ECO-Action is committed to preventing and reducing human exposure to toxics (hazardous substances) in the air and water, and on land by promoting the Precautionary Principle in our community organizing. What is the Precautionary Principle? According the Wingspread Statement, the Precautionary Principle states that “When an activity raises threats of harm to human health or the environment, precautionary measures should be taken even if we some cause and effect relationships are not fully established scientifically”. Simply put, in the face of uncertainty we take action to prevent harm to human health and the environment rather than permit it. The Precautionary Principle is a foresighted approach that is wiser and less costly than repairing damage.

Rather than allowing harms to human health and the environment, ECO-Action helps vulnerable communities invoke the Precautionary Principle by reframing the issue through the question “How can we prevent harm to human health and the environment?” Athens/Clarke County was able to apply the precautionary principle for example, when the community organized and forced a manufacturing company to switch from using TCE, a known carcinogen, to an environmental friendly solvent in its manufacturing process.

ECO-Action has provided training on the Precautionary Principle community leaders and stakeholders and continues to do. Through legislation, policy and lifestyle change, we are creating pathways towards a toxics-free Georgia. We all need to be toxics-wise and ECO-Action is here to help.

Links to o​​​​ur projects that are related to Toxic issues are provided below.