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:
-
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
-
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»
SUBSCRIBE TO PEERMAIL Get informative commentaries, urgent action alerts, and the latest updates on our work.
"*" indicates required fields
By clicking subscribe, I consent to PEER storing my personal information per the privacy guarantee.
A SNAPSHOT OF PEER’S PAST EFFORTS
Here are some examples of how PEER has made a difference:
-
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.
-
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.
-
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
Feds Should Drop Synthetic Turf Safety Assurances
Newer Studies on Risks, Especially for Children, Absent from Official Assessments
Vapor Intrusion Standards Relaxed in New Jersey
No Public Review of New Guidance to Industry Consultants on Toxic Cleanups
Jersey Toxic Spill Fiasco Demands Second Look
Review of Evacuation and Health Warnings Confusion, Role of Corporate Consultant
Aerial Spraying Leaves Pesticide Footprint in Local Waters
No Buffer Zone or Other Effort to Minimize Pesticide Discharge into Water Bodies
Massachusetts Balks at Proving Aerial Spray Success Claim
Massive Aerial Spraying Provides Dubious Safeguard against Equine Encephalitis
Artificial Turf Field Heat Dangers Require Safeguards
Synthetic Turf Temps as High as 200 Degrees Pose Particular Peril to Children
Biggest Aerial Spraying in Bay State Leaves Big Questions
Mosquito Spraying for Equine Encephalitis Lacks Permit and Adequate Monitoring
Coal Combustion Waste
Coal ash and other coal combustion wastes are one of the largest waste streams in the United States. Re-use of coal ash has, with active support of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency turned into a multi-billion dollar business that provides a huge subsidy to...
