Making Vermont a safer and healthier place to live by reducing waste and eliminating toxins from consumer products, drinking water, and our environment.
Thousands of toxic or untested chemicals are used in products we’re exposed to every day in our homes, schools, and workplaces. From PFAS in our drinking water to pesticides in our natural environment to harmful chemicals found in single-use plastics and other consumer products, there are simply too many hidden dangers. These toxins are building up in our bodies and contributing to alarming trends in public health, including increased rates of birth defects, developmental disabilities, reproductive disorders, cancers, and more.
VPIRG supports federal and state legislation that will get known toxins out of consumer products and require health and safety testing before chemicals make it into products on our store shelves. We are also committed to promoting a circular economy that reduces waste, creates jobs, and holds manufacturers accountable for environmental impacts from the full life cycle of products they create.
Learn more about our Environmental Health campaigns:
Recent Environmental Health News
A big step forward for helping Vermonters impacted by toxic chemical exposure
Earlier this week, the Vermont Senate passed S.197, VPIRG-backed legislation aimed at helping Vermonters who have been harmed by toxic substance release, by a 17-13 vote. We strongly believe that Vermonters deserve the right to be protected from toxic chemical exposure and to effectively seek justice against those who poisoned them. Under current law, innocent victims ...
Read MoreTrouble in Toyland: 32nd Annual Report on Hazardous Toys
Toys that pose dangers to children are still being found on Vermont’s shelves and online stores accessible to the Vermont public, according to VPIRG’s 32nd annual Trouble in Toyland report. When shopping this holiday season, consumers should be aware of the potential hazards posed by the toys identified in this report. “We should be able to trust that the toys we ...
Read MoreGroups Oppose Industry Apologist for EPA Post
The Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG), along with over 100 other groups including the Center for Environmental Health (CEH) and the Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families coalition, strongly opposes the nomination of Michael Dourson to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Dourson has a history of serving the interests of big business and industry, including working for ...
Read MoreVPIRG and Allies Sue Trump EPA Over New Toxics Rules
The Vermont Public Interest Research Group announced today that it is going to federal court to urge review of two rules recently proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to implement the 2016 Lautenberg Chemical Safety Act. The petitions challenge final rules issued by the EPA concerning how the agency will prioritize chemicals for safety ...
Read MoreThis 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 in ...
Read MoreBill 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’ drinking ...
Read MoreLegislative 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 and ...
Read MoreLegislative 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 our ...
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