Environmental Working Group

Governor Phil Scott just signed the first-in-the-nation ban on paraquat into law, making Vermont the first U.S. state to prohibit the use and sale of this toxic herbicide.

Paraquat is one of the most toxic herbicides still used in the U.S. and has been strongly linked to Parkinson’s disease and other serious health harms.

70+ countries have banned paraquat. EWG is now urging New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and other states to follow Vermont's lead, while California considers new restrictions of its own.

Thank you Gov. Phil Scott, bill sponsors, lawmakers and partners who helped make this happen:
State Rep. Esme Cole (D-Windsor), State Sen. Martine Gulick (D-Chittenden-Central District), Vermont Public Interest Research Group, The Michael J. Fox Foundation, Parkinson's Foundation, The American Parkinson Disease Association

Full statement: https://ow.ly/IAVa50Z4sRE

Want to see paraquat banned in your state? Comment yours below!

For the first time in history, the EPA just proposed to weaken our strongest federal drinking water protections against toxic "forever chemicals.”

The agency has proposed rolling back enforceable limits on four toxic “forever chemicals,” known as PFAS compounds, in drinking water. PFAS are linked to cancer, weakened immune systems, harm to babies during pregnancy and other developmental risks, even at very low levels.

It is also proposing to eliminate a key safeguard designed to address PFAS mixtures and to delay compliance deadlines until 2031, giving polluters two more years to avoid accountability.

These protections were finalized in 2024 after decades of advocacy. Now they could be dismantled.

176 million Americans have already been drinking PFAS-contaminated water for decades. This would make it worse.

PFAS are called “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down in the environment and build up in your body.

Here's what you can do:
🚰 Filter your tap water. Reverse osmosis and activated carbon are the most effective for removing PFAS.
🔍 Check EWG's Tap Water Database. Enter your zip code to learn what contaminants have been detected in your local water supply.
📢 Contact your elected representatives. Demand that Congress investigate the legality of the EPA’s rollback and act to restore enforceable PFAS limits in federal law.

🔗 Read more: https://ow.ly/1mcc50Z1fiO