EWG Project
Pets for the Environment
Environmental Working Group is concerned about toxic chemicals in your pets' food, water and environment which might threaten their health.
EWG's Pets Research
Over the last 2 years, EWG has investigated pets' exposure to toxic chemicals with reports on:
The History Behind EWG’s Pets Research
The Pets for the Environment project was launched in early 2008 when Eddie the dog joined forces with the scientists at Environmental Working Group. Nonstick chemicals from a frying pan had killed Eddie's friend Feathers, so Eddie wanted to know what toxic chemicals he and his feline pal Cleo were also exposed to.
The test results were disconcerting.
Eddie teamed up with EWG to alert pet owners to potential threats to pet health and to work for a safer environment for both pets and people by demanding toxic chemical policy reform in the US.
See Eddie's story.
When tested, pets show extremely high levels of toxic chemicals
EWG scientists found that for 43 different chemicals, dogs and cats had higher levels than humans, and comparable levels of many others.
Three groups of chemicals stood out:
- Fire retardant chemicals
- Stain and grease resistant chemicals (like teflon)
- Plastic chemicals called phthalates
The impact on pet health
These classes of chemicals have been associated with cancer, reproductive and developmental risks, birth defects and thyroid problems in humans. Dogs show higher rates than humans of several kinds of cancer (including skin cancer, bone cancer, breast tumors and leukemia), and hyperthyroidism is a leading cause of illness in older cats.
Some people say it’s genetic changes causing these problems, but animals just don’t evolve quickly enough to account for the rise in illness we have seen. Scientists think exposure to toxic chemicals may be to blame. Our pets well may be serving as sentinels for our own health, as they breathe in, ingest or absorb the same chemicals that are in our environments.
Eddie's Blog Content and Pet Safety Advice
You can find some of the great Pets for the Environment safety tips and testing information in the links below.
- Eddie's Healthy Pet Tips
- Eddie’s Pet Bowl Guide
- Pet Food Labeling Guidelines
- Pet's Guide to Safer Sunscreens
- Green Cat Toys
- Healthy Pet Treat Recipes
- Pet Friendly Lawn Care
- Cleo's Picks Of The Litter Box
- Pet Safe Travel Trips