April 7, 2026U.S. chemical management system must be transformed to prevent harm, argue new policy papers
“We have enough evidence to act now” to restrict toxic chemicals.
Media Contact
Deidre Nelms; Communications Director; Coming Clean; dnelms@comingcleaninc.org, (802) 251-0203 ext. 711.
Two policy papers released today call for an urgent transformation of our approach to hazardous chemicals if we are to prevent further harm to people and the environment. The papers were developed in support of Planks 4 and 6 of the 10-plank Louisville Charter for Safer Chemicals, a platform for changing the way chemicals are used, made and regulated, that is endorsed by over 125 organizations.
Plank 4 - Use Scientific Data to Support Health-Protective Policies and Practices
Plank 6 - Act with Foresight to Protect Health and Prevent Pollution
Together the two policy papers set clear recommendations for taking health protective action with available data and information, to overcome weaponized doubt that leads to harmful delays.
Hazardous chemicals are pervasive in our bodies and the environment now, showing a profound failure of U.S. regulations to prevent exposures. Roughly 97% of the U.S. population, for example, has detectable levels of highly toxic PFAS, or “forever chemicals” in our bodies.
Many communities at the fenceline of chemical manufacturing facilities experience higher rates of asthma, cancer and premature death than the general population from elevated and often illegally high levels of toxic chemicals in their air, water, homes and workplaces. This is routinely coupled with poor access to health care and other cumulative impacts of systemic environmental racism and injustices (see details in the Plank 2 policy paper, Prevent Disproportionate Exposures and Hazards, and Reduce Cumulative Impacts on Environmental Justice Communities, and the Community Guide to Cumulative Impacts).
Current U.S. regulations typically require lengthy, chemical-by-chemical risk assessments to restrict or ban chemicals, even if they pose known health hazards. The Plank 4 policy paper “Use Information and Data to Support Health-Protective Policies and Practices” argues that we know enough to act now, and recommends that regulators make use of existing data and community knowledge to restrict entire classes of chemicals that threaten public health. This would also drive the development of safer substitutes and non-toxic solutions (see details in the Plank 3 policy paper, Require Safer Substitutes and Solutions for a Non-Toxic Economy).
“The problem is not that we lack sufficient health data on chemicals,” said Jennifer Sass, Senior Scientist at the Natural Resources Defense Council, and co-author of the paper. “The problem is that the uncertainty that comes with doing science can too easily be used as a weapon to delay action and deny protections.”
The Plank 6 policy paper “Act with Foresight to Protect Health and Prevent Pollution” lays a framework for early action to prevent chemical exposure and harm, even when data are limited. It recommends acting on early warnings, expanding and strengthening health monitoring programs, such as voluntary breastmilk testing programs, fish and wildlife monitoring programs, and public interest research, to detect chemical threats before they cause preventable harm. . Clusters of health problems in fenceline communities and workers plausibly linked to chemical exposures should prompt action to distribute health warnings, restrict unsafe chemical manufacture and use, consult with affected people, and initiate clean up efforts.
“Preventing avoidable harm before it occurs is not a radical idea - but in our current chemical management system, it rarely happens,” said Ted Schettler, Science Director of Science and Environmental Health Network and co-author of the paper. “The solutions are not hard to envision. But overcoming corporate influence to implement them will require a united movement committed to protecting the health of current and future generations.”
Background:
Read the full Louisville Charter for Safer Chemicals
See additional Louisville Charter Policy Papers
Coming Clean is a nonprofit environmental health collaborative working to transform the chemical industry so it is no longer a source of harm, and to secure systemic changes that allow a safe chemical and clean energy economy to flourish. Our members are organizations and technical experts — including grassroots activists, community leaders, scientists, health professionals, business leaders, lawyers, and farmworker advocates — committed to principled collaboration to advance a nontoxic, sustainable, and just world for all.