Defend Our Health

09/04/2026

Important read:

The chemicals industry would like us to believe that what they brand as "advanced recycling" is the solution to our growing plastic waste problem. In reality it's a process that essentially amounts to burning plastic and results in toxic waste more than anything else. We asked our senior director of chemicals policy — who spent 20 years leading chemical risk assessment programs at the EPA — to explain why this industry boondoggle is anything but a solution.

Read on at the link in comments 👇

09/04/2026

The Planning Board unanimously supported a ban on new centers and on any current ones expanding. The matter needs another read before going to the City Council for approval.

09/03/2026

Tik Tok Tik Tok, PFAS cookware's time is up - know if there's PFAS in your kitchen gear before you buy by checking out our Cookware Brand Chemical Disclosures directory as featured on TikTok!

TikTok | Make Your Day

09/03/2026

Read our comments to the Maine Data Center Advisory Council this week, urging them to take steps to protect Maine communities from the significant environmental risks (including PFAS releases) posed by the insufficiently-regulated construction and expansion of AI Data Centers. --> https://defendourhealth.org/safer-chemicals-policy/maine-laboratory-of-democracy/public-comments-to-the-maine-data-center-advisory-council/

09/03/2026

Unfortunately, Annie's products are still contaminated with phthalates - we alerted General Mills and Annie's leadership to this nearly a decade ago, and it's disappointing (to say the least) that they haven't addressed this issue. They knew and ignored us, ignored Consumer Reports, ignored the risk to you and your family. Sign the Consumer Reports petition today and stay tuned for more we can do to pressure companies to reduce chemical exposures in food, water, and consumer goods!

09/02/2026

Michaels Stores publicly reported arsenic, mercury, lead, phthalates, and other toxic chemicals in their kids' art supplies, and we're asking them to phase out the intentional use of these and other hazardous chemicals in products they sell to schools and families! Check out the products and chemicals in their most recent public reports at

When shopping for back to school supplies, you might reasonably assume that products on your school’s supply list or your child’s arts and crafts supplies wish list would be free from chemicals like formaldehyde, mercury, lead, arsenic, and phthalates. However, Defend Our Health’s review of th...

09/02/2026

Hey, Crayola, did you report adding formaldehyde, a known human carcinogen, to over 300 of your kids' art supply products in 2025? (We read your 2025 disclosures to Vermont - we know you did! Anything you'd like to share with the class?)

When shopping for back to school supplies, you might reasonably assume that products on your school’s supply list or your child’s arts and crafts supplies wish list would be free from chemicals like formaldehyde, mercury, lead, arsenic, and phthalates. However, Defend Our Health’s review of th...

09/02/2026

Uh oh! In their 2026 chemical disclosures to Vermont, Lowe's Home Improvement reported lead over 100ppm in more than 20 "Build and Grow" kids' toy making kits - we checked and most of those products are currently in stock and available for sale in Maine and across the country (in apparent violation of Maine and federal law relating to lead in children's products). See the products and their UPCs at https://defendourhealth.org/healthy-homes/childrens-products/art-supplies-product-data/ and join us in urging Lowe's stop selling kids' products with intentionally-added lead!

Use the table below to search disclosures by Manufacturer, Brand Name, and Specific Product Name / UPC. Search Materials Disclosures: Company Brand Name Product Model Name or ID UPC Chemical Report Period Entry Date Accesorios Globales, S.A. dba TATA Target – Cat & Jack CJF24-0002 198101333131 Ars...

09/02/2026

Low-tox and low-cost are not mutually exclusive! We found the same when looking at cookware with and without PFAS - plenty of PFAS-free options at all price points!

08/31/2026

Governor Gavin Newsom can reduce exposures to BPA and other bisphenols nationwide by signing California AB 1604 - California laws push industry to phase out toxic materials in their business locations nationwide, not just in Cali. Use the link in this post from Breast Cancer Prevention Partners to urge Gov. Newsom to sign the bill into law!