Buckhorn, Monica Rohde, Alliance for Safe Alternatives
The Alliance for Safe Alternatives, a project of the Center for Health, Environment and Justice along with partners in California, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Washington conducted one of the first comprehensive voter opinion survey on persistent toxic chemicals. Specifically we surveyed 1,200 voters in Maine, Michigan and Washington State.
Among the key findings of the survey were the following:
Nearly half of those polled said that toxic chemicals in land, air, water and food represented an “extremely” or “very serious” problem in their state;
After hearing a description of the factors that distinguish persistent toxic chemicals from other toxics, two out of three voters indicated that they were “extremely” or “very concerned” about the problems posed by such chemicals;
More than three-quarters of voters mistakenly believe that chemical companies are already required to provide information about the health impacts of the chemicals they create, and a majority mistakenly believe that the government conducts safety tests on chemicals used in all major consumer products; and
An overwhelming majority of more than 80 percent of those polled support a comprehensive policy to phase out such chemicals and replace them with safer alternatives.
Women, across party lines, support such policies.
These findings are of particular importance because in the absence of the EPA's Dioxin Reassessment and subsequent federal regulations, activists have turned their focus on getting strong state-wide policies. In addition, the US Government and chemical industry have been lobbying hard to stall any progress on the EU REACH chemicals policy, which complements the state wide policies already underway. This data serves as an important public education and organizing piece as well as a tool to move policy makers to pass protective policies.
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