Final signature count: 10,091

10,091 signatures toward our 30,000 goal

Novel and anthropogenic chemicals are a new category of environmental contaminant that is predominantly unregulated and human-made. They come from pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and many other commercially available goods.

These compounds are found in air, soil, water, food, and human and animal tissues in trace concentrations. They persist in the environment and are capable of altering the physiology of target receptors, leading to serious disease in plants and animals1.

Methods including oxidation, photolysis, UV-degradation, nanofiltration, reverse osmosis, and adsorption have been used to remove these compounds out of water systems. While also costly and requiring experienced technicians to operate, some of these methods may result in generating even more toxic sludge or incomplete removal2.

In contrast, adsorption offers a low-cost alternative, easily used in developing countries where there is a dearth of advanced technologies, skilled personnel, and available capital, and adsorption appears to be the most broadly feasible pharmaceutical removal method2.

Adsorption technology has been extensively used for removing dyes from water systems for decades, and adsorption remediation methods are easily integrated with wastewater treatment plants3.

The largest chemical monitoring study to date was conducted in the Brazilian Amazon. The study found that chemical pollution can result in long-term effects for up to 50-80% of aquatic species next to urban areas.4.

In other regions, scientists have recorded drug-induced behavioral alterations in predatory fish and invertebrate prey. One study found that perch became more active while damselfly behavior was unaffected by novel toxins. However, prey consumption of novel pollutants can be an important exposure route as on average 46% of the pharmaceutical in ingested prey accumulated in the predator5.

This basically means we are already greatly underestimating the problem these novel pollutants cause.

The Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976 provides EPA with authority to require reporting, record-keeping and testing requirements, and restrictions relating to chemical substances and/or mixtures. TSCA addresses the production, importation, use, and disposal of specific chemicals including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), asbestos, radon and lead-based paint6.

Help us bring an end to this assault on our environment and health. Sign the petition below and demand the EPA update its list of chemicals covered under the TSCA to include novel and anthropogenic chemicals, and encourage the use of safe and cost-effective adsorption technologies in their removal.