By David DiFiore
How many people can say they really love their job? Lucky for me, I’m one of those people. As part of the Safer Choice Program the work I do helps people make safer choices for their families, pets, and the environment every day.
Safer Choice is our label for safer chemical-based products, like all-purpose cleaners, laundry detergents, degreasers, and many others. Each day, consumers, custodians, cleaning staffs, and others use these products, and families, building occupants, and visitors are exposed to them. The Safer Choice program ensures that labeled products—and every ingredient in them—meet the program’s stringent health and environmental criteria—and perform well, too.
Working in the Safer Choice Program, I have the privilege of seeing the results of our work in many tangible forms in real-time, every day. When I go to the grocery store and see a labeled product on the shelf, I know that the work I do helps protect people, animals and the environment from toxic chemicals.
So how can you help people make safer choices?
- First, look for products with the Safer Choice label in stores this summer. By choosing products with the Safer Choice label, you’re driving the development of greener chemicals and supporting over 500 manufacturers and retailers that participate in our program.
- Spread the word about Safer Choice products to your friends and family. Let them know that over 600 consumer products qualify for the Safer Choice label. You can help them find Safer Choice products by searching our list of labeled products.
- Encourage the use of Safer Choice products in your community, at work, school and local businesses. Almost 2,000 products with the Safer Choice label are made specifically for industrial use. Check out our interactive graphic to find Safer Choice products for your community.
Also, if you’re interested in helping people make safer choices across the country, take a look at two new Safer Choice job announcements. We’re looking to build our team to take on the enormous opportunities in labeling safer personal care products. Perhaps we’ll get to share the adventure.
About the Author: David DiFiore has worked for the Safer Choice Program since 1997. Before that, David worked in several other EPA programs, including the New Chemicals Program, where he learned the science and art of identifying and promoting safer chemicals and products.