Many members of our organization, the Environmental Justice Coalition, live and grew up in New Jersey. We hold dear to us the health and well-being of our community and take action when it is under threat. Over the last several years, the health and safety of our communities have been under threat from high concentrations of the chemical 1,4 Dioxane in drinking water, personal care products, and household products, the same products we use daily in our homes. 1,4 Dioxane is a synthetic colorless liquid chemical commonly found in these products and poses a public health risk for all ages as it was found by the EPA to be linked to liver, kidney, and respiratory cell damage when exposed to high concentrations. 

What is even more concerning is that the chemical compound is also a contaminant of our water supplies. The NJ Department of Environmental Protections filed a lawsuit against manufacturers and chemical companies, such as DOW, Ferro, and Vulcan, for contaminating the environment with 1,4 Dioxane. Garfield County has also sued DOW and other companies for allegedly contaminating their water with 1,4 dioxane. High levels of the compound were found in treatment plants that serve South Jersey, which has historically marginalized communities and high poverty rates. 

It is crucial that we urge state legislators to support the bill, which we have introduced alongside Senator Raj Mukherji, to ban 1,4 Dioxane in personal care and household products in New Jersey. We must join hands to protect our communities and our environments. Please sign this petition today to help show support on passing the bill to prohibit 1,4 Dioxane in the products we all use every day in our homes with our loved ones, children, and pets.