Attack On Toxic Chemicals

Perfluorooctanoic acid. Phthalate. Nitrosamine. Those are just a few of the toxic soup of chemicals lurking in everyday items that could be killing you and your family, daily. Advocates say that for the first time in nearly 40 years, new proposed federal rules could protect more people from the illness-inducing ingredients that make up common household items such as Saran Wrap, baby bottles and toys.  Last week local activists went to Capitol Hill to support the Chemical Safety Improvement Act, a reform to the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976. Santa Fe nurse Susan Pence and Richard Moore, an Albuquerque resident and spokesperson for the Environmental Justice and Health Alliance for Chemical Policy Reform, are working nationally to protect "hot spot" areas such as hospitals, schools and low-income communities where harmful non-regulated chemicals are most likely to be found. "Of the 80,000 chemicals on the market," says Pence, "less than 200 are regulated." Moore says the group met with positive congressional support from both parties throughout the week. Rep. Ben Ray Lujan, D-NM, has "been a champion," for making positive measures towards chemical safety, he says. To track the progress of the act and for safety tips for protecting your family visit saferchemicals.org. (Alexa Mangrum)

Letters to the Editor

Mail letters to PO Box 4910 Santa Fe, NM 87502 or email them to editor[at]sfreporter.com. Letters (no more than 200 words) should refer to specific articles in the Reporter. Letters will be edited for space and clarity.

We also welcome you to follow SFR on social media (on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter) and comment there. You can also email specific staff members from our contact page.