6 results for tag: PFAS
Forever Chemicals in Oregon? Not If We Stop Them.
PFAS are called “forever chemicals” for a reason: once they’re in the environment, they stick around – causing harm for generations. This group of synthetic chemicals are added to products to deflect heat, grease, and water. But, instead of helping, these toxic chemicals are causing severe harm: raising cancer risks, disrupting hormones, causing neurodevelopmental effects in children, and endangering first responders, like firefighters, who protect our communities.
Right now, health issues from PFAS mirror the top two leading causes of death in our state: cancer and heart disease. We know PFAS are a negative health burden that Oregon can ...
PFAS AKA “Forever Chemicals”
The Story of PFAS
PFAS (Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) or ‘forever chemicals’ are a class of over 15,000 toxic chemicals. Members of this chemical class feature the strongest chemical bond known to organic chemistry- the carbon fluorine bond. This incredible chemical bond leads to properties like not reacting with other substances- including an ability to repel grease, oil, and water. In this story, chemical manufacturers wanted to give their products these properties, such as jackets that didn’t get wet, refrigerants that didn’t corrode copper pipes, and frying pans that eggs didn’t stick to. PFAS chemicals were added to pizza ...
Biosolids, PFAS and Oregon Agriculture
Known as “forever chemicals,” harmful PFAS chemicals can be found in the air, water, and soil of virtually every ecosystem on Earth. Distribution of PFAS varies widely – from high concentrations in states like Michigan and North Carolina to very low levels here in Oregon. Our state’s water utilities and water quality agencies are already studying the sources and level of PFAS in our local water systems. But there is still much to learn about how these chemicals move through our ecosystem.
That’s why we’re urging lawmakers to pass the Biosolids Bill (HB 4049). This important bill will support OSU Extension in studying the levels of ...
Prioritizing Children’s Health in Kid’s Products
Toxic chemicals that harm health should not be in our kids' products. But they are.
Thousands of chemicals lurk in products our kids use every day and children are far more vulnerable to toxics than adults due to their smaller size and developing organs. Even worse, the most recent studies show that new chemical compounds are produced at a rate of 10 million per year, which translates to nearly 1,000 new chemicals synthesized every hour. In 2015, OEC led the advocacy work to pass the historic Toxic Free Kids Act (TFKA), requiring manufacturers of children’s products to disclose — and eventually phase out — the worst chemicals of concern for ...
Tell outdoor retailer REI to take toxic ‘forever chemicals’ out of their apparel!
Editors Note: Thanks in part to the hard work of OEC, the support of our members, and the advocacy of like-minded organizations, REI committed to ending the sale of products with PFAS by 2026. Checkout OEC's blog below for a snapshot of our 2022 campaign pressing the retailer to abandon these toxic products.
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From waterproof jackets to boots, outdoor gear sold at REI and other retailers like Columbia Sportswear contains ‘forever chemicals’ called PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). Recent science shows us that the production, use, and disposal of these products pollute people and the planet. These chemicals also make their way ...
Protect Oregon’s drinking water from toxic PFAS: Ask Congressman Walden to designate PFAS as a “hazardous chemical”
Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a category of hazardous chemicals that are currently designated as “contaminants” by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. To protect human health, Congress must designate PFAS as hazardous chemicals, which will speed up the identification, cleanup and monitoring of PFAS contaminated sites under federal Superfund law.
What are PFAS and why should you be concerned?
PFAS are a group of 47,000 synthetic chemicals that are known as ‘forever chemicals’ due to their persistent nature in the environment. They easily move through air and soil and contaminate clean water sources, and because ...