E-mail on protecting people from dangerous toxic chemicals.

Hi Janice,

Last week U.S. Rep. Hilda Solis (El Monte) introduced legislation that
would protect people from dangerous toxic chemicals.

The bill would allow the U.S. to take part in an international treaty
to phase out the most harmful chemicals linked to birth defects and
learning disabilities. The bill would also protect California's right to
pass stronger protections against toxic chemicals if the federal
government fails to act.

Please take a moment to ask your representative to show strong
California leadership and cosponsor this bill. Then ask your friends and family
to help by forwarding this email to them.

To take action, click on this link or paste it into your web browser:

http://www.environmentcalifornia.org/action/enviro-health/chemicals





BACKGROUND

U.S. Rep. Hilda Solis (El Monte) has taken an important step in
protecting people's health worldwide from some of the most harmful toxic
chemicals by introducing H.R. 4800.

This bill would allow the United States to implement an international
treaty, the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants
(POPs), which is aimed at eliminating or restricting a small number of the
most dangerous contaminants. POPs are toxic chemicals that build up in
our bodies and persist in the environment for a long time. Many POPs
may cause developmental problems like learning disabilities and birth
defects.

The bill includes three main provisions:
* Requires the Environmental Protection Agency to decide whether or not
to regulate new chemicals added to the treaty in a timely fashion;
* Does not prohibit states from further protecting their citizens from
dangerous toxics when the EPA fails to act; and
* Uses a health-based scientific standard when making decisions about
regulating chemicals added to the treaty.

Other proposals on the table fail to do these three simple things.
Showing strong California support on Congresswoman Solis' bill will help
the legislation move forward to further protect public health from toxic
chemicals.

Most recently, Environment California led the successful fight to ban
toxic flame retardants from consumer products like couches and fabrics.
California was the first state to act on this issue and set an
important precedent.

Please take a moment to ask your representative to show strong
California leadership and cosponsor this bill. Then ask your friends and family
to help by forwarding this email to them.

To take action, click on this link or paste it into your web browser:

http://www.environmentcalifornia.org/action/enviro-health/chemicals



Dan Jacobson
Environment California Legislative Director
DanJ@environmentcalifornia.org
http://www.EnvironmentCalifornia.org


P.S. Thanks again for your support. Please feel free to share this
e-mail with your family and friends.

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