Chemical Reform Agenda
PEER has a long track record of representing whistleblowers and working with anonymous government employees who want to hold their agencies accountable for protecting public health and the environment from toxic chemicals and pollution.
Our work focuses on five areas:
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Protecting scientists in their work.
- Ensuring that any chemical in commerce is safe or can be managed to protect human health and the environment.
- Fighting to have systems in place to ensure we use the safest and healthiest products possible.
- Making sure that if industry causes unsafe levels of pollution or chemical accidents, the public knows immediately, and the responsible party pays to clean it up
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Increasing government transparency to allow for better decision making and accountability.
Because of chemicals, humans have progressed in extraordinary ways.
However, the overuse and mismanagement of chemicals are causing significant long-term threats to a livable planet. Exposure to toxic chemicals can harm children, shorten life expectancy, and negatively affect the well-being of all living things for generations. Together with climate change and biodiversity loss, the mismanagement of chemicals is a significant obstacle to a livable planet.
LEARN MORE
New Chemicals Need Closer Scrutiny
EPA does not have reasonable assurance that the new chemicals review process is properly considering and addressing risks to public health and the environment. PEER is working to change that. Learn more»
EPA Scientists Punished for Identifying Chemical Risks
The Inspector General found EPA retaliated against scientists because they protested watering down risk assessments for new chemicals being approved for commercial release. Learn more»
Strengthening the Chemical Safety Board
The Chemicals Safety Board suffers from personnel issues, industry influence, and weak regulations. PEER works to strengthen this agency’s capacity to respond to accidents. Learn more»
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A SNAPSHOT OF PEER’S PAST EFFORTS
Here are some examples of how PEER has made a difference:
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Revealed that EPA had hidden thousands of industry reports from the public and their own scientists about the substantial health risks from chemicals already on the market. Our subsequent legal action caused EPA to post these reports once again.
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Identified the presence of PFAS, a toxic class of chemicals known as “forever chemicals,” in products such as plastic containers, fertilizers, pesticides, and artificial turf. We are working to get these products off the market and to promote safer alternatives.
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Helped to stop the use of radioactive phosphor-gypsum to build highways. This dangerous scheme was a big giveaway to the fertilizer industry over the objections of EPA’s staff experts.
PEER’S PERSPECTIVE
Reforming EPA’s New Chemicals Program
READ MORE NEWS ON PUBLIC HEALTH
COMMENTARY | The Chemistry Council’s PFAS Disinformation Campaign
The American Chemistry Council is trying to convince federal and state legislators that PFAS isn’t a problem that needs to be addressed.
EPA Can Keep Formaldehyde Assessment Under Wraps
Under Recent Supreme Court Ruling, EPA May Withhold Entire Report
Colorado Air Pollution – Gold and Fossil Fuel Mining
Several mines in Colorado received unlawful air permits that do not comply with air quality standards as a result of false emissions data.
Flea-Control Products Found to Be Infested With Forever Chemicals
High PFAS Levels Pose Additional Risks to Pets, Owners
Colorado Air Pollution – Interstate Expansions
$1.2 billion project started in August 2018, to widen I-70 from 6 lanes to 8 lanes near Commerce City, Colorado.
Colorado Air Pollution – Suncor
The allegations against the CDPHE implicate the air permit renewal for the Suncor Energy oil refinery in Commerce City.
COMMENTARY | New England States Must Act on PFAS in Pesticides
PFAS laden pesticides being sprayed aerially to control mosquitoes is yet another exposure to this ubiquitous forever chemical.
Webinar | Long Island’s Toxic Forever Chemicals
The EPA’s failure to regulate PFAS is causing tremendous health, environmental, and economic damage on Long Island.