The Conversation

Most of us use products that contain chemicals every day. Chemicals have made possible advances in medicine, energy production, and digital technology. However, we need to better understand the potential health effects of the chemicals that we use daily. There are many organizations that play important roles in protecting the public from exposures to harmful chemicals. In recent years these organizations have made important progress in protecting the public, but we can—and must—do a better job.

The National Conversation on Public Health and Chemical Exposures was a collaborative project that took place from June 2009 - June 2011.  The project engaged CDC, ATSDR, other organizations working on chemical exposure issues, and the public to develop an Action Agenda to help government agencies and other groups strengthen their efforts to protect us all from harmful chemical exposures. The Action Agenda contains specific recommendations that aim to fairly, effectively, and collaboratively promote public health.