Connecticut Coalition for
Environmental Justice

Safe Chemicals, Safe Connecticut

Toxic chemicals are in more consumer products than most of us would feel comfortable knowing. Flame retardants in pillow cases. BPA in food cans. Formaldehyde in trailers. The impacts can be frightening. Cancer, diabetes, obesity, and heart disease are just a few.

While toxics are scary in themselves, CCEJ is worried that low-income people and people of color face greater exposures to them than most. TCEs, asbestos, and bromides in brownfields pollute the city neighborhoods where many of these people live. Antiquated housing still features lead paint though it has been banned for use since the late 1970s.

To help confront the overexposure to toxics in our environment, CCEJ has worked with several health-minded partners in the Coalition for a Safe & Healthy Connecticut to achieve change on what toxics are allowed in products sold in our state. Some of our successes include:

-a ban on BPA in baby bottles, children's sippy cups, infant formula, and reusable food and beverage containers effective 2011. The world's most restrictive ban on the chemical, the law limits a toxic linked increasingly to obesity.

-a ban on lead, asbestos, and cadmium in children's toys. Lead and cadmium are neurotoxins; asbestos is a carcinogen.

-a law requiring safe, green cleaning in all state public schools and universities. The law helps limit exposure to irritants for respiratory disease among custodians, students, teachers, school staff, and school visitors.

-a law implementing a Chemicals Innovations Institute at UConn. The institute will help Connecticut's businesses use and produce goods and services with fewer toxins.