When I began writing about toxic chemicals in the home in 1982, little was known about the presence of toxic chemicals in consumer products or their health effects. I had to dig up whatever information I could find from poison control centers, medical libraries and toxicology books. There were no indoor air quality studies, or household hazardous waste collection programs or nonprofit organizations devoted to researching toxics.

Today, more than a quarter of a century later, our knowledge of toxic chemicals and their health effects have changed dramatically. Studies exist which show that toxic chemical exposure underlies virtually every symptom and illness. I've established "Toxics & Health" as a place to show just how widespread the connections are between toxic exposures and everyday health problems.

In addition, the manufacture, use, and disposal of toxic chemicals also pollute and damage the environment. This in turn affects our health because to be alive at all, we need our planet to provide air and water and food and all the other resources that support our existence.

In 2009, a major shift occurred in the world of toxic chemicals with the introduction of the Kid Safe Chemical Act. It's purpose is to strengthen the existing Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). TSCA does not require chemical manufacturers to develop new data on toxicity and exposure, which has led to products being put on the market that contain chemicals that have not been adequately screened for safety. It also allows manufacturers to include toxic chemicals in products without disclosing those toxic chemicals on the product labels.

In September 2009, the Obama administration asked Congress to draft a tougher law for regulating toxic chemicals in consumer products, to replace TSCA. In a speech given in San Francisco, EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson admitted "As more and more chemicals are found in our bodies and the environment, the public is understandably anxious and confused. Many are turning to government for assurance that chemicals have been assessed using the best available science, and that unacceptable risks haven't been ignored. Right now, we are failing to get this job done." But they are also making improvements. In place now are action plans by the Environmental Protection Agency to study and eliminate six key toxic chemicals used widely in consumer products. 

Then in early 2010, the organization Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families released a report called "The Health Case for Reforming the Toxic Substances Control Act". Based on more than 1200 studies, the report shows just how toxic chemicals are contributing to many widespread health problems and demonstrates how eliminating toxic chemicals from consumer products (by strengthening TSCA) will reduce health care costs. According to this study, 133 million people in the U.S.—almost half of all Americans—are now living with chronic diseases and conditions related to toxic chemical exposures, which now account for 70% of deaths and 75% of U.S. health care costs. They calculate that if only a fraction of toxic chemicals were removed from consumer products, it would save the U.S. health care system an estimated $5 billion every year.

In April 2010, the Kid-Safe Chemicals Act was introduced in Congress as the Safe Chemicals Act.

This is an unprecedented opportunity to make major progress in eliminating toxic chemicals from our homes and the environment. However, we don't have to wait for government to act to eliminate toxic exposures in our own lives.

Here are some things you can do:

1. Buy and read my comprehensive book Home Safe Home to turn your home into a safe haven that is free from toxic chemicals.

2. Browse Debra's List for websites that sell nontoxic products you can buy today.

3. Read my Green Living Q&A blog for more information on nontoxic living. Here you can also ask any questions you have about living without toxic chemicals.

4. Call me for a personal consultation. I can help you understand toxic chemicals in products and choose safer products, and I also do on-site home inspections to solve toxic problems, anywhere in the world.

It is possible to significantly reduce our exposures to toxic chemicals--enough to dramatically improve our health and reduce health care costs. I've been living without toxic chemicals for more than twenty-five years, and you can too.