Toxics & Environmental Health

This Friday – Fight Back for a Toxics Free VT

Did you know that some of Shaws’ products contain toxic chemicals like formaldehyde and parabens? New research found toxic chemicals that can harm our families in numerous products, such as sensitive skin body wash and kids’ bubble bath, sold by Albertsons, parent company of Shaw’s. Will you join us for an event at the Shaw’s …

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Bill to Protect Kids From Toxics Nears Finish Line

VPIRG joined our allies Wednesday at a news conference outside to show legislators that Vermonters want them to pass toxic chemical reform legislation before they go home for the year. All session long we’ve been tracking S.103 – a toxic chemical reform bill that makes important strides to protect kids from harmful chemicals and ensure that Vermonters’ …

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Legislative Update: Toxic Chemical Reform Moves Forward

S. 103 passed through the Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee last Friday with unanimous support. The bill has since been approved by the Senate Finance Committee, and just needs to clear the Senate Appropriations Committee before it reaches the Senate floor for a discussion and vote. In the meantime, the House Natural Resources, Fish …

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Legislative Update: Toxic Chemical Reform

The Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee has been reviewing S. 103, the toxic chemical reform bill based on recommendations from a working group convened in response to PFOA contamination in Vermont. The comprehensive recommendations suggested by the working group would expand and strengthen our toxic chemical regulations, provide more information to communities, and help …

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300+ advocacy organizations join in national opposition to mega-mergers

VPIRG joined over 300 other farming, beekeeping, farm worker, religious, food safety, and conservation advocacy groups this week in calling for the U.S. Department of Justice to put consumer and farmer interests above corporate interests, by conducting a thorough investigation of the proposed mergers between the world’s largest agrochemical and seed companies – Bayer AG …

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Study Finds Toxic Chemicals in Food Wrappers

A new study by the Environmental Working Group shows that chemicals closely related to PFOA, the toxic chemical that contaminated water in Bennington, are still used in some food wrappers. Since PFOA was banned from food contact substances, industry has shifted to coat food wrappers with similar chemicals with slightly different chemical structures, which are intended to …

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How Can We Better Protect Vermonters from Toxic Chemicals?

After PFOA was discovered in drinking water in Bennington County, VPIRG worked with members of the Legislature to pass Act 154, which helped address the contamination in the short-term and created a working group to evaluate how we regulate toxic chemicals and how we can better prevent similar situations from happening in the future. VPIRG’s Paul …

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“Not for use by Children”

After VPIRG released our 31st annual Trouble in Toyland report and data from Vermont’s Toxic Free Families Act the responses from manufacturers and the toy industry were a bit puzzling. Instead of addressing known and possible carcinogens contained in their products, or ways to ensure parents know when toys are recalled, they wanted to make …

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31st Annual Survey Finds Recalled Toys in Online Stores

Advocates Identify Toys Containing Dangerous Chemicals Available in Vermont Some toys that have been recalled for lead or powerful magnets or other hazards can still be found in online stores, according to VPIRG’s 31st annual Trouble in Toyland report. The survey of potentially hazardous toys found that consumers should be wary when shopping this holiday …

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The Grades Are In: 2016 Retailer Report Cards

Every year the top retailers in the US are assessed based on their disclosure of harmful toxic chemicals that are often used in their products. In a country where over 85,000 chemicals that are not fully tested are regularly used in everyday consumer products, disclosure and arming consumers with the right to know is the most powerful …

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