Health and Toxics

Share on Facebook
Photo of kids' legs.

Safeguarding Our Health
For more than three decades, Earthjustice has been at the forefront of safeguarding the fundamentals of human health—the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink. These initiatives demonstrate our strong belief that everyone has a right to a healthy environment.

  • Provide Clean Air and Water: Ensuring air and water quality for millions of Americans is at the core of our public health work.
  • Prevent Toxic Exposure: In cities imperiled by industrial pollutants, such as mercury, we are closing industry loopholes and accelerating the clean-up of polluted sites and facilities.

Sign up to receive updates!

Divider

From The unEARTHED Blog

A Story From The Orchards
by Kathleen Sutcliffe. Luis Medellin and his three little sisters—aged 5, 9 and 12—live in... Read more
Historic Decision To Limit Poisoning of Waterways...
by David Guest. Even though a large group of polluters tried to derail it, Earthjustice won this... Read more
The GE Double Whammy
by Tom Turner.  More than half of the corn, soybeans and cotton grown in the U.S. these days... Read more

Featured Stories

Photo of coal ash spill.

River Runs Black: The Devastating Coal Ash
Spill on the Emory River

Last year, residents all along the Emory River in Tennessee were waking up to the tragedy of 1 billion gallons of toxic coal ash that spilled from the Tennessee Valley Authority's Kingston Fossil Plant. The spill covered 300 acres, destroyed homes, poisoned rivers, and contaminated coves and residential drinking waters. Read more.

Related: Icon for map. Timeline

Icon for photo media. Photos before and after the spill

Icon for map. Earthjustice Report: Waste Deep

Divider
Photo of Slate Lake. Credit: Pat Costello / Lighthawk.

Supreme Court Kensington Mine Decision

Earthjustice attorney Tom Waldo discusses the U.S. Supreme Court's Kensington Mine decision and what it means for America's waters on Nation Public Radio's "Living on Earth." Read more. Photo © Pat Costello / Lighthawk.

Related: Icon for audio media. Radio interview

Icon for photo media. Photos

Divider
Photo of Dr. Jane Hightower.

Frequently Asked Questions about Mercury

Dr. Jane Hightower recently spoke to Earthjustice supporters and answered some commonly-asked questions about mercury in our food supply. Read more.

Related: Icon for video. Video of cement kilns

Icon for map.Interactive cement kiln map

Divider
Photo of a hazardous waste barrel.

Protect Your Community From Toxic Waste

The so-called "Definition of Solid Waste" rule deregulates over 3 billion gallons of hazardous waste generated annually by chemical companies, pharmaceutical makers, and other industries. This hazardous waste contains some of the most dangerous chemicals known to man. Read more.

Related: Icon for map. Map of hazardous waste sites

Divider
Photo of cleaning.

Forcing Cleaner Manufacturers to Come Clean

Studies show links between chemicals in common household cleaners and respiratory irritation, asthma, and allergies. Ingredient disclosure requirements are virtually non-existent in the United States; the exception is a long-forgotten New York state law. But in the three decades since the 1976 law was passed, companies failed to file a single report. Read more.

Related: Icon for video media. "The Cleaners!" video

Divider

More Information

Find out more about the issues Earthjustice is working on:

Latest Legal Cases

Centralia Coal Plant Permit
The Centralia coal-powered power plant is the largest source of mercury and greenhouse gases in Washington State, and its emissions degrade the the air quality in Mt. Rainier, Olympic and North Cascades National Parks. (October 1, 2009)

Horizontal rule

Genetically Engineered Sugar Beets
The genetic engineering of our agricultural products has created serious environmental problems and numerous questions about health and safety. Earthjustice sued the USDA on behalf of organic seed producers and conservationists to get the deregulation of genetically-modified beets reversed until a full environmental impact statement is performed. (September 28, 2009)

Horizontal rule

Hatfield's Ferry and Coal Combustion Waste
After decades of operating without air pollution controls, the Hatfield's Ferry plant is finally installing "scrubbers" that will dramatically reduce its emissions of air pollutants. The bad news is that the plant is going to dump the scrubber waste water into the Mongahela River. (July 21, 2009)

Horizontal rule

Protecting Global Climate and Community Health from Oil Refinery Impacts
Earthjustice is challenging the City of Richmond's approval of a major project at the Chevron oil refinery on beahlf of local residents and conservationists. The project could allow the refinery to use dirtier forms of oil which could increase the release of highly-polluting mercury, selenium and sulfur flare gas. (July 6, 2009)

Horizontal rule

More Cases

Make a Contribution

Photo of girl. This is not just any child.Donate now
This is our future.
Earthjustice is using the courts to protect drinking water for hundreds of communities. It's just one of the ways we're safeguarding health, preserving our natural heritage and promoting a clean energy future. Join us today.