The Center recognizes the health and well-being of Oregonians is in jeopardy due to toxic chemicals in our homes and our environment. Consider this: Biomonitoring studies have shown average Americans are born with at least 200 contaminants in our blood. Throughout everyday life, we are exposed to many more. Our food packaging contains at least 1,000 chemicals. Our personal care products usually contain 80-160 chemicals. Car exhaust, cleaning products, pesticides, toys, electronics, products with fragrances, and even furniture contain a variety of chemicals that all can be found in our blood. Most chemicals on the market today lack basic safety data; chemicals that are assessed for safety are reviewed one by one, not in complex mixtures like those seen in our bodies. Most safety studies do not account for more vulnerable populations, like fetuses and children, who have different rates of exposure and developmental events.

To solve this crisis, the Center is taking an active role in advocating for a comprehensive approach to toxics. Drawing upon the REACH legislation from the European Union and a report from the University of California, we promote policies that were created with our safety in mind. For example, we support:

The Center uses the Precautionary Principle to guide our advocacy efforts. The precautionary principle is an approach to decision-making which requires consideration of the full range of direct and indirect costs of actions to public health and the environment. It includes taking anticipatory action to prevent harm when a threat of harm is known. It also includes evaluation based on the best available science. The duty to prevent harm is shared by government, business, community groups, and the general public.