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
EPA Scientists Punished for Identifying Chemical Risks
IG Report Identifies Problems In Approval of New Chemicals
Devastation on the Ranch: PFAS in Biosolids
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency faces a federal lawsuit over its failure to prevent toxic per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in biosolid fertilizers from contaminating farmlands, livestock, crops, and water supplies. Hear from James Farmer and Robin Alessi, two ranchers whose livelihoods were decimated after PFAS-laden biosolids from neighboring properties leached onto their land.
EPA Flees PFAS Biosolids Contamination Crisis
EPA Ducks Responsibility to Regulate Toxic Sewage Sludge Fertilizer
Colorado Air Pollution Data Stays in the Dark
EPA Caves in Colorado Suit to Block Pollution Transparency
VIDEO | PFAS in Our Waste with Kyla Bennett
In this one-on-one 30-minute virtual conversation Just Zero's Senior Scientist, Laura Orlando, is joined by Kyla Bennett, Director of Science Policy at Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER). Together, Orlando and Bennett discuss the PFAS, also known...
VIDEO | PEER Stands Up for Communities
PEER board member Ewell Hopkins shares the story of PEER’s role in protecting his community from the influence of the artificial turf industry.
PETITION | Tell EPA To Get PFAS Out of Pesticides
Petition telling the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to ban the distribution of all pesticides containing PFAS.
New Suit Targets EPA Inaction on PFOA in Plastic Containers
EPA Sued for Failure to Implement TSCA Directive to Prevent Significant and Serious or Widespread Risks to Health
