Environmental Health
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
Vermont’s Neonicotinoid Restrictions Take Effect: Advocates Urge Timely Action on Rules to Protect Pollinators
Vermonters concerned about the state’s threatened bees and other pollinators are celebrating the July 1,…
2025 Legislative End of Session Update
CLIMATE & CLEAN ENERGY Protecting Vermont’s Climate Progress from Rollbacks One of the most important…
Gov. Scott signs legislation banning toxic “forever chemicals” from firefighting gear, dental floss, cleaning products, and more
Late yesterday, Gov. Phil Scott signed into law further restrictions on the use of toxic…
2025 Mid-Session Update
We’ve passed the unofficial halfway mark of the 2025 Vermont legislative session. Last Friday marked…
2025 Legislative Priorities
Vermonters have made it clear that the status quo just isn’t working. At VPIRG, we’ve…
The Truth About Toxic PFAS Chemicals—and How Retailers Are Responding
Recent headlines like “95 Million Americans Have PFAS-Laced Drinking Water” underscore the alarming prevalence of…