My colleague, office neighbor, and friend Caroline Cox is a renowned environmental health activist and an unassailable exponent of scientific integrity.  She knows our field.

Since Caroline is out of town, I’m writing to share with MomsRising readers something she has called “really important.”  Less understated than Caroline, I’ll call it a once-in-a-generation opportunity to demand your right to know which toxic chemicals the pesticide industry is dosing you with.

Right now, you have no such right because pesticide companies aren't required to disclose the many inert chemicals in their products.

I realize that sentence sends the wonk-o-meter needle straight to chocolate-factory levels, so I’ll translate:  pesticide companies are allowed to classify as inert any ingredient that’s not intended to kill a pest.

If, for example, a chemical is in a pesticide to help it stick to your tomatoes, it’s inert.  And if, for example, that ingredient also happens to cause cancer, as naphthalene does, well, then it’s still inert.  And therefore totally secret.

Here’s another way to think about it:  picture a big, dangerous, profitable corporate loophole.  Now imagine a doughy, bloated hand in the middle of that loophole.  That hand is extending us all a middle finger that says “inert ingredients” on it.

So here’s the good news:  the new, improved EPA has announced that it is considering a proposal that would force pesticide companies to disclose the ingredients they’ve always concealed within the inert ingredient loophole.

Caroline and many other dedicated health advocates nationwide have been working to close that loophole for decades, and this is the best opportunity they’ve ever seen.

Until April 23rd, EPA is accepting public comments on the proposed change.  Rest assured, they’ll get a deluge of protests from the wealthy pesticide industry.  In order to stand up to that pressure, EPA needs to demonstrate the public mandate for this way-overdue disclosure.

Here’s what you, your friends, and family can do.

1 – Make a public comment to EPA supporting its proposal to require that pesticide companies disclose the inert ingredients in their products.  Our action alert allows you to add your name to our letter to EPA with just a few clicks.  (To make your e-signature official, the alert needs your email address and zip code.  We never give away, sell, or trade your information.  And we won’t send you junk mail.)

2 – California residents can also write to urge their state senators and assemblymembers to support SR35 and HR 23 – resolutions that formalize the state’s support of EPA’s proposal.  Another action alert makes this quick and easy.

3 – Spread the word to your friends and family.

To learn more about the inert ingredient loophole, read Caroline’s brief piece on inert ingredients.