Press Release from the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy and the the Center for Health, Environment and Justice

For Immediate Release

April 17, 2003

Contact: Jackie Hunt Christensen, IATP 612-387-3424, cell, or 612-870-3424, jackie@iatp.org

Monica Rohde-Buckhorn, CHEJ, 703-237-2249

(Minneapolis, MN) – New polling data released today in 19 states shows that nearly two out of three voters are highly concerned about the unique dangers posed by persistent toxic chemicals in our air, water, land and food. An overwhelming majority of more than 80 percent of those polled support a comprehensive policy to phase out such chemicals and replace them with safer alternatives.

The survey was done by the California-based polling firm, Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin & Associates. Statewide surveys were completed in three regions of the country: the northeast (Maine), the midwest (Michigan), and the northwest (Washington). Four hundred interviews were completed in each state, for a total of 1,200 interviews across all three states.

The poll represents one of the first comprehensive studies of voter opinion on persistent toxic chemicals. Among the key findings of the survey were the following:

• Nearly half of those polled said that toxic chemicals in land, air, water and food represented an "extremely" or "very serious" problem in their state;
• After hearing a description of the factors that distinguish persistent toxic chemicals from other toxics, two out of three voters indicated that they were "extremely" or "very concerned" about the problems posed by such chemicals;
• More than three-quarters of voters mistakenly believe that chemical companies are already required to provide information about the health impacts of the chemicals they create, and a majority mistakenly believe that the government conducts safety tests on chemicals used in all major consumer products; and
• More than four out of five voters in each state said they supported a proposal to phase out persistent toxic chemicals, replace them with safer alternatives, and clean up the contamination they have caused.

This information comes not long after the release of the Centers for Disease Control's second National Report on Human Exposure to Toxic Chemicals that shows the levels of 116 dangerous chemicals in the bodies of the American people. The government, however, does not require health studies for new industrial chemicals unless they will be added to food. Health tests are not required for chemicals used in cosmetics, toys, clothing, carpets or construction materials.

"Sooner or later, most of these industrial chemicals end up in food – because they are pesticides used in growing the food; chemicals contained in sewage sludge or fertilizer made from hazardous waste that are used as soil amendments or animal feed; chemicals that leach out of packaging; pollutants deposited by air or water on food crops. We have to stop accepting that our food supply is the dumping ground for these toxic pollutants," said Jackie Hunt Christensen, co-director of the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy's Food and Health Program.

"One small step in the right direction would be to require full disclosure of all ingredients, including unintended by-products such as dioxin, on the labels of all products used to grow or process food," continued Hunt Christensen. "Right now, our nation's family farmers and food producers have no idea exactly what is in the inputs they use. There are safer alternative products available that are cost-effective and would greatly benefit public health. We're working to show why those alternatives should be used."

In the absence of the EPA's Dioxin Reassessment and subsequent federal regulations, activists have turned their focus on getting strong state and local policies. In Washington State, there is a comprehensive state-wide policy to phase out 29 persistent chemicals and push for safer alternatives.

Today groups in 19 states released the polling data as part of the Launch of the Alliance for Safe Alternatives. The Alliance, which is a project of the Center for Health, Environment and Justice, is a national partnership that works to eliminate persistent toxic chemicals and promote safe, practical and cost effective alternatives.

The Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy promotes resilient family farms, rural communities and ecosystems around the world through research and education, science and technology, and advocacy.