I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Seventh Generation. I received a promotional item and product samples as a thank you for participating.

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More than 80,000 chemicals available in the United States have never been fully tested for their toxic effects on our health and environment (National Resources Defense Council). Many of these chemicals are found in our children’s toys, cleaning products, personal care products, furniture, and more. I don’t know about you, but I’ve had it with not knowing the dangers in the products I give to my family.

Because I’m ready to see a change in the way chemicals are regulated I have teamed up with Seventh Generation to help spread awareness about the importance of chemical reform in the United States. I find it appalling that the current law — the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) — makes it nearly impossible for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to take regulatory action against dangerous chemicals, even those that are known to cause cancer or other serious health effects.

Under the law now, the EPA must prove a chemical poses an “unreasonable risk” to public health or the environment before it can be regulated. It is my feeling that we should know before a product goes on the market whether or not a risk is present, not after people have already been exposed to potentially harmful substances. We should shift the burden of proof from the government to the chemical industry, requiring them to prove that their product is safe before it ever goes to market.

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Why Do We Need To Address Chemical Reform?

  • Scientists have linked exposure to toxic chemicals to many health risks, such as Cancer, Alzheimer’s, learning disabilities, asthma, birth defects, and various reproductive problems.
  • The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) was passed in 1976, and unlike other major environmental laws, has never been updated. As it currently stands, tens of thousands of potentially harmful chemicals continue to be used in the marketplace since the 1970’s without proper testing and without disclosure by the companies that produce them.

What Can You Do You To Spread Awareness And Get Involved?

You can become a Toxin Freedom Fighter by signing Seventh Generation’s petition to urge Congress to reevaluate the Toxic Substances Control Act for the first time since 1976.

Make sure that parents and the general public are aware that of the 80,000 synthetic chemicals introduced into the market since the Toxic Substances Control Act was passed in 1976, the EPA has required testing on less than 10%.

Help Seventh Generation reach its goal of collecting 100,000 Signatures by April 24th by signing the petition for chemical reform and urging your friends and family to do the same! Click on the badge to sign the petition!

In addition to signing the petition, I have made some small changes around my own house. For our baby bottles we decided to go with glass this time around and I am now even switching that to stainless steel since the glass ones still have plastic parts.

I am using cloth diapers and wipes, as well as re-usable cleaning materials for household cleaning. I clean with simply water as much as possible, and for something that needs a little extra punch I use vinegar or a cleaning product that is not laden with chemicals.

#FightToxins Twitter Party

Want to hear more ways to make a change? You can join in at the #FightToxins twitter party on Thursday, April 10th from 1:00 – 2:00 pm ET and chat about tips and tricks for living a healthy, green lifestyle as well as the importance of using products with as few chemicals as possible.