Hundreds Gather at U.S. Capitol for Stroller Brigade

Last week, we told you about the National Stroller Brigade that was happening May 22 at the U.S. Capitol. The event was held in support of the Safe Chemicals Act after the Chicago Tribune wrote articles exposing the chemical industry's deceptive lobbying techniques.

Here's a recap if you missed the event:

Moms, nurses and cancer survivors came together on May 22 to encourage the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee to vote for the Safe Chemicals Act. The bill is designed to change outdated laws governing toxic chemicals.

People from all around the U.S. came to the Capitol and broke up by their home states to deliver 12,000 petition signatures to their senators.

Several senators were there, including Dick Durbin of Illinois, Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey and Chuck Schumer of New York. Sen. Lautenberg, who started the Safe Chemicals Act, spoke out at the event.

“It’s shocking that toxic chemicals end up in everyday consumer products, and in our bodies, without anyone proving that they are safe,” Sen. Lautenberg said. “The stroller brigade is carrying an important message to Congress that we're not going to stand by and let our kids continue to be exposed to chemicals that make them sick. Concerned moms are the best weapons we have in this fight. With their help, I will keep advancing the Safe Chemicals Act to reform our broken toxic chemical laws and provide a healthier future for our families.”

During the brigade, Polly Schlaff - a widow from Western Michican and mother of three boys -- told the crowd about how she lost her high-school sweetheart to cancer at the age of 35.

"My husband’s cancer had no genetic links, a fact both reassuring and troubling to a single mother bent on protecting her children from illness,” Schlaff said. “No genetic flaw predisposes my sons to Ewing’s sarcoma, yet every day they, along with millions of other American children, are exposed to known and suspected carcinogens. This is unacceptable.”

Celebrity Jessica Alba, who serves as a spokesperson for Safe Chemicals, Healthy Families, helped support the brigade.

“I hear stories from parents across the country every day - they are frustrated with the lack of transparency and honesty about the safety of the chemicals in consumer products," Alba said. "I stand in support of the parents in Washington asking for stronger laws that protect our babies. We deserve the peace of mind of safe and healthy products.”

“If there is one overwhelming message from years of science, it’s that exposure to toxic chemicals early in our lives is responsible for some of the cancer, infertility and other health problems that affect millions of Americans,” said Andy Igrejas, director of Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families. “However, Congress has been paralyzed. We’re here to break the gridlock and demand common sense limits on toxic chemicals.”

See pictures from the event here.

Posted on May 23, 2012