My apartment in central Denver is charming, slightly overpriced, and within walking distance of shops, parks, and... chemical facilities. I wasn't expecting that. I'm also not unique. Over 100 million Americans live around dangerous chemical plants and refineries. We live, work, play, and go to school in "vulnerability zones": areas that could be in danger were a chemical company to suffer an accident, leak, or explosion. There have been over 350 preventable chemical accidents in just the past two years.

That's really scary, but there's good news. Better chemicals and processes that could immediately make these plants safer are both readily available and affordable. In fact, some plants have already switched. But these are the minority. Unfortunately, current chemical safety standards are voluntary. That's not enough.

The EPA plan to start working on new regulations in September, but we can’t wait that long. We shouldn't have to. That's the message that a group of environmental and consumer protection organizations including U.S. PIRG, GreenPeace, the Sierra Club and others are sending via Twitter this Friday. We need you, too. 

Help us call on the EPA to work quickly to protect millions of Americans from toxic chemical disasters. By signing up to send a tweet from your account, you're helping us generate attention on Twitter. For better or for worse, that will help grab the attention of our decision-makers and get stronger chemical safety standards to protect our families and communities. 

I know you know how powerful our voices are when they rise together. Please join our call by Friday, April 17th. Together, we can make devestating chemical disasters a memory, not a risk. 

P.S. Check out this interactive map from For Effective Government. If your home or child's school is in a vulnerability zone, it's especially important that you sign.