Stop The Toxic Assault On Border Families
444 signatures toward our 30,000 Goal
Sponsor: The Rainforest Site
Lives are on the line as toxic dust seeps across borders, harming families and eroding hope. Help protect children and families facing this risk.
Steel dust from the United States has been entering Mexico1. It carries lead, arsenic, and cadmium, and communities in Monterrey have felt the impact2. Experts have confirmed alarming toxin levels in homes, schools, and playgrounds3. Parents are worried about possible cancers and severe breathing problems. They see their children at risk.
The Evidence
Recent tests found indoor lead levels far beyond safety benchmarks1. Officials shut parts of a plant after discovering improper storage of toxic materials4. Media sources have reported hundreds of thousands of tons of waste crossing borders under weak oversight5.
What’s at Stake
Children are being exposed to metals that could damage brain growth and increase cancer risks1. Arsenic and cadmium have also appeared in schoolyards, where doctors have noted more lung disorders, hair loss, and skin issues6.
These impacted neighborhoods have limited resources and lack straightforward ways to document these threats. Residents have demanded swift protection. The crisis extends well beyond a single community.
The Barrier
Mexico’s environment agencies are confronting huge workloads with limited resources1. The United States ends its responsibility for hazardous materials at the border. That leaves communities exposed to pollution tied to corporate profit. Some observers call this “toxic colonialism,” where poorer communities shoulder the worst burdens5.
The Path to Change
Stronger laws, thorough enforcement, and more frequent inspections could save lives. Clear emissions limits and transparent reporting are needed. Public health authorities can also inform nearby families and test those at highest risk. Collaboration among regulators, industry officials, and community leaders could moreover secure safer outcomes for everyone2.
Sign the petition and call for real oversight for hazardous exports, full investigations, and medical help for those already harmed. No one should fear lead, arsenic, or cadmium in a child’s playground. Add your name today and defend communities at risk.
- Erin McCormick, Verónica García de León, The Guardian (14 January 2025), "Revealed: US hazardous waste is sent to Mexico – where a ‘toxic cocktail’ of pollution emerges."
- Verónica García de León and Erin McCormick, The Guardian (8 February 2025), "Mexico authorities order factory cleanup after Guardian toxic waste investigation."
- Mexico News Daily (17 January 2025), "Investigation finds dangerous levels of heavy metals around Monterrey hazardous waste plant."
- RSOE EDIS, Mexico (18 January 2025), "Shutdown at Mexico toxic waste plant after Guardian investigation revealed pollution in nearby homes."
- Erin McCormick, Verónica García de León, The Guardian (15 January 2025), "‘A trash can for the US’: anger in Mexico and Canada over toxic waste shipments."
- Mexico Daily Post (January 25, 2025), "Investigation revealed US hazardous waste is sent to Monterrey where toxic fumes go up into the air."
The Petition:
To the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (OES),House Energy and Commerce Committee, andWhite House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ),
We, the undersigned, request that your offices take urgent action to address and reduce the threat posed by toxic metal dust shipped from U.S. industries to foreign recycling or disposal plants. Recent findings indicate that this hazardous material contains high levels of lead, arsenic, and cadmium, which can harm human health and the environment. Communities near these facilities report respiratory problems, soil contamination, and elevated health risks for children and vulnerable populations.
Our concerns include:
- Health Risks
- Children’s development suffers when they are exposed to persistent neurotoxins, and older adults are more susceptible to chronic diseases triggered by heavy metals.
- Environmental Damage
- Toxic particles pollute soil, water, and air around the facilities. When these pollutants cross national borders, ecosystems are disturbed and the damage can spread far beyond the immediate area.
- Regulatory Gaps
- While U.S. law requires the safe handling of hazardous waste “from cradle to grave,” the current cross-border nature of these shipments may exploit weaker regulatory frameworks in other countries. This puts both local populations and their environments at serious risk.
Needed Action:
- Strengthen Existing Regulations: We urge the EPA to revisit protocols on the export of hazardous materials, ensuring stricter oversight and transparent reporting on emissions and disposal practices.
- Coordinate Internationally: The Department of State’s OES should seek new or improved bilateral and multilateral agreements, requiring both the U.S. and receiving nations to adopt stringent controls over the handling of toxic dust.
- Empower Legislative Solutions: We call on the House Energy and Commerce Committee to hold hearings and craft legislation that enforces stronger environmental standards, along with tracking and public disclosure of exported hazardous waste.
- Enhance Federal Cooperation: We urge the CEQ to coordinate an interagency approach, encouraging accountability and fostering research on the long-term impact of these wastes on public health and the environment.
Toxic pollutants do not respect borders or boundaries. If managed improperly, they will continue to endanger the health of people in distant communities and degrade natural habitats. By taking unified action to reduce dangerous emissions, we protect children, families, and ecosystems worldwide. We also affirm our commitment to environmental stewardship—safeguarding biodiversity and minimizing harm for future generations.
By addressing these concerns at all levels—local, national, and international—we can ensure safe, cleaner environments where businesses thrive without compromising human or ecological health. We believe that our nation, alongside global partners, can set a new standard for responsible industrial practices. Together, these steps will secure a healthier, more sustainable future for everyone.
Sincerely,
