Toxics & Environmental Health

It’s hard to be shocked these days by something the Trump administration does to harm the environment and public health. But several days ago, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) made a truly shocking announcement. Now headed by Andrew Wheeler, a Trump appointee and former coal industry lobbyist, the …

VT Leaders Must Oppose Trump EPA’s Free Pass to Polluters Amid Crisis Read More »

In a strong showing of support to ban toxic PFAS chemicals from our consumer products, the Senate Health and Welfare Committee unanimously voted S.295— an act relating to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances—out of committee Friday, March 13th. This move comes after several weeks of testimony taken by the committee, including supportive testimony by Conservation Law Foundation, the Professional Firefighters of Vermont, Seventh Generation, Vermont …

Bill to Ban Toxic Chemicals from Consumer Products Advances Read More »

It’s that time of year again! Our friends at USPIRG have released the 34th annual Trouble in Toyland Report. This year’s report highlights a number of potential threats to navigate while shopping for loved ones this holiday season, including toxic amounts of boron in “slime” products and a failure by Amazon to appropriately label choking hazards. …

Read the 34th Annual Trouble in Toyland Report Read More »

Late yesterday, Governor Scott signed into law a bill (S.55) that he had previously blocked as both governor and lieutenant governor in its earlier iterations. The law is designed to better protect children from toxic chemicals in products that are made specifically for kids. The new law makes important changes to the Chemicals of High …

Governor reverses course; signs bill to protect kids from toxic threats Read More »

Today Governor Scott signed into law a landmark bill protecting against lead in school drinking water. The move is being celebrated by environmental advocates across the state. “There’s really only one kind of water we should be giving our kids in schools and child care centers, and that’s unleaded,” commented Paul Burns, Executive Director of …

Governor Signs Bill Protecting Against Lead In School Drinking Water Read More »

Neonicotinoid insecticides threaten bees all over the Green Mountain State – which has serious implications for all of us. For instance, the UN just published a sobering report that highlights how crucial biodiversity is and how human activity, like the use of pesticides, is hurting biodiversity around the world. Just as concerning is the fact …

Governor Scott Signs Neonic Restriction Bill Into Law Read More »

Legislation to better protect kids from toxics is now on its way to Governor Scott’s desk for consideration following the Legislature’s final passage of S.55 on May 22.  If signed into law, the legislation will grant the Commissioner of Health greater authority to protect kids from dangerous chemicals in children’s products and collect better information on …

Bill to Get Toxics Out of Children’s Products Sent to Governor Read More »

On Wednesday Vermont’s Legislature passed S. 40, a landmark bill regulating lead in school and childcare center drinking water. After some tense debate between legislators in the House and Senate, a conference committee reached a final decision to set the action level for remediation at 4 parts per billion. They also pledged to set aside …

Legislators Pass Nation’s Strongest Lead Testing Bill Read More »