Dear John,

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has many important roles — and one of the most crucial ones is the task of informing the American public about chemicals in our air, water and everyday products and keeping us safe from those found to be dangerous. 

But the EPA is considering dramatically scaling back the chemical information that manufacturers must report to the agency. This would significantly reduce what we know about thousands of chemicals in use today, even though this information is crucial for EPA to do its job. The American people have a right to know about and be protected from harmful chemicals in our homes, schools, and workplaces.

Take action, and tell the EPA: Don’t put us back in the dark on thousands of chemicals in use today. Americans have the right to know about potentially hazardous substances we might be exposed to every day.
 

Here's what's happening: The EPA is considering rolling back its Chemical Data Reporting system, operated under the country’s chemical safety law. This currently is the only way we can understand which chemicals are domestically produced or imported into the country, by what companies, in what amounts and, critically, for what uses. 

Certain chemicals found in everyday products are increasingly linked to cancer, infertility, diabetes, Parkinson's disease and other illnesses. And toxic chemicals also commonly contaminate our air and water — putting communities at risk.  But many thousands of others haven’t been reviewed for safety, something the law now requires EPA to do.  Collecting basic safety information on them and sharing it with the public is where to start.

We have a fundamental right to know about potentially dangerous chemicals in use, which we may be exposed to.

That’s why the EPA must continue to collect information from manufacturers to provide a full picture of the chemicals that are used in our everyday products and industrial processes, and use that information to keep you and your family safe and healthy. 

This proposed rollback would be a direct blow to the public’s right to know and to the EPA’s ability to protect the health of our families. Tell the EPA today: Do your job, and protect the American people.

Thank you for standing with us,

Lumi Youm
Online Advocacy & Community Coordinator