Environmental Issues: Health
Health Main Page
All Documents in Health Tagged consumer products
- Protecting People from Unsafe Chemicals
Reforming the Toxic Substances Control Act
Overview - More than 80,000 chemicals now in use have never been fully assessed for toxic impacts on human health and the environment. The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), enacted in 1976, has failed to regulate the chemical industry and does not protect the public from exposure to unsafe chemicals. Congress must enact strong legislation to reform TSCA.
- Harmful Pet Products
FAQ - Answers to questions including: How can I tell which pet products contain dangerous chemicals? Which products should I buy? How can I tell if my child or pet has been harmed by these pet pesticides?
- Pet Products May Harm Both Pets and Humans
Products intended to kill fleas and ticks can also poison pets and the people who handle them.
News - Americans purchase and apply to their pets a vast array of toxic chemicals intended to kill fleas and ticks. Though consumers may assume that these products have been tested rigorously for safety, the truth is that the poisons in many of these products are not safe, either for pets or humans.
- Poison on Pets II
Toxic Chemicals in Flea and Tick Collars
Issue Paper - Americans spend more than $1 billion each year on products designed to kill fleas and ticks on household pets, especially dogs and cats. While some of these products are safe, others leave harmful chemical residues on pets' fur and in our homes. This April 2009 paper details a first-of-its-kind study by NRDC showing that high levels of pesticide residue can remain on a dog's or cat's fur for weeks after a flea collar is put on an animal.
Documents Tagged consumer products in All Sections
- Efficient Appliances Save Energy -- and Money
Consumers get lower utility bills, and we all get a cleaner environment.
Guide - Energy efficient appliances are good for consumers and the environment. They won't solve our energy problems by themselves, but there are many reasons why they are a step in the right direction.
- Hidden Hazards in Air Fresheners
NRDC testing finds hormone-altering chemicals in common air fresheners.
News - Over the past few years, air fresheners have become a staple in many American homes and offices, marketed with promises of a clean, healthy and sweet-smelling indoor atmosphere. The labels do not mention, however, that many of these products also release potentially hazardous chemicals.
- Clearing the Air
Hidden Hazards of Air Fresheners
Issue Paper - Air fresheners have become a staple in many American homes and offices, marketed with the promise of creating a clean, healthy and sweet-smelling indoor atmosphere. But this September 2007 issue paper shows that many of these products contain phthalates -- hazardous chemicals known to cause hormonal abnormalities, birth defects, and reproductive problems.
- Safe Ways to Control Pests Around Your Home
These alternatives to toxic pesticides will protect the health of your household, while keeping insects, rodents and other pests at bay.
Guide - These alternatives to toxic pesticides will protect the health of your household, while keeping insects, rodents and other pests at bay.
For additional policy documents, see the NRDC Document Bank.
For older publications available only in print, click here.
Sign up for NRDC's online newsletter
NRDC Gets Top Ratings from the Charity Watchdogs

- Charity Navigator awards NRDC its 4-star top rating.
- Worth magazine named NRDC one of America's 100 best charities.
- NRDC meets the highest standards of the Wise Giving Alliance of the Better Business Bureau.
Switchboard Blogs
- President Obama's Giant Step to Give Our Kids a Healthier, Low-Carbon Future
- posted by Kim Knowlton, 7/1/13
- Bipartisan Senate leadership on antibiotic use in livestock
- posted by Avinash Kar, 6/27/13
- Can Your Beach Vacation Make You Sick?
- posted by Peter Lehner, 6/26/13
Related Stories
- Simple Steps
- A healthier you. A healthier home. A healthier Earth -- one step at a time.
- Is Organic Food Worth It?
- The short answer is yes -- get the lowdown from This Green Life.
- Pet Products May Harm Both Pets and Humans
- Poisons in many pet pesticide products are not safe for pets or humans.



