There is a silent, invisible threat that is lurking within our everyday items…and causing immense harm to newborn babies.
That threat is a class of chemicals called
phthalates, and they have been "linked to
nearly 2 million premature births and the deaths of 74,000 newborns" around the globe
in 2018 alone.
Sign the petition to tell Congress: enough is enough. We need stronger protections NOW.Phthalates are used to make plastic items both durable and flexible. They are also used to make fragrances in personal care items last longer.
As you can imagine, they are everywhere. Food packaging, children's toys, medical equipment, garden hoses, art supplies, shampoos and deodorants…the list is exhaustive.
When a pregnant person is exposed to these 'everywhere' chemicals,
they can have horrific effects on a still developing baby. Phthalates are endocrine disruptors, meaning they mess with the body's ways of creating hormones.
Along with triggering premature birth, these chemicals have also been linked to
developmental delays, breathing and feeding issues, vision and hearing problems, and so much more in newborn babies.
In adults, phthalates have also been linked to
cancer, asthma, cardiovascular issues, reproductive issues…more than we can list here.
Tragically, some babies don't survive at all. Countless families have been left grieving, all while these chemicals continue to spread unchecked through our homes and lives.
We need our policymakers to do SOMETHING.Families can't simply opt out of phthalates exposure. They are everywhere. They're in the air, in dust, in products we're told are safe due to incorrect or vague labeling.
This isn't a problem of personal choice. It's a failure of leadership.Congress must pass laws that put people before profits. New laws should include stronger regulations of phthalates, safer product formulations that don't include them at all, better labeling, and real oversight of these dangerous chemicals.
No parent should have to wonder if the products around them are harming their baby before it is even born.Every delay puts more lives at risk. Every inaction allows more preventable loss of infant lives!
Add your name now and demand Congress protect our most vulnerable from 'everywhere' chemicals before more families pay the price.