We work with Sierra Club chapters, groups, volunteers and other coalitions to understand toxics problems and identify solutions. Volunteers from 13 states work together to share knowledge and resources and develop strategies.
Our mission is to prevent or remedy adverse health and environmental effects and injustices from hazardous chemical agents.
We work on national environmental policy, especially as related to highly dangerous persistent pollutants including PFAS, metals, and plastics. Here is a link to the Sierra Club Toxic Chemicals Policy. We support work at chapters and groups. We support monitoring and testing for toxics in communities.
Join us. We have three discussion lists, one for discussion of all toxics issues, one specifically for PFAS, and one for harmful algal blooms. You can subscribe by clicking on buttons on this page.
The PFAS Subteam focuses on issues relating to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, "forever chemicals" that persist in the environment. We sponsor monitoring and testing to help local groups and chapters to determine where PFAS may be occurring. and provides technical assistance.
The Harmful Algal Blooms Subteam offers training and assistance to address blooms that are becoming more common with higher temperatures and high levels of nutrients. The blooms often produce cyanotoxins that can be dangerous for people and pets.
Topics for 2026
Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) -- chemicals manufactured or importer to US should be safe
The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) governs review of chemicals for hazards before they are allowed to be used in commerce. Originally passed in the 1970s, TSCA was strengthened in 2016 to give EPA more authority to prevent uses that could lead to harm. The amendments also requires for many harmful chemicals that had escaped assessments. These actions improved the law.
As one element of a Republican-led rollback of environmental protection, some legislators are discussing and promoting changes that would decimate the value of TSCA. We are following these closely and will be keeping you informed about how you can support strong chemical review, which is supported by the vast majority of Americans.
Pesticides and Plastics
Both pesticides and plastics are being used in overwhelming quantities that seem to be far exceeding the ability of the planet to respond. Plastics are everywhere and in everything. These are urgent issues for our team and other teams in the Sierra Club.
Hazardous Facilities -- Preventing Harm and Improving Emergency Response
Hazards for local communities from certain kinds of facilities are still a fact of life in the US. This is due both to too much emissions of toxics and to explosions and other disasters. Moreover, proposals for new facilities that can bring pollution to communities still move forward.
We support adoption of safer practices for hazardous facilities, to prevent upset and disaster conditions and to improve monitoring and remedial actions. Rules adopted by US EPA to address these issues are now proposed to being rolled back. Another aspect is to work with communities trying to figure out how to address new chips facilities being planned for construction. A third is to avoid construction of waste facilities that will not effectively manage waste but deposit it into local communities
Impacts of Climate Change on Hazardous Sites
In the coming year, we are working on the impacts of climate change on worsening releases from hazardous sites and areas where toxic materials have been stored or disposed of. Climate change is increasing the severity of flooding and fires in ways that is mobilizing toxins from places where they had been relatively contained. This is a major concern that has barely been discussed.
What are toxic substances?
Toxic substances can negatively impact human health, other living things, and natural systems.
Examples include:
- Metals (lead, mercury, cadmium, and others)
- Pesticides (organochlorines, organophosphates, and others)
- PFAS (a large group of per- and polyfluoroalkyl compounds sometimes known as "forever chemicals" for their persistence)
- Plastics
- Cyanobacterial toxins (toxic substances produced by some types of algae under certain conditions)
- Solvents and other "organic" chemicals such as benzene and methylene chloride