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The latest from Coming Clean and our initiatives.
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July 26, 2021
A path to climate, economic and environmental justice is finally on the horizon
In the next few weeks, congressional leaders have a critical opportunity to join forces with President Joe Biden to turn the tide against climate change, economic inequality, and environmental injustice.
[Op-Ed in The Hill by John Podesta, Center for American Progress and Michele Roberts, Environmental Justice Health Alliance for Chemical Policy Reform.] Read More
June 23, 2021
Prenatal exposure to ultra-fine particles increases a child’s risk of asthma, study finds
When Rosalind Wright started analyzing data on prenatal exposure to air pollution in mothers and children in Boston, she had a notion that ultra-fine particles could be even more harmful than the slightly larger particles she’d studied before. Read More
July 14, 2021
Most Glass-Bottled Beverages Contain Toxic Chemicals Linked to Reproductive Harm and Brain Development, New Study Says
A report released today by the Toxic Free Food Campaign looked at nearly 300 bottle caps from over 140 beverage brands and found that most glass-bottled beverages are capped with toxic or unsustainable chemicals. Read More
April 7, 2021
New Report Reveals Toxic Chemicals in Cleaning Products
"Beyond the Label" - a new report from Women's Voices for the Earth - highlights the role of the cleaning products industry in cumulative harm and disproportionate burdens many cleaning product users already face from numerous other determinants of health, ranging from occupational exposure and pollutants in their environments, to social, racial and gender injustices. Read More
March 30, 2021
Retailer Report Card Ranks Dollar Stores
The 2020 report card on safer chemicals in consumer products was released by the Mind the Store campaign and the Campaign for Healthier Solutions looking at how 50 companies – including dollar store chains – rank when it comes to chemical safety in products and packaging. Read More
March 23, 2021
We're Hiring! Manager of Communications and Media
The Manager of Communications and Media leads Coming Clean’s communications and media operations, and is responsible for developing and implementing an effective communications and media strategy to advance the mission, vision, and initiatives of Coming Clean and EJHA. Read More
January 8, 2021
The Attack on our Democracy Cannot Stand
The events that unfolded in DC on January 6th are a direct attack on our democracy and a horrific display of the racial inequities that permeate our society and institutions. What we saw in DC is the latest, brazen show of the ugly face of white supremacy, which remains so deeply rooted in this country. Read More
December 9, 2020
What a Republican-controlled Senate means for Biden's climate agenda
President-elect Joe Biden has made fighting climate change more of a priority in both his policy agenda and political appointments than any previous US president. But many climate advocates are bracing themselves for a reality check if Democrats don't win both Senate runoff elections in Georgia in January, which would leave the chamber under Republican control. With a divided Congress, there's almost no chance the Biden administration can push through it's most aggressive climate proposals. Read More
November 30, 2020
Blog: Every state needs emergency regulations to protect essential food workers
The darkest days of the pandemic are still ahead of us, as we head into the winter with a surge of cases and without a national strategy to address Covid-19. It will be especially grim for essential food workers like farmworkers and meat packers who still lack basic protections in the workplace. They will likely experience hundreds more needless deaths. The impact of Covid-19 on these workers could also shock the food system, with potential disruption greater than what we saw in the spring. Read More
October 20, 2020
Dollar Tree Thrives During Pandemic, But Is Still Not Removing Toxic Chemicals Fast Enough
When the Campaign for Healthier Solutions tested a variety of products sold at Dollar Tree and other discount retailers, it found that 81 percent tested contained at least one hazardous chemical. Even microwave popcorn and canned foods sold at dollar stores were found to contain deeply concerning levels of harmful chemicals. A number of states have likewise documented high levels of harmful chemicals in Dollar Tree products. Prenatal exposure to some of these chemicals can result in lower IQ levels, as well as learning or behavioral problems. Yet there is actually no need to use many toxic chemicals because there are safe, affordable alternatives. Read More
September 17, 2020
News: The EPA cut back enforcement during COVID. These researchers are assessing the damage
Six months after the agency announced its temporary enforcement policy, a picture of its effects is slowly beginning to emerge. Self-reported data from industrial polluters collected by the EPA shows that these facilities conducted 40 percent fewer emission tests at smokestacks in March and April this year compared to the same period last year. Also, while only 325 facilities notified the EPA that they would be unable to submit water quality reports as required during those two months, more than 16,500 facilities simply did not submit them — that’s the fourth-highest amount of noncompliance in the last 20 years, according to an analysis of the agency’s own data. Read More
September 14, 2020
Blog: Toxic Pink Packaging
The European Union has banned over 1,300 chemicals from use in cosmetics. The US has banned 11. EU laws require that manufacturers prove chemicals are safe before they can be used in a product. In the US, chemicals are not always banned even if they potentially cause cancer; contain neuro- and immunotoxins; or contain hormone disruptors that could cause birth defects. Read More
August 24, 2020
News: The Rise of Environmental Justice
For all the hardships it delivered, 2020 may be remembered as an awakening for America. The outpouring of protest under the banner of Black Lives Matter this summer fostered a discussion of systemic racism that touches on all aspects of economic and social life. Environmental racism, characterized by the disproportionate impact of pollution on people of color, came to the fore as another reason for the cry of “I can’t breathe.” And a nearly 40-year-old civil rights movement for environmental justice found new momentum. But life for people at the industrial fenceline, as evidenced by three communities profiled in this article, continues to be a constant battle. Read More
August 5, 2020
News: Bridging the Water Access Gap Through COVID-19 Relief
As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to climb, guidance around how to control the virus’s spread has become a steady drumbeat: Wash your hands, wipe down surfaces, and stay home. Implicit in these recommendations is the assumption that households have safe and clean running water and indoor plumbing. But for more than 2 million people across the United States, that basic human right remains out of reach. Read More
August 1, 2020
News: How Joe Biden’s surprisingly ambitious climate plan came together
This spring, with the Democratic nomination locked up, Biden’s campaign faced an imperative challenge: to demonstrate to the liberal wing of the party — including skeptical environmental activists — that he was their guy, that he understood the urgency of the problem and that he would craft a transformative plan to meet the moment.
Over three months, the campaign invited ideas from the young climate crusaders, union officials, environmental justice leaders and former Democratic rivals.
Read More
July 14, 2020
News: Minority Communities Hail Biden’s Plan for Environmental Justice
Environmental justice activists are applauding Joe Biden’s clean energy plan, unveiled Tuesday, because of how it focuses on communities of color that have long suffered from exposure to pollution. Read More
July 9, 2020
News: Why the Larger Climate Movement Is Finally Embracing the Fight Against Environmental Racism
For decades, environmental-justice advocates in the U.S. have worked to bring attention to the heightened environmental risks faced by communities of color: higher levels of lead exposure, higher risks of facing catastrophic flooding, and poorer air quality, to name just a few. But progress has been slow on the national stage as the most powerful groups fighting for environmental rules, not to mention government leaders, have largely ignored them. Today, that conversation is changing. Read More
June 25, 2020
Blog: Black Lives Matter and the Environment
Black lives matter. As we contemplate the scope of structural racism, we find that “Black Lives Matter” needs to be said over and over again. We say it as we push for policing that protects rather than threatens. And we can keep saying it. Like when we talk about having available, affordable health care. Having access to technology and broadband, a quiet space, and time when the classroom becomes off limits due to a pandemic or climate-driven extreme weather. Finding an affordable place to live and landlords who don’t discriminate. Finding meaningful work and getting a promotion. Finding fresh food. Getting respect. Read More
June 24, 2020
Op-Ed: Pandemic Is No Reason to Relax Environmental Oversight
The EPA recently gave temporary relief to facilities affected by the coronavirus pandemic through not seeking penalties for certain missed obligations. Michele Roberts, of the Environmental Justice Health Alliance, and Mitchell Bernard, of Natural Resources Defense Council, say the agency’s move opens the door to abuse. Read More