Getting the toxics out

With thousands of new chemicals being developed every year, the federal government needs to get a much better handle on what these substances are doing to our air and water -- and our health. It needs to change the climate around toxics regulation to make it the job of responsible companies to prove new products or substances are safe rather than relying on overstretched government regulators to prove they are unsafe. And it should immediately require the use of safer substitutes when there is evidence of potential harm – such as with polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and Bisphenol A (BPA). No Canadian should be asked to take a chance on the safety of things like baby bottles, children's clothing or the food we eat.

Finally, the federal government needs to continue with its efforts to regulate reductions in the air pollutants that cause smog in order to protect both the environment and human health -- especially the health of vulnerable populations like children, the elderly, and people with respiratory problems.

• Get toxics out of baby bottles, children's clothing and other consumer items by banning polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and Bisphenol A (BPA).
• Make it the job of responsible companies to provide rigorous evidence that chemicals are safe, instead of making it government's job to prove they are unsafe, by amending the Canadian Environmental Protection Act.
• Let consumers make smart choices by passing public right-to-know legislation so that Canadians can find out what it is in the products they use.
• Support companies as they adapt to using lower-risk substitutes with research, information sharing and adjustment programs
• Reduce smog through regulated national targets that lead to real reductions in emissions of harmful pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, volatile organic compounds and particulate matter.

 

» Learn more by reading the Full Report

» Get involved!