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More than one third of the U.S. population suffers from chronic diseases including cancers, asthma, learning and developmental disabilities, birth defects, diabetes, ALS and Parkinson’s disease. Scientific evidence increasingly uncovers links between toxic chemicals and higher rates of these diseases and disorders. Children are especially vulnerable.

To make Massachusetts healthier and safer, Environment Massachusetts is working to reduce our exposure to harmful, toxic chemicals by working to pass the Safer Alternatives Bill. 

•Safer Alternatives Bill, An Act for a Competitive Economy Through Safer Alternatives to Toxic Chemicals. 

 

 

How You Can Help

Ask Your State Legislators to Co-sponsor the Safer Alternatives Bill

The Safer Alternatives Bill, sponsored by Representative Jay Kaufman and Senator Steven Tolman, will create a pragmatic and flexible program to replace toxic chemicals with safer alternatives, wherever feasible. In 2008 the bill passed the Senate but not the House and so this session we need your help to start out with a strong show of force even greater than last year! Make sure that your Representative and Senator take the first step this session and sign on as a co-sponsors!

 

Brief Summary

The Safer Alternatives Bill, An Act for a Competitive Economy Through Safer Alternatives to Toxic Chemicals, is sponsored by Representative Jay Kaufman (D-Lexington) and Senator Steven Tolman (D-Brighton). It will create a pragmatic and flexible program in Massachusetts to replace toxic chemicals with safer alternatives, wherever feasible.

In this economy, the bill is needed more than ever. The Safer Alternatives program will help Massachusetts businesses stay competitive on the global market which is rapidly moving towards a demand for safer products and services. The program will is funded by a fee on toxic chemicals brought into the state primarily by out-of-state firms. We can act now to begin a positive pragmatic program that will create healthy residents and a healthy economy.

The Safer Alternatives Bill passed the Senate unanimously on January 29th, 2008 but was not brought up for a vote in the House before the 2007-2008 legislative session ended, despite widespread support. Eighty five Representatives signed a letter in spring 2008 requesting that the bill come up for a vote and others showed their support in other ways. We are now in the 2009-2010 legislative session and the bill must pass both houses this session in order to become law.