all of this good Creation and God's children from health damage associated with persistent toxic chemicals."

Thankfully, Congress is listening to the voices of people like Rev. Laura and others, and has passed the Safe Chemicals Act out of committee. But we still have a way to go to make sure the bill gets the votes it needs when it comes to the floor.

Will you join Rev. Laura and legions of moms, dads, clergy, physicians, nurses and citizens and notify your Senator that you support the Safe Chemicals Act? The time is now. Take action using the buttons below.

 

---

July 23, 2012

Last month, thousands of you responded as we talked about the work by the toxic chemical industry to paint the efforts of those trying to keep toxics out of our lives as "extreme."

Today, we ask you: are firefighters who want cancer-causing toxic flame retardants out of homes and support safer chemicals extreme? Tony Stefani, the firefighter you see here, has testified before Congress on behalf of Safer Chemicals. He stands in the line of fire to save our families and our homes, yet is exposed to harmful chemicals at every turn. He, like many other firefighters, is working to change the rules surrounding toxic chemicals.

We ask you to join us once again to drive home the fact that we need more regulation of toxic chemicals in our lives—to want that change is not extreme. This week, a US Senate committee will vote on the Safe Chemicals Act, which is a major step in an overhaul of the way that toxic chemicals get into food packaging, childrens’ toys, electronics, household furniture and nearly every part of our lives.

Will you join Tony and legions of moms, dads, physicians, nurses and citizens and notify your Senator that you support the Safe Chemicals Act? The time is now. Take action using the buttons below.

 

---

June 25, 2012

Last week, Cal Dooley of the American Chemistry Council called legislation to protect American families from toxic chemicals "extreme." As a mom, I find this appalling. It's like calling bicycle helmets extreme. I know I can't protect my kids from every danger, but protecting them from harmful chemicals is one thing I can do something about.

- Sarah Doll, mother of Jackson, three years old, and director of Safer States.

In a statement last week, Cal Dooley said that the Safe Chemicals Act, a proposed bill which would give much-needed structure to the way that over 60,000 toxic chemicals get into our household items, "extreme."

Is it extreme to want to protect our families from toxic chemicals? We don't think so. We think it's common sense.

But here's what is extreme:

• Spending millions of dollars to hire armies of lobbyists to defeat reasonable laws aimed at protecting kids from toxic chemicals like bisphenol A and toxic flame retardants.
• Using deceptive tactics and questionable science akin to the tobacco industry to keep cancer-causing flame retardants in our homes.
• Saying you want stronger laws on chemicals, but calling the only reasonable proposal on the table "extreme".

But the most extreme thing we can think of is not doing anything to stop our exposure to toxic chemicals when rates of diseases linked to toxic chemicals, including cancer and learning disabilities, continue to rise.

That's why Safer States is proud to join millions of moms, dads, doctors, nurses, cancer survivors, faith leaders, and advocates in supporting the Safe Chemicals Act. The Safe Chemicals Act will strengthen the existing law on chemicals and ensure chemicals are safe before they can be put in products we use in our homes.

You can show support for safer chemicals and show ACC that wanting to protect your family from toxic chemicals isn't extreme, just common sense.

Here's what you can do:

1. Share this blog post with your friends and family on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and via email. Use the buttons above for easy sharing.
2. Go to the American Chemistry Council Facebook page. Tell Cal Dooley and his cronies that it is not extreme to expect an approval process for toxic chemicals.
3. "Like" the Safer States Facebook page and follow us on Twitter so you can keep apprised of opposition tactics against our legislation and help pass safer chemical laws in states around the nation.