Last year, the plastics industry discharged 128 million pounds of plastic pollutants into U.S. waterways -- including approximately 78,000 pounds of cancer-causing chemicals. Call on the EPA to ban plastic pollution from industrial plants. Take Action:
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Dear Anonymous,
Last year, the plastics industry discharged 128 million pounds of plastic pollutants into U.S. waterways -- including approximately 78,000 pounds of cancer-causing chemicals.[1]
The plastic pollution crisis is only getting worse. With plastic production expected to increase 40 percent over the next decade, swift and sweeping action must be taken to prevent further risks to public health.[2]
To avoid future contamination, U.S. PIRG is urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ban the discharge of plastic pollution under the Clean Water Act. Stricter water pollution limits would counter the growing threat from the plastics industry.
Tell the EPA: Ban plastic pollution from our waterways.
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We know that toxic pollutant discharge is a threat to human health. Certain chemical components of plastic can disrupt endocrine systems, interfere with brain development, and cause cancer and birth defects.[3]
Waterway contamination increases human exposure to these dangerous toxins. Plastic pollutants seep into the water we drink and the seafood we eat.[4] Curbing the risk to public health requires reducing the discharge.
The solution is simple. Under the Clean Water Act, the EPA has the duty and obligation to conserve our country's rivers, streams, oceans and other marine ecosystems. The agency must act to ban plastic pollutants from industrial plants.
Call on the EPA to protect public and environmental health from plastic pollution.
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Thank you,
Faye Park
President
1. "Petition Calls for Halt to Plastics Pollution to Streams, Oceans," Kallanish Energy, July 24, 2019.
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2. Matthew Taylor, "$180bn Investment in Plastic Factories Feeds Global Packaging Binge," The Guardian, December 26, 2017.
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3. Elizabeth Royte, "We Know Plastic Is Harming Marine Life. What About Us?," National Geographic, June 2018.
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4. Elizabeth Royte, "We Know Plastic Is Harming Marine Life. What About Us?," National Geographic, June 2018.
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