When local governments took on responsibility for solid waste more than a century ago, household waste was primarily coal ash leftover from heating and cooking. The rest was mainly food and a small amount of simple manufactured products like paper and glass. Today manufactured products and their packaging make up 75% of what we throw away. 

Mercury containing thermostats release mercury into the environment when they are handled or disposed hadhazardly. Exposure to mercury, even at a low level, causes damage to the functioning and development of the nervous system both in utero and in growing children. 

In Rhode Island, toxic Diesel soot is responsible for 51 premature deaths 80 heart attacks, 900 asthma attacks, 1,400 respiratory symptoms in children, and 5,500 missed work days. At a minimum, the health effects of diesel pollution cost Rhode Island $300 million annually. 

Discarded computers and other electronics (e-waste) are the fastest growing portion of our waste stream. The National Safety Council estimates that there are 300 to 500 million obsolete computers in the U.S. ready for disposal.

Clean Water Fund led the successful Rhode Island campaign to pass the Electronic Waste Prevention, Reuse, and Recycling Act. Our new law will not only keep computers and televisions out of the landfill, but it will require manufacturers to pay for collecting and recycling their old products.

Give at the office and take advantage of an easy way to support Clean Water Fund!

Clean Water Fund participates in numerous workplace charity campaigns throughout the country, including the Combined Federal Campaign (#10636), state employee campaigns and several corporate campaigns. See below for a list of our workplace partners and links to their web sites where you can find out more about how to get involved.

By contributing to Clean Water Fund through your workplace, you may pledge a small amount in each paycheck to be automatically deducted. Your donation will support Clean Water Fund's work to ensure a safe and health environment for all people, now and for the future.

Here's an overview of recent program activities and accomplishments by Clean Water Action and Clean Water Fund in New England. Highlights include:

• Clean Water Fund and Clean Water Action mobilize New England communities to clean up polluting diesel emissions. See cover story, page 1
• Campaign to phase out toxic BPA builds momentum in Massachusetts. See page 2
• Information on "upstream" solutions, a fresh approach long supported by Clean Water Fund for protecting water and health before pollution happens.

Diesel Pollution Makes Us Sick

Diesel engines emit a mixture of particles, metals and gasses including over 40 "hazardous air pollutants" as classified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Clean Air Act. Diesel pollution can trigger asthma and cause lung cancer, stroke, and heart attack, contributing to 21,000 early deaths a year. Nationally, diesel exhaust poses a cancer risk that is 3 times greater than the combined risk of all air toxics assessed by EPA. Diesel exhaust is particularly dangerous because it is emitted at ground level - just where people breathe it in¹ .

Location(s)

See map: Google Maps

I have some exciting news – Earth In Jeo-Party is right around the corner! 

• What: 3rd Annual Earth in Jeo-Party, the best party in town on Earth Day! Awesome raffle prizes, free pizza, limited edition earth day posters, and good company.
  

• When: Thursday, April 22nd (ahem….Earth Day) from 6-9 pm
  

• Where: Local 121
  

• Who: YOU and all your friends!
  

Suggested donation of 10.00 for admission and raffle tickets for 5.00.*