Protect Pets from Toxins

A recent study found that American pets suffer from significantly more contamination from synthetic industrial chemicals than people. Our homes are permeated by untested chemical compounds that pets absorb through their grooming habits and proximity to household furnishings.

Dogs were contaminated with 35 chemicals, including carcinogens and neurotoxins. Cats were contaminated 46 chemicals, including carcinogens, neurotoxins, and chemicals toxic to the endocrine system.

The potential result is higher incidence of health problems, for example cancer in dogs and hyperthyroidism in cats. Worse yet, the risks faced by pets are shared by humans too, especially the most vulnerable. Infants and toddlers play close to the floor and put household objects in their mouths, and in the process they are exposed to the same dangers as pets.

We need a new system of public health protections in which companies have to prove chemicals are safe before they are sold. Not only would it help protect our pets, but ourselves as well. Act today!

Related resources:

* Read about how to avoid "Pet Poisoning". >>
* Put together a "Poison Safety Kit for Pets". >>
* Read more about the study this petition is based upon in "The Surprising Poisons in Our Pets". >>

Dear [Decision Maker],

I was alarmed to learn that American pets are polluted with even higher levels of many of the same synthetic industrial chemicals that researchers have recently found in people.

Dogs and cats were contaminated with 48 of 70 industrial chemicals tested, including 43 chemicals at levels higher than those typically found in people.

The dogs were contaminated with 35 chemicals altogether. These included 7 chemicals (20%) with average levels at least 5 times higher than typical levels in people, and another 7 chemicals with average levels up to 5 times amounts found in people. Relative to people, dogs showed high levels of stain- and grease-proof chemicals (perfluorochemicals in the Teflon family), plastics chemicals called phthalates, and fire retardants called PBDEs.

The cats were contaminated with 46 chemicals altogether. These included 25 chemicals (54%) with average levels at least 5 times higher than typical levels in people, and another 18 chemicals (39%) with average levels up to 5 times amounts found in people. Relative to people, cats showed very high levels of neurotoxic fire retardants called PBDEs and methylmercury, a pollutant from coal power plants and a common seafood contaminant.

This contamination is increasingly worrisome given the linkages between health problems and these chemicals. Worse yet, the results indicate that America's pets might be acting as an involuntary bellwether for the effect of widespread chemical contamination on people, especially the most vulnerable.

Infants and toddlers play close to the floor and put household objects in their mouths, and in the process they are exposed to the same dangers as pets.

[Your Comment]

We need some measure of proof from companies that the chemicals they sell are safe. Not only would it protect our pets, but ourselves as well. I urge you address this important issue.
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