Want to say goodbye to those ever increasing parental worries about toxic chemicals? So do we!Here are some wonderful resources to help you learn more about environmental health.
Join our Safer Chemicals Campaign
We’re sick and tired of reading report after report about dangers associated with the products we use everyday: Biphenol-A (BPA) in baby bottles, soda cans, and other everyday products; phthalates in toys and pacifiers; formaldehyde in baby shampoo. In fact, dangerous chemicals are found in everything from cosmetics to bedding to school supplies.
That’s why MomsRising has joined a growing movement of workers, scientists, fertility experts, and advocates for learning and developmental disabilities in supporting comprehensive reform for America’s chemical policy. As part of the Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families campaign, we’re calling for updated chemical regulations so that chemicals are proven to be safe before they are out on the market and in the products our kids use every day!
Send a letter to Congress urging a fix today! »
School Siting
A child’s school day is filled with exploration. From spending a science class inspecting the ecosystem outside of her classroom, to navigating the playground at recess, he or she interacts daily with her school environment in active, tactile ways. Wouldn’t it be tragic if these normal school activities put that child at risk for asthma, autism, and cancer?
Building or maintaining schools on or near contaminated and polluted land poses a great risk to the health of students and teachers. Children spend the bulk of their day in the classroom, and their rapid growth and development makes them more vulnerable than adults to exposure to toxins. A child absorbs about 50% of the lead to which he or she is exposed exposed, while and adult only absorbs 10-15%. It is not surprising that children who attend school within 10 -20 miles of a known toxic superfund site are almost twice as likely to have autism.
Learn more about school siting in toxic locations, and what your community can do to prevent it by downloading the Center for Health and Environmental Justice(CHEJ) School Siting Tool Kit.
PVC Free School Supplies
2009 PVC Free School Supplies Guide: Download here! »
PVC is a major source of phthalates; yes, the same dangerous plastic softeners we successfully banned from children’s toys last year. Phthalates have been banned in children’s toys, but they’re still legal in PVC school supplies our children come in contact with on a daily basis. Phthalates harm children’s health and development by interfering with natural hormone functioning and have been linked to birth defects in baby boys, testicular cancer, liver problems and early onset of puberty in girls-a risk factor for later-life breast cancer.
If you're searching for school supplies, find out which ones are PVC free by downloading this fabulous resource from CHEJ.
It’s become so common in our culture to assume we need things – a lot of things. Over-consumption is not only a strain on our bank accounts and environment, it can also be harmful to our health. Whether there’s a warning label or not (usually not), many of the things we buy have associated health [...]
The issue of disinfectants is a controversial topic for those trying to eliminate toxic cleaning products from their businesses, homes, and schools. It is a product that is commonly used in places where large amounts of people visit to help lower the risk of spreading bacteria; like bathrooms, office buildings, and theme parks, but often contain harmful chemicals that can impact your respiratory, development, and reproductive systems.
Members of Congress are deciding right now what chemicals my daughter will pass along to her children. My vote? As few as possible.
Together we can build a nation where children, parents, and businesses thrive; and end discrimination against mothers. MomsRising listens to members and focuses advocacy where we can most quickly improve family economic security.
